| Budget Amount *help |
¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000)
Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
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| Research Abstract |
Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health. Recently, people with marginal zinc deficiency have been detected. Thus, strategies for increasing zinc absorption is important, because its efficiency is estimated to be about 30%. In the intestinal epithelial cells, zinc transporter ZIP4 functions as an essential molecule for zinc absorption. Exogenous expression of ZIP4 results in zinc uptake into the cells, suggesting that food factor(s) increasing ZIP4 expression should be a potential enhancer of zinc absorption. In this study, we screened for suitable food components with the ability to increase the abundance of this zinc transporter. Soybean extracts were identified and their effect was attributed to specifically decreased endocytosis of ZIP4 triggered by zinc, and soyasaponin was identified as an active component that increased both ZIP4 protein abundance and zinc levels from one extract. Our results suggest that soybean extracts may be useful to improve zinc absorption in humans.
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