Cod Groups Research Articles

An “On Demand” canakinumab regimen for treating children with Colchicine-Resistant familial Mediterranean fever – A multicentre study

ObjectivesCanakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeted at interleukin-1 beta, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in preventing familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) attacks among individuals with colchicine-resistant (crFMF). The manufacturer orders prescribe monthly subcutaneous injections. However, a subset of our patients is treated with an “canakinumab on demand ” (COD) strategy, with wider intervals between drug administrations. Therefore, we aimed to compare disease activity and drug safety between COD and “canakinumab fixed frequency” (CFF) policies. MethodsThis retrospective study collected data from three Israeli paediatric rheumatology centres, of children with crFMF who were treated with canakinumab. Epidemiological and clinical parameters, cumulative drug dosages, and adverse events were compared between children treated by both policies. ResultsTwenty-five (49 %) children were treated according to COD policy and 26 according to CFF policy. Demographic parameters and most of the disease features did not differ significantly between the groups. Both groups showed significant reduction in attacks after canakinumab introduction. The median number (interquartile range) of attacks per month did not differ significantly between the COD and CFF groups (0.33 (0.08, 0.58) and 0.13 (0, 0.5), respectively, p = 0.485 (even though, per definition, COD patients presumably had an attack before receiving the second canakinumab dose). The mean monthly dose was lower for the COD than the CFF group (1.13 ± 1.13 vs. 3.16 ± 1.46 mg/kg, p < 0.001). Adverse events were similar between the groups. ConclusionFor individuals with crFMF, COD compared to CFF policy can achieve similar efficacy and safety, with a lower accumulated canakinumab dose, rendering it less immunosuppressive and less expensive.

Divergent bacterial landscapes: unraveling geographically driven microbiomes in Atlantic cod

Establishing microbiome signatures is now recognized as a critical step toward identifying genetic and environmental factors shaping animal-associated microbiomes and informing the health status of a given host. In the present work, we prospectively collected 63 blood samples of the Atlantic cod population of the Southern Gulf of Saint Lawrence (GSL) and characterized their 16S rRNA circulating microbiome signature. Our results revealed that the blood microbiome signature was dominated at the phylum level by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, a typical signature for fish populations inhabiting the GSL and other marine ecosystems. At the genus level, however, we identified two distinct cod groups. While the microbiome signature of the first group was dominated by Pseudoalteromonas, a genus we previously found in the microbiome signature of Greenland and Atlantic halibut populations of the GSL, the second group had a microbiome signature dominated by Nitrobacter and Sediminibacterium (approximately 75% of the circulating microbiome). Cods harboring a Nitrobacter/Sediminibacterium-rich microbiome signature were localized in the most southern part of the GSL, just along the northern coast of Cape Breton Island. Atlantic cod microbiome signatures did not correlate with the weight, length, relative condition, depth, temperature, sex, and salinity, as previously observed in the halibut populations. Our study provides, for the first time, a unique snapshot of the circulating microbiome signature of Atlantic cod populations and the potential existence of dysbiotic signatures associated with the geographical distribution of the population, probably linked with the presence of nitrite in the environment.

Biological Features of Atlantic Cod &lt;i&gt;Gadus Morhua&lt;/i&gt; L., 1758 (Gadiformes: Gadidae) of the Murmansk Coast: Race Composition and Fishing

The biological features of Atlantic cod in the coastal zones of the Murman for 1999–2006 were studied. The age composition, growth rate and maturation, feeding habits and structure of otoliths were analyzed. Histological and genetic studies were carried out. It was shown that young cod mainly lives and spawns in Western Murman bays. Older cod leaves the bays due to insufficient food supply. The growth rate of young coastal cod is comparable to that of cod in the open part of the Barents Sea. With age, the cod of open sea areas noticeably overtakes the cod that lives in the coastal zone in growth. It was noted that cod spawns in the bays with both coastal and Atlantic types of otoliths. Studies of genetic polymorphism indicate a high degree of genetic si-milarity between cod groups in the Norwegian and Barents Seas, which is evidenced under the influence of currents (branches of the Norwegian Atlantic Current, the Murmansk Coastal Current) and against the background of migrations at different stages of ontogeny of cod individuals from coastal and open water areas.

Can discreet performance banding, as compared to bio-banding, discriminate technical skills in male adolescent soccer players? A preliminary investigation

Maturation-related changes in body dimensions and performance can lead to physical mismatches and drop out from youth sport. Here, we propose a new method termed ‘discreet performance banding’ (DPB). We aimed to determine if dividing youths by actual physical performance of a discreet skill or ability (‘change or direction’ [COD] ability) could discriminate between the most and least skilled players better than a marker of implied performance, such as an assessment of biological maturation. 182 male academy Spanish soccer players (age: 13-18 years height: 143 to 188 cm; mass: 32.3 to 81.4 kg) were divided into maturation groups (Tanner stages 2 through 5) and COD groups (‘fast’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘slow’). Players’ skills (passing, shooting, ball control) were evaluated on a six-point scale with a value of ‘1’ considered ‘very bad’ and a value of ‘6’ as ‘very good’. When divided by maturity status, analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in soccer skill. However, when divided into COD groups, the analyses revealed significant differences between the fast and intermediate players ([p &lt; 0.001] favouring the fast group) and between the intermediate and slow players ([p &lt; 0.026] favouring the slow group). There was no significant difference in skill between the fast and slow groups, though the fast group demonstrated a higher skill level as indicated by a small effect size. Fast players were more skilful than both the intermediate and slower players, indicating that COD status can be a differentiating factor between players of different skill levels. DPB could be used to equalise competition in youth sport and to enhance the overall level of enjoyment that youths derive from engagement in sport.

RETRACTED: Carbaryl waste-water treatment by Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

Carbaryl wastewater treatment and the resource recycling of biomass as sludge by Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides (R. sphaeroides) with the assistance of starch processing wastewater (SPW) was investigated in this research. It was observed that carbaryl was not degraded under the 100, 500 mg/L COD groups. The addition of SPW assisted R.sphaeroides to degrade carbaryl efficiently. Carbaryl removal reached 100% after 5 days under the optimal group (3500 mg/L). Interestingly, carbaryl in the mixed wastewater began to be degraded after day 1. Further research indicated that cehA gene was expressed after day 1. Subsequently, carbaryl hydrolase was synthesized under gene regulation. Analysis revealed that cehA and carbaryl hydrolase were adaptive gene expressions and enzymes. Carbaryl as stimulus signal started cehA gene expression through signal transduction pathway. This process took one day for R.sphaeroides. However, organics in 100, 500 mg/L COD groups were deficient, which could not maintain R.sphaeroides growth for over one day. Organics in SPW provided sufficient carbon sources for R.sphaeroides under other groups. The method could complete the mixed (SPW and carbaryl) wastewater treatment, carbaryl removal, the resource recycling of R.sphaeroides biomass as sludge simultaneously.

Effects of low doses of fish and milk proteins on glucose regulation and markers of insulin sensitivity in overweight adults: a randomised, double blind study.

To examine whether supplementation with low doses of fish or milk proteins would affect glucose regulation and circulating lipid concentrations in overweight healthy adults. Ninety-three overweight adults were assigned to receive 2.5g protein/day from herring (HER), salmon (SAL), cod (COD) or milk (CAS, a casein-whey mixture as positive control) as tablets for 8weeks. Seventy-seven participants were included in the analyses. HER and SAL did not affect glucose and insulin concentrations. COD significantly reduced within-group changes in 90 and 120min postprandial glucose concentrations but changes were not different from HER and SAL groups. CAS supplementation significantly reduced the area under the curve for glucose concentrations (- 7%), especially when compared to SAL group, and reduced postprandial insulin c-peptide concentration (- 23%). Reductions in acetoacetate (- 24%) and β-hydroxybutyrate (- 29%) serum concentrations in HER group were more prominent compared to SAL and COD groups, with no differences between fish protein groups for α-hydroxybutyrate. Serum concentrations of α-hydroxybutyrate (- 23%), acetoacetate (- 39%) and β-hydroxybutyrate (- 40%) were significantly reduced within CAS group, and the decreases were significantly more pronounced when compared to SAL group. Serum lipid concentrations were not altered in any of the intervention groups. Findings indicate that 2.5g/day of proteins from fish or milk may be sufficient to improve glucose regulation in overweight adults. The effects were most pronounced after supplementation with proteins from cod, herring and milk, whereas salmon protein did not affect any of the measurements related to glucose regulation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01641055.

Toward Gadus (Gadidae) genus taxonomy: Development of modern structure

According to the results of analysis of genetic differentiation and Bayesian hierarchical cluster analysis of polymorphism in microsatellite loci, it was demonstrated that the development of marginal groups represented by subspecies level taxa (Greenland (Gadus macrocephalus ogac) and White Sea (Gadus morhua marisalbi) cod) occurred in the Late Holocene in a similar scenario, but in different regions and from different initial forms. The development of these reproductively independent cod groups was a result of physiological adaptations to arctic conditions in coastal northern water areas that developed under global cooling in the Subboreal.

Effect of violent and non-violent video games on stress markers and test meal intakes. A randomized control trial in overweight young men.

Associations between sedentary activities and overweight/obesity have been demonstrated in experimental and epidemiological studies; traditionally this has been assumed to involve the displacement of physical activity, promoting positive energy balance and weight gain. Increasingly, researchers are challenging the utility of this ‘energy balance approach’, proposing that sedentary activities may promote weight gain through metabolic perturbations. A three arm, prospective, randomised control trial was conducted in 72 overweight/obese adult males, divided into three equal groups: (i) watching TV; or playing (ii) a non-violent video game; or (iii) a violent video game. The 1-h intervention was followed by a 25-min rest period where a selection of sweet and savoury snacks/drinks was available ad libitum. Data on stress (heart rate, blood pressure, and visual analogue scale (VAS)) were collected throughout. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and stress measured by VAS were all significantly higher ( p < 0.05) when playing video games (FIFA and COD groups combined) compared to watching TV. Ad libitum energy intake after playing video games was 173 kcal ( p < 0.03) higher than controls, in association with a preference for sweet and fatty foods ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, playing the violent video game (COD) was individually associated with stronger preference for sweet foods ( p < 0.01). A 1-h session of playing video games in overweight/obese adult males is associated with a stress response, and increased calorie intake, which might arise through stress-induced cerebral metabolic perturbations. Furthermore, playing the violent video game may cause an enhanced cerebral metabolic perturbation, associated with preference for sweet foods.

Urinary excretion of arsenicals following daily intake of various seafoods during a two weeks intervention

The excretion pattern of arsenic (As) species after seafood intake varies widely depending on species ingested and individual handling. We have previously reported the 72h urinary excretion of arsenicals following a single dose of seafood. Here, we report the excretion patterns in the same 37 subjects following 15days daily consumption of either 150g cod, salmon, blue mussels or potato (control), followed by a 72h period with a low-As diet. In all seafood groups, total As (tAs) in plasma and urinary excretion of tAs, arsenobetaine (AB) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) increased significantly after the intervention. Confirming the single dose study AB and DMA excreted were apparently endogenously formed from other arsenicals ingested. Total tAs excretion was 1386, 763 and 303μg in the cod, blue mussel and salmon groups, respectively; about twice the amounts after the single dose study indicating accumulation of arsenicals. In the cod group, rapid excretion after the single dose was associated with lower total As in blood and less accumulation after two weeks with seafood indicating lower accumulation. In the blue mussels group only, inorganic As (iAs) excretion increased significantly, whilst methylarsonate (MA) strongly increased, indicating a possible toxicological concern of repeated mussel consumption.

On differentiation of cod (Gadus morhua L.) groups in Baltic Sea

On differentiation of cod (Gadus morhua L.) groups in Baltic Sea

On differentiation of cod (Gadus morhua L.) groups in Baltic Sea

Using the AGP*, PGI-1*, PGI-2*, LDH*, IDH*, and PGM* allozyme markers, the differentiation of cod groups during the spawning period in Baltic Sea was evaluated. It was shown that cod samples from the eastern and western parts of Baltic Sea (being statistically significantly different from the cod samples from the Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, and the Skagerrak Strait) demonstrated a high degree of identity (I = 0.99-1.0), which could be associated with the observed from the beginning of the present millennium increased migration of cod from eastern Baltic regions to the waters of Bornholm basin, and the distribution of the part of migrants from Bornholm basin to Arkona basin.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Profiles as a Novel Biomarker to Diagnose Granulosa-theca Cell Tumors in Cattle

This study was carried out to evaluate the blood profile and tissue expression of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a biomarker for granulosa-theca cell tumors (GTCTs) in cattle. Five cases with unilateral ovarian GTCTs (GTCT group) were investigated in comparison to other groups of Japanese Black cows, which had either cystic ovarian disease (COD group, n=5), a functional corpus luteum on Days 9 to 11 of the estrous cycle (Day 0=estrus; CL group, n=13) or received superovulation treatment (SOT group, n=13). We used transrectal ultrasonography and measured plasma AMH, estradiol-17β (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)) and testosterone (T) levels. Moreover, GTCT tissues were collected and examined by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for AMH. In the GTCT group, ultrasound images of GTCTs were variable and not definitive. However, the AMH level in the GTCT group (n=3, 58.1 ± 66.3 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in the COD, CL and SOT groups (0.1 ± 0.1 ng/ml for GTCT vs. COD, P<0.05; 0.2 ± 0.1 and 0.3 ± 0.2 ng/ml, respectively for GTCT vs. CL and SOT, P<0.01). The other hormonal levels in the GTCT group had no significant differences compared with the COD or SOT group. Neoplastic granulosa cells labeled with AMH antibody clearly demonstrated a variety of tissue patterns in all cases by IHC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the blood profile and IHC of AMH in bovine GTCTs. Our findings indicate that AMH may be a novel biomarker to diagnose GTCTs in cattle.

EVALUATION OF FARMED COD PRODUCTS BY A TRAINED SENSORY PANEL AND CONSUMERS IN DIFFERENT TEST SETTINGS

ABSTRACT Sensory characteristics of farmed cod exposed to low or conventional stress levels prior to slaughter were evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Consumers in two different settings, central location test (CLT) and home‐use test (HUT), also tasted the products and rated them according to overall liking on a 9‐point hedonic scale and sensory attributes on a 9‐point intensity scale. Differences were observed in texture attributes of the two cod groups by the trained sensory panel. Consumers in the CLT distinguished between the two cod groups whereas consumers in the HUT setting did not. Consumers in the CLT scored the products lower with regard to liking, and evaluated sensory attributes differently from consumers in the HUT setting. The results indicated that the cooking method chosen by consumers in the HUT setting influenced the consumer evaluation of cod. Similar cooking methods used in CLT and HUT produced similar results of liking. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis paper presents a comparison of sensory evaluation carried out by a trained sensory panel and consumer evaluation of farmed fish. Cod produced with conventional and reduced stress prior to slaughter differed in texture attributes according to sensory evaluation. Information about consumer liking of the end‐product when changing production systems of farmed fish is very important.The sensory evaluation by a trained panel provides good product knowledge, but to be able to estimate the actual consumer liking of the fish products, consumer studies are needed. The results indicated that a central location test (CLT) could be used to predict consumer acceptance in a real‐life setting, given that similar cooking methods are used in both settings. Fish is a very perishable product, and its sensory quality depends very much on factors such as storage time and preparation. Therefore, CLT may be well suited for consumer testing of fish products.

Increased Consumption of Fatty and Lean Fish Reduces Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentrations but Not Inflammation Markers in Feces and in Colonic Biopsies1–4

Fish consumption is associated with a reduced colorectal cancer risk. A possible mechanism by which fish consumption could decrease colorectal cancer risk is by reducing inflammation. However, thus far, intervention studies investigating both systemic and local gut inflammation markers are lacking. Our objective in this study was to investigate the effects of fatty and lean fish consumption on inflammation markers in serum, feces, and gut. In an intervention study, participants were randomly allocated to receive dietary advice (DA) plus either 300 g of fatty fish (salmon) or 300 g of lean fish (cod) per week for 6 mo, or only DA. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured pre- and postintervention (n = 161). In a subgroup (n = 52), we explored the effects of the fish intervention on fecal calprotectin and a wide range of cytokines and chemokines in fecal water and in colonic biopsies. Serum CRP concentrations were lower in the salmon (−0.5 mg/L; 95% CI −0.9, −0.2) and cod (−0.4 mg/L; 95% CI −0.7, 0.0) groups compared with the DA group. None of the inflammation markers in fecal water and colonic biopsies differed between the DA group and the groups that consumed extra fish. In conclusion, increasing salmon or cod consumption for 6 mo resulted in lower concentrations of the systemic inflammation marker CRP. However, exploratory analysis of local markers of inflammation in the colon or feces did not reveal an effect of fish consumption.

Summer diet of beluga whales inferred by fatty acid analysis of the eastern Beaufort Sea food web

Beluga whales ( Delphinapterus leucas) are the most abundant odontocetes in Arctic waters and are thus thought to influence food web structure and function. The diet of the Beaufort Sea beluga population is not well known, partly due to the inherent difficulty of observing feeding behaviour in Arctic marine cetaceans. To determine which prey items are critical to the Beaufort Sea beluga diet we first examine and describe the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea food web using fatty acid analyses. Fatty acid profiles effectively partitioned prey items into groups associated with their habitat and feeding ecology. Next, the relative contribution of various prey items to beluga diet was investigated using fatty acids. Finally, beluga diet variability was examined as a function of body size, a known correlate of habitat use. Beluga appeared to feed predominantly on Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida) collected from near shore and offshore regions. Size related dietary differences suggested larger sized beluga preferred offshore Arctic cod given the shared high levels of long chain monounsaturates, whereas smaller sized beluga appeared to feed on prey in their near shore habitats that included near shore Arctic cod. The presence of Arctic cod groups in shallow near shore and deep offshore habitats may facilitate the behavioural segregation of beluga habitat use as it relates to their size and resource requirements. Given Arctic cod are a sea ice associated fish combined with the accelerated sea ice loss in this region, beluga whales may need to adapt to new dietary regimes.

Trophic model of a lightly exploited cod-dominated ecosystem

A 27 compartment model of the food-web in Sørfjord, northern Norway was balanced using the mass-balance model Ecopath based on data from Sørfjord and adjacent fjord areas. Sørfjord is a lightly exploited high-latitude fjord ecosystem with cod as the main piscivore. During 1993–1996, the biomass of planktivore fish was low, and the pelagic community in the model was dominated by herbivore zooplankton, mainly copepods and krill, chaetognaths and microzooplankton. Carbon flows were dominated by the pelagic lower trophic level groups and the components of the microbial food-web. Flows originating from detritus amounted to 53% of the total carbon flow. The model benthic community was dominated by detrivores, with benthic invertebrate predators as important secondary consumers. Model output values for the benthic groups were sensitive to the input values of the cod and other fish groups. Macroalgae constituted a major part of the living biomass and was an important source for detritus, but did not provide a major input to herbivores. Cod, phytoplankton and krill were the major keystone groups and had large trophic impacts on the other groups. Herbivorous krill constituted much (>50%) of the cod diet, resulting in a low trophic level (TL = 3.6) of cod in Sørfjord compared to TL of cod in other ecosystems ranging from 3.7 to 4.4. Cod biomass, production and yield were relatively high compared to other boreal and high-latitude ecosystems with cod populations. Model transfer efficiencies averaged 21.7% from trophic levels II–IV. The low level of exploitation may enhance long-lived benthic groups that not only directly support higher trophic levels but also contribute to a broad food base that supports a relatively high production of cod.

Mixed stock analysis and the power of different classes of molecular markers in discriminating coastal and oceanic Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) on the Lofoten spawning grounds, Northern Norway

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) encompasses many different populations or stocks, which in part are managed separately. In the northeast Atlantic cod is divided into two main management units; northeast Arctic cod and coastal cod. These two groups have traditionally been separated by otolith classification. In this study, the power of different classes of genetic markers in separating the two cod groups was investigated. The variation in thirteen genetic markers, including allozymes, haemoglobin, the scDNA locus Pantophysin (Pan I) and a number of microsatellites was investigated, and mixed stock analysis and individual assignment tests were performed on samples comprising a mixture of individuals of putative coastal and oceanic type cod. The genetic analyses showed a large genetic differentiation between outer stations and stations located closer to the mainland shore. Mixed stock analysis and individual assignment tests used for estimation of stock proportions gave results similar to those obtained by otolith classification.

Separation of Norwegian coastal cod and Northeast Arctic cod by outer otolith shape analysis

For stock assessment purposes, Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) from the coastal and offshore regions off northern Norway is usually allocated to Norwegian coastal cod (NCC) or Northeast Arctic cod (NEAC) by internal morphological features of their otoliths. As this classification is subject to individual interpretation by otolith age readers, this study investigated an alternative objective approach for the separation of the two cod groups, using otolith shape analysis. Several hundred otolith samples from coastal fjord areas along northern Norway and from the Barents Sea were analysed by univariate shape descriptors and elliptical Fourier analysis (EFA). When combining uni- and multivariate descriptors and applying the otolith reader typing as reference, the classification score was 89% for NCC and 90% for NEAC. These results indicate that the internal morphology of the otoliths, evaluated by the age readers, is translated to a great extent to their outer morphology and that otoliths can be allocated to NCC and NEAC by their shapes with high certainty. When genetic typing data ( Pan I marker) were used as reference, the classification scores were reduced to 83% for NCC and 76% for NEAC when combining uni- and multivariate descriptors and excluding heterozygotes. This implies that differences in otolith morphology cannot directly be linked to genetic structure. Differences in environmental conditions, however, seem to have a considerable influence on how otolith growth increments and consequently otolith shapes are formed. As the various fjord systems in Norway provide local habitats and as differences within the NCC with regard to genetic structure and life-history parameters had been found in earlier studies, variation of NCC otolith shapes between three coastal regions was also examined. The region classification scores for reader-typed NCC varied between 60% and 81%.

Migratory behaviour and range in Atlantic cod: inference from a century of tagging

AbstractA century of tagging experiments on 174 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) groups is reviewed and the frequency and spatial distribution of four migratory behaviours documented. Of all cod groups, 41% were categorized as sedentary, 18% as accurate homers, 20% as inaccurate homers and 20% as dispersers (ranging over large areas without recognizable return migrations). All behaviours occurred over the full spatial range of cod. Coastal groups did not differ significantly from offshore (shelf) groups in the relative frequency of migratory behaviours. However, the north‐east Atlantic had more sedentary and accurate homing groups than did the north‐west Atlantic, which had more dispersing groups. Overall, sedentary cod groups had lower maximum historical biomass than did other groups, confirming that migration/dispersal begets abundance. Maximum historical biomass was strongly related to the area occupied [log (biomass, tonnes)] = 1.58 log (range, km2) + 1.529; r2 = 0.9), irrespective of migratory type (for 23 major groups a total of 22 million tonnes over 3.3 million km2 with an average density of 7 tonnes km−2). Historical densities were not related to area occupied, although all large groups exhibited high densities (10–12 tonnes km−2 ; smaller groups had a wide range of density). The four migratory strategies in cod enable entrainment by diverse physical, oceanographic and biological ecosystem properties, and is key to cod success in the North Atlantic.

Effects of internal biliary bypass on the regulation of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity in rats.

In order to re-evaluate the importance of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acid in the regulation of the activities of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, bile acid metabolism was examined in internal biliary bypass models of rats. A polyethylene tube was inserted into the common bile duct and another side of the tube was placed in the duodenum (DD), lower jejunum (JD), cecum (CeD), or transverse colon (CoD) as internal biliary bypass models and in the urinary bladder as an external biliary drainage (ED). After bile diversion for 7 days in each group, hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activities, bile acid concentrations in bile, serum, and portal vein, biliary bile acid compositions, and intestinal absorption rates of infused labeled taurocholic acid were analyzed. Hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity was similar in the JD group compared with the DD group, however, it was significantly up-regulated in the CeD (227% of the DD group), CoD (312%), and ED groups (316%). Biliary, serum, and portal bile acid concentrations were not significantly changed in the DD, JD, and CeD groups but those were significantly lower in the CoD and ED groups compared with the DD group. The proportion of the secondary bile acids was significantly increased in the CeD group and was decreased in the CoD and ED groups. The absorption rate of taurocholic acid was almost 100%, 56%, and 23% in the JD, CeD, and the CoD group, respectively. As the cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity was not significantly changed in the JD group and the predominance of secondary bile acids did not suppress the enzyme activity in the CeD group, the luminal factor, which is absorbed in the presence of bile acids, and the bile acid metabolites are not likely the regulatory factor. The cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity seems to be primarily regulated by the intestinal absorption of bile acids and partly by the intestinal mucosal factor which is linked to the intestinal bile acid absorption.