Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorates Vascular Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice by Activating Nrf2.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is known to be associated with the development of diabetes. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a spice compound in cinnamon that enhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activating nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which has been shown to have a cardioprotection effect. However, the relationship between CA and Nrf2 in diabetic vascular complications remains unclear. METHODS: Leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice were fed normal chow or diet containing 0.02% CA for 12 weeks. The vascular tone, blood pressure, superoxide level, nitric oxide (NO) production, renal morphology, and function were measured in each group. RESULTS: CA remarkably inhibited ROS generation, preserved NO production, increased phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS), attenuated the upregulation of nitrotyrosine, P22 and P47 in aortas of db/db mice, and apparently ameliorated the elevation of type IV collagen, TGF-ß1, P22, and P47 in kidney of db/db mice. Feeding with CA improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortas and mesenteric arteries, and alleviated the remodeling of mesenteric arteries in db/db mice. Additionally, dietary CA ameliorated glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction in diabetic mice. Nrf2 and its targeted genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) were slightly increased in db/db mice and further upregulated by CA. However, these protective effects of CA were reversed in Nrf2 downregulation mice. CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged diet of CA protects against diabetic vascular dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress through activating of Nrf2 signaling pathway in db/db mice.

Floralozone Ameliorated Atherosclerosis in Experimental Atherosclerotic Rats Involved with Sphingosine 1-Phosphate 1 Enhancement.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronical pathological process of the arterial narrows due to the AS plaque formation. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanism of Floralozone on experimental atherosclerotic model rats. Experimental atherosclerotic model rats were induced by the right carotid artery balloon injury and intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3 in rats after 4 weeks high-fat diet. The results exhibited that Floralozone could ameliorate vascular injury and vasorelaxation of descending aortas and increase the superoxide dismutase activity and the expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) 1 and reduce the intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 level, and the malondialdehyde activity in experimental atherosclerotic rats. However, Fingolimod, an S1P1 inhibitor, could reverse these Floralozone effects in experimental atherosclerotic rats. Our results indicated that Floralozone could inhibit the atherosclerotic plaque formation and improves arterial stenosis and reduces endothelial dysfunction in experimental atherosclerotic rats, which might be involved with S1P1 enhancement.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt in C57BL/6 mice.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt (BS) were evaluated compared with those of purified salt and solar salt by oral administration in a diet-induced obesity model using C57BL/6 mice. Compared with other salts, BS, especially nine times baked BS (BS-9×), significantly reduced body weight, food efficiency ratio, and weights of epididymal adipose tissue and liver in high-fat diet-fed mice. Furthermore, BS suppressed the expression of adipogenic factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). Therefore, BS may suppress obesity by downregulating adipogenesis.

Geraniol-a flavoring agent with multifunctional effects in protecting the gastric and duodenal mucosa.

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol commonly used as a flavoring agent. The present study was undertaken to investigate antiulcerogenic effects of geraniol and to determine the possible mechanisms involved in this action. In the model of the ethanol-induced ulcer, treatment of rats with geraniol by oral route significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 70 % (7.50 mg/kg) to 99 % (200 mg/kg). Analysis of the gastric tissue of rats treated with geraniol (7.50 mg/kg) revealed that total glutathione content levels (GSH) increased and levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) decreased in the gastric mucosa. Oral treatment with geraniol significantly decreased the number of ulcerative lesions induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury by 71 % and the duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine by 68 %. The action of geraniol was mediated by the activation of defensive mucosa-protective factors such as the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, endogenous prostaglandins, increased mucus production, increased sulfhydryl compounds, antioxidant properties and the stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release through the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV). The multifaceted gastroprotective mechanisms of geraniol represent a promising option for the treatment of gastric and duodenal mucosa injury.

The antioxidant effect of ß-caryophyllene protects rat liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation.

Plant-based whole foods provide thousands of bioactive metabolites to the human diet that reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. ß-Caryophyllene (CAR) is a common constituent of the essential oil of numerous plants, vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs, and has been used as a flavouring agent since the 1930 s. Here, we report the antioxidant activity of CAR, its protective effect on liver fibrosis and its inhibitory capacity on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. CAR was tested for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and as a free radical scavenger. CAR had higher inhibitory capacity on lipid peroxidation than probucol, α-humulene and α-tocopherol. Also, CAR showed high scavenging activities against hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion. The activity of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that actively participates in fibrogenesis, was significantly inhibited by CAR. Carbon tetrachloride-treated rats received CAR at 2, 20 and 200 mg/kg. CAR significantly improved liver structure, and reduced fibrosis and the expression of Col1a1, Tgfb1 and Timp1 genes. Oxidative stress was used to establish a model of HSC activation with overproduction of extracellular matrix proteins. CAR (1 and 10 µm) increased cell viability and significantly reduced the expression of fibrotic marker genes. CAR, a sesquiterpene present in numerous plants and foods, is as a natural antioxidant that reduces carbon tetrachloride-mediated liver fibrosis and inhibits hepatic cell activation.

Rice hull smoke extract inactivates Salmonella Typhimurium in laboratory media and protects infected mice against mortality.

UNLABELLED: A previously characterized rice hull smoke extract (RHSE) was tested for bactericidal activity against Salmonella Typhimurium using the disc-diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of RHSE was 0.822% (v/v). The in vivo antibacterial activity of RHSE (1.0%, v/v) was also examined in a Salmonella-infected Balb/c mouse model. Mice infected with a sublethal dose of the pathogens were administered intraperitoneally a 1.0% solution of RHSE at four 12-h intervals during the 48-h experimental period. The results showed that RHSE inhibited bacterial growth by 59.4%, 51.4%, 39.6%, and 28.3% compared to 78.7%, 64.6%, 59.2%, and 43.2% inhibition with the medicinal antibiotic vancomycin (20 mg/mL). By contrast, 4 consecutive administrations at 12-h intervals elicited the most effective antibacterial effect of 75.0% and 85.5% growth reduction of the bacteria by RHSE and vancomycin, respectively. The combination of RHSE and vancomycin acted synergistically against the pathogen. The inclusion of RHSE (1.0% v/w) as part of a standard mouse diet fed for 2 wk decreased mortality of 10 mice infected with lethal doses of the Salmonella. Photomicrographs of histological changes in liver tissues show that RHSE also protected the liver against Salmonella-induced pathological necrosis lesions. These beneficial results suggest that the RHSE has the potential to complement wood-derived smokes as antimicrobial flavor formulations for application to human foods and animal feeds. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The new antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory rice hull derived liquid smoke has the potential to complement widely used wood-derived liquid smokes as an antimicrobial flavor and health-promoting formulation for application to foods.

The effect of chewing gum flavor on the negative affect associated with tobacco abstinence among dependent cigarette smokers.

Many smokers relapse during cessation attempts due to increases in negative affect. Previous research has shown that chewing confectionary chewing gum appears to lessen the severity of acute nicotine withdrawal symptoms and help individuals who are trying to reduce smoking in part due to the flavor of the gum chewed. The current study compared the effects of three flavored gums to a No Gum Control during 48-hour cessation periods for young dependent smokers. Forty-nine smokers participated in three experimental conditions (peppermint, vanilla, and baked apple cardamom flavored gum) as well as a No Gum Control across four weeks while abstaining from smoking for 48-hours each week. Compared to the No Gum Control, participants in the Gum conditions reported lower levels of anxiety, dysphoria, and tension. Vanilla and baked apple cardamom flavored gum resulted in lower levels of negative affect while peppermint flavored gum was not different from the No Gum Control. These findings indicate that some flavors of gum are effective in reducing the negative affect associated with nicotine withdrawal and may serve as a valuable tool in helping smokers quit.

Oral rehydration solutions in non-cholera diarrhea: a review.

The use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) has revolutionized the management of acute diarrhea. The implementation of the standard World Health Organization ORS (WHO-ORS) has resulted in decreased mortality associated with acute diarrheal illnesses in children, although in general stool volume and diarrhea durations are not reduced. Decreased morbidity and mortality have occurred because of improved hydration status. Decreased morbidity has also been described in adults who used this therapy. Various modifications to the standard ORS have been derived. These modifications have included hypo-osmolar or hyperosmolar solutions, use of rice-based ORS, zinc supplementation, and the use of amino acids, including glycine, alanine, and glutamine. Some of these variations have been successful, some have not, and others are still under investigation. ORS has been used for travelers' diarrhea and to decrease intravenous (IV) fluid requirements in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) who require parenteral nutrition (PN). This paper reviews the standard WHO-ORS and its mechanism of action, followed by more contemporary reduced osmolarity ORS and rice-based ORS in non-cholera diarrhea. Various modifications to improve ORS are also discussed.

Combination of flavor enhancement and chemosensory education improves nutritional status in older cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in taste and smell functioning occur with elevated frequency in both older adults and patients with cancer. With the predicted increase in both of these populations in the coming decades, it is imperative to evaluate potential interventions that are designed to help older cancer patients compensate for the additive burden of this disease and its treatment on age-related taste and smell losses. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to determine if providing instruction and products for flavor enhancement of foods to elderly cancer patients in addition to nutritional information would improve their nutritional status, and, by extension, functional and immune status as well as quality of life. DESIGN: One hundred and seven subjects enrolled in the study. Fifty-four subjects were in the experimental group that received flavor enhancement plus nutritional information; fifty-three control subjects received only nutritional information. Subjects were evaluated 1 month, 3 months, and 8 months after beginning chemotherapy. At every session, subjects completed taste and smell assessments as well as questionnaires related to nutritional status, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Blood samples were also obtained to determine immune parameters. RESULTS: At the eight-month time point, experimental subjects had better scores on the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and the physical function assessment of the quality of life questionnaire. Also at eight months, self-reported taste and smell perception for experimental subjects was better than that of controls as well as better than at earlier time points. Tests that assessed quantity and quality of food intake, as well as a number of immune parameters declined over time and did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of flavor enhancement, chemosensory education, and nutritional information for elderly cancer patients improved their nutritional assessment on the MNA and physical function over time. On the whole, experimental subjects perceived themselves to be better functioning at eight months than did their control counterparts.

Tratamiento fisioterápico del paralítico cerebral adulto en sala Snoezelen / Physiotherapic treatment of adults with cerebral palsy in Snoezelen room

En el presente artículo se habla del tratamiento de fisioterapia llevado a cabo en la sala de estimulación sensorial Snoezelen. La población estudiada está formada por adultos con parálisis cerebral, asociada a retraso mental y/o deformidades musculoesqueléticas graves (AU)

Current therapies for xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction associated with cancer therapies.

In cancer patients, as in the general population, medication is the most common cause of xerostomia. In general, saliva flow in these patients can be stimulated by mechanical or pharmacological stimulation of the salivary glands. Painful damaged oral mucosa can be treated by softening, lubricating mouthwashes or gels. A specific group of patients are those receiving radiotherapy for malignant tumours in the head and neck region. This treatment is inevitably associated with damages to the oral tissues, including the salivary glands, resulting in salivary gland hypofunction. When residual secretory capacity is present, it is advisable to stimulate the salivary glands by mechanical or gustatory stimuli regularly in these patients as supportive oral care. Alternatively, salivary flow can be stimulated by the use of cholinergic pharmaceutical preparations, such as pilocarpine or cevimeline. After the radiation therapy is ended, a dental check-up should be done every 3 months to allow control of any incipient oral inflammation and dental decay. For daily use, a special dentifrice (e.g. children's toothpaste) is recommended, since the taste of a regular dentifrice may be too strong for these patients. Nocturnal oral dryness can be alleviated by spraying the oral surfaces with water, or by applying a small amount of dentifrice on the dental smooth surfaces. When stimulation of salivary secretion fails, patients can be given palliative oral care in the form of application of mouthwashes and saliva substitutes. The daily use of a mouthwash, e.g. Biotène, Oral Balance or Zendium, or one of the saliva substitutes is indicated. Different types of saliva substitutes are now commercially available, containing different polymers as thickening agents, e.g. carboxymethylcellulose (Oralube and Glandosane), polyacrylic acid, and xanthan gum (Xialine). Recent developments, which are, however, still in the experimental stage, are bio-active saliva substitutes and mouthwashes containing antimicrobial peptides to protect the oral tissues against microbial colonization and to suppress and to cure mucosal and gingival inflammation.

A model for studying the effects of mouthrinses on de novo plaque formation.

The aim of the present study was to describe a 4-day no oral hygiene model to assess the pattern of de novo plaque formation and to use this model to appraise the potential of some mouthwash preparations to retard or inhibit plaque formation in the human dentition. 10 subjects were recruited for the trial. During a preparatory period, the participants were exposed to repeated professional plaque control and given oral hygiene instruction to eliminate signs of gingivitis. At the end of the preparatory period, each participant received a final professional tooth cleaning and was subsequently told to abstain from mechanical plaque control efforts for the next 4 days. They were asked to rinse twice daily for 60 s with 10 ml varying test solutions. On Day 4, the volunteers were exposed to a new clinical examination and the presence and amount of plaque were examined by the use of the plaque index system (P1I). The participants were subsequently given a professional tooth cleaning and asked to exercise proper self performed plaque control during the next 10 days. A new test period was then initiated. 6 different mouthwash preparations were tested in each subject namely, (1) placebo (a negative control rinse), (2) Veadent mouthrinse, (3) Listerine mouthrinse, (4) 0.06% triclosan + polyvinyl phosphonic acid (PVPA), (5) 0.06% triclosan + phenolic flavor and (6) 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (a positive control rinse). The results from the study revealed that the mean P1I values for individuals, groups of teeth and tooth surfaces provide an adequate but gross overall estimation of the potential of a given mouthrinse to retard/inhibit plaque build up. More detailed information on the effects of the test rinses could be obtained by data describing the % distribution of different P1I score categories; a high frequency of score 0 describes the potential of a mouthrinse to maintain tooth surfaces free from plaque while a low frequency of score 2/3 describes the ability of a treatment to retard/prevent gross plaque formation. The plaque pattern displays finally allowed assessment of the magnitude of plaque prevention, in comparison to the positive and negative controls, that could be achieved by a given compound in various parts and surfaces of the dentition. In this model, all test rinses (i) were significantly more effective than the placebo rinse in retarding de novo plaque build up and (ii) had a minor effects on plaque build up in the maxillary molars and at the approximal surfaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)