大和健康资讯 第126期（2014年2月）

This Month's Topics

■ Health Strategy Series from the Perspective of a Pathology Specialist, Part 2: Inflammation and Immunity

18) What is the Self? What Is the Non-Self? Mucosa, Immune System, Lymphatic System, and Disease (2)

Hamamatsu Medical University (First Pathology), Dr. Yuzo Endo

◎ The digestive tract has a movement called peristalsis, which is equipped with a mechanism that steadily transports contents in one direction. This time, I will talk about peristalsis, the function of the ileocecal area, and Crohn's disease, a disease of the ileocecal area.

■ World Health Report

What is the trending diet "DASH"? ~ Latest information on healthy diets in the United States (1)

◎ The U.S. current affairs commentary magazine 'U.S. News & World Report' has released its ranking of the diets (dietary methods) practiced annually in the health field, titled '2014 Best Diets.' Here, 32 highly rated diets are ranked in the United States. We will introduce various diets that are gaining attention in the U.S. over three installments.

■ Health Tips: Revisiting and Renewing Health

49) Exercise habits for longevity

◎ The world is overflowing with a wide variety of health information. Health methods vary from person to person, but what is common is that moderate exercise is essential for health. This time, we will introduce the relationship between longevity and exercise.

This Month's Menu

■ Latest Information on Daiwa Pharmaceutical

◎ [Paper Published] Modified rice bran arabinoxylan (MGN-3/BioBran) increases the sensitivity of metastatic breast cancer cells to paclitaxel in vitro

■ Because I'm curious

◎ Episode 47: New Treatment for Hay Fever Appears

■ Latest Information on Daiwa Pharmaceutical

◎ [Paper Published] Modified rice bran arabinoxylan (MGN-3/BioBran) increases the sensitivity of metastatic breast cancer cells to paclitaxel in vitro

A research group centered at Drew University (USA) announced that BioBuran increases the sensitivity of metastatic breast cancer cells to paclitaxel (an anticancer drug) in vitro. This study was published in "Anticancer Research, January 2014."

Previous studies have shown that BioBuran increases the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to daunorbicin. In this trial, BioBuran similarly increased the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel, showing that BioBuran acts as a novel adjuvant for paclitaxel.

In recent years, treatment methods that reduce dosage while maintaining the effectiveness of anticancer drugs and alleviating chemotherapy side effects have attracted attention through the use of alternative therapies. There is also great potential for various applications of Biobran in the future.

■ A new treatment for hay fever is coming to the body

As a new treatment promising a cure for cedar pollen allergy, sublingual immunotherapy was approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on January 17. This is an immunotherapy method where thinly diluted cedar pollen extract is placed in the mouth once daily to gradually acclimate the body over the course of a year.

Traditional immunotherapy involved injecting the extract. It is recognized to have an efficacy rate of around 70% for cedar pollen allergy, and after more than three years of treatment, the effect often lasts for several years. However, when treatment first started, there were challenges such as the need to visit the clinic 1~2 times a week, the use of injections, and the rare side effects such as anaphylaxis.

To address this, a new method has been developed called sublingual administration. A solution containing pollen extract is poured onto the back of the tongue, left for two minutes, and swallowed. During these two minutes, immune cells in the mucosa detect the extract, and as this is repeated daily, the body gradually adapts. Since the extract is started in small amounts, the likelihood of a reaction similar to hay fever is considered very low.

This sublingual immunotherapy is expected to be available in medical institutions only after this spring, so it seems unlikely to be available in time for this season. This time, we are introducing it with hopes for next season and beyond.

Thank you for reading the 'e-Kenko Kawara Edition' to the end of this month.

We will continue to plan to provide more comprehensive health information, so we appreciate your continued support. We look forward to hearing your opinions and feedback.

The next "e-Kenko Kawara Edition" is scheduled to be released around March 10.