Characterization of a Coproduct from the Sea Cucumber Cucumaria frondosa and Its Effects on Visceral Adipocyte Size in Male Wistar Rats.

Sea cucumbers have been shown to have potential health benefits and are a rich source of several bioactive compounds, particularly triterpenoid saponins. However, most studies concentrate on the body wall, and little is known about the health effects of the coproducts. The objectives of this study were to determine the nutritional composition of a coproduct from the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa and the effects of the dietary consumption of this coproduct on cardiometabolic health in rats. Chemical, biochemical, and nutritional analyses were performed to characterize this coproduct. Forty (40) male Wistar rats were then equally divided into four groups and fed a purified control diet or a diet enriched with 0.5%, 1.5%, or 2.5% (by protein) of coproduct. After 28 days of feeding, the rats were sacrificed. Body and tissue weight, body composition, epididymal adipocyte diameter, plasma and hepatic lipids, glycemia, and insulinemia were measured at the end of the 28-day experiment. Analysis of the coproduct revealed high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and saponins. The 1.5% group had significantly smaller epididymal adipocytes vs. the control. We conclude that dietary administration of this sea cucumber coproduct at 1.5% doses decreases visceral adiposity, potentially decreasing the risk of cardiometabolic dysfunction. The coproduct's saponin content may contribute to the observed effects, but the impact of other components cannot be ruled out.

Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate Modulates the Timing of Proinflammatory Macrophages in Bupivacaine-Injured Skeletal Muscles in Rats.

This study was designed to determine whether marine-derived proteins other than cod could have beneficial effects on inflammation following muscle injury. Macrophage and neutrophil densities were measured from bupivacaine-injured tibialis anterior muscle of rats fed isoenergetic diets containing either shrimp hydrolysate (Shr), casein hydrolysate (CaH), or whole casein (Ca). In this study, Shr reduced ED1+-macrophages at day 2 (p = 0.013), day 5 (p = 0.006), and day 14 after injury (p = 0.038) compared with Ca, indicating faster resolution of inflammation in Shr. Except for day 2 after injury where Shr led to lower ED1+-macrophages compared with CaH (p = 0.006), both Shr and CaH responded similarly at days 5, 14, and 28 after injury. This findings suggest that beneficial effects of Shr on ED1+-cells might be related to generation of anti-inflammatory peptides through the hydrolysis process, in addition to its high content of anti-inflammatory amino acids. However, while increasing myofiber cross-sectional area in noninjured muscles compared with both Ca and CaH, Shr failed to have a positive effect in corresponding injured muscles. These data indicate that shrimp hydrolysate can facilitate resolution of inflammation after muscle injury mainly through modulating proinflammatory macrophage accumulation but have less effect on optimal recovery in terms of muscle mass and fiber size.

Effects of salinity on sublethal toxicity of atrazine to mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) larvae.

In coastal marshes, fish larvae may be exposed simultaneously to extreme salinities and to atrazine, a widely used herbicide. To assess the effects of salinity on the toxicity of atrazine, newly-hatched mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) were exposed to atrazine (0, 5, 50 and 500 microg/L) at three salinities (3, 15 and 35PSU). Whole body cortisol was measured after 24 h. Body length, condition factor, whole body proteins, lipids, residual masses and water contents were assessed after 96 h. Significants effects were found for both condition factor and water content. Condition factors were lower at salinity 3 and 35 compared to near isoosmotic salinity, 15PSU. In addition, atrazine decreased condition factor at 500 microg/L. Reduction in condition was likely due to retardation in axial growth since body length, percentages of proteins or lipids were not affected. In the absence of atrazine, salinity had no effect on the prevalence of dehydrated (81% water) or hyperhydrated (85% water) larvae. In larvae exposed to atrazine, the prevalence of hyperhydrated larvae increased at 3PSU and 5 microg/L atrazine and that of dehydrated larvae increased at 15 and 35PSU and 5 microg/L atrazine. Severity of dehydratation increased with atrazine concentration at salinity 35PSU. Thus, a short-term exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of atrazine affects osmotic control in mummichog larvae with possible effects on buoyancy, survival and recruitment.