Nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid composition of grazing cows fed supplements with babassu coconut.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of cracked babassu coconut (CBC) in the supplement on nutrient utilization, performance, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows grazing Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa. Five multiparous Holstein × Zebu mid-lactation cows (125 ± 16.5 days in milk) were assigned to five dietary treatments (replacement of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of ground corn with CBC, on a dry matter (DM) basis) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The intake of DM from the supplement, crude protein (CP), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), fat (ether extract (EE)), and total digestible nutrients (TDNs) decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while the intake of DM from forage increased linearly (P < 0.05), with the increase in CBC inclusion in the supplement. Conversely, total DM intake was unaffected (P > 0.05). The DM, NFC, EE, and TDN digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05), while organic matter (OM) digestibility decreased in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.05), as CBC inclusion in the supplement increased. Nevertheless, digestibility of CP was unaffected (P > 0.05). Milk yield and composition (lactose, fat, protein, casein, and majority of FA) showed a linearly decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) with the increasing of CBC inclusion. However, proportions of trans-vaccenic acid, rumenic acid, total monounsaturated FA, and odd- and branched-chain FAs increased linearly (P < 0.05). On the opposite, total saturated FA (SFA) and the n-6:n-3 FA ratio in milk fat decreased linearly (P < 0.01). Hence, replacement of corn meal with CBC up to 80% in the supplement decreases nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as milk yield response in grazing dairy cows. However, CBC inclusion may enhance the nutritional properties of milk fat.

Milk fat as a structuring agent of plastic lipid bases.

The global legislation regarding the elimination of trans fat in foods has led to the need for technological solutions to produce plastic fats. Currently, the industrial method used to obtain lipid bases with different physical properties is the chemical interesterification of blends from hardfats and vegetable oils. Milk fat can be an alternative to this process, which is natural plastic fat, as a structurant to obtain plastic lipid bases containing vegetable oils. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the anhydrous milk fat (AMF) to structure lipid bases made from AMF and high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) (~80% oleic acid) blends. The blends were prepared in the following AMF:HOSO proportions (% w/w): 100:00 (control); 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40; and 50:50, and characterized for fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition, solid fat content, compatibility, melting point, thermal behavior of crystallization and melting, crystallization kinetics, microstructure, polymorphism and hardness. All blends showed compatibility between the constituents, which is fundamental for the stability of plastic fats. The anhydrous milk fat governed the crystallization of these lipid bases, presenting crystals of <30 µm of diameter, crystallized in polymorphic form ß'. The blends 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 AMF:HOSO exhibited suitable profile for technological applications in the food industry, characterized by a solid fat content lower than 32% at 10 °C, and higher than 10% at 21 °C, and melting point near the body temperature.

Conjugated linoleic acid prevents damage caused by intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in an experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Studies have showed the protective effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on intestinal epithelium, modulating host immune and inflammatory responses on intestinal diseases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preventive effects of CLA on the intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU in a murine model. METHODS: Sixty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control (CTL), fed a standard chow diet; CLAs, fed a diet supplemented with CLA; Mucositis (5-FU), fed a standard chow diet and underwent mucositis induction and CLAs 5-FU, fed a diet supplemented with CLA and underwent mucositis induction. Mucositis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg 5-FU. After 72 h, the animals were euthanized and intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, inflammatory mediators, and intestinal histology were evaluated. RESULTS: Mice in the CLAs 5-FU group showed reduced weight loss compared to those in the 5-FU group (p < 0.005). Furthermore, the results also showed that the treatment with CLA reduced intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, and biomarkers of inflammatory response besides minor damage to ZO-1 and occludin with maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and a favorable balance between the inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CLA reduced the adverse effects from 5-FU administration on the intestinal mucosa.

Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid-enriched Butter After 24 hours of Intestinal Mucositis Induction.

Mucositis is the most common side effect due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It refers to the inflammation of intestinal mucous membranes, and it is associated with complications such as diarrhea, weight loss, and increased intestinal permeability (IP). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of diet containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-enriched butter on intestinal damage and inflammatory response after 24 h of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced mucositis. Mice were divided into four groups: CTL; CLA; 5-FU, and CLA 5-FU, and they were fed for 31 days. On the 30th experimental day, mucositis was induced by unique injection of 300 mg/kg of 5-FU. After 24 h (31st experimental day), IP was evaluated; ileum and fecal material were collected to determine cytokine level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The 5-FU group showed an increase in IP and MPO activity (CTL vs. 5-FU: P < 0.05). Additionally, increased levels of IP and MPO were observed in CLA 5-FU group compared to those in the test groups (P < 0.05). Animals in the CLA 5-FU group showed reduced concentrations of sIgA (CTL vs. CLA 5-FU: P < 0.05). CLA-enriched butter exacerbating the 5-FU-induced intestinal damage. Safety concerns regarding the use of CLA require further investigation.

Cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA mixture does not change body composition, induces insulin resistance and increases serum HDL cholesterol level in rats.

Synthetic supplements of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) containing 50:50 mixture of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers have been commercialized in some places for reducing body fat. However the safety of this CLA mixture is controversial and in some countries the CLA usage as food supplement is not authorized. Changes in insulinemic control and serum lipids profile are potential negative effects related to consumption of CLA mixture. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a diet containing mixture of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA on prevention of obesity risk as well as on potential side effects such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following dietary treatments (n=10/group), for 60 days: Normolipidic Control (NC), diet containing 4.0% soybean oil (SO); High Fat-Control (HF-C), diet containing 24.0% SO; High Fat-synthetic CLA (HF-CLA), diet containing 1.5% of an isomeric CLA mixture (Luta-CLA 60) and 22.5% SO. Luta-CLA 60 (BASF) contained nearly 60% of CLA (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA at 50:50 ratio). The HF-CLA diet contained 0.3% of each CLA isomer. HF-CLA diet had no effect on dietary intake and body composition. HF-CLA-fed rats had lower levels of PPARγ protein in retroperitoneal adipose tissue, hyperinsulinemia compared to HF-C-fed rats, hyperglycemia compared to NC-fed rats while no differences in glycemia were observed between NC and HF-C groups, increased HOMA index and higher levels of serum HDL cholesterol. Thus, feeding rats with a high fat diet containing equal parts of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers had no effect on body composition and induced insulin resistance. Despite HF-CLA-fed rats had increased serum HDL cholesterol levels, caution should be taken before synthetic supplements containing cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA are recommended as a nutritional strategy for weight management.

Butter naturally enriched in cis-9, trans-11 CLA prevents hyperinsulinemia and increases both serum HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in rats.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from in vitro and animal studies indicates that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) possesses anti-diabetic properties, which appear to be attributed to cis-9, trans-11 CLA, the major CLA isomer in ruminant fat. However, there is a shortage of studies addressing CLA from natural source. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of butter naturally enriched in cis-9, trans-11 CLA on parameters related to glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia in rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following dietary treatments (n=10/group), for 60 days: 1) Normal fat-Soybean oil (NF-So): diet containing 4.0% soybean oil (SO); 2) High Fat-Control Butter (HF-Cb): diet containing 21.7% control butter and 2.3% SO; 3) High Fat-CLA enriched Butter (HF-CLAb): diet containing 21.7% cis-9, trans-11 CLA-enriched butter and 2.3% SO; and 4) High fat-Soybean oil (HF-So): diet containing 24.0% SO. HF-Cb and HF-CLAb diets contained 0.075% and 0.235% of cis-9, trans-11 CLA, respectively. RESULTS: HF-CLAb-fed rats had lower serum insulin levels at fasting than those fed with the HF-Cb diet, while the PPARγ protein levels in adipose tissue was increased in HF-CLAb-fed rats compared to HF-Cb-fed rats. Furthermore, R-QUICK was lower in HF-Cb than in NF-So group, while no differences in R-QUICK were observed among NF-So, HF-CLAb and HF-So groups. Serum HDL cholesterol levels were higher in HF-CLAb-fed rats than in those fed NF-So, HF-Cb and HF-So diets, as well as higher in NF-So-fed rats than in HF-Cb and HF-So-fed rats. HF-CLAb, HF-Cb and HF-So diets reduced serum LDL cholesterol levels when compared to NF-So, whereas serum triacylglycerol levels were increased in HF-CLAb. CONCLUSION: Feeding rats on a high-fat diet containing butter naturally enriched in cis-9, trans-11 CLA prevented hyperinsulinemia and increased HDL cholesterol, which could be associated with higher levels of cis-9, trans-11 CLA, vaccenic acid, oleic acid and lower levels of short and medium-chain saturated fatty acids from butter naturally modified compared to control butter. On the other hand CLA-enriched butter also increased serum triacylglycerol levels, which could be associated with concomitant increases in the content of trans-9 and trans-10 C18:1 isomers in the CLA-enriched butter.