U.S. patent application number 11/498725 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for gene expression regulating agent.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Wataru Aoi, Yuji Naito, Jiro Takahashi.
Application Number | 20070060647 11/498725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34835931 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naito; Yuji ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Gene expression regulating agent
Abstract
An object of the invention is to provide a gene expression
regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an
effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of
regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its
ester. Abnormal gene expression due to, for example, oxidative
stress can be treated, improved, and/or prevented, and diseases
caused by the abnormal gene expression can be treated, improved,
and/or prevented. A gene expression regulating agent which includes
astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food
and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which
includes astaxanthin and/or its ester are provided and are useful
for treating, improving, and/or preventing the symptom caused by
the abnormal gene expression, that is, excessive expression or
suppression of expression.
Inventors: |
Naito; Yuji; (Shiga, JP)
; Takahashi; Jiro; (Toyama, JP) ; Aoi; Wataru;
(Kyoto, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VENABLE LLP
P.O. BOX 34385
WASHINGTON
DC
20043-9998
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Toyama
JP
YUJI NAITO
Shiga
JP
|
Family ID: |
34835931 |
Appl. No.: |
11/498725 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP05/01718 |
Feb 4, 2005 |
|
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11498725 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/546 ;
514/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 25/02 20180101;
A61P 3/04 20180101; A61P 7/00 20180101; A61P 27/12 20180101; A61P
1/12 20180101; A61P 3/10 20180101; A61P 1/18 20180101; A61P 19/06
20180101; A61P 21/04 20180101; A61P 37/08 20180101; A61P 13/02
20180101; A23L 33/105 20160801; A23L 2/52 20130101; A23V 2002/00
20130101; A61P 3/06 20180101; A61P 27/06 20180101; A23L 33/10
20160801; A61P 13/12 20180101; A61P 21/00 20180101; A61P 1/04
20180101; A61P 25/28 20180101; A61P 9/12 20180101; A61K 31/21
20130101; A61P 9/10 20180101; A61P 27/16 20180101; A61P 29/00
20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; A61K 31/122 20130101; A61P 43/00
20180101; A61P 1/10 20180101; A61P 11/00 20180101; A61P 27/02
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/546 ;
514/690 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/22 20060101
A61K031/22; A61K 31/12 20060101 A61K031/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2004 |
JP |
2004-028698 |
Claims
1. A method for regulating gene expression, comprising
administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as
an effective ingredient.
2. A method for regulating cytokine-related gene expression,
comprising administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester
thereof as an effective ingredient.
3. A method for regulating TGF-.alpha.-related gene expression,
comprising administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester
thereof as an effective ingredient.
4. A method for regulating collagen-related gene expression,
comprising administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester
thereof as an effective ingredient.
5. A method for regulating the expression of gene related to the
increase and decrease of muscle cell and bone cell, comprising
administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as
an effective ingredient.
6. The method for regulating gene expression according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof is
administered as an effective ingredient in the form of a food or a
drink.
7. A method for using at least one of astaxanthin and an ester
thereof in order to produce a gene expression regulating agent,
wherein the gene expression regulating agent comprises at least one
of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of Application PCT/JP2005/001718,
filed on Feb. 4, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gene expression
regulating agent which comprises astaxanthin and/or its ester as an
effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of
regulating gene expression comprising astaxanthin and/or its
ester.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, an attention has been paid to the relation
between the oxidative damage induced by oxidized substances, and
coronary heart disease, cancer, aging, or the like, especially, the
relation with the deterioration of tissue and the inhibition of
enzyme function or gene expression due to the oxidization of
molecules within the living body. Inhibition of oxidative damage
induced by free radicals may decrease the risk of such degenerative
diseases. There are reports on the inhibition of the oxidization of
molecules within the living body by natural or synthetic
antioxidants.
[0006] In recent years, it has been found that astaxanthin, which
is a kind of carotenoids as is .beta.-carotene, has a strong
antioxidant effect, 100 to 1,000 times as strong as vitamin E
(.alpha.-tocopherol) and about 40 times as strong as
.beta.-carotene. The astaxanthin is a red dye and has long been
eaten. It is widely distributed in nature, especially in the ocean
and found in, for example, crustaceans such as shrimp and crab,
fishes such as salmon and porgy, algae such as green alga
Haematococcus, and yeasts such as red yeast Phaffia. The
astaxanthin was used to be treated only as a dye; however, since
the above-mentioned findings, astaxanthin is expected as a healthy
food in the industry.
[0007] Astaxanthin has other functional properties, and there are
many reports including, for example, anti-inflammatory effect,
anti-atherogenic effect, effect to improve ability to remember,
effect to adjust diurnal rhythm, immunostimulatory effect,
antistress effect, effect to improve muscle endurance, retina
protective effect against light-induced damage, effect to improve
regulatory function of eyes, effect to improve quality of sperm,
and inhibition of induction of bladder cancer. In addition, as for
the effect on the skin, effects to inhibit pigmentation, melanin
production, and light aging are reported.
[0008] It has been reported that administration of astaxanthin into
diabetic mice reduces blood glucose level and astaxanthin has an
effect on the improvement of diabetic nephropathy (Naito Y. et al;
Astaxanthin protects beta-cells against glucose toxicity in
diabetic db/db mice. Redox Rep, 7(5), 290-3, 2002.). In addition,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-265136 describes
that administration of astaxanthin into diabetic mice reduces the
symptom of diabetic nephropathy and provides a food intake system
based on the DNA testing of an individual organism.
[0009] However, regulation of gene expression by astaxanthin and/or
its ester is not known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The inventors of the present invention searched substances
that regulate gene expression in order to solve above-mentioned
problems. As a result, they have found that astaxanthin and/or its
ester perform to regulate gene expression. The invention has been
accomplished based on such findings, and provides a gene expression
regulating agent which comprises astaxanthin and/or its ester as an
effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of
regulating gene expression comprising astaxanthin or an ester
thereof.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a gene
expression regulating agent which comprises astaxanthin and/or its
ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an
effect of regulating gene expression comprising astaxanthin or an
ester thereof. The agent and the food and drink of the invention is
useful for treating, improving, and preventing the disease caused
by the promotion of gene expression and the disease caused by the
suppression of gene expression by regulating abnormal gene
expression.
[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, inventors of
the present invention have investigated vigorously, and have found
that astaxanthin and/or its ester has an effect of regulating gene
expression. The invention is based on such findings.
[0013] Specifically, the invention includes (1) a method for
regulating gene expression, including administering at least one of
astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective ingredient, (2) a
method for regulating cytokine-related gene expression, including
administering at least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as
an effective ingredient, (3) a method for regulating
TGF-.alpha.-related gene expression, including administering at
least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective
ingredient, (4) a method for regulating collagen-related gene
expression, including administering at least one of astaxanthin and
an ester thereof as an effective ingredient, (5) a method for
regulating the expression of gene related to the increase and
decrease of muscle cell and bone cell, including administering at
least one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof as an effective
ingredient, (6) the method for regulating gene expression according
to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the at least one of astaxanthin
and an ester thereof is administered as an effective ingredient in
the form of a food or a drink, and (7) a method for using at least
one of astaxanthin and an ester thereof in order to produce the
gene expression regulating agent of any one of (1) to (6).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of the renal glomerulus of
Example 1. db/db, db/db(Ax), and db/m are renal glomeruli of db/db
mouse, astaxanthin-administered mouse, and db/m mouse,
respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail. In
the invention, "effect of regulating gene expression" refers to the
effect to regulate abnormal gene expression, which causes various
kinds of diseases due to a variety of factors, to the gene
expression in a normal condition, that is, when gene expression is
promoted abnormally, gene expression is moderated, and when gene
expression is moderated abnormally, gene expression is promoted,
thereby regulating gene expression in a proper way.
[0016] The gene to be regulated may be any type without limitation;
examples thereof include genes related to oxidation, cytokines,
collagen, TGF, and the increase and decrease of muscle cell and
bone cell.
[0017] Specific examples thereof include genes related to the
production of enzymes or factors pertaining to oxidation such as
peroxyredoxin, catalase, dehydrogenase, and superoxidase dismutase;
genes related to the production of enzymes or factors pertaining to
cytokine such as septin, fibrosin, granulin, RING finger protein,
protein phosphatase, secreted phosphoprotein, FMS-like tyrosine
kinase, erythropoietin receptor, colony stimulating factor,
interleukin, and fibrosin; genes related to the production of
enzymes or factors pertaining to collagen such as insulin-like
growth factor receptor, macrophage scavenger receptors, collagen
type XXV, procollagen type IV, C1q and tumor necrosis factor
related protein, C1q-related factor, and matrix metalloproteinase;
genes related to the production of enzymes or factors pertaining to
TGF such as FK506 binding protein, catenin beta, MAD homolog, TGF
beta induced transcript, selected phosphoprotein; and genes related
to the production of enzymes or factors pertaining to the increase
and decrease of muscle fiber or muscle cell and bone cell such as
phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase, lysosome protease, cytoplasmic
protease, RT1, and neuronatin.
[0018] The gene expression regulating agent of the invention into
which astaxanthin and/or its ester is compounded and the food and
drink of the invention into which astaxanthin and/or its ester is
compounded can treat, improve, and/or prevent the disease caused by
the abnormality of gene expression.
[0019] The term "astaxanthin" in the invention means those derived
from natural sources or synthetic ones. Examples of those derived
from natural sources include those derived from crustacean shells
such as a shrimp, krill, and crab; skis or eggs of various kinds of
fish and shellfish; algae such as green alga Haematococcus, yeasts
such as red yeast Phaffia, marine bacteria, seed plants such as an
adonis and buttercup. Natural extracts and chemically-synthesized
compounds are easily available.
[0020] Astaxanthin can be obtained by culturing, for example, red
yeast Phaffia, green alga Haematococcus, or marine bacteria in an
appropriate culture according to the method known in the art. Green
alga Haematococcus is most suitable in terms of easy culturing and
extraction and in that resulting products contain astaxanthin in
highest concentration and productivity is high. For the culturing
method to obtain products containing a high amount of astaxanthin
from Haematococcus green algae, closed type culturing method, which
prevents the mixture and propagation of heterologous microorganisms
and allows fewer impurities to be mixed, is preferable. For
example, following methods are suitable: a method in which
culturing is performed using a culture apparatus that comprises a
partially open type culture device of a domed shape, a conical
shape, or a cylindrical shape; and a gas discharge device disposed
so as to be movable in the culture device (International
Publication No. WO 99/50384); a method in which culturing is
performed by irradiating inside with light from a light source
arranged inside a closed type culture device and; and a method in
which culturing is performed in a tabular fermenter.
[0021] Various methods are known for extraction or purification
from the culture or the crustacean. Astaxanthin and esters thereof
are lipid soluble substances. Thus, for example,
astaxanthin-containing components can be extracted from natural
sources containing astaxanthin with a lipid soluble organic solvent
such as acetone, alcohol, ethyl acetate, benzene, and chloroform.
In addition, supercritical extraction can also be performed using
carbon dioxide and water. After the extraction, the concentrated
mixture of monoester form of astaxanthin and diester form of
astaxanthin can be obtained by removing the solvent according to a
usual method. The resulting concentrate can be further purified
with a separation column or lipase degradation, if necessary.
[0022] Alternatively, astaxanthin can be extracted by drying
Haematococcus alga cultured in the domed shape or closed type
culture device, extracting with acetone after grinding, or
simultaneously performing grinding and extraction in acetone, and
then removing acetone. This process is advantageous in that the
resulting extracts contain less impurities, i.e., fewer substances
inhibiting the effect of regulating gene expression of the
invention, and thus contains more astaxanthin and triglyceride with
high purity.
[0023] Astaxanthin can be used in such forms as extracts of
astaxanthin to be obtained by the above-mentioned method and
powders or solutions containing the extracts, or dried products of
e.g. red yeast Phaffia, green alga Haematococcus, or marine
bacteria and crushed products thereof.
[0024] Astaxanthin is
3,3'-dihydroxy-.beta.,.beta.-carotene-4,4'-dione and has
stereoisomers; Specifically, three stereoisomers
(3R,3'R)-astaxanthin, (3R,3'S)-astaxanthin, and
(3S,3'S)-astaxanthin are known, all of which can be used in the
invention.
[0025] In the description of the invention, "astaxanthin" includes
astaxanthin and/or its ester unless otherwise described. Further,
esters of astaxanthin include monoester form and/or diester
form.
[0026] It is known that astaxanthin has not been observed having
any mutagenicity and is a highly safe compound. It is widely used
as a food additive (Takahashi Jiro et al; Toxicity test of
Haematococcus alga astaxanthin-Ames test, rat single-dose toxicity
test, rat 90-day repeat dose oral toxicity test-, Rinsho Iyaku, 20:
867-881, 2004.).
[0027] At least one of free form, monoester form, and diester form
of astaxanthin can be used for the gene expression regulating agent
of the invention which comprises astaxanthin and/or its ester as an
effective ingredient. The diester form is physically more stable
than the free form and monoester form and hard to be subjected to
oxidative decomposition, because its two hydroxy groups are
protected by ester bonds. However, when it is taken into the living
body, it is considered to be hydrolyzed quickly into free
astaxanthin by in vivo enzyme to exert its effect.
[0028] Monoesters of astaxanthin include lower or higher saturated
fatty acid esters, or lower or higher unsaturated fatty acid
esters. Specific examples of the lower or higher saturated fatty
acid, or lower or higher unsaturated fatty acid include acetic
acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic
acid, palmitoleic acid, heptadecanoic acid, elaidic acid,
ricinoleic acid, petroselinic acid, vaccenic acid, eleostearic
acid, punicinic acid, licanoic acid, palynalic acid, gadolic acid,
5-eicosenoic acid, 5-docosenoic acid, cetolic acid, ercinoic acid,
5,13-docosadienoic acid, selacholic acid, decenoic acid, stering
acid, dodecenoic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, eicosapentaenoic
acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and
arachidonic acid. Diesters of astaxanthin include diesters of the
same or different fatty acids selected from the group consisting of
the above-mentioned fatty acids.
[0029] Further, examples of monoester of astaxanthin include
monoesters of an amino acid such as glycine and alanine; a mono- or
poly-carboxylic acid such as acetic acid and citric acid; an
inorganic acid such as phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid; a sugar
such as glucoside; a sugar fatty acid such as glycoglycero-fatty
acid and sphingoglyco-fatty acid; a fatty acid such as
glycero-fatty acid; glycerophosphoric acid; and the like. When it
is possible, salts of the above-mentioned monoesters are also
included.
[0030] Diesters of astaxanthin include diesters composed of the
same or different acids selected from the group consisting of
above-mentioned lower saturated fatty acids, higher saturated fatty
acids, lower unsaturated fatty acids, higher unsaturated fatty
acids, amino acids, mono- or poly-carboxylic acids, inorganic
acids, sugars, sugar fatty acids, fatty acids, and
glycerophosphoric acids. When it is possible, salts of the
above-mentioned diesters are also included. Examples of diesters of
glycerophosphoric acid include saturated fatty acid esters of
glycerophosphoric acid and esters of glycerophosphoric acid
containing fatty acids selected from higher unsaturated fatty
acids, unsaturated fatty acids, or saturated fatty acids.
[0031] The gene expression regulating agent of the invention is
useful for treating, improving and/or preventing the increase of
enzymes and factors caused by abnormal expression and the decrease
or deficiency of enzymes and factors caused by abnormal
suppression. By regulating gene expression, production and/or
inhibition of enzymes and factors can be regulated. Thus, the gene
expression regulating agent of the invention has an effect on
treating, improving and/or preventing diseases that are said to be
developed due to the abnormal gene expression, for example,
arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, hyperlipemia,
rheumatism, gout, stroke, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary
emphysema, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, nephritis, cataract,
Alzheimer's disease, allergic disease, aging, neuropathy which is a
complication of diabetes, retinopathy, diseases related to
nephropathy and hemopathy. In case of neuropathy, the agent of the
invention has an effect on treating, improving and/or preventing
sudden hearing loss, abnormality in eyes or in face (paralysis and
pain), orthostatic hypotension, dyshidrosis, diarrhea and
constipation (digestive symptom), urinary disturbance, pain of
extremity, sensory abnormality, atrophy of muscles, and gangrene.
In case of retinopathy, the agent of the invention has an effect on
macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, simple retinopathy,
preproliferative retinopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. In
case of hemopathy, the agent of the invention has an effect on
treating, improving and/or preventing cerebral infarction and
myocardial infarction.
[0032] The gene expression regulating agent of the invention which
comprises astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient
can be administered orally or non-orally. The agent can be
administered orally in a solid form such as a tablet, orally
disintegrating tablet, capsule, granule, fine granule, or in a
liquid form such as a syrup and suspension. The agent can be
administered non-orally in a form such as an injection, eyedrops,
nasal drops, adhesive preparation, ointment, and suppository.
[0033] The gene expression regulating agent of the invention which
comprises astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient
may comprise various kinds of additives that are used in the
production of general formulation in an appropriate amount.
Examples of such additives include excipients, binders, acidulants,
foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, flavors, lubricants,
colorants, stabilizers, pH adjusters, surfactants, and the like.
Examples of excipient include starches such as cornstarch, potato
starch, wheat starch, rice starch, partly pregelatinized starch,
pregelatinized starch, and porous starch; sugars such as lactose,
fructose, and glucose; sugar alcohols such as mannitol, xylitol,
erythritol, sorbitol, and maltitol; and inorganic compounds such as
magnesium aluminometasilicate, hydrotalcite, anhydrous calcium
phosphate, precipitated calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, and
light anhydrous silicic acid. Examples of binder include
hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic powder, gelatin, and pullulan.
Examples of disintegrant include starch, agar, carmellose calcium,
sodium carboxymethyl starch, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone,
and crystalline cellulose. Examples of acidulant include citric
acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid. Examples of
foaming agent include sodium hydrogencarbonate and sodium
carbonate. Examples of sweetener include saccharine sodium,
dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, aspartame, stevia, and thaumatin.
Examples of flavor include lemon oil, orange oil, and menthol.
Examples of lubricant include magnesium stearate, sucrose esters of
fatty acids, polyethylene glycol, talc, stearic acid, and sodium
stearyl fumarate. Examples of colorant include food colors such as
Food Yellow No. 5, Food Red No. 2, and Food Blue No. 2, food lake
colors, and diiron trioxide. Examples of stabilizer include sodium
edentate, tocopherol, and cyclodextrins. Examples of pH adjuster
include citrate, phosphate, carbonate, tartrate, fumarate, acetate,
and amino acid salt. Examples of surfactant include polysorbate 80,
methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium
carboxymethylcellulose, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, gum
arabic, and powdered tragacanth. Astaxanthin can be compounded as a
powder or granule after wet granulation.
[0034] Liquid forms such as a syrup, drink, suspension, eyedrops,
and injection can be obtained by preparing an effective ingredient
in the presence of a pH adjuster, buffer, resolvent, suspension,
tonicity agent, stabilizer, preservative, etc. on as-needed basis
according to a usual method. Examples of suspension include
polysorbate 80, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium
carboxymethyl cellulose, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, gum
arabic, and powdered tragacanth. Examples of resolvent include
polysorbate 80, hydrogenated polyoxyethylene castor oil, nicotinic
acid amide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, macrogol, and
castor oil fatty acid ethyl ester. Examples of stabilizer include
sodium sulfite and sodium metasulfite. Examples of preservative
include methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, sorbic
acid, phenol, cresol, and chlorocresol.
[0035] In order to enhance the effect of regulating gene expression
according to the invention, substances having antioxidant capacity
may be added. Antioxidant is thought to enhance the effect of
astaxanthin, for example, by inhibiting the oxidation of
astaxanthin in the gene expression regulating agent of the
invention, or by inhibiting the oxidation of astaxanthin in the
living body. The antioxidant is not particularly limited and those
having an antioxidant effect are applicable. The antioxidant can be
selected from the group consisting of vitamin As such as retinol
and 3,4-didehydroretinol; vitamin B; vitamin Cs such as D-ascorbic
acid and L-ascorbic acid; vitamin Es such as tocopherol,
tocotrienol, vitamin E acetate, vitamin E succinate, and vitamin E
phosphate; carotenoids such as .beta.-Carotene and lutein, and
pharmaceutically allowable salts of these; coenzyme Q, flavonoid,
tannin, ellagic acid, polyphenols, nucleic acids, herb medicines,
marine algae, and inorganic substances; and mixtures thereof. These
may be used singly or in combination. In addition, the same effect
can be achieved by compounding a fruit, or algae, fungi, or the
like containing these into the agent of the invention.
[0036] For an external preparation for skin in form, in addition to
the above components, components for use in an external preparation
for skin such as usual cosmetics and medicines, for example, a
whitening agent, humectant, antioxidant, oily component,
ultraviolet absorber, surfactant, thickener, alcohol, powder
component, coloring material, aqueous component, water, skin
nutritional supplement, or the like may be appropriately compounded
on as-needed basis.
[0037] The amount of astaxanthin or its ester for use in the gene
expression regulating agent of the invention is a dosage of 0.5 mg
to 100 mg, preferably 1 mg to 20 mg in terms of free astaxanthin
per day for adults, administered orally or non-orally. The dosage
may vary depending on the age, body weight or grade of symptoms of
a patient to be administered, or administration form. The
pharmaceutical agent of the invention may comprise astaxanthin in
an amount of 0.01% by weight to 99.9% by weight, preferably 0.1% by
weight to 90% by weight.
[0038] The invention encompasses a food and drink having an effect
of regulating gene expression comprising astaxanthin or its
ester.
[0039] Examples of the form of the food and drink include common
foods such as margarine, butter, butter sauce, cheese, raw cream,
shortening, lard, ice cream, yogurt, diary products, meat sauce
products, fish products, pickles, fried potato, potato chips, snack
food, thin slices of dried rice cake, popcorn, seasoned powder for
sprinkling over rice, chewing gum, chocolate, pudding, jelly,
gumi-candy, candy, drops, caramel, bread, sponge cake, cake,
doughnut, biscuit, cookie, cracker, macaroni, pasta, Chinese
noodles in soup, buckwheat noodles, wheat-flour noodles, salad
oils, instant soup, dressing, egg, mayonnaise, miso, or carbonated
or non-carbonated drinks such as fruit drinks, refreshing drinks,
sports drinks, non-alcoholic drinks such as tea, coffee, and cocoa,
or alcoholic drinks such as liqueur, and medicinal alcoholic
beverages.
[0040] The food and drink of the invention can be produced by
compounding astaxanthin and/or its ester with raw materials of
common food and processing according to a usual method. The amount
of astaxanthin and/or its ester to be compounded is different
depending on the form of food and is not particularly limited. In
general, the amount is 0.00001% by weight to 10% by weight,
preferably 0.0001% by weight to 5% by weight, and the astaxanthin
and/or its ester is adjusted so that necessary amount of
astaxanthin and/or its ester to exert the preventing or improving
effect is contained. The amount of astaxanthin and/or its ester to
be used can be selected appropriately depending on the kind of food
and drink by those skilled in the art, and the amount is an intake
of 0.5 mg to 100 mg, preferably 1 mg to 20 mg per day for
adults.
[0041] When the food and drink of the invention are used as
nutritional and supplemental foods or functional foods, their forms
may be the same as the above-mentioned pharmaceutical preparation.
There may also be used in combination milk protein, soybean
protein, or egg albumin protein, or the decomposition product
thereof, oligopeptide of egg white, soybean hydrolyzate, or a
mixture of them with a single amino acid. The food and drink may be
in a processed form, such as natural liquid foods, semi-digested
nutritional foods and nutritional foods, drinks, capsules or
enteral nutrients, etc. combined with sugars, fats, trace elements,
vitamins, emulsions, flavors, or the like. For the drink form, the
material can be combined with the drink as nutritional additives
such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals and sweeteners, spices,
flavors, pigments, etc., in order to keep a nutrient balance or to
impart a good taste when ingested. The form of the food and drink
of the invention is not limited to these.
[0042] Hereinafter, Examples will be described to explain the
invention in more detail, but it will be obvious that the invention
is not restricted to these Examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[Onset of Diabetic Complication]
[0043] Type II diabetic female db/db mice and non-diabetic db/m
were purchased from Clea Japan, Inc. Mice were bred under the
conditions with a 12 hours light-dark cycle at a temperature of
21.degree. C. to 25.degree. C. For acclimation, mice were fed CE-2
(Clea Japan, Inc.) with free access to water for one week. The mice
were divided into three groups each consisting of 8 mice
(non-diabetic db/m, diabetic db/db, and astaxanthin-administered
db/db) and each group was bred with feed ad libitum. Mice in
astaxanthin-administered group were fed a diet in which 0.02%
astaxanthin in terms of free astaxanthin was compounded with CE-2.
Each group was bred for 12 weeks, and body weight, blood glucose
levels, 8-OHdG levels in urine, albumin levels in urine, and kidney
histopathology, were measured. Astaxanthin used here was AstaReal
(registered trademark, Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 50F, which
is oil composed of astaxanthin fatty acid ester and triglycerides
and contains 5% astaxanthin in terms of free astaxanthin.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Change of albumin level in urine and 8-OHdG
level in urine at the start Albumin level in 8-OHdG level in urine
Group urine (mg/dl) (mg/dl) db/db 46.9 .+-. 0.6 421.5 .+-. 22.5
db/db (Ax) 46.2 .+-. 1.5 325.2 .+-. 38.5 db/m 30.2 .+-. 1.2 119.4
.+-. 3.6 Each value represents standard deviation * p < 0.01
administered group vs control (t-test) db/db, db/db (Ax), db/m are
db/db mice, astaxanthin-administered db/db mice, and db/m mice,
respectively.
[0044] TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Change of albumin level in urine and
8-OHdG level in urine at the end Albumin level in 8-OHdG level in
urine Group urine (mg/dl) (mg/dl) db/db 236.2 .+-. 173.5 335.8 .+-.
67.9 db/db (Ax) 77.8 .+-. 44.6 160.5 .+-. 43.5 db/m 75.5 .+-. 43.9
75.0 .+-. 15.1 Each value represents standard deviation * p <
0.01 administered group vs control (t-test)
[0045] Tables 1 and 2 show the effect of astaxanthin on the blood
glucose levels, albumin levels in urine, and 8-OHdG levels in urine
of diabetic mice.
[0046] These results indicate that astaxanthin in diabetes reduces
blood glucose levels, albumin levels in urine, and 8-OHdG levels in
urine and thus has an effect on diabetes and diabetic
nephropathy.
[0047] The kidney was removed from each of db/db, db/db(Ax), and
db/m mice, thinly sliced, and then the glomerulus was observed with
a microscope. The glomerular mesangium of db/db mice was enlarged,
however, the enlargement of glomerular mesangium was apparently
moderated in case of astaxanthin-administered db/db(Ax). FIG. 1 is
a photomicrograph of glomerulus. It was revealed that since
astaxanthin moderated the lesion of renal glomerulus, the increase
of albumin levels in urine and 8-OHdG levels in urine in diabetic
nephropathy was reduced.
[Measurement of Degree of Gene Expression]
[0048] After the period of test breeding, kidney was removed and
frozen at -80.degree. C. Using an LM200 system (Olympus
Corporation), the renal glomerulus was cut from kidney of mice
while keeping low temperature. tRNA of renal glomerulus was
extracted using tRNA extraction regent "Isogen" (produced by Nippon
Gene Co., Ltd.), and then preparation of cRNA and hybridization
were performed according to the Affymetrix GeneChip Eukaryotic
Small Sample Target Labeling Assay Ver. II.
[0049] (1) Synthesis of first strand cDNA: 1 .mu.L of total RNA
solution and 1 .mu.L of 5 .mu.M T7-Oligo(dT) primer were mixed,
heated at 70.degree. C. for 6 minutes, and then cooled at 4.degree.
C. for 2 minutes. 3 .mu.L of RT_Premix.sub.--1 (1.5 .mu.L
DEPC-treated water, 4 .mu.L 5.times.First strand Buffer, 2 .mu.L
DTT (0.1 M), 1.5 .mu.L dNTP Mix (10 mM), 1 .mu.L RNase inhibitor
(40 U/.mu.L), and 2 .mu.L SuperScript II (200 U/.mu.L)) was added
and reverse transcribed at 42.degree. C. for 1 hour. The sample was
heated at 70.degree. C. for 10 minutes to inactivate Super Script
II, and then cooled to 4.degree. C.
[0050] (2) Synthesis of second strand cDNA: 32.5 .mu.l of
SS_Premix.sub.--1 (91 .mu.L DEPC-treated water, 30 .mu.L 5.times.
Second Strand Buffer, 3 .mu.L dNTP (10 mM), 1 .mu.L E. coli DNA
ligase (10 U/.mu.L), 4 .mu.L E. coli DNA polymerase (10 U/.mu.L),
and 1 .mu.L RNase H (2 U/.mu.L)) was added to the first strand cDNA
solution and allowed to react for 2 hours at 16.degree. C.
[0051] (3) To the resulting cDNA, was added 1 .mu.L T4 DNA
polymerase (5 U/.mu.l) and allowed to react for 10 minutes at
16.degree. C., and purified by ethanol precipitation.
[0052] (4) In vitro transcription: To the dried double-stranded
cDNA pellet, was added 10 .mu.L of reagents (4 .mu.L DEPC-treated
water, 4 .mu.L premixed NTPs, 1 .mu.L 10.times. reaction buffer,
and 1 .mu.L 10.times. enzyme mix), and allowed to react at
37.degree. C. in a water bath for 6 hours.
[0053] (5) First cycle cRNA was purified using the RNeasy Mini Kit
in accordance with the protocol in the handbook (QIAGEN).
[0054] (6) Subsequently, for the amplification and labeling, the
cRNA sample was mixed with random primers (0.2 .mu.g/.mu.L),
treated at 70.degree. C. for 10 minutes, cooled on ice for 2
minutes, 5 .mu.L of RT_Premix.sub.--2 (5.times.First Strand Buffer,
DTT (0.1 M), dNTP mix (10 mM), RNase inhibitor (40 U/.mu.L), and
SuperScript II (200 U/.mu.L) was added, and allowed to react at
42.degree. C. for 1 hour.
[0055] (7) Next, Second Sstrand cDNA synthesis was carried out by
adding 5 .mu.M T7-Oligo(dT) promoter treating at 70.degree. C. for
6 minutes, cooling at 4.degree. C., and adding 62 .mu.L of
SS_Premix.sub.--2 (43 .mu.L DEPC-treated water, 15 .mu.L
5.times.Second Strand Buffer, 1.5 .mu.L dNTP mix (10 mM), and 2
.mu.L E. coli DNA polymerase (10 U/.mu.L)).
[0056] (8) To the resulting cDNA, was treated added 1 .mu.L of T4
DNA polymerase (5 U/.mu.L), allowed to react at 16.degree. C. for
10 minutes, and purified by ethanol precipitation.
[0057] (9) To perform in vitro transcription and labeling with the
ENZO BioArray High Yield RNA Transcript Labeling Kit, 40 .mu.L of
reagents (22 .mu.L DEPC-treated solution, 4 .mu.L 10.times. HY
reaction buffer, 4 .mu.L 10.times. biotin-labeled ribonucleotides,
4 .mu.L 10.times. DTT, 4 .mu.L 10.times. RNase inhibition mix, and
2 .mu.L 20.times. T7 RNA polymerase) were added, and allowed to
react at 37.degree. C. for 4 hours.
[0058] (10) Labeled cRNA target was purified with RNeasy
columns.
[0059] (11) The fragmentation and hybridization were performed
according to "GeneChip Expression Analysis Technical Manual".
[0060] The prepared labeled cRNA was hybridized to a GeneChip
"mouse Expression Set 430A, representing a total of 22,690 mouse
transcripts" (Affymetrix). For data analysis, the GeneChip Analysis
Suite Ver. 5.1 (Affymetrix) was used. All microarrays were scaled
to a target intensity of 1000 and were compared with background,
noise, and overall staining intensity. Differentially expressed
transcripts were identified by algorithms of the software y
Affymetrix. TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Oxidative stress-related gene
expression intensity ratio Accession No. db/db:db/m db/db(Ax):db/db
db/db(Ax):db/m Descriptions 1424111_at 13.00 0.87 11.31 insulin
like growth factor 2 receptor 1448061_at 5.28 0.25 1.32 macrophage
scavenger receptor 1 1438655_a_at 4.59 0.19 0.87 collagen, type
XXV, alpha 1 1425476_at 4.00 0.50 2.00 procollagen, type IV, alpha
5 1424762_at 0.62 2.00 1.23 C1q and tumor necrosis factor related
protein 5 1422777_at 0.54 1.32 0.71 C1q related factor 1449366_at
0.31 2.00 0.62 matrix metalloproteinase 8 * Accession No. is the
site number of "mouse Expression Set 430A" to which probes are
attached, db/db:db/m, db/db(Ax):db/db, and db/db(Ax):db/m represent
the gene expression intensity ratio between db/db mice and db/m
mice, the gene expression intensity ratio between the
astaxanthin-administered db/db mice and db/db mice, and the gene
expression intensity ratio between the astaxanthin-administered #
db/db mice and db/m mice, respectively. In the "Descriptions",
factors, with which the attached probe is associated, are
shown.
[0061] Tables 4 to 6 listed below are described in the same way.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Cytokine-related gene expression relative
ratio Accession No. db/db:db/m db/db(Ax):db/db db/db(Ax):db/m
Descriptions 1434099_at 78.79 0.87 68.59 caspase 7 1420811_a_at
32.00 0.38 12.13 catenin beta 1422486_a_at 27.86 1.00 27.86 MAD
homolog 4 (Dorosophia) 1448184_at 9.85 0.66 6.50 FK506 binding
protein 1a 1454971_x_at 5.66 0.57 3.25 transforming growth factor
beta 1 induced transcript 4 1449254_at 4.92 0.13 0.66 secreted
posphoprotein 1 transforming growth factor 1425742_a_at 4.29 0.33
1.41 beta 1 induced transcript 4
[0062] TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Cytokine-related gene expression
relative ratio Accession No. db/db:db/m db/db(Ax):db/db
db/db(Ax):db/m Descriptions 1436691_x_at 64.00 0.14 9.19
peroxiredoxin 1 1416430_at 25.99 0.33 8.57 catalase 1419821_s_at
21.11 0.33 6.96 isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), soluble
1448184_at 17.15 0.23 4.00 superoxide dismutase 1, soluble
1448733_at 10.56 0.76 8.00 Blymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1
[0063] TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Cytokine-related gene expression
relative ratio Accession No. db/db:db/m db/db(Ax):db/db
db/db(Ax):db/m Descriptions 1454610_at 48.5 0.76 36.76 septin 7
1433816_at 25.99 0.31 8 fibrosin 1 1438629_x_at 16 0.19 3.03
granulin 1449036_at 16 0.1 1.62 ring finger protein 128 1423344_at
0.31 2.30 0.71 erythropoietin receptor
[0064] It is found that excessively expressed genes of db/db mice
where abnormal gene expression has taken place are moderated,
whereas the expression of genes with decreased expression are
improved.
EXAMPLE 2
[Muscle Atrophy Test]
[0065] 9-week-old Wistar male rats were bred each being fed a
normal diet for breeding and water ad libitum under the conditions
with a 12 hours light-dark cycle at a temperature of 21.degree. C.
to 25.degree. C. and were accustomed to the environment in advance.
The rats were divided into two groups of 10 rats per group, and
each group was bred with a normal diet (control group) or a diet to
which astaxanthin was added (Ax group) fed ad libitum. The diet to
which astaxanthin was added was prepared by mixing free astaxanthin
at 0.02%. At one week after the start of ingestion of
astaxanthin-added diet, the sciatic nerve of the left leg was cut
and muscle of the left lower extremity was inactivated. After
breeding for further two weeks, rats were killed, triceps surae
(soleus muscle, gastrocnemius, and plantaris) were extracted from
left leg (limb in which nerves were removed) and right leg (control
limb), respectively, and the wet weight of the gastrocnemius was
measured. The atrophy rate was calculated using the difference of
the wet weight of the gastrocnemius of left lower limb to the wet
weight of the gastrocnemius of right lower limb with respect to
each group Table 7. By the above-mentioned measurement of degree of
gene expression, global measurement of mRNA expression was
performed using GENEchip (Affymetrix) with respect to the
gastrocnemius of right and left legs of each of the control group
and astaxanthin-administered group Table 8. TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7
Weight of gastrocnemius and change of atrophy rate Control group Ax
group Body weight (g) 343.8 338.7 Gastrocnemius Right leg weight
(mg) 5.05 .+-. 0.32 4.94 .+-. 0.27 Light leg weight (mg) 2.84 .+-.
0.28 3.08 .+-. 0.10 Atrophy rate (%) 43.8 37.7
[0066] The Ax group had a smaller value of atrophy rate compared
with the control group, indicating that Ax has an effect to
moderate muscle atrophy. The risk rate was 5% or less and
significant results were obtained. TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Gene
expression related to increase and decrease of muscle cell and bone
cell (increase of expression) Acccession No. ac/nc ad/nd nd nc ad
ac Descriptions 1369999_a_at 0.79 0.61 1043.2 135 640.7 106.4
neuronatin 1377334_at 1.60 0.51 615.4 137.6 312 220.5 RT1 class II,
locus Ba 1387172_a_at 1.06 0.57 1179 452.6 677.8 479.9 transforming
growth factor, beta 2 1387353_at 0.83 0.67 1564 862.6 1042.6 715.4
murine thymoma viral (v-akt) oncogene homolog 2 * Accession No. is
the site number of "mouse Expression Set 430A" to which probes are
attached, nd, nc, ad, and ac are luminescence intensities of the
site, to which probes are attached, of the genes in gastrocnemius
in left leg (limb in which nerves were removed) of control group,
in gastrocnemius in right leg (control) of control group, in
gastrocnemius in left leg (limb in which nerves were removed) of
astaxanthin-administered group, and in gastrocnemius in right leg #
(control) of astaxanthin-administered group, respectively. ad/nc
and ad/nd represent the gene expression intensity ratio of the gene
in the gastrocnemius of the left leg (limb in which nerves were
removed) of astaxanthin-administered group relative to the gene in
the gastrocnemius of the right leg (control) of control group, and
the gene expression intensity ratio of the gastrocnemius of the
left leg (limb in which nerves were removed) of
astaxanthin-administered group # relative to the gastrocnemius of
the left leg (limb in which nerves were removed) of control group,
respectively. In the "Descriptions", factors, with which the
attached probe is associated, are shown.
Table 9 is described in the same way.
[0067] It is found that the administration of astaxanthin moderates
the increase of expression of muscle atrophy-related genes with
increased expression. TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Gene expression
related to increase and decrease of muscle cell and bone cell
(suppression of expression) Acccession No. ac/nc ad/nd nd nc ad ac
Descriptions 1398469_at 1.09 1.90 175.1 479.2 333.1 523.6 protein
phosphatase 3, catalytic subunit gamma isoform 1369098_at 1.00 1.49
213.1 501.2 318 500.5 very low density lipoprotein receptor
1369161_at 1.34 1.41 217.3 503.5 306.9 677.1 ATP-binding cassette,
sub- family B (MDR/TAP), member
[0068] It is found that the administration of astaxanthin increases
the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes with suppressed
expression.
PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1
(Tablet)
[0069] The ingredients shown below were uniformly mixed in the
following compositional ratio (% by weight) to make tablets, each
being 180 mg. TABLE-US-00010 Astaxanthin 5% Lactose 75% Heavy
magnesium oxide 20%
PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2
(Capsule)
[0070] Haematococcus extracted oil (containing 10% by weight of
astaxanthin) was filled in a soft capsule film consisting of the
following components according to a usual method to prepare soft
capsules, each being 100 mg. TABLE-US-00011 Gelatin 70% Glycerin
23% Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate 0.5% Water proper quantity Total
100%
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0071] The invention revealed that astaxanthin has an effect of
regulating gene expression and makes gene expression in a normal
condition. Namely, the gene expression regulating agent of the
invention is useful as the gene expression regulating agent which
comprises astaxanthin or its ester as an effective ingredient.
* * * * *