Elucidation of the intervening mechanism of beta-carotene in the redox status of macrophages which regulate the immunological functions.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25504006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Integrated Nutrition Science
• Research Institution: Kanagawa University of Human Services (2014-2015); The University of Tokushima (2013)
• Principal Investigator: Yamanishi Rintaro 神奈川県立保健福祉大学, 保健福祉学部, 教授 (30253206)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 食品成分の機能性 / 食品免疫学 / マクロファージ / グルタチオン / β-カロテン / c-Jun N-terminal Kinase / レチノイド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The amount of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in immune cells regulates the individual immune competence. In this study how beta-carotene elicits intracellular GSH-synthesis was investigated with a murine macrophage cultured cell line RAW264. As a result, the involvement of the signal transduction pathway mediated by c-Jun N-terminal Kinase in beta-carotene-induced GSH-synthesis in RAW264 cells was elucidated. Furthermore, retinol showed the similar activity with beta-carotene in affecting the intracellular GSH level. Despite such common activity between beta-carotene and retinol, the absence of signaling pathway consisting of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and/or retinoid-X receptor (RXR), which would be stimulated by retinoic acid, a common metabolite between beta-carotene and retinol, from the activity was suggested.

Free Research Field

統合栄養科学