Biomedical subjects

Shigeru Yamamoto

Publications and source records attributed to Shigeru Yamamoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

[Evaluation of host immunity and side effects in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (FEC therapy)].

BACKGROUND: FEC (5-FU+epirubicin+cyclophosphamide) therapy has been used as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients with nodes positive. The aim of this study was to evaluate host immunity and side effects of the FEC therapy. The effect of oral administration of Lentinus edodes mycelia (LEM) was also observed. METHODS: Ten patients were enrolled in this study. The treatment with 5-FU (500 mg/m2), epirubicin (75 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) was administered every 21 days for 2 cycles, and LEM (9 g/day po) was administered during the 2nd cycle. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the number of white blood cells decreased on the 7th day after the therapy, and they recovered on the 21st day. However, this NK cell activity and the number of white blood cells didn't decrease when the FEC therapy was used with LEM po. CONCLUSIONS: FEC 75 therapy has made some impacts on host immunity, and LEM with the FEC 75 therapy might have prevented host immunity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Zinc deficiency in patients with idiopathic taste impairment with regard to angiotensin converting enzyme activity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at measuring the ratio of apo/holo activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) ratio in the serum of patients with taste impairment to evaluate their status of zinc nutrition. METHODS: Nineteen patients complaining of taste impairment were divided into two groups: zinc-deficiency taste impairment (n=6) and idiopathic taste impairment (n=13) and compared to 30 volunteers. Zinc concentrations in the serum were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (normal values: 64-111 microg/dl). Patients with zincemia values of <63 microg/dl with no history of other disorder or medication known to cause dysgeusia were diagnosed as zinc deficient, while those with the same condition and values >64 microg/dl were considered to belong to the idiopathic group. The activities of ACE in the serum were measured spectrophotometrically as the activity of the holo-ACE, and after addition of 80 microM of zinc to the serum in vitro, the increase of ACE activity over initial value in the serum was determined as that of the apo-ACE. Finally, the apo/holo-ACE activities ratio was used as an index of zinc nutritional status. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of zinc in the serum were 77.4+/-8.4 microg/dl in volunteers, 77.6+/-8.4 microg/dl in the idiopathic patients and significantly decreased at 55.7+/-5.8 microg/dl in zinc-deficiency patients. ACE activities in the serum were 14.7+/-7.6, 14.5+/-4.0 and 14.1+/-3.3 IU/l in volunteers, the idiopathic group and zinc-deficiency taste impairment group, respectively. The mean ACE ratios were 1.10+/-0.6% in volunteers and significantly increased at 9.8 +/- 4.0% in the idiopathic group and at 13.7+/-6.6% in zinc-deficiency taste impairment group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicated that zinc deficiency is a predominant factor underlying hypogeusia even when zinc concentrations are within normal ranges in the serum and show that clinically, ACE ratio may be a more sensitive indicator of the zinc nutritional status than measuring zinc concentration in the serum.

Dysgeusia↗

PubMed2004

Sentinel lymph node biopsy using computed tomography-lymphography in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique is established in the treatment of breast cancer. The current technique of mapping the SLN with blue dye or radiotracers requires a learning period. Tracer and injection site selection and intraoperative pathologic examination have been discussed. METHODS: We developed a three-dimensional computed tomography lymphography (3D CT-LG) technique with commercially available iopamidol. SLNB and backup dissection were performed in 40 patients with T1 and T2 breast cancer. Feasibility and efficacy of CT-LG were examined. RESULTS: In all patients, lymph flow and the surrounding anatomical environment were visualized with 3D CT-LG. SLNB was successful because of accurate navigation by 3D CT-LG. SLN was detected in all patients, whereas dye navigation failed in seven fatty axilla and two patients with prior excisional biopsy. Backup dissection confirmed the accuracy of CT-LG-guided SLNB. A false negative result was found in only one patient. Preoperative prediction was feasible in cases of SLN metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: CT-LG allowed accurate SLN localization by quickly and adequately visualizing the direct connection between the SLN and its afferent lymphatic vessels. Detailed cross-sectional images of lymphatic anatomy during CT resulted in successful SLNB with shortening of the presurgical examination schedule.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Peptic digestibility of raw and heat-coagulated hen's egg white proteins at acidic pH range.

Allergenicity in food proteins is generally dependent on their heat stability and resistance to digestive enzymes together with the presence of IgE-recognizing epitopes on the molecules. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, we assessed peptic digestibility of raw and heat-coagulated hen's egg white proteins at acidic pH range (1.5-4.0). Ovalbumin in raw egg white was slightly digested by pepsin at pH 1.5 and pH 2.0, and was almost resistant to the enzyme at pH 2.5 and over, which was altered in heat-coagulated egg white at the pH range from 1.5 to 2.5 where the protein was well digestive against the enzyme. Peptic digestibility of ovomucoid in raw egg white was good at the pH range from 1.5 to 2.5, but almost non-existent at pH 3.0 and over where the improvement of the digestibility of the protein was not found even in heat-coagulated egg white. As the stomach in new born infants shows a low amount of secretary pepsin and an out of optimum pH of peptic activity, low digestibility of ovalbumin and ovomucoid in raw and heat-coagulated egg white at over pH 3.0 is supposed to be responsible for their allergenicity and delayed outgrowth from hen's egg allergy in patients with delayed maturation of stomach functions.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Relationship between smoking habits and serum oxygen radical absorbance capacity and dietary intake in Japanese adults.

1. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of smoking habits on dietary intake, serum oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and lifestyle in Japanese adults. 2. Lifestyle factors were recorded by questionnaire and dietary intake was measured by a single 24 h food recall. Blood was collected under fasting conditions for analysis. 3. Smokers had lower intakes of vitamin C, fruits and dark green and yellow vegetables (DGYV), higher consumption of alcohol, lower physical activity and lower ORAC values than non-smokers. Body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) increased, whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased with an increase in the amount smoked, but there were no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers. 4. It is considered that high cancer and cardiovascular risks among smokers are also reinforced by undesirable lifestyle factors other than smoking.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Comparative study of zinc, copper, manganese, and iron concentrations in organs of zinc-deficient rats and rats treated neonatally with l-monosodium glutamate.

The effects of a zinc-deficient (ZD) diet on the growth and trace element concentrations of various organs (body hair, liver, kidney, gastrocnemius muscle, and femur) of male rats were studied. Furthermore, these trace element concentrations of the above-mentioned organs in male rats neonatally treated with l-monosodium glutamate (MSG) are compared with those of the ZD rats. The ZD rats showed growth retardation compared to rats fed a zinc- adequate diet (controls). The feed efficiency of the ZD rats was only one-fifth of the controls. This is one reason why the ZD rats showed retarded growth. Body hair concentration of zinc (Zn) in the ZD rats was significantly lower than in the controls. On the other hand, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) concentrations in the body hair were significantly higher in the ZD rats than in the controls. Moreover, the apparent absorption rate of these trace elements was significantly higher in the ZD rats than in the controls. The reason for the decrease in Zn contents of the body hair in the ZD rats is probably the reduced dietary Zn intake. Liver and kidney concentrations of Zn in the ZD rats were significantly lower than in the controls. Femur Zn concentrations in the control rats showed higher values than in the ZD rats. Cu and Mn concentrations in the femur in the ZD rats showed higher values than in the controls. Ninh et al. suggested that growth retardation in ZD rats is the result of a decrease in protein biosynthesis. The results of this study support their theory. The reasons for the use of MSG-treated rats in this study are as follows. (1) We reported on the head hair concentration of the above-mentioned elements from pituitary dwarfism (human growth hormone deficient) patients. In that study, the sample was restricted to head hair from pituitary dwarfism patients. More detailed physiological data may be obtained by the used of MSG-treated rats. (2) We took notice of many resemblances between the pituitary dwarfism patients and the MSG-treated rats in morbidity. The MSG-treated rats showed a severe growth retardation compared to NaCl-treated controls. Zn concentration in the body hair was significantly higher in the MSG-treated rats that in the NaCl-treated controls. For other trace element concentrations, there were no significant differences between the MSG-treated rats and the NaCl-treated controls. The concentrations of these trace elements in the liver of the MSG-treated rats were lower than in the NaCl-treated controls. In the MSG-treated rats, the concentrations of Zn and Cu in the femur were higher than in the NaCl-treated controls. However, the Fe concentration in the femur of teh MSG-treated rats showed lower values compared with NaCl-treated controls. The results of this study suggest that the reduction of rat growth hormone (rGH) secretion and/or its synthesis are a consequence of the impairment of rGH anabolic effects. Furthermore it indicates that MSG-treated rats are useful as an in vivo model for the study of the effects of GH.

Air↗

PubMed2004

Recommendations to develop an intervention for Japanese youth on weight management.

In the last 20 years the average change in BMI among Japanese youth is minimal, but significant changes appear when the categories of overweight/obesity and underweight are investigated within gender. Now intervention programs for Japanese youth on weight management need to be developed. To address the issue, there are a series of steps that could be undertaken utilizing theory of behavior change. Using the Transtheoretical Model-Stages of Change as the health promotion theory an intervention could be developed that would tailor messages to the level of the stage of readiness to weight change that exists among youth. Different aspects of the intervention could be developed and targeted to groups of youth by their needs. To assist with planning and development of the intervention principles of Intervention Mapping could be used to guide development using data from a needs assessment survey to: a) determine youths' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about body size, b) determine youth's barriers to change in body size, c) determine parental knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about body size, d) determine parental barriers to change in youth body size, e) determine the prevalence of health problems from low and high BMI of young females and males, f) determine which youth are at risk-rural/urban areas, socioeconomic status.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Nutritional factors, parasite infection and allergy in rural and suburban Vietnamese school children.

Urban areas often have more allergy than rural areas. Dietary patterns and parasite infection have been suggested as possible related factors. This study evaluated the prevalence of allergy in school children in one rural and suburban area of Vietnam where parasite infection is common. A total of 195 children aged 9 to 13 years old completed a self-administered allergy questionnaire and provided blood and stool samples for analysis. Nutritional status, dietary intake and parasite infection were determined in all participants. Allergy was more common in girls (10.7% vs. 7.6%), suburban children (11.8% vs. 6.9%), children with weight-for-age (16.7% vs. 6.0%) and height-for-age (14.8% vs. 4.9%) in the 10th to 75th percentile compared to <3rd percentile, and in children without trichuriasis compared to light trichuriasis (12.5% vs. 9.3%), although none of these comparisons were statistically significant. Logistic regression adjusted for sex, age and area of residence revealed no association between allergy and nutritional status, food intake or parasite infection. Intake of riboflavin, however, was negatively associated with allergy (OR=0.00, 95% CI:0.00-0.65, p=0.038). In conclusion, we were unable to detect any association between allergy and nutritional status, diet, or parasite infection. However, in a population with high undernutrition and parasite infection, the prevalence of allergy was low and the extremely low intake of riboflavin was associated with a higher risk of allergy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Japanese citrus fruit (sudachi) juice is associated with increased bioavailability of calcium from whole small fish and suppressed bone resorption in rats.

Shirasuboshi (boiled and semi-dried whitebait) is a processed fish food that contains abundant calcium. It is eaten whole and commonly consumed in Japan. In this study, the effect of sudachi (Citrus sudachi) juice on calcium, magnesium and phosphorus bioavailability, and bone metabolism in rats was examined. After 14 d of diets low in calcium and phosphorus, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed shirasuboshi diets containing dried shirasuboshi powder treated with 20% (S20) or 40% (S40) sudachi juice, or distilled water (C) (0.5% Ca; 0.3% P) for 14 d. The apparent absorptions and retentions of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus from shirasuboshi were determined. Bone formation was calculated by measuring serum osteocalcin, and bone resorption by measuring urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. The apparent absorption and retention of calcium and magnesium in the S20 group were significantly higher than in the C and S40 groups. Although serum osteocalcin was not affected by the addition of sudachi juice, the urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline concentrations in the S40 group were significantly lower than in the C and S20 groups. Our results indicate that sudachi juice added to shirasuboshi was associated with increased calcium bioavailability and suppressed bone resorption in rats.

Absorption↗

PubMed2004

The polyphenol content and antioxidant activities of the main edible vegetables in northern Vietnam.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a risk factor in atherosclerosis, and polyphenols are the potential agents to inhibit the oxidation of LDL. We determined the polyphenol contents and the antioxidant activities of commonly consumed vegetables in Vietnam and assessed the quantity of the polyphenol intake from vegetables in the current Vietnamese diet. The polyphenol contents in 30 kinds of vegetables was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activities of vegetables were evaluated by measuring the oxidation of LDL and the reduction of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. In this study, some herbs and edible wild vegetables possessed high contents of polyphenols and antioxidant activities. Among green vegetables, sweet potato leaves showed both a high polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. The mean polyphenol daily intake of the Vietnamese was a 595 mg catechin equivalent. Water spinach, a kind of green vegetable, contributed the highest amount (45%) of the total polyphenol intake, followed by other green vegetables. Neither herbs nor edible wild vegetables contributed significantly to the total polyphenol intake due to their low consumption. Green vegetables are therefore considered very important sources of polyphenol intake for the Vietnamese.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2004

[A case of disseminated tumor from cecal cancer with survival for over 5 years after twice surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy].

A 66-year-old man underwent a curative operation for cecal cancer on the 30th of November, 1998. Since his CEA level rose in January 2001, computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor in the abdomen. He underwent a resection of this tumor and disseminated tumors that were diagnosed during the operation. He received systemic chemotherapy (5'-DFUR 600 mg 3x everyday, CPT-11 80 mg/body div every 2 weeks), but the CEA level rose again in August 2003. He was diagnosed with spleen metastasis and underwent splenectomy. The tumor disseminated in the left diaphragm was also resected. After that, he received systemic chemotherapy (5-FU 500 mg/body/week div, levofolinate calcium 250 mg/body/week i.v.) as an outpatient. Peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer with distant metastasis, in general, has no indication for an operation. However, if dissemination is located after a sufficient observation period, its resection may be recommended.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Pre- and post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen in primary lung adenocarcinoma.

The clinical value of pre- and post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration (mean +/- SEM, ng/ml) in surgically treated primary lung cancer patients with adenocarcinoma (n=97) was studied. Preoperative CEA in pT2 patients (18.3+/-8.0) was higher than in pT1 (10.5+/-6.4, p<0.05) but was not different from pT3 patients (19.7+/-6.7). Preoperative CEA in pN1 patients (5.9+/-1.6) was lower than in pN2 (28.2+/-13.2, p<0.05) but not different from pN0 patients (8.8+/-3.8); p-stage II patients (8.2+/-4.7) had lower values than p-stage III patients (26.7+/-10.5, p<0.05), but not p-stage I patients (7.9+/-3.9). The CEA was not different between p-stages IA and IIA (3.5+/-0.6, 6.1+/-3.2) and IB and IIB (17.0+/-11.8, 11.7+/-7.8), but was different between IA and IB (p<0.05) and IIA and IIB (p<0.05). Preoperative CEA did not differ between patients who received complete (12.7+/-4.7) versus incomplete (9.5+/-6.0) resections, nor between patients who developed recurrence after surgery (21.9+/-10.4) versus those who were disease-free (30.9+/-21.7). CEA obtained 2 months after surgery in patients who recurred or metastasized after surgery (63.1+/-47.0) was higher than in disease-free patients (4.8+/-1.6, p<0.05). The post-/pre-operative CEA ratio in patients who recurred or metastasized after surgery (146.6+/-53.3%) was also higher than in disease-free patients (91.0+/-10.9%, p=0.05). In conclusion, CEA reflected tumor size but not the tumor invasion nor hilar lymph node disease; patients with mediastinal lymph node involvement had higher CEA values. Preoperative CEA did not reflect the likelihood of complete resection nor postoperative metastasis, but postoperative CEA obtained 2 months after surgery did reflect postoperative metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Breast sentinel lymph node mapping at CT lymphography with iopamidol: preliminary experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping with interstitial computed tomographic (CT) lymphography with small volumes of iopamidol for direction of SLN biopsy in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section transverse and three-dimensional CT images that included the breast and axilla were acquired at multi-detector row helical CT in 17 patients with operable breast cancer before subcutaneous injection of 2 mL of undiluted iopamidol into peritumoral and periareolar areas and 1-5 minutes after massage of injection sites. Location and size of SLNs were assessed at CT lymphography and were compared with SLNs at standard axillary lymph node dissection with blue dye staining. RESULTS: CT lymphography allowed localization of SLNs in all patients by means of visualization of a direct connection between an SLN and its afferent lymphatic vessels draining from the injection sites. Afferent vessels were joined and drained into a single axillary SLN, except in four patients with two or three SLNs, including a parasternal one. SLNs did not enhance because of rerouting of lymph flow in four patients. At surgery, SLNs that were stained or not stained with blue dye were easily found with CT lymphographic guidance. Tumoral infiltration was not evident in any resected nodes, except for infiltration in one patient with micrometastasis in SLN alone and infiltration in four patients with massive metastasis in both SLN and distant nodes. CONCLUSION: Because preoperative CT lymphography-guided SLN mapping provides SLN position with detailed lymphatic anatomy, it may be useful for the direction of breast SLN biopsy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Measurement of the two-photon correlation of synchrotron radiation in the VUV region by a delay-time modulation technique.

The two-photon correlation (second-order coherence) of synchrotron radiation in the VUV region (hnu = 55 eV) has been measured using a novel photon-counting method. A new technique has been developed to measure a small bunching effect by using a coincidence unit composed of a constant fraction discriminator, a time-to-amplitude converter (TAC), a single-channel analyzer (SCA) and two solid-state switches. The path of the circuit through which the stop signal for the TAC passes can be changed by a control voltage generated by a function generator, and the relative arrival time of two photons on condition that the output signal from the SCA appears is consequently changed. By modulating the arrival time and measuring the output rate from the SCA with a digital lock-in amplifier, an apparent bunching effect has been observed which is characteristic of the chaotic light. The electron-beam emittance in the horizontal direction was estimated as 39(-8)(+13) nm rad by this experiment, and the value was consistent with the designed value of 36 nm rad.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Gene gun-based co-immunization of merozoite surface protein-1 cDNA with IL-12 expression plasmid confers protection against lethal Plasmodium yoelii in A/J mice.

The carboxyl-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) is a leading candidate for a vaccine against malaria in the erythrocytic stage. In this study, we investigated the utility of interleukin-12 (IL-12) cDNA as an adjuvant for malaria DNA vaccine in a mouse challenge model. We found that co-immunization of expression plasmids encoding a C-terminal 15-kDa fragment of MSP1 (MSP1-15) with the IL-12 gene using a gene gun significantly increased the protective immunity against malaria as compared with MSP1-15 DNA immunization alone. Co-immunization of IL-12 DNA potentiated MSP1-15-specific T helper (Th)1-type immune responses as evaluated by in vivo antibody (Ab) responses and in vitro cytokine profiles. After the Plasmodium yoelii challenge, mice immunized with MSP1-15 plus IL-12 DNA showed a higher level of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production than did other groups of mice. In vivo neutralization of IFN-gamma or depletion of CD4(+) T cells completely abolished this protective immunity. Macrophages, but not nitric oxide (NO), were found to play an important role in this effector mechanism. The sera from mice in which the infection had been cleared by the vaccination showed strong protection against P. yoelii infection. Thus, in addition to cellular immune responses, Abs against parasites induced in the course of infection are essential for protection against P. yoelii. The results indicate that combined vaccination with DNA encoding antigenic peptides plus IL-12 DNA provides a strategy for improving the prophylactic efficacy of a vaccine for malaria infection.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma of the submandibular lymph nodes with extensive squamous metaplasia: report of a case.

We report a unique case of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma of the submandibular lymph nodes with extensive squamous metaplasia. A 48-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of a thyroid tumor and right submandibular masses. A tumor, 2 cm in its largest dimension, was palpated in the right lobe of the thyroid gland. The masses in the submandibular region measured up to 3 cm in diameter. Each submandibular tumor had a cystic cavity containing slightly opaque fluid. Aspiration cytology of the thyroid established a diagnosis of papillary carcinoma. Aspirated material from the cystic cavity of one of the submandibular masses contained only keratinized material with a thyroglobulin level of 175 ng/ml. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen confirmed a diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, as well as well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with cystic changes in the submandibular lymph nodes. Focal immunoreactivity for thyroglobulin, combined with the absence of any other possible primary lesions in the head and neck region, suggested metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma of the submandibular lymph nodes with extensive squamous metaplasia.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

PubMed2003

Tumor dimension and prognosis in surgically treated lung cancer: for intentional limited resection.

Tumors with a maximum dimension of 3 cm are categorized as T1, whereas those greater than 3 cm are T2 by TNM classification. Some physicians suggest that early-stage peripheral lung cancer should have a maximum tumor diameter of 2 cm and that limited surgery (segmentectomy without lymph node dissection) is acceptable for the patients. In this study, the relationship between the tumor dimension and prognosis was analyzed in 207 patients with surgically treated primary non-small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The 5-year survival rate of those with tumors 3 cm or less and without lymph node (LN) metastases was 86%, which was significantly higher than that of those with tumors more than 3 cm and without hilar and mediastinal LN metastases (65%) (p < 0.05). However, 33% of the patients with tumors 3 cm or less had LN metastases, and the 5-year survival rate did not differ between those with tumors 3 cm or less (60%) and those with tumors more than 3 cm (54%). Twenty-eight percent of patients with tumors 2 cm or less had LN metastases, and the 5-year survival rate of the patients with tumors 2 cm or less was 62%. The 5-year survival rate of those with tumors 2 cm or less and without LN metastases was 88%. Forty-six patients with tumors 2 cm or less included 5 cases with an intrapulmonary metastasis in the same lobe (11%). In conclusion, a size of 3 cm is an appropriate boundary as the T factor. Because those with tumors 2 cm or less have a relatively high percentage of LN metastases, intraoperative frozen sections of LN should be considered for those undergoing limited surgery for primary non-SCLCs 2 cm or less. Intrapulmonary metastases also should be considered for those undergoing limited surgery even if the maximum dimension of the primary tumor is less than 2 cm.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Antihyperglycemic effect of oolong tea in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of oolong tea for lowering plasma glucose in type 2 diabetic patients in Miaoli, Taiwan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 20 free-living subjects who had type 2 diabetes and took hyperglycemic drugs as prescribed were enrolled in the present study. Subjects consumed oolong tea (1,500 ml) or water for 30 days each in a randomized crossover design. Tea was not consumed for 14 days prior to treatments. RESULTS: Relative to initial concentrations, oolong tea markedly lowered concentrations of plasma glucose (from 229 +/- 53.9 to 162.2 +/- 29.7 mg/dl, P < 0.001) and fructosamine (from 409.9 +/- 96.1 to 323.3 +/- 56.4 micromol/l, P < 0.01), whereas the water control group had not changed (208.7 +/- 61.0 vs. 232.3 +/- 63.1 mg/dl for glucose and from 368.4 +/- 85.0 to 340.0 +/- 76.1 micromol/l for fructosamine). CONCLUSIONS: Oolong tea may be an effective adjunct to oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Age of Onset↗