Molecular mechanisms by which white tea prevents oxidative stress

The flavonoid content of tea (Camellia sinensis) has beneficial properties in the prevention of diseases. However, the mechanisms by which white tea can protect against oxidative stress remain unclear. To shed light on this issue, rats were given distilled water (controls), 0.15 mg/day (dose 1) or 0.45 mg/day (dose 2) of solid tea extract/kg body weight for 12 months. All the animals received an injection of adriamycin (ADR; 10 mg/kg body weight), except half of the control group, which were given an injection of saline solution. The expression of the nuclear factor, E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), glutathione S-transferase (Gst), haem oxygenase-1 (Ho1), catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and glutathione reductase (Gr) in liver was analysed by real-time PCR, and the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) was measured spectrophotometrically. ADR significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, Gst, Nqo1, Ho1, Cat, Sod and Gr with respect to the control levels and also increased the activity of CAT, SOD and GR. The intake of white tea increased in a higher degree the expression of Nrf2, Gst, Nqo1 and Ho1 in the tea + ADR group compared with the control group and C + ADR group. In addition, tea + ADR groups decreased the expression and activity of CAT, SOD and GR in a dose-dependent manner

Molecular mechanisms by which white tea prevents oxidative stress.

The flavonoid content of tea (Camellia sinensis) has beneficial properties in the prevention of diseases. However, the mechanisms by which white tea can protect against oxidative stress remain unclear. To shed light on this issue, rats were given distilled water (controls), 0.15 mg/day (dose 1) or 0.45 mg/day (dose 2) of solid tea extract/kg body weight for 12 months. All the animals received an injection of adriamycin (ADR; 10 mg/kg body weight), except half of the control group, which were given an injection of saline solution. The expression of the nuclear factor, E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), glutathione S-transferase (Gst), haem oxygenase-1 (Ho1), catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and glutathione reductase (Gr) in liver was analysed by real-time PCR, and the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) was measured spectrophotometrically. ADR significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, Gst, Nqo1, Ho1, Cat, Sod and Gr with respect to the control levels and also increased the activity of CAT, SOD and GR. The intake of white tea increased in a higher degree the expression of Nrf2, Gst, Nqo1 and Ho1 in the tea + ADR group compared with the control group and C + ADR group. In addition, tea + ADR groups decreased the expression and activity of CAT, SOD and GR in a dose-dependent manner.

[Prevalence of malnutrition and influence of oral nutritional supplementation on nutritional status in institutionalized elderly]. / Prevalencia de desnutrición e influencia de la suplementación nutricional oral sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional supplementation might be an effective strategy for improving the nutritional status and the quality of life of institutionalized fragile elderly. OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with disease, and the influence of dietary supplementation by means of oral formulas on the nutritional status of elderly nursing home residents were assessed. METHODS: Two studies were carried out, one a cross-sectional survey in 31 subjects and the other a longitudinal-sectional survey in 19 subjects, both groups living in a public nursing home in the city of Murcia (SE Spain). Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin concentration (ALB) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were assessed as markers of potential malnutrition. Illnesses were ascertained from medical records. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of malnutrition of the total collective was high (39%), and especially in the fragile subjects (50%). The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet for 12 months significantly increased ALB and GNRI, and had no effect on body weigh and BMI. Jointly, these effects decreased the in the number of subjects at high nutritional risk and increased the number of subjects with a low or zero risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet of this elderly collective is an effective clinical strategy in nutritional therapy.

Prevalencia de desnutrición e influencia de la suplementación nutricional oral sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados / Prevalence of malnutrition and influence of oral nutritional supplementation on nutritional status in institutionalized elderly

Introducción: La suplementación nutricional puede ser una efectiva estrategia para mejorar el estado nutricional y la calidad de vida de ancianos frágiles institucionalizados. Objetivos: Se ha valorado la prevalencia de desnutrición y su relación con el tipo de enfermedad, y la influencia de la suplementación de la dieta con fórmulas orales sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados. Métodos: Se realizaron dos estudios, uno de diseño transversal en el que participaron 31 ancianos, y otro de corte longitudinal con 19 ancianos, residentes en una institución pública para personas mayores de un área urbana de la Región de Murcia (España). Se ha determinado índice de masa corporal (IMC), concentración de albúmina sérica (ALB) e índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico (GNRI) como marcadores de desnutrición y se ha registrado la enfermedad primaria y secundaria de los participantes. Resultados y discusión: La prevalencia de desnutrición en el colectivo de ancianos institucionalizados es elevada (39%), y especialmente en los residentes más frágiles (50%). La administración de suplementos nutricionales orales con la dieta habitual durante 12 meses ha incrementado significativamente la ALB y el GNRI y no ha tenido efecto sobre el peso corporal e IMC. Estos efectos beneficiosos se han traducido en la reducción en el número de ancianos con alto riesgo nutricional y aumento en el de bajo o nulo riesgo de desnutrición. Conclusión: La administración de suplementos nutricionales orales con la dieta habitual en un colectivo de estas características, es una medida clínica efectiva y justificada en su terapia nutricional (AU)

Background: Nutritional supplementation might be an effective strategy for improving the nutritional status and the quality of life of institutionalized fragile elderly. Objectives: The prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with disease, and the influence of dietary supplementation by means of oral formulas on the nutritional status of elderly nursing home residents were assessed. Methods: Two studies were carried out, one a crosssectional survey in 31 subjects and the other a longitudinal-sectional survey in 19 subjects, both groups living in a public nursing home in the city of Murcia (SE Spain). Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin concentration (ALB) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were assessed as markers of potential malnutrition. Illnesses were ascertained from medical records. Results and discussion: The prevalence of malnutrition of the total collective was high (39%), and especially in the fragile subjects (50%). The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet for 12 months significantly increased ALB and GNRI, and had no effect on body weigh and BMI. Jointly, these effects decreased the in the number of subjects at high nutritional risk and increased the number of subjects with a low or zero risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet of this elderly collective is an effective clinical strategy in nutritional therapy (AU)

Dietary intake and iron status of institutionalized elderly people: relationship with different factors.

OBJECTIVES: Aims of the study were to investigate iron status in institutionalized elderly subjects and to determine its association with different factors including: age, gender, body mass index, dietary intake, consumption of iron supplements, functional status and disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Seven public nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: 252 subjects, aged 65-96 years. MEASUREMENTS: Food intake was assessed by a 4-day weighed-food record. Iron status indices were measured. Barthel' s Index was used to evaluate functional status. Illnesses were ascertained from medical records. RESULTS: Anemia was found in 25.4% of subjects studied. Average dietary intakes fulfilled the amounts of Recommended Dietary Intake for Spanish elderly population, except for folate. A substantial percentage of subjects exhibited folate dietary deficit (89.2%). Mean (SD) BMI was 27.8 (6.4) kg/m2, and functional status 78.1 (26.5). Taking into account hematocrit, red blood cell count and serum iron concentration values, poor iron status was significantly more common in men (59.4, 61.4 and 16.8%, respectively) than in women (36.4, 36.4 and 6.0%, respectively). Hemoglobin concentration was positively associated with the energy and nutrient dietary intake, and negatively with age, BMI and functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Based on World Health Organization criteria, anemia was found in 25.4% of elderly subjects studied. Iron deficiency seems to be the main cause of anemia, and chronic disease the second cause of anemia. Dietary intake is not one of the principal causes of anemia in the study population, except for folate intake.

Effect of protein hydrolysis on the dialysability of amino acids and minerals in infant formulas.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dialysed quantities of amino acids and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc) in two types of infant formulas, one with a basis of native cow milk proteins and the other highly hydrolysed, to evaluate the possible application of Miller's in vitro method in amino acid and mineral availability studies. The percentage of dialysis differed between proteins. The hydrolysis treatment applied to the proteins significantly increased the dialysis percentage of almost all the amino acids. The dialysability of all the minerals was statistically greater in the formula made with a basis of hydrolysed proteins. Miller's method was seen to be of use for showing the effect which the hydrolysis treatment has on the availability of amino acids. Despite its limitations of having to be carried out in vitro, the study suggests that the nutritional value in relation with amino acids, minerals and trace elements differs between the both types of formulas.

[In vitro availability of minerals in infant foods with different protein source]. / Disponibilidad in vitro de minerales en fórmulas infantiles con distinta fuente proteica.

As the result of the digestion process, it is produced at gastrointestinal level interactions between proteins-minerals and minerals-minerals that might modify the bioavailability of the nutrients initially designed for an adequate nutrition in infant formulas. The aim of the present study is to compare the in vitro availability of some minerals and trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc) in infant formulas of initiation elaborated with different protein sources: formulas based on cow milk protein (whey-casein) versus vegetal protein (soy-based infant formulas). Also, for evaluating the effects of the different mineral supplementation in the availability of minerals, it was used infant formulas from two different manufacturers. Milk-protein based infant formulas showed for both manufacturers higher dialysis percentage (%) of phosphorus and zinc than the soy-protein based formulas. The availability of iron in the soy formula of the manufacturer A lowered significantly (P < 0.05) respect to the whey-casein based formula (9.6 +/- 2.3 versus 4.6 +/- 0.8), but not respect to the whey-casein formula of manufacturer B (9.6 +/- 1.1 versus 9.0 +/- 0.7), which might be due to the lowest proportion of phytic acid in this last commercial formula. Dialysability of all the minerals analysed from soy-protein based formulas showed significant differences depending on the manufacturer. The purification processes of the soy protein have a high repercussion in the mineral availability of soy-based infant formulas. It could be more interesting to use soy proteins more purified, with low level of phytic acid, in the elaboration of soy infants formulas, than the supplementation them with high amounts of minerals.

Site-specific differences in the fatty acid composition of abdominal adipose tissue in an obese population from a Mediterranean area: relation with dietary fatty acids, plasma lipid profile, serum insulin, and central obesity.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with coronary risk, although causality is not well established. OBJECTIVE: In an obese Mediterranean population, we measured the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, its relation with dietary fatty acids and central fat deposition, and its influence on plasma lipids and insulin. DESIGN: Adipose tissue samples were obtained from 84 obese patients (29 men, 55 women) aged 30-70 y (body mass index, in kg/m(2): 27-35). We measured concentrations of insulin and lipids in plasma and fatty acids in subcutaneous, omental, and perivisceral fat. Dietary fatty acid intake was assessed with a 7-d diet record. RESULTS: The population studied was normolipidemic and normoinsulinemic. There were important differences in fatty acid composition between tissue sites: saturated fatty acids were higher and monounsaturated fatty acids were lower in perivisceral than in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found for oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids between the subject's habitual diet and adipose tissue composition. Oleic and n-3 fatty acids from adipose regions were negatively correlated with apolipoprotein B and triacylglycerols; adipose tissue 22:1n-9, 20:2n-6, stearic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid were positively correlated with HDL and apolipoprotein A; and adipose tissue myristic acid was negatively correlated with apolipoprotein A (P < 0.05). Central obesity was positively associated with n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inversely associated with monounsaturated fatty acids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The differences found in the composition and metabolism of perivisceral, omental, and subcutaneous fats may indicate that their atherogenic capacities also differ.

Disponibilidad in vitro de minerales en fórmulas infantiles con distinta fuente proteica / In vitro availability of minerals from infant formulas based on different protein source

Tras el proceso de digestión se producen a nivel gastrointestinal interacciones entre proteínas-minerales y minerales-minerales que pueden modificar la biodisponibilidad de los nutrientes, cuyas cantidades están inicialmente diseñadas en las fórmulas infantiles para alcanzar un equilibrio nutricional. El objetivo del presente estudio se ha centrado en comparar la disponibilidad in vitro de algunos minerales y elementos traza (calcio, fósforo, magnesio, hierro y cinc) en fórmulas infantiles de iniciación con fuentes proteicas distintas: fórmulas a base de proteína animal (suero y caseína) y vegetal (soja). Además, con el objeto de estudiar los efectos de la suplementación mineral se utilizaron preparados infantiles de dos manufacturadores distintos. Las fórmulas infantiles con proteína animal presentaron mayor diálisis ( por ciento) para fósforo y cinc, que la vegetal, para ambos fabricantes. En la fórmula de soja del fabricante A, la absorción de hierro disminuyó significativamente (P < 0,05) frente a la de suero-caseína (9,6 ñ 2,3 frente a 4,6 ñ 0,8), mientras que no ocurrió lo mismo para la del fabricante B (9,6 ñ 1,1 frente a 9,0 ñ 0,7), lo que parece ser debido al menor contenido de ácido fítico en este último preparado comercial. Los porcentajes de diálisis de todos los minerales analizados y las cantidades netas dializadas fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre las fórmulas de soja de ambos manufacturadores. Los procesos de purificación de la proteína de soja tienen una gran repercusión en la disponibilidad de minerales en las fórmulas infantiles con esta fuente proteica. Podría ser más interesante utilizar proteínas de soja más purificadas, con bajos niveles de ácido fítico, que suplementarlas con altas cantidades de minerales (AU)

As the result of the digestion process, it is produced at gastrointestinal level interactions between proteins-minerals and minerals-minerals that might modify the bioavailability of the nutrients initially designed for an adequate nutrition in infant formulas. The aim of the present study is to compare the in vitro availability of some minerals and trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc) in infant formulas of initiation elaborated with different protein sources: formulas based on cow milk protein (whey-casein) versus vegetal protein (soy-based infant formulas). Also, for evaluating the effects of the different mineral supplementation in the availability of minerals, it was used infant formulas from two different manufacturers. Milkprotein based infant formulas showed for both manufacturers higher dialysis percentage (%) of phosphorus and zinc than the soy-protein based formulas. The availability of iron in the soy formula of the manufacturer A lowered significantly (P < 0.05) respect to the whey-casein based formula (9,6 ± 2,3 versus 4.6 ± 0.8), but not respect to the whey-casein formula of manufacturer B (9.6 ± 1.1 versus 9.0 ± 0.7), which might be due to the lowest proportion of phytic acid in this last commercial formula. Dialysability of all the minerals analysed from soy-protein based formulas showed significant differences depending on the manufacturer. The purification processes of the soy protein have a high repercussion in the mineral availability of soy-based infant formulas. It could be more interesting to use soy proteins more purified, with low level of phytic acid, in the elaboration of soy infants formulas, than the supplementation them with high amounts of minerals (AU)

[Effect on viscosity and yield value of addition of different vegetable fat sources used in chocolate]. / Repercusión sobre la viscosidad y el límite de deslizamiento de la adición de diferentes grasas vegetales a rellenos de bombones.

Viscosity and Yield Value of Casson are two chocolate properties. They are very important in the technological processes and they affect to the final product acepptation. In this study viscosity, yield value and fatty acid composition were determined of chocolates elaborated with different fat sources. A correlation study was made between these three variables. Viscosity and yield value were calculated with the Casson's education using a viscometer brookfield and fatty acids composition by gas-chromatography. Positive correlations between viscosity and yield value with stearic and palmitic acids contents have been found. Negative correlations between yield value and lauric content and viscosity and oleic acid content have been observed. The viscosity variations were relationed with total content of cocoa butter of different chocolates.

[Physico-chemical characteristics of different types of vegetable fats and oils used in the manufacture of candies]. / Características físico-químicas de diferentes tipos de grasas y aceites vegetales utilizados en la elaboración de bombones.

The quality of three vegetable fats (cocoa butter and two commercial fats) and three roasted nut oils (almond, hazelnut and peanut) used as raw material in the chocolate products manufacturing was studied. The hydroperoxide content, oxidative stability and fatty acid composition were determined and its health repercussion by atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes. Two commercial fats and cocoa butter showed higher oxidative stability, atherogenic and thrombogenic properties than oils because of its different fatty acid profiles. Peroxide value was a low reliability parameter of raw material shelf live. Rancimat presented a good correlation with the unsaturation index of different fats and oils, it was a better index than peroxide value. In the chocolate products manufacturing it would be advisable a good raw material selection and formulation in order to get a balance between technological properties, organoleptic qualities and the influence on the health. Those raw material with less primary oxidation and higher oxidative stability were also those of higher atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes.