Exposure to oxidized soybean oil induces mammary mitochondrial injury in lactating rats and alters the intestinal barrier function of progeny.

Similar to other food contaminants, dietary oxidized soybean oil (OSO) is also a toxic xenobiotic for animal and human nutrition. This research evaluated the effects of maternal OSO exposure during lactation on mammary mitochondrial injury and intestinal barrier of sucking progeny. Twenty-four female adult SD rats were fed a fresh soybean oil (FSO) homozygous diet (7%) or an OSO homozygous diet (7%) during lactation. On day 21 of lactation, upregulated mRNA expression of Sirt3 and PRDX3 and downregulated mRNA expression of Mfn2 were observed in mammary tissues in the OSO group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Maternal OSO consumption increased the FasL transcriptional level in the mammary glands of rat dams (P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase3, and Fas was not different from that in the control group (P > 0.05). OSO enhanced the Nrf2 transcriptional level and decreased the expression of Keap1 and PPARα in mammary tissues (P < 0.05). In addition, the contents of CAT, MDA, SOD were not affected by dietary OSO (P > 0.05), while the concentration of H2O2 was significantly decreased in the OSO-treated mammary glands of rat dams (P < 0.05). Maternal OSO exposure during lactation did not affect the organ coefficients of pups (P > 0.05). However, maternal OSO consumption influenced the intestinal tight junction protein expression of progeny (P < 0.05). In summary, the present study demonstrated that dietary OSO may aggravate mammary injury and mitochondria dysfunction, but the OSO-induced damage was self-alleviating via the promotion of Sirt3 and PRDX3 expression and further scavenging of oxidative products.

Chemical Constituents of the Bulbs of Scilla peruviana and Their Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity.

Scilla species are used as medicinal plants and contain lanosterol-type triterpene glycosides. The phytochemical investigation of the bulbs of Scilla peruviana led to the isolation of 17 compounds, including three new rearranged pentacyclic-lanosterol glycosides (1-3) and two new homoisoflavanone glycosides (12 and 13). The structures of the undescribed compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR. Among the triterpene glycosides, 2, 3, and 6 showed significant pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The oral administration of scillascilloside D-2 (6) reduced serum triglyceride levels in a dose-dependent manner in soybean oil-loaded mice.

Dietary Exposure to Oxidized Frying Oil from Fetus to Adulthood Suppresses Male Reproductive Development by Altering Testicular Cholesterol and Testosterone Homeostasis in Sprague Dawley Rats.

BACKGROUND: Dietary frying oil may have endocrine-disrupting effects, as a feminization effect was observed in cohorts of C57BL/6J male mice fetuses from dams consuming oxidized frying oil (OFO) during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to test the hypothesis that OFO is an anti-androgen. METHODS: In experiment 1, male progeny of Sprague Dawley female rats fed fresh oil or an OFO diet (10 g fat/100 g, from fresh or 24-h-fried soybean oil; [control diet (C) and OFO groups, respectively] from midgestation through lactation were studied. Pups were weaned at 3 wk of age and then consumed their mothers' diet until 9 wk of age. In addition, a group of dams and pups that consumed a high-fat diet (HF; 10 g fried and 20 g fresh soybean oil/100 g) was included to counteract body-weight loss associated with OFO ingestion. Indices of male reproductive development and testosterone homeostasis were measured. In experiment 2, male rats were allocated to C and OFO groups (treated as above) and indices of male fertility compared at 9-10 wk of age. RESULTS: In experiment 1, final body weights of the HF group were lower (17%) than the C group but higher (14%) than the OFO group (P < 0.0001 for each). In addition to abnormalities in seminiferous tubules, HF and OFO groups did not differ from one another, but, compared with the C group, had delayed preputial separation (4.9 d) and reductions in serum testosterone concentrations (17-74%), anogenital distance (8-20%), weights of androgen-dependent tissues (8-30%), testicular testosterone and cholesterol concentrations (30-40%), and mRNA levels of genes involved in steroidogenesis and cholesterol homeostasis (30-70%). In experiment 2, OFO-exposed males had 20% lower sperm motility (P < 0.05); however, when mated to normal females, pregnancy rates and litter sizes did not differ between OFO and C groups. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-androgenic effect of OFO in Sprague Dawley rats was attributed to decreased testicular concentrations of cholesterol (testosterone precursor) and not body-weight loss.

Dietary soybean oil, canola oil and partially-hydrogenated soybean oil affect testicular tissue and steroid hormone levels differently in the miniature pig.

The present study was conducted to examine the influence of dietary canola oil (CAN) and partially-hydrogenated soybean oil (HSO) compared to soybean oil (SOY, control) on the morphology and function of testes using miniature pigs as the test subject. Male miniature pigs were fed a diet containing 10%SOY, 9%CAN+1%SOY, or 9%HSO+1%SOY for 18 months. The scheduled autopsies revealed no abnormalities in histopathological examination of the major organs, except the testes. Atrophy of the seminiferous tubules and hyperplasia in the Leydig cells were found in the SOY and CAN groups. DNA microarray analysis indicated downregulation in the CAN and the HSO groups of genes encoding for gonadotropins in the pituitary gland and of enzymes and proteins involved in steroid hormone metabolism in the testes, compared to the SOY group. Plasma levels of sex hormones in the CAN and HSO groups tended to be higher and testosterone and dihydrotestosteorne in the HSO group were significantly higher than in the SOY group. These results demonstrate that testes are morphologically and functionally affected by the dietary oils, while the plasma steroid hormone levels do not necessarily reflect the gene expression, probably owing to feedback regulation via the gonadal hormones in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Mutagenicity emission factors of canola oil and waste vegetable oil biodiesel: Comparison to soy biodiesel.

Canola (or rapeseed) oil and waste vegetable oil (WVO) are used commonly to make biodiesel fuels composed completely from these oils (B100) or as blends with petroleum diesel (B0). However, no studies have reported the mutagenic potencies of the particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) or the mutagenicity emission factors, such as revertants/MJthermal (rev/MJth) for these biodiesel emissions. Using strains TA98 and TA100 with the Salmonella (Ames) mutagenicity assay, we determined these metrics for organic extracts of PM2.5 of emissions from biodiesel containing 5% soy oil (soy B5); 5, 20, 50, and 100% canola (canola B5, B20, B50, B100), and 100% waste vegetable oil (WVO B100). The mutagenic potencies (rev/mg PM2.5) of the canola B100 and WVO B100 emissions were generally greater than those of B0, whereas the mutagenicity emission factors (rev/MJth, rev/kg fuel, and rev/m3) were less, reflecting the lower PM emissions of the biodiesels relative to B0. Nearly all the rev/mg PM2.5 and rev/MJth values were greater in TA98 with S9 than without S9, indicating a relatively greater role for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which require S9, than nitroarenes, which do not. In TA100 -S9, the rev/mg PM2.5 and rev/MJth for the biodiesels were generally ≥ to those of B0, indicating that most of these biodiesels produced more direct-acting, base-substitution mutagenic activity than did B0. For B100 biodiesels and petroleum diesel, the rev/MJth in TA98 + S9 ranked: petroleum diesel > canola > WVO > soy. The diesel emissions generally had rev/MJth values orders of magnitude higher than those of large utility-scale combustors (natural gas, coal, oil, or wood) but orders of magnitude lower than those of inefficient open burning (e.g., residential wood fireplaces). These comparative data of the potential health effects of a variety of biodiesel fuels will help inform the life-cycle assessment and use of biodiesel fuels.

A review of dietary exposure and toxicological information on epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) in food-contact applications.

Plasticisers have a long history of use in the industrial manufacture and processing of polymers for the purpose of increasing the flexibility and strength of the material. Approximately, 80-90% of the plasticiser market is devoted to the production of PVC, a highly versatile thermoplastic used to produce both rigid and flexible articles. Many types of plasticisers, including ortho-phthalate esters (OPE), can be added to PVC to impart flexibility. Recently, alternatives to OPEs, such as epoxy esters and aliphatic adipates, are becoming more prevalent for use in PVC-based food-contact articles. Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is used as a plasticiser in flexible PVC for many food-contact articles, including food packaging and food processing equipment, from which it can potentially migrate into food and become a component of an individual's daily diet. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the US dietary exposure and toxicological information on ESBO used in PVC-based food-contact articles. The cumulative dietary concentration (CDC) and cumulative estimated daily intake (CEDI) for ESBO from its use as a plasticiser in PVC-based food-contact articles (i.e. gaskets for glass jar lids and film wraps) was calculated to be 2.6 mg/kg (i.e. ppm) and 0.13 mg/kg bw/d, respectively, for the general population. Some regulatory agencies have reported safety levels for ESBO, and the most conservative no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was identified to be 100 mg/kg bw/d (i.e. 2000 ppm) based on a two-year feeding study in rats. The current CEDI is well below these levels, supporting the safe use of ESBO in food-contact applications.

Soybean Oil-Derived Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids Enhance Liver Damage in NAFLD Induced by Dietary Cholesterol.

While the impact of dietary cholesterol on the progression of atherosclerosis has probably been overestimated, increasing evidence suggests that dietary cholesterol might favor the transition from blunt steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially in combination with high fat diets. It is poorly understood how cholesterol alone or in combination with other dietary lipid components contributes to the development of lipotoxicity. The current study demonstrated that liver damage caused by dietary cholesterol in mice was strongly enhanced by a high fat diet containing soybean oil-derived ω6-poly-unsaturated fatty acids (ω6-PUFA), but not by a lard-based high fat diet containing mainly saturated fatty acids. In contrast to the lard-based diet the soybean oil-based diet augmented cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes, presumably by impairing cholesterol-eliminating pathways. The soybean oil-based diet enhanced cholesterol-induced mitochondrial damage and amplified the ensuing oxidative stress, probably by peroxidation of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. This resulted in hepatocyte death, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and fibrosis, and caused a transition from steatosis to NASH, doubling the NASH activity score. Thus, the recommendation to reduce cholesterol intake, in particular in diets rich in ω6-PUFA, although not necessary to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, might be sensible for patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects on Tamarixia triozae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an Ectoparasitoid of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae), of Three Insecticides Used on Solanaceous Crops.

Lethal and sublethal effects of refined soybean oil, imidacloprid, and abamectin on Tamarixia triozae (Burks; Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were assessed after exposure of the eggs, larvae, and pupae of this parasitoid to three concentrations of these active substances: the LC50 for fourth-instar Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc.; Hemiptera: Triozidae) and 50% and 100% of the minimum field-registered concentration (MiFRC). Soybean oil caused 26-61% mortality in T. triozae eggs and 6-19% in larvae; mortality in both eggs and larvae was ≤19% for imidacloprid and 4-100% for abamectin. All three compounds caused <18% mortality of T. triozae pupae, with the exception of the abamectin 50% (47%) and 100% (72%) MiFRC. The mortality of larvae and pupae derived from treated eggs was ≤39% for all three insecticides, and that of pupae derived from treated larvae was ≤10%. In general, emergence of adults developed from treated eggs, larvae, and pupae was affected more by abamectin than by the other treatments. The proportion of females derived from all three development stages was not affected by treatment with the compounds, except when the parasitoid was treated as larvae with the soybean oil 100 and 50% MiFRC (66 and 68%, respectively) or when treated as pupae with the imidacloprid LC50 and 100% MiFRC (~60%). Female longevity was generally higher than that of males. The use of imidacloprid, soybean oil, and abamectin in combination with T. triozae for pest control may be effective when the parasitoid is in the pupal stage because this stage is less susceptible than other immature stages.

Resilience of small intestinal beneficial bacteria to the toxicity of soybean oil fatty acids.

Over the past century, soybean oil (SBO) consumption in the United States increased dramatically. The main SBO fatty acid, linoleic acid (18:2), inhibits in vitro the growth of lactobacilli, beneficial members of the small intestinal microbiota. Human-associated lactobacilli have declined in prevalence in Western microbiomes, but how dietary changes may have impacted their ecology is unclear. Here, we compared the in vitro and in vivo effects of 18:2 on Lactobacillus reuteri and L. johnsonii. Directed evolution in vitro in both species led to strong 18:2 resistance with mutations in genes for lipid biosynthesis, acid stress, and the cell membrane or wall. Small-intestinal Lactobacillus populations in mice were unaffected by chronic and acute 18:2 exposure, yet harbored both 18:2- sensitive and resistant strains. This work shows that extant small intestinal lactobacilli are protected from toxic dietary components via the gut environment as well as their own capacity to evolve resistance.

Behavior of Tamarixia triozae Females (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Attacking Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and Effects of Three Pesticides on This Parasitoid.

The parasitism and host feeding behavior of Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) females on Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) fourth instars that have infested tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) leaflets are described and quantified. Females took approximately 31.14 ± 4.39 min to search for their first suitable host. The recognition and handling times for oviposition were 2.66 ± 0.18 and 4.26 ± 0.39 min, respectively. T. triozae parasitized 4.66 ± 0.61 nymphs in a period of 6 h. The parasitoid explored and probed its host by walking along the margins of its body while antennating and repeatedly introducing the ovipositor beneath the nymph. The handling times before and during host feeding were 8.42 ± 0.67 and 8.29 ± 0.60 min, respectively. T. triozae females consumed 1.00 ± 0.00 B. cockerelli nymph after parasitizing 3.3 ± 0.48 nymphs. EPA-a refined soybean oil-imidacloprid, and abamectin caused between ~70 and 100% T. triozae adult mortality after a 48-h contact treatment with fresh pesticide residue and a 47-91% decrease (abamectin > imidacloprid > EPA) in adult emergence when parasitized B. cockerelli fourth instars were directly sprayed. These data suggest that the use of these insecticides in combination with T. triozae in integrated pest management programs should be carefully evaluated.

Toxicological aspects of trans fat consumption over two sequential generations of rats: Oxidative damage and preference for amphetamine.

Chronic consumption of processed food causes structural changes in membrane phospholipids, affecting brain neurotransmission. Here we evaluated noxious influences of dietary fats over two generations of rats on amphetamine (AMPH)-conditioned place preference (CPP). Female rats received soybean oil (SO, rich in n-6 fatty acids (FA)), fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 FA) and hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans fatty acids (TFA)) for two successive generations. Male pups from the 2nd generation were maintained on the same supplementation until 41 days of age, when they were conditioned with AMPH in CPP. While the FO group showed higher incorporation of n-3 polyunsaturated-FA (PUFA) in cortex/hippocampus, the HVF group showed TFA incorporation in these same brain areas. The SO and HVF groups showed AMPH-preference and anxiety-like symptoms during abstinence. Higher levels of protein carbonyl (PC) and lower levels of non-protein thiols (NPSH) were observed in cortex/hippocampus of the HVF group, indicating antioxidant defense system impairment. In contrast, the FO group showed no drug-preference and lower PC levels in cortex. Cortical PC was positively correlated with n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, locomotion and anxiety-like behavior, and hippocampal PC was positively correlated with AMPH-preference, reinforcing connections between oxidative damage and AMPH-induced preference/abstinence behaviors. As brain incorporation of trans and n-6 PUFA modifies its physiological functions, it may facilitate drug addiction.

Cross-generational trans fat intake modifies BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus: Impact on memory loss in a mania animal model.

Recently, we have described the influence of dietary fatty acids (FA) on mania-like behavior of first generation animals. Here, two sequential generations of female rats were supplemented with soybean oil (SO, rich in n-6 FA, control group), fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 FA) and hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans FA) from pregnancy and during lactation. In adulthood, half of each group was exposed to an amphetamine (AMPH)-induced mania animal model for behavioral, biochemical and molecular assessments. FO supplementation was associated with lower reactive species (RS) generation and protein carbonyl (PC) levels and increased dopamine transporter (DAT) levels, while HVF increased RS and PC levels, thus decreasing catalase (CAT) activity and DAT levels in hippocampus after AMPH treatment. AMPH impaired short- (1 h) and long- (24 h) term memory in the HVF group. AMPH exposure was able to reduce hippocampal BDNF- mRNA expression, which was increased in FO. While HVF was related to higher trans FA (TFA) incorporation in hippocampus, FO was associated with increased percentage of n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) together with lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Interestingly, our data showed a positive correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and short- and long-term memory (r(2) = 0.53; P = 0.000/r(2) = 0.32; P = 0.011, respectively), as well as a negative correlation between PC and DAT levels (r(2) = 0.23; P = 0.015). Our findings confirm that provision of n-3 or TFA during development over two generations is able to change the neuronal membrane lipid composition, protecting or impairing the hippocampus, respectively, thus affecting neurothrophic factor expression such as BDNF mRNA. In this context, chronic consumption of trans fats over two generations can facilitate the development of mania-like behavior, so leading to memory impairment and emotionality, which are related to neuropsychiatric conditions.

Propofol (Diprivan®) and Intralipid® exacerbate insulin resistance in type-2 diabetic hearts by impairing GLUT4 trafficking.

BACKGROUND: The IV anesthetic, propofol, when administered as fat emulsion-based formulation (Diprivan) promotes insulin resistance, but the direct effects of propofol and its solvent, Intralipid, on cardiac insulin resistance are unknown. METHODS: Hearts of healthy and type-2 diabetic rats (generated by fructose feeding) were aerobically perfused for 60 minutes with 10 µM propofol in the formulation of Diprivan or an equivalent concentration of its solvent Intralipid (25 µM) ± insulin (100 mU•L). Glucose uptake, glycolysis, and glycogen metabolism were measured using [H]glucose. Activation of Akt, GSK3ß, AMPK, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, S6K1, JNK, protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ), and protein kinase CCßII (PKCßII) was determined using immunoblotting. GLUT4 trafficking and phosphorylations of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) at Ser307(h312), Ser1100(h1101), and Tyr608(hTyr612) were measured. Mass spectrometry was used to determine acylcarnitines, phospholipids, and sphingolipids. RESULTS: Diprivan and Intralipid reduced insulin-induced glucose uptake and redirected glucose to glycogen stores in diabetic hearts. Reduced glucose uptake was accompanied by lower GLUT4 trafficking to the sarcolemma. Diprivan and Intralipid inactivated GSK3ß but activated AMPK and ERK1/2 in diabetic hearts. Only Diprivan increased phosphorylation of Akt(Ser473/Thr308) and translocated PKCθ and PKCßII to the sarcolemma in healthy hearts, whereas it activated S6K1 and p38MAPK and translocated PKCßII in diabetic hearts. Furthermore, only Diprivan phosphorylated IRS-1 at Ser1100(h1101) in healthy and diabetic hearts. JNK expression, phosphorylation of Ser307(h312) of IRS-1, and PKCθ expression and translocation were increased, whereas GLUT4 expression was reduced in insulin-treated diabetic hearts. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and C18-sphingolipids accumulated in Diprivan-perfused and Intralipid-perfused diabetic hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol and Intralipid promote insulin resistance predominantly in type-2 diabetic hearts.

Preparation of curcumin microemulsions with food-grade soybean oil/lecithin and their cytotoxicity on the HepG2 cell line.

The choice of surfactants and cosurfactants for preparation of oral formulation in microemulsions is limited. In this report, a curcumin-encapsulated phospholipids-based microemulsion (ME) using food-grade ingredients soybean oil and soybean lecithin to replace ethyl oleate and purified lecithin from our previous study was established and compared. The results indicated soybean oil is superior to ethyl oleate as the oil phase in curcumin microemulsion, as proven by the broadened microemulsion region with increasing range of surfactant/soybean oil ratio (approx. 1:1-12:1). Further preparation of two formula with different particle sizes of formula A (30nm) and B (80nm) exhibited differential effects on the cytotoxicity of hepatocellular HepG2 cell lines. At 15µM of concentration, curcumin-ME in formula A with smaller particle size resulted in the lowest viability (approx. 5%), which might be explained by increasing intake of curcumin, as observed by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of curcumin-ME is exclusively prominent on HepG2, not on HEK293, which showed over 80% of viability at 15µM. The results from this study might provide an innovative applied technique in the area of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Influence of the type of vegetable oil on the drug release profile from lipid-core nanocapsules and in vivo genotoxicity study.

The use of rice bran (RB), soybean (SB) or sunflower seed (SF) oils to prepare lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs) as controlled drug delivery systems was investigated. LNCs were prepared by interfacial deposition using the preformed polymer method. All formulations showed negative zeta potential and adequate nanotechnological characteristics (particle size 220-230 nm, polydispersity index < 0.20). The environmental safety was evaluated through an in vivo protocol (Allium cepa test) and LNCs containing RB, SB or SF oils did not present genotoxic potential. Clobetasol propionate (CP) was selected as a model drug to evaluate the influence of the type of vegetable oil on the control of the drug release from LNCs. Biphasic drug release profiles were observed for all formulations. After 168 h, the concentration of drug released from the formulation containing SF oil was lower (0.36 mg/mL) than from formulations containing SB (0.40 mg/mL) or RB oil (0.45 mg/mL). Good correlations between the consistency indices for the LNC cores and the burst and sustained drug release rate constants were obtained. Therefore, the type of the vegetal oil was shown as an important factor governing the control of drug release from LNCs.

Genotoxicity studies in the ST cross of the Drosophila wing spot test of sunflower and soybean oils before and after frying and boiling procedures.

Sunflower and soybean oils were tested for genotoxicity in the Drosophila wing somatic mutation and recombination assay. Results indicate that both oils produce genotoxic effects when tested without any previous frying or boiling processes. Boiling sunflower oil during fifteen, thirty and sixty minutes significantly increased its genotoxic response; nevertheless, after frying potatoes this oil showed a significant decrease in the genotoxic activity. On the other hand, boiling and frying soybean oil in the same conditions results in a decrease of its genotoxic potential. We have also detected that the amount of total polar materials increases significantly in oils submitted to frying or boiling process. Nevertheless, in oils obtained after frying potatoes, the amount of TPM was higher than after boiling. It is suggested that this effect is probably due to the amount of non-volatile TPM, the fatty acid composition of the oils, the types of frying oil, the high frying temperature and time, and the number of boiling and frying. This is the first study reporting genotoxicity data in Drosophila for the boiling and frying of both sunflower and soybean oils.

Preparation, characterization and evaluation of breviscapine lipid emulsions coated with monooleate-PEG-COOH.

Series of monooleate-modified PEG with active carboxylic terminus on the other end (MO-PEG-COOH) were used to modify the lipid emulsions surface to prepare a sterically stabilized lipid emulsions for carrying Traditional Chinese Medicine - breviscapine. Based on the research of relationship between polymer structure and prolonged circulation activity, we developed an optimized formulation and a technological method to prepare the sterile and stable MO-PEG(10,000)-COOH (Bre-LE-PEG(10,000)) coated breviscapine lipid emulsions (Bre-LE) for intravenous administration. Follow the optimum preparation, the average particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, Ke value and content of final product were determined to be (207.1±8.5)nm, 0.197±0.005, (-33.6±2.0)mV, (21.1±2.3)% and (95.0±1.8)% respectively (n=3). The characteristics, stability and safety of Bre-LE-PEG(10,000) were also studied with Bre-LE as a control. Increased plasma concentration by surface modification of the lipid emulsions may enhance the pharmacological activity of breviscapine to promote blood circulation.

Oil components modulate the skin delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its ester prodrug from oil-in-water and water-in-oil nanoemulsions.

The study evaluated the potential of nanoemulsions for the topical delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and methyl ALA (mALA). The drugs were incorporated in oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) formulations obtained by using soybean oil or squalene as the oil phase. The droplet size, zeta potential, and environmental polarity of the nanocarriers were assessed as physicochemical properties. The O/W and W/O emulsions showed diameters of 216-256 and 18-125 nm, which, respectively, were within the range of submicron- and nano-sized dispersions. In vitro diffusion experiments using Franz-type cells and porcine skin were performed. Nude mice were used, and skin fluorescence derived from protoporphyrin IX was documented by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The loading of ALA or mALA into the emulsions resulted in slower release across cellulose membranes. The release rate and skin flux of topical drug application were adjusted by changing the type of nanocarrier, the soybean oil O/W systems showing the highest skin permeation. This formulation increased ALA flux via porcine skin to 180 nmol/cm(2)/h, which was 2.6-fold that of the aqueous control. The CLSM results showed that soybean oil systems promoted mALA permeation to deeper layers of the skin from ∼100 µm to ∼140 µm, which would be beneficial for treating subepidermal and subcutaneous lesions. Drug permeation from W/O systems did not surpass that from the aqueous solution. An in vivo dermal irritation test indicated that the emulsions were safe for topical administration of ALA and mALA.

Histopathological effects of aloe barbadensis and soybean Oil on rat liver / Efectos histopatológicos de aloe barbadensis y aceite de soya en hígado de rata

Aloe Barbadensis, which is a species of Aloe vera, is a popular plant used by the common people and in alternative medicine. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Aloe Barbadensis and soybean oil on liver. For this study Wistar Albino female rats were taken and divided into 3 equal groups; the first group was the control group wherein no treatment was applied, second group in which the dissolved form of A. barbadensis in the soybean oil was applied (25 mg/day), and the third group which only soybean oil was applied (500 mg/day). Biopsy materials were taken from the lobus dexter of the livers of the rats and analyzed with light microscope after the necessary standard processing of histologic slides. Group I demonstrated normal structural characteristics of rat liver. In Group II and Group III, we observed nuclear enlargement, mild increase in chromatin and hydropic degeneration and binucleation in some hepatocytes. Liver histology demonstrated congestion in portal veins, sinusoids and the central veins. Merely in Group III, portal venous congestion and in Group II sinusoidal congestion was evident parenchyma of the liver. Additionally in Group III liver histology demonstrated plasmocyte infiltration in portal areas. Our study showed that using soybean with Aloe Barbadensis is synergystic and increasing each others effects. However we didn't observe mononeuclear infiltrations in Group II, these show antinflammatory effects of Aloe Barbadensis. It is determined that, depending on the used dose of Aloe Barbadensis, the toxic effect can change. If Aloe Barbadensis used very high doses it can have toxic effect on hepatocytes.

Aloe Barbadensis, una especie de Aloe vera, es una planta popular usada por el común de las personas y también en la medicina alternativa. El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los efectos del Aloe Barbadensis y aceite de soya en el hígado. Para el estudio se emplearon ratas Wistar hembras Albino y se dividieron en 3 grupos: grupo control I sin tratamiento; grupo II A. barbadensis disuelta en aceite de soja (25 mg / día), y grupo III tratado sólo con aceite de soja (500 mg / día). Fueron extraídas biopsias del lóbulo derecho del hígado de las ratas y luego se analizaron con microscopio de luz. En el grupo I el hígado de las ratas era normal. En los grupos II y III, se observó aumento del tamaño nuclear, leve aumento de la cromatina y degeneración hidrópica y binucleación en algunos hepatocitos. La histología hepática mostró la congestión en las venas porta, sinusoides y las centrales. En el grupo III, la congestión venosa portal y en el Grupo II la congestión sinusoidal fue evidente. Además, el Grupo III reveló infiltración de plasmocitos en áreas portales. El uso de soja con Aloe Barbadensis es sinergista y aumenta cada uno de otros efectos. Infiltraciones mononucleares en el grupo III determinan la reacción inflamatoria. Sin embargo, no observamos infiltración mononuclear en el Grupo II, éste mostró efectos antiinflamatorios de la Aloe Barbadensis. Esto determina que, dependiendo de la dosis usada de Aloe Barbadensis, los efectos tóxicos pueden cambiar. Si es usado en altas dosis Aloe Barbadensis puede producir efectos tóxicos en los hepatocitos.

Association of elevated blood pressure and impaired vasorelaxation in experimental Sprague-Dawley rats fed with heated vegetable oil.

BACKGROUND: Poor control of blood pressure leads to hypertension which is a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to explore possible mechanisms of elevation in blood pressure following consumption of heated vegetable oil. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into six groups: Group I (control)--normal rat chow, Group II--fresh soy oil, Group III--soy oil heated once, Group IV--soy oil heated twice, Group V--soy oil heated five times, Group VI--soy oil heated ten times. Blood pressure was measured at the baseline level and at a monthly interval for six months. Plasma nitric oxide, heme oxygenase and angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were measured prior to treatment, at month-three and month-six later. At the end of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and thoracic aortas were taken for measurement of vascular reactivity. RESULTS: Blood pressure increased significantly (p<0.01) in the repeatedly heated oil groups compared to the control and fresh soy oil groups. Consumption of diet containing repeatedly heated oil resulted higher plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme level and lower nitric oxide content and heme oxygenase concentration. Reheated soy oil groups exhibited attenuated relaxation in response to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside, and greater contraction to phenylephrine. CONCLUSION: As a result of consumption of repeatedly heated soy oil, an elevation in blood pressure was observed which may be due to the quantitative changes in endothelium dependent and independent factors including enzymes directly involved in the regulation of blood pressure.