Organogermanium (Ge-132) Suppresses Activities of Stress Enzymes Responsible for Active Oxygen Species in Monkey Liver Preparation

Assays of stress enzymes related to active oxygen species were performed by using an in vitro preparation from the liver of a monkey (Japanese Macaque). Ge-132, an organic germanium compound, viz. poly-trans-[(2-carboxyethyl) germasesquioxane] [(GeCH2CH2COOH)2O3]n, suppressed the activities of NADH-dependent oxidase and NADPH-dependent oxidase [NAD(P)H-OD] and xanthine oxidase (XOD) as superoxide-forming enzymes, while promoting the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a superoxide-scavenging enzyme and catalase (CAT) as an enzyme responsible for degradation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The evidence suggests that the levels of active oxygen species such as and H2O2 would be reduced by Ge-132. The possible connection between Ge-132 and activities of stress enzymes is discussed on the basis of these results.

Cyclic Bis(3'-5')diadenylic Acid (c-di-AMP) Analogs Promote the Activities of Photosynthesis and Respiration of <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Physiological changes in the photosynthesis, respiration and cell division of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a freshwater green alga, in response to adenine nucleotides were investigated. In advance of this investigation, two adenine nucleotides, di(2'-O-methyl)-cyclic bis(3'-5')diadenylic acid (1) and its N-benzoyl-protected analog 2 were synthesized from the commercially available adenosine phosphoramidite. The respective analogs significantly promoted the cell division (cell number) of C. reinhardtii strains 137c mt+ and BR mt+. Moreover, they significantly enhanced the O2 evolution (photosynthesis) and O2 uptake (respiration) of both strains. c-di-AMP analogs seem to play an effective role as a physiological activator in planta.

Stimulation of Root Growth Induced by Aluminum in <i>Quercus serrata</i>Thunb. Is Related to Activity of Nitrate Reductase and Maintenance of IAA Concentration in Roots

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. Excess Al3+ released by soil acidification in soil solution is thought to be a growth limiting factor to many cultivated plant species, but it has been reported to stimulate plant growth in some crop and tree species in certain concentration of Al3+. Previously, we had reported that Al treatment enhanced root development, uptake from growth media and in vivo nitrate reductase (NR) activity of roots. NR is one of the key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism and acts at the first step of nitrate assimilation in plants. In this study, we investigated the process of Al-induced root development in an early stage, focusing on the change in in vitro NR activity, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins concentration in roots of Quercus serrata seedlings, which were treated for 1 h with Al or Ca. In Al-treated roots, NR activity increased and IAA concentration was maintained at the same level as pretreatment, and indole-3-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (IA-Asp), which is a metabolic intermediate of IAA degradation, was not detected in roots. In Ca-treated roots, NR activity increased, but IAA concentration decreased as IA-Asp concentration increased. Thus, the maintenance of IAA concentration in Al-treated roots seems to result from suppression in the process of IAA decomposition. Al treatment increased the length and number of second lateral roots but Ca treatment did not. We concluded that root development induced by Al in the early stage was related to NR activity and maintenance of IAA concentration.

Book Review of “The Secret of Organogermanium―Amazing Power to Renew Life”

The organogermanium (Ge-132), namely Asaigermanium (Ge-132) was synthesized by Dr. Kazuhiko Asai about over 50 years ago (1967). This Ge-132 has important functions to cure the patients with many serious diseases like cancers and also has functions to activate the physiological actions of microorganisms and organisms like bacteria, animals/humans and plants. Namely, the Ge-132 plays a very important role in many kinds of organisms. At present, we are in COVID-19 crisis. In order to ease the crisis, the governments in the world vaccinate people against COVID-19. However, this vaccination seems to be not every. The Ge-132 as a different treatment for COVID-19 will probably have a good effect on COVID-19. Its probability can be judged from our experiments/experience and evidential data by researchers who have gone before ourselves. The probable contents are described in this book.