Optimization and cholesterol-lowering activity of exopolysaccharide from Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum NCCP 962.

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are biological polymers with unique structural features have gained particular interest in the fields of food, chemistry and medicine, and food industry. EPS from the food-grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can be used as a natural food additives to commercial ones in the processing and development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. The current study was aimed to explore the EPS-producing LAB from the dahi; to optimize the fermentation conditions through Plackett-Burman (PB) and response surface methodology (RSM); and to study its physicochemical, rheological, functional attributes, and cholesterol-lowering activity. Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum NCCP 962 was isolated among the 08 strains screened at the initial stage. The PB design screened out four independent factors that had a significant positive effect, i.e., lactose, yeast extract, CaCl2, and tryptone, while the remaining seven had a non-significant effect. The RSM exhibited lactose, yeast extract, and CaCl2, significantly contributing to EPS yield. The maximum EPS yield (0.910 g/L) was obtained at 6.57% lactose, 0.047% yeast extract, 0.59% CaCl2, and 1.37% tryptone. The R2 value above 97% explains the higher variability and depicts the model's validity. The resulted EPS was a heteropolysaccharide in nature with mannose, glucose, and galactose monosaccharides. FTIR spectrum reflected the presence of functional groups, i.e., O-H, C-H, C = O, C-O-H, and CH2. SEM revealed a porous and rough morphology of EPS, also found to be thermally stable and negligible weight loss, i.e., 14.0% at 257 °C and 35.4% at 292.9 °C was observed in the 1st and 2nd phases, respectively. Rheological attributes revealed that strain NCCP 962 had high viscosity by increasing the EPS concentration, low pH, and temperature with respectable water holding, oil capacities, foaming abilities, and stability. NCCP 962 EPS possessed up to 46.4% reduction in cholesterol concentration in the supernatant. Conclusively, these results suggested that strain NCCP 962 can be used in food processing applications and other medical fields. KEY POINTS: • The fermentation conditions affect EPS yield from L. paraplantarum and significantly increased yield to 0.910 g/L. • The EPS was heteropolysaccharide in nature and thermally stable with amorphous morphology. • Good cholesterol-lowering potential with the best rheological, emulsifying, and foaming capacities.

Effects of dietary counselling on lipid profile among liposuction patients.

Objectives: To observe the effects of dietary counselling on weight management after liposuction. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the La Chirurgie Cosmetic Surgery Centre and Hair Transplant Institute, F-8/3, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January to July 2018, and comprised adults (100) of either gender undergoing liposuction and/or abdominoplasty who were followed for three months in the postoperative period. The subjects were divided into dietary-counselled group A, which received diet plans, and control group B, which followed up without any dietary advice. Lipid profile was done at baseline and three months post-liposuction. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects enrolled, 83(83%) completed the study; 43(51.8%) in group A and 40(48.2%) in group B. Overall, there were 19(22.9%) males, 64(77.1%) females, and 55(66.3%) were aged <40 years, while 28(33.7%) were aged ≥40 years. Intra-group improvement was significant for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides for both the groups (p<0.05). The change for very low-density lipoprotein in group B was not significant (p>0.05). Change in high-density lipoprotein was for the better in group A, while it decreased in group B and the change in both cases was significant (p<0.05). Inter-group differences were not significant (p>0.05) except for total cholesterol (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Liposuction alone resulted in the improvement of lipid profile, while dietary intervention resulted in better values with respect to very low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein.

Study of metabolic syndrome indicators in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2 patients in Pakistani population.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) being a biological abnormality confers the highest risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM: To assess MetS indicators in the newly diagnosed T2DM Pakistani population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (N = 123) with newly diagnosed T2DM patients (gender: both, MeanAge: 49.24 ± 6.84 years) was selected from Medical OPD, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Basic profile, family history, and physical activity were recorded through a predesigned questionnaire, dietary intake through seven days Food Diary and Food Frequency Questionnaire. Blood pressure and selected clinical signs and symptoms were recorded. Anthropometric measurements included mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-and-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and conicity index. Lab parameters included fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, and lipid profile. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was computed to assess insulin resistance. RESULTS: Almost all parameters related to MetS were higher than normal. The prevalence of MetS was 59.7%. BMI, MUAC, and WHtR were independently associated with HOMA-IR, but WC, WHR, and the conicity index had no relationship MetS indicators. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of MetS was found to be 59.7% in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. MUAC was found to be a better parameter for the diagnosis of central obesity and insulin resistance in the selected population.

Effect of nutritional status on wound healing after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pre-operative nutritional status and its effect on wound healing of patients having undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Method: The hospital-based prospective study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Disease, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from October 2017 to March 2018, and comprised patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Sternal wound healing as an outcome measure was assessed with nutritional status. Investigation of dietary data focussed on various food groups and their impact on wound healing. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 330 patients, 16 (4.8%) died within hospital. The final sample, as such, comprised 314(95.2%) patients; 273 (86.9%) males and 42 (13.1%) females, with an overall mean age of 56.6±8.3 years. The mean body mass index was 26.9±4.3kg/m². There was non-significant relationship between body mass index and wound healing (p>0.05). Significant relationship was observed between albumin, blood glucose and wound healing (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of albumin and poor blood glucose control before surgery was found to be associated with delayed wound healing. Nutritional intervention prior to coronary artery bypass graft surgery may lead to reduced risk and complications during / after surgery.

Efficacy of Flaxseed and Fish Oils on Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative efficacy of flaxseed and fish oils in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The comparative study was conducted in the outpatient department of Rheumatology at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman, Lahore, Pakistan, from July to December 2017, and comprised rheumatoid arthritis patients who were divided into group A receiving 3g/day of flaxseed oil and group B receiving 3g/day of fish oil for 90 days. Blood samples were taken at baseline and post-intervention to note the difference on biochemical parameters. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, there were 30(50%) in each of the two groups. Overall, there were 8(13.3%) males and 52(86.7%) females. Both groups showed significant change in all biochemical parameters compared to baseline values (p<0.05). Intergroup comparison showed that flaxseed oil treatment was significantly more effective than fish oil treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While both forms of intervention were found to be effective, flaxseed oil was significantly more effective.

Nutrigenomics: Epigenetics and cancer prevention: A comprehensive review.

Due to change in lifestyle and food habits, people are more at risk of diet-related diseases and cancers. It is also established that dietary modifications significantly reduce the risk of diseases. Nutrigenomics is relatively fresh discipline, but possess an enormous potential that can apply for prevention and management of certain carcinomas and diseases. This review enables us to generate useful information for scientists and health professionals regarding the role of Nutrigenomics in the prevention of diet and lifestyle-related diseases like cancer. It influences health conditions of individuals and susceptibility of disease by defining the metabolic response and gene expression. Epigenetic modifications can perform a significant role in disease occurrence and pathogenesis. DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling are the most common epigenetic mechanisms. Omega 3 fatty acids are the best example of nutrients and gene interaction not involving DNA methylation while certain bioactive food compounds have a proven role in cancer prevention through an epigenetic mechanism. Dietary polyphenols substantially take part in prevention of oral, breast, skin, esophageal, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers. Moreover, minerals and vitamins involve regulatory processes. Zinc, Selenium and folate involve in DNA repairing process have anticancer properties. Consumption of multivitamins prevents methylation of cancer cells.

Perspective of surface active agents in baking industry: an overview.

Different researchers have previously used surfactants for improving bread qualities and revealed that these compounds result in improving the quality of dough and bread by influencing dough strength, tolerance, uniform crumb cell size, and improve slicing characteristics and gas retention. The objective of this review is to highlight the areas where surfactants are most widely used particularly in the bread industries, their role and mechanism of interaction and their contribution to the quality characteristics of the dough and bread. This review reveals some aspects of surface-active agents regarding its role physiochemical properties of dough that in turn affect the bread characteristics by improving its sensory quality and storage stability.

Kefir and health: a contemporary perspective.

Kefir and its related products are renowned nutraceutical dairy products produced through fermentation of yeasts and bacteria naturally present in grains of kefir. The nutritional attributes of this self-carbonated beverage are due to presence of vital nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and some nutraceutical components. Antimicrobial activity, better gut health, anticarcinogenic activity, control on serum glucose and cholesterol, control on lactose intolerance and better immune system can be achieved through its regular consumption. Moreover, on the one side kefir is good dietetic beverage, and of particular interest of athletes, and on the other side the whole kefir is good for feeding small babies and pre-schoolers for good tolerance against disease and quick weight gain. Lots of works have been done on kefir from a health point of view. This study summarizes all the data that have been compiled to date. The purpose of this review is to gather information about microbiological, chemical, nutritional, and therapeutic aspects of kefir and kefir-like products to provide justification for its consumption. This review leads us to conclude that kefir begins a new dawn of food for the mankind.

Optimization, fractional characterization, and antioxidant potential of exopolysaccharides from Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP 963 isolated from "kanji".

A novel exopolysaccharide (EPS) was obtained from Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP 963 isolated from a black carrot drink named "kanji". The culture conditions for maximum EPS yield were explored by the Plackett-Burman (PB) design and response surface methodology (RSM) along with the fractional characterization and antioxidant potential of EPSs. The PB design screened out five significant factors, namely, glucose, sucrose, tryptone, CaCl2, and di-potassium phosphate out of eleven independent factors. The RSM indicated glucose and CaCl2 as significant factors in EPS production and a maximum EPS production of 968.89 mg L-1 was obtained at optimized levels of 10.56% glucose, 9.23% sucrose, 0.75% tryptone, 0.446% CaCl2, and 0.385% K2HPO4. A R2 value above 93% indicates higher variability, depicting the validity of the model. The obtained EPS has a molecular weight of 5.48 × 104 Da and is a homopolysaccharide in nature with glucose monosaccharides. FT-IR analysis showed significant band stretching of C-H, O-H, C-O and C-C and indicated the ß-glucan nature of EPSs. The comprehensive antioxidant investigation showed significant in vitro DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide scavenging capacity with EC50 values of 1.56, 0.31, 2.1, and 6.7 mg mL-1 respectively. Curd formation from the resulting strain prevented syneresis.

Ginseng phytochemicals as therapeutics in oncology: Recent perspectives.

During the last few decades, cancer has mushroomed as a major health issue; and almost all drugs used for its therapy are very toxic with lethal side effects. Complementary and alternative medicines gain popularity among health professionals in recent era owing to its preventive mechanism against side effect chemotherapeutic drugs. Efforts are focused by scientists to isolate compounds from medicinal plant that have chemotherapeutic attributes; and ability to neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy. Ginseng is an oriental medicinal recipe from Araliceae family and Panax species. The chemotherapeutic effect of ginsenoside is resultant of its appetites, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The anticancer effect of ginseng is proven in various types of cancer, including; breast, lung, liver, colon and skin cancer. It increases the mitochondrial accumulation of apoptosis protein and downregulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein. It also aids in the reduction of alopecia, fatigue and nausea, the known side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. The aim of the present review is to provide the brief review of the recent researches related to mechanism of action of ginseng in different types of cancer as complementary and alternative medicine on different body organs.