An in vitro evaluation of the effects of fluoride, CPP-ACP, or resin infiltration on discoloration caused by pediatric supplements.

OBJECTIVES: White spot lesions are more susceptible to staining agents due to their porous structure. This study examines the impact of white spot lesion treatments on discoloration caused by pediatric supplements. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Three treatments (fluoride, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate [CPP-ACP], resin infiltration), a control, and their respective syrup-based subgroups (iron and black elderberry syrups) were established, each with eight teeth. Artificial white spot lesions were induced, and weekly applications of fluoride varnish, daily applications of CPP-ACP paste, or a single resin infiltration procedure were performed on the white spot lesions within the treatment groups over 4 weeks. Simultaneously, samples were exposed daily to iron or black elderberry syrups. Spectrophotometer measurements were taken at baseline, after demineralization (T0), and after 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 4 weeks (T4). ΔE00 values were calculated. Statistical analysis was conducted using a three-way mixed-design ANOVA, with the significance level set at P = .05. RESULTS: At T4, ΔE00 values from all groups exceeded the clinical acceptability limit of 1.8. At T2 and T4, the ΔE00 values obtained from the black elderberry syrup subgroups were significantly higher (P < .001). At T4, the highest ΔE00 values were seen in the CPP-ACP groups (P < .001). The lowest ΔE00 values at T2 and T4 were observed in the resin infiltration groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Supplements containing ferrous sulfate and black elderberry extract caused color changes in white spot lesions that exceeded the clinical acceptability limit. Resin infiltration of white spot lesions provides advantages over remineralization treatments, particularly in minimizing discoloration induced by pediatric supplements.

Long-Term Feeding Soy Protein Concentrates Protect Against Hepatic Steatosis Independent of Isoflavone Levels.

The health benefits of soy foods are attributed to the high-quality protein and the bioactive compounds such as isoflavones. We previously reported that feeding obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats soy protein concentrates (SPCs) with low isoflavone (LIF) and high isoflavone (HIF) for 9 weeks significantly reduced liver steatosis compared to a casein control (C) diet. The current study extended the dietary treatments to 18 weeks to investigate the long-term effect of LIF and HIF SPC diets. 6-week-old male lean (L, n = 21) and obese (O, n = 21) Zucker rats were fed a casein C diet, LIF and HIF SPC diets for 18 weeks and body weight (BW) was recorded twice weekly. Rats were killed after 18 weeks to measure liver steatosis and serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Obese rats had significantly greater final BW, liver weight, liver weight as the percentage of BW, and steatosis score compared to lean rats in all three dietary groups. The obese high-isoflavones (OHIF) group had significantly higher BW compared to obese control (OC) group (P < .0001) and obese low-isoflavones (OLIF) group (P = .01). OC group had significantly greater liver weight, liver weight as the percentage of BW, and liver steatosis score compared to OLIF (P = .0077, P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively) and OHIF (P = .0094, P < .0001, and P < .0001, respectively) groups. Taken together, long-term feeding of SPC diets protected against liver steatosis regardless of isoflavone levels.

L-Lysine supplementation affects dietary protein quality and growth and serum amino acid concentrations in rats.

Single amino acid (AA) supplementations in foods are increasing, however their potential nutritional and physiological impacts are not fully understood. This study examined the effects of L-lysine (Lys) supplementation on protein quality of diets, serum AA concentrations and associations between the ratio of supplemental Lys to dietary protein (X) with body weight gain (BWG) in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Rats were fed one of 10 diets containing either 7% or 20% casein and supplemented with 0% (Control), 1.5%, 3%, 6% Lys or 6% Lys + 3% L-arginine (Arg) (8 rats/diet group) for 1 week. Lys supplementation reduced the protein quality of the casein-based diets (p < 0.01). BWG was reduced by supplemental Lys when X > 0.18. Free Lys supplementation dose-dependently increased serum Lys levels (p < 0.01), while increased protein-bound Lys (1.4% vs 0.52%) had little effect on serum Lys (p > 0.05). In the 7% casein diets, ≥ 1.5% supplemental Lys reduced serum alanine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, serine, tyrosine, valine, carnitine, ornithine, and increased urea. Supplementation of ≥ 3% Lys additionally reduced tryptophan and increased histidine, methionine and α-aminoadipic acid (α-AAA) compared to the Control (p < 0.05). In the 20% casein diets, addition of ≥ 1.5% Lys reduced serum asparagine and threonine, and ≥ 3% Lys reduced leucine, proline, tryptophan, valine, and ornithine, and 6% Lys reduced carnitine, and increased histidine, methionine, and α-AAA. Overall, this study showed that free Lys supplementation in a Lys-sufficient diet reduced the protein quality of the diets and modified the serum concentrations of many amino acids. Excess free Lys intake adversely affected growth and utilization of nutrients due to AA imbalance or antagonism. Overall lower protein intake increases susceptibility to the adverse effects of Lys supplementation.

Suppression of inflammatory responses in heat-stressed broiler chickens by bovine casein.

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of bovine casein to mitigate the inflammatory responses in heat-stressed broiler chickens. One-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens (n = 1200) were reared using standard management practices. On d 22 of age, birds were divided into 2 main groups and kept either under thermoneutral temperature (21 ± 1 °C) or chronic heat stress (30 ± 1 °C). Each group was further divided into 2 sub-groups and fed either the control diet (Con) or the casein (3 g/kg) supplemented diet (CAS). The study consisted of four treatments; each treatment was replicated 12 times with 25 birds per replicate. The treatments were as follow; CCon: control temperature + control diet, CCAS: control temperature + casein diet, HCon: heat stress + control diet, and HCAS: heat stress + casein diet. The casein and heat stress protocols were applied from d 22 to d 35 of age. Casein increased the growth performance of the HCAS (P < 0.05) when compared to the HCon. Additionally, the maximum feed conversion efficiency was exhibited (P < 0.05) by the HCAS. Compared with CCon, heat stress increased (P < 0.05) the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Casein lowered (P < 0.05) the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to heat exposure. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) villus height, crypt depth, villus surface area, and absorptive epithelial cell area. Casein increased (P < 0.05) villus height, crypt depth, villus surface area, and absorptive epithelial cell area in CCAS and HCAS. Furthermore, casein improved intestinal microflora balance by enhancing (P < 0.05) the growth of intestinal beneficial bacteria and decreasing (P < 0.05) the intestinal colonization with the pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of bovine casein would suppress the inflammatory responses in heat-stressed broiler chickens. Such potential could be utilized as an effective management approach to promote gut health and homeostasis during heat stress conditions.

Fish oil supplementation protects against protein undernutrition-induced testicular and ovarian biochemical alterations in rats.

Proteins are required for biological functions and their inadequacy might impair the growth and development of the reproductive system. The study investigated the effects of fish oil (FO) supplementation on low-protein diet-induced alterations in male and female reproductive organs. Male and female rats were assigned randomly to four groups respectively. The NPD rats had five rats per group and were given 16% casein diet while the LPD rats had eight rats per group and received 5% casein diet. After the 8th week, FO was administered for 3 weeks via oral gavage at a concentration of 400 mg Kg-1 after which the rats were sacrificed and testes and ovaries were excised. LPD-fed rats showed lower body weights for both genders. In LPD-fed rats, NO was significantly increased while GSH, vitamins C and E levels, the activities of CAT (except in ovaries), and GST were significantly reduced in both tissues. The activities of SOD and GPx were only reduced in the testes including sperm count, motility, and increase deformed sperm cells. Testosterone and progesterone levels were also reduced and lipid homeostasis was disrupted in the plasma of LPD-fed rats. FO supplementation reduces the NO, CHOL, TG, LDL (in females), and VLDL but significantly improves HDL (in females), testosterone, and progesterone levels, sperm count, motility, and morphology. The antioxidant status of both tissues also increased significantly in LPD-fed rats. Conclusively, FO might be effective in improving testicular and ovarian functions and for the maintenance of plasma lipid homeostasis in LPD-fed rats.

Dietary supplementation with casein/cyanidin-3-O-glucoside nanoparticles alters the gut microbiota in high-fat fed C57BL/6 mice.

This study aims to investigate the dietary intervention effect of casein/cyanidin-3-O-glucoside nanoparticles (Cs-C3G) on high-fat-diet (HFD)induced gut microbiota disorders. In HFD-fed C57BL/6mice, Cs-C3G has ameliorated HFD-caused fat accumulation and liver oxidative stress. Cs-C3G as a dietary supplementation can restore the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota with descending the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, increasing some beneficial microorganisms, and reducing some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. In general, Cs-C3G has a effect on regulating the disturbance of gut microbiota, and then prevents HFD-induced obesity and liver damage.

Effects of milk protein concentrate supplementation on metabolic parameters, adipocytokines and body composition in obese women under weight-loss diet: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity impairs metabolic function and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Evidence suggests that high-protein diets help to increase weight loss and protect against weight gain. Milk protein concentrate (MPC) is a dairy product with a high protein content with a ratio of casein and whey protein similar to skim milk. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of MPC supplementation in obese women under a weight-loss diet. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a 2-month open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of MPC supplementation on levels of glycaemic and lipid profile, leptin, adiponectin, appetite, waist circumference, body mass index and body composition in 44 premenopausal obese women on a weight-loss diet. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol, approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, is in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (approval number: IR.AJUMS.REC.1399.795). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20201223049804N1).

Effect of different dietary fats on inflammation and glucose intolerance in high fructose and high fat fed experimental animals.

OBJECTIVES: Diet is the major modifiable risk factor for the onset of insulin resistance and its progression into diabetes. In the present study the effect of various dietary fats on inflammatory homeostasis and glucose tolerance is investigated in high fat and high fructose fed mice model. METHODS: C57/BL6J mice were divided into four groups and fed a casein-based diet containing high fructose (45%) and high fat (24%) (clarified butter oil [CBO]; safflower oil [SFFO] and lard oil [LO]) for 120 days; oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), plasma lipid profile and plasma & adipose tissue cytokines levels were compared with the control diet (10% groundnut oil and 59.5% starch) fed animals. RESULTS: The total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in CBO and LO fed animals with glucose intolerance and increased body weights; liver and white adipose tissue weights were higher in CBO and LO fed animals respectively. CBO feeding increased the plasma (IFN-γ) and adipose tissue cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6 & TNF-α). LO feeding increased plasma IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-1ß and adipose tissue IL-6. SFFO feeding decreased body weight and tissue cytokines and increased plasma IFN-γ levels without causing impairment in the glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a high fructose and high fat diet which mimic the present-day dietary pattern resulted in altered inflammatory homeostasis and impairment in glucose tolerance in 24% CBO and LO fed animals. The deleterious effects of high fructose feeding were reversed in SFFO fed mice possibly due to the presence of oleic and linoleic acids.

Effects of maternal branched-chain amino acid and alanine supplementation on growth and biomarkers of protein metabolism in dams fed a low-protein diet and their offspring.

A considerable number of studies have reported that maternal protein restriction may disturb fetal growth and organ development due to a lower availability of amino acids. Leucine, one of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) promotes protein synthesis through mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling. Here, we investigated the effects of BCAA supplementation in the dams fed a low-protein diet on serum and hepatic biochemical parameters of protein metabolism of dams and their offspring. Female ICR mice were fed a control (20% casein), a low-protein (10% casein), a low-protein with 2% BCAAs or a low-protein with 2% alanine diet for 2 weeks before mating and then throughout pregnancy and lactation. Alanine was used as an amino nitrogen control for the BCAA. Dams and their male offspring were sacrificed at postnatal day 21. There were no changes in body weight and fat mass in low-protein fed dams; however, BCAA supplementation significantly increased fat mass and serum leptin levels. Low-protein diet consumption reduced maternal protein synthesis based on biochemical analysis of serum albumin and hepatic protein levels and immunoblotting of S6 protein, which were increased by BCAA and alanine supplementation. Offspring from dams fed a low-protein diet exhibited lower body and organ weights. Body weight and hepatic protein levels of the offspring were increased by alanine supplementation. However, the decreased serum biochemical parameters, including glucose, triglyceride, total protein and albumin levels in the low-protein offspring group were not changed in response to BCAA or alanine supplementation. A reduced density of the hepatic vessel system in the offspring from dams fed a low-protein diet was restored in the offspring from dams fed either BCAA and alanine-supplemented diet. These results suggest that supplementation of amino nitrogen per se may be responsible for inducing hepatic protein synthesis in the dams fed a low-protein diet and alleviating the distorted growth and liver development of their offspring.

Quercetin Reduces the Virulence of S. aureus by Targeting ClpP to Protect Mice from MRSA-Induced Lethal Pneumonia.

The dramatic increase of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a great challenge to the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel anti-infective agents to attack new targets to overcome antibiotic resistance. Casein hydrolase P (ClpP) is a key virulence factor in S. aureus to maintain cellular homeostasis. We screened from flavonoids and finally determined that quercetin could effectively attenuate the virulence of MRSA. The results of the thermal shift assay showed that quercetin could bind to ClpP and reduce the thermal stability of ClpP, and the KD value between quercetin and ClpP was 197 nM as determined by localized surface plasmon resonance. We found that quercetin exhibited a protective role of a mouse model of MRSA-induced lethal infection in a murine model. Based on the above facts, quercetin, as a ClpP inhibitor, could be further developed as a potential candidate for antivirulence agents to combat S. aureus infections. IMPORTANCE The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to various antibiotics has increased dramatically, and thus the development of new anti-infective drugs with new targets is urgently needed to combat resistance. Caseinolytic peptidase P (ClpP) is a casein hydrolase that has been shown to regulate a variety of important virulence factors in S. aureus. Here, we found that quercetin, a small-molecule compound from traditional Chinese herbal flavonoids, effectively inhibits ClpP activity. Quercetin attenuates the expression of multiple virulence factors in S. aureus and effectively protects mice from lethal pneumonia caused by MRSA. In conclusion, we determined that quercetin is a ClpP inhibitor and an effective lead compound for the development of a virulence factor-based treatment for S. aureus infection.

The relationship between the structure and functionality of essential PUFA delivery systems based on sodium caseinate with phosphatidylcholine liposomes without and with a plant antioxidant: an in vitro and in vivo study.

The aim of this work was to establish the main relationship between the structure and functionality of supramolecular complexes formed by sodium caseinate (SC) with phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes filled with fish oil (FO) to an equal mass ratio of n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the absence and presence of one of the most effective plant antioxidants, namely the essential oil of clove buds (EOC). The functionality of the supramolecular complexes (SC-PC-FO and SC-PC-FO-EOC) was considered from the point of view of the possibility of their use as effective delivery systems for long-chain n-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids from FO). The laser light scattering method was used in the static, dynamic and electrophoretic modes to characterize the structure and thermodynamic parameters of the supramolecular complexes in an aqueous medium. It was found that the SC-PC-FO and SC-PC-FO-EOC complex particles had the following similar properties: nanosize; a spherical shape; 100% solubility in an aqueous medium (pH 7.0, ionic strength = 0.001 M); a high encapsulating ability of SC (up to 70%) in relation to the studied liposomes; and a high protective ability relative to lipid autooxidation (up to 96% on the 20th day of storage at room temperature in light). In addition, a sequential transformation of both the structural and thermodynamic parameters has been observed for the complex particles under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in accordance with the INFOGEST protocol. A greater release of the encapsulated lipids from the enzymatically hydrolyzed complex particles was observed at the small intestine stage compared to their release at the gastric stage. These data were in good agreement with those on the assessment of the bioavailability of the target PUFAs in in vivo experiments based on the chronic intake of aqueous solutions of the complexes (both SC-PC-FO and SC-PC-FO-EOC) by experimental mice for 92 days. Liver lipid profiles of the mice, obtained by gas-liquid chromatography, showed the following: (i) an almost twofold increase in the DHA content as compared with that of the control; (ii) an almost threefold decrease in the mass ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) (C20:4 n-6) to DHA (C22:6 n-3) compared to that of the control due to both a significant decrease in the AA content and a simultaneous pronounced increase in the DHA content; and (iii) an almost twofold decrease in the mass ratio of the total amounts of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs compared to that of the control.

An in vitro comparative evaluation of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract on remineralization of artificial caries lesion in primary enamel.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract on artificial caries lesions in primary enamel. STUDY DESIGN: A sample of 40 non-carious, primary molar teeth was collected and cut in longitudinal sections into three equal halves. Those 120 samples were divided into four equal groups. Group A: Sections treated with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF), Group B: Sections treated with tricalcium phosphate, Group C: Sections treated with grape seed extract Group D: Sections treated with deionized water (control group). Samples were evaluated for change in surface characteristics, mineral content using Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and microhardness using Vicker's microhardness tester. Cavitated lesions were evaluated for Cone beam computer tomography to obtain baseline data post remineralization. RESULTS: The remineralization potential of grape seed extract was found to be greater compared to tricalcium phosphate followed by CPP-ACPF. CONCLUSION: All the three groups viz. CPP-ACPF, tricalcium phosphate and grape seed extract showed remineralization under the in vitro pH cycling model, while grape seed extract group showed significantly greater remineralization compared to the CPP-ACPF and tricalcium phosphate groups.

Pre-Sleep Casein Supplementation, Metabolism, and Appetite: A Systematic Review.

Protein intake is an important factor for augmenting the response to resistance training in healthy individuals. Although food intake can help with anabolism during the day, the period of time during sleep is typically characterized by catabolism and other metabolic shifts. Research on the application of nighttime casein protein supplementation has introduced a new research paradigm related to protein timing. Pre-sleep casein supplementation has been attributed to improved adaptive response by skeletal muscle to resistance training through increases in muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass, and strength. However, it remains unclear what the effect of this nutritional strategy is on non-muscular parameters such as metabolism and appetite in both healthy and unhealthy populations. The purpose of this systematic review is to understand the effects of pre-sleep casein protein on energy expenditure, lipolysis, appetite, and food intake in both healthy and overweight or obese individuals. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus during March 2021, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. A summary of the main findings shows limited to no effects on metabolism or appetite when ingesting 24-48 g of casein 30 min before sleep, but data are limited, and future research is needed to clarify the relationships observed.

The Stability of Dentin Surface Biobarrier Consisting of Mesoporous Delivery System on Dentinal Tubule Occlusion and Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The dentin exposure always leads to dentin hypersensitivity and/or caries. Given the dentin's tubular structure and low mineralization degree, reestablishing an effective biobarrier to stably protect dentin remains significantly challenging. This study reports a versatile dentin surface biobarrier consisting of a mesoporous silica-based epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)/nanohydroxyapatite delivery system and evaluates its stability on the dentinal tubule occlusion and the Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm inhibition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mesoporous delivery system was fabricated and characterized. Sensitive dentin discs were prepared and randomly allocated to three groups: 1, control group; 2, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) group; and 3, the mesoporous delivery system group. The dentin permeability, dentinal tubule occlusion, acid and abrasion resistance, and S. mutans biofilm inhibition were determined for 1 week and 1 month. The in vitro release profiles of EGCG, Ca, and P were also monitored. RESULTS: The mesoporous delivery system held the ability to sustainably release EGCG, Ca, and P and could persistently occlude dentinal tubules with acid and abrasion resistance, reduce the dentin permeability, and inhibit the S. mutans biofilm formation for up to 1 month compared with the two other groups. The system provided prolonged stability to combat oral adverse challenges and served as an effective surface biobarrier to protect the exposed dentin. CONCLUSION: The establishment of the dentin surface biobarrier consisting of a mesoporous delivery system indicates a promising strategy for the prevention and the management of dentin hypersensitivity and caries after enamel loss.

Effect of fluoride, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and sodium trimetaphosphate combination treatment on the remineralization of caries lesions: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of combination of treatments with fluoridated toothpastes supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (MI Paste Plus®), on the remineralization of dental enamel. DESIGN: Enamel blocks with artificial caries were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 12), according to the toothpastes: 1) without F-TMP-MI Paste Plus® (Placebo); 2) 1100 ppm F (1100 F), 3) MI Paste Plus®, 4) 1100 F + MI Paste Plus® (1100 F-MI Paste Plus®), 5) 1100 F + 3% TMP (1100 F-TMP) and 6) 1100 F-TMP + MI Paste Plus® (1100 F-TMP-MI Paste Plus®). Blocks were treated 2×/day with slurries of toothpastes (1 min). Furthermore, groups 4 and 6 received the application of MI Paste Plus® for 3 min. After pH cycling, the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR); integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN); profile analysis and lesion depth subsurface through polarized light microscopy (PLM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (LSCM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) concentrations in the enamel were determined. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (1-criterion) and Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.001). RESULTS: 1100 F-TMP-MI Paste Plus® group showed the best results of %SHR, ΔKHN and PLM (p < 0.001). F concentration was similar between the 1100 F, 1100 F-MI Paste Plus®, and 1100 F-TMP-MI Paste Plus® groups (p > 0.001). 1100 F-TMP-MI Paste Plus® group showed the highest concentration of Ca and P in the enamel (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The association of 1100 F-TMP and MI Paste Plus® led to a significant increase in the remineralization of initial carious lesions.

Combined effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and sodium trimetaphosphate on the prevention of enamel demineralization and dental caries: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of treatment with fluoridated toothpaste supplemented with a combination of sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (MI Paste Plus®) on the demineralization of dental enamel. METHODS: Bovine enamel blocks selected by initial surface hardness (SHi) were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 12), according to the test toothpastes: (1) without F-TMP-MI Paste Plus® (Placebo); (2) 1100 ppm F (1100F); (3) MI Paste Plus®; (4) 1100F + MI Paste Plus® (1100F-MI Paste Plus), (5) 1100F + 3 % TMP (1100F-TMP); and (6) 1100F-TMP + MI Paste Plus® (1100F-TMP-MI Paste Plus). Blocks were treated two times per day with slurries of toothpaste (1 min), and groups 4 and 6 received an application of MI Paste Plus (3 min). Next, the samples were subjected to five pH cycles (demineralizing/remineralizing solutions) at 37 °C, to produce subsurface enamel lesions.Thereafter, the blocks were maintained for 2 days in fresh remineralizing solution. After pH cycling, the following were obtained: percentage of surface hardness loss (%SH); integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN); profile analysis and lesion depth subsurface through polarized light microscopy (PLM); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); and fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) in the enamel. The data were subjected to ANOVA (1-criterion), followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.001). RESULTS: The 1100F-TMP-MI Paste Plus group showed better results for SHR, ΔKHN, and PLM (p < 0.001). The F concentration was similar among all groups (p > 0.001). The 1100F-TMP-MI Paste Plus group showed the highest concentration of Ca and P in the enamel (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of 1100F-TMP-MI Paste Plus promoted a higher inhibitory effect against enamel demineralization. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The combination of treatments with F, TMP, and MI Paste Plus® can be an effective alternative to improve the oral health of individuals, especially those with high activity of dental caries and at high risk for its development.

Fabrication of zein/alginate delivery system for nanofood model based on pumpkin.

Gastrectomy is among the most crucial types of surgeries proposed to treat gastric cancer and obesity. Gastrectomy patients experience difficulties such as energy deficit, anorexia, and malnutrition. The objective of the present study was to introduce nanofood as a fruitful strategy to supply the needed energy and nutrients for these patients and particularly control the release of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates on the simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Cooked pumpkin puree (CPP), sodium caseinate, sesame oil, rice bran oil, rice starch, sugar and pectin were applied to prepare oil in water nanoemulsion. Six delivery systems were prepared including various concentrations of zein (0.02-0.15% w/v) and alginate (0.01-0.16% w/v) in acidic (2.45-2.81) and alkaline (11.45-11.82) pH ranges. The particle size (83.5-207.0 nm) and calorific values (467.2-498.4 Cal/100 g) of samples were measured. Encapsulated food matrix nanoemulsion with zein/alginate's biopolymers delivery system (0.15:0.16 w/v, pH = 8.30) with 489.9 Cal/100 g exhibited the least digestible nutrients in the mouth (0.10%>) and gastric phase (6.91%>). It has high release nutrients in the small intestine phase (72.14%>). Therefore, it is introduced as the optimal formulation. The use of CPP in nanoemulsion formulation besides other ingredients is a good strategy to prepare nanofood for gastrectomy patients.

Protein-Stabilized Palm-Oil-in-Water Emulsification Using Microchannel Array Devices under Controlled Temperature.

Microchannel (MC) emulsification for the preparation of monodisperse oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions containing palm oil as the oil phase was investigated for application as basic material solid/semi-solid lipid microspheres for delivery carriers of nutrients and drugs. Emulsification was characterized by direct observation of droplet generation under various operation conditions, as such, the effects of type and concentration of emulsifiers, emulsification temperature, MC structure, and flow rate of to-be-dispersed phase on droplet generation via MC were investigated. Sodium caseinate (SC) was confirmed as the most suitable emulsifier among the examined emulsifiers, and monodisperse O/W and W/O/W emulsions stabilized by it were successfully obtained with 20 to 40 µm mean diameter (dm) using different types of MCs.

Indirect somatic embryogenesis of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench): a medicinal-ornamental plant: evaluation of antioxidant enzymes activity and histological study.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a widely used medicinal and ornamental plant. In the present study, the callus embryogenesis was examined using benzyl adenine (BA) at three levels (3, 4, 5 mg L-1), 1-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg L-1) with or without activated charcoal (1 g L-1), coconut milk (50 ml L-1) and casein hydrolysate (50 mg L-1) in the MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium. The embryogenesis indirectly occurred with the production of callus. The calli were observed in three forms: undifferentiated, embryogenic and organogenic. The embryogenic calli were dark green and coherent with a faster growth rate. The highest embryogenesis (100%) and embryonic regeneration (plantlet production) were obtained in the combined BA + NAA treatments with the activated charcoal, coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. However, the combined treatments of growth regulators failed to produce somatic embryos without the use of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. The maximum amount of protein, peroxidase and catalase activity of embryogenic calli (2.02, 1.79 and 6.62ΔOD/Min/mg.protein, respectively), and highest percentage of acclimatization success (29.3% of plants) were obtained in the combined treatment of 5 mg L-1 BA + 0.5 mg L-1 NAA + activated charcoal + coconut milk + casein hydrolysate. The highest amount of chlorophyll content (33.3 SPAD value) and growth characteristics of acclimatized plantlets were observed in the media containing 3 mg L-1 BA + 0.1 and 0.2 mg L-1 NAA + 1 g. L-1 combined activated charcoal, coconut milk, casein hydrolysate. The histological studies confirmed the somatic embryogenesis in purple coneflower. Generally, it was found that the somatic embryogenesis of E. purpurea occurs at high levels of BA and low levels of NAA with the addition of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate.

Antibiotic Treatment Reduces the Health Benefits of Soy Protein.

SCOPE: Soy protein is a high-quality protein and its consumption has been associated with a reduction of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and an improvement in insulin resistance. However, it is not known whether the effects of soy protein are mediated by the gut microbiota. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess whether using antibiotics to partially eradicate the gut microbiota can prevent the beneficial effects of soy protein in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thus, rats are fed one of the following diets for 16 weeks: casein control, soy protein control, high-fat casein, and high-fat soy protein. The rats are then treated for 4 weeks with antibiotics. Body weight and composition, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance test, metabolic endotoxemia, and gut microbiota are measured before and after treatment with antibiotic. The results show that soy protein consumption decreases weight gain, body fat, metabolic endotoxemia, and increases energy expenditure and glucose tolerance. Antibiotic treatment suppresses all these metabolic effects. These changes are accompanied by modifying the diversity and taxonomy of the gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the evidence suggests that the health benefits of soy protein are partly dependent of the gut microbiota.