Assessment of the Phytochemical and Nutrimental Composition of Dark Chia Seed (Salvia hispánica L.).

Chia seeds are rich sources of different macro and micronutrients associated with health benefits; thus, they may be considered as a functional food. However, the composition depends on the variety, origin, climate and soil. Here, we show a comprehensive characterization of extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds of dark chia seed Salvia hispanica L. using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight (HPLC-ESI-QTOF) and discuss potential health benefits associated with the presence of a number of nutritional and bioactive compounds. We report that dark chia from Jalisco is a high-fiber food, containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan), and nucleosides (adenosine, guanidine and uridine), and rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds, mainly caffeic acid metabolites. Our data suggest that chia seeds may be used as ingredients for the development of functional foods and dietary supplements.

Control of antioxidant supplementation through interview is not appropriate in oxidative-stress sport studies: Analytical confirmation should be required.

OBJECTIVE: Controlling antioxidant supplementation in athletes involved in studies related to oxidative stress and muscle damage is the key to ensure results. The aim of this study was to confirm through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis whether well-trained individuals lied during a personal interview when asked if they were taking supplements with antioxidants, and how this could affect oxidative stress, muscle damage, and antioxidant response. METHODS: A total of 94 men, well trained in endurance sports, volunteered in this study. They denied taking any antioxidant supplementation at initial interview. After a HPLC analysis, abnormal α-tocopherol concentrations were detected, probably due to a hidden antioxidant supplementation. Participants were classified into two groups: no evidence of antioxidant supplementation (NS group = α-tocopherol values <80 nmol/mL; n = 75) and evidence of antioxidant supplementation (S group = α-tocopherol values >80 nmol/mL; n = 19). Lipid peroxidation, muscle damage, antioxidant enzyme activity, and nonenzymatic antioxidant content were analyzed according to this classification. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student's t test. RESULTS: The α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly higher in the S group than in the NS group (MD = 725.01 ± 39.01 nmol/mL; P = 0.001). The S group showed a trend toward lower hydroperoxides than the NS group (MD = 1.19 ± 0.72 nmol/mL; P = 0.071). The S group showed significantly lower catalase activity than the NS group (MD = 0.10 ± 0.02-seg-1 mg-1; P < 0.01). Skeletal muscle damage markers did not differ between experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present study reveal that 20% of participants lied in the exclusion criteria of antioxidant supplementation in a personal interview, as they showed high plasmatic α-tocopherol concentrations after HPLC verification. Catalase activity seems to be affected by high α-tocopherol plasma levels. Therefore, we strongly recommend the HPLC analysis as a necessary tool to verify the antioxidant intake and preserve results in studies linking oxidative stress and sport.

Quercetin supplementation does not enhance cerebellar mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative status in exercised rats.

The present study tested the hypothesis that quercetin may inhibit the mitochondrial and antioxidant adaptations induced by exercise in cerebellar tissue. Thirty-five 6-week-old Wistar rats were randomly allocated into the following groups: quercetin, exercised (Q-Ex; n = 9); quercetin, sedentary (Q-Sed; n = 9); no quercetin, exercised (NQ-Ex; n = 9); and no quercetin, sedentary (NQ-Sed; n = 8). After 6 weeks of quercetin supplementation and/or exercise training, cerebellums were collected. Protein carbonyl content (PCC), sirtuin 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), messenger RNA levels, citrate synthase (CS), and mitochondrial DNA were measured. When Q-Sed was compared with NQ-Sed, PCC (P < .005) showed decreased levels, whereas PGC-1α, sirtuin 1 (both, P < .01), mitochondrial DNA (P < .001), and CS (P < .01) increased. However, when Q-Ex was compared with Q-Sed, PCC showed increased levels (P < .001), whereas CS decreased (P < .01). Furthermore, the NQ-Ex group experienced an increase in PGC-1α messenger RNA levels in comparison with NQ-Sed (P > .01). This effect, however, did not appear in Q-Ex (P < .05). Therefore, we must hypothesize that either the dose (25 mg/kg) or the length of the quercetin supplementation period that was used in the present study (or perhaps both) may impair exercise-induced adaptations in cerebellar tissue.

Plasmatic nitric oxide correlates with weight and red cell distribution width in exercised rats supplemented with quercetin.

Quercetin is suggested as a nitric oxide regulator which may in turn influence blood parameters and weight gain. Wistar rats were classified as: quercetin-exercise training, QT; placebo-exercise training, PT; quercetin-sedentary, QS; and placebo sedentary, PS. After 6 weeks of treatment with quercetin and/or exercise, an incremental test was run to measure oxygen consumption. QT had lower levels of NO compared with PS (p = 0.029) and QS (p = 0.002). Red cell distribution width increased in both exercised groups, especially in the QT group (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that nitric oxide levels were associated with weight (r = 0.675) and red distribution width (r = -0814) in the QT group. Quercetin effect on NO production seems to be more powerful when it is supplemented during exercise training. Moreover, RDW relationship with NO production need to be further investigated in regards to health.