Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. blake: A medicinal plant from the Argentinean highlands with potential use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flourensia fiebrigii is a plant used in traditional medicine in the Argentine Calchaquí Valley as purgative, expectorant, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to analyze the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem, the phytochemical composition of leaves ethanolic extracts and to validate its traditional use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The macroscopic and microscopic description of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem was carried out. Two extracts (immersions and tinctures) from leaves were obtained. The phytochemical analysis and UHPLC-OT-MS metabolome fingerprinting of both extracts were performed. The anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory activities of both extracts were determined using enzymatic inhibition assays of xanthine-oxidase (XOD), secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and lipoxygenase (LOX). RESULTS: The macroscopic and micrographic characters of F. fiebrigii were described to allow the botanical characterization of the plant species. The leaves extracts showed a high level of phenolic compounds with similar chromatographic patterns. Forty-five compounds were identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including several sesquiterpenes, chalcones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, a lignan and phenylpropanoids phenolic acids that have been identified for the first time in this plant species. F. fiebrigii extracts were able to inhibit the XOD activity and, consequently, the formation of uric acid and reactive oxygen species, primary cause of diseases, such as gouty arthritis (IC50 values of 1.10-2.12 µg/mL). Pro-inflammatory enzymes like sPLA2 and LOX were also inhibited by F. fiebrigii extracts (IC50 values of 22.00-2.20 µg/mL) decreasing the production of inflammation mediators. CONCLUSIONS: The present work validates the traditional medicinal use of F. fiebrigii as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory through the use of enzymatic assays. The presence of several chemical compounds with demonstrated anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties also supports the bioactivity of the F. fiebrigii.

Micronutrient status differs among Maasai and Kamba preschoolers in a supplementary feeding programme in Kenya.

Since 2001, ChildFund Kenya has supplied micronutrient fortified school meals to preschoolers from two tribes (Kamba and Maasai) attending early childhood development (ECD) centres in Emali, S.E. Kenya. Lack of information on the micronutrient status of the preschoolers prompted a cross-sectional assessment of micronutrient (iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D) status and prevalence of deficiencies among the two tribes. Data on sociodemographic, health, anthropometric status, and micronutrient supply from preschool meals were collected from 287 Kamba and 213 Maasai children aged 3 to 5 years attending 23 ECD centres. Nonfasting blood samples were collected for haemoglobin and plasma biomarkers of iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP), α1 -acid glycoprotein, and immunoglobin G. The prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher in Maasai children than Kamba (38%, 95% CI [31%, 45%], vs. 5%, [3%, 9%]), as well as iron deficiency and its various stages (P < 0.001). No differences were seen in the prevalence of zinc, selenium, vitamin A, or vitamin D deficiencies (all P > 0.05). Body iron, CRP, and age were significant predictors of haemoglobin concentrations for both tribes (all P < 0.006) and plasma 25-OHD for Maasai children only. The higher prevalence of iron deficiency among Maasai than Kamba children was possibly attributed to the high consumption of cow's milk (low in bioavailable iron) in place of micronutrient fortified meals together with a higher prevalence of chronic inflammation and intestinal damage.

Discrimination, segregation, and chronic inflammation: Testing the weathering explanation for the poor health of Black Americans.

Several studies have reported a relation between race-related stressors and the poor health of Black Americans. Such findings raise questions regarding the mediating biological mechanisms that might account for this link. The present study investigated elevated systemic inflammation, a factor shown to be a strong predictor of chronic illness and mortality in all ethnic populations, as a possible factor. Using 7 waves of data from the Family and Community Health Study, collected over a 20-year period from over 400 Black Americans, we investigated the extent to which exposure to discrimination and segregation at various points in the life course predicted adult inflammation at age 28. Our analyses examined whether cumulative stress, stress generation, or predictive adaptive response (PAR) models best accounted for any associations that existed between these race-related stressors and adult inflammation. At every wave of data collection, assessments of discrimination and segregation were related to adult inflammation. However, multivariate analyses using structure equation modeling indicated that the PAR model best explained the effect of these race-related stressors on inflammation. Exposure to discrimination and segregation during the juvenile years predicted adult inflammation and amplified the inflammatory effect of adult exposure to these race-related stressors. These effects were considerably more robust than that of traditional health risk factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, and low SES. Implications of these findings are discussed, including the limitations of the widely accepted risk factor approach to increasing the health of Black Americans. (PsycINFO Database Record

Impact of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory markers in African Americans: results of a four-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

African Americans have a disproportionate burden of inflammation-associated chronic diseases such as cancer and lower circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The effect of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation on inflammatory markers is uncertain. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of supplemental oral vitamin D (placebo, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 orally for 3 months) in 328 African Americans (median age, 51 years) of public housing communities in Boston, MA, who were enrolled over three consecutive winter periods (2007-2010). Change from 0 to 3 months of plasma levels of 25(OH)D, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and soluble TNF-α receptor type 2 (sTNF-R2) in 292 (89%) participants were measured. Overall, no statistically significant changes in CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and sTNF-R2 were observed after the vitamin D supplementation period. Baseline CRP was significantly inversely associated with the baseline 25(OH)D level (P < 0.001) in unadjusted and adjusted models. An interaction between baseline 25(OH)D and vitamin D supplementation was observed for outcome change in log CRP (month 3-month 0; P for interaction = 0.04). Within an unselected population of African Americans, short-term exposure to vitamin D supplementation produced no change in circulating inflammatory markers. This study confirms the strong independent association of CRP with 25(OH)D status even after adjusting for body mass index. Future studies of longer supplemental vitamin D3 duration are necessary to examine the complex influence of vitamin D3 on CRP and other chronic inflammatory cytokines for possible reduction of cancer health disparities in African Americans.

Association between erythrocyte n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with and without depression.

Associations between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), inflammation, oxidative stress and the risk of depression have been suggested. We hypothesize that erythrocyte n-3 PUFAs are inversely associated with biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress in Koreans with and without depression. Study participants comprised 80 cases diagnosed with depression based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Korea version (CES-D-K) scores ≥25 and psychiatrist confirmation and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls without histories of depression. Depressed patients had lower levels of n-3 PUFAs and higher circulating levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase, interferon-γ, and nitrotyrosine compared to the controls. CES-D-K scores and levels of iNOS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were negatively associated with Omega-3 Index (erythrocyte levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) after adjusting for confounding factors. Concentrations of iNOS, TNF-α, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and nitrotyrosine were negatively correlated with erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFAs, but positively with erythrocyte levels of n-6 PUFAs. Erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFAs were inversely associated with circulating markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in Koreans with and without depression in this case control study. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether dietary or supplemental n-3 PUFAs can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and reduce depressive symptoms in humans.

Study on SSAO enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory effect of SSAO inhibitors in animal model of inflammation.

SSAO/VAP-1 participates in the accumulation of leukocytes at the site of inflammation. A new SSAO inhibitor, SzV-1287 was demonstrated to inhibit both acute and chronic inflammation in rats more effectively than the known enzyme inhibitor, LJP-1207. Surprisingly, the SSAO activity was not increased, but decreased both in acute and chronic inflammation. Though experiments are in progress to clarify these findings, the enzyme might play a role in the very early phase of inflammation and be inactivated during leukocyte extravasation.

Ethnicity, plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition and inflammatory/endothelial activation biomarkers in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It has been recognized that certain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are involved in inflammation and its resolution. It has also been shown that ethnicity may be a factor in affecting systemic inflammation, and limited evidence suggests it may influence plasma LC-PUFA composition. Given the links among these three factors, we aim to determine ethnicity-based differences in plasma LC-PUFA composition among White, Black, Hispanic and Chinese participants, and whether such differences contribute to variations in markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in a sub-cohort of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Plasma phospholipid LC-PUFAs levels (%) were determined in 2848 MESA participants using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. Enzyme immunoassays determined inflammatory markers levels for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (n=2848), interleukin-6 (n=2796), soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor type 1 (n=998), and endothelial activation markers soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (n=1192) and soluble E-selectin (n=998). The modifying influence of ethnicity was tested by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Chinese adults were found to have the highest mean levels of plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 1.24%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 4.95%), and the lowest mean levels of γ-linolenic (0.10%), dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA, 2.96%) and arachidonic (10.72%) acids compared with the other ethnicities (all P ≤ 0.01). In contrast, Hispanics had the lowest mean levels of plasma EPA (0.70%) and DHA (3.49%), and the highest levels of DGLA (3.59%; all P ≤ 0.01). Significant differences in EPA and DHA among ethnicities were attenuated following adjustment for dietary non-fried fish and fish oil supplementation. Ethnicity did not modify the associations of LC-PUFAs with markers of inflammation or endothelial activation (all P (interaction)>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a modifying effect of ethnicity indicates that the putative benefits of LC-PUFAs with respect to inflammation are pan-ethnic. Future longitudinal studies may elucidate the origin(s) of ethnicity-based differences in LC-PUFA composition and whether certain patterns, that is, high plasma levels of DGLA and low levels of EPA/DHA, contribute to inflammation-associated health outcomes.

Relationships among the serum omega fatty acid levels, serum C-reactive protein levels and arterial stiffness/wave reflection in Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship among the serum omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid (O3FA and O6FA) levels, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and arterial stiffness/wave reflection (AS/WR) in healthy Japanese men. METHODS: In 2206 Japanese healthy men, parameters related to the AS/WR (i.e., brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial arterial pulse wave analysis) were measured. RESULTS: No significant inverse relationships were observed between the serum O3FA levels and the AS/WR-related parameters. Adjusted values of the AS/WR-related parameters and serum CRP levels were higher in the subjects with serum O6FA levels in the highest tertile than in those with serum O6FA levels in the lowest tertile. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy Japanese men with known high dietary intakes of O3FAs, the serum O3FA levels may not reflect the pathophysiological abnormalities related to AS/WR. Increased serum O6FA levels appeared to be independently associated with the unfavorable conditions related to AS/WR and inflammation.