Effects of fish protein hydrolysate ingestion on endothelial function compared to whey protein hydrolysate in humans.

Fish protein-derived bioactive peptides may improve endothelial dysfunction through an antihypertensive and antioxidant effect. However, few studies have evaluated the bioactive peptides effect on vascular function. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of a single dose of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) or whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) on endothelium-dependent dilation in nine healthy adults. The subjects ingested a single dose (20 g) of FPH, WHP or placebo (PLA). The endothelium-dependent dilation was evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation before and at 30, 60 and 120 min after supplementation. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the FPH and WPH supplements was evaluated by using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. There was a significant increase of endothelium-dependent dilation at 30 min after WPH but not after FPH as compared to PLA. There was a significant great TAC in FPH than WPH supplement. A single dose of FPH was not able to improve endothelium-dependent dilation compared to WPH.

[Acceptability of purified fish-protein powder in pre-school and school age children]. / Aceptabilidad de pre-escolares y escolares a la proteína purificada de pescado en polvo.

OBJECTIVE.: To determine the acceptability of purified fish protein (FPi) in cereal and pseudocereal-based drinks. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: The study was carried out at Centro de Desarrollo Integral Familiar "Año Nuevo" belonging to the INABIF Program in the district of Comas in Lima. FPi (0-4 g per serving) was administered daily for 3 months mixed with cereal and pseudocereal-based drinks. The acceptability of FPi was measured by direct weighing in children under 6 years of age and by the hedonic facial scale in school-age children. RESULTS.: One hundred and fifty-eight (158) participants were enrolled and 4,211 breakfasts were served. The caloric intake of the cereal and pseudocereal drinks, after adding the FPi, ranged between 117 and 140 Kcal, and protein intake ranged between 3.4 g and 5.4 g per serving. The acceptability of drinks supplemented with FPi in children older than 6 years of age (the 2 highest scores together) ranged from 55% to 74% for oats, around 47% for quinoa and 40% to 58% for "kiwicha" (amaranth). Whereas 90% of children under 6 consumed more than 70% of the drinks offered. CONCLUSIONS.: We found a good acceptability of FPi in cereal and pseudocereal beverages in children under 6 years of age. FPi is an alternative to improve the consumption of animal protein in the nutrition of children, especially in pre-schoolers.

OBJETIVOS.: Determinar la aceptabilidad de la proteína purificada de pescado (FPi) en bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: El estudio se realizó en el Centro de Desarrollo Integral Familiar «Año Nuevo¼ del Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar (INABIF), del distrito de Comas en Lima. La FPi (0-4 g por ración) se administró diariamente durante tres meses mezclada en las bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales. Se midió la aceptabilidad de la FPi mediante pesado directo en niños menores de 6 años y por escala hedónica facial en escolares (6 a 16 años). RESULTADOS.: Se enroló a 158 participantes y se administró de manera supervisada 4211 desayunos. El aporte calórico de las bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales luego de adicionar la FPi estuvo entre 117 y 140 Kcal y el aporte proteico entre 3,4 y 5,4 g por ración. La aceptabilidad en los niños mayores de 6 años de las bebidas suplementadas con la FPi (juntando los dos mayores puntajes) estuvo entre 55-74 % para la avena, alrededor del 47 % para la quinua y entre 40-58 % para la kiwicha. Mientras que el 90 % de los niños menores de 6 años consumieron más del 70 % de lo ofrecido. CONCLUSIONES.: Se encontró una buena aceptabilidad de la FPi en las bebidas a base de cereal y pseudocereales en menores de 6 años. La FPi es una alternativa para mejorar el aporte de proteínas de origen animal en los niños, sobre todo en los preescolares.

Aceptabilidad de pre-escolares y escolares a la proteína purificada de pescado en polvo / Acceptability of purified fish-protein powder in pre-school and school age children

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar la aceptabilidad de la proteína purificada de pescado (FPi) en bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales. Materiales y Métodos. El estudio se realizó en el Centro de Desarrollo Integral Familiar «Año Nuevo¼ del Programa Integral Nacional para el Bienestar Familiar (INABIF), del distrito de Comas en Lima. La FPi (0-4 g por ración) se administró diariamente durante tres meses mezclada en las bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales. Se midió la aceptabilidad de la FPi mediante pesado directo en niños menores de 6 años y por escala hedónica facial en escolares (6 a 16 años). Resultados. Se enroló a 158 participantes y se administró de manera supervisada 4211 desayunos. El aporte calórico de las bebidas a base de cereales y pseudocereales luego de adicionar la FPi estuvo entre 117 y 140 Kcal y el aporte proteico entre 3,4 y 5,4 g por ración. La aceptabilidad en los niños mayores de 6 años de las bebidas suplementadas con la FPi (juntando los dos mayores puntajes) estuvo entre 55-74 % para la avena, alrededor del 47 % para la quinua y entre 40-58 % para la kiwicha. Mientras que el 90 % de los niños menores de 6 años consumieron más del 70 % de lo ofrecido. Conclusiones. Se encontró una buena aceptabilidad de la FPi en las bebidas a base de cereal y pseudocereales en menores de 6 años. La FPi es una alternativa para mejorar el aporte de proteínas de origen animal en los niños, sobre todo en los preescolares.

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine the acceptability of purified fish protein (FPi) in cereal and pseudocereal-based drinks. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out at Centro de Desarrollo Integral Familiar "Año Nuevo" belonging to the INABIF Program in the district of Comas in Lima. FPi (0-4 g per serving) was administered daily for 3 months mixed with cereal and pseudocereal-based drinks. The acceptability of FPi was measured by direct weighing in children under 6 years of age and by the hedonic facial scale in school-age children. Results. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) participants were enrolled and 4,211 breakfasts were served. The caloric intake of the cereal and pseudocereal drinks, after adding the FPi, ranged between 117 and 140 Kcal, and protein intake ranged between 3.4 g and 5.4 g per serving. The acceptability of drinks supplemented with FPi in children older than 6 years of age (the 2 highest scores together) ranged from 55% to 74% for oats, around 47% for quinoa and 40% to 58% for "kiwicha" (amaranth). Whereas 90% of children under 6 consumed more than 70% of the drinks offered. Conclusions. We found a good acceptability of FPi in cereal and pseudocereal beverages in children under 6 years of age. FPi is an alternative to improve the consumption of animal protein in the nutrition of children, especially in pre-schoolers.

Evaluation of the efficacy, safety and acceptability of a fish protein isolate in the nutrition of children under 36 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a fish protein isolate (FPi), administered over 6 months, on the growth of children aged 6-36 months, measured by Z-scores of height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ), compared with the standard meal without FPi; and to determine the safety and acceptability of FPi daily consumption. DESIGN: Cluster-randomized community-based controlled trial. For 6 months, the centres received either FPi replacing 50 % of total proteins in the diet or standard protein. HAZ and WHZ were used to determine the effect on growth. Acceptability was determined by daily consumption, measured by weighing the servings before and after consumption. SETTING: Day care centres and community nutritional centres in northern Lima, Peru. SUBJECTS: Children (n 441) aged 6-36 months. RESULTS: Four centres were randomized to the intervention with FPi, five centres were randomized to the standard control diet. More than 36 900 meals were prepared and administered in a supervised manner. Both groups received the same amounts of energy and proteins daily (proteins about 12-15 % of total energy). Growth of children who received the FPi diet was similar to that of children with the standard diet. Consumption was similar in the FPi and control groups (70 v. 80 % of amount offered, respectively). The protein was safe and well tolerated. No adverse events were reported. However, the cost of the intervention with FPi was 20-40 % lower v. the standard diet with animal protein derived from beef, chicken, eggs or liver. CONCLUSIONS: The FPi was well accepted and there was no significant difference in growth between both groups. FPi is a potential source of animal protein at lower cost.

Cardiovascular effects of Sp-CTx, a cytolysin from the scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) venom.

Fish venom cytolysins are multifunctional proteins that in addition to their cytolytic/hemolytic effects display neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and inflammatory activities, being described as "protein lethal factors". A pore-forming cytolysin called Sp-CTx (Scorpaena plumieriCytolytic Toxin) has been recently purified from the venom of the scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri. It is a glycoprotein with dimeric constitution, comprising subunits of approximately 65 kDa. Previous studies have revealed that this toxin has a vasorelaxant activity that appears to involve the L-arginine-nitric oxide synthase pathway; however its cardiovascular effects have not been fully comprehended. The present study examined the cardiovascular effects of Sp-CTx in vivo and in vitro. In anesthetized rats Sp-CTx (70 µg/kg i.v) produced a biphasic response which consisted of an initial systolic and diastolic pressure increase followed by a sustained decrease of these parameters and the heart rate. In isolated rats hearts Sp-CTx (10(-9) to 5 × 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent and transient ventricular positive inotropic effect and vasoconstriction response on coronary bed. In papillary muscle, Sp-CTx (10(-7) M) also produced an increase in contractile isometric force, which was attenuated by the catecholamine releasing agent tyramine (100 µM) and the ß-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (10 µM). On isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes Sp-CTx (1 nM) increased the L-type Ca(2+) current density. The results show that Sp-CTx induces disorders in the cardiovascular system through increase of sarcolemmal calcium influx, which in turn is partially caused by the release of endogenous noradrenaline.

Nattectin a fish C-type lectin drives Th1 responses in vivo: licenses macrophages to differentiate into cells exhibiting typical DC function.

Considerable efforts are currently focused on the biology of DC in view of their possible clinical use as adjuvant for the generation of antigen-specific immunity and lifelong immunologic memory or for the treatment of tumors. We assessed the role of Nattectin a C-type lectin identified in the Thalassophryne nattereri fish venom in DC maturation. Nattectin induced a significant neutrophilic recruitment into peritoneal cavity of mice, followed by macrophages, with lipidic mediators and IL-12 p70 synthesis. Macrophages derived from 7day-Nattectin mice were CD11c+CD11b(low)Ly6(high)F4/80R(high) and express high levels of MHC class II and CD80 molecules. Culture of peritoneal exudates derived macrophages from 7day Nattectin-mice and immature BMDCs with Nattectin markedly increased the surface expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class II in a dose-dependent manner, and the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9 distributed in nucleus and cytoplasm of cells, that was associated with strong activity in the culture supernatant. Nattectin treated DCs secreted IL-12 p70 and IL-10. The Nattectin-treated BMDC or macrophage-derived DCs were highly efficient at Ag capture. The specific immune response elicited by Nattectin was characterized by the production of specific antibodies IgG1 and mainly IgG2a with IL-10 and IFN-γ synthesis by splenic cells. These results enable us to address that Nattectin induces the recruitment of Ly6C(high) monocytes into the peritoneum, which exhibit a pro-inflammatory profile, where they differentiate into proliferating F4/80R(high) macrophages. Macrophage-derived DCs mature in the presence of the cytokine milieu generated against Nattectin, exhibiting T cell co-stimulatory molecule expression and induced a Th1 polarized response.