Antioxidant Potential of the Sweet Whey-Based Beverage Colada after the Digestive Process and Relationships with the Lipid and Protein Fractions.

Whey-based beverages could be an effective way of reusing a by-product of th cheese industry, mitigating environmental hazards and, at the same time, profiting a useful food with high nutritional and antioxidant properties. In this study, a traditional Ecuadorian beverage (Colada) was prepared combining sweet whey, Maracuyá and barley. Antioxidant properties before and after an in vitro digestion using the INFOGEST method were determined, and relationships with intestinal transformations of the lipid and protein fractions were analyzed. The digestive process had a positive effect on antioxidant properties based on increased values of ABTS and FRAP located in the bioaccessible fraction (BF), together with strong increments of total polyphenols. Moreover, pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with the BF of Colada significantly reduced ROS generation (p < 0.001) measured by the dichlorofluorescein assay. Substantial changes of the fatty acid profile occurred during digestion, such as a fall of saturated fatty acids and a rise of polyunsaturated. The protein profile, examined by SDS-PAGE and exclusion molecular chromatography in the BF, showed that the major part of the proteins were digested in the intestinal phase. Analysis of NanoLC-MS/MS revealed 18 antioxidant peptides originated from whey proteins, but also 16 peptides from barley with potential antioxidant properties. In conclusion, combining sweet whey with Maracuyá and barley constitutes an excellent nutritional beverage with a strong antioxidant potential.

Oxidative Stress Experienced during Early Development Influences the Offspring Phenotype.

AbstractOxidative stress (OS) experienced early in life can affect an individual's phenotype. However, its consequences for the next generation remain largely unexplored. We manipulated the OS level endured by zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) during their development by transitorily inhibiting the synthesis of the key antioxidant glutathione ("early-high-OS"). The offspring of these birds and control parents were cross fostered at hatching to enlarge or reduce its brood size. Independent of parents' early-life OS levels, the chicks raised in enlarged broods showed lower erythrocyte glutathione levels, revealing glutathione sensitivity to environmental conditions. Control biological mothers produced females, not males, that attained a higher body mass when raised in a benign environment (i.e., the reduced brood). In contrast, biological mothers exposed to early-life OS produced heavier males, not females, when allocated in reduced broods. Early-life OS also affected the parental rearing capacity because 12-day-old nestlings raised by a foster pair with both early-high-OS members grew shorter legs (tarsus) than chicks from other groups. The results indicate that environmental conditions during development can affect early glutathione levels, which may in turn influence the next generation through both pre- and postnatal parental effects. The results also demonstrate that early-life OS can constrain the offspring phenotype.

Meat quality traits in longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius muscles from immunocastrated and surgically castrated Iberian pigs.

This study analyzes quality traits of longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius in surgically castrated (SC) males, inmunocastrated (IC) males and IC female Iberian pigs reared in intensive conditions (n = 18/sex). Vaccination with Improvac® was applied at 18 and 26 weeks of age and slaughtering at 31 weeks. At such conditions, notable sex differences were found. Both muscles of IC males were less red (P < .01), longissimus had lower intramuscular fat (P < .01) and gluteus less Fe content (P < .01) than SC males and IC females. Loins from IC males also exhibited higher drip losses (2.7% at 24 h) than SC males (1.9%) and IC females (1.6%) (P < .001). Fatty acid composition of muscles differed among sexes, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, which varied as follows: IC males > IC females > SC males in both muscles. It was concluded that meat quality traits differed between inmunocastrated and surgically castrated male Iberian pigs.

Foxo3 gene expression and oxidative status in beta-thalassemia minor subjects

ABSTRACT Background: Oxidative stress may aggravate symptoms of hemolytic anemias such as beta-thalassemia. FoxO3 activation results in resistance to oxidative stress in fibroblasts and neuronal cell cultures. Objective: The purpose of this research was to study FoxO3 gene expression and oxidative status in beta-thalassemia minor individuals. Methods: Sixty-three subjects (42 apparently healthy individuals and 21 with beta-thalassemia minor) were analyzed at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina, between September 2013 and June 2014. A complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis in alkaline pH and hemoglobin A2 levels were quantified. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, erythrocyte catalase activity and iron status were evaluated. Beta-thalassemia mutations were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. FoxO3 gene expression was investigated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using mononuclear cells from peripheral blood. Results: Subjects were grouped as children (≤12 years), and adult women and men. The analysis of erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio revealed a significant difference (p-value <0.05) between healthy and beta-thalassemia minor adults, but no significant difference was observed in the thiobarbituric acid reactive species levels and FoxO3 gene expression (p-value >0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive species and the erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio were not significantly different on comparing the type of beta-thalassemia mutation (β0 or β+) present in carriers. Conclusions: The lack of systemic oxidative imbalance demonstrated by thiobarbituric acid reactive species is correlated to the observation of normal FoxO3 gene expression in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood. However, an imbalanced antioxidant state was shown by the erythrocyte catalase activity/hemoglobin ratio in beta-thalassemia minor carriers. It would be necessary to study FoxO3 gene expression in reticulocytes to elucidate the role of FoxO3 in this pathology.

Portal-drained viscera heat production in Iberian pigs fed betaine- and conjugated linoleic acid-supplemented diets.

BACKGROUND: Betaine and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may alter growth and body composition in pigs, although their mode of action is not well understood. Portal-drained viscera (PDV) have a disproportionate influence with respect to their masses, and this may affect the productivity of more profitable tissues. The objective of this study was to determine if the use of betaine and/or CLA in the diet affects PDV heat production. RESULTS: Postprandial portal blood flow (PBF) was greater (19.0%, P = 0.004) for control compared with the other three diets. The lowest (P < 0.001) value for postprandial PDV O2 consumption corresponded to betaine + CLA followed by betaine and CLA diets (32.7, 25.4 and 17.7% respectively with respect to control diet). Postprandial PDV heat production was greater (26.4%, P < 0.001) for control with respect to the other three diets, with the minimum value corresponding to betaine + CLA (34.1% lower than control). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with betaine and/or CLA reduced the PBF, O2 consumption and therefore PDV heat production with respect to control diet. This effect was more pronounced when betaine and CLA were supplemented together, potentially increasing the energy availability for other body tissues. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Adaptive downregulation of pheomelanin-related Slc7a11 gene expression by environmentally induced oxidative stress.

Pheomelanin is a sulphur-containing yellow-to-reddish pigment whose synthesis consumes the main intracellular antioxidant (glutathione; GSH) and its precursor cysteine. Cysteine used for pheomelanogenesis cannot be used for antioxidant protection. We tested whether the expression of Slc7a11, the gene regulating the transport of cysteine to melanocytes for pheomelanogenesis, is environmentally influenced when cysteine/GSH are most required for antioxidant protection. We found that zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata developing pheomelanin-pigmented feathers during a 12-day exposure to the pro-oxidant diquat dibromide downregulated the expression of Slc7a11 in feather melanocytes, but not the expression of other genes that affect pheomelanogenesis by mechanisms different from cysteine transport such as MC1R and Slc45a2. Accordingly, diquat-treated birds did not suffer increased oxidative stress. This indicates that some animals have evolved an adaptive epigenetic lability that avoids damage derived from pheomelanogenesis. This mechanism should be explored in human Slc7a11 to help combat some cancer types related to cysteine consumption.

Spanish consensus guidelines on prophylaxis with bypassing agents for surgery in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with severe haemophilia and inhibitors against factor VIII who require surgery need a prophylactic approach to prevent bleeding complications. Scientific evidence to decide the best prophylactic treatment is very limited and mainly based on retrospective or case series. AIMS: To develop evidence- and expert opinion-based guidelines for prophylactic therapy for patients with haemophilia and inhibitors undergoing surgery. METHODS: A panel of nine Spanish haematologists undertook a systematic review of the literature and selected publications providing relevant information regarding the prophylactic management of patients with haemophilia and inhibitors undergoing dental extraction, minor surgery or major surgery. RESULTS: Although evidence is very limited, the panel considers that it seems advisable that prophylaxis should be given in most cases with a bypassing agent (aPCC or rFVIIa) and should start immediately before minor or major surgery. Patients should be closely monitored to enable dose/product modification as needed. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to communicate clinical experience in a detailed way in order to ensure optimal schemes of prophylaxis for patients with haemophilia and inhibitors. Development of objective outcomes to evaluate efficacy is crucial.

The level of an intracellular antioxidant during development determines the adult phenotype in a bird species: a potential organizer role for glutathione.

Life-history traits are often involved in trade-offs whose outcome would depend on the availability of resources but also on the state of specific molecular signals. Early conditions can influence trade-offs and program the phenotype throughout the lifetime, with oxidative stress likely involved in many taxa. Here we address the potential regulatory role of a single intracellular antioxidant in life-history trade-offs. Blood glutathione levels were reduced in a large sample of birds (zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata) during development using the synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Results revealed several modifications in the adult phenotype. BSO-treated nestlings showed lower glutathione and plasma antioxidant levels. In adulthood, BSO birds endured greater oxidative damage in erythrocytes but stronger expression of a sexual signal. Moreover, adult BSO females also showed weaker resistance to oxidative stress but were heavier and showed better body condition. Results suggest that low glutathione values during growth favor the investment in traits that should improve fitness returns, probably in the form of early reproduction. Higher oxidative stress in adulthood may be endured if this cost is paid later in life. Either the presence of specific signaling mechanisms or the indirect effect of increased oxidative stress can explain our findings.

Resistencia osmótica eritrocitaria en el diagnóstico de anemias hereditarias en Tucumán, Argentina / Red cell osmotic resistance in the hereditary anemias diagnosis in Tucumán, Argentina / Resistência osmótica eritrocitária no diagnóstico de anemias hereditárias em Tucumán, Argentina

Las anemias hereditarias más frecuentes en Tucumán (Argentina) son el rasgo beta talasémico (RBT), las hemoglobinopatías estructurales (HBP) y la esferocitosis hereditaria (EH). La resistencia osmótica eritrocitaria inmediata y 24 horas post-incubación constituye el método diagnóstico de la EH, y como tubo único (ROETU) es usada para cribado de RBT. El propósito del trabajo fue determinar el comportamiento de ROETU (4,0 y 5,5 g/L de NaCl) en el diagnóstico de anemias hereditarias. Se estudiaron 125 pacientes: 34 normales (GN), 59 con RBT (GRBT), 21 con HBP (GHBP) y 11 con EH (GEH), que fueron agrupados en niños (≤12 años), mujeres y hombres (>12 años). Se realizaron hemograma (Coulter AcT10 y Sysmex KX-21N), índices de Mentzer y de Shine&Lal, ROETU, hierro, transferrina y saturación de transferrina (Wiener Lab), reticulocitos (azul brillante de cresilo), prueba de falciformación y electroforesis de hemoglobina a pH alcalino y ácido. GRBT presentó anemia microcítica hipocrómica, y GEH y GHBP, anemia normocítica normocrómica. El hierro fue normal. GRBT y GHBP fueron resistentes en ROETU 4,0 g/L, aunque GRBT mostró mayor resistencia (p<0,05). GEH fue menos resistente que GN en ROETU 5,5 g/L (p<0,05). ROETU 4,0 y 5,5 g/L serían recomendables en el diagnóstico presuntivo de RBT y EH, respectivamente.

Beta thalassaemia trait (BTT), structural hemoglobinopathies (SHB) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS) are the most frequent hereditary anaemias in Tucumán (Argentina). Immediately and 24 hours post-incubation red cell osmotic resistance is the diagnosis method of HS, and as a single tube (RORST), it is used for clínicamenBTT screening. The purpose of this study was to determine the RORST (NaCl 4.0 and 5.5 g/L) behaviour in the diagnosis of hereditary anemia. The study encompassed 125 patients : 34 normal patients (NG), 59 with BTT (BTTG), 21 with SHB (SHBG) and 11 with HS (HSG), who were divided into children (≤12 years), women and men (> 12 years). Blood count (Coulter AcT10 and Sysmex KX-21N), Mentzer and Shine&Lal indexes, RORST, iron, transferrin and transferrin saturation (Wiener Lab), reticulocytes (brilliant cresyl blue), sickling and hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline and acid pH were performed. BTTG showed hypochromic microcytic anemia, and SHBG and HSG, normochromic normocytic anemia. Iron was normal. BTTG and SHBG were resistant in RORST 4.0 g/L, but BTTG showed more resistance (p<0.05). SHG was less resistant than NG at RORST 5.5 g/L (p<0.05). RORST at values of 4.0 and 5.5 g/L would be recommended for the presumptive diagnosis of BTT and SH, respectively.

As anemias hereditárias mais comuns em Tucumán (Argentina) são o traço beta talassemia minor (BTM), as hemoglobinopatias estruturais (HBP) e esferocitose hereditária (EH). A resistência osmótica dos eritrócitos imediata e 24 horas pós-incubação é o método de diagnóstico da EH, e como um único tubo (ROETU) é usado para a detecção de BTM. O objectivo deste estudo foi determinar o comportamento de ROETU (4,0 e 5,5 g/L de NaCl) para o diagnóstico de anemias hereditárias. Foram estudados 125 pacientes: 34 normais (GN), 59 com BTM (GBTM), 21 com HBP (GHBP) e 11 com EH (GEH), que foram reunidos em crianças (≤12 anos), mulheres e homens (>12 anos). Foi realizado hemograma (Coulter AcT10 e Sysmex KX-21N), índices de Mentzer e Shine&Lal, ROETU, ferro, transferrina e saturação de transferrina (Wiener Lab), reticulócitos (azul de cresil brilhante), teste de falcização e eletroforese de hemoglobina em pH alcalino e ácido. GBTM mostrou anemia microcítica hipocrômica, e GEH e GHBP, anemia normocítica normocrômica. O ferro foi normal. GRBT e GHBP foram resistentes em ROETU 4,0 g/L, mas GBTM mostrou maior resistência (p<0,05). GEH foi menos resistente que GN em ROETU 5,5 g/L (p<0,05). ROETU 4,0 e 5,5 g/L seria recomendado para o diagnóstico presuntivo da BTM e EH, respectivamente.

Bibliometric analysis of research on regenerative periodontal surgery during the last 30 years.

OBJECTICS: The evolution of research activity during the last thirty years on regenerative periodontal surgery is studied. RESULTS: A small number of authors are highly productive with more than 10 publications on the subject each. 79,6% of authors have only produced one article on the subject. The co-authorship average is of 2,68 authors per paper, with a collaboration between 2 and 6 authors. Main journals on the field of regenerative periodontal surgery are Journal of Periodontology and Journal of Clinical Periodontology, which are ranked 14th and 1st in their category according to the Journal Citations Reports. The most used language is English, followed by Japanese and Italian, Spanish occupying the eighth position. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase on scientific literature is observed, similar to the one Dentistry has had. A reduced number of authors account for most production. In the same token, there is a scarce professionalization of researchers in this field, where most of the authors are occasional. On the other hand, there are two very specialized journals on this topic. Key words:Bibliometrics, scientometrics periodontal regeneration, surgical periodontal treatment, scientific literature, scopus, scientific output.

[Linoleic conjugated acid: current interest in human nutrition]. / Acido linoleico conjugado: interés actual en nutrición humana.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid. The major dietary sources of CLA are meat from rumiants and dairy products. There are also foods enriched in CLA (by modification animal feed or addition of commercial CLA from cartamo oil). However, the major isomer of CLA in natural food is cis-9,trans-11 and commercial CLA contains approximately equal amounts of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 isomers. Although CLA is minor component of the diet, at present CLA has provoked intense scientific research accompanied by an advertising boom. This is due to the potential health effects demonstrated in animal and cell culture experiments including effects on body composition, specially a reduction in body fat mass and anticarcinogenic, antidiabetogenic and immune modulating effects. The results obtained in human volunteers are limited and even sometimes contradictory. This review focuses on recently studies in humans. To draw conclusions on CLA's potential interest as a functional ingredient, additional studies are needed to clearly define optimal level of CLA intake, short and long term effects and side effects of each individual CLA isomer in order to determine its safety and efficacy.