Causal associations between intermediate very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-total lipids ratio and peptic ulcer: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiologic investigations have consistently demonstrated a strong association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the occurrence of peptic ulcers (PU). However, the precise causal relationship between these factors remains ambiguous. Consequently, this study aims to elucidate the potential correlation between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and the incidence of peptic ulcer. AIM: To investigate the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) association with PU via genetic methods, guiding future clinical research. METHODS: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL and peptic ulcer were retrieved from the IEU OpenGWAS project (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk). For the forward Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, 72 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as instrumental variables. These SNPs were selected based on their association with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL, with peptic ulcer as the outcome variable. Conversely, for the inverse MR analysis, no SNPs were identified with peptic ulcer as the exposure variable and the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL as the outcome. All MR analyses utilized inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary analytical method. Additionally, weighted median and MR-Egger methods were employed as supplementary analytical approaches to assess causal effects. Egger regression was used as a supplementary method to evaluate potential directional pleiotropy. Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were conducted using the leave-one-out method to evaluate result stability and mitigate biases associated with multiple testing. RESULTS: The genetically predicted ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was significantly associated with an elevated risk of peptic ulcer (IVW: OR = 2.557, 95%CI = 1.274-5.132, P = 0.008). However, no causal association of peptic ulcer with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was observed in the inverse Mendelian randomization analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study reveals a significant association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and an elevated risk of peptic ulcers. However, further validation through laboratory investigations and larger-scale studies is warranted to strengthen the evidence and confirm the causal relationship between these factors.

Investigation of Relationships between Intakes of Human Milk Total Lipids and Metabolic Hormones and Infant Sex and Body Composition.

Human milk (HM) composition, including metabolic hormones and lipids, is influenced by various factors, including lactation stage and, potentially, infant sex, which may affect infant body composition (BC) development. We aimed to: (a) characterize the longitudinal concentration and intake profiles of HM leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and total lipids; (b) determine if their concentrations and intakes differ by infant sex; and (c) explore the intakes relationships with the development of infant BC. Milk samples (n = 501) were collected from 82 mother-infant dyads during the first 6 months postpartum. Infant 24 h HM intake was measured, and the average cumulative HM component intakes were calculated. The statistical analysis used linear mixed modeling. Intakes of HM leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and total lipids increased to 1 month postpartum and then remained stable. HM intake and total lipids intake but not hormone intakes were positively associated with infant BC (fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, fat mass, fat mass index, percentage fat mass, and fat mass to fat-free mass ratio). HM component concentrations and intakes did not differ by sex. These findings advance our understanding of the temporal nature of HM components, emphasizing the role of infant 24 h HM and total lipids intake in development of infant lean and adipose tissue.

Lipid Profile of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives (PBMAs) and Cow's Milk: A Comparison.

Some consumers are replacing cow's milk with plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs). The present study aimed to characterize the lipid profiles of cow's milk (n = 60) and PBMA types (soya, oat, rice, almond, coconut, and hazelnut; n = 10 per type). Significant differences were found in the fatty acid (FA) profiles of PBMAs and milk, particularly in FA diversity (15 FAs in PBMAs vs 54 FAs in milk) and the proportion of prime FA groups. The FA profile of coconut was dominated by saturated FAs (SFA), whereas monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) or polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) were dominant in the remaining PBMA types. Cholesterol was not detected in any PBMA type. The FA profile of milk FAs was dominated by SFA; however, different individual SFA have varying health outcomes. Additionally, milk contains some FA groups with health-promoting properties, such as methyl-branched-chain FAs (BCFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), both of which are absent in PBMAs.

Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on plasma fatty acid concentrations and health parameters in horses.

Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a hardy, low-input oilseed crop that provides a rich source of the n-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA). The primary purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of dietary camelina oil (CAM) consumption on various health parameters, as compared to horses fed canola oil (OLA) or flax oil (FLX). Secondly, to determine how dietary CAM, FLX, and OLA alter circulating plasma total lipids across time. Thirty horses, from three separate herds, were used for this study [14.9 years ± 5.3 years; 544 ± 66 kg calculated BW (mean ± SD)]. After a 4-week gradual acclimation period using sunflower oil mixed with soaked hay cubes, horses were balanced by location, age, sex, weight, and breed and randomly allocated to one of three treatment oils (CAM, OLA, or FLX) at an inclusion of 370 mg of oil/kg BW/day. Horses had ad libitum access to hay and/or pasture for the duration of the study. Body condition score (BCS), BW, oil intake, complete blood counts, plasma biochemical profiles, and plasma total lipids were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 throughout the 16-week treatment period. BW, BCS, and oil intake were analyzed using an ANOVA using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS Studio. Complete blood counts and biochemical profiles were analyzed using an ANCOVA, and fatty acids were analyzed using an ANOVA in PROC MIXED in SAS Studio. No differences were observed among treatment groups for BW, BCS, oil intake, complete blood counts, and biochemical parameters. Individual fatty acids that differed among treatments and/or across time were largely reflective of the different FA profiles of the oils provided. Most notably, plasma ALA was greater for FLX than OLA, but neither differed from CAM (P = 0.01). Linoleic acid did not differ among treatments or over time (P > 0.05). The n-6:n-3 ratio decreased over time for both CAM and FLX, and ratios were lower for FLX than OLA at week 16, but not different from CAM (P = 0.02). These results suggest that dietary CAM had no adverse effects on health parameters and that daily supplementation of CAM and FLX at 370 mg of oil/kg BW/day induces positive changes (a decrease) in the n-6:n-3 status of the horse. Consequently, CAM may be considered as an alternative oil to FLX in equine diets.

Yield Enhancement of Valuable Lipid Compounds from Squid (Doryteuthis gahi) Waste by Ethanol/Acetone Extraction.

The study focused on the extraction of valuable lipid compounds from squid (Doryteuthis gahi) waste by a low-toxicity solvent mixture (ethanol/acetone, 50:50, v/v). The effect of the waste weight/solvent volume (WW/SV, g·mL-1) ratio and the number of extractions (NoE) on the total lipid (TL), phospholipid (PL), and tocopherol yields and on the fatty acid (FA) profile (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid contents; polyunsaturated FAs/saturated FAs and ω3/ω6 ratios) was investigated. As a result, an increased NoE led to an increased (p < 0.05) TL yield but a decreased (p < 0.05) proportion of PLs in the lipid extract. Additionally, a lower (p < 0.05) polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA ratio was detected by increasing the NoE. Some differences (p < 0.05) could be outlined as a result of increasing the WW/SV ratio; however, a definite trend for this extraction condition could not be concluded for any of the lipid parameters measured. Yield results were compared to those obtained by the conventional chloroform/methanol procedure. In order to attain an increased yield, the NoE required would depend on the polarity degree of the lipid molecule concerned. All ethanol/acetone extracting conditions tested led to remarkable yields for lipid compounds (PLs, α-tocopherol, ω3 FAs) and FA ratios with healthy, nutritional, and preserving properties.

Optimisation of Low-Toxicity Solvent Employment for Total Lipid and Tocopherol Compound Extraction from Patagonian Squid By-Products.

The extraction of total lipids and tocopherol compounds from Patagonian squid (Doriteuthis gahi) by-products (viscera, heads, skin, etc.), resulting from squid mantel commercialisation, was studied. An optimisation simplex-lattice design by employing low-toxicity solvents (ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate) was carried out taking into account their relative concentrations. The variance analysis of data showed that the quadratic model was statistically significant (p < 0.05); empirical coded equations were obtained as a function of the low-toxicity solvent ratios. The optimised lipid extraction was obtained by employing the 0.642/0.318/0.040 (ethanol/acetone/ethyl acetate) solvent ratio, respectively, leading to an 84% recovery of the total lipids extracted by the traditional procedure. In all extracting systems tested, the presence of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol compounds was detected, α-tocopherol being the most abundant. For α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol compounds, the optimisation process showed that acetone extraction led to the highest concentrations in the lipid extract obtained (2736.5, 36.8, and 2.8 mg·kg-1 lipids, respectively). Taking into account the recovery yield on a by-product basis, the values obtained for the three tocopherols were included in the 88.0-97.7%, 80.0-95.0%, and 25-75% ranges, respectively, when compared to the traditional extraction. This study provides a novel and valuable possibility for α-tocopherol extraction from marine by-products.

High Lipid Content of Prey Fish and n-3 PUFA Peroxidation Impair the Thiamine Status of Feeding-Migrating Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Is Reflected in Hepatic Biochemical Indices.

Signs of impaired thiamine (vitamin B1) status in feeding-migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were studied in three Baltic Sea areas, which differ in the proportion and nutritional composition of prey fish sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and herring (Clupea harengus). The concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) increased in salmon with dietary lipids and n-3 PUFAs, and the hepatic peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased exponentially with increasing n-3 PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) concentration, whereas hepatic total thiamine concentration, a sensitive indicator of thiamine status, decreased with the increase in both body lipid and n-3 PUFA or DHA concentration. The hepatic glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was suppressed by high dietary lipids. In salmon muscle and in prey fish, the proportion of thiamine pyrophosphate increased, and that of free thiamine decreased, with increasing body lipid content or PUFAs, or merely DHA. The thiamine status of salmon was impaired mainly due to the peroxidation of n-3 PUFAs, whereas lipids as a source of metabolic energy had less effect. Organochlorines or general oxidative stress did not affect the thiamine status. The amount of lipids, and, specifically, their long-chain n-3 PUFAs, are thus responsible for generating thiamine deficiency, and not a prey fish species per se.

AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs Ameliorating Effects on The Metabolic and Hepato-renal Abnormalities in Type 1 Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most serious threats in the 21th century throughout the human population that needs to be addressed cautiously. Nowadays, stem cell injection is considered among the most promising protocols for DM therapy; owing to its marked tissues and organs repair capability. Therefore, our 4 weeks study was undertaken to elucidate the probable beneficial effects of two types of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on metabolism disturbance and some tissue function defects in diabetic rats. Animals were classified into 4 groups; the control group, the diabetic group, the diabetic group received a single dose of adipose tissue-derived MSCs and the diabetic group received a single dose of bone marrow-derived MSCs. Herein, both MSCs treated groups markedly reduced hyperglycemia resulting from diabetes induction via lowering serum glucose and rising insulin and C-peptide levels, compared to the diabetic group. Moreover, the increased lipid fractions levels were reverted back to near normal values as a consequence to MSCs injection compared to the diabetic untreated rats. Furthermore, both MSCs types were found to have hepato-renal protective effects indicated through the decreased serum levels of both liver and kidney functions markers in the treated diabetic rats. Taken together, our results highlighted the therapeutic benefits of both MSCs types in alleviating metabolic anomalies and hepato-renal diabetic complications.

Quantifying Serum Total Lipids and Tryptophan Concentrations by Raman Spectroscopy During Standardized Obstacle Course in Horses.

Raman spectroscopy is an inelastic light-scattering phenomenon that provides vibrational spectrum that contains information relative to chemical bonds and symmetry of a specific molecule, allowing the quali-quantitative simultaneous determination of several components in the biological fluids. Raman spectroscopy measurement returns a spectrum over a wavenumber range constituted by several bands representing biomarkers according to investigated biological matrices. In literature, it has been reported that at the frequencies inside the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 total lipids, and tryptophan have been identified. On the basis of that, the aim of the present study was to compare the serum concentration of total lipids and tryptophan in horses subjected to a standardized obstacle course, in comparison with the data obtained in the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 band. At this purpose, five clinically healthy and regularly trained Italian Saddle horses aged between 8, and 10 years old performed with the same rider an obstacle course of 350 m/min with twelve 1.30 m high jumps preceded by warm-up. Blood samples were collected by means of jugular venipuncture into a vacutainer tubes with clot activator at rest, after the exercise, and 30 minutes after the end of exercise. A high correlation was observed between the area of total lipids and tryptophan in the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 band and their serum concentrations in all experimental conditions. Our preliminary results give a hint to study the exact correspondence between the area that identify these parameters in Raman spectrum and their serum concentration in athletic horses.

Proof-of-concept on the effect of human milk storage time: Lipid degradation and spectroscopic characterization using portable near-infrared spectrometer and chemometrics.

Human milk (HM) modifications over time represent an important issue. This work proposed to evaluate the changes in HM during one-year storage through total lipids (TL) degradation and portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer combined with chemometrics. Colostrum, transition, and mature stages were obtained from donors and considered in the raw and pasteurized forms. Principal component analysis in TL content showed changes in the mature stages for both forms after 75 days. Multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares in NIR spectral data reveals a decrease in protein and triacylglycerol contents while an increase in free fatty acids (palmitic acid) contents were observed through the storage after around 5-6 months. Therefore, more than 5-6 months of storage suggest possible biochemical changes in the HM nutritional composition. Moreover, the chemometrics investigation was crucial in extracting information, bringing coherent results, and helping to understand the chemical changes in human milk during storage.

Impact of polystyrene microplastics on major marine primary (phytoplankton) and secondary producers (copepod).

The effect of microplastic adsorption on marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica, Amphora subtropica, and copepod Pseudodiaptomus annandalei was investigated in the present study. Fluorescence microscopic images were used to evaluate MP interactions with algae and copepods. T. suecica growth rate decreased with effects of 0.1 µm polystyrene exposure to 75 µl/100 ml (0.899 to 0.601 abs), 50 µl/100 ml (0.996 to 0.632 abs) and 25 µl/100 ml (0.996 to 0.632 abs), respectively. On the other hand, at 10th day of experiment, the control T. suecica showed the highest growth rate (0.965 abs), chlorophyll concentration (Chl-'a' = 21.36 µg/L; Chl-'b' = 13.65 µg/L), and cell density (3.3 × 106 cells/ml). A marine diatom A. subtropica absorbed 2.0 µm microplastics, and the maximal inhibition rate increased at higher MP concentration until 10th day. The highest MPs (75 µl/100 ml) treatment resulted in decreased growth rate of A. subtropica from 0.163 to 0.096 abs. A. subtropica (without MPs) had the highest lipid concentration of 27.15%, whereas T. suecica had the lowest lipid concentration of 11.2% (without MP). The maximum survival (80%) of P. annandalei was found in control on 15th day whereas on 12th day, the microplastics ingested copepod had the lowest survival rate (0%). On 15th day, the maximum Nauplii Production Rate (NPR) (19.33) female-1 was observed in control, whereas the minimum (17.33) female-1 NPR was observed in copepod ingested with MPs. The maximum lipid production (17.33% without MPs) was reported in control, whereas MPs fed copepods had the lowest lipid production (16%). Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced algae growth and chlorophyll concentration and also NPR and lipid concentration rate of copepod. We inferred that microplastic exposure of algae and copepods might results in persistent decreases in ingested carbon biomass over time.

The transcription factor dfoxo controls the expression of insulin pathway genes and lipids content under heat stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

The insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway is one of the key elements in an organism's response to unfavourable conditions. The deep homology of this pathway and its evolutionary conservative role in controlling the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism make it possible to use Drosophila melanogaster for studying its functioning. To identify the properties of interaction of two key IIS pathway components under heat stress in D. melanogaster (the forkhead box O transcription factor (dfoxo) and insulin-like peptide 6 (dilp6), which intermediates the dfoxo signal sent from the fat body to the insulin-producing cells of the brain where DILPs1-5 are synthesized), we analysed the expression of the genes dilp6, dfoxo and insulin-like receptor gene (dInR) in females of strains carrying the hypomorphic mutation dilp6 41and hypofunctional mutation foxo BG01018. We found that neither mutation inf luenced dfoxo expression and its uprise under short-term heat stress, but both of them disrupted the stress response of the dilp6 and dInR genes. To reveal the role of identif ied disruptions in metabolism control and feeding behaviour, we analysed the effect of the dilp6 41 and foxo BG01018 mutations on total lipids content and capillary feeding intensity in imago under normal conditions and under short-term heat stress. Both mutations caused an increase in these parameters under normal conditions and prevented decrease in total lipids content following heat stress observed in the control strain. In mutants, feeding intensity was increased under normal conditions; and decreased following short-term heat stress in all studied strains for the f irst 24 h of observation, and in dilp6 41 strain, for 48 h. Thus, we may conclude that dfoxo takes part in regulating the IIS pathway response to heat stress as well as the changes in lipids content caused by heat stress, and this regulation is mediated by dilp6. At the same time, the feeding behaviour of imago might be controlled by dfoxo and dilp6 under normal conditions, but not under heat stress.

Seasonal Nutritional Profile of Gelidium corneum (Rhodophyta, Gelidiaceae) from the Center of Portugal.

Gelidium corneum is a well-known agarophyte, harvested worldwide for its high agar quality. However, the species also exhibits an interesting nutritional profile, but with seasonal variations. Therefore, to evaluate the nutritional value of G. corneum, ash, crude protein, total lipids, and carbohydrates were analyzed at different times of the year. The heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and tin, as well as iodine were also measured. Finally, the seasonal antioxidant capacity of G. corneum extracts was evaluated. Our results indicate that the biomass is rich in protein (up to 16.25 ± 0.33%) and carbohydrates (up to 39.5 ± 3.29%), and low in lipids (up to 2.75 ± 0.28%), and especially in the summer, the AI, TI indexes, n-6/n-3 and h/H ratios (0.93, 0.6, 0.88 and 1.08, respectively) are very interesting. None of the contaminants exceeded the legally established limits, and the iodine values were adequate for a healthy diet. Finally, the antioxidant capacity is fair, with the DPPH ≤ 10.89 ± 1.46%, and ABTS ≤ 13.90 ± 1.54% inhibition, FRAP ≤ 0.91 ± 0.22 AAE.g-1, and TPC ≤ 6.82 ± 0.26 GAE.g-1. The results show that G. corneum is an attractive resource, with potential use as food or as a food supplement.

One-step separation system of bio-functional lipid compounds from natural sources.

Lipids are a very heterogeneous class of biomolecules with distinct structures and functions. Total lipids (TLs) obtained from natural sources are regularly further separated into lipid subclasses, with the two major ones being the polar lipids (PLs) and neutral lipids (NLs). Traditional analytical methods for fractionating TLs into NLs, PLs, and their subclasses, usually comprise difficult, costly and time-consuming steps. Instead, several benefits and applications are derived by implementing a novel one-step semi-preparative and reversed-phase HPLC-analysis for separating TLs into all kinds of lipid subclasses. This method allows a one-step separation/fractionation of several subclasses of bio-functional PLs (i.e. phospholipids, glycolipids, phenolic compounds, N-acyl-homoserine-lactones, etc.) and NLs (i.e. triacylglycerols, fatty acids, esters, etc.) from TL-extracts of a natural source, prior to further testing them for their bio-functionality (i.e. in bioassays/cell models) and structure-activity relationships (i.e. LC-MS/GC-MS).•This method can be applied in several natural sources, such as animal and marine sources, plants, microorganisms of biotechnological and agricultural interest, foods, beverages and related products, and by-products.•This method can also be applied for separating specific bio-functional lipids from complex medical and pharmaceutical samples (i.e. cells, tissues, blood, plasma, liposomes, etc.), either for evaluating their role in diseases (i.e. PAF/PAF-like molecules) or by elucidating their protective roles (i.e. PLs rich in ω3 PUFA) for supplements and nutraceuticals' applications.

Application of a biological multilevel response approach in the copepod Acartia tonsa for toxicity testing of three oil Water Accommodated Fractions.

Copepods play a critical role in the marine food webs, being a food source for marine organisms. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs) from three types of oil: Naphthenic North Sea crude oil (NNS), Intermediate Fuel Oil (IFO 180) and a commercial Marine Gas Oil (MGO). The WAFs were prepared at 10 °C and 30 PSU (practical salinity unit), and tested on the marine copepod Acartia tonsa at different endpoints and at different levels of biological organization. We determined the median lethal concentrations after 96 h (LC50) and reproduction capabilities were calculated in adult females following seven days of exposure to sublethal WAF doses. The total lipid content was measured in reproductive females using Nile red lipophilic dye after 96 h of WAF exposure. We also measured the transcription levels of genes involved in antioxidant response and xenobiotic biotransformation after short exposure for 48 h. High doses (7% WAF) of MGO affected survival, percentage of fecund females, egg hatching success, and total lipid content. The IFO 180 WAF affected, at medium (20%) and high (40%) doses, the number of fecund females, mortality and produced significant effects on gene expression levels. In conclusion, toxicity assays showed that the WAFs prepared from refined oils were more toxic than crude oil WAF to Acartia tonsa.

Do the herbicides pinoxaden, tribenuron-methyl, and pyroxsulam influence wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) physiological parameters?

Herbicides reduce the unsafe effects of weeds, but they are likely to have negative impact on essential and secondary metabolism in crops. However, the combined effect of different herbicides on chemical constituents of different varieties of wheat is still not fully obvious. The current investigation was carried out to determine the effects of three post-emergence herbicides (pinoxaden, tribenuron-methyl, and pyroxsulam) on total protein, lipid, and carbohydrate concentrations of three bread wheat cultivars (Misr 1, Giza 171, and Gemmiza 11). These herbicides were added individually and in combinations at recommended and/or half recommended doses. Our findings revealed that the individual application of herbicides decreased total protein and total lipid concentrations in fresh shoots of the three studied wheat cultivars, but increased total carbohydrate concentration. Combined addition of herbicides at recommended and half recommended doses generally decreased the concentrations of total proteins, total lipids, and total carbohydrates. However, the combined addition of tribenuron-methyl and pinoxaden at recommended dose enhanced total protein and total lipid concentrations under Misr1 and Gemmiza 11 cultivars compared to control treatment. Furthermore, the combined addition of tribenuron-methyl and pyroxsulam at half recommended dose enhanced total protein concentration in Giza 171 up to 15.05% and Gemmiza 11 up to 15.09% cultivars, and total lipid concentration in Misr 1 (7.53%) and Giza 171 (9.81%) cultivars against control treatment, where it was the lowest. Total carbohydrate concentration was enhanced by the sole application of pinoxaden by 53.55%, 52.40%, and 51.79% for Misr 1, Giza 171, and Gemmiza 11 cultivars, respectively. Moreover, individual or combined additions of the studied pesticides at recommended and half recommended doses negatively affected wheat grains under all cultivars via decreasing their concentration of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as total protein and total carbohydrates. The highest reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations compared to control was observed when tribenuron-methyl+pyroxsulam was applied at the half recommended dose under the three studied cultivars. However, the combined application of tribenuron-methyl+pyroxsulam at the half recommended dose caused the great depression in total proteins and total carbohydrates of wheat grains. Under the stress effect of herbicides, individual application of pinoxaden gave the best results for nitrogen and potassium content as well as total protein and total carbohydrate concentrations in the three studied wheat grain cultivars.

Flashing light emitting diodes (LEDs) induce proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and pigments in three microalgae.

As the periodic emission of light pulses by light emitting diodes (LEDs) is known to stimulate growth or induce high value biocompounds in microalgae, this flashing light regime was tested on growth and biochemical composition of the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana, Koliella antarctica and Tetraselmis chui. At low flashing light frequencies (e.g., 5 and 50 Hz, Duty cycle = 0.05), a strain-dependent growth inhibition and an accumulation of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, chlorophyll or carotenoids (lutein, ß-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin) was observed. In addition, a 4-day application of low-frequency flashing light to concentrated cultures increased productivities of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and specific carotenoids up to three-fold compared to continuous or high frequency flashing light (500 Hz, Duty cycle = 0.05). Therefore, applying low-frequency flashing light as finishing step in industrial production can increase protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids or pigment contents in biomass, leading to high-value algal products.

The importance of coenzyme Q10 and its ratio to cholesterol in the progress of chronic kidney diseases linked to non- -communicable diseases.

OBJECTIVES: The mortality of patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) increases with the decrease in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In the progress of CKD that is closely linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is not fully evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the importance of CoQ10, CoQ10/cholesterol ratio, and oxidative stress in the progress of CKD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The control group was constituted of 19 healthy subjects who volunteered to enrol in the study, CKD group consisted of 58 patients with CKD, of whom 54 had CKD combined with hypertension, 22 had CKD combined with hypertension and diabetes type 2 , and 18 had CKD combined with hypertension and statin therapy. We observed age, BMI, creatinine, uric acid, eGFR, hemoglobin, CRP, glucose, lipids fraction, and liver enzymes. Coenzyme Q10-TOTAL (ubiquinol+ubiquinone) in platelets and plasma were determined using HPLC method with UV detection. Indexed of CoQ10/lipid fractions were evaluated. Oxidative stress was determined as thiobarbituric acid­reactive substances (TBARS). RESULTS: With increased stages of CKD, eGFR and CoQ10 as well as its ratio to lipids were significantly reduced while TBARS increased. CONCLUSION: We assume that lower endogenous CoQ10 level may be one of the reasons of kidney dysfunction. CoQ10/lipids ratio and increase in oxidative stress can predict the progression of CKD in patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 49).

Total Lipids Content, Lipid Class and Fatty Acid Composition of Ten Species of Microalgae.

Microalgae is a potential producer of functional lipids such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and fucoxanthin. In the present study, lipids from ten microalgae species were analyzed especially focusing on the fucoxanthin, lipid and fatty acid compositions. The study revealed a remarkable variation in total lipids content, fucoxanthin content, lipid class composition and n-3 PUFA content in individual species, although they belong to the same genus. Among microalgae examined, Pavlova lutheri contained the highest total lipids content (313.59 mg g-1 dry weight) and considerable amount of fucoxanthin (3.13 mg g-1 dry weight). It also had the highest level (28.01%) of total n-3 PUFA with high level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (17.76%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (7.61%). The highest fucoxanthin content (5.19 mg g-1 dry weight) was observed in Chaetoceros gracilis. C. gracilis also contained relatively high level of total lipids (228.87 mg g-1 dry weight) and 10.67% EPA. The results also demonstrated that Nannochloropsis oculata contained the greatest amount of EPA (26.21%), while Isochrysis galbana had the highest level of DHA (8.76%). And both microalgae contained 1.71 and 4.44 mg g-1 dry weight fucoxanthin, respectively. Microalgal lipids containing abundant fucoxanthin and n-3 PUFA such as EPA and DHA in the present study will be used as nutraceutical lipids with great commercial potential.

The Effect of the Photoperiod on the Fatty Acid Profile and Weight in Hatchery-Reared Underyearlings and Yearlings of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar L.

The influence of two light regimes, 16:8 h light/dark (LD 16:8) and 24:0 h light/dark (LD 24:0), in comparison to a usual hatchery light regime (HL), on the fatty acids content and weight gain in hatchery-reared underyearlings (at 0+ age) and yearlings (at 1+ age) of Atlantic salmon in the summer-autumn period was studied. The total lipids were analyzed by Folch method, the lipid classes using HPTLC, and the fatty acids of total lipids using GC. The increase in EPA and DHA observed in October in underyearlings and yearlings salmon (especially under LD 24:0) suggests they were physiologically preparing for overwintering. The changes in fatty acids and their ratios in juvenile Atlantic salmon can be used as biochemical indicators of the degree to which hatchery-reared fish are ready to smoltify. These associated with an increase in marine-type specific DHA and EPA, an increase in the 16:0/18:1(n-9) ratio, in correlation with a reduction in MUFAs (mainly 18:1(n-9)). These biochemical modifications, accompanied by fish weight gain, were more pronounced in October in yearlings exposed to continuous light (LD 24:0). The mortality rate was lower in experimental groups of underyearliings with additional lighting. Exposure to prolonged and continuous light did not affect yearlings mortality rate.