N-(levodopa) chitosan derivative based on click chemistry shows biological functionality in brain cells.

OBJECTIVE: To develop N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives through click chemistry to study their effect in brain cells.Significance: This study presents a proof-of-concept that macromolecules such as N-(Levodopa) chitosan derivatives traverse brain cell membranes and induce biomedical functionalities. METHODS: Through click chemistry, we developed N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives. They were physically and chemically characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, TGA and Dynamic Light Scattering analyses. Solution and nanoparticles of N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives were tested in primary cell cultures from the postnatal rat olfactory bulb, substantia nigra and corpus callosum. Ca2+ imaging and UPLC experiments were used to investigate if the biomaterial modulated the brain cell physiology. RESULTS: N-(levodopa) chitosan derivatives induced intracellular Ca2+ responses in primary cell cultures of the rat brain. UPLC experiments indicated that levodopa attached to chitosan was converted into dopamine by brain cells. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that N-(levodopa) chitosan may be useful to develop new treatment strategies, which could serve as molecular reservoirs of biomedical drugs to treat degenerative disorders of the nervous system.

Extracellular Vesicles and Their Zeta Potential as Future Markers Associated with Nutrition and Molecular Biomarkers in Breast Cancer.

A nutritional intervention promotes the loss of body and visceral fat while maintaining muscle mass in breast cancer patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their characteristics can be potential biomarkers of disease. Here, we explore the changes in the Zeta potential of EVs; the content of miRNA-30, miRNA-145, and miRNA-155; and their association with body composition and biomarkers of metabolic risk in breast cancer patients, before and 6 months after a nutritional intervention. Clinicopathological data (HER2neu, estrogen receptor, and Ki67), anthropometric and body composition data, and plasma samples were available from a previous study. Plasma EVs were isolated and characterized in 16 patients. The expression of miRNA-30, miRNA-145, and miRNA-155 was analyzed. The Zeta potential was associated with HER2neu (ß = 2.1; p = 0.00), Ki67 (ß = -1.39; p = 0.007), estrogen positive (ß = 1.57; p = 0.01), weight (ß = -0.09; p = 0.00), and visceral fat (ß = 0.004; p = 0.00). miRNA-30 was associated with LDL (ß = -0.012; p = 0.01) and HDL (ß = -0.02; p = 0.05). miRNA-155 was associated with visceral fat (ß = -0.0007; p = 0.05) and Ki67 (ß = -0.47; p = 0.04). Our results reveal significant associations between the expression of miRNA-30 and miRNA-155 and the Zeta potential of the EVs with biomarkers of metabolic risk and disease prognosis in women with breast cancer; particularly, the Zeta potential of EVs can be a new biomarker sensitive to changes in the nutritional status and breast cancer progression.

Synergistic Interactions between Tocol and Phenolic Extracts from Different Tree Nut Species against Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Tree nuts are rich in polar (phenolic compounds) and non-polar (tocols) antioxidants, with recognized effects in the prevention of diseases such as cancer. These biomolecules possess antiproliferative activity on cancer cells; however, the combined effect of both types of compounds has been scarcely studied, and this approach could give valuable information on the real anticancer potential of tree nuts. In the present study, the antiproliferative activity of pure tocols and phenolic compounds, tocol- and phenolic-rich extracts (TRE and PRE, respectively) from tree nuts and the extracts combinations, was evaluated in four cancer (HeLa, MCF7, PC3, A549) and one control (ARPE) cell lines. The most sensible cell lines were HeLa and MCF7. TRE and PRE from nuts were chemically characterized; γ and δ tocopherols, total tocols, total tocopherols and total phenolic compounds were negatively correlated with cell viability in MCF7 cells. In HeLa cells, only δ and total tocopherols were negatively correlated with cell viability. TRE and PRE had a low effect in reducing cell viability of the cancer cell lines, the most effective extracts were those of emory oak acorn (EOA), pecan nut (PEC) and walnut (WAL), and these were further studied for their pharmacological interactions, using the combination index and the isobologram methods. Combinations of both extracts showed a synergistic and strongly synergistic behavior in the three nuts (EOA, PEC and WAL), with combination indexes between 0.12 and 0.55. These results highlight the need to understand the interactions among components found in complex natural extracts or food products in order to fully understand their bioactivities.

Optimization of the Duration and Intensity of UV-A Radiation to Obtain the Highest Free Phenol Content and Antioxidant Activity in Sprouted Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).

Technologies such as UV-A radiation applied to sprouted sorghum can stimulate the synthesis or release of phenolic compounds. Since the optimal conditions for stimulating the formation of these compounds in sorghum sprouts are unknown, we used the response surface methodology to identify the optimal conditions of irradiation duration and intensity to obtain the highest free phenol content and antioxidant activity in sprouted sorghum. The results showed that, compared with nonirradiated sorghum sprouts, sprouts irradiated under the optimal duration of 11.7 h and the optimal intensity of 5.4 µW/cm2 had a significantly higher phenol content (26.3%) and antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH (28.3%) and TEAC (21.1%) assays. Our findings suggest that UV-A radiation can help develop sorghum sprouts with high biological potential that can be used to produce healthy foods for human consumption.

Angiotensin II, ATP and high extracellular potassium induced intracellular calcium responses in primary rat brain endothelial cell cultures.

The meninges shield the nervous system from diverse, rather harmful stimuli and pathogens from the periphery. This tissue is composed of brain endothelial cells (BECs) that express diverse ion channels and chemical-transmitter receptors also expressed by neurons and glial cells to communicate with each other. However, information about the effects of ATP and angiotensin II on BECs is scarce, despite their essential roles in blood physiology. This work investigated in vitro if BECs from the meninges from rat forebrain respond to ATP, angiotensin II and high extracellular potassium, with intracellular calcium mobilizations and its second messenger-associated pathways. We found that in primary BEC cultures, both ATP and angiotensin II produced intracellular calcium responses linked to the activation of inositol trisphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors, which led to calcium release from intracellular stores. We also used RT-PCR to explore what potassium channel subunits are expressed by primary BEC cultures and freshly isolated meningeal tissue, and which might be linked to the observed effects. We found that BECs mainly expressed the inward rectifier potassium channel subunits Kir1.1, Kir3.3, Kir 4.1 and Kir6.2. This study contributes to the understanding of the functions elicited by ATP and angiotensin II in BECs from rat meninges. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Brain endothelial cells (BECs) express diverse ion channels and membrane receptors, which they might use to communicate with neurons and glia. This work investigated in vitro, if BECs from the rat forebrain respond to angiotensin II and ATP with intracellular calcium mobilizations. We found that these cells did respond to said substances with intracellular calcium mobilizations linked to inositol trisphosphate and ryanodine receptor activation, which led to calcium release from intracellular stores. These findings are important because they might uncover routes of active communication between brain cells and endothelial cells.

Neuroprotective effects of mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp against oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes mellitus. Both can damage the brain. Mango and its by-products are sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that mango cv. 'Ataulfo' peel and pulp mitigate oxidative stress in the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, untreated diabetic (UD), diabetic treated with a mango-supplemented diet (MTD), and diabetic pretreated with a mango-supplemented diet (MPD). The rats were fed the different diets for 4 weeks after diabetes induction (MTD), or 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after induction (MPD). After the intervention, serum and brain (cerebellum and cortex) were collected to evaluate gene expression, enzyme activity, and redox biomarkers. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression increased in the cortex of the MTD group, whereas glutathione-S-transferase p1 (GSTp1) expression was higher in the cortex of the MTD group, and cortex and cerebellum of the MPD group. SOD1 activity was higher in the cerebellum and cortex of all diabetic groups, whereas GST activity increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the MPD group. Lipid peroxidation increased in the cerebellum and cortex of the UD group; however, a mango-supplemented diet prevented this increase in both regions, while also mitigating polyphagia and weight loss, and maintaining stable glycemia in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: We propose that mango exerts potent neuroprotective properties against diabetes-induced oxidative stress. It can be an alternative to prevent and treat biochemical alterations caused by diabetes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

The "Super-Child" Approach Is Applied To Estimate Retinol Kinetics and Vitamin A Total Body Stores in Mexican Preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: Retinol isotope dilution (RID) and model-based compartmental analysis are recognized techniques for assessing vitamin A (VA) status. Recent studies have shown that RID predictions of VA total body stores (TBS) can be improved by using modeling and that VA kinetics and TBS in children can be effectively studied by applying population modeling ("super-child" approach) to a composite data set. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to model whole-body retinol kinetics and predict VA TBS in a group of Mexican preschoolers using the super-child approach and to use model predictions of RID coefficients to estimate TBS by RID in individuals. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy Mexican children (aged 3-6 y) received an oral dose (2.96 µmol) of [13C10]retinyl acetate in corn oil. Blood samples were collected from 8 h to 21 d after dosing, with each child sampled at 4 d and at 1 other time. Composite data for plasma labeled retinol compared with time were analyzed using a 6-component model to obtain group retinol kinetic parameters and pool sizes. Model-predicted TBS was compared with mean RID predictions at 4 d; RID estimates at 4 d were compared with those calculated at 7-21 d. RESULTS: Model-predicted TBS was 1097 µmol, equivalent to ∼2.4 y-worth of VA; using model-derived coefficients, group mean RID-predicted TBS was 1096 µmol (IQR: 836-1492 µmol). TBS at 4 d compared with a later time was similar (P = 0.33). The model predicted that retinol spent 1.5 h in plasma during each transit and recycled to plasma 13 times before utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The super-child modeling approach provides information on whole-body VA kinetics and can be used with RID to estimate TBS at any time between 4 and 21 d postdose. The high TBS predicted for these children suggests positive VA balance, likely due to large-dose VA supplements, and warrants further investigation.

Mango phenolics increase the serum apolipoprotein A1/B ratio in rats fed high cholesterol and sodium cholate diets.

BACKGROUND: Serum lipoproteins are in dynamic equilibrium, partially controlled by the apolipoprotein A1 to apolipoprotein B ratio (APOA1/APOB). Freeze-dried mango pulp (FDM) is a rich source of phenolic compounds (MP) and dietary fiber (MF), although their effects on lipoprotein metabolism have not yet been studied. RESULTS: Thirty male Wistar rats were fed with four different isocaloric diets (3.4 kcal g-1 ) for 12 weeks: control diet, high cholesterol (8 g kg-1 ) + sodium cholate (2 g kg-1 ) diet either alone or supplemented with MF (60 g kg-1 ), MP (1 g kg-1 ) or FDM (50 g kg-1 ). MP and FDM reduced food intake, whereas MF and MP tended to increase serum APOA1/APOB ratio, independently of their hepatic gene expression. This suggests that lipoprotein metabolism was favorably altered by mango bioactives, MP also mitigated the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis that resulted from the intake of this diet. CONCLUSION: We propose that phenolics are the most bioactive components of mango pulp, acting as anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective agents, with a mechanism of action tentatively based on changes to the main protein components of lipoproteins. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioelectric Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) in Breast Cancer Patients: A Tool for Research and Clinical Practice.

Background and objectives: Body composition assessment can provide information associated with breast cancer patients' (BCP) prognosis, that can lead interventions to improve survival outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an individualized nutrition intervention program on breast cancer patients using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). Materials and Methods: This is a pretest-posttest study in recently diagnosed nonmetastatic BCP undergoing antineoplastic treatment, free of co-morbidities and dietary supplementation. Body composition was assessed at baseline and 6 months after an individualized nutrition intervention program, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and BIVA. According to BIVA, each participant was located in the bivariate tolerance ellipses for Mexican population (50%, 75%, and 95%). In clinical practice, the 50% and 75% ellipses are considered within normality ranges. Results: Nine nonmetastatic BCP completed the intervention and were included in the analysis. After the intervention, they decreased by 5.8 kg of body weight (IQR, 3-6; p < 0.05), 3.8 kg of fat mass (IQR, 0.1-4.2; p < 0.05), and 1.4 kg of fat-free mass (IQR, -0.1 to 4; p < 0.05) while appendicular skeletal muscle mass remained unchanged (-0.2 kg, IQR, -0.8 to 2.3; p = 0.4). Using BIVA at baseline, five participants were among the 50% and 75% ellipses, mainly located in the area corresponding to edema and low lean tissue, two in the cachexia quadrant and two in the athletic quadrant (≥95% ellipse). After 6 months of intervention, six out of nine participants were in the athletic quadrant and eight of nine BCP were above the 5° phase angle cut-off point. One patient initially presented cachexia (≥95% ellipse); at postintervention her vector changed to the 50% ellipse. Conclusions: An individualized nutrition intervention program designed for nonmetastatic BCP was effective to improve the nutritional status of BCP as assessed by BIVA, therefore BIVA can be a useful tool to monitor changes in nonmetastatic BCP body composition in research and clinical practice.

Arabinoxylan-Based Particles: In Vitro Antioxidant Capacity and Cytotoxicity on a Human Colon Cell Line.

Background and objectives: Arabinoxylans (AX) can gel and exhibit antioxidant capacity. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential application of AX microspheres as colon-targeted drug carriers. However, the cytotoxicity of AX gels has not been investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to prepare AX-based particles (AXM) by coaxial electrospraying method and to investigate their antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity on human colon cells. Materials and Methods: The gelation of AX was studied by monitoring the storage (G') and loss (G'') moduli. The morphology of AXM was evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro antioxidant activity of AX before and after gelation was measured using the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. In addition, the effect of AX and AXM on the proliferation of human colon cells (CCD 841 CoN) was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: The final G' and G'' values for AX gels were 293 and 0.31 Pa, respectively. AXM presented spherical shape and rough surface with a three-dimensional and porous network. The swelling ratio and mesh size of AXM were 35 g water/g AX and 27 nm, respectively. Gelation decreased the antioxidant activity of AX by 61-64 %. AX and AXM did not affect proliferation or show any toxic effect on the normal human colon cell line CCD 841 CoN. Conclusion: The results indicate that AXM could be promising biocompatible materials with antioxidant activity.

Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial of the blood pressure-lowering effect of fermented milk with Lactococcus lactis: A pilot study.

The blood pressure-lowering effect of fermented milk with Lactococcus lactis NRRL B-50571 was evaluated in a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with prehypertensive subjects. Participants were randomized into 2 groups (n = 18 each group): one group treated with fermented milk with Lactococcus lactis NRRL B-50571 and a control group treated with artificially acidified milk. Results revealed that during daily consumption of fermented milk for 5 wk, systolic [(116.55 ± 12.26 mmHg vs. 124.77 ± 11.04 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (80.7 ± 9 vs. 84.5 ± 8.5 mmHg)] from the fermented milk group was lower than the control group. Additionally, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein in blood serum were lower in the fermented milk group than in the control group. Results demonstrated that daily consumption of fermented milk with Lactococcus lactis (NRRL B-50571) had a blood pressure-lowering effect on prehypertensive subjects. Regular consumption of this product may be used as a potential functional food.

Use of a "Super-child" Approach to Assess the Vitamin A Equivalence of Moringa oleifera Leaves, Develop a Compartmental Model for Vitamin A Kinetics, and Estimate Vitamin A Total Body Stores in Young Mexican Children.

Background: Worldwide, an estimated 250 million children <5 y old are vitamin A (VA) deficient. In Mexico, despite ongoing efforts to reduce VA deficiency, it remains an important public health problem; thus, food-based interventions that increase the availability and consumption of provitamin A-rich foods should be considered.Objective: The objectives were to assess the VA equivalence of 2H-labeled Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves and to estimate both total body stores (TBS) of VA and plasma retinol kinetics in young Mexican children.Methods: ß-Carotene was intrinsically labeled by growing MO plants in a 2H2O nutrient solution. Fifteen well-nourished children (17-35 mo old) consumed puréed MO leaves (1 mg ß-carotene) and a reference dose of [13C10]retinyl acetate (1 mg) in oil. Blood (2 samples/child) was collected 10 times (2 or 3 children each time) over 35 d. The bioefficacy of MO leaves was calculated from areas under the composite "super-child" plasma isotope response curves, and MO VA equivalence was estimated through the use of these values; a compartmental model was developed to predict VA TBS and retinol kinetics through the use of composite plasma [13C10]retinol data. TBS were also estimated with isotope dilution.Results: The relative bioefficacy of ß-carotene retinol activity equivalents from MO was 28%; VA equivalence was 3.3:1 by weight (0.56 µmol retinol:1 µmol ß-carotene). Kinetics of plasma retinol indicate more rapid plasma appearance and turnover and more extensive recycling in these children than are observed in adults. Model-predicted mean TBS (823 µmol) was similar to values predicted using a retinol isotope dilution equation applied to data from 3 to 6 d after dosing (mean ± SD: 832 ± 176 µmol; n = 7).Conclusions: The super-child approach can be used to estimate population carotenoid bioefficacy and VA equivalence, VA status, and parameters of retinol metabolism from a composite data set. Our results provide initial estimates of retinol kinetics in well-nourished young children with adequate VA stores and demonstrate that MO leaves may be an important source of VA.

Antineoplastic treatment effect on bone mineral density in Mexican breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most deadly malignancy in Mexican women. Although treatment has improved, it may significantly affect bone mineral status in those who receive it. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of cancer treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), in patients with breast cancer and explore the interaction of menopausal status and clinical stage with cancer treatment on such changes. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was applied with measurements before and after a chemotherapy treatment in 40 patients with primary diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. BMD and body composition measurements were taken by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and changes in these variables due to therapy were analyzed using mixed regression for repeated measurements. RESULTS: Significant loss was found in femoral neck and L2-L4 BMD (p < 0.001). Patients diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis received calcium + vitamin D supplementation (600 mg/200 IU day). It showed a protective effect in the decrease of femoral neck BMD and total BMC. BMD loss in both femoral neck and L2-L4 BMD was higher in premenopausal women: 0.023 g/cm2 in femoral neck and 0.063 g/cm2 in L2-L4 (p < 0.001), while in postmenopausal women BMD loss was 0.015 g/cm2 in femoral neck and 0.035 g/cm2 in L2-L4 (p = 0.021 and p = 0.001 respectively). Change in lumbar spine BMD was prominent in premenopausal women with advanced clinical stage (IIB, IIIA, IIIB): 0.066 g/cm2 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The antineoplastic breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy had a negative impact on BMD, in premenopausal women overall, although a differential effect was found according to clinical stage and calcium supplementation status.

The association between the size of adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles and fasting serum triglyceride-glucose index as proxy measures of adipose tissue insulin resistance in a rat model of early-stage obesity.

Introduction: Obesity is a complex disease that predisposes individuals to cardiometabolic alterations. It leads to adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, which triggers insulin resistance (IR). This suggests that people with obesity develop local IR first and systemic IR later. AT secretes extracellular vesicles, which may be physiopathologically associated with the development of IR. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a high-fat diet on different parameters of adiposity in a rat model of early-stage obesity and to determine if these parameters are associated with markers of systemic IR. In addition, we sought to explore the relationship between fasting blood measures of IR (Triglycerides/High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol [TAG/HDL-c] and Triglycerides-Glucose Index [TyG Index]) with the size of adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (adEV). Methods: We used a model of diet-induced obesity for ten weeks in Wistar rats exposed to a high-fat diet. Final weight gain was analyzed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry. Visceral obesity was measured as epididymal AT weight. IR was evaluated with fasting TyG Index & TAG/HDL-c, and adEV were isolated from mature adipocytes on ceiling culture. Results: In the high-fat diet group, glucose and triglyceride blood concentrations were higher in comparison to the control group (Log2FC, 0.5 and 1.5 times higher, respectively). The values for TyG Index and adEV size were different between the control animals and the high-fat diet group. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that adEV size can be significantly associated with the TyG Index value, when controlling for epididymal AT weight. Conclusion: Our results show that lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as the size and zeta potential of adEV are already altered in early-stage obesity and that adEV size can be significantly associated with liver and systemic IR, estimated by TyG Index.

Nutritional interventions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing antineoplastic treatment: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A compromised nutritional status jeopardizes a positive prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. In low- and middle-income countries, ~ 50% of children with ALL are malnourished at diagnosis time, and undergoing antineoplastic treatment increases the risk of depleting their nutrient stores. Nutrition interventions are implemented in patients with cancer related malnutrition. We aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrition interventions in children diagnosed with ALL under treatment. METHODS: Using a predefined protocol, we searched for published or unpublished randomized controlled trials in: Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO, and conducted complementary searches. Studies where at least 50% of participants had an ALL diagnosis in children ≤ 18 years, active antineoplastic treatment, and a nutrition intervention were included. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by three reviewers, and assessment of the risk of bias by two reviewers. Results were synthesized in both tabular format and narratively. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies (out of 4097 records) satisfied the inclusion requirements. There was a high risk of bias in eighteen studies. Interventions analyzed were classified by compound/food (n = 14), micronutrient (n = 8), and nutritional support (n = 3). Within each group the interventions and components (dose and time) tested were heterogeneous. In relation to our primary outcomes, none of the studies reported fat-free mass as an outcome. Inflammatory and metabolic markers related to nutritional status and anthropometric measurements were reported in many studies but varied greatly across the studies. For our secondary outcomes, fat mass or total body water were not reported as an outcome in any of the studies. However, some different adverse events were reported in some studies. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the need to conduct high-quality randomized controlled trials for nutrition interventions in children with ALL, based on their limited number and heterogeneous outcomes. REGISTRATION OF THE REVIEW PROTOCOL: Guzmán-León AE, Lopez-Teros V, Avila-Prado J, Bracamontes-Picos L, Haby MM, Stein K. Protocol for a Systematic Review: Nutritional interventions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing an tineoplastic treatment. International prospective register of systematic reviews. 2021; PROSPERO CRD:42,021,266,761 ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=266761 ).

Avocado Paste Phenolics Mitigate a High-Fat Diet-Induced Plasma HDL Decrease in Male Wistar Rats, by Altering the mRNA Expression of Hepatic SCARB1.

Avocado paste (AP) is the main industrial byproduct of its processing, and retains various phenolic compounds (PCs). PCs are known to normalize the plasma lipid profile, but those from avocado byproducts have been minimally studied. We report the normalizing effects of an AP-derived phenolic extract (PE) on the plasma lipid profile of male Wistar rats. A standard (SD) and high-fat diet (HFD) were formulated, and the same diets were supplemented with 1 g/kg of diet of PE (SD + PE and HFD + PE). Rats were fed these diets during an 8-week period. The HFD induced signs of dyslipidemia, but PE treatment countered the decrease in HDL. Relative mRNA expression (real-time PCR) of the hepatic HDL receptor (SCARB1) increased in both groups (SD + PE and HFD + PE), while the LDR receptor (LDLR) increased in SD + PE group. The mRNA expression of apolipoproteins APOA1 and APOB was unaffected. We conclude that PCs from AP can counter a diet-induced decrease in plasma HDL by acting on the mRNA expression of its hepatic receptor.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory hydrolysate and peptide fractions from chicken skin collagen, as modulators of lipid accumulation in adipocytes 3 T3-L1, after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Inhibitory activity against angiotensin-converting enzyme (IAACE) by chicken skin collagen hydrolysate (CSCH) and their peptide fractions before and after in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion, were evaluated; as well as their ability to modulate lipid accumulation in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes. Before digestion, peptide fraction <1 kDa (F4) showed the highest IAACE (p < 0.05) followed by CSCH. After these samples were digested, F4 presented an IAACE with IC50 similar to its digest (DF4) (188.84 and 220.03 µg/mL, respectively), which was 2-fold lower (p < 0.05) than IC50 of fraction <1 kDa from post-digested hydrolysate (FDH) (388.57 µg/mL). Nine peptides were identified as the potential ACE inhibitors in F4 and DF4. Addition of DF4 (800 µg/mL) reduced(p < 0.05) lipid accumulation by 83% within preadipocytes. A 45-60% reduction of lipid accumulation within differentiated adipocytes was obtained by adding FDH and DF4 (regardless the concentration). These results, digested CSCH and F4 with IAACE may be considered as potential adjuvants for obesity treatment.

Vitamin A-fortified milk increases total body vitamin A stores in Mexican preschoolers.

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency (VAD) continues to be a major nutritional problem in developing countries, including Central America. In Mexico, milk is a well-accepted vehicle for the administration of micronutrients, including VA, to preschoolers. Thus, we conducted a randomized, controlled, clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of daily consumption of 250 mL of VA-fortified milk (which provided 196 retinol equivalents/d) for 3 mo on VA stores in mildly to moderately VAD (serum retinol concentration 0.35-0.7 µmol/L) preschoolers who were not enrolled in a food assistance program. Twenty-seven mildly to moderately VAD children were randomly assigned based on screening measurements to either the intervention (n = 14) or control group (n = 13) (children in the control group did not receive placebo). All children in the control group and 79% (n = 11) of the children in the intervention group completed the study. The total body VA (TBVA) pool size was estimated using the deuterated retinol dilution technique before and after the intervention. After 3 mo, median changes in the serum retinol concentration for the intervention and control groups were 0.13 and -0.21 µmol/L, respectively (P = 0.009). Median changes in the TBVA stores were 0.06 and 0.01 mmol, respectively (P = 0.006) and estimated median changes in the liver VA concentration were 0.09 and 0.01 µmol/g, respectively (P = 0.002). The VA-fortified milk was well accepted among preschoolers and significantly increased TBVA stores, liver VA stores, and serum retinol concentration, indicating that it may be an effective means to ameliorate VAD in young Mexican children.

Identification of an immunogenic protein of Giardia lamblia using monoclonal antibodies generated from infected mice.

The humoral immune response plays an important role in the clearance of Giardia lamblia. However, our knowledge about the specific antigens of G. lamblia that induce a protective immune response is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterise the immunogenic proteins of G. lamblia in a mouse model. We generated monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) specific to G. lamblia (1B10, 2C9.D11, 3C10.E5, 3D10, 5G8.B5, 5F4, 4C7, 3C5 and 3C6) by fusing splenocytes derived from infected mice. Most of these moAbs recognised a band of ± 71 kDa (5G8 protein) and this protein was also recognised by serum from the infected mice. We found that the moAbs recognised conformational epitopes of the 5G8 protein and that this antigen is expressed on the cell surface and inside trophozoites. Additionally, antibodies specific to the 5G8 protein induced strong agglutination (> 70-90%) of trophozoites. We have thus identified a highly immunogenic antigen of G. lamblia that is recognised by the immune system of infected mice. In summary, this study describes the identification and partial characterisation of an immunogenic protein of G. lamblia. Additionally, we generated a panel of moAbs specific for this protein that will be useful for the biochemical and immunological characterisation of this immunologically interesting Giardia molecule.

Comparative virulence of the worldwide ST19 and emergent ST213 genotypes of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains isolated from food.

Salmonella enterica Typhimurium represents one of the most frequent causal agents of food contamination associated to gastroenteritis. The sequence type ST19 is the founder and worldwide prevalent genotype within this serotype, but its replacement by emerging genotypes has been recently reported. Particularly, the ST213 genotype has replaced it as the most prevalent in clinical and contaminated food samples in Mexico and has been recently reported in several countries. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo virulence of ST213 and ST19 strains isolated from food samples in Mexico was evaluated. Three out of the five analyzed ST213 strains, showed a greater internalization capacity and increased secretion of interleukins IL-8 and IL-6 of Caco-2 cells than the ST19 strains. Microbiological counts in feces and tissues showed the ability of all strains tested to establish infection in the rat model. The ST213 strains also caused histopathological damage, characteristic of gastroenteritis in Wistar rats. In contrast to the in vitro result, one of the ST19 strains showed marked damage in the test animals. The ST213 genotype strains showed in vitro and in vivo virulence variability, but significantly higher than the observed in the ST19 genotype strains, thus such emergent genotype represents a public health concern.