Nutritional supplementation assessment with whey proteins and TGF-ß in patients with Crohn's disease.

UNLABELLED: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the intestines, resulting in breakage of the intestinal barrier, pathological inflammation and nutritional disorders that encompass from trace elements deficiency to severe malnutrition. Nutritional interventions either alone or associated to drug therapy may be effective to achieve and maintain inflammation remission. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate usual food intake as quantitative and qualitatively, in CD patients; and describe the effect of a supplement containing whey proteins and TGF- on their body composition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed considering 42 consecutive patients, followed in a tertiary center, and by using the 3-day food recall and food intake frequency questionnaire. Body composition was assessed previously and 8 weeks after supplementation with a diet containing whey proteins and TGF-ß (N = 22). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Considering carbohydrates and lipids, most patients had adequate dietary intake according recommendations. Protein, saturated fat, B12 vitamin and zinc intakes were higher than the recommended values. The dietary fiber, A, D, C and E vitamins, calcium, iron, folate, potassium and sodium intakes did not reach the recommended requirements in most patients. Patients supplemented with the whey protein and TGF-ß dietary presented a positive increment in their lean body mass, when compared to non-supplemented group. CONCLUSION: CD patients require nutritional orientation. Whey protein intake resulted in significant differences, such as improvement in Lean Body Mass and reduction in Fat percentage.

Anti-ulcerogenic effect of a whey protein isolate and collagen hydrolysates against ethanol ulcerative lesions on oral administration to rats.

The effect of the administration of a whey protein isolate (WPI) and collagen hydrolysates on ethanol-induced ulcerative lesions was studied in rats. WPI and bovine or porcine collagen hydrolysate (BCH and PCH, respectively) were given to rats by gavage. In acute experiments, (single-dose) physiological saline (10 mL/kg of body weight) was used as the negative control, and carbenoxolone (200 mg/kg of body weight) was used as a positive control. Ethanol (1 mL per 250-g rat) was also given by gavage. These treatments reduced the ulcerative lesion index (ULI) in a range of 40-77%, depending on the dosage. Some mixtures of WPI with either PCH or BCH provided results that suggested synergisms between WPI and the collagen hydrolysates. For example, WPI/BCH (in the proportion of 375:375 mg/kg of body weight) decreased ULI by 64%. The mechanism for mucosal protection involved a decrease in plasma gastrin (approximately 40%), a significant increase (50-267%) in mucus production, and a reduction in ULI (percentage) when intragastric administrations were performed after in vivo alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide. Results suggest that gastrin, sulfhydryl substances, and some mechanisms related to mucus production are all involved in gastric ulcer protection against ethanol. The collagen hydrolysates (both PCH and BCH) presented a stronger effect on mucus production; on the other hand, the effect of WPI was also dependent on sulfhydryl compounds, resulting in a more protective effect when the two proteins were administered together.

In vitro impact of a whey protein isolate (WPI) and collagen hydrolysates (CHs) on B16F10 melanoma cells proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Porcine skin gelatine presented anti-tumoral effect on murine hepatoma cells (MH134), inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis). Whey proteins (mainly lactoferrin) have been investigated for cancer prevention and treatment. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the inhibitory capacity on melanoma cells (B16F10) proliferation and the influence on % distribution of cell cycle phases, in the presence of various concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI), bovine collagen hydrolysate (BCH) or its fractions. METHODS: The permeate fraction BCH-P1 (molecular mass, MM 2.5kDa) was further fractionated into five retentate fractions (R1-R5) by ultrafiltration membranes and into four fractions (F1-F4) by reverse phase chromatography. The permeate BCH-P1 and all its fractions were comparatively tested against a negative control (B16F10 cells+culture medium), and also against a positive control (B16F10+culture medium+WPI). RESULTS: The inhibitory concentrations for 50% of B16F10 cells (IC(50)) ranged from 0.19 to 156.9 mg/mL for all these proteins evaluated. The most inhibitory fractions of the BCH hydrolysate were BCH-P1 and F1-F4 with IC(50) concentrations below 1mg/mL. Changes in cell cycle phases were characterized by a general decrease in the G2/M phase that emphasizes growth arrest, some increase in phase S (BCH-P1 and F4) but a strong increase in G0/G1 phase for BCH-P1 and F4. Caspase-3 expression increased significantly in all media containing F and R fractions, and also in the presence of BCH or WPI. Apoptosis was extremely high at low concentration (400 microg/mL) of the F1-F3 fractions. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that a mechanism for tumorigenesis inhibition may involve the caspases cascade and apoptosis.

Protective effect of collagen derivates on the ulcerative lesions caused by oral administration of ethanol.

The protective effect of beef and pig collagen hydrolysates and their fractions were tested as anti-ulcerogenic agents in rats (weighing 250-350 g) against ulcerative lesions caused by ethanol. Beef and pig collagen hydrolysates were fractionated by ultrafiltration into different molecular weight fractions. The protocol employed a negative and a positive control and a single dose of the experimental samples given by intragastric intubation. The beef collagen did not present a dose-response correlation in the ethanol model, whereas pig collagen showed a logarithmic dose-response relationship. Beef collagen hydrolysate decreased the ulcerative lesion index of 55% versus a 61% decrease for pig collagen hydrolysate at the same dosage (750 mg/kg of body weight). No significant differences were found (P > .05) between the hydrolysates and their fractions.

Features of whey protein concentrate supplementation in children with rapidly progressive HIV infection.

HIV infection is associated with subnormal GSH levels. An increase in glutathione levels has been observed in HIV-infected adults under oral whey protein supplementation. We studied the features associated with a whey protein concentrate supplementation in children with rapidly progressive AIDS. A prospective double-blind clinical trial was carried out for 4 months with 18 vertically HIV-infected children (1.98-6.37 years), under antiretroviral therapy, who had received whey protein, maltodextrin (placebo) or none. Erythrocyte glutathione concentration, T lymphocyte counts (CD4+ and CD8+) and occurrence of associated co-infections were evaluated. Wilcoxon's and Fischer's Exact tests were used to assess differences between whey protein-supplemented and control (placebo and non-supplemented) groups. A significant median increase of 16.14 mg/dl (p = 0.018) in erythrocyte glutathione levels was observed in the whey protein-supplemented group; the TCD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio showed a non significant increase and lower occurrence of associated co-infections was also observed. In conclusion, whey protein concentrate supplementation can stimulate glutathione synthesis and, possibly, decrease the occurrence of associated co-infections.

Protective effect of bovine milk whey protein concentrate on the ulcerative lesions caused by subcutaneous administration of indomethacin.

The protective effect of a whey protein concentrate (WPC) was studied in three models of stomach ulcerative lesions induction: subcutaneous injection of indomethacin, and stress induced by either intraperitoneal injection of reserpine, or immobilization and holding in the cold (4 degrees C, 2 hours). Adult Wistar rats (300-400 g) were used for acute (single-dose), repetitive, or subchronic (10 days) administration of WPC prior to treatment with the ulcerogenic factors. The best protection was achieved in the indomethacin model for repetitive and subchronic experiments, reaching 50.1% and 44%, respectively, inhibition of the ulcerative lesions, which was significant at 1% probability (P <.01). For the immobilization and cold model, maximum inhibition by WPC was 22.1%, and that for the reserpine model was 23.8%. In both models the inhibition was not significant (P >.05) compared with saline (negative control).

Efficacy of a whey protein concentrate on the inhibition of stomach ulcerative lesions caused by ethanol ingestion.

The purpose of this research was to test the ability of a whey protein concentrate (WPC) to inhibit gastric mucosal ulcerative lesions caused by oral administration to rats of absolute ethanol. Acute administration (single doses) of WPC resulted in 41% inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index (ULI), and 73% inhibition was obtained with repetitive doses. In a 10-days subchronic treatment study, the inhibition was 64%, all relative to a saline treatment (negative control). Alkylation of sulfhydryl compounds by subcutaneous injection of N-ethylmaleimide essentially eliminated the WPC protection. Treating the rats with an intraperitoneal injection of butathionine sulfoximine, which inhibits glutathione synthesis, reduced WPC protection to 35% and 52% for single and double doses, respectively. Taken as a whole, the results indicate that WPC does protect gastric mucosa from ethanol damage and that the protection depends on sulfhydryl compounds present in the WPC, including its capacity to stimulate glutathione synthesis.

Bovine blood components: fractionation, composition, and nutritive value.

The objective of this research work was to fractionate bovine blood, collected hygienically in a slaughterhouse, into blood plasma protein concentrate, red blood cell concentrate, globin isolate, and a carboxymethylcellulose-heme iron (CMC-heme) complex. All four fractions were studied for proximate composition and amino acid and mineral contents. The nutritive value of plasma protein concentrate and globin isolate was comparatively studied using rat bioassays. The amino acid content in plasma protein concentrate is well balanced and produced net protein utilization and net protein ratio equivalent to 95% those of casein. Globin isolate ( approximately 91% protein) is deficient in isoleucine and S-containing amino acids and was unable to support rat growth at 10% concentration in the diet. Red blood cell concentrate and the isolated CMC-heme complex were good sources of bioavailable iron. Iron availabilities for CMC-heme and whole blood cell concentrate, related to ferrous sulfate as 100%, were 64 and 70%, respectively.

Protein evaluation of four oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars adapted for cultivation in the south of Brazil.

Four oat cultivars adapted for soil and climate conditions in the southern region of Brazil were evaluated for protein nutritive value. Evaluations were done both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro evaluation was done by essential amino acid profile, available lysine, amino acid scoring, and protein digestibility corrected amino acid-scoring (PDCAAS). Nitrogen balance indices and PER were determined in vivo with rats. In all four cultivars (UFP-15, UFP-16, CTC-03, UFRGS-14), lysine was the most limiting amino acid. Available lysine, amino acid score and PDCAAS were highest for cultivar UFRGS-14 and lowest for CTC-03. When compared to casein, only nitrogen retention for UFRGS-14 did not differ statistically (p>0.05); all other indices of protein quality were inferior to casein for the oat cultivars. The oat cultivars tended to be identical among themselves, except for apparent protein digestibility which was significantly higher in the UFRGS-14 and CTC-03 cultivars. On average, the PER values of the oat cultivars were 82% of casein; the net protein utilization was 88% of casein as determined in vivo and 49% by the estimation in vitro (PDCAAS).

[Evaluating the impact of a hematinic iron-rich nutritional supplement]. / Avaliação do impacto de um suplemento nutricional rico em ferro hematínico.

A quasi-experimental epidemiological study was performed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional supplement made from bovine blood on human blood parameters. Healthy women who were neither pregnant nor breast-feeding were allocated to two groups: study (n=32) and control (n=17). Women in the study group received 0.5 mg of iron per day, while controls received placebo. Food intake frequency and side effects related to ferrous sulfate were recorded. A 24-hour dietary recall was performed every two weeks, and blood samples were collected to determine biochemical parameters. Compared to controls, the study group showed higher serum iron and iron retention capacity, lower calorie, protein, and vitamin C intake, and lower consumption of dairy products and fruit. Adjusted mean blood parameters were calculated using ANOVA. The output showed increased serum iron (p=0.009) and decreased iron retention capacity (p=0.031) at the end of the study. The results favor use of the product to treat iron deficiency anemia.

Relative importance of phytohemagglutinin (lectin) and trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitor on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) protein absorption and utilization by the rat.

The main objective of this work was to perform a comparative study of the antinutritional and/or toxic properties of phytohemagglutinin and trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitor extracted from the seed of a commercial cultivar of edible bean used in Brazil. Bean proteins were extracted in acidic salt solution and fractionated by dialysis and centrifugation, then freeze-dried. The total freeze-dried bean extract and the globulin or albumin protein fraction were resuspended in distilled water and heated (100 degrees C, 30 min) for inactivation of hemagglutinin. Diets were prepared with unheated bean protein fractions and heated ones (100% trypsin inhibitor activity, but 0% phytohemagglutinin activity). As a result, the inhibition of growth and poor dietary protein utilization were observed in rats fed diets containing unheated bean protein fractions, but not in rats fed diets containing heated fractions. It was thus assumed that phytohemagglutinin is the main antinutritional and toxic factor that in dry bean (Phaseolus) protein and that trypsin inhibitor (Bowman-Birk type) did not interfere with rat growth.

Guar gum effects on food intake, blood serum lipids and glucose levels of Wistar rats.

The effects of guar gum derived from the endosperm of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (75% soluble fiber, 7.6% insoluble fiber, 2.16% crude protein, 0.78% total lipids, 0.54% ash and 9.55% moisture) on food intake, levels of blood serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols, glucose and LDL and HDL-cholesterol were studied. The effects of guar gum on indices of protein absorption and utilization were also investigated. Diets containing 0%, 10% and 20% (w/w) guar gum or 10% and 20% cellulose powder (reference) were fed to normal rats for 60 days. The rats fed the guar gum diets showed significantly (p < or = 0.05) lower levels of blood serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols, reduced food intake and body weight gain. Furthermore, a concomitant increase in HDL-cholesterol with a substantial elevation of the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio were noted. Guar gum decreased blood serum glucose only during the first month of the experiment, and no changes in the indices of protein absorption and utilization were found. The guar gum caused a 10% increase in the small intestine length and a 25% retardation in the intestinal transit. The results of this research suggested that guar gum could potentially be effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and obesity in humans.

Composition and nutritive value of yeast biomass and yeast protein concentrates.

Yeast biomass (Saccharomyces sp.) produced in local breweries as a by-product was utilized in this study. Percent proximate composition, amino acid composition, and protein nutritive value were determined for the yeast cell biomass (YC), a sodium perchlorate extracted and isoelectrically precipitated protein concentrate (P-PC), and a sodium trimetaphosphate treated extract followed by isoelectrical precipitation (TMP-PC). Protein concentrates averaged 75% protein as compared to 48.5% in the yeast biomass. Precipitation of the protein in the presence of either sodium perchlorate or sodium trimetaphosphate was reduced to 71% and 51% of the cell RNA content, respectively. Protein nutritive value was 70% of casein when measured by the protein efficiency ratio (PER), and over 90% of casein when net protein utilization (NPUa) was the criteria of evaluation.

Formulation and characterization of dry mixes based on dehydrated fresh high-lysine corn.

Fresh sweet corn pulp from high-lysine corn was dehydrated in a drum-dryer and utilized in the formulation of creamy instant soups. Studied formulas contained 27.5 to 67% dehydrated high-lysine corn pulp. The sensory profiles of the formulas improved with increasing proportion of dehydrated fresh corn pulp. Formula with 27.5% fresh corn pulp was rated lowest by the tasters on the basis of poor appearance, low characteristic fresh corn flavor and low overall impression. Formulas with 60 and 67% corn pulp rated highest in sensory quality and were nutritionally adequate. The PER for these formulas did not differ from casein control diet but nitrogen absorption and nitrogen retention was inferior for the formulas protein as compared to casein.

Methionine-containing proteins in two Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars with different methionine bioavailabilities.

The full utilization of legumes as human food is limited by a deficiency of sulfur amino acids, low protein digestibility, low methionine bioavailability and the presence of anti-nutritional factors. A new cultivar of Phaseolus vulgaris (Carioca 80) has 56.8% available methionine, compared with 29.3% availability in the parent cultivar Carioca. The total methionine content, denaturing gel electrophoretic patterns of methionine-containing proteins, and the percentage of phaseolins (the major storage proteins in Phaseolus) relative to the total protein are similar in the two cultivars. Although the digestibility of the two cultivars is similar, the increased biological value of Carioca 80 may indicate that there are differences in overall bean composition that affect protein hydrolysis and utilization. We suggest the tentative explanation that this is due to differences in the distribution of methionine in the methionine-containing proteins of the two cultivars.

Hemoglobin repletion in anemic rats fed a new bean cultivar (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as source of iron.

Utilization of iron from a new cultivar of dry bean (Carioca 80 SH) was estimated using anemic rat by two methods: the slope ratio and the hemoglobin regeneration methods. The bean was incorporated into the diet in the form of whole bean flour (WBF) 7.45 mg Fe/100 g or as partially decorticated bean flour (DBF), 8.57 mg Fe/100 g. Hemoglobin concentration in the rats' blood at the beginning of the experiment averaged 13.79 +/- 0.33 g Hb/dl; at the end of the depletion period it ranged from 5.62 +/- 0.38 to 6.30 +/- 0.39 g Hb/dl blood, difference which was not statistically significant (p < or = 0.05). The bean iron relative biological value (RBV, relative to FeSO4 = 100) evaluated by the slope ratio method, was 74% for the WBF and 77% for the DBF. The hemoglobin regeneration efficiency was 60.4 +/- 6.5, 50.8 +/- 3.2, and 52.7 +/- 5.7%, respectively, for the iron sulfate (reference source), the WBF, and the DBF.

Formulation, nutritive value and sensory evaluation of a new weaning food based on sweet corn (Nutrimaiz) dehydrated pulp.

The objective of the present work was to develop a formulation for complementary infant and child feeding employing linear programing as a mathematical model for optimization. High lysine/high tryptophan sweet corn pulp in the dehydrated form was used as the main ingredient. The restrictions imposed on the model were nutrient requirements, adequate protein/energy ratio and minimum cost. The formula derived by the computer (FC) matched the amino acid requirements, the protein/energy ratio (NDPCal%) and was rated high in laboratory tests in terms of sensory qualities. The cost determined for this formula was competitive in relation to commercial products used for the same purpose. Formula A, which contained 5% more sweet corn pulp and 10% less whole powdered milk, did not differ in nutritional, sensorial and functional properties from the formula FC and was chosen for the field acceptability trial because of its lower cost. Formula A had protein efficiency ratio and Biological Value similar to casein for the rat but protein digestibility and net protein utilization were statistically lower (p less than 0.05) for formula A than for casein. Acceptability tested on children who were 8-18 months of age ranged from 80-90%, average value 87%.

Influence of various dry bean fractions, c.v. Carioca 80, on diet efficiency and dietary protein utilization.

Raw beans, c.v. Carioca 80, were fractionated into tegument (FR0), dialyzable solids (FR1), water-soluble (FR3) and salt-soluble (FR2, FR5) protein-rich fractions, and the insoluble residue (FR4). Each of these fractions was used at a level of 8% (w/w) in the preparation of balanced diets for rats with casein as the primary source of protein. The protein contributed by each fraction substituted an equivalent amount of casein to maintain total dietary protein at 10%. Tryptophan and sulfur amino acids were supplemented to the levels of these amino acids in a 10% casein diet. The bean fractions decreased rat growth, diet efficiency ratio, protein digestibility and utilization. Autoclaving the bean fractions (121 degrees C, 30 min) prior to being mixed in the diets did improve growth. protein digestibility and utilization, but the values encountered were still significantly lower than those determined for the 10% casein diet. The differences between the casein and the mixed casein-bean protein diets could not be explained on the basis of amino acid scores.

Lesions of intestinal epithelium by ingestion of bean lectins in rats.

Wistar rats were submitted to the action of active lectins from common dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and from jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis, DC). Raw common bean was offered to the rats in an otherwise balanced diet to make 10% protein as the sole protein source. A single dose of 20 mg of jack bean lectin (concanavalin A) was given by gastric intubation. Half of the rats receiving raw bean died within 22 days of experiment. Histological findings showed ulceration and necrosis of the intestinal villi in the surviving rats. In some cases the lesions reached also the submucosa. Gastric intubation of concanavalin A caused intense scaling off in the apical portion of the villi.

Comparative study of maize cultivars 30 days after pollination (30 DAP): carbohydrates and protein.

A comparative study of the carbohydrates and protein of five maize cultivars at 30 days after pollination (DAP) showed a higher protein content for the Supersweet variety, and better protein quality for the Maya Opaque-2, Nutrimaiz, the Supersweet, and the Hybrid L90 x L41, when compared to the Maya Normal. The lipid content also proved to be higher in the four genetically-modified cultivars in relation to the Maya Normal. In contrast, the Maya Normal and the Opaque-2 were higher in starch content, lower in total and reducing soluble sugars, and exhibited only very small amounts (approximately equal to 1%) of phytoglycogen, a water-soluble polysaccharide. Nutrimaiz and the Hybrid L90 x L41 had approximately half the starch of the Maya Normal cultivar, but presented an appreciable content of phytoglycogen (23-26%), which is typical for sugary maize mutants, and a higher amount of soluble sugars, mainly sucrose, in relation to Maya Normal. The Supersweet had about half the starch content and a very high (approximately equal to 24%) amount of soluble sugars, mainly sucrose, in relation to the Maya Normal cultivar. The Supersweet also had a negligible amount of phytoglycogen. Nutrimaiz and the Hybrid L90 x L41 showed a much higher proportion of grain in the ears and, as a consequence, a higher yield of dry solids at 30 DAP, when compared with the Maya Normal cultivar.