Consumption of combined fructose and sucrose diet exacerbates oxidative stress, hypertrophy and CaMKIIδ oxidation in hearts from rats with metabolic syndrome.

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its cardiac comorbidities as cardiac hypertrophy (CH) have increased considerably due to the high consumption of carbohydrates, such as sucrose and/or fructose. We compared the effects of sucrose (S), fructose (F) and their combination (S + F) on the development of MetS in weaned male Wistar rats and established the relationship between the consumption of these sugars and the degree of cardiac CH development, oxidative stress (OS) and Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II subunit delta oxidation (ox-CaMKIIδ). 12 weeks after the beginning of treatments with S, F or S + F, arterial pressure was measured and 8 weeks later (to complete 20 weeks) the animals were sacrificed and blood samples, visceral adipose tissue and hearts were obtained. Biochemical parameters were determined in serum and cardiac tissue to evaluate the development of MetS and OS. To evaluate CH, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), CaMKIIδ and ox-CaMKIIδ were determined by western blot and histological studies were performed in cardiac tissue. Our data showed that chronic consumption of S + F exacerbates MetS-induced CH which is related with a higher OS and ox-CaMKIIδ.

Combination Effect of Diurnal Exposure to Sucrose and Nocturnal Exposure to Lactose on Enamel Demineralization.

We have hypothesized that the association between human milk and caries in breastfeeding children could be explained by the combination of a diurnal cariogenic diet with the nocturnal lactose fermentation, conditions simulated in this experimental study. Cariogenic biofilm was formed on bovine enamel slabs, which were exposed 8x/day for 3 min to a 10% sucrose solution, simulating a highly cariogenic diurnal diet, or 50 mM NaCl solution (control). Simulating the nocturnal retention of milk in mouth, biofilms were transferred to culture medium containing 0.7% lactose for 2 h, or only to culture medium (control). Four groups were designed (n = 12): Ctrl, no exposure to diurnal sucrose or nocturnal lactose; Lac, only nocturnal exposure to lactose (2 h); Suc, only diurnal exposure to sucrose (8x/day); and Suc→Lac, diurnal exposure to sucrose (8x/day) followed by nocturnal exposure to lactose (2 h). The medium was changed 3x/day, at the beginning of the day and after diurnal and nocturnal exposures. Calcium in the medium was determined as a chemical indicator of partial demineralizations occurred during the diurnal and the nocturnal treatments; the medium pH was also determined. After 96 h of growth, biofilms were harvested to evaluate CFU, biomass, and extracellular polysaccharides, soluble and insoluble. The percentage of enamel surface hardness loss (%SHL) was evaluated as cumulative demineralization. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%). Highest %SHL (p < 0.05) was found for the Suc→Lac (40.6%) group when compared to Suc (32.1%), Lac (6.6%), and Ctrl (2.4%) groups. Calcium released during the diurnal and nocturnal treatments was, respectively, Suc→Lac = Suc > Lac = Ctrl and Suc→Lac > Lac > Suc = Ctrl (p < 0.05). Regarding the Ctrl group, calcium released from nocturnal lactose fermentation by the Suc→Lac group was 4-fold greater than that provoked by the Lac group. The findings were supported by the pH of the media. The data suggest that the biofilm formed under diurnal exposure to sucrose enhances the cariogenicity of nocturnal exposure to lactose.

Cariogenic Potential of Human and Bovine Milk on Enamel Demineralization.

The higher cariogenicity of human milk when compared with bovine milk is still a debatable subject. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of human or bovine milk exposure on biofilm composition and enamel demineralization using a validated cariogenic biofilm model. Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms (n = 8) were grown on human saliva-coated bovine enamel slabs of known surface hardness. The biofilms were exposed 8×/day to 0.9% NaCl (negative control), human milk, bovine milk, 7.0% lactose (active human milk control), 4.5% lactose (active bovine milk control), or 10% sucrose (positive control). The culture medium was changed twice daily, and the pH was analyzed as an indicator of biofilm acidogenicity. After 120 h of growth, biofilms were harvested to evaluate viable cells, and soluble and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Enamel demineralization was assessed by the percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA/Tukey's test (α = 5%). In terms of %SHL, negative control (7.7 ± 3.1), human milk control (13.3 ± 7.5), bovine milk control (15.3 ± 8.2), human milk (7.5 ± 5.0), and bovine milk (8.7 ± 6.3) did not differ among them (p > 0.05) but differed (p < 0.05) from sucrose (55.1 ± 5.4). The findings of enamel demineralization (%SHL) were statistically supported by the data of biofilm acidogenicity, bacterial counts and EPS biofilm composition. This experimental study suggests that human and bovine milk have low cariogenic potential to provoke caries lesions in enamel.

The role of mechanical control of biofilm in the salivary pH after sucrose exposure in children with early childhood caries.

This quasi-experimental study sought to investigate if the mechanical control of biofilm (3-times-a-day) modifies the saliva's ability to buffer the oral environment after 20% sucrose rinse (SR20%) in children with early childhood caries (ECC). Here, SR20% reduced the saliva's pH in both groups and the mechanical control of biofilm had a greater effect on this parameter after SR20% in CF children. The mechanical control of biofilm evidenced a higher buffering capacity in CF children before SR20%, which was not observed after SR20%. Otherwise, the absence of mechanical control of biofilm showed that buffering capacity was comparable in the two groups before SR20%, whereas after SR20% the saliva's buffering capacity of CF children was higher than ECC children. When biofilm was mechanically controlled, carbonic anhydrase VI activity did not change after SR20% whereas the absence of mechanical control of biofilm reduced this enzyme activity after SR20%. In conclusion, the mechanical control of biofilm did not change saliva's ability to buffer the oral environment after SR20% in children with ECC. On the other hand, CF children appeared to regulate more effectively the saliva's pH than ECC children while the absence of mechanical control of biofilm mediated their pH-modifying ability after SR20%.

Sucrose, Lactose, and Xylitol Exposures Affect Biofilm Formation of Streptococcus mutans

Abstract Objective: To determine the level of biofilm formation of S. mutans after being exposed to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose, or 1% xylitol. Material and Methods: This research was a laboratory-based experimental study with post-test only control group design. S. mutans was grown in test tubes containing tryptose soy broth (TSB) medium supplemented with 1% glucose. They were incubated at 37° C for 24 hours to grow the biofilms. The culture was then exposed to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose or 1% xylitol, incubated for 24 hours at 37° C, and examined using ELISA at a wavelength of 625 nm. The statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference test (a=0.05). Results: There were some differences in the biofilm formation of S. mutans after exposure to 5% sucrose, 8% lactose, or 1% xylitol (p<0.05). An LSD test indicated significant differences among the biofilm formations after exposure to 5% sucrose and 8% lactose and between 5% sucrose and 1% xylitol. In comparison, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between 8% lactose and 1% xylitol. Conclusion: Sucrose, lactose and xylitol can form biofilms and the formation of lactose biofilms is the same as xylitol.

Sucralose causes non-selective CD4 and CD8 lymphotoxicity via probable regulation of the MAPK8/APTX/EID1 genes: An in vitro/in silico study.

One of the most widely used sweeteners in the world is sucralose. With sweetening power 600 times greater than sucrose, its use grows among those who seek to cut calories. Research shows that when heated, sucralose generates toxic products that attack the organism and interact with DNA. Our objective was to test this sweetener under unheated conditions and at average concentrations of consumption, evaluating parameters of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. For this purpose, we made use of lymphocyte cultures and the analysis of their CD3+ , CD4+ , and CD8+ subpopulations. In a complementary way, the mechanism of action is proposed here by computational methods. Our results showed that sucralose reduces non-selectively the total lymphocytes due to falls in the levels of the CD4+ , CD8+ , and CD4+ CD8+ subpopulations. We observed an increase in the level of DNA damage and a gradual incidence of structural changes in the lymphocyte chromosomal sets. It was possible to propose that sucralose modulates the gene expression, interfering especially with the MAPK8, APTX, and EID1 genes. This article presents the results of an evidence-based approach to the safety of human health in the use of sucralose. Finally, this study points out that sucralose has cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects in the concentrations and conditions tested in human lymphocyte cell culture.

Cariogenicity of a Milk-Based Drink Used as a Dietary Supplement for Older Adults Using a Root Caries Experimental Model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cariogenicity of a milk-based drink intended for older adults that was used as part of a governmental initiative in Chile to improve their nutritional conditions. This drink contains a high concentration of sugars, which can contribute to root caries development. To test this hypothesis, an experimental biofilm/caries model was used. Dentin slabs were used to grow biofilms of Streptococcus mutans UA159. Slabs/biofilms were exposed 3× per day to bovine milk with different fat content, the milk-based drink, and the milk-based drink supplemented with 10 g of sucrose added per serving. Slabs exposed to 10% sucrose or 0.9% NaCl were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Biofilms were analyzed for bacterial counts and acidogenicity. Dentin demineralization was estimated by the loss of surface microhardness and integrated mineral loss. Results were compared by analysis of variance and Tukey's test. The milk-based drink showed higher acidogenicity than milk with its entire (whole) or reduced total fat content (skim). The milk-based drink supplemented with -sucrose had similar acidogenicity as the 10% sucrose positive control (p = 0.506). Whole milk exposure elicited lower bacterial counts than the positive control, the milk-based drink, and the milk-based drink supplemented with sucrose (p = 0.002; 0.006 and 0.014 respectively). Although skim milk induced higher demineralization than whole milk, both milk types produced lower demineralization than the milk-based drink. Regarding integrated mineral loss, demineralization induced by the milk-based drink and the milk-based drink supplemented with sucrose was similar to that induced by the positive control and skim milk (p > 0.05). Sugar-containing milk-based drinks used as dietary supplements for older adults may be highly cariogenic and could represent a potential risk for root caries.

Antagonism of Bacteria from Dog Dental Plaque against Human Cariogenic Bacteria.

Dental caries are a process of demineralization and destruction of human teeth. They originate through many factors and are associated with biofilm formation, which consists of bacteria adhered to the teeth that form a structurally and functionally organized mass called dental plaque. Both the presence of Streptococcus mutans and the frequent consumption of sucrose correlate with a higher prevalence of caries in humans. In dogs, however, the incidence of this disease is low, due to factors such as differences in dental microbiota and/or their low consumption of sucrose. This work evaluated the antagonism of bacteria from dog's dental plaque against S. mutans, for the identification of producing strains of biotechnological products for use in preventing caries. This study used 95 bacterial isolates of canine dental plaque from the Veterinary Department at the Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A spot-on-the-lawn method was performed using Brain Heart Infusion agar with catalase for an initial identification of the antagonistic activity. Additional tests were conducted on the isolates classified as antagonists for confirmation of the activity, using modified Mann-Rogosa-Sharpe medium containing low dextrose concentration. These isolates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in anaerobiosis. The peptide nature of inhibition was evaluated using the following proteinases: proteinase K from Tritirachium album, bovine pancreatic trypsin, and type XII-A α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis. In the initial identification of those strains exhibiting antimicrobial activity, 14 were classified as antagonists. One of the isolates (Bacillus sp.) indicated bacteriocinogenic activity, with a deformed inhibition halo on S. mutans by the addition of trypsin. These results suggest that this bacterial isolate may be applicable to biotechnological use to combat the main etiological agent of caries in humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate the bacteriocinogenic nature of the antimicrobial activities of the other 13 antagonistic bacterial isolates.

The role of human milk and sucrose on cariogenicity of microcosm biofilms.

This study investigated the effect of human milk, alone and associated with sucrose, in the cariogenicity of biofilms in a microcosm biofilm model and compared with the cariogenicity of sucrose and bovine milk. Microcosm biofilms were grown in enamel discs in 24-well plates. Six growth conditions were studied: DMM (chemically defined artificial saliva - negative control), DMM with 1% of sucrose (DMM+s) (positive control), human milk with DMM, human milk with DMM+s, bovine milk with DMM, and bovine milk with DMM+s. After 5 days, the outcome variables surface hardness change (%SHC), microbiological composition of biofilms, and pH of supernatant were analyzed. All groups had significantly lower hardness loss compared to the DMM group with 1% of sucrose. Human and bovine milk associated with sucrose showed higher hardness loss. The supernatant pH values after 6 hours of different treatments were similar for the groups sucrose and human milk associated with sucrose (p>0.05). After 18 hours at rest in pure DMM, an increase in the pH of the supernatant was observed. Higher values of total microorganisms count were found for sucrose and bovine milk groups compared to the group supplemented only by DMM. Bovine milk group showed greater amount of total aciduric microorganisms in comparison to human milk group. Within the limits of this study, it can be infered that both human and cow milks have some cariogenic potential, although differing from sucrose in terms of mineral loss.

Long-term exposure to high-sucrose diet down-regulates hepatic endoplasmic reticulum-stress adaptive pathways and potentiates de novo lipogenesis in weaned male mice.

Childhood consumption of added sugars, such as sucrose, has been associated to increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although the mechanisms underlying NAFLD onset are incompletely defined, recent evidence has proposed a role for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Thus, the present study sought to investigate the metabolic outcomes of high-sucrose intake on weaned Swiss mice fed a 25% sucrose diet for 30, 60 and 90 days in comparison to regular chow-fed controls. High-sucrose feeding promoted progressive metabolic and oxidative disturbances, starting from fasting and fed hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and increased adiposity at 30-days; passing by insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and NAFLD onset at 60 days; until late hepatic oxidative damage at 90 days. In parallel, assessment of transcriptional and/or translational levels of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and ER stress markers showed up-regulation of both fatty acid synthesis (ChREBP and SCD1) and oxidation (PPARα and CPT-1α), as well as overexpression of unfolded protein response sensors (IRE1α, PERK and ATF6), chaperones (GRP78 and PDIA1) and antioxidant defense (NRF2) genes at 30 days. At 60 days, fatty acid oxidation genes were down-regulated, and ER stress switched over toward a proapoptotic pattern via up-regulation of BAK protein and CHOP gene levels. Finally, down-regulation of both NRF2 and CPT-1α protein levels led to late up-regulation of SREBP-1c and exponential raise of fatty acids synthesis. In conclusion, our study originally demonstrates a temporal relationship between DNL and ER stress pathways toward MetS and NAFLD development on weaned rats fed a high-sucrose diet.

Adipocytes and intestinal epithelium dysfunctions linking obesity to inflammation induced by high glycemic index pellet-diet in Wistar rats.

We investigated the inflammatory effect of a pellet-diet with high glycemic index and load (HGLI) on the histological organization of adipocytes, intestinal epithelium, and fat in liver and pancreas in adult male Wistar rats. Two groups (n=10) received for 17 weeks: (1) HGLI diet or (2) Standard diet (Labina®). Histological analyses of adipose tissue, jejunum, liver, and pancreas were performed. Stereology analysis, visceral adiposity index, gene expression, and immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in visceral adipose tissue and plasma TNF-α were also assessed. The HGLI diet-induced hypertrophy of adipocytes with adipocyte volume density equal to 97.0%, cross-sectional area of adipocytes equivalent to 1387 µm² and a total volume of adipocytes of 6.97 cm³ an elevation of 8%, 25%, and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, the HGLI diet increased liver and pancreatic fat deposition, altered and inflamed the intestinal epithelia, and increased TNF-α gene expression (P=0.014) with a positive immunostaining in visceral adipose tissue and high plasma TNF-α in comparison with standard diet. The results suggest that this diet was able to generate changes commonly caused to solid diets with high fat or fructose-rich beverages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature concerning the properties of low-cost, sucrose-rich pellet-diet presenting high glycemic index and high glycemic load efficient on the development of obesity complications in Wistar rats that were subjected to diet-induced obesity. Therefore, the HGLI pellet-diet may be considered an effective tool to be used by the scientific community in experimental research.

Noncaloric Sweeteners in Children: A Controversial Theme.

Noncaloric sweeteners (NCS) are food additives used to provide sweetness without adding calories. Their consumption has become more widespread around the world in all age groups, including children. The aim of this study is to show the state of the art about the intake of noncaloric sweeteners in children, as well as their benefits and consumption risk. Scientific searchers were used (PUBMED, Scopus, and Scielo) to analyze articles that included keywords (noncaloric sweeteners/saccharin/cyclamate/acesulfame potassium/aspartame/sucralose/stevia/children) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Authors conclude that it is imperative that health professionals judiciously and individually evaluate the overall benefits and risks of NCS use in consumers before recommending their use. Different subgroups of the population incorporate products containing NCS in their diet with different objectives, which should be considered when recommending a diet plan for the consumer. In childhood, in earlier age groups, this type of additives should be used as a dietary alternative when other forms of prevention in obesity are not sufficient.

Oxidative Stress as a Mechanism Involved in Kidney Damage After Subchronic Exposure to Vanadium Inhalation and Oral Sweetened Beverages in a Mouse Model.

Kidney diseases have notably increased in the last few years. This is partially explained by the increase in metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and systemic blood hypertension. However, there is a segment of the population that has neither of the previous risk factors, yet suffers kidney damage. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants has been suggested as a possible risk factor. Air-suspended particles carry on their surface a variety of fuel combustion-related residues such as metals, and vanadium is one of these. Vanadium might produce oxidative stress resulting in the damage of some organs such as the kidney. Additionally, in countries like Mexico, the ingestion of sweetened beverages is a major issue; whether these beverages alone are responsible for direct kidney damage or whether their ingestion promotes the progression of an existing renal damage generates controversy. In this study, we report the combined effect of vanadium inhalation and sweetened beverages ingestion in a mouse model. Forty CD-1 male mice were distributed in 4 groups: control, vanadium inhalation, 30% sucrose in drinking water, and vanadium inhalation plus sucrose 30% in drinking water. Our results support that vanadium inhalation and the ingestion of 30% sucrose induce functional and histological kidney damage and an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers, which were higher in the combined effect of vanadium plus 30% sucrose. The results also support that the ingestion of 30% sucrose alone without hyperglycemia also produces kidney damage.

The role of human milk and sucrose on cariogenicity of microcosm biofilms

Abstract This study investigated the effect of human milk, alone and associated with sucrose, in the cariogenicity of biofilms in a microcosm biofilm model and compared with the cariogenicity of sucrose and bovine milk. Microcosm biofilms were grown in enamel discs in 24-well plates. Six growth conditions were studied: DMM (chemically defined artificial saliva - negative control), DMM with 1% of sucrose (DMM+s) (positive control), human milk with DMM, human milk with DMM+s, bovine milk with DMM, and bovine milk with DMM+s. After 5 days, the outcome variables surface hardness change (%SHC), microbiological composition of biofilms, and pH of supernatant were analyzed. All groups had significantly lower hardness loss compared to the DMM group with 1% of sucrose. Human and bovine milk associated with sucrose showed higher hardness loss. The supernatant pH values after 6 hours of different treatments were similar for the groups sucrose and human milk associated with sucrose (p>0.05). After 18 hours at rest in pure DMM, an increase in the pH of the supernatant was observed. Higher values of total microorganisms count were found for sucrose and bovine milk groups compared to the group supplemented only by DMM. Bovine milk group showed greater amount of total aciduric microorganisms in comparison to human milk group. Within the limits of this study, it can be infered that both human and cow milks have some cariogenic potential, although differing from sucrose in terms of mineral loss.

Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) protects from metabolic endotoxemia by modifying gut microbiota in obese rats fed high fat/sucrose diet.

Current efforts are directed to reducing the gut dysbiosis and inflammation produced by obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether consuming nopal, a vegetable rich in dietary fibre, vitamin C, and polyphenols can reduce the metabolic consequences of obesity by modifying the gut microbiota and preventing metabolic endotoxemia in rats fed a high fat and sucrose diet. With this aim, rats were fed a high fat diet with 5% sucrose in the drinking water (HFS) for 7 months and then were fed for 1 month with HFS + 5% nopal (HFS + N). The composition of gut microbiota was assessed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Nopal modified gut microbiota and increased intestinal occludin-1 in the HFS + N group. This was associated with a decrease in metabolic endotoxemia, glucose insulinotropic peptide, glucose intolerance, lipogenesis, and metabolic inflexibility. These changes were accompanied by reduced hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress in adipose tissue and brain, and improved cognitive function, associated with an increase in B. fragilis. This study supports the use of nopal as a functional food and prebiotic for its ability to modify gut microbiota and to reduce metabolic endotoxemia and other obesity-related biochemical abnormalities.

Response of carious enamel to TiF4 varnish treatment under diverse cariogenic activities in situ.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of TiF4 and NaF varnishes on demineralized bovine enamel under different cariogenic activities in situ. METHODS: Twenty subjects participated of this in situ study with 3 crossover phases (14days each), in which they wore palatal appliances containing demineralized bovine enamel samples (8 samples/appliance for phase) treated with TiF4, NaF (all with 2.45% F) or placebo varnish. The samples were subjected to different cariogenic conditions (1. absence of biofilm accumulation and sucrose exposure; 2. presence of biofilm and absence of sucrose exposure; 3. presence of biofilm and 20% sucrose exposure 4×/day; 4. presence of biofilm and 20% sucrose exposure 8×/day). All were exposed to fluoride dentifrice (2×/day). The mineral content and lesion depth were evaluated using transverse microradiography (TMR) and the data were subjected to RM two-way ANOVA/Bonferroni tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: TiF4 varnish significantly increased the remineralization of artificial carious lesions compared to placebo, regardless of the cariogenic activity. On the other hand, the remineralizing effect of NaF varnish was dependent on the cariogenic activity. For NaF, remineralization happened only in conditions 1 and 3 compared to placebo varnish (p<0.0001). NaF was unable to prevent further demineralization under biofilm accumulation and sucrose exposure 8×/day (condition 4). In the absence of fluoride treatment, demineralization happened in all conditions, except in the condition 1. CONCLUSION: Therefore, 4% TiF4 varnish was the only treatment able to improve enamel remineralization regardless of the cariogenic activity, while NaF varnish failed in preventing further demineralization under high cariogenic activity in situ. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: 4% TiF4 varnish showed better remineralizing effect compared to NaF varnish, which was seen regardless of the cariogenic activity. This is a promising finding to support the indication of TiF4 in the clinic.

Differential Effect of Sucrose and Fructose in Combination with a High Fat Diet on Intestinal Microbiota and Kidney Oxidative Stress.

There is controversial information about the adverse effect of sucrose (S) or fructose (F) in the development of obesity. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of S or F in a high fat diet (HF) on gut microbiota and renal oxidative stress. Rats were fed for four months with either high-fat + sucrose (HFS) or high-fat + fructose (HFF) or a control diet (C). Half of the HFS or HFF groups were maintained with the same diet and the other half were switched to the consumption of C. HFS and HFF groups increased 51% and 19% body weight, respectively, compared with the C group. Body fat mass, metabolic inflexibility, glucose intolerance, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), insulin, renal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), Nadphox, and Srebp-1 were significantly higher and antioxidant enzymes and lean body mass were significantly lower in the HFS group with respect to the HF-F group. Change in the consumption of HFS or HFF to a C diet ameliorated the insulin and glucose intolerance. The type of carbohydrate differentially modified the microbiota composition, however, both groups significantly decreased C. eutactus with respect to the C group. Thus, metabolic alterations with the HFS diet had a more detrimental effect than HFF.

Cariogenic Potential of Sucrose Associated with Maltodextrin on Dental Enamel.

Maltodextrin is a hydrolysate of cornstarch and has been widely used in the food industry associated with sucrose. The addition of starch can increase the cariogenic potential of sucrose; however, there are sparse data regarding the cariogenicity of sucrose associated with maltodextrin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test in situ if maltodextrin could increase the cariogenic potential of sucrose. This was an in situ, randomized, crossover, split-mouth, and double-blind study. Volunteers wore palatal appliances containing bovine enamel blocks for 2 periods of 14 days. They dripped the following solutions on the enamel blocks 8 times per day: deionized distilled water (DDW), maltodextrin (M), sucrose + maltodextrin (S+M), or sucrose (S). At the end of each experimental period, biofilms were collected and analyzed for microbiological (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and total microorganisms counts) and biochemical (calcium, inorganic phosphate, fluoride, and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides concentrations) compositions. The enamel demineralization was assessed by microhardness. Treatments S and S+M resulted in a lower inorganic composition and higher concentration of insoluble extracellular polysaccharides in the biofilms, and higher enamel mineral loss compared to DDW and M. It can be concluded that the cariogenic potential of sucrose is not changed when this carbohydrate is associated with maltodextrin (dextrose equivalent 13-17).

Food combination based on a pre-hispanic Mexican diet decreases metabolic and cognitive abnormalities and gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by a sucrose-enriched high-fat diet in rats.

SCOPE: There is few information about the possible health effects of a food combination based on a pre-hispanic Mexican diet (PMD). This diet rich in fiber, polyphenols, a healthy ratio of omega 6/omega 3 fatty acids, and vegetable protein could improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, gut microbiota and cognitive function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the effect of a PMD in a sucrose enriched high-fat model. The PMD contains corn, beans, tomato, nopal, chia and pumpkin seeds in dehydrated form. Following induction of obesity, rats were fed PMD. PMD consumption decreased glucose intolerance, body weight gain, serum and liver triglycerides and leptin. In addition, PMD decreased the size of the adipocytes, and increased the protein abundance of UCP-1, PPAR-α, PGC1-α and Tbx-1 in white adipose tissue. Finally, the PMD significant decreased hepatic levels of ROS, oxidized proteins and GSSG/GSH ratio and an increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria and the improvement of cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Consumption of a PMD decreased the glucose intolerance and the biochemical abnormalities caused by the obesity by increasing the abundance of proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation, decreasing the oxidative stress and modifying the gut microbiota.