Effect of bovine colostrum liposomes on the bioavailability of immunoglobulin G and their immunoregulatory function in immunosuppressed BALB/c mice.

Bovine colostrum (BC) has high nutritional value; however, the low bioavailability of immune active substances in BC may affect their immunoregulatory function. Our previous studies indicated that encapsulating bovine colostrum with liposomes could enable the sustained release of immunoglobulin G in vitro; however, the effect of bovine colostrum liposomes (BCLs) on the bioavailability of immunoglobulins in vivo is still unknown. In addition, the immunoregulatory function of BCLs on immunosuppressed mice is still unclear. Therefore, our current study aimed to explore the effect of BCLs on the bioavailability of immunoglobulins, and further explore their immunoregulatory effect on immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. Through metabolic cage experiments, it was shown that BCLs decreased the urine and fecal concentrations of IgG and exhibited a higher bioavailability of IgG in mice than BC (about 2-fold). In addition, by establishing an immunosuppressed animal model, it was found that BCLs could increase the body weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight in immunosuppressed BALB/c mice, which further restored the serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon γ (IFN-γ). Through histology analysis, it was suggested that BCLs restored the structure of jejunal epithelial cells, which was accompanied by an improvement in intestinal cytokine levels (IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ). Finally, BCLs increased serum and intestine concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in immunosuppressed BALB/c mice, which further indicated that BCLs had a sustained-release effect for immunoglobulin G in vivo. Our current research will provide a basis for understanding the role of BCLs on the bioavailability of IgG and their immunoregulatory effect on immunosuppressed mice, which might further provide some reference for the application of BCLs.

Methods on improvements of the poor oral bioavailability of ginsenosides: Pre-processing, structural modification, drug combination, and micro- or nano- delivery system.

Panax ginseng Meyer is a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used as tonic in Asia. The main pharmacologically active components of ginseng are the dammarane-type ginsenosides, which have been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, and metabolic regulatory activities. Moreover, some of ginsenosides (eg, Rh2 and Rg3) have been developed into nutraceuticals. However, the utilization of ginsenosides in clinic is restrictive due to poor permeability in cells and low bioavailability in human body. Obviously, the dammarane skeleton and glycosyls of ginsenosides are responsible for these limitations. Therefore, improving the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides has become a pressing issue. Here, based on the structures of ginsenosides, we summarized the understanding of the factors affecting the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides, introduced the methods to enhance the oral bioavailability and proposed the future perspectives on improving the oral bioavailability of ginsenosides.

Ginsenoside Rh2 and its octyl ester derivative inhibited invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via the c-Jun/COX2/PGE2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer is a topical global health issue. The treatment of liver cancer meets significant challenges in the high recurrence rate and invasive incidence. Therefore, the treatment strategies that target epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)/ prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pathway have become epidemic. Ginsenoside Rh2 has been proved to inhibit the EMT. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, the octyl ester derivative of Rh2 (Rh2-O) exhibited superior anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory effects than Rh2 in our previous researches, which indicated that Rh2-O might also exert inhibitory effects on invasion and metastasis. PURPOSE: The aim of current study is to explore the inhibitory effects of Rh2 and Rh2-O on invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and to investigate whether these effects are dependent on the c-Jun/COX2/PGE2 pathway. STUDY DESIGN: The Huh-7 liver cancer cells and the H22 tumor-bearing mice were treated with Rh2 and Rh2-O. METHOD: In this paper, the inhibitory effects of Rh2 and Rh2-O on invasion and metastasis were tested by wound healing, trans-well assay and tumor-bearing mice, and the involvement of c-Jun/COX2/PGE2 pathway were verified by exogenous PGE2, activation of COX2 and overexpression of c-Jun. RESULTS: The results showed that Rh2 and Rh2-O could efficiently inhibit the invasion and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). And the Rh2-O showed stronger effects than Rh2. Moreover, the exogenous PGE2, activation of COX2 by exogenous LPS and the overexpression of c-Jun by transfection all reversed the inhibitory effects of Rh2 and Rh2-O on metastasis or EMT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rh2 and Rh2-O could inhibit the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via restraining the EMT, which was mediated by c-Jun/COX2/PGE2 pathway.

Preparation Process Optimization of Peptides from Agaricus blazei Murrill, and Comparison of Their Antioxidant and Immune-Enhancing Activities Separated by Ultrafiltration Membrane Technology.

Agaricus blazei murrill (ABM), a large fungus, is reported to have extensive biological activities but the antioxidant and immune-regulatory capacities have been less studied and the components responsible for the functions are unclear. This study prepared ABM peptides (ABMP) using ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAEE) strategy and cascade ultrafiltration (UF) membrane technology. The UAEE extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with four factors and three levels to achieve the maximum ABMP yield (34.03%); the optimal conditions were an enzyme amount of 4%, ratio of ABM to water of 1:30, ultrasonic power of 360 W, and ultrasonic time of 30 min. Four ABMP fractions were obtained after UF with different pore size and their antioxidant and immune-regulatory abilities were evaluated and compared. The results showed that they could effectively scavenge DPPH, hydroxyl, and ABTS radicals, especially for ABMP-2; the scavenging rate of the above radicals were 79.31%, 63.60%, and 96.08%, respectively. In addition, four ABMP fractions also activated macrophage activity through strengthening phagocytosis and the production of NO, IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the ABMP-2 fraction with a MW of 3-5 kDa and peptide purity of 82.88% was found to have the best effect, showing the maximum phagocytosis (189.37%) as well as NO (7.98 µM), IL-6 (195.05 pg/mL), IL-1ß (876.15 pg/mL), and TNF-α (1620 pg/mL) secretion at a treatment concentration of 150 µg/mL. The findings indicated that the ABMP, especially for the separate ABMP-2, could be used as dietary supplements and have the potential to be exploited as immune-enhancing agents.

Effect of Hesperidin Supplementation on Liver Metabolomics and Gut Microbiota in a High-Fat Diet-Induced NAFLD Mice Model.

The present study investigated the mechanism underlying the impact of hesperidin (HES) on nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). C57BL/6J male mice were administered a low-fat diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD plus 0.2% (wt/wt) HES (HFD + HES) diet. After 16 weeks of intervention, the mice in the HFD+HES group showed a lower final body weight and liver weight and improved serum lipid profiles when compared with the HFD group. Alleviation of liver dysfunction induced by HFD was observed in HES-fed mice, and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was also altered. Moreover, HES changed the composition of the intestinal microbiota and enriched specific genera such as Bacteroidota. Liver metabolomics analysis indicated that HES enhanced the abundance of metabolites in arginine-related as well as mitochondrial oxidation-related pathways, and these metabolites were predicted to be positively correlated with the gut genera enriched by HES. Together, these results indicate that HFD-fed mice supplemented with HES showed a markedly regulated hepatic metabolism concurrent with shifts in specific gut bacteria.

Consumption of Interesterified Medium- and Long-Chain Triacylglycerols Improves Lipid Metabolism and Reduces Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs) were synthesized from rapeseed oil (RO), one kind of commonly used edible long-chain triacylglycerols (TGs), and then delivered to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Compared with RO, MLCT consumption exhibited more potent effects on reducing body and tissue weight gains, plasma TG, and total cholesterol (TC) levels and on improving hepatic TG, TC, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and lipoprteinlipase contents. Meanwhile, lower amounts of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and endotoxin in plasma, lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α, and higher levels of interleukin-10 in both livers and white adipose tissues were detected in MLCT-fed rats. MLCT intake also remarkably suppressed the size of adipocytes and the number of macrophages. In conclusion, our study suggested that the interesterified MLCT was more efficacious in improving the lipid metabolism and inflammation in HFD-induced obese rats than RO.

Trace water activity could improve the formation of 1,3-oleic-2-medium chain-rich triacylglycerols by promoting acyl migration in the lipase RM IM catalyzed interesterification.

New structured lipids with 1,3-oleic-2-medium chain (OMO) triacylglycerols were synthesized by promoting acyl migration in Lipozyme RM IM catalyzed interesterification between coconut oil (CO) and high oleic rapeseed oil (HORO). Results from an orthogonal design L25(55) showed that the maximal yield of OMO-structured triacylglycerols was 45.65% under the following conditions: the molar ratio of CO to HORO, 50:50; enzyme dosage, 12 wt%; reaction temperature, 60 °C; reaction time, 2 h; water activity, 0.07. Low water activity showed a high rate of acyl migration (10.86% vs 5.07% no water system), which promoted OMO synthesis due to medium-chain fatty acid migration to the sn-2 position. In a low water content (5%) system of the molecular dynamics simulation, water molecules stabilized the whole structure of RM IM through hydrogen bonding, which helped fix lipase-catalyzed active sites, making substrates more easily inserted into active sites, resulting in increased enzyme activity.

Daily Dietary Antioxidant Interactions Are Due to Not Only the Quantity but Also the Ratios of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Phytochemicals.

The hydrophilic extracts of mulberry (HEM) and blueberry (HEB) and lipophilic extracts of mango (LEM) and watermelon (LEW) were mixed in different ratios to assess the antioxidant interactions by chemical-based (DPPH and ABTS assays) and H9c2 cell-based models. There were both synergistic and antagonistic antioxidant interactions among these fruits. Some groups with combinational extracts showed stronger synergistic antioxidant effects than the individual groups, and others (HEM-LEW F1/10, LEW-LEM F5/10, and HEB-LEM F3/10) showed stronger antagonistic effects than the individual groups based on the indicators [the values of DPPH, ABTS, and MTT; the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA); the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and the quantification of cellular antioxidant activity]. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that samples could be defined by two principal components: PC1, the main phenolic acids and anthocyanins, and PC2, carotenoids. From our results, primarily, carotenoids were in the majority in antagonistic groups, and phenolics and anthocyanins were in the majority in synergistic groups. However, the combinational groups containing only hydrophilic compounds did not always show synergistic effects. Therefore, the compatibility of diets indicates balancing the ratios of hydrophilic and lipophlic compounds in our daily food. In addition, the expression of enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) may not be sensitive to the changes of antioxidant activity caused by the combinations with different ratios of hydrophilic and lipophilc compounds. The different structures of lipophilic compounds (ß-carotene and lycopene) could influence the antagonistic effects.

Fatty acid positional distribution in colostrum and mature milk of women living in Inner Mongolia, North Jiangsu and Guangxi of China.

In order to investigate the fatty acid composition and distribution in colostrum and mature milk, breast milk samples and 24 h food records were obtained from 65 lactating women across three regions in China (Inner Mongolia, North Jiangsu and Guangxi). Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by standard methods and separated and identified by gas chromatography. Compared with the Chinese breast milk fatty acid data 10 years ago, SFA and trans fatty acids (TFA) in breast milk decreased, while PUFA increased in the present study. Most SFA (C16:0, C15:0, C14:0), cis-C16:1 and several LC-PUFA (C22:5n-3 and C22:6n-3) were predominantly acylated at the sn-2 position. The cis-C17:1 and C22:6n-3 were distributed equally in three positions of triacylglycerol (TAG). Whereas, TFA, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), cis-C18:1, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and C20:5n-3 were acylated at the sn-1, 3 positions of TAG in human milk. The composition of fatty acids in breast milk was closely related to the diet of lactating mothers. PUFA in breast milk was negatively correlated with the intake of protein, fat and meat, but positively correlated with the intake of carbohydrates. MUFA of human milk was negatively correlated with the intake of dairy products, eggs, fish and shrimp. SFA in breast milk was positively correlated with the maternal intake of meat. In addition, the present results showed that the composition of total fatty acids and sn-2 fatty acids in breast milk varied with the lactation period and the geographical regions in China; however, the regiospecific fatty acid profile seemed not to be affected by the lactation time and regions, although the quantities at each position could be changed.

Implication of the Significance of Dietary Compatibility: Based on the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Interactions with Different Ratios of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants among Four Daily Agricultural Crops.

The hydrophilic extracts of eggplant peel (HEEP) and purple sweet potato (HEPP) and lipophilic extracts of tomato (LET) and carrot (LEC) were mixed in different ratios to assess the significance of the compatibility of aliments, based on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory interactions in H9c2 cells. The results indicated that groups of some combinational extracts (HEPP-HEEP F1/10, LEC-HEEP F3/10, LEC-HEPP F3/10) showed stronger synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than individual groups. For example, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity of the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group (86.71 ± 1.88) was higher than that in the HEEP (79.97 ± 1.68) and LEC (77.31 ± 1.85) groups. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was 30.37 ± 0.25 in the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group while the levels were 34.34 ± 0.36 and 46.23 ± 0.51 in the HEEP and LEC groups, respectively. And the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was 1.82 ± 0.24 in the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group while the levels were 2.48 ± 0.13 and 3.01 ± 0.24 in the HEEP and LEC groups, respectively. The expressions of inflammatory mediators (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8) and cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) showed similar tendencies. However, some groups (LET-LEC F5/10, LET-LEC F9/10, LET-HEPP F7/10) showed antagonistic effects based on these indicators. The principal component analysis showed that samples could be defined by two principal components: PC1, the main phenolic acids and flavonoids; PC2, carotenoids. Moreover, phenolics and anthoyanins were in the majority in synergistic groups, and carotenoids were in the majority in antagonistic groups. These results indicated that there exist synergistic or antagonistic interactions of aliments on antioxidation and anti-inflammation, which implied the significance of food compatibility.

Effects of Chinese Dietary Pattern of Fat Content, n-6/n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Ratio, and Cholesterol Content on Lipid Profile in Rats.

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chinese diet pattern of fat content (30% or 36.06%), n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio (5 : 1 or 9 : 1), and cholesterol content (0.04 or 0.057 g/kg total diet) on lipid profile using a rat model. Results showed that rats' body weights (BWs) were controlled by the simultaneous intakes of cholesterol level of 0.04 g/kg total diet and n-6/n-3 ratio of 5 : 1. In addition, under high-fat diet, increased cholesterol feeding led to increased total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and decreased triacylglycerols (TG) in rats' plasma. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and HDL-C/TC in rats' plasma increased in response to simultaneous intakes of low n-6/n-3 ratio (5 : 1) and cholesterol (0.04 g/kg total diet) even under high-fat diet. Moreover, as the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the diet decreased, the proportion of n-3 PUFAs increased in plasma, liver, and muscle and resulted in the decrease of n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio.

Investigation of Lipid Metabolism by a New Structured Lipid with Medium- and Long-Chain Triacylglycerols from Cinnamomum camphora Seed Oil in Healthy C57BL/6J Mice.

In the present study, a new structured lipid with medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCTs) was synthesized from camellia oil (CO) and Cinnamomum camphora seed oil (CCSO) by enzymatic interesterification. Meanwhile, the antiobesity effects of structured lipid were investigated through observing the changes of enzymes related to lipid mobilization in healthy C57BL/6J mice. Results showed that after synthesis, the major triacylgeride (TAG) species of intesterificated product changed to LaCC/CLaC (12.6 ± 0.46%), LaCO/LCL (21.7 ± 0.76%), CCO/LaCL (14.2 ± 0.55%), COO/OCO (10.8 ± 0.43%), and OOO (18.6 ± 0.64%). Through second-stage molecular distillation, the purity of interesterified product (MLCT) achieved 95.6%. Later, male C57BL/6J mice were applied to study whether the new structured lipid with MLCT has the efficacy of preventing the formation of obesity or not. After feeding with different diets for 6 weeks, MLCTs could reduce body weight and fat deposition in adipose tissue, lower plasma triacylglycerols (TG) (0.89 ± 0.16 mmol/L), plasma total cholesterol (TC) (4.03 ± 0.08 mmol/L), and hepatic lipids (382 ± 34.2 mg/mice) by 28.8%, 16.0%, and 30.5%, respectively, when compared to the control 2 group. This was also accompanied by increasing fecal lipids (113%) and the level of enzymes including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) related to lipid mobilization in MLCT group. From the results, it can be concluded that MLCT reduced body fat deposition probably by modulating enzymes related to lipid mobilization in C57BL/6J mice.

Methionine sulfone-containing orbitides, good indicators to evaluate oxidation process of flaxseed oil.

This study aimed to explore the possibility of using methionine sulfone (Msn)-containing orbitides as indicators to evaluate the oxidation process of flaxseed oils. Results showed that after 4 days' heating, oxidation values slightly increased (p > .05) with significant decrease in methionine (Met)-containing peptides (p < .05) instead of γ-tocopherol (p > .05). However, as oxidation time continues increasing, oxidation values significantly increased (p < .05) with significant reduction of γ-tocopherol (p < .05). It demonstrated that Met-containing peptides were more readily oxidized compared with γ-tocopherol and showed certain antioxidant activity. Besides, high logarithmic correlations were found between oxidation values and Msn-containing orbitides (0.94-1.00), such as between total carbonyl compounds and orbitide [1-8-NαC],[1-MetO2]-CLE (64.95 lnx - 52.14, R2 = 0.99, Dingya23 oil). Therefore, in comparison with common oxidation indices, Msn-containing orbitides may be better indicators for evaluating the oxidation process of flaxseed oil with superior separation efficiency, specific information and high stability.

Esterification of Quercetin Increases Its Transport Across Human Caco-2 Cells.

Plant polyphenols showed useful biochemical characteristics in vitro; however, the assessments of their clinical applications in vivo are restricted by their limited bioavailability due to their strong resistance to 1st-pass effects during absorption. In order to improve the bioavailability of quercetin (QU), the ester derivative of QU (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy flavones, TAQU) was synthesized, followed by examining the oil-water partition coefficient as well as the transport mechanisms of QU and its ester derivative (TAQU) using human Caco-2 cells. The transport characteristics of QU and TAQU transport under different conditions (different concentrations, time, pH, temperature, tight junctions, and potential transporters) were systematically investigated. Results showed that QU had a lower permeability coefficient (2.82 × 10(-6) cm/s) for apical-to-basolateral (AP-BL) transport over 5 to 50 µM, whereas the transport rate for AP to BL flux of TAQU (5.23 × 10(-6) cm/s) was significantly greater than that of QU. Paracellular pathways were not involved during the transport of both QU and TAQU. QU was poorly absorbed by active transport, whereas TAQU was mostly absorbed by passive diffusion. Efflux transporters, P-glycoproteins, multidrug resistance proteins were proven to participate in the transport process of QU, but not in that of TAQU. These results suggested that improving the lipophicity of QU by esterification could increase the transport of QU across Caco-2 cells.

Effects of ferrous carbamoyl glycine on iron state and absorption in an iron-deficient rat model.

An iron-deficient rat model was established and used to determine the effects of different iron sources on iron metabolism and absorption. Iron-deficient rats were assigned to one of three treatment groups, and their diet was supplemented with deionized water (control), Fe-CGly, or FeSO4 for 8 days via intragastric administration. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of iron-related properties, and the small intestine and liver were removed for quantitative reverse transcription PCR of genes related to iron metabolism. The serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) levels of rats in Fe-CGly and FeSO4 supplementation groups was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the rats in the control group. The rats in Fe-CGly group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) plasma Fe and ferritin levels and lower (P < 0.05) TIBC levels compared with the rats in FeSO4 groups. The relative expression of liver hepcidin increased (P < 0.05) by tenfold and 80-fold in the Fe-CGly and FeSO4 groups, respectively, whereas divalent metal transporter 1, duodenal cytochrome b, and ferroportin 1 expression decreased (P < 0.05) in the duodenum in both Fe-CGly and FeSO4 group. A comparison between Fe-CGly and FeSO4 group showed that iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) and iron regulatory protein (IRP2) expressions were reduced (P < 0.05) in rats administered FeSO4 than in rats administered with Fe-Cgly. These results indicate that Fe-CGly rapidly improves the blood iron status and that IRP1 and IRP2 may play an important role in the intestinal absorption of Fe-CGly.

Biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles for enhancement of anti-cancer activities of phytochemicals.

Many phytochemicals show promise in cancer prevention and treatment, but their low aqueous solubility, poor stability, unfavorable bioavailability, and low target specificity make administering them at therapeutic doses unrealistic. This is particularly true for (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, and genistein. There is an increasing interest in developing novel delivery strategies for these natural products. Liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles are biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles. Those nanoparticles can increase the stability and solubility of phytochemicals, exhibit a sustained release property, enhance their absorption and bioavailability, protect them from premature enzymatic degradation or metabolism, prolong their circulation time, improve their target specificity to cancer cells or tumors via passive or targeted delivery, lower toxicity or side-effects to normal cells or tissues through preventing them from prematurely interacting with the biological environment, and enhance anti-cancer activities. Nanotechnology opens a door for developing phytochemical-loaded nanoparticles for prevention and treatment of cancer.

Supplementation of the sow diet with chitosan oligosaccharide during late gestation and lactation affects hepatic gluconeogenesis of suckling piglets.

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) has a blood glucose lowering effect in diabetic rats and is widely used as a dietary supplement. However, the effect of COS on the offspring of supplemented mothers is unknown. This experiment investigates the effect of supplementing sows during gestation and lactation on the levels of plasma glucose on suckling piglets. From day 85 of gestation to day 14 of lactation, 40 pregnant sows were divided into two treatment groups and fed either a control diet or a control diet containing 30mgCOS/kg. One 14 day old piglet per pen was selected to collect plasma and tissue (8pens/diet). Performance, hepatic gluconeogenesis genes and proteins expression, amino acids contents in sow milk, hepatic glycogen and free fatty acid were determined. Results showed that supplementation of the maternal diet with COS improved daily gain and weaning weight (P<0.05), and the concentration of amino acids in sow milk (P<0.05). Meanwhile, maternal supplementation with COS increased (P<0.05) mRNA expression levels and activities of PEPCK-C, PEPCK-M and G6Pase in the liver of piglets compared with piglets from control fed sows. Correspondingly, the level of plasma glucose was higher (P<0.001) and hepatic glycogen was lower (P<0.05) in piglets from COS fed sows when compared with that in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of the diet with COS during late gestation and lactation reduced piglet hypoglycemia by stimulating hepatic gluconeogenesis and improved the growth rate of suckling piglets.

The Evaluation of Antioxidant Interactions among 4 Common Vegetables using Isobolographic Analysis.

Isobolographic analysis was used to assess the antioxidant interactions (synergism, addition, and antagonism) of 4 common vegetables (tomato [T], carrot [C], eggplant [E], and purple potato [P]). The lipophilic (L) extracts of T and C (main carotenoids), the hydrophilic (H) extracts of E and P (main phenolics) were mixed by the certain ratios (1:9, 3:7, 1:1, 7:3, 9:1, w/w) and their antioxidant activities were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, respectively. Most of the binary mixtures (LC-HE, LC-HP, HE-HP, LT-HE, and LT-HP combinations) showed the synergistic antioxidant effects. In DPPH assay, the greatest antioxidant activity of vegetable combinations was 1:9 LT-HP (EC50 : 2.45 ± 0.13 mg/mL), followed by 9:1 HE-HP (EC50 : 3.62 ± 0.12 mg/mL) and 1:9 LC-HE (EC50 : 3.74 ± 0.47 mg/mL). In ABTS assay, the greatest antioxidant activity of vegetable combinations was 9:1 HE-HP (EC50 : 4.20 ± 0.10 mg/mL), followed by 7:3 HE-HP (EC50 : 4.41 ± 0.63 mg/mL) and 1:1 HE-HP (EC50 : 5.35 ± 0.85 mg/mL). Among these combinations, 1:1 LC-HE combination showed the highest synergistic antioxidant effects in DPPH assay (synergistic rate: 87.4%), and 7:3 LC-HE combination showed the highest synergistic antioxidant effects in ABTS assay (synergistic rate: 87.0%). The mixtures of phenolics and carotenoids with suitable ratios in vegetables effectively enhanced the synergistic antioxidant effects.

Novel approach to evaluate the oxidation state of vegetable oils using characteristic oxidation indicators.

Four vegetable oils with typical fatty acid compositions were chosen to determine their indicators of lipid oxidation under the conditions of accelerated oxidation. Good linear correlations were observed between the total nonpolar carbonyl amount and the total oxidation value (TOTOX, R(2) = 0.89-0.97) or peroxide value (POV, R(2) = 0.92-0.97) during 35 days of accelerated oxidation. Additionally, nonanal in camellia oil (oleic acid mainly) increased significantly, and correlated linearly with TOTOX (21.6 TOTOX - 595, R(2) = 0.92); propanal increased significantly in perilla oil (linolenic acid mainly) and correlated linearly with TOTOX (8.10 TOTOX + 75.0, R(2) = 0.90). Hexanal (9.56 TOTOX + 913, R(2) = 0.90, and 7.10 TOTOX + 342, R(2) = 0.78, respectively) and nonenal (10.5 TOTOX + 691, R(2) = 0.95, and 6.65 TOTOX + 276, R(2) = 0.84, respectively) in sunflower oil (linoleic acid mainly) and palm oil (palmitic and oleic acids mainly) also had good linear correlations with TOTOX. Considering the change patterns of these four aldehydes, it was found that the oxidation stability was in the order sunflower oil < camellia oil < perilla oil < palm oil, which was same as POV, TOTOX, and total nonpolar carbonyls. It was concluded that the four aldehydes nonanal, propanal, hexanal, and nonenal could be used as oxidation indicators for the four types of oils.

Lipozyme RM IM-catalyzed acidolysis of Cinnamomum camphora seed oil with oleic acid to produce human milk fat substitutes enriched in medium-chain fatty acids.

In the present study, a human milk fat substitute (HMFS) enriched in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) was synthesized through acidolysis reaction from Cinnamomum camphora seed oil (CCSO) with oleic acid in a solvent-free system. A commercial immobilized lipase, Lipozyme RM IM, from Rhizomucor miehei, was facilitated as a biocatalyst. Effects of different reaction conditions, including substrate molar ratio, enzyme concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain the optimal oleic acid incorporation. After optimization, results showed that the maximal incorporation of oleic acid into HMFS was 59.68%. Compared with CCSO, medium-chain fatty acids at the sn-2 position of HMFS accounted for >70%, whereas oleic acid was occupied predominantly at the sn-1,3 position (78.69%). Meanwhile, triacylglycerol (TAG) components of OCO (23.93%), CCO (14.94%), LaCO (13.58%), OLaO (12.66%), and OOO (11.13%) were determined as the major TAG species in HMFS. The final optimal reaction conditions were carried out as follows: substrate molar ratio (oleic acid/CCSO), 5:1; enzyme concentration, 12.5% (w/w total reactants); reaction temperature, 60 °C; and reaction time, 28 h. The reusability of Lipozyme RM IM in the acidolysis reaction was also evaluated, and it was found that it could be reused up to 9 times without significant loss of activities. Urea inclusion method was used to separate and purify the synthetic product. As the ratio of HMFS/urea increased to 1:2, the acid value lowered to the minimum. In a scale-up experiment, the contents of TAG and total tocopherols in HMFS (modified CCSO) were 77.28% and 12.27 mg/100 g, respectively. All of the physicochemical indices of purified product were within food standards. Therefore, such a MCFA-enriched HMFS produced by using the acidolysis method might have potential application in the infant formula industry.