Neuroprotective Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extract after Chronic Infusion with Amyloid-ß Peptide in Mice.

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic and degenerative condition that had no treatment until recently. The current therapeutic strategies reduce progression of the disease but are expensive and commonly cause side effects that are uncomfortable for treated patients. Functional foods to prevent and/or treat many conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, represent a promising field of study currently gaining attention. To this end, here we demonstrate the effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract (PPE) regarding spatial memory, biomarkers of neuroplasticity, oxidative stress and inflammation in a mouse model of neurodegeneration. Male C57Bl/6 mice were chronically infused for 35 days with amyloid-ß peptide 1-42 (Aß) or vehicle (control) using mini-osmotic pumps. Another group, also infused with Aß, was treated with PPE (p.o.- ßA+PPE, 800 mg/kg/day). Spatial memory was evaluated in the Barnes maze. Animals treated with PPE and in the control group exhibited a reduction in failure to find the escape box, a finding that was not observed in the Aß group. The consumption of PPE reduced amyloid plaque density, increased the expression of neurotrophin BDNF and reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. A reduction in lipid peroxidation and in the concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was also observed in the PPE group. No hepatic lesions were observed in animals treated with PPE. In conclusion, administration of pomegranate peel extract has neuroprotective effects involving multiple mechanisms to prevent establishment and progression of the neurodegenerative process induced by infusion with amyloid-ß peptide in mice.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in different maturation stages of broccoli (Brassica oleracea Italica) biofortified with selenium.

In this work, three different broccoli maturity stages subjected to biofortification with selenium were evaluated for antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Antioxidant trials have shown that the maturation stages biofortified with selenium had significantly higher amounts of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, especially seedlings. Although non-polar extracts of all samples show antiproliferative activity, the extract of broccoli seedlings biofortified with selenium stood out, presenting cytocidal activity for a glioma line (U251, GI50 28.5 mg L(-1)).

The effects of green tea consumption and resistance training on body composition and resting metabolic rate in overweight or obese women.

Green tea has been shown to have thermogenic and antiobesity properties. Therefore, it is important to investigate its effect on weight loss in humans, especially in women. We investigated the effects of green tea consumption combined with resistance training on the body composition and the resting metabolic rate (RMR) in women who were overweight or obese (grade I). After 4 weeks on an adaptive diet, 36 women were divided into four groups (group 1 green tea; group 2 placebo; group 3 green tea plus resistance training; group 4 placebo plus resistance training). The study was double-blinded and placebo-controlled. The RMR and body composition were ascertained for each volunteer, blood tests were performed, and subjects in groups 3 and 4 were tested for their one repetition maximum. Each subject followed the protocol and continued the diet for eight additional weeks, and periodic evaluations were administered. The mean RMR of group 1 decreased significantly and was accompanied by weight loss, maintenance of lean body mass, and decreases in both waist circumference and body mass index. Group 2 showed no variations in anthropometric or blood variables and significantly decreased their mean RMR. Group 3 showed significant increases in RMR, lean body mass, and muscle strength, and significant decreases in body fat, triglycerides, and waist circumference as compared to group 4. Green tea combined with resistance training its potential is increased with decreasing body fat, waist circumference, and triacylglyceride levels and by increasing lean body mass and muscle strength.

Conjugated linoleic acid combined with physical activity reduces body fat accumulation but does not modify lean body mass in male and female Wistar rats.

Several biological and clinical studies have suggested that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) prevents body fat accumulation and increases lean body mass. CLA is available as a concentrated dietary supplement and is purported to provide the aforementioned benefits for people who perform physical activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a CLA-supplemented diet combined with physical activity on the body composition of Wistar rats. Two groups of Wistar rats of both sexes, between 45 and 60 days old, were fed a diet containing 5.5% soybean oil (control group) or a CLA-supplemented diet (0.5% CLA and 5.0% soybean oil) (test group). Half the rats in both groups were assigned to exercise by running on a treadmill. The biochemical and anatomical body compositions were analyzed. In both groups, CLA had no effect on the dietary consumption or the weight of the liver, heart, and lungs. However, it did influence the overall weight gain of exercised male rats and the chemical and anatomical body composition in exercised and sedentary rats of both sexes. The results confirm that a CLA-supplemented diet with and without physical activity reduced body fat accumulation in rats of both sexes. However, there is no evidence of an increase in the lean body mass of the exercised rats.

Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) peel as potential source of dietary fiber and phytochemicals in whole-bread preparations.

Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is a fruit tree native to the Brazilian Amazon. Cupuassu beans are extensively used in the Brazilian food industry. Fat from cupuassu beans, which are a rich source of triacylglycerols and fatty acids, is used extensively in the production of candies and confectionery in the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil. The potential use of the agro-industrial by-products of cupuassu has only slightly been addressed by the scientific community. Often, such by-products are sources of bioactive compounds with functional properties. Thus, the aims of this study were to characterize the use of cupuassu peel flour (CPF) and to examine the potential of CPF as a partial replacement in the preparation of breads through various means: chemical analyses, determination of protein digestibility, tannins, phytic acid and phenolic contents, pH, color, volume, and acceptance tests. The results show that CPF is a potential source of dietary fiber (79.81%), mainly insoluble fiber (78.29%), and breads made with added CPF present high dietary fiber content (5.40 and 6.15 g/100 g for inclusions with 6 and 9% CPF, respectively) and phytochemical values. The use of this by-product did not produce substantial changes in the physical, chemical or rheological characteristics of breads. Therefore, breads enhanced with CPF may be a convenient functional food, offering a good source of dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Breads prepared with 6% added CPF presented an acceptable overall quality to consumers.

The role of black rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the control of hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Cardiovascular disease is a serious public health problem; it is the first "cause of death" in Brazil and in developed countries. Thus, it is essential to search for alternative sources such as some functional foods to prevent and control the risks of this disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipidemic parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats fed diets containing black rice variety IAC 600 or unrefined rice. Adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus var. albinos) were used, weighing about 200-220 g. The animals were divided into four groups: the first received a control casein diet, the second received hypercholesterolemic diet, and the other two groups, after induction of hypercholesterolemia, received the test diets, the first containing 20% black rice and the second 20% unrefined, for 30 days. It was observed that diet containing black rice reduced the level of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. For high-density lipoprotein values, the diet that provided an increase in the levels was the black rice. The diet containing black rice was more effective in controlling the lipidemia in rats compared with the whole rice diet.

Cissus sicyoides: analysis of glycemic control in diabetic rats through biomarkers.

Diabetes is a chronic degenerative disease with no cure, is found in millions of people worldwide, and can cause life-threatening complications at any age. The plant Cissus sicyoides L. is a runner plant found abundantly in Brazil, especially in the Amazon. Its therapeutic properties are widely used in popular medicine as a diuretic, anti-influenza, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsion, and hypoglycemic agent. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of aqueous extracts from the leaves and stem of C. sicyoides L., administered for 60 days, for the control of glycemia in alloxan (monohydrate)-induced diabetic rats, monitored by biomarkers. Data obtained in this study confirmed that C. sicyoides has a hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. Administration of its aqueous extracts promoted a 45% decrease in glucose levels after 60 days of administration. Furthermore, indices of hepatic glycogen, blood glucose, C-reactive peptide, and fructosamine were found to be efficient biomarkers to monitor diabetes in rats.

Utilizaçäo do girassol (Heliantus annus, L.) na alimentaçäo humana: II. Enriquecimento do concentrado proteico de girassol com farinha de peixe e de gergelim / Utilization os sunflower (Heliantus annus, L.) in human foods: II. Enrichment of the sunflower protein concentrate with fish and sesame meals

A farinha de girassol submetida a tratamento térmico resulta em uma melhor qualidade proteica, quando suplementada com o aminoácido lisina, porém, a farinha sem tratamento térmico suplementada com aminoácido metionina näo apresenta efeito na melohoria do valor nutricional. Esses dados mostram que o aminoácido limitante, na farinha de girassol, é o aminoácido lisina e näo metionina. Com base nisso, para confirmar esses resultados, foram utilizados farinha de peixe (rica no aminoácido lisina) e farinha de gergelim (rica em metionina) para o enriquecimento do padräo de aminoácidos do concentrado proteico do girassol. Foram elaboradas 3 dietas ao nível de 10% de proteína, contendo: Concentrado proteico de girassol fornecendo 70% da proteína mais farinha de gergelim (30% da proteína). Concentrado proteico de girassol 70% da proteína, mais farinha de peixe (30% da proteína). Concentrado de girassol 70% da proteína, mais farinha de gergelim 20% e farinha de peixe 10% da proteína. Da análise dos resultados foram seguidas as seguintes conclusöes: A suplementaçäo do concentrado de girassol com 30% da farinha de gergelim, näo produzem um produto de alto valor nutricional, indicando uma vez mais ser o limitante o aminoácido lisina e näo metionina

Estudo da semente de gergelim (Sesamum indicum, L.): I. Metodos para obtençäo de farinha branca comestível / Study of the sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.): I. Methods for obtaining and edible white meal

Foram testados métodos de processamento para a obtençäo de uma farinha de gergelim comestível. O valor nutricional dessa farinha foi avaliado através de análise química e biológica. Dos resultados do presente trabalho, foram sugeridas as seguintes conclusöes: O melhor método para obtençäo da farinha de gergelim, é submeter a semente ao processo de maceraçäo e ao tratamento com vapor. A proteína do gergelim é de qualidade razoável, rica em aminoácidos sulfurados e, embora possua baixo teor de lisina pode ser utilizada para complementar o padräo de aminoácidos em outras misturas

Estudo da semente de gergelim (Sesamum indicum, L.) II. Emprego da farinha de gergelim em misturas proteicas / Study of the sesame seed (Sesamum indicum, L.): II. Use of the meal in protein mixtures

Os resultados demonstraram que a proteína do gergelim é de qualidade razoável e que pode ser aproveitada, embora possua teor baixo de lisina e rica em aminoácidos sulfurados. A partir dos dados iniciais, suplementou-se a farinha de gergelim com outras farinhas de feijäo carioca, feijäo guandú e de soja. Foram elaboradas 9 dietas. A melhor combinaçäo foi de 50% da proteína de gergelim con 50% da proteína de feijäo guandú, cujo PER foi 2.28. Com esses sistemas foram elaborados päes, com 100% gergelim, 100% de trigo, 50% gergelim + 50% de farinha de trigo, 30% de gergelim + 70% de trigo, 30% de gergelim + 30% de soja + 40% de trigo, os quais foram avaliados através de análise sensorial com atribuiçäo de notas, por dez provadores. Pudemos constatar que o päo com 30% de farinha de gergelim e 70% de farinha de trigo, obteve um bom resultado. A aparência externa e internamente assim como suas características organolépticas, chegaram bem próximas a do päo com 100% de farinha de trigo controle. A farinha de gergelim, numa proporçäo mais elevada (50%), obteve um päo de qualidade regular. A mistura proteica da farinha de gergelim e farinha de soja foi bem aceita, alguns provadores observaram ter ela gosto parecido com päo integral