High-resolution 1H NMR analysis of continuous and discontinuous thermo-oxidative susceptibility of culinary oils during frying at 180 °C.

Lipid oxidations products (LOPs) are reactive mutagenic and carcinogenic species known to be generated in thermally stressed culinary oils. Mapping the evolution of LOPs in culinary oils exposed to standard frying practices - both continuous and discontinuous thermo-oxidation - at 180 °C is vital to our understanding of these processes, and to the development of scientific solutions for their effective suppression. Modifications in the chemical compositions of the thermo-oxidised oils were analysed using a high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) technique. Research findings acquired showed that polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich culinary oils were the most susceptible to thermo-oxidation. Consistently, coconut oil, which has a very high saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, was highly resistant to the thermo-oxidative methods employed. Furthermore, continuous thermo-oxidation produced greater substantive changes in the oils evaluated than discontinuous episodes. Indeed, for 120 min thermo-oxidation durations, both continuous and discontinuous methods exerted a unique impact on the contents and levels of aldehydic LOPs formed in the oils. This report exposes daily used culinary oils to thermo-oxidation, and therefore, it permits assessments of their peroxidative susceptibilities. It also serves as a reminder to the scientific community to investigate approaches for suppressing toxic LOPs generation in culinary oils exposed to these processes, most notably those involving their reuse.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Analysis of the Evolution of Peroxidation Products Arising from Culinary Oils Exposed to Thermal Oxidation: An Investigation Employing 1H and 1H-1H COSY and TOCSY Techniques.

Scientific warnings on the deleterious health effects exerted by dietary lipid oxidation products (LOPs) present in thermally stressed culinary oils have, to date, not received adequate attention given that there has been an increase in the use and consumption of such oil products in everyday life. In this study, high-resolution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was used to characterize and map chemical modifications to fatty acid (FA) acyl groups and the evolution of LOPs in saturated fatty acid (SFA)-rich ghee, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich groundnut, extra virgin olive, and macadamia oils, along with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich sesame, corn and walnut oils, which were all thermally stressed at 180 °C, continuously and discontinuously for 300 and 480 min, respectively. Results acquired revealed that PUFA-rich culinary oils were more susceptible to thermo-oxidative stress than the others tested, as expected. However, ghee and macadamia oil both generated only low levels of toxic LOPs, and these results demonstrated a striking similarity. Furthermore, at the 120 min thermo-oxidation time-point, the discontinuous thermo-oxidation episodes produced higher concentrations of aldehydic LOPs than those produced during continuous thermo-oxidation sessions for the same duration. On completion of the thermo-oxidation period, a higher level of triacylglycerol chain degradation, and hence, higher concentrations of aldehydes, were registered in culinary oils thermally stressed continuously over those found in discontinuous thermo-oxidized oils. These findings may be crucial in setting targets and developing scientific methods for the suppression of LOPs in thermo-oxidized oils.

Potential Effects of Ibuprofen, Remdesivir and Omeprazole on Dexamethasone Metabolism in Control Sprague Dawley Male Rat Liver Microsomes (Drugs Often Used Together Alongside COVID-19 Treatment).

The role of individual cytochrome P450 (CYPs) responsible for the drug metabolism can be determined through their chemical inhibition. During the pandemic, dexamethasone and remdesivir with omeprazole were used for the treatment of COVID-19, while Ibuprofen was taken to treat the symptoms of fever and headache. This study aimed to examine the potency of ibuprofen remdesivir, and omeprazole as inhibitors of cytochrome P450s using rat liver microsomes in vitro. Dexamethasone a corticosteroid, sometimes used to reduce the body's immune response in the treatment of COVID-19, was used as a probe substrate and the three inhibitors were added to the incubation system at different concentrations and analysed by a validated High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. The CYP3A2 isoenzyme is responsible for dexamethasone metabolism in vitro. The results showed that ibuprofen acts as a non-competitive inhibitor for CYP3A2 activity with Ki = 224.981 ± 1.854 µM and IC50 = 230.552 ± 2.020 µM, although remdesivir showed a mixed inhibition pattern with a Ki = 22.504 ± 0.008 µM and IC50 = 45.007 ± 0.016 µM. Additionally, omeprazole uncompetitively inhibits dexamethasone metabolism by the CYP3A2 enzyme activity with a Ki = 39.175 ± 0.230 µM and IC50 = 78.351 ± 0.460 µM. These results suggest that the tested inhibitors would not exert a significant effect on the CYP3A2 isoenzyme responsible for the co-administered dexamethasone drug's metabolism in vivo.

Development and Validation of a Novel HPLC Method to Analyse Metabolic Reaction Products Catalysed by the CYP3A2 Isoform: In Vitro Inhibition of CYP3A2 Enzyme Activity by Aspirin (Drugs Often Used Together in COVID-19 Treatment).

Aspirin (also known as acetylsalicylic acid) is a drug intended to treat fever, pain, or inflammation. Treatment of moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 using aspirin along with dexamethasone has gained major attention globally in recent times. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to evaluate the in vitro inhibition of CYP3A2 enzyme activity using aspirin in rat liver microsomes (RLMs). In this study, an efficient and sensitive HPLC method was developed using a reversed phase C18 column (X Bridge 4.6 mm × 150 mm, 3.5 µm) at 243 nm using acetonitrile and water (70:30 v/v). The linearity (r2 > 0.999), precision (<15%), accuracy and recovery (80-120%), limit of detection (5.60 µM and 0.06 µM), limit of quantification (16.98 µM and 0.19 µM), and stability of the newly developed method were validated for dexamethasone and 6ß-hydroxydexamethasone, respectively, following International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. This method was applied in vitro to measure CYP3A2 activity. The results showed that aspirin competitively inhibits 6ß-hydroxylation (CYP3A2 activity) with an inhibition constant (Ki) = 95.46 µM and the concentration of the inhibitor causing 50% inhibition of original enzyme activity (IC50) = 190.92 µM. This indicated that there is a minimal risk of toxicity when dexamethasone and aspirin are co-administrated and a very low risk of toxicity and drug interaction with drugs that are a substrate for CYP3A2 in healthcare settings.

The impact of partial oil substitution and trace metal ions on the evolution of peroxidation products in thermally stressed culinary oils.

Suppressing toxic aldehydic lipid oxidation product (LOP) generation in culinary oils is now considered vital, since the deleterious effects arising from their ingestion are implicated in a wide range of disease conditions. Partial substitution involves the replenishment of thermally-stressed culinary oils with corresponding unheated ones. This technique was tested by employing 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75% (v/v) partial substitutions of coconut, olive, rapeseed, and sunflower oils at 180℃ for a 300 min continuous thermo-oxidation duration. Oil samples were analysed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Trace metal levels, including oxidation-reduction (redox)-active metal ions credited with enhancing cooking oil oxidation were also analysed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). As expected, the degree of oil unsaturation, and the % partial substitutions significantly influenced their susceptibility to thermo-oxidation. In view of the very low polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents of coconut oil, both the class and concentrations of evolved LOPs were found to be least affected by this partial substitution process. Aldehydic LOPs were greatly suppressed in partially-substituted rapeseed oil. The % suppression activity of LOPs evaluated for the partially substituted oils were generally high making partial oil substitutions an effective chemical-free method in suppressing LOPs at both industrial and commercial levels. In general, the % partial oil substitutions were directly related to the dilution effect observed for LOPs quantified in the oils. Furthermore, trace metal ion concentrations measured in the culinary oils did not influence the evolution of LOPs in the oils.

The Role of Polydimethylsiloxane in Suppressing the Evolution of Lipid Oxidation Products in Thermo-Oxidised Sunflower Oil: Influence of Stirring Processes.

Suppressing the evolution of lipid oxidation products (LOPs) in commercially available culinary oils is considered to represent a valuable health-promoting incentive since these agents have cytotoxic and genotoxic properties and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic disease states. One agent used to suppress LOPs formation is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). In this study, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) analysis was employed to evaluating the influence of increasing PDMS concentrations (6.25 × 10-7, 1.0 × 10-5, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 ppm) in either stirred or unstirred refined sunflower oil exposed to thermal stressing episodes continuously at 180°C for 300 min with no oil replenishment. Results acquired showed that the extent of blockage of LOPs generation was correlated with increasing concentrations of PDMS. The minimal level of added PDMS required to provide a statistically significant protective role for both stirred and unstirred culinary oils when exposed to high frying temperatures was only 6.25 × 10-7 ppm. Furthermore, stirring at 250 rpm was experimentally determined to reduce the functional role PDMS. This is vital in a real world setting since the boiling process of frying may ultimately reduce the LOPs suppression activity of PDMS.

Potential Assessment of UGT2B17 Inhibition by Salicylic Acid in Human Supersomes In Vitro.

Glucuronidation is a Phase 2 metabolic pathway responsible for the metabolism and excretion of testosterone to a conjugate testosterone glucuronide. Bioavailability and the rate of anabolic steroid testosterone metabolism can be affected upon UGT glucuronidation enzyme alteration. However, there is a lack of information about the in vitro potential assessment of UGT2B17 inhibition by salicylic acid. The purpose of this study is to investigate if UGT2B17 enzyme activity is inhibited by salicylic acid. A UGT2B17 assay was developed and validated by HPLC using a C18 reversed phase column (SUPELCO 25 cm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 246 nm using a gradient elution mobile phase system: (A) phosphate buffer (0.01 M) at pH = 3.8, (B) HPLC grade acetonitrile and (C) HPLC grade methanol. The UGT2B17 metabolite (testosterone glucuronide) was quantified using human UGT2B17 supersomes by a validated HPLC method. The type of inhibition was determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots. These were constructed from the in vitro inhibition of salicylic acid at different concentration levels. The UGT2B17 assay showed good linearity (R2 > 0.99), acceptable recovery and accuracy (80-120%), good reproducibility and acceptable inter and intra-assay precision (<15%), low detection (6.42 and 2.76 µM) and quantitation limit values (19.46 and 8.38 µM) for testosterone and testosterone glucuronide respectively, according to ICH guidelines. Testosterone and testosterone glucuronide were found to be stable up to 72 h in normal laboratory conditions. Our investigational study showed that salicylic acid uncompetitively inhibited UGT2B17 enzyme activity. Thus, drugs that are substrates for the UGT2B17 enzyme have negligible potential effect of causing interaction with salicylic acid in humans.

A novel non-destructive technique for qualitative and quantitative measurement of dental erosion in its entirety by porosity and bulk tissue-loss.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of combining non-contact profilometry (NCP) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) data to measure the entire erosive process non-destructively and to validate findings using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface microhardness (SMH) using the same samples throughout. METHODS: Polished bovine enamel samples (n = 35) were divided into groups (7/group) with similar SMH values. Samples underwent individual erosive challenges (1 % citric acid, pH3.8) for 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 min under stirring and aliquot extracts were analysed for Ca and P by ICP-AES. SMH was used to measure erosive softening. Profilometry was used to assess bulk volume loss (BVL). Images were captured by SEM. Samples were stained with rhodamine-B (0.1 mM, 24 h) and images captured by CLSM. Image processing was used to determine changes in fluorescent volume for the first 10 µm (ΔFV10) for each enamel sample which were combined with BVL to calculate total lesion volume (TLV). ANOVA, linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis were used where applicable. RESULTS: Surface softening, [Ca], [P], BVL and ΔFV10µm increased with acid erosion duration which were significant by 10 min (P < .01). The Ca:P ratio increased to 1.57 then decreased after 5 min erosion suggesting a sub/surface phase change, which was observed by SEM and CLSM showing significant changes to the enamel surface and subsurface morphology with time. Combination of BVL and ΔFV10 as TLV strengthened the significant correlations with [Ca], [P], and SMH (P < .01). CONCLUSION: This novel combination of CLSM and NCP allows for concurrent non-destructive quantification of the entire erosive process by mineral loss, and qualitatively characterise microstructural changes during dental erosion.

"Real-World" Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation Products and Trace Metals in French Fries From Two Chain Fast-Food Restaurants.

Differences in lipid oxidation products (LOPs) and trace metal concentrations of French fry samples found between two global chain fast-food restaurants in the UK were investigated using high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analyses, respectively, of extracts derived therefrom. Over the course of 3 days and 3 different diurnal time periods, samples of French fries (FFs) were analyzed, and comparisons of two different oil extraction methods were undertaken for the two restaurants involved. The magnitude of concentrations of LOPs extracted from FFs is discussed. Significant differences between 6/7 aldehyde classifications, and aluminum, manganese, vanadium, lead, iron, copper and nickel levels between samples from the two restaurants are also reported. Redox-active transition and further trace metal concentrations inversely correlated with FF oil sample LOP contents; this suggested an antioxidant rather than a pro-oxidant role for them.

Characterisation of mineral loss as a function of depth using confocal laser scanning microscopy to study erosive lesions in enamel: A novel non-destructive image processing model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a novel image processing protocol for confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to study mineral distribution within erosive lesions as a function of depth. METHODS: Polished bovine enamel samples (n = 80) were divided into groups (8/group) with similar mean surface microhardness (SMH) values. Samples underwent erosion (1 % citric acid pH3.8) for 1,5,10,15, or 30 min, with or without stirring giving 10 treatment groups in a 2*5 factorial design. SMH was used to measure erosive softening. Profilometry was used to measure bulk tissue loss. Samples were then stained with rhodamine-B (0.1 mM, 24 h) and imaged using CLSM. Image processing was used to measure fluorescence volume (FV) as a function of depth for each image. The data from reference images were subtracted from post-erosive data to determine changes in fluorescent volume (ΔFV) as a function of depth. 2-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis were used where applicable. RESULTS: Surface softening and bulk tissue loss increased with acid erosion duration with or without stirring. Stirring significantly increased net softening at each time point; specimens underwent significantly more bulk tissue loss (P < 0.05). CLSM showed the erosive lesion deepened as exposure to acid increased, and that at the near surface (0-10 µm) FV and ΔFV increased rapidly for stirred solutions. The increase in pore space translated to a softer surface as measured by SMH. CONCLUSION: This novel non-destructive method allows concurrent quantification of dental erosion by mineral loss as a function of depth, and qualitative characterisation of microstructural changes during early erosion.

Validation of an HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Metabolic Reaction Products Catalysed by CYP2E1 Enzyme Activity: Inhibitory Effect of Cytochrome P450 Enzyme CYP2E1 by Salicylic Acid in Rat Liver Microsomes.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) alters the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug and causes drug-drug interactions. Salicylic acid been used for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and chemoprevention in recent decades. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the in vitro inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on CYP2E1 activity in rat liver microsomes (RLMs) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of a CYP2E1 assay was developed on a reversed phase C18 column (SUPELCO 25 cm × 4.6 mm × 5 µm) at 282 nm using 60% H2O, 25% acetonitrile, and 15% methanol as mobile phase. The CYP2E1 assay showed a good linearity (R2 > 0.999), good reproducibility, intra- and inter-day precision (<15%), acceptable recovery and accuracy (80-120%), and low detection (4.972 µM and 1.997 µM) and quantitation limit values (15.068 µM and 6.052 µM), for chlorzoxazone and 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone, respectively. Salicylic acid acts as a mixed inhibitor (competitive and non-competitive inhibition), with Ki (inhibition constant) = 83.56 ± 2.730 µM and concentration of inhibitor causing 50% inhibition of original enzyme activity (IC50) exceeding 100 µM (IC50 = 167.12 ± 5.460 µM) for CYP2E1 enzyme activity. Salicylic acid in rats would have both low and high potential to cause toxicity and drug interactions with other drugs that are substrates for CYP2E1.

Characterizing neonatal vitamin D deficiency in the modern era: A maternal-neonatal birth cohort from Southern Europe.

Absence of adequate maternal vitamin D supplementation and decreased maternal ultraviolet exposure during pregnancy are key determinants for the manifestation of neonatal hypovitaminosis D at birth. These parameters may vary, according to country-specific dietary patterns, health policies and sunshine exposure. We aimed to investigate differences in calcium metabolism and anthropometric profiles according to neonatal vitamin D status at birth, in a sunny region of Northern Greece. A secondary aim was to identify maternal parameters as risk factors for developing neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth. A total of 129 mother-neonate pairs were included in the study and classified into three groups, according to neonatal 25-hydroxy-D [25(OH)D)] concentrations at birth [deficiency (<30 nmol/l), insufficiency (30-50 nmol/l) and sufficiency (>50 nmol/l)]. Neonatal biochemical and anthropometric profiles and maternal demographic, social, dietary and biochemical profiles were comparatively evaluated between the three groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent associations of maternal factors with neonatal vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficient-neonates manifested higher parathyroid hormone (7.20 ± 2.60 vs 5.50 ± 1.50 pg/ml, p = 0.01) and lower corrected calcium (10.70 ± 0.70 vs 11.30 ± 1.30 mg/dl, p = 0.02) concentrations compared with vitamin d-insufficient neonates. Mothers of vitamin D deficient and insufficient neonates had a lower total of 25(OH)D (31.7 ± 19.2 and 36.5 ± 22.3 vs 53.3 ± 39.0 nmol/l, p < 0.01) and 25(OH)D3 (27.4 ± 17.5 and 33.3 ± 19.9 vs 47.3 ± 36.7 nmol/l, p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively) concentrations respectively, compared with those of vitamin D-sufficient neonates. Maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy was associated with a 5.57-fold higher risk for neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth (OR 5.57, 95 % CI1.17-26.56, p = 0.03). Newborns with vitamin D deficiency presented a 6.89-fold higher risk of having been given birth by vitamin D deficient mothers (OR 6.89, 95 % CI 3.09-15.38, p < 0.01). In conclusion, neonatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations at birth and maternal alcohol use. Further studies are required to replicate these findings in other regions and populations.

Vitamin D receptor Fokl polymorphism is a determinant of both maternal and neonatal vitamin D concentrations at birth.

Maternal vitamin D deficiency is considered to be the key determinant of the development of neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth and during early infancy. Specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal and neonatal VDR polymorphisms (ApaI, TaqI, BsmI, FokI, Tru9I) on maternal and neonatal vitamin D status. VDR polymorphisms were genotyped in 70 mother-neonate pairs of Greek origin, and classified according to international thresholds for Vitamin D status. Mean neonatal and maternal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were 35 ± 20 and 47 ± 26 nmol/l, respectively. Neonatal VDR polymorphisms were not associated with neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations. In contrast, mothers with the Fokl FF polymorphism had a 70 % lower risk of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <30 nmol/l] compared with ff ones, after adjustment for several confounders. They were also in 73 % and 88 % lower risk of giving birth to vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D <30 nmol/l] neonates compared with Ff and ff mothers, respectively. These results suggest a protective role of maternal Fokl FF genotype against both maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficiency. Further studies are needed to clarify the complex gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that determine vitamin D status at birth.

Validation of an HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Metabolic Reaction Products Catalysed by CYP2C11 Enzymes in Rat Liver Microsomes: In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Salicylic Acid on CYP2C11 Enzyme.

The inhibitory effect of new chemical entities on rat liver P450 marker activities was investigated in a functional approach towards drug development. Treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and chemoprevention using salicylic acid has gained a lot of attention, mainly in the prevention of the onset of colon cancer. Thus, an in vitro inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on rat CYP2C11 activity was examined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). High performance liquid chromatography analysis of a CYP2C11 assay was developed on a reversed phase C18 column (SUPELCO 25 cm × 4.6 mm × 5 µm) at 243 nm using 32% phosphate buffer (pH 3.36) and 68% methanol as a mobile phase. The CYP2C11 assay showed good linearity for all components (R2 > 0.999). Substrates and metabolites were found to be stable for up to 72 hours. Additionally, the method demonstrated good reproducibility, intra- and inter-day precision (<15%), acceptable recovery and accuracy (80%-120%), and low detection (1.3501 µM and 3.2757 µM) and quantitation limit values (4.914 µM and 9.927 µM) for 16α-hydroxytestosterone and testosterone, respectively. Salicylic acid acts reversibly as a noncompetitive (weak) inhibitor with Ki = 84.582 ± 2.67 µM (concentration of inhibitor to cause 50% inhibition of original enzyme activity (IC50) = 82.70 ± 2.67 µM) for CYP2C11 enzyme activity. This indicates a low potential to cause toxicity and drug-drug interactions.

Characterisation of peroxidation products arising from culinary oils exposed to continuous and discontinuous thermal degradation processes.

High-resolution NMR analysis has been used, for the first time, to identify, putatively, two new secondary aldehydic lipid oxidation products in culinary oils. The impact of heating and cooling times on the thermal stability, fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation product (LOP) concentrations have been analysed for continuous and discontinuous heating periods (180 °C). The susceptibility of the selected oils to thermal oxidation for the different heating episodes has been evaluated via the detection and determination of LOPs, particularly cytotoxic and genotoxic aldehydes. The identities and quantities of these LOPs evolved throughout a 2.0 hour period. Results acquired indicated that sunflower oil was more resistant to discontinuous oxidation than rapeseed and olive oils, however overall discontinuous heating resulted in more LOPs.

A review of bioanalytical techniques for evaluation of cannabis (Marijuana, weed, Hashish) in human hair.

Cannabis products (marijuana, weed, hashish) are among the most widely abused psychoactive drugs in the world, due to their euphorigenic and anxiolytic properties. Recently, hair analysis is of great interest in analytical, clinical, and forensic sciences due to its non-invasiveness, negligible risk of infection and tampering, facile storage, and a wider window of detection. Hair analysis is now widely accepted as evidence in courts around the world. Hair analysis is very feasible to complement saliva, blood tests, and urinalysis. In this review, we have focused on state of the art in hair analysis of cannabis with particular attention to hair sample preparation for cannabis analysis involving pulverization, extraction and screening techniques followed by confirmatory tests (e.g., GC-MS and LC-MS/MS). We have reviewed the literature for the past 10 years' period with special emphasis on cannabis quantification using mass spectrometry. The pros and cons of all the published methods have also been discussed along with the prospective future of cannabis analysis.

Plasma Free Fatty Acids Metabolic Profile with LC-MS and Appetite-Related Hormones in South Asian and White European Men in Relation to Adiposity, Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study.

South Asians have a greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk than white Europeans, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examined ethnic differences in free fatty acids (FFAs) metabolic profile (assessed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), appetite-related hormones and traditional CVD and T2D risk markers in blood samples collected from 16 South Asian and 16 white European men and explored associations with body composition, objectively-measured physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. South Asians exhibited higher concentrations of five FFAs (laurate, myristate, palmitate, linolenic, linoleate; p ≤ 0.040), lower acylated ghrelin (ES = 1.00, p = 0.008) and higher leptin (ES = 1.11, p = 0.004) than white Europeans; total peptide YY was similar between groups (p = 0.381). South Asians exhibited elevated fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, triacylglycerol and ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lower fasting HDL-C (all ES ≥ 0.74, p ≤ 0.053). Controlling for body fat percentage (assessed using air displacement plethysmography) attenuated these differences. Despite similar habitual moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (ES = 0.18, p = 0.675), V ˙ O2max was lower in South Asians (ES = 1.36, p = 0.001). Circulating FFAs in South Asians were positively correlated with body fat percentage (r2 = 0.92), body mass (r2 = 0.86) and AUC glucose (r2 = 0.89) whereas in white Europeans FFAs were negatively correlated with total step counts (r2 = 0.96). In conclusion, South Asians exhibited a different FFA profile, lower ghrelin, higher leptin, impaired CVD and T2D risk markers and lower cardiorespiratory fitness than white Europeans.

Christian Orthodox fasting in practice: A comparative evaluation between Greek Orthodox general population fasters and Athonian monks.

OBJECTIVES: Christian Orthodox fasting (COF), a periodical vegetarian subset of the Mediterranean diet, has been proven to exert beneficial effects on human health. Athonian fasting is a pescetarian COF variation, where red meat is strictly restricted throughout the year. Previous studies have examined the COF nutritional synthesis and health effects in general population fasters (GF) and Athonian monks (AM), separately. The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the characteristics and effects of this nutritional advocacy between the two populations. METHODS: The study included 43 male GFs (20-45 y of age) and 57 age-matched male AMs following COF. Dietary intake data were collected in both groups during a restrictive (RD) and a nonrestrictive (NRD) day. Nutritional, cardiometabolic, and anthropometric parameters were compared between the two cohorts. RESULTS: AM presented lower daily total caloric intake for both RD (1362.42 ± 84.52 versus 1575.47 ± 285.96 kcal, P < 0.001) and NRD (1571.55 ± 81.07 versus 2137.80 ± 470.84 kcal, P < 0.001) than GF.They also demonstrated lower body mass index (23.77 ± 3.91 versus 28.92 ± 4.50 kg/m2, P <0.001), body fat mass (14.57 ± 8.98 versus 24.61 ± 11.18 kg, P = 0.001), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance values (0.98 ± 0.72 versus 2.67 ± 2.19 mmol/L, P < .001) than GF. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone concentrations: 116.08 ± 49.74 pg/mL), as a result of profound hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D: 9.27 ± 5.81 ng/mL], was evident in the AM group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study highlight the unique characteristics of Athonian fasting and its value as a health-promoting diet. The effects of limitation of specific vitamins and minerals during fasting warrants further investigation.

Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Activities by Extracts of Hyptis verticillata Jacq.: Assessment for Potential HERB-Drug Interactions.

Understanding the potential for adverse drug reactions (ADRs), from herb-drug interactions, is a key aspect of medicinal plant safety, with particular relevance for public health in countries where medicinal plant use is highly prevalent. We undertook an in-depth assessment of extracts of Hyptis verticillata Jacq., via its impact on activities of key cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 3A4 and 2D6), its antioxidant properties (determined by DPPH assays) and chemical characterisation (using LC-MS). The dried plant aqueous extract demonstrated potent inhibition of the activities of CYPs 1A1 (7.6 µg/mL), 1A2 (1.9 µg/mL), 1B1 (9.4 µg/mL) and 3A4 (6.8 µg/mL). Further analysis of other crude extracts demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP1A2 activity for a dried plant ethanol extract (1.5 µg/mL), fresh plant ethanol extract (3.9 µg/mL), and moderate activity for a fresh plant aqueous extract (27.8 µg/mL). All four extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, compared to the positive control (ascorbic acid, 1.3 µg/mL), with the dried plant ethanol extract being the most potent (1.6 µg/mL). Analysis of the dried plant aqueous extract confirmed the identity of seven phytochemicals, five lignans and two triterpenes. Individual screening of these phytochemicals against the activity of CYP1A2 identified yatein as a moderate inhibitor (71.9 µM), likely to contribute to the plant extract's potent bioactivity. Further analysis on the impact of this plant on key drug metabolizing enzymes in vivo appears warranted for likely ADRs, as well as furthering development as a potential chemopreventive agent.

Adiponectin and vitamin D-binding protein are independently associated at birth in both mothers and neonates.

CONTEXT: Adult body fat is associated with birth anthropometry, suggesting a role for metabolic regulators including vitamin D and the adipokines-adiponectin and irisin-which have been reported to interact but, as yet, data remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: To study (i) the relationship between vitamin D, its binding protein (VDBP) and the adipokines, adiponectin, and irisin in mothers and neonates at birth and (ii) their effects on neonate anthropometric outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study for healthy mothers with full-term and uncomplicated births. SETTING: Primary care. SUBJECTS: Seventy pairs of newly delivered neonates and their mothers. MAIN OUTCOMES FEATURES: Biochemical markers from maternal and cord: VDBP, adiponectin, irisin, calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone, 25OHD, 1,25(OH)2D. Maternal demographic and social characteristics and neonate anthropometric parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Maternal VDBP levels (364.1 ± 11.9 µg/ml) demonstrated a strong positive correlation with maternal adiponectin (4.4 ± 0.4 µg/ml) and irisin (308.8 ± 50.8 ng/ml) concentrations, which remained significant (p < 0.001 and p < 0.041, respectively) after adjustment with multiple parameters, including weeks of gestation, maternal age, and BMI. The finding of a strong association of VDBP (355.3 ± 29.2 µg/ml) and adiponectin (11.9 ± 2.0 µg/ml) but not irisin (174.4 ± 26.0 ng/ml) was also evident in neonates (p = 0.03 and p = 0.94, respectively). No association was observed in both maternal and neonatal vitamin D, adiponectin, and irisin. CONCLUSIONS: The main findings of this study are (i) the perspective of a potential independent interaction of VDBP and adiponectin in both mothers and neonates and (ii) the lack of a causative model effect of both maternal/neonatal vitamin D status and adipokine profile on neonatal anthropometry at birth, as a surrogate marker of future metabolic health of the offspring.