The Modifying Effects of Galactomannan from Canadian-Grown Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on the Glycemic and Lipidemic Status in Rats.

Using high sucrose-fed male Sprague-Dawley rats, a study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding Galactomannan (GAL), a soluble dietary fiber extracted from Canadian-grown fenugreek seeds, on blood lipid and glucose responses. Rats (n = 8, 175-200 g) were randomly assigned to one of three high sucrose diets containing 10% cellulose (control), 7.5% cellulose + 2.5% GAL, and 5% cellulose + 5% GAL, respectively for 4 weeks. After 3 weeks, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on each rat. A week later blood samples were collected to determine the effect on blood lipids. A significant reduction in glycemic response was observed only in 5% GAL group at 120 min following OGTT, when compared with that of control and 2.5% GAL groups. The plasma level of insulin was also significantly reduced (p<0.001) in 5% GAL-fed rats but at all times during OGTT. These animals also showed a reduction in body weight gain (p<0.05) in parallel with less food intake (p<0.05). All GAL-fed (2.5% and 5.0%) rats had significantly reduced plasma levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in association with a reduction in epididymal adipose weight. Overall, this study demonstrated that feeding GAL from Canadian-grown fenugreek seeds has the potential to alter glycemic and lipidemic status and reduce abdominal fat in normal rats.

Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infections are a major source of morbidity throughout the world. Extracts of the root of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) have been found to have the potential to modulate both natural and acquired immune responses. We sought to examine the efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng root in preventing colds. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the onset of the influenza season. A total of 323 subjects 18-65 years of age with a history of at least 2 colds in the previous year were recruited from the general population in Edmonton, Alberta. The participants were instructed to take 2 capsules per day of either the North American ginseng extract or a placebo for a period of 4 months. The primary outcome measure was the number of Jackson-verified colds. Secondary variables measured included symptom severity, total number of days of symptoms and duration of all colds. Cold symptoms were scored by subjects using a 4-point scale. RESULTS: Subjects who did not start treatment were excluded from the analysis (23 in the ginseng group and 21 in the placebo group), leaving 130 in the ginseng group and 149 in the placebo group. The mean number of colds per person was lower in the ginseng group than in the placebo group (0.68 [standard deviation (SD) 0.82] v. 0.93 [SD 0.91], difference 0.25%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.45). The proportion of subjects with 2 or more Jackson-verified colds during the 4-month period (10.0% v. 22.8%, 12.8% difference, 95% CI 4.3-21.3) was significantly lower in the ginseng group than in the placebo group, as were the total symptom score (77.5 [SD 84.6] v. 112.3 [SD 102.5], difference 1.5%, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and the total number of days cold symptoms were reported (10.8 [SD 9.7] v. 16.5 [SD 13.8] days, difference 1.6%, 95% CI 1.3-2.0) for all colds. INTERPRETATION: Ingestion of a poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharide-rich extract of the roots of North American ginseng in a moderate dose over 4 months reduced the mean number of colds per person, the proportion of subjects who experienced 2 or more colds, the severity of symptoms and the number of days cold symptoms were reported.

Intestinal absorption in health and disease: micronutrients.

The main theme of this chapter concerns the precise biochemical mechanisms involved in stages up to, and including, gastrointestinal absorption of vitamins and certain selected minerals. Essential data regarding sequential events, immediately following absorption of these micronutrients, are also included. There is reference to water-soluble vitamins that are, in general, either coenzymes in various metabolic reactions or carriers of certain biochemical groupings. In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins frequently function as integral components of cell membranes; they, too, receive ample attention. It is appropriate, nevertheless, to recognize that some minerals required in very small amounts are closely allied biochemically with particular vitamins; these specific associations are apportioned emphasis at relevant places in the text. Although predominant discussion centres on the physiological state, clinical reference is necessarily made to gastrointestinal disorders in which imbalance of vitamins and minerals consequently results in an additional detrimental impact on health.

Alkylamides of Echinacea purpurea stimulate alveolar macrophage function in normal rats.

Echinacea plant extract is widely used for the prevention and the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. However, the active components in the herb, their optimal dosages and their in vivo effects are still undefined. Using male Sprague-Dawley rats (425-475 g), an in vivo study was conducted to examine the immunomodulatory effects of various dose levels of three components, isolated and purified from Echinacea purpurea. The components were cichoric acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides. The rats were gavaged orally two times/day for 4 days with three different concentrations of each of the Echinacea components. Among the components, alkylamides at the dose level of 12 microg/kg body weight/day significantly increased the phagocytic activity as well as phagocytic index of the alveolar macrophages. The alveolar macrophages obtained from this group of rats also produced significantly more TNF-alpha and nitric oxide after an in vitro stimulation with LPS than any other active component or the control. None of the components at any concentration had any effect on the release of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2 by the splenocytes. These results suggest that the alkylamides are one of the active constituents of E. purpurea plant. At a dose level of approximately 12 microg/kg body weight/day they effectively stimulate alveolar macrophage function in healthy rats. The immunomodulatory effects of alkylamides appear to be more pronounced in lungs than in spleen.

A proprietary extract from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) enhances IL-2 and IFN-gamma productions in murine spleen cells induced by Con-A.

A patented aqueous extract from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), containing mainly oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, is commercially available over the counter as COLD-FX (CVT-E002). This proprietary extract is used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Its in vitro stimulating effects on the immunoglobulin production by B lymphocytes and on natural immune responses by peritoneal exudates macrophages have been previously reported. Using C57 BL/6 mice, an ex vivo study was conducted to examine Con-A-induced splenocytic productions of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) as markers of acquired immune responses. CVT-E002 (10-500 microg/ml) significantly increased Con-A-induced IL-2 and IFN-gamma productions in spleen cells in a dose-dependent manner. Such response was seen by the ginseng extract originated from three different lots, suggesting consistency between the lots.

Sulfur: its clinical and toxicologic aspects.

Although there is no known dietary requirement for inorganic sulfur, it is an essential element for all animal species in as much as they all require the sulfur-containing amino acid methionine. There are three predominate forms of organic sulfur in animals and humans: 1). the thiomethyl of methionine residues in protein; 2). the sulfhydryl disulfides of protein; and 3). the compounds containing ester or amide bound sulfates of glycosaminoglycans, steroids, and many xenobiotic metabolites. Thus, sulfur becomes an important constituent of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins and other biomolecules. Unlike mammalian species, plants can use inorganic sulfur and synthesize methionine from which are synthesized all the other important sulfur compounds. Hence, sulfur deficiency occurs mainly when plants are grown in sulfur-depleted soils and when humans and animals consume low-protein diets. In recent times, however, the increasing prevalence of refining petroleum and smelting sulfur compounds of metallic minerals into free metals are having a large impact on the balance of sulfur in the environment. Sulfur toxicity is associated mainly with high levels of the element and its toxic volatile substances in the environment. Sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), a major air pollutant, may adversely affect animal and human health by causing bronchitis, bronchoconstriction, and increased pulmonary resistance.

In vitro intestinal glucose uptake is inhibited by galactomannan from Canadian fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum graecum L) in genetically lean and obese rats.

Galactomannan, a soluble fiber, has been reported to reduce postprandial blood glucose response. Using this fiber, extracted from Canadian-grown fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum L), we conducted an in vitro study to determine if galactomannan affects intestinal glucose uptake in genetically determined lean and obese rats. The segments of jejunum and ileum from these animals were incubated with labeled glucose (2 or 32 mmol/L) in the presence of different concentrations of galactomannan ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% (wt/wt). The uptake of low or high concentration of glucose was significantly and progressively reduced by increasing concentrations of galactomannan in both lean and obese rats. No significant difference was observed in the uptake of glucose between the 2 groups. The viscosity of various concentrations of galactomannan solutions was determined after stirring for 60 minutes at a temperature-controlled (37 degrees C) fixed sheer rate of 1.29 (1/s). The inhibitory effect of galactomannan on glucose uptake was found to be in parallel with the degree of viscosity of the fiber solutions. These results suggest that the galactomannan, because of its viscous property, has the potential to reduce intestinal absorption of low or high concentrations of glucose and hence for the benefit of blood glucose management.

A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold.

In a previous paper, it was reported that Echinilin (Factors R & D Technologies, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) a formulation prepared from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea plants and standardized on the basis of three known active components (alkamides, cichoric acid and polysaccharides) is effective for the treatment of a naturally acquired common cold. However, the mechanism by which this effect is achieved remains unknown. In the present study, Echinilin or placebo were administered to volunteers at the onset of their cold for a period of 7 days, with eight doses (5 mL/dose) on day 1 and three doses on subsequent days. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and during their colds. The decrease in total daily symptomatic score was more evident in the echinacea group than in the placebo group. These effects of echinacea were associated with a significant and sustained increase in the number of circulating total white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils and NK cells. In the later part of the cold, the echinacea treatment suppressed the cold-related increase in superoxide production by the neutrophils. These results suggest that Echinilin, by enhancing the non-specific immune response and eliciting free radical scavenging properties, may have led to a faster resolution of the cold symptoms.

An in vivo study of the antioxidant potentials of a plant food concentrate.

OBJECTIVE: A plant food concentrate (PF) is a source of antioxidants. Its influence on antioxidant status has never been studied. The present longitudinal study investigated the antioxidant and lipidemic responses in 15 moderately hypercholesterolemic (>5.2 mmol/L) male subjects to the supplemental intakes of PF. METHODS: The participants underwent a two-week period where any previous supplemental intakes were withdrawn. This was followed by a two-week baseline period at entry (control). The baseline period was followed by taking PF concentrate (8.5 g twice daily) for two weeks followed by a washout period for two weeks. All subjects completed food frequency questionnaires at pre-supplemental (baseline) and post-PF period. Fasting heparinized and EDTA blood samples were collected at the end of each period. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and plasma concentrations of zinc and copper, along with plasma levels of lipids, were determined. RESULTS: The PF supplement contributed significantly to the daily intakes of total dietary fiber. The zinc and copper-dependent SOD but not GPX activity were significantly elevated. The total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the plasma were significantly decreased while the ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol was increased post-PF intake. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the antioxidant and cholesterol status of moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects can be potentially improved with the supplemental intake of PF concentrate.

Niacin (nicotinic acid) in non-physiological doses causes hyperhomocysteineaemia in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Niacin (nicotinic acid) in its non-physiological dose level is known to be an effective lipid-lowering agent; its potential risk as a therapeutic agent, however, has not been critically considered. Since niacin is excreted predominantly as methylated pyridones, requiring methionine as a methyl donor, the present study was undertaken to examine whether metabolism of the amino acid is altered in the presence of large doses of niacin. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a nutritionally adequate, semi-synthetic diet containing niacin at a level of either 400 or 1000mg/kg diet (compared to 30mg/kg in the control diet) for up to 3 months. Supplementation with niacin (1,000 mg/kg diet) for 3 months resulted in a significant increase in plasma and urinary total homocysteine levels; this increase was further accentuated in the presence of a high methionine diet. The hyperhomocysteineaemia was accompanied by a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of vitamins B6 and B12, which are cofactors for the metabolism of homocysteine. The homocysteine-raising action of niacin, in particular, has an important toxicological implication, as hyperhomocysteineaemia is considered to be an independent risk factor for arterial occlusive disease. The niacin-associated change in homocysteine status may be an important limiting factor in the use of this vitamin as a lipid-lowering agent.

Dietary rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalk fibre does not lower plasma cholesterol levels in diabetic rats.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhapontiam) stalk fibre was previously shown to be hypolipidaemic under clinical and experimental conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether rhubarb stalk fibre has a hypolipidaemic effect under diabetic conditions. Two models of diabetic rats were used: streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and diabetes-prone BB (BBdp) rats. The plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were elevated after the onset of diabetes in BBdp rats, but not in sterptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The rhubarb-fibre diet had no effect on the plasma cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations of diabetic rats. The hypolipidaemic effect of rhubarb stalk fibre has been suggested to be due to the bile-acid-binding capacity of rhubarb fibre, which in turn up regulates cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (cyp7a) activity. cyp7a is the first and the rate-limiting enzyme in the breakdown of cholesterol to bile acids. We measured the cyp7a activity and mRNA levels in control and diabetic rats fed rhubarb- and cellulose-fibre diets. The cyp7a activity and mRNA abundance were increased in both diabetic rat models, indicating that bile acid synthesis is enhanced in diabetes. Feeding a diet enriched with rhubarb fibre caused a slight but significant increase (P<0.05) in cyp7a enzyme activity in BBdp rats, but no change in cyp7a mRNA abundance was detected. These results suggest that although a rhubarb-fibre-enriched diet increased cyp7a activity in BBdp rats, there was no apparent therapeutic benefit in terms of lowering plasma cholesterol concentrations.

The hepatic retinyl ester hydrolase activity is depressed at the onset of diabetes in BB rats.

Dietary vitamin A as retinyl ester is hydrolysed and re-esterified with long-chain fatty acids in the small intestine. The esterified vitamin A is subsequently stored in the liver, where it is hydrolysed to free retinol to be transported by carrier proteins to the target tissue. A decreased availability of retinol carrier proteins has been suggested to be responsible for affecting metabolic availability of vitamin A in type 1 diabetes. Using BB Wistar rats, the present study was undertaken to examine whether the presence of a hyperglycaemic state modifies retinyl ester hydrolase (REH) activity in the intestine and the liver. At the onset of diabetes, hepatic REH enzymatic activity was significantly decreased. However, REH activity remained unaffected in the small intestine, including both ileum and jejunum. Diabetes also resulted in decreased plasma and liver concentrations of retinol. An in vitro study was conducted to examine the effect of diabetes on the intestinal uptake of retinyl palmitate. Jejunum and ileum from diabetic and non-diabetic BB rats were incubated with labelled retinyl palmitate at different concentrations ranging from 32 to 256 nmol/l. The uptake of retinyl palmitate was increased in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats together with the increase of substrate concentration. However, no significant difference was observed in the uptake of retinyl palmitate between diabetic and non-diabetic rats. These present results suggest that the depressed hepatic REH activities may contribute to the diabetes-associated metabolic derangement of vitamin A.