Camelia oil and soybean-camelia oil blend enhance antioxidant activity and cardiovascular protection in hamsters.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of several vegetable oils and blended oil composed of soybean and camellia oils on blood lipid reduction and antioxidative activity. METHODS: Forty male hamsters were fed an AIN-93 G diet for 1 wk, followed by dividing into five groups: control group-1 was fed a low-fat diet containing 5% oil for 6 wk, and the other four groups were fed high-fat diets with group-2 containing 14% palm oil, group-3 containing 14% camellia oil, group-4 containing 14% soybean oil, and group-5 containing 14% blended oil (8.4% soybean oil and 5.6% camellia oil) along with 0.2% cholesterol and 0.1% bile acid. RESULTS: High-fat diets raised serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase in hamsters without affecting alanine aminotransferase. Compared with palm oil-containing diet, the other three high-fat diets reduced serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with an opposite trend for liver total cholesterol. However, compared with the control group, the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was raised for all four high-fat diets. The higher the degree of oil unsaturation, the higher the serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the lower the liver triacylglycerol level and activities of fatty acid synthase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and malic enzymes. Both soybean and blended oils lowered the antioxidative activity of liver. CONCLUSION: Camellia and blended oils were more efficient than soybean oil in elevating serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreasing the ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hamsters.

Effects of electrolysis time and electric potential on chlorine generation of electrolyzed deep ocean water.

Electrolyzed water is a sustainable disinfectant, which can comply with food safety regulations and is environmentally friendly. A two-factor central composite design was adopted for studying the effects of electrolysis time and electric potential on the chlorine generation efficiency of electrolyzed deep ocean water (DOW). DOW was electrolyzed in a glass electrolyzing cell equipped with platinum-plated titanium anode and cathode. The results showed that chlorine concentration reached maximal level in the batch process. Prolonged electrolysis reduced chlorine concentration in the electrolyte and was detrimental to electrolysis efficiency, especially under high electric potential conditions. Therefore, the optimal choice of electrolysis time depends on the electrolyzable chloride in DOW and cell potential adopted for electrolysis. The higher the electric potential, the faster the chlorine level reaches its maximum, but the lower the electric efficiency will be.

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of Glossogyne tenuifolia in Hamsters Fed an Atherogenic Diet.

Glossogyne tenuifolia (GT) Cassini is a special herbal tea in the Penghu Islands, Taiwan, and has a long history of being used as an antipyretic, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory remedy in folk medicine among local residents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hot water extracts from GT on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in animals. Five- to 6-week-old male Syrian hamsters were divided into four groups (n = 14) for different treatments, that is: control group (C), high-fat/cholesterol (HF) group, HF diet containing 0.5% (GT0.5) and 1.5% (GT1.5) GT extracts for 4 weeks. Hamsters fed with 0.5% GT powder as well as 1.5% GT powder exhibited reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), conjugated diene of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and increased serum antioxidant capacity, but 1.5% GT powder was more potent at lowering serum LDL cholesterol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations than 0.5% GT. GT extracts significantly lowered liver triacylglycerol (TG) concentration by diminishing activities of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH). In addition, fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids were increased in GT extract groups. In conclusion, GT extracts increase the antioxidative capacity, decrease serum TC, inhibit the activities of FAS and G-6-PDH, and further reduce liver TG accumulation in hamster fed on atherogenic diets.

Hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activities of Glossogyne tenuifolia against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

The present study investigated the anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects of Glossogyne tenuifolia (GT) Cassini, against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in BALB/c mice. The extracts of GT by various solvents (hot water, 50% ethanol and 95% ethanol) were compared for their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, total phenolic content, and total anti-oxidant capacity. The results showed that hot water (HW) extracts of GT contained high levels of phenolics and exerted an excellent anti-oxidative capacity; thus, these were used in the animal experiment. The male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, acetaminophen (APAP) group, positive control group and two GT groups at low (GT-L) and high (GT-H) dosages. The results showed that mice treated with GT had significantly decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). GT-H increased glutathione levels and the ratios of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in the liver, and inhibited serum and lipid peroxidation. This experiment was the first to determine phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and luteolin-7-glucoside in HW extract of GT. In conclusion, HW extract of GT may have potential anti-oxidant capacity and show hepatoprotective capacities in APAP-induced liver damaged mice.

Appropriate physical activity and dietary intake achieve optimal metabolic control in older type 2 diabetes patients.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate an appropriate level of physical activity and optimal dietary intake in older type 2 diabetes patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study enrolled 210 older type 2 diabetes patients. Participants were interviewed to obtain information on physical activity, 24-h dietary recall and typical weekly dietary patterns. Anthropometric measurements, and biochemical analysis of blood and urine were determined. RESULTS: Moderate physical activity (either moderate leisure-time physical activity or moderate physical activity level) and diet with protein intake of ≥0.8 g/kg/day were associated with lower glycated hemoglobin and triglyceride, higher high-density lipoprotein, lower waist circumference, body mass index and body fat, as well as better serum magnesium and albumin levels in older diabetic patients. In contrast, inadequate protein intake was correlated with higher glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride, body fat percentage, waist circumference and body mass index. In addition, high physical activity with inadequate protein and magnesium intake might exacerbate magnesium deficiency, resulting in poor glycemic control in older diabetic patients. Furthermore, low physical activity and inadequate protein intake were linked with poor glycemic control, and lower high-density lipoprotein, and higher triglyceride, body fat percentage, waist circumference and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate physical activity and adequate dietary protein intake (≥0.8 g/kg/day) might be the optimal recommendation for better metabolic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Correlation of magnesium intake with metabolic parameters, depression and physical activity in elderly type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major global public health problem in the worldwide and is increasing in aging populations. Magnesium intake may be one of the most important factors for diabetes prevention and management. Low magnesium intake may exacerbate metabolic abnormalities. In this study, the relationships of magnesium intake with metabolic parameters, depression and physical activity in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 210 type 2 diabetes patients aged 65 years and above. Participants were interviewed to obtain information on lifestyle and 24-hour dietary recall. Assessment of depression was based on DSM-IV criteria. Clinical variables measured included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and biochemical determinations of blood and urine samples. Linear regression was applied to determine the relationships of magnesium intake with nutritional variables and metabolic parameters. RESULTS: Among all patients, 88.6% had magnesium intake which was less than the dietary reference intake, and 37.1% had hypomagnesaemia. Metabolic syndromes and depression were associated with lower magnesium intake (p < 0.05). A positive relationship was found between magnesium intake and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.005). Magnesium intake was inversely correlated with triglyceride, waist circumference, body fat percent and body mass index (p < 0.005). After controlling confounding factor, HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher with increasing quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend = 0005). Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and body mass index were significantly lower with increase quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend < 0.001). The odds of depression, central obesity, high body fat percentage, and high body mass index were significantly lower with increasing quartile of magnesium intake (p for trend < 0.05). In addition, magnesium intake was related to high physical activity level and demonstrated lower serum magnesium levels. Serum magnesium was not significantly associated with metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of elderly type 2 diabetes who have low magnesium intake may compound this deficiency with metabolic abnormalities and depression. Future studies should determine the effects of increased magnesium intake or magnesium supplementation on metabolic control and depression in elderly people with type 2 diabetes.

Drinking deep seawater decreases serum total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Drinking deep seawater (DSW) with high levels of magnesium (Mg) decreased serum lipids in animal studies. Therefore the effects of drinking DSW on blood lipids and its antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects were investigated. DSW was first prepared by a process of filtration and reverse osmosis, and then the concentrated DSW with high levels of Mg was diluted as drinking DSW. Forty-two hypercholesterolemic volunteers were randomly divided into three groups: reverse osmotic (RO) water, DSW (Mg: 395 mg/L, hardness 1410 ppm), and magnesium-chloride fortified (MCF) water (Mg: 386 mg/L, hardness 1430 ppm). The subjects drank 1050 mL of water daily for 6 weeks, and blood samples were collected and analyzed on weeks 0, 3, and 6. Drinking DSW caused a decrease in blood total cholesterol levels and this effect was progressively enhanced with time. Serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was also decreased by DSW. Further, total cholesterol levels of subjects in the DSW group were significantly lower than those in the MCF water or RO water groups. Compared with week 0, the DSW group had higher blood Mg level on weeks 3 and 6, but the Mg levels were within the normal range in all three groups. DSW consumption also lowered thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values in serum. In conclusion, DSW was apparently effective in reducing blood total cholesterol and LDL-C, and also in decreasing lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Effects of deep-frying oil on blood pressure and oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: Ingestion of deep-frying oil has been reported to cause physiologic and histologic changes in experimental animals' tissue, increase the oxidative stress, and possibly lead to death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of deep-frying oil on oxidative stress and blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. METHODS: Deep-frying oil was prepared by frying fresh soybean oil at 180 +/- 5 degrees C for 8 h each day, for 4 consecutive days. Male SHR and WKY rats were fed diets containing 15% fresh soybean oil or deep-frying oil (DO) for 10 wk. RESULTS: Rats ingesting the DO diet had lower feed efficiency and higher relative liver and kidney weights but deep frying had no significant influence on blood pressure in WKY or SHR rats. The DO diet had no effect on plasma renin activity, aldosterone content, or tissue angiotension-I-converting enzyme activity. WKY rats fed the DO diet showed significantly increased urinary thromboxane B(2) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) excretion, but not urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) excretion. Diets containing deep-frying oil resulted in increased plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and nitric oxide contents and decreased plasma total antioxidant capacity in SHR and WKY rats. CONCLUSION: The ingestion of deep-frying oil seemed not to influence blood pressure or its related parameters, but altered eicosanoid metabolism and elevated oxidative stress in SHR and WKY rats.

Protective effects of L-arginine supplementation against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress in young rat tissues.

Recently, we showed that L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation could attenuate acute exercise-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress in aging rats. In this study, we investigate whether L-Arg supplementation protects cellular oxidative stress, inflammation, or the mitochondrial DNA 4834-bp large deletion (mtDNA4834 deletion) in 14-week-old young rats tissues during exhaustive exercise. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary control (SC); SC with L-Arg treatment (SC+Arg); exhaustive exercise (E); and exhaustive exercise with L-Arg treatment (E+Arg). Rats in the SC+Arg and E+Arg groups received supplemental 2% L-Arg diet. Rats in groups E and E+Arg performed an exhaustive running test on a treadmill. The results showed a significant increase in xanthine oxidase (XO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde; MDA) levels of muscular, hepatic, and renal tissues in exercised rats as compared with sedentary rats. The increased XO, MPO, and MDA levels of these tissues significantly decreased in exercised rats supplemented with L-Arg. However, exhaustive exercise had no effect on mtDNA4834 deletions of muscular and hepatic tissues. The activities of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), lactate, uric acid, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and D-3-hydroxybutyrate in the plasma significantly increased in the exercised rats compared with the sedentary rats, while the CK, lactate and uric acid levels in the plasma significantly decreased in L-Arg-supplemented exercised rats. These findings suggest that L-Arg supplementation reduces the oxidative damage to and inflammatory response in skeletal muscles, the liver, and kidneys caused by exhaustive exercise in young rats.

The influence of aluminum exposure on male reproduction and offspring in mice.

The dominant lethal assay was utilized to assess the reproductive performance in male mice, possible genetic hazards, and persistent damage of aluminum (Al). Al chloride, AlCl(3), was administered subcutaneously to CD-1 adult male mice at dosages of 0, 7, or 13mg Al/kg body weight/day for 2 weeks of pre-mating periods. Females were not dosed at any time during this study. At the end of the exposure period, each male was caged with three virgin females each day. The mean mating frequencies of the Al-treated groups reduced consistently from week 4 to 6, and a dramatic reduction in male fertility was also observed. However, the mating frequency restored to near normal control levels as the experiment terminated. Results showed significantly higher numbers of post-implantation losses, foetal mortality, and induced petechial haemorrhage; also significant decreases in body weights of viable foetus throughout weeks 3-8 in the Al-treated groups. The weights of the reproductive organs of the Al-dosed animals decreased significantly as Al accumulation increased in the testes. The spermatogenetic impairment within the seminiferous tubules was also apparent. Nevertheless, these disturbances disappeared at the end of the experiments. In summary, the results demonstrated that Al exerted substantial hazards on male reproductive function and produced genetic toxicity. However, these effects were found to be reversible.

Effect of genistein supplementation on tissue genistein and lipid peroxidation of serum, liver and low-density lipoprotein in hamsters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of genistein supplementation in a vitamin E-deficient diet on the genistein concentrations and the lipid oxidation of serum, liver and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) of hamsters. Thirty-six male hamsters were randomly divided into three groups and fed a vitamin E-deficient semisynthetic diet (AIN-76) containing different levels of genistein, i.e., G0 (control group, genistein-free diet), G50 (50 mg genistein/kg diet) and G200 (200 mg genistein/kg diet) for 5 weeks. The concentrations of genistein in serum and liver significantly increased with the increase of genistein supplementation. The vitamin E contents in LDL were higher in hamsters fed G50 or G200 diets than in hamsters fed genistein-free diet. Genistein supplementation to hamsters significantly reduced the propagation rate during conjugated diene formation of LDL oxidation, and the lag time of LDL oxidation in hamsters fed G200 diets was significantly lower than that of G0 diets. In addition, genistein supplementation significantly raised serum total antioxidant capacity and decreased the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of LDL and liver in hamsters. However, no significant differences in TBARS were found in serum, irrespective of genistein addition. On the other hand, the relative contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids in LDL were decreased after genistein supplementation. There was a negative correlation between lag time and P/S ratio, and a positive correlation between lag time and vitamin E contents. These data demonstrate that genistein supplementation markedly increased its concentrations in body tissues and reduced oxidative stress of lipid oxidation of serum, liver and LDL.