The Nephroprotective Potential of Brassica nigra Sprout Hydroalcoholic Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Renal Toxicity in Rats.

The nephroprotective potential of the Brassica nigra sprout (BNS) hydroalcoholic extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced renal toxicity in rats was the object of this study. B. nigra sprouts were prepared in the lab to monitor the bio-changes in bioactive compounds during the sprouting for up to 7 days at 17 ± 1 °C and 90% relative humidity. Subsequently, 6-day sprouts of B. nigra were selected according to their phenolics and antioxidant activity, extracted, and examined for their nephroprotective and antioxidative stress potential at 250 and 500 mg sprout extracts kg-1 bw, in vivo. Weight gain, organ weight, lipid profile, atherogenic index, kidney functions, and oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed. The results indicated that the most proficient treatment for weight gain improvement was BNS extract at 500 mg kg-1. BNS at 250 mg kg-1 was remarked as the lowest weight gain enhancer compared to the NR group. A significant increase in TG, TC, LDL-c, and VLDL-c levels in the rats with CCl4-induced renal toxicity, and a significant decrease in HDL level, was noted. The administration of the BNS extract at 250 and 500 mg kg-1 considerably attenuated TG, TC, LDL-c, and VLDL-c levels, compared to the NR group. The most efficient treatment for improving the lipid profile was the BNS extract at 500 mg kg-1, even better than 250 mg kg-1. Administrating the BNS extract substantially attenuated the alterations in the creatinine, urea, and BUN caused by the CCl4 injection. The most efficient improvement was markedly recorded with the BNS extract at 500 mg kg-1, compared to the NR group. The rats treated with the BNS extract showed significant enhancement in GSH, CAT, and SOD activities and a considerable reduction in MDA levels. Administering the BNS extract at 250 and 500 mg kg-1 can efficiently reverse CCl4 inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities, significantly increase GSH, CAT, and SOD, and decrease the MDA levels dose-dependently. The BNS extract at 250 and 500 mg kg-1 exhibits nephroprotection and antioxidative stress in a dose-dependent matter. The total nephroprotection % was recorded at 65.18% and 99.21% for rats treated with 250 and 500 mg kg-1, respectively. These findings could prove and potentiate the nephroprotective activities of the BNS extract in the range of the given doses. Further clinical studies are highly recommended for confirming the nephroprotection efficiency of the B. nigra sprout.

Immune-Boosting Potentiating Properties of Brassica nigra Hydroalcoholic Extract in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in Rats.

The antioxidative and immune-boosting properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica nigra sprouts in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in rats were investigated in this study. B. nigra sprouts were prepared in the lab to monitor the bio-changes in bioactive compounds during the sprouting period up to 7 days at 17 ± 1 °C and 90% relative humidity. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AOA), total flavonoids (TFs), total flavonols (TFLs), and total carotenoids (TCs) were evaluated. Consequently, the identification and quantification of phenolic acids, their derivatives, and flavonoids were carried out using HPLC. Subsequently, the selected BN sprout (6-day-old sprout) was biologically examined, and oxidative stress biomarkers, hematological parameters, immunoglobulins (Igs), and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were investigated. An increase in TPC, AOA, TFs, TFLs, and TCs was observed by increasing the sprouting time. The HPLC analysis indicated that the B. nigra seeds contained 10 phenolic acids and 4 flavonoids, predominantly syringic acid and quercetin, respectively. After 3 days, the number of phenolic acids increased to 16, predominantly syringic acid, and the number of flavonoids increased to 7, predominantly quercetin. On the 6th day, 13 phenolic acids were estimated, with the highest being benzoic acid, and 6 flavonoids were estimated, with the highest being quercetin. The greatest rise in phenols was seen on the sixth day of sprouting. These included caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, benzoic acid, and rosmarinic acid. Flavonoids such as kaempferol and myricetin increased. The sprouts on day 6 were recorded as having the highest bioactive compounds and AOA content. The selected B. nigra sprouts were examined for antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties in a rat model. Dosing 250 and 500 mg kg-1, the rats exhibited significant improvements in terms of antioxidative stress and the number of white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, and neutrophils in the blood, indicating stimulation of the immune response in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the production of immune proteins, such as IgG, IgM, and IgA, was enhanced in the blood. Moreover, the 500 mg kg-1 concentration of BN extract stimulated cytokine production in a stronger manner than the 250 mg kg-1 concentration, indicating that the extract significantly increased immune activity. In conclusion, the results indicate that mustard seed extracts have immunosuppressive properties against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in rats.

Exposure to Bisphenol A Substitutes, Bisphenol S and Bisphenol F, and Its Association with Developing Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review.

Bisphenol A, a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical, has been replaced with its analogs bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) over the last decade due to health concerns. BPS and BPF are present in relatively high concentrations in different products, such as food products, personal care products, and sales receipts. Both BPS and BPF have similar structural and chemical properties to BPA; therefore, considerable scientific efforts have investigated the safety of their exposure. In this review, we summarize the findings of relevant epidemiological studies investigating the association between urinary concentrations of BPS and/or BPF with the incidence of obesity or diabetes. The results showed that BPS and BPF were detected in many urinary samples at median concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.4 µg·L-1. At this exposure level, BPS median urinary concentrations (0.4 µg·L-1) were associated with the development of obesity. At a lower exposure level (0.1-0.03 µg·L-1), two studies showed an association with developing diabetes. For BPF exposure, only one study showed an association with obesity. However, most of the reported studies only assessed BPS exposure levels. Furthermore, we also summarize the findings of experimental studies in vivo and in vitro regarding our aim; results support the possible obesogenic effects/metabolic disorders mediated by BPS and/or BPF exposure. Unexpectedly, BPS may promote worse obesogenic effects than BPA. In addition, the possible mode of action underlying the obesogenic effects of BPS might be attributed to various pathophysiological mechanisms, including estrogenic or androgenic activities, alterations in the gene expression of critical adipogenesis-related markers, and induction of oxidative stress and an inflammatory state. Furthermore, susceptibility to the adverse effects of BPS may be altered by sex differences according to the results of both epidemiological and experimental studies. However, the possible mode of action underlying these sex differences is still unclear. In conclusion, exposure to BPS or BPF may promote the development of obesity and diabetes. Future approaches are highly needed to assess the safety of BPS and BPF regarding their potential effects in promoting metabolic disturbances. Other studies in different populations and settings are highly suggested.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Formulated Biscuits Supplemented with Date's Fiber; Agro-Waste Products Used as a Potent Functional Food.

Superabundant date fruit production in Al-Qassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a plentiful region for producing date syrup resulting in massive amounts of date fiber (DF), causes environmental issues with what is considered dietary waste. However, no food producer or researcher has thought of the valorization of DF by extracting the crude polysaccharides that can be converted to nanoparticles (flours) to increase its functional group and enhance its functionality. Using the DF was the primary goal, with the new biscuits used within the current study investigated as a potent integrated approach for controlling obesity levels and its effects. Obesity is one of the most important human problems worldwide, connected to many metabolic diseases, e.g., diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence has recently increased among Saudi children and adolescents. An investigation of the biological effects of the formulated products was carried out by feeding the formulated biscuits with different DF levels (5, 10 and 15%) to obese albino rats, in addition to positive and negative control groups, to evaluate the effect of a reduced calorie product on controlling their body weight and health stats (lipid profile, blood sugars, kidney and liver functions). The collected data showed that the most positive results were obtained from rats fed diets supplemented with 10% DF biscuits. All TCHO, TrGs, HDL, and HDL were decreased to the best levels in this group compared to the positive control group (148.23, 145.30, 37.50, and 81.67 vs. 238.37, 199.07, 62.57, and 135.99, respectively). To conclude, DF supplementation presented anti-obesity properties in animal models; however, more epidemiological trials are needed.

Phenolics and Volatile Compounds of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Seeds and Their Sprouts Prevent Oxidative DNA Damage and Ameliorates CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Researchers recently focused on studying the nutritional and functional qualities of sprouts generated from seeds. The current study investigated the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), total flavonols (TFL), antioxidant activity (AOA), specific phenolic acids, and volatile chemicals in fennel seeds (FS) and fennel seed sprouts (FSS). The oxidative DNA damage prevention activity of selected FS and FSS extracts against DNA was examined. Consequently, the antioxidative stress potential of FS and FSS extracts at 300 and 600 mg kg-1 on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats weas investigated. The liver's functions and oxidative stress biomarkers in rat blood were examined. FSS exhibited rich phytochemical content such as TPC, TF, TFL, and AOA with altered phenolics and volatiles. HPLC identified nineteen compounds of phenolic acids and their derivatives in FS. Thirteen phenolics and six flavonoids were predominantly identified as Vanillic acid and Kaempferol, respectively. GC-MS analysis identified fifty and fifty-one components in FS and FSS, respectively. The predominant component was Benzene, [1-(2-propenyloxy)-3-butenyl] (trans-Anethole) (38.41%), followed by trans-Anethole (Benzene, 1-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)) (23.65%), Fenchone (11.18%), and 1,7-Octadiene, 2-methyl-6-methylene- Cyclohexene (7.17%). Interestingly, α-Pinene, Fenchone, trans-Anethole (Benzene, 1-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)), 4-Methoxybenzaldehyde (4-Anisaldehyde), Benzeneacetic acid, α-hydroxy-4-methoxy, and Nonacosane contents were increased. While Dillapiole, 7-Octadecenoic acid, and methyl ester were newly identified and quantified in FSS. The oxidative DNA damage prevention capability of FSS and FS extracts indicated remarkable DNA protection. Administrating FS and FSS extracts at 300 and 600 mg kg-1 ameliorated AST, ALT, and ALP, as well as GSH, CAT, MDA, and SOD, in a dose-dependent manner. The most efficient treatment of FS or FSS was using a dose of 600 mg Kg-1, which recorded an improvement rate of 20.77 and 24.17, 20.36 and 24.92, and 37.49 and 37.90% for ALT, AST, and ALP, respectively. While an improvement rate of 40.08 and 37.87%, 37.17 and 46.52%, 114.56 and 154.13%, and 66.05 and 69.69% for GSH, DMA, CAT, and SOD compared to the CCl4-group, respectively. The observed protection is associated with increased phenolics and volatiles in F. vulgare. Therefore, FS and FSS are recommended as functional foods with bioactive functionality, health-promoting properties, and desired prevention capabilities that may help prevent oxidative stress-related diseases.

Antioxidative potential and ameliorative effects of green lentil (Lens culinaris M.) sprouts against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats.

The present study is aimed to investigate the antioxidative potential and ameliorative effects of Lens culinaris Medikus sprouts hydroalcoholic extract (LSHE) on CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats. The research has been carried out in two successive stages. Firstly, the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity of L. culinaris sprouts were assessed at 20 ± 1°C and 90-93% RH during sprouting. Total phenolic content (TPC), total carotenoids (TC), total flavonoids (TF), total flavonols (TFL), DPPH-RSA, and vitamin C contents of L. culinaris seeds and 6-days sprouts were determined. Subsequently, phenolics by HPLC analysis of L. culinaris seeds, 3rd and 6th-day sprouts were identified and quantified. Results indicated that 6th-day sprouts contained considerable phenolics with superior antioxidant capacity, thus selected to be examined for biological activity in a rat's module consisting of five groups. G1, normal rats orally received distilled water. G2 received 1.0 mL kg-1 of CCl4 and olive oil (1:1) intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a week. G3 received CCl4 (i.p.) and 50 mg GAE kg-1 of LSHE daily/orally. G4 received CCl4 (i.p.) 100 mg kg-1 of LSHE orally/daily. G5 (reference group) treated by intramuscular injection (i.m.) of vit. E+Selenium (Vit. E+Se, 50 mg kg-1 twice a week). The weight gain, relative weight of organs, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficiencies, liver's and kidneys' functions, and antioxidant biomarkers were examined. LSHE enhanced the weight gain recovery % and significantly reduced fasting blood glucose. The hypolipidemic effect of LSHE was dramatically reduced triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHO), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL-c and LDL-c), and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-c). Administration of 50 and 100 LSHE mg kg-1 ameliorated liver and kidney function in dose-dependent manure. Intriguingly, LSHE considerably reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) while significantly raising reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, biochemical examinations confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of LSHE as a functional product. It encouraged us to recommend L. culinaris sprout production for attenuating hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, as well as being beneficial and profitable for controlling oxidative stress complications.

Amygdalin: A Review on Its Characteristics, Antioxidant Potential, Gastrointestinal Microbiota Intervention, Anticancer Therapeutic and Mechanisms, Toxicity, and Encapsulation.

Bioactive amygdalin, found in high concentrations in bitter almonds, has been recognized as a symbol of the cyanogenic glycoside chemical organic substance, which was initially developed as a pharmaceutical for treating cancer after being hydrolyzed to hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Regrettably, research has shown that HCN can also damage normal cells, rendering it non-toxic to the human body. Extreme controversy surrounds both in vivo and in vitro studies, making its use risky. This review provides an extensive update on characteristics, antioxidant potential, gastrointestinal microbiota intervention, anticancer therapeutic, mechanisms, toxicity, and encapsulation of amygdalin. Antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-fibrotic, antiatherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and analgesic characteristics, and the ability to improve digestive and reproductive systems, neurodegeneration, and cardiac hypertrophy are just some of the benefits of amygdalin. Studies verified the HCN-produced amygdalin to be harmful orally, but only at very high doses. Although intravenous treatment was less effective than the oral method, the oral route has a dose range of 0.6 to 1 g daily. Amygdalin's toxicity depends heavily on the variety of bacteria in the digestive tract. Unfortunately, there is currently no foolproof method for determining the microbial consortium and providing a safe oral dosage for every patient. Amygdalin encapsulation in alginate-chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs) is a relatively new area of research. Amygdalin has an enhanced cytotoxic effect on malignant cells, and ACNPs can be employed as an active drug-delivery system to release this compound in a regulated, sustained manner without causing any harm to healthy cells or tissues. In conclusion, a large area of research for a substance that might be the next step in cancer therapy is opened up due to unverified and conflicting data.

Evaluating the Nutritional and Immune Potentiating Characteristics of Unfermented and Fermented Turmeric Camel Milk in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in Rats.

Antioxidative, nutritional, and immune-boosting characteristics of turmeric-camel milk (TCM) and fermented turmeric-camel milk (FTCM) were investigated. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model consisting of six experimental groups was carried out to study the effects of TCM and FTCM on weight gain, antioxidant status, immunoglobulin (Igs), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers. TCM or FTCM were orally administrated at 10 or 20 mL Kg-1 rat weight to CYP-immunosuppressed rats for 2 weeks in the presence of negative (NR) and positive (CYP) control groups. The phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity results indicated that TCM and FTCM contained considerable phenolic content with super antioxidant activities. CYP injection affected the rats' weight directly during the first week and then, a low weight gain percentage was recorded in treated groups at the end of the experiment. The most efficient treatment for recovering rats' weight was administering TCM and FTCM at 20 mL kg-1. Feed efficiency significantly increased with feeding TCM and FTCM in a dose-dependent manner. A significant improvement was found in WBCs, lymphocytes, and neutrophils count, suggesting that both TCM and FTCM alleviated the CYP-induced immunity suppression in a dose-dependent manner. IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations in the CYP + TCM at 10 or 20 mL kg-1 and CYP + FTCM at 10 or 20 mL kg-1 groups were increased significantly. Concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-TNF-α in the CYP group were significantly lower than in the NR group. Interestingly, both TCM and FTCM, especially with high doses, significantly enhanced cytokines production. Administrating FTCM was more potent than TCM, indicating that TCM with probiotics fermentation potentiated the immunological activity in immunosuppressed rats. Treated rats with TCM and FTCM can reverse CYP inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities, significantly increase GSH, CAT, and SOD, and decrease MDA levels in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these observations indicated that FTCM exhibits better improvements in weight gain, increased immune biomarkers in terms of WBCs, enhanced pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation responses, and accelerated antioxidant activity in immunosuppressed rats compared with TCM. It could be beneficial and profitable for boosting immunity and protecting against oxidative stress.

Gastroprotective Effects of Spirulina platensis, Golden Kiwifruit Flesh, and Golden Kiwifruit Peel Extracts Individually or in Combination against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Spirulina platensis (SP), golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) flesh (KF), and golden kiwifruit peel (KP) individually or in combination (SFP) on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Negative control rats (GI) were orally administered distilled water in parallel with other treatments. The positive control rat group (GII) was administered 30 mg kg-1 indomethacin to induce gastric ulcers. The KF and KF extracts were used individually or together with SP in treating indomethacin-induced gastric ulcerated rat groups. Gastric ulcerated rat's groups GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII were orally administered at 30 mg kg-1 rat body weight as total phenolic content (TPC) equivalent from SP, KF, KP, SPF extracts, and Lansoprazole (30 mg kg-1, as reference drug) daily up to 14 days, respectively. The relevant biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, and histopathological examination were examined. Remarkably, treating rats with SP, KF, KP, and SFP extracts markedly reduced gastric juice and stomach volume expansion induced by indomethacin. The SP significantly retrieved the pH of gastric juice to a regular rate compared to GI. The ulcer index (UI) was significantly attenuated by SP, KF, KP, and SFP administration. The protection index percentage (PI %) was 80.79, 54.51, 66.08, 75.74, and 74.86% in GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII, respectively. The gastric mucin content was significantly better attenuated by 95.7 in GIII compared to its content in GI. Lansoprazole increased mucin content by 80.3%, which was considerably lower than SP and SFP. SP, KF, KP, SFP, and Lansoprazole improved the reform of gastric mucosal-increased secreted mucus by 95.6, 61.3, 64.8, 103.1, and 80.2% in GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII, respectively. Interestingly, SFP efficiently increased vit. B12 level by 46.0% compared to other treatments. While Lansoprazole administrating did not significantly attenuate vit. B12 level. The SP and SFP improved iron and Hemoglobin (HB) levels depending on treatment. SP, KF, KP, and SFP significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in blood and stomach tissues. The most potent effect was observed with SP, and SFP was even better than Lansoprazole. Histopathologically, treating rats with SP extract showed a marked reduction of gastric damage and severity changes induced by indomethacin. KP was much better than KF in lessening gastric histopathological damages caused by indomethacin. SFP significantly alleviates gastric histopathological alterations. The lansoprazole-treated group (GVII) greatly relieved the gastric histopathological changes and recorded mild focal necrosis and desquamation of the mucosa in addition to mild oedema in the serosal layer. In conclusion, the presented results proved the antiulcer potential of SP and A. chinensis extracts against an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats, which may be due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammation efficiency. Thus, these data suggested that SP, KF, KP, and SFP extracts as natural and safe alternatives have a gastroprotective potential against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties are probable mechanisms.

Probiotic-enriched milk and dairy products increase gut microbiota diversity: a comparative study.

Targeting gut microbiota with probiotics has emerged as a promising nutritional approach for the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Cultured dairy products can be effectively employed for the delivery of probiotics to the gut as well as for the support of growth and survival of probiotic bacteria. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of probiotic-enriched pasteurized milk and dairy products (Greek-style yogurt and cottage cheese) of different origins (cow, goat, and camel) on taxonomic composition of the mouse gut microbiota. We hypothesized that cultured dairy products can be an effective vector for the delivery of probiotics to the gut because of its nutritional value, acidic nature, and long shelf-life. Mice were fed a standard low fat, plant polysaccharide-rich (LF/PP) diet supplemented with the probiotic-enriched milk and dairy products for 5 weeks. Next generation sequencing of DNA from mouse fecal samples was used to characterize the bacterial relative abundance. Mice fed a diet supplemented with camel milk demonstrated characteristic changes in the gut microbiota, which included an increase in relative abundance of order Clostridiales and genus Anaerostipes. Mice fed a diet supplemented with the probiotic-enriched cow cheese exhibited an increase in the relative abundance of order Clostridiales, family Ruminococcaceae, and family Lachnospiraceae. The results obtained and their bioinformatics analysis support the conclusion that camel milk and the probiotic cow cheese induce changes in the mouse gut microbiota, which can be characterized as potentially beneficial to health compared to the changes associated with a standard diet. These findings imply that probiotic-enriched milk and dairy products can be highly effective for the delivery and support of probiotic bacteria of the gut.

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Ameliorating Efficacy of Chenopodium quinoa Sprouts against CCl4-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is classified as one of the pseudo-cereal grains rich in both macronutrients and micronutrients. This study tracks changes in the polyphenol composition of red quinoa (RQ) and yellow quinoa (YQ) seeds during germination. The antioxidant bioactivity of raw and germinated seed was also determined in vitro. Phenolic acids and their derivatives and flavonoids were identified by using HPLC-DAD and quantified after 0, 3, and 6 days of germination. Subsequently, the extracts of 6-day-old quinoa sprouts were prepared to biologically evaluate their functional properties against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats. The results indicated that antioxidant activity (AOA) of total phenolic compounds (TPC), and flavonoids significantly increased in RQ and YQ sprouts during germination up to 9 days. RQ sprouts exhibited stronger bioactive compound diversity than YQ sprouts as observed in HPLC analysis. Among the 11 and 8 quantified polyphenols, ferulic acid and quercetin were predominant phenolic acid and flavonoid in RQ and YQ sprouts, respectively. After 6 days of germination, 16 and 8 polyphenols were detected and quantified in RQ and YQ sprouts, respectively. Interestingly, the treatment of rats at a dose of 30 mg of Gallic acid Equivalent (GAE) kg-1 significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase AST, and total bilirubin (TIBIL) and improved liver inflammation. Furthermore, RQ and YQ sprouts improved the blood profile by significantly decreasing low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Moreover, RQ and YQ sprout extracts significantly reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) and efficiently enhanced the reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in oxidative stress-induced rats as compared to CCl4-rats. In conclusion, red quinoa sprouts (RQS) and yellow quinoa sprouts (YQS) provide naturally synthesized polyphenols, possessing superior antioxidant activity, and their ethanolic extracts have promising effects and potential health benefits to counter induced oxidative stress. Incorporating quinoa sprouts as functional food ingredients should be considered and scaling-up its production is beneficial.

Effects of Synbiotic Supplement on Human Gut Microbiota, Body Composition and Weight Loss in Obesity.

Targeting gut microbiota with synbiotics (probiotic supplements containing prebiotic components) is emerging as a promising intervention in the comprehensive nutritional approach to reducing obesity. Weight loss resulting from low-carbohydrate high-protein diets can be significant but has also been linked to potentially negative health effects due to increased bacterial fermentation of undigested protein within the colon and subsequent changes in gut microbiota composition. Correcting obesity-induced disruption of gut microbiota with synbiotics can be more effective than supplementation with probiotics alone because prebiotic components of synbiotics support the growth and survival of positive bacteria therein. The purpose of this placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of a synbiotic supplement on the composition, richness and diversity of gut microbiota and associations of microbial species with body composition parameters and biomarkers of obesity in human subjects participating in a weight loss program. The probiotic component of the synbiotic used in the study contained Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum and the prebiotic component was a galactooligosaccharide mixture. The results showed no statistically significant differences in body composition (body mass, BMI, body fat mass, body fat percentage, body lean mass, and bone mineral content) between the placebo and synbiotic groups at the end of the clinical trial (3-month intervention, 20 human subjects participating in weight loss intervention based on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, reduced energy diet). Synbiotic supplementation increased the abundance of gut bacteria associated with positive health effects, especially Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and it also appeared to increase the gut microbiota richness. A decreasing trend in the gut microbiota diversity in the placebo and synbiotic groups was observed at the end of trial, which may imply the effect of the high-protein low-carbohydrate diet used in the weight loss program. Regression analysis performed to correlate abundance of species following supplementation with body composition parameters and biomarkers of obesity found an association between a decrease over time in blood glucose and an increase in Lactobacillus abundance, particularly in the synbiotic group. However, the decrease over time in body mass, BMI, waist circumstance, and body fat mass was associated with a decrease in Bifidobacterium abundance. The results obtained support the conclusion that synbiotic supplement used in this clinical trial modulates human gut microbiota by increasing abundance of potentially beneficial microbial species.