Metallic trace element dynamics in Paracentrotus lividus from Algeria: Environmental large-scale survey and human health risk assessment.

This paper evaluates the dynamics of Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs; Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) in the gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected in five sites: four contaminated and one reference, along the Western coast of Algeria, recontextualizes this contamination within a wider geographical distribution area throughout 83 sites among the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic and focuses on the potential risk of their consumption on human health for the first time in Algeria. The trace element pollution index places Algeria, and generally the North African coasts, as the region most contaminated by MTEs. The geographical variability in metal contamination levels is greater in the Mediterranean Sea than in the Atlantic. The health risk assessment indicates that Pb exceeds the maximum limit set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 at two of the four Algerian contaminated sites.

Protein vs. Energy Restriction Impact on Rat Testis' Function, Redox Status, and Histomorphometry.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of protein-restricted (PR) and energy restriction (ER) on male repro-ductive function. Eighteen weaning Wistar rats were divided into three groups, and were fed an experimental diet for five months. The first group, a control (C), received a diet containing 20% casein and 1.7×106 J/kg diet. The ER was given 50% less calories vs. C, while the PR group was given a low-protein diet (10% casein). The reproductive function was evaluated on serum and testis using anthropometrical, histological, hormonal, and oxidative parameters. The body weight was reduced by 37% and 40%, respectively, in the PR and ER groups vs. C. In the PR group, the testis relative weight was decreased, whereas that of the seminal vesicles was higher than that of C. The epididymis and prostate relative weights remained unchanged in the three experimental groups. Furthermore, serum testosterone concentrations were respectively 1.4- and 2.8-fold lower in the PR and ER groups vs. C, whereas no significant difference was found in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels among the groups. Compared with the C group, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, carbonyl levels, glutathione, and glutathione reductase activity reduced significantly in PR, and specifically in ER rat's testis, whereas, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities increased. Furthermore, the testis and epididymis examination revealed histological alterations in the PR and ER groups. In conclusion, ER and PR diets could reduce the oxidant markers, even though they may alter the reproductive activity by probably altering testosterone production.

Metallic trace element dynamics in Paracentrotus lividus from Algeria: Environmental and human health risk assessment.

This paper evaluates the dynamic of Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs; Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected in five sites: four contaminated and one reference, along the western coast of Algeria, recontextualizes this contamination within a wider geographical distribution area throughout 84 sites among the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic and focuses on the potential risk on human health for the first time in Algeria. The Trace Element Pollution Index places Algeria, and generally the North African coasts, as the region most contaminated by MTEs. The Trace Element Spatial Variation Index ranks Pb as a MTE of key environmental concern according to global spatial variability. The health risk assessment indicates that Cd and Pb exceed the maximum limits set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 on three of the four contaminated sites.

Protein Hydrolysates from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as Nutraceutical Molecules in Colon Cancer Treatment.

The application of plant extracts for therapeutic purposes has been used in traditional medicine since the plants are a source of a great variety of chemical compounds that possess biological activity. Actually, the effect of these extracts on diseases such as cancer is being widely studied. Colorectal adenocarcinoma is one of the main causes of cancer related to death and the second most prevalent carcinoma in Western countries. The aim of this work is to study the possible effect of two fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) protein hydrolysates on treatment and progression of colorectal cancer. Fenugreek proteins from seeds were hydrolysed by using two enzymes separately, which are named Purafect and Esperase, and were then tested on differentiated and undifferentiated human colonic adenocarcinoma Caco2/TC7 cells. Both hydrolysates did not affect the growth of differentiated cells, while they caused a decrease in undifferentiated cell proliferation by early apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in phase G1. This was triggered by a mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, cytochrome C release to cytoplasm, and caspase-3 activation. In addition, the hydrolysates of fenugreek proteins displayed antioxidant activity since they reduce the intracellular levels of ROS. These findings suggest that fenugreek protein hydrolysates could be used as nutraceutical molecules in colorectal cancer treatment.

Preventive effect of goby fish protein hydrolysates on hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease in Wistar rats fed a high-fat/fructose diet.

This study was carried out to investigate the hypolipidemic, cardioprotective and anticoagulant properties of fish goby protein hydrolysates (GPHs) in rats fed a high fat and fructose diet (HFFD). Wistar rats were fed with HFFD for 2 months, coupled with the oral administration of GPHs and undigested goby protein (UGP). Compared with the standard diet, HFFD induced dyslipidemia and liver structure alterations, and increased pancreatic lipase activity. In addition, HFFD caused a significant increase in body weight. Interestingly, administration of UGP and GPHs to HFFD fed rats was efficacious in lowering serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) as well as hepatic TC and TG, and increased the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) content. Moreover, all treatments significantly decreased the atherogenic index and coagulant factor levels (thrombin and prothrombin). UGP and GPH administration also significantly decreased pancreatic lipase activity, which mitigates lipid accumulation. Similarly, UGP and its hydrolysates showed cardioprotective potential revealed by decreasing the risk of atherogenic and coronary artery disease and improving the liver architecture. The ex vivo plasma clotting test showed that GPHs exert a great therapeutic anticoagulant potential. The overall results demonstrated that GPH supplementation can counteract high-fat/fructose diet-induced obesity.

Ameliorating effects of goby fish protein hydrolysates on high-fat-high-fructose diet-induced hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and deterioration of kidney function in rats.

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of undigested goby fish (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus) muscle proteins (UGP) and their hydrolysates on high-fat-high-fructose diet (HFFD)-fed rats. HFFD induced hyperglycemia, manifested by a significant increase in the levels of glucose and glycogen as well as α-amylase activity when compared to normal rats. The administration of GPHs to HFFD-fed rats significantly decreased α-amylase activity and the contents of blood glucose and hepatic glycogen. By contrast, the UGP increased the glucose metabolic disorders in HFFD-fed rats. Furthermore, HFFD-fed rats showed oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione (GSH) levels and increased concentration of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in liver and kidney. Interestingly, the daily gavage of UGP and GPHs improved the redox status in liver and kidney of HFFD-rats by ameliorating or reversing the above-mentioned changes. Moreover, GPHs exhibited a renal protective role by reversing the HFFD-induced decease of uric acid and increase of creatinine levels in serum and preventing some HFFD-induced changes in kidney architecture. The results demonstrate that GPHs contain bioactive peptides that possess significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, and ameliorate renal damage in rats fed hypercaloric diet.

Cholesterol regulatory effects and antioxidant activities of protein hydrolysates from zebra blenny (Salaria basilisca) in cholesterol-fed rats.

This study aims to explore the hypocholesterolemic effects and antioxidative activities of zebra blenny protein hydrolysates (ZBPHs) in rats fed with a hypercholesterolemic diet. The rats were fed during eight weeks a standard laboratory diet (normal rats), a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) (1%) or a HCD and orally treated with ZBPHs or undigested zebra blenny proteins (UZBPs) (400 mg per kg per day). Results showed that a hypercholesterolemic diet induced the increase of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Treatment with ZBPHs increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decreased significantly the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C. In addition, ZBPH treatment showed significant normalization of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels as well as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in renal and hepatic tissues. Furthermore, ZBPHs may also exert significant protective effects on liver and kidney functions, evidenced by a marked decrease in the level of serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Histological studies confirmed that ZBPHs effectively protected the livers and kidneys against hypercholesterolemia-mediated oxidative damage. Therefore, the study strengthens the hypothesis that ZBPHs can be used as novel antioxidants and hypocholesterolemic compounds against hyperlipidemia induced atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect and antioxidant activity of Boops boops proteins in cholesterol-fed rats.

Dietary proteins affect blood cholesterol concentrations and antioxidant status, which are related to several diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The present study attempts to investigate the potential of Boops boops proteins (Bb-NHP) and its hydrolysate (Bb-HP) in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress in rats fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD). After four weeks' treatment, serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] in liver were determined. Compared with those fed a standard diet, high cholesterol diet induced dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and aortic structure alterations. Interestingly, supplementing the HCD with Boops boops proteins attenuated these anomalies in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggested that B. boops proteins might provide health benefits by helping to reduce the deleterious effects of increased intake of cholesterol that characterize modern diets.

Purified chickpea or lentil proteins impair VLDL metabolism and lipoprotein lipase activity in epididymal fat, but not in muscle, compared to casein, in growing rats.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the legume proteins have a lowering effect on plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerols (TG) concentrations compared to animal proteins. The protein itself, as well as non-protein constituents, naturally present in legumes may be implicated. AIM OF THE STUDY: The effects of various dietary purified legumes proteins compared to casein, were determined on plasma TG level, VLDL concentration and composition. Moreover, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in epididymal fat, gastrocnemius and heart was investigated to evaluate in these tissues their capacity to release free fatty acids from their TG substrate and the liver capacity to stock the TG. METHODS: Weaning male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum one of the following diets: 200 g/kg diet of purified proteins of lentil (L), or chickpea (CP) or casein (CAS). At day 28, VLDL were isolated from plasma sample by a single ultracentrifugation flotation. Hepatic lipase and LPL activity in epididymal fat, gastrocnemius and heart were measured by using glycerol tri [9-10(n)-(3)H] oleate emulsion as substrate. RESULTS: Compared with CAS diet, the CP and L protein diets exhibited similar cholesterolemia, but lower triglyceridemia (1.9-fold and 2.5-fold) and VLDL particle number, as measured by their reduced contents of TG and apolipoproteins. CP and L protein diets reduced liver TG and cholesterol by 31 and 45%, respectively compared to CAS diet. Furthermore, LPL activity in adipose tissue of rats fed CP or L was 1.6-fold lower than that of rats fed CAS. There was no significant difference in heart and gastrocnemius LPL activities with the three proteins. In contrast, hepatic lipase activity was higher in rats fed CP and L diets. CONCLUSION: The low food efficiency ratio of purified CP and L proteins related to CAS is associated with decreased plasma VLDL and adipose tissue LPL activity. The low liver TG concomitant with reduced TG and apolipoproteins contents of VLDL confirm that hypotriglyceridemia is essentially due to impaired synthesis, exportation and transport of TG by VLDL which prevent lipid storage in adipose tissue.