Effects of frying oil and Houttuynia cordata thunb on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme system of rodents

AIM: To evaluate the effects of frying oil and Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata), a vegetable traditionally consumed in Taiwan, on the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme system of rodents. METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a diet containing 0%, 2% or 5% H. cordata powder and 15% fresh soybean oil or 24-h oxidized frying oil (OFO) for 28 d respectively. The level of microsomal protein, total cytochrome 450 content (CYP450) and enzyme activities including NADPH reductase, ethoxyresorufin 0-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin 0-dealkylase (PROD), aniline hydroxylase (ANH), aminopyrine demethylase (AMD), and quinone reductase (QR) were determined. QR represented phase Ⅱ enzymes, the rest of the enzymes tested represented phase Ⅰ enzymes. RESULTS: The oxidized frying oil feeding produced a significant increase in phase Ⅰ and Ⅱ enzyme systems, including the content of CYP450 and microsomal protein, and the activities of NADPH reductase, EROD, PROD, ANH, AMD and QR in rats (P<0.05). In addition, the activities of EROD, ANH and AMD decreased and QR increased after feeding with H. cordata in OFO-fed group (P<0.05). The feeding with 2% H. cordata diet showed the most significant effect. CONCLUSION: The OFO diet induces phases I and II enzyme activity, and the 2% H. cordata diet resulted in a better regulation of the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme system.

Effects of 24h ultra-marathon on biochemical and hematological parameters

AIM: To analyze detailed changes in hematology and biochemistry tests parameters before and after a longdistance race in ultramarathon runners.METHODS: Blood samples of 11 participants were obtained for standard analysis before, immediately after, two days after and nine days after the 2002 International Ultramarathon 24 h Race and the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Asia 24 h Championship.RESULTS: Total bilirubin (BIL-T), direct bilirubin (BIL-D),alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased statistically significantly(P<0.05) the race. Significant declines (P<0.05) in red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct)were detected two days and nine days d after the race.2 d after the race, total protein (TP), concentration of albumin and globulin decreased significantly. While BIL, BIL-D and ALP recovered to their original levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) remained unchanged immediately after the race, but it was significantly decreased on the second and ninth days after the race.CONCLUSION: Ultra-marathon running is associated with a wide range of significant changes in hematological parameters, several of which are injury related. To provide appropriate health care and intervention, the man who receives athletes on high frequent training program high intensity training programs must monitor their liver and gallbladder function.

Exploring Tourists＇ Push and Pull Travel Motivations to Participate in Songkran Festival in Thailand as a Tourist Destination： A Case of Taiwan Residents Visitors

This study aims to identify travel motivations including push and pull motivations that positively and directly affected the decision-making of Taiwan Residents travelers in participating in Songkran Festival in Thailand as their cultural destination. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 388 Taiwan Residents respondents who have never participated in Songkran Festival in Thailand before. The lists consisted of 30 attributes representing push motivation （14 attributes） as ＂psychological factor＂, pull motivation （13 attributes） as ＂destination factor＂, and intention to participate （three attributes）. Pearson＇s correlation and simple linear regression were used to examine the research hypotheses. As a result, push and pull motivations positively and directly affected the intention to participate in Songkran Festival in Thailand. For push motivation, Taiwan Residents visitors perceived that they want to relax and get experience in foreign land, and have enjoyable time with travel companion. For pull motivation, Taiwan Residents visitors perceived that there are many special events in Songkran Festival, the image of Songkran Festival, Thai food is delicious, and the people are friendly and courteous. The managerial implications were also made for tourism industry of Thailand in terms of examination motivations in implementing new market strategies, designing promotion, and decision-making about destination development.