Surface Enrichment and Depletion of Components in a Ternary Drug-Surfactant-Polymer Amorphous Solid Dispersion.

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) can be used to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. An ASD is often a ternary system containing a drug, a surfactant, and a polymer. Recent work on binary ASDs has observed significant differences between surface and bulk compositions, with impacts on wettability and stability. Here we investigate a ternary ASD composed of the antifungal posaconazole, the surfactant Span 80, and a dispersion polymer (PVP or PVP/VA). The surfactant loading was fixed at the typical level of 5 wt %, and the drug/polymer ratio was varied. We observed strong surface enrichment of the surfactant and simultaneous depletion of the drug. This effect is already pronounced in the binary drug-surfactant system and is enhanced by the addition of the polymers. Between the two polymers, the more hydrophilic PVP causes a stronger enhancement of the surface enrichment effect. These results demonstrate the impact of component interactions on the surface composition of ASDs and the performance.

Unveiling the formation capacity of multicomponent oleogels: Performance of lecithin interacting with monostearate derivatives.

Oleogels have been explored as fat substitutes due to their healthier composition compared to trans and saturated fats, also presenting interesting technological perspectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the compositional perspective of multicomponent oleogels. Structuring ability of lecithin (LEC) (20 or 90 wt% of phosphatidylcholine - PC) combined with glycerol monostearate (GMS), sorbitan monostearate (SMS) or sucrose monostearate (SAC) in sunflower oil was evaluated from oleogels properties. The thermal and rheological properties, microstructure and stability of the oleogels were affected by the difference in the chemical composition of LEC and the ratio between LEC and different surfactants. Interestingly, low-phosphatidylcholine LEC (L20) performed better, although systems formed with reduced amounts of LEC tended to be softer (LEC-GMS) and present high oil holding capacity (LEC-SMS). The mixtures of LEC and monostearate-based surfactants showed different behaviors, depending on the surfactant polar head. In LEC-GMS systems, LEC hindered the self-assembly of GMS in sunflower oil, compromising mechanical properties and increasing oil release. When combined with SMS, LEC acted as a crystal habit modifier of SMS, forming a more homogeneous microstructure and producing stronger oleogels with greater oil binding capacity. However, above the threshold concentration, LEC prevented SMS self-assembly, resulting in a weaker gel. A positive interaction was found in LEC-SAC formulations in specific ratios, since SAC cannot act as a single oleogelator. Results show the impact of solubility balance played by LEC and fatty-acid derivatives surfactant when combined and used as oleogelators. This knowledge can contribute to a rational perspective in the preparation and modulation of the properties of edible oleogels.

Binary mixture of ionic liquid and span 80 for oil spill remediation: Synthesis and performance evaluation.

The synthesis of new surfactants helps to mitigate the environmental and financial effects of oil spills by providing efficient cleanup options. Herein, this study provides the development of a binary mixture of Span 80 and Choline myristate [Cho][Mys], a surface-active ionic liquid (SAIL) as green dispersant for oil spill remediation. The synergistic interaction at a 60:40 (w/w) ratio significantly lowered the critical micelle concentration (cmc) to 0.029 mM. Dispersion efficiency tests with Arab crude oil showed optimal performance at a 60:40 ratio of Span 80 and [Cho][Mys] (1:25 dispersant to oil ratio, v/v), achieving 81.16 % dispersion effectiveness in the baffled flask test. The binary mixture demonstrated superior emulsion stability (6 h) and the lowest interfacial tension (1.12 mN/m). Acute toxicity experiments revealed the dispersant's practical non-toxicity with an LC50 value of 600 mg/L. Overall, this environmentally benign surfactant combination shows promise as a safe and effective oil spill dispersant.

Effect of pH on In-Electrospray Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange of Carbohydrates and Peptides.

Carbohydrates are critical for cellular functions as well as an important class of metabolites. Characterizing carbohydrate structures is a difficult analytical challenge due to the presence of isomers. In-electrospray hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (in-ESI HDX-MS) is a method of HDX that samples the solvated structure of carbohydrates during the ESI process and requires little to no instrument modification. Traditionally, solution-phase HDX is utilized with proteins to sample conformational differences, and pH is a critical parameter to monitor and control due to the presence of both acid- and base-catalyzed mechanisms of exchange. For In-ESI HDX, the pH surrounding the analyte changes before and during labeling, which has the potential to affect the rate of labeling for analytes. Herein, we alter the pH of spray solutions containing model carbohydrates and peptides, perform in-ESI HDX-MS, and characterize the deuterium uptake trends. Varying pH results in altered D uptake, though the overall trends differ from the expected bulk-solution trends due to the electrospray process. These findings show the utility of varying pH prior to in-ESI HDX-MS for establishing different extents of HDX as well as distinguishing labile functional groups that are present in different analytes.

Differences in Brain Metabolite Profiles Between Normothermia and Hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the difference in brain metabolite profiles between normothermia and hypothermia reaching 25°C in humans in vivo. METHODS: Thirteen patients who underwent thoracic aorta surgery under moderate hypothermia were prospectively enrolled. Plasma samples were collected simultaneously from the arteries and veins to estimate metabolite uptake or release. Targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry and direct flow injection were performed, and changes in the profiles of respective metabolites from normothermia to hypothermia were compared. The ratios of metabolite concentrations in venous blood samples to those in arterial blood samples (V/A ratios) were calculated, and log2 transformation of the ratios [log2(V/A)] was performed for comparison between the temperature groups. RESULTS: Targeted metabolomics were performed for 140 metabolites, including 20 amino acids, 13 biogenic amines, 10 acylcarnitines, 82 glycerophospholipids, 14 sphingomyelins, and 1 hexose. Of the 140 metabolites analyzed, 137 metabolites were released from the brain in normothermia, and the release of 132 of these 137 metabolites was decreased in hypothermia. Two metabolites (dopamine and hexose) showed constant release from the brain in hypothermia, and 3 metabolites (2 glycophospholipids and 1 sphingomyelin) showed conversion from release to uptake in hypothermia. Glutamic acid demonstrated a distinct brain metabolism in that it was taken up by the brain in normothermia, and the uptake was increased in hypothermia. CONCLUSION: Targeted metabolomics demonstrated various degrees of changes in the release of metabolites by the hypothermic brain. The release of most metabolites was decreased in hypothermia, whereas glutamic acid showed a distinct brain metabolism.

Study of Glycosidically Bound Volatile Precursors as Variety Markers to Reveal Not-Allowed Practices in White Wines Winemaking.

Liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) can provide identification of grape metabolites which are variety markers. White grapes are poorer in polyphenolics, and the main secondary metabolites which contribute the sensorial characteristics of wines are the glycosidically bound volatile precursors and their aglycones. The profiles of three white grape juices (Pinot grigio, Garganega, and Trebbiano) were characterized by LC/HRMS, and 70 signals of putative glycosidic terpenols, norisoprenoids, and benzenoids were identified. Four signals found only in Pinot grigio corresponded to a norisoprenoid hexose-hexose, 3-oxo-α-ionol (or 3-hydroxy-ß-damascone) rhamnosyl-hexoside, monoterpene-diol hexosyl-pentosyl-hexoside, and hexose-norisoprenoid; three signals were found only in Garganega (putative isopropyl alcohol pentosyl-hexoside, phenylethanol rhamnosyl-hexoside, and norisoprenoid hexose-hexose isomers), and a monoterpenol pentosyl-hexoside isomer only in Trebbiano. These variety markers were then investigated in juice blends of the three varieties. This approach can be used to develop control methods to reveal not-allowed grape varieties and practices in white wines winemaking.

Active Hexose-Correlated Compound Shows Direct and Indirect Effects against Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of mature CD19+CD5+CD23+ B cells in the bloodstream and in lymphoid organs. It usually affects people over 70 years of age, which limits the options for treatments. The disease is typically well-managed, but to date is still incurable. Hence, the need for novel therapeutic strategies remains. Nurse-like cells (NLCs) are major components of the microenvironment for CLL, supporting tumor cell survival, proliferation, and even drug resistance. They are of myeloid lineage, guided toward differentiating into their tumor-supportive role by the CLL cells themselves. As such, they are analogous to tumor-associated macrophages and represent a major therapeutic target. Previously, it was found that a mushroom extract, Active Hexose-Correlated Compound (AHCC), promoted the death of acute myeloid leukemia cells while preserving normal monocytes. Given these findings, it was asked whether AHCC might have a similar effect on the abnormally differentiated myeloid-lineage NLCs in CLL. CLL-patient PBMCs were treated with AHCC, and it was found that AHCC treatment showed a direct toxic effect against isolated CLL cells. In addition, it significantly reduced the number of tumor-supportive NLCs and altered their phenotype. The effects of AHCC were then tested in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL and the MllPTD/WT Flt3ITD/WT model of AML. Results showed that AHCC not only reduced tumor load and increased survival in the CLL and AML models, but it also enhanced antitumor antibody treatment in the CLL model. These results suggest that AHCC has direct and indirect effects against CLL and that it may be of benefit when combined with existing treatments.

Genotoxicity assessment of 1,4-anhydro-4-seleno-D-talitol (SeTal) in human liver HepG2 and HepaRG cells.

1,4-Anhydro-4-seleno-D-talitol (SeTal) is a highly water-soluble selenosugar with interesting antioxidant and skin-tissue-repair properties; it is highly stable in simulated gastric and gastrointestinal fluids and is a potential pharmaceutical ingredient that may be administered orally. Hepatic toxicity is often a major problem with novel drugs and can result in drug withdrawal from the market. Predicting hepatotoxicity is therefore essential to minimize late failure in the drug-discovery process. Herein, we report in vitro studies to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of SeTal in HepG2 and hepatocyte-like differentiated HepaRG cells. Except for extremely high concentrations (10 mM, 68 h-treatment in HepG2), SeTal did not affect the viability of each cell type. While the highest examined concentrations (0.75 and 1 mM in HepG2; 1 mM in HepaRG) were observed to induce primary DNA damage, SeTal did not exhibit clastogenic or aneugenic activity toward either HepG2 or HepaRG cells. Moreover, no significant cytostasis variations were observed in any experiment. The clearly negative results observed in the CBMN test suggest that SeTal might be used as a potential active pharmaceutical ingredient. The present study will be useful for the selection of non-toxic concentrations of SeTal in future investigations.

Newly formed phenolics selectively bound to the graded polysaccharides of lychee pulp during heat pump drying using UPLC-ESI-QqQ-TOF-MS/MS.

Our study investigated heat pump drying (HPD) effects on phenolic-polysaccharide adducts of three lychee pulp grades, their composition and bound phenolic contents. During HPD, the hexose content in water soluble polysaccharide (WSP) increased continuously, and the pentose and glucuronic acid contents in WSP and dilute alkali soluble pectin (ASP) together with the hexose content in ASP increased initially and then decreased due to polysaccharide hydrolases pectinase, polygalacturonase and cellulase. After HPD, the bound phenolic content in WSP, ASP and water unextractable polysaccharide (WUP) significantly increased. Protocatechualdehyde and 3,4-dihydroxybenzeneacetic acid were newly generated phenolics and the former combined with all the three polysaccharide grades, while the latter selectively combined with only WSP. During HPD, WSP and ASP surface structures were gradually broken and became loose, but WUP surface structure was a complete and rough sheet structure. Alkaline hydrolysis caused sparser, more porous surfaces of the three polysaccharide grades. The polyphenol selectivity could be related to substrate selectivity of endogenous oxidases and the type of phenolic compounds.

D-tagatose protects against oleic acid-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats by activating PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier, resulting in severe alveolar edema and inflammation. D-tagatose (TAG) is a low-calorie fructose isomer with diverse biological activities whose role in ARDS has never been explored. We found that TAG protects lung tissues from injury in the oleic acid-induced rat model of ARDS. Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Sham (n = 5), ARDS (n = 6), and TAG + ARDS (n = 6). The treatment groups were injected with oleic acid to induce ARDS, and the TAG + ARDS group was given TAG 3 days before the induction. After the treatments, the effect of TAG was evaluated by blood gas analysis and observing the gross and histological structure of the lung. The results showed that TAG significantly improved the oxygenation function, reduced the respiratory acidosis and the inflammatory response. TAG also improved the vascular permeability in ARDS rats and promoted the differentiation of alveolar type II cells, maintaining the stability of the alveolar structure. This protective effect of TAG on the lung may be achieved by activating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Thus, TAG protects against oleic acid-induced ARDS in rats, suggesting a new clinical strategy for treating the condition.

The structure of the LPS O-chain from five Fusobacterium nucleatum strains CTX47T, CC2_6JVN3, CC2_3FMU1, CC2_1JVN3, HM-996, containing alditol and phosphate in the main chain and development of mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to the O-antigens.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an anaerobic bacterium found in the human mouth where it causes periodontitis. It was also found in colorectal cancer tissues and is linked with pregnancy complications, including pre-term and stillbirths. Cell surface structures of the bacterium could be implicated in pathogenesis. Here we report four new structures of the lipopolysaccharide O-chain (OPS) from five strains of F. nucleatum CTX47T, CC2_6JVN3, CC2_3FMU1, CC2_1JVN3, HM-996, isolated from cancerous tissues. Three of the four structures have a common sequence of hexose-diaminofucose-hexitol-phosphate in the main chain.

Melatonin Regulates the Daily Levels of Plasma Amino Acids, Acylcarnitines, Biogenic Amines, Sphingomyelins, and Hexoses in a Xenograft Model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Metabolic dysregulation as a reflection of specific metabolite production and its utilization is a common feature of many human neoplasms. Melatonin, an indoleamine that is highly available during darkness, has a variety of metabolic functions in solid tumors. Because plasma metabolites undergo circadian changes, we investigated the role of melatonin on the profile of amino acids (AAs), biogenic amines, carnitines, sphingolipids, and hexoses present in the plasma of mice bearing xenograft triple negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 cells) over 24 h. Plasma concentrations of nine AAs were reduced by melatonin, especially during the light phase, with a profile closer to that of non-breast cancer (BC) animals. With respect to acylcarnitine levels, melatonin reduced 12 out of 24 molecules in BC-bearing animals compared to their controls, especially at 06:00 h and 15:00 h. Importantly, melatonin reduced the concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine, carnosine, histamine, kynurenine, methionine sulfoxide, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and symmetric dimethylarginine, which are associated with the BC metabolite sets. Melatonin also led to reduced levels of sphingomyelins and hexoses, which showed distinct daily variations over 24 h. These results highlight the role of melatonin in controlling the levels of plasma metabolites in human BC xenografts, which may impact cancer bioenergetics, in addition to emphasizing the need for a more accurate examination of its metabolomic changes at different time points.

Sorbitan Monolaurate-Containing Liposomes Enhance Skin Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity and in Association with Microneedling Increase the Skin Penetration of 5-Fluorouracil.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents 20% of cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, and the most common treatment is the removal of the tumor, which can leave large scars. 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) is a drug used in the treatment of SCC, but it is highly hydrophilic, resulting in poor skin penetration in topical treatment. Some strategies can be used to increase the cutaneous penetration of the drug, such as the combination of liposomes containing penetration enhancers, for instance, surfactants, associated with the use of microneedling. Thus, the present work addresses the development of liposomes with penetration enhancers, such as sorbtitan monolaurate, span 20, for topical application of 5-FU and associated or not with the use of microneedling for skin delivery. Liposomes were developed using the lipid film hydration, resulting in particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and 5-FU encapsulation efficiency of 88.08 nm, 0.169, -12.3 mV, and 50.20%, respectively. The presence of span 20 in liposomes potentiated the in vitro release of 5-FU. MTT assay was employed for cytotoxicity evaluation and the IC50 values were 0.62, 30.52, and 24.65 µM for liposomes with and without span 20 and 5-FU solution, respectively after 72-h treatment. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analysis evidenced high cell uptake for the formulations. In skin penetration studies, a higher concentration of 5-FU was observed in the epidermis + dermis, corresponding to 1997.71, 1842.20, and 2585.49 ng/cm2 in the passive penetration and 3214.07, 2342.84, and 5018.05 ng/cm2 after pretreatment with microneedles, for solution, liposome without and with span 20, respectively. Therefore, herein, we developed a nanoformulation for 5-FU delivery, with suitable physicochemical characteristics, potent skin cancer cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake. Span 20-based liposomes increased the skin penetration of 5-FU in association of microneedling. Altogether, the results shown herein evidenced the potential of the liposome containing span 20 for topical delivery of 5-FU.

Acute responses of stevia and d-tagatose intake on metabolic parameters and appetite/satiety in insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of d-tagatose or stevia preloads on carbohydrate metabolism markers after an oral glucose load, as well as subjective and objective appetite in women with insulin resistance (IR). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Randomized controlled crossover study. Women with IR without T2DM (n = 33; aged 23.4 ± 3.8; BMI 28.1 ± 3.4 kg × m-2) underwent three oral glucose loads (3 h each) on three different days. Ten min before oral glucose load, volunteers consumed a preload of 60 mL water (control), 60 mL water with stevia (15.3 mg), or d-tagatose (5000 mg). Serum glucose and C-peptide were evaluated at -10, 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, and 180-min. Subjective appetite was determined with a visual analog scale. Food intake was measured at ad libitum buffet after 180 min. RESULTS: C-peptide iAUC was significantly higher for stevia (median (IQR): 1033 (711-1293) ng × min × L-1) vs. d-tagatose (794 (366-1134) ng × min × L-1; P = 0.001) or control (730 (516-1078) ng × min × L-1; P = 0.012). At 30- and 60-min serum glucose was higher for stevia vs other conditions (P < 0.01). Volunteers reported greater satiety for stevia and d-tagatose vs. control at 60 min and greater desire to eat for stevia vs. control at 120- min (all P < 0.05). Objective appetite did not vary by condition (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that these NNS are not inert. Stevia intake produced an acute response on C-peptide release while increased serum glucose at earlier times. It is possible that NNS affects subjective but not objective appetite. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04327245. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT04327245.

Insulin mimetic effect of D-allulose on apolipoprotein A-I gene.

Several nutrients modulate the transcriptional activity of the apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) gene. To determine the influence of rare sugars on apo A-I expression in hepatic (HepG2) and intestinal derived (Caco-2) cell lines, apo A-I, albumin, and SP1 were quantified with enzyme immunoassay and Western blots while mRNA levels were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. The promoter activity was measured using transient transfection assays with plasmids containing various segments and mutations in the promoter. D-allulose and D-tagatose, increased apo A-I concentration in culture media while D-sorbose and D-allose did not have any measurable effects. D-allulose did not increase apo A-I levels in Caco-2 cells. These changes paralleled the increased mRNA levels and promoter activity. D-allulose-response was mapped at the insulin response core element (IRCE). Mutation of the IRCE decreased the ability of D-allulose and insulin to activate the promoter. Treatment of HepG2 cells, but not Caco-2 cells, with D-alluose and insulin increased SP1 expression relative to control cells. D-allulose augmented the expression and IRCE binding of SP1, an essential transcription factor for the insulin on apo A-I promoter activity. D-allulose can modulate some insulin-responsive genes and may have anti-atherogenic properties, in part due to increasing apo A-I production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the number one cause of mortality in industrialized countries. A risk factor associated with CAD is low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) concentrations in plasma. Thus, novel therapeutic agents or nutrients that upregulate apo A-I production should be identified. D-allulose and D-tagatose are used as sweeteners and may have favorable effects on insulin resistance and diabetes. This study shows that D-allulose and D-tagatose increases apo A-I production through increased transcription factor SP1-binding to insulin response element of the promoter. These sweeteners modulate some insulin responsive genes, increase the production of apo-A-I, and therefore may have anti-atherogenic properties.

Preventing Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Hepatectomy With Active Hexose-correlated Compound Derived From Lentinula edodes Mycelia.

PURPOSE: Active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC), a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, exerts antitumor effects through anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory functions. Adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone curative hepatectomy has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AHCC as adjuvant therapy in patients with advanced HCC after curative hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study design was single-armed, non-randomized, open (no one was blinded), and uncontrolled. Patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy were treated with AHCC (1 g) 3 times daily orally for 2 years. The inclusion criteria were HCC diagnosed preoperatively as stages A and B of the Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) classification and alpha-fetoprotein × protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) ≥ 105 for stage A. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were treated with AHCC, of which 25 (4 patients discontinued) were followed up. The 2-year recurrence-free survival rate after resection was 48% for those without discontinuations and 55.2% for all patients with a history of treatment. Serum albumin levels decreased to a minimum in the first postoperative month and gradually recovered to the preoperative level at 6 months. Almost no change in lymphocyte percentage was observed during follow-up. Inflammation-based prognostic scores were maintained at favorable levels after hepatectomy. Toxicity and adverse events were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: AHCC may be safe and effective in preventing HCC recurrence after curative hepatectomy, and further randomized trials of AHCC for its use in this setting are warranted.This clinical trial was registered in UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (ID UMIN000024396).

Análisis comparativo de respuesta glicémica y de péptido C, tras la ingesta de estevia y D-tagatosa, según habitualidad de consumo de edulcorantes no nutritivos y preferencias alimentarias reportadas por mujeres con resistencia a la insulina / Comparative analysis of glicemic response and c peptide, after comsumption of stevia and d tagatosa, according to regular compsumtion of not nutritive sweeteners andnourish preferences reported by woman with insuline resistance

INTRODUCCIÓN: El consumo de edulcorantes no nutritivos (ENN) ha ido en aumento. A pesar de ello, se desconoce el efecto entre el consumo habitual de ENN y las preferencias alimentarias con parámetros bioquímicos en pacientes con resistencia a la insulina. OBJETIVO: Comparar la respuesta glicémica y de péptido C, según habitualidad de consumo de edulcorantes y preferencias alimentarias reportados por mujeres con resistencia a la insulina tras la ingesta de estevia y D-tagatosa. MÉTODOS: Treinta y tres mujeres con RI se sometieron a una encuesta de opción múltiple sobre preferencias alimentarias y ETCC modificada de edulcorantes. Aleatoriamente recibieron una precarga de control o experimental (estevia y D-tagatosa) donde se midió glicemia y péptido C en los tiempos -10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180. RESULTADOS: Se encontró un ABC de péptido C más alto después de la ingesta de D-tagatosa (p = 0,02) en pacientes que prefieren alimentos ricos en proteínas en comparación con aquellos que prefieren alimentos ricos en grasas o en carbohidratos simples. Se observó un mayor ABC de péptido C (p = 0,04) para la prueba control en quienes prefieren el sabor salado y consumen menor cantidad de ENN, sin diferencias significativas entre quienes prefirieron sabor dulce. CONCLUSIONES: Al comparar las respuestas glicémicas e insulinémicas entre habitualidad de consumo de edulcorantes y preferencias alimentarias reportados por las pacientes tras la ingesta de agua, estevia y D-Tagatosa, no se obtuvieron diferencias significativas. Salvo en quienes preferían alimentos ricos en proteínas tras la ingesta de D- tagatosa y quienes preferían sabor salado con menor consumo habitual de ENN tras ingesta control.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) has been increasing. Despite this, the effect between the habitual consumption of ENN and food preferences with biochemical parameters in patients with insulin resistance is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the glycemic and C-peptide response, according to the habitual consumption of sweeteners and food preferences reported by women with insulin resistance after ingesting stevia and D-tagatose. METHODS: Thirty-three women with IR underwent a multiple choice survey on food preferences and modified ETCC for sweeteners. They randomly received a control or experimental preload (stevia and D-tagatose) where glycemia and peptide C were measured at times -10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180. RESULTS: A higher C-peptide AUC was found after ingestion of D-tagatose (p = 0.02) in patients who prefer foods rich in protein compared to those who prefer foods rich in fat or simple carbohydrates. A higher AUC of peptide C (p = 0.04) is performed for the control test in those who prefer a salty taste and consume a lower amount of ENN, without significant differences between those who prefer a sweet taste. CONCLUSION: When comparing the glycerol and insulin responses between the habitual consumption of sweeteners and the food preferences reported by the patients after the ingestion of water, stevia and D-Tagatose, no significant differences were obtained. Except in those who prefer foods rich in protein after ingesting D-tagatose and those who prefer salty taste with less habitual consumption of NNS after control intake.

A gulose moiety contributes to the belomycin (BLM) disaccharide selective targeting to lung cancer cells.

Eight mono- or disaccharide analogues derived from BLM disaccharide, along with the corresponding carbohydate-dye conjugates have been designed and synthesized in this study, aiming at exploring the effect of a gulose residue on the cellular binding/uptake of BLM disaccharide and it possible uptake mechanism. Our evidence is presented indicating that, for the cellular binding/uptake of BLM disaccharide, a gulose residue is an essential subunit but unrelated to its chemical nature. Interestingly, d-gulose-dye conjugate is able to selectively target A549 cancer cells, but l-gulose-dye conjugate fails. Further uptake mechanism studies demonstrate d-gulose-dye derivatives similar to BLM disaccharide-dye ones behave in a temperature- and ATP-dependent manner, and are partly directed by the GLUT1 receptor. Moreover, d-gulose modifying gemcitabine 53a exhibits more potent antitumor activity compared to derivatives 53b-c in which gemcitabine is decorated with other monosaccharides. Taken together, the monosacharide d-gulose conjugate offers a new strategy for solving cytotoxic drugs via the increased tumor targeting in the therapy of lung cancer.

Functional Characterization of a Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Vacuolar Invertase, CsVI1, Involved in Hexose Accumulation and Response to Low Temperature Stress.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), an important vegetable plant species, is susceptible to low temperature stress especially during the seedling stage. Vacuolar invertase (VI) plays important roles in plant responses to abiotic stress. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of VI function in cucumber, have not yet been completely understood and VI responses to low temperature stress and it functions in cold tolerance in cucumber seedlings are also in need of exploration. The present study found that hexose accumulation in the roots of cucumber seedlings under low temperature stress is closely related to the observed enhancement of invertase activity. Our genome-wide search for the vacuolar invertase (VI) genes in cucumber identified the candidate VI-encoding gene CsVI1. Expression profiling of CsVI1 showed that it was mainly expressed in the young roots of cucumber seedlings. In addition, transcriptional analysis indicated that CsVI1 expression could respond to low temperature stress. Recombinant CsVI1 proteins purified from Pichia pastoris and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves could hydrolyze sucrose into hexoses. Further, overexpression of CsVI1 in cucumber plants could increase their hexose contents and improve their low temperature tolerance. Lastly, a putative cucumber invertase inhibitor was found could form a complex with CsVI1. In summary, these results confirmed that CsVI1 functions as an acid invertase involved in hexose accumulation and responds to low temperature stress in cucumber seedlings.

Sequential administration of PEG-Span 80 niosome enhances anti-tumor effect of doxorubicin-containing PEG liposome.

To improve the anti-tumor effect of polyethylene glycol-modified liposome containing doxorubicin (DOX-PEG liposome), the effect of sequential administration of PEG-Span 80 niosome was investigated for Colon-26 cancer cells (C26)-bearing mice. The concept of the current study is as follows: Since both particulates would be accumulated in the tumor tissue due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, PEG-Span 80 niosome, mainly composed of synthetic surfactant (Span 80), would interact with DOX-PEG liposome and be a trigger to induce the release of DOX from the liposome within the tumor tissue, leading to the improvement of anti-tumor effect of DOX-PEG liposome. To find out an adequate liposome for this strategy, several PEG liposomes with different compositions were examined in terms of drug release enhancement and it was found that PEG-Span80 niosome could significantly enhance the release of calcein and DOX from a PEG liposome composed of 90% hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) and 10% cholesterol. The sequential administration of PEG-Span 80 niosome at 24 or 48 h after dosing of DOX-PEG liposome provided a higher anti-tumor effect than the single dose of DOX-PEG liposome in the C26-bearing mice. Particularly, the 24 h-later dosing of PEG-Span 80 niosome has been found to be more effective than the 48 h-later dosing. It was also confirmed that the coexistence of PEG-Span 80 niosome with DOX-PEG liposome in 50% serum or in 50% supernatant of tumor tissue homogenate significantly increased DOX release from PEG liposome, suggesting that DOX release from DOX-PEG liposome within tumor tissue would be enhanced via the interaction with PEG-Span 80 niosome. This strategy would lead to the safer and more inexpensive chemotherapy, since it could make it possible to provide the better anti-tumor effect by utilizing the lower dose of DOX.