Effects of plant oils with different fatty acid composition on cardiovascular risk factors in moderately hypercholesteremic Chinese adults: a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-designed trial.

OBJECTIVES: Plant oil for cooking typically provides 40% to 50% of dietary fat, 65% of linoleic acid, 44% of α-linolenic acid and 41% of oleic acid in the Chinese diet. However, the comparative effects of fatty acids derived from plant oil on cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese are still inconclusive. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate whether cardiovascular risk factors are altered depending on various types of plant oils such as peanut oil rich in oleic acid, corn oil rich in linoleic acid, and blend oil fortified by α-linolenic acid. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, parallel-designed trial. SETTING: The First and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 251 volunteers with fasting blood total cholesterol between 5.13 and 8.00 mmol L-1 were enrolled. INTERVENTION: Volunteers received peanut oil, corn oil or blend oil to use for cooking for one year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition, fasting plasma lipids, glucose and insulin concentrations and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured before, during and after the intervention. The level of α-linolenic acid in erythrocyte membranes was significantly increased in the blend oil group after the intervention (P < 0.001). The level of other fatty acids did not show any statistically significant differences between the three groups. No significant differences were observed in the concentrations of fasting plasma lipids, hsCRP, glucose, and insulin among the three groups using different types of plant oils. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that although ingesting cooking oil with different fatty acid composition for one year could change erythrocyte membrane fatty acid compositions, it did not significantly modify cardiovascular risk factors in moderately hypercholesteremic people.

High Oleic Acid Peanut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Supplementation Attenuate Metabolic Syndrome in Rats by Modulating the Gut Microbiota.

Unhealthy dietary patterns are important risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS), which is associated with gut microbiota disorder. High oleic acid peanut oil (HOPO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), considered as healthy dietary oil, are rich in oleic acid and bioactive phytochemicals, yet efficacy of MS prevention and mechanisms linking to gut microbiota remain obscure. Herein, we investigated HOPO and EVOO supplementation in attenuating diet-induced MS, and the potential mechanisms focusing on modulation of gut microbiota. Physiological, histological and biochemical parameters and gut microbiota profiles were compared among four groups fed respectively with the following diets for 12 weeks: normal chow diet with ordinary drinking water, high-fat diet with fructose drinking water, HOPO diet with fructose drinking water, and EVOO diet with fructose drinking water. HOPO or EVOO supplementation exhibit significant lower body weight gain, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and reduced liver steatosis. HOPO significantly reduced cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level, while EVOO reduced these levels without significant difference. HOPO and EVOO prevented gut disorder and significantly increased ß-diversity and abundance of Bifidobacterium. Moreover, HOPO significantly decreased abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Blautia. These findings suggest that both HOPO and EVOO can attenuate diet-induced MS, associated with modulating gut microbiota.

Epicutaneous Exposure to Peanut Oil Induces Systemic and Pulmonary Allergic Reaction in Mice.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of peanut allergy (PA) is constantly on the rise. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a major risk factor for developing food allergy. Some bath oils and skin creams used for treating AD contain peanut oil, and it has been suggested that exposure to peanut allergens through a disrupted skin barrier is a potential cause of PA. Our aim was to investigate whether application of peanut oil to irritated skin causes a systemic or respiratory allergic response to peanuts in an animal model. METHODS: BALB/c mice underwent epicutaneous sensitization with either peanut oil (PM, n = 9) or phosphate buffered solution (controls, n = 9) daily for 5 consecutive days. Ten days after the last exposure the mice were challenged with intranasal peanut protein for 5 consecutive days. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid was collected for cellular studies and measurement of cytokine levels. Sera were collected for immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurement. RESULTS: Epicutaneous peanut oil sensitization increased leukocyte and eosinophil counts and interleukin-13 levels (p = 0.003, p = 0.0006 and p = 0.03, respectively), in addition to increasing total serum IgE (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that topical application of peanut oil may play a role in the etiology of PA.

Coconut oil consumption improves fat-free mass, plasma HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity in healthy men with normal BMI compared to peanut oil.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The existing scientific evidence on coconut oil consumption and its health effects remains inconclusive due to varied reasons. In this context, we conducted a well-controlled metabolic study, eliminating some of the confounding factors and assessed the effects of the consumption of coconut oil-based diet on various anthropometric, biochemical and inflammatory markers and compared with peanut oil-diet. METHODS: Nine healthy male volunteers with BMI ≤25 kg/m2 were enrolled for this study and given balanced diets prepared with coconut oil (CO; ~35 g) for a period of eight weeks. After a wash-out period of six weeks, the same subjects were provided with diets prepared with peanut oil (~35 g) for eight weeks. Except fat source, the composition of the diets was identical in all aspects. RESULTS: Compared to basal values, there were significant increases in fat-free mass (p ≤ 0.022), plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p ≤ 0.047) and insulin sensitivity of the subjects at the end of CO-consumption. Further, compared to peanut oil, increase in plasma HDL-C was significant (p = 0.004) in CO treatment. On the other hand, plasma inflammatory markers-associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), namely soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM1) and matrix metalloproteinase levels were reduced significantly by CO-intake. Further, these subjects displayed elevated levels of myristic acid (14:0) in plasma phospholipids at the end of CO-consumption, which correlated positively with HDL-C and negatively with sVCAM1. However, no such changes were observed after peanut oil diet consumption. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, compared to peanut oil, the consumption of coconut oil in a balanced diet resulted in increased fat-free mass, plasma HDL-C, elicited favourable changes on insulin sensitivity and CVD risk-associated parameters in healthy men with normal BMI.

The effects of intrauterine infusion of peanut oil on endometrial health, salivary cortisol and interovulatory period in mares.

Intrauterine infusion of peanut oil at Day 10 post-ovulation has been reported to prolong dioestrus in mares. However, the effects of peanut oil treatment on the endometrium and whether the technique is painful have not been assessed. The objectives of this study were, (i) to determine the effect of intrauterine infusion of peanut oil on endometrial health, (ii) to determine whether use of intrauterine peanut oil is painful and (iii) to confirm that peanut oil causes prolonged dioestrus. Six mares aged 3-12 years old were used in a cross-over design with each mare administered both 1 ml of intrauterine peanut oil and a sham treatment on different oestrous cycles. The effect of intrauterine infusion of 1 ml peanut oil or sham treatment were measured using interovulatory period, uterine fluid accumulation as determined by transrectal ultrasonography, serum progesterone levels, endometrial Kenney biopsy scores and histological features, endometrial eosinophil numbers and salivary cortisol measurements. The individual mare response to intrauterine infusion of peanut oil was variable. Peanut oil infusion did not statistically prolong the luteal phase, nor elevate salivary cortisol levels but did cause superficial erosion of the endometrial surface epithelium in all mares and significantly increased eosinophil numbers in the endometrium (P = 0.0068). The Kenney grade for biopsies from 2/6 mares worsened transiently following infusion. In conclusion, intra-uterine peanut oil does not statistically increase the duration of the luteal phase but results in an inflammatory response and increase in endometrial eosinophil numbers suggesting treatment may be associated with a hypersensitivity-type reaction. Those contemplating using peanut oil to suppress oestrus should also be aware of the legislative and regulatory implications.

Field evaluation of candidate baits for oral delivery of BCG vaccine to European badgers, Meles meles.

The control of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle in the UK and Ireland is compromised by transmission of Mycobacterium bovis to cattle from the European badger (Meles meles), which acts as a wildlife reservoir. Vaccination of badgers could potentially contribute to TB control but the only licensed vaccine is injectable BadgerBCG which requires the live-capture of badgers. Current research is aimed at developing an oral TB vaccine (where vaccine is contained within bait) that is intended to be more cost-effective to deploy over large areas. In order to identify a lead product, candidate baits identified from captive badger studies were evaluated in three successive bait screening studies with wild badgers. A fourth field study, using the lead candidate bait and biomarkers, investigated the effectiveness of different carriers for their potential to deliver liquid payloads (vaccine surrogate). In each field study, bait disappearance was monitored daily for ten days and remote video surveillance was used to determine preference (i.e. the order in which baits were taken). In the carrier study, biomarkers were used to determine what proportion of subsequently trapped badgers had ingested the bait and the vaccine-carrier biomarker payload. Across all four studies, 79% (3397/4330) of baits were taken by badgers although the number varied significantly by badger social group and bait type. In all studies, bait disappearance increased over time, with 75-100% of baits being taken by day ten. In the carrier study, 75% (9/12) of trapped badgers tested positive for at least one of the biomarkers and the type of carrier did not influence bait attractiveness. Together with data from complementary laboratory and captive animal studies, this study identified a highly attractive and palatable bait (peanut-based paste bait; PT) and vaccine-carrier (hydrogenated peanut oil; HPO) combination with the potential to deliver a liquid vaccine to wild badgers.

Nanoemulsion-based electrolyte triggered in situ gel for ocular delivery of acetazolamide.

In the present work the antiglaucoma drug, acetazolamide, was formulated as an ion induced nanoemulsion-based in situ gel for ocular delivery aiming a sustained drug release and an improved therapeutic efficacy. Different acetazolamide loaded nanoemulsion formulations were prepared using peanut oil, tween 80 and/or cremophor EL as surfactant in addition to transcutol P or propylene glycol as cosurfactant. Based on physicochemical characterization, the nanoemulsion formulation containing mixed surfactants and transcutol P was selected to be incorporated into ion induced in situ gelling systems composed of gellan gum alone and in combination with xanthan gum, HPMC or carbopol. The nanoemulsion based in situ gels showed a significantly sustained drug release in comparison to the nanoemulsion. Gellan/xanthan and gellan/HPMC possessed good stability at all studied temperatures, but gellan/carbopol showed partial drug precipitation upon storage and was therefore excluded from the study. Gellan/xanthan and gellan/HPMC showed higher therapeutic efficacy and more prolonged intraocular pressure lowering effect relative to that of commercial eye drops and oral tablet. Gellan/xanthan showed superiority over gellan/HPMC in all studied parameters and is thus considered as a promising mucoadhesive nanoemulsion-based ion induced in situ gelling formula for topical administration of acetazolamide.