Groundnut and tree nuts: a comprehensive review on their lipid components, phytochemicals, and nutraceutical properties.

The health benefits of nut consumption have been extensively demonstrated in observational studies and intervention trials. Besides the high nutritional value, countless evidences show that incorporating nuts into the diet may contribute to health promotion and prevention of certain diseases. Such benefits have been mostly and certainly attributed not only to their richness in healthy lipids (plentiful in unsaturated fatty acids), but also to the presence of a vast array of phytochemicals, such as polar lipids, squalene, phytosterols, tocochromanols, and polyphenolic compounds. Thus, many nut chemical compounds apply well to the designation "nutraceuticals," a broad umbrella term used to describe any food component that, in addition to the basic nutritional value, can contribute extra health benefits. This contribution analyses the general chemical profile of groundnut and common tree nuts (almond, walnut, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio, macadamia, pecan), focusing on lipid components and phytochemicals, with a view on their bioactive properties. Relevant scientific literature linking consumption of nuts, and/or some of their components, with ameliorative and/or preventive effects on selected diseases - such as cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative pathologies - was also reviewed. In addition, the bioactive properties were analyzed in the light of known mechanistic frameworks.

Blood lipid components and SREBP-1 gene expression in broiler chickens fed different dietary lipid sources

Background: Liver plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Intense liver diseases are accompanied with lower concentrations of n-3 and n-6 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). It has been found that n-3 PUFA play importantly protective roles in the liver. There was limited information about the effects of lipid sources on serum lipid components and liver sterol regulatory element binding-1 (SREBP-1) gene expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of fish oil, corn oil, olive oil and tallow, respectively, as dietary sources of n-3, n-6, n-9 and saturated fatty acid on serum lipid compound and liver SREBP-1 gene expression in broiler chicks.Materials, Methods & Results: In a completely randomized design, 240 one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments, four replicates and 12 chicks per each. Dietary treatments included of: control (diet without lipid supplementation) and diet supplemented with fish oil as a n-3 fatty acid source, corn oil as a n-6 fatty acid source, olive oil as a n-9 fatty acid source and tallow as a saturated fatty acid which were added to diets at 1.5, 3 and 4% in the starter, grower and finisher, respectively. At days 28 and 42 of age, liver tissue was dissected out and samples were placed in liquid nitrogen, also blood samples were collected. The SREBP-1 mRNA expression in liver [...]

Blood lipid components and SREBP-1 gene expression in broiler chickens fed different dietary lipid sources

Background: Liver plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Intense liver diseases are accompanied with lower concentrations of n-3 and n-6 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). It has been found that n-3 PUFA play importantly protective roles in the liver. There was limited information about the effects of lipid sources on serum lipid components and liver sterol regulatory element binding-1 (SREBP-1) gene expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of fish oil, corn oil, olive oil and tallow, respectively, as dietary sources of n-3, n-6, n-9 and saturated fatty acid on serum lipid compound and liver SREBP-1 gene expression in broiler chicks.Materials, Methods & Results: In a completely randomized design, 240 one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments, four replicates and 12 chicks per each. Dietary treatments included of: control (diet without lipid supplementation) and diet supplemented with fish oil as a n-3 fatty acid source, corn oil as a n-6 fatty acid source, olive oil as a n-9 fatty acid source and tallow as a saturated fatty acid which were added to diets at 1.5, 3 and 4% in the starter, grower and finisher, respectively. At days 28 and 42 of age, liver tissue was dissected out and samples were placed in liquid nitrogen, also blood samples were collected. The SREBP-1 mRNA expression in liver [...](AU)

Membrana plasmática de espermatozoides bovinos: efeito de metabólitos do oxigênio, antioxidantes e criopreservação / Plasmatic membrane of bovine spermatozoa: effect of the species oxygen reactive, antioxidant and cryopreservation

A membrana plasmática é a parte da estrutura do espermatozoide mais susceptível a modificações durante o processo de criopreservação, e sua integridade é fundamental para que os espermatozoides estejam viáveis no momento da fecundação. Sua composição, tipo de fosfolipídeos e quantidade de proteínas são variáveis e influenciam a sensibilidade ao choque térmico. Durante o processo de capacitação, alterações na membrana plasmática são necessárias para que os espermatozoides sejam capazes de efetuar a reação acrossomal e, consequentemente, a fecundação. A presença de metabólitos do oxigênio é necessária para esse processo. No entanto, em excesso, eles são prejudiciais e comprometem a fluidez e a integridade da membrana. Enzimas antioxidantes presentes no plasma seminal e no próprio espermatozoide neutralizam esses metabólitos, evitando estresse oxidativo. Porém, a criopreservação causa desequilíbrio entre produção e neutralização de metabólitos do oxigênio, comprometendo a viabilidade da célula espermática. Na tentativa de amenizar as perdas celulares, diluidores de diferentes composições, inclusive contendo antioxidantes, têm sido testados para a preservação da viabilidade espermática. Esta revisão enfoca a composição lipídica da membrana plasmática do espermatozoide e a produção de metabólitos do oxigênio, relacionando-as com a qualidade espermática de bovinos após o processo de criopreservação e a utilização de diluidores contendo antioxidante.

The plasmatic membrane is the part of the spermatozoa structure which is the most susceptible to change during cryopreservation and its integrity is fundamental for spermatic viability in the moment of fertilization. Its composition, type of phospholipids and quantity of proteins, is variable and affects the sensibility to thermal shock. During capacitation, alterations occurs in the plasmatic membrane, these alterations are necessary for the spermatozoa to be able to perform the acrosome reaction and hence the fertilization. The presence of free radicals are necessary in this process, however, ROS are harmful in excess and interfere in the fluidity and integrity of the membrane. Antioxidants enzymes in the seminal plasma and in the spermatozoa neutralize these radicals preventing oxidative stress, but the cryopreservation causes imbalance between production and neutralization, compromising the cell´s viability. With the Objective of minimizing cells loss, extenders with different composition, including antioxidants, have been tested for sperm viability preservation This review focuses in the plasmatic membrane composition and species oxygen reactive production, related with quality sperm bovine after cryopreserved process and the use extender containing antioxidant.

Membrana plasmática de espermatozoides bovinos: efeito de metabólitos do oxigênio, antioxidantes e criopreservação / Plasmatic membrane of bovine spermatozoa: effect of the species oxygen reactive, antioxidant and cryopreservation

A membrana plasmática é a parte da estrutura do espermatozoide mais susceptível a modificações durante o processo de criopreservação, e sua integridade é fundamental para que os espermatozoides estejam viáveis no momento da fecundação. Sua composição, tipo de fosfolipídeos e quantidade de proteínas são variáveis e influenciam a sensibilidade ao choque térmico. Durante o processo de capacitação, alterações na membrana plasmática são necessárias para que os espermatozoides sejam capazes de efetuar a reação acrossomal e, consequentemente, a fecundação. A presença de metabólitos do oxigênio é necessária para esse processo. No entanto, em excesso, eles são prejudiciais e comprometem a fluidez e a integridade da membrana. Enzimas antioxidantes presentes no plasma seminal e no próprio espermatozoide neutralizam esses metabólitos, evitando estresse oxidativo. Porém, a criopreservação causa desequilíbrio entre produção e neutralização de metabólitos do oxigênio, comprometendo a viabilidade da célula espermática. Na tentativa de amenizar as perdas celulares, diluidores de diferentes composições, inclusive contendo antioxidantes, têm sido testados para a preservação da viabilidade espermática. Esta revisão enfoca a composição lipídica da membrana plasmática do espermatozoide e a produção de metabólitos do oxigênio, relacionando-as com a qualidade espermática de bovinos após o processo de criopreservação e a utilização de diluidores contendo antioxidante.(AU)

The plasmatic membrane is the part of the spermatozoa structure which is the most susceptible to change during cryopreservation and its integrity is fundamental for spermatic viability in the moment of fertilization. Its composition, type of phospholipids and quantity of proteins, is variable and affects the sensibility to thermal shock. During capacitation, alterations occurs in the plasmatic membrane, these alterations are necessary for the spermatozoa to be able to perform the acrosome reaction and hence the fertilization. The presence of free radicals are necessary in this process, however, ROS are harmful in excess and interfere in the fluidity and integrity of the membrane. Antioxidants enzymes in the seminal plasma and in the spermatozoa neutralize these radicals preventing oxidative stress, but the cryopreservation causes imbalance between production and neutralization, compromising the cell´s viability. With the Objective of minimizing cells loss, extenders with different composition, including antioxidants, have been tested for sperm viability preservation This review focuses in the plasmatic membrane composition and species oxygen reactive production, related with quality sperm bovine after cryopreserved process and the use extender containing antioxidant.(AU)