Influences of plant flavonoids on body functions and basical research for evaluation of functional foods

本研究观察了植物类黄酮对牛肾上腺髓质细胞儿茶酚胺合成和分泌的影响。柑橘多甲氧基诺比林和大豆异黄酮能刺激儿茶酚胺的合成和/或分泌，而抑制乙酰胆碱诱导的儿茶酚胺的合成和分泌。本研究结果提示，某些植物类黄酮可抑制由强烈应激或情绪刺激引起的儿茶酚胺系统的过度活跃，从而引起下丘脑神经分泌乙酰胆碱，并刺激肾上腺髓质释放大量儿茶酚胺。这些类黄酮类食物可能有缓解压力的作用。

In the present study, the effects of plant flavonoids on catecholamine synthesis and secretion were investigated in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. Nobiletin, a citrus plomethoxy flavoe, and daidzein, a soy isoflavone, stimulated catecholamine synthesis and/or secretion while they inhibited catecholamine synthesis and secretion induced by acetylcholine. The present results suggest that some plant flavonoids suppress the hyperactive catecholamine system induced by a strong stress or emotional excitation which evokes the secretion of acetylcholine from the slpanchnic nerves and stimulates a massive release of catecholamines from adrenal medulla. These flavonoid foods may an anti-stress effect.