Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Orally Administered Monostroma nitidum Rhamnan Sulfate against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Damage to Mouse Organs and Vascular Endothelium.

We previously reported that rhamnan sulfate (RS) purified from Monostroma nitidum significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in cultured human vascular endothelial cells. Here, we analyzed the effect of orally administered RS on LPS-induced damage to mouse organs and vascular endothelium. RS (1 mg) was orally administered daily to BALB/c mice, 50 µg of LPS was intraperitoneally administered on day 8, and Evans blue was injected into the tail vein 6 h later. After 30 min, LPS-treated mice showed pulmonary Evans blue leakage and elevated plasma levels of liver damage markers, whereas this reaction was suppressed in LPS + RS-treated mice. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of mouse organs 24 h after LPS treatment showed significant neutrophil infiltration into the lung, liver, and jejunum tissues of LPS-treated mice and high expression levels of inflammation-related factors in these tissues. Expression levels of these factors were significantly suppressed in LPS + RS-treated mice. Analysis of lung glycocalyx showed a significant reduction in glycocalyx in LPS-treated mice but not in LPS + RS-treated mice. Levels of syndecan-4, one of the glycocalyx components, decreased in LPS-treated mice and increased in LPS + RS-treated mice. The current results suggest that orally administered RS protects organs and vascular endothelium from LPS-induced inflammation and maintains blood circulation.

The Short-Term Effects and Tolerability of Low-Viscosity Soluble Fibre on Gastroparesis Patients: A Pilot Clinical Intervention Study.

Gastroparesis is a motility disorder that causes severe gastric symptoms and delayed gastric emptying, where the majority of sufferers are females (80%), with 29% of sufferers also diagnosed with Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes. Current clinical recommendations involve stringent dietary restriction and includes the avoidance and minimization of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre lowers the glycaemic index of food, reduces inflammation and provides laxation. Lack of dietary fibre in the diet can affect long-term gastrointestinal health. Our previously published rheological study demonstrated that "low-viscosity" soluble fibres could be a potentially tolerable source of fibre for the gastroparetic population. A randomised controlled crossover pilot clinical study was designed to compare Partially-hydrolysed guar gum or PHGG (test fibre 1), gum Arabic (test fibre 2), psyllium husk (positive control) and water (negative control) in mild-to-moderate symptomatic gastroparesis patients (requiring no enteral tube feeding). The principal aim of the study was to determine the short-term physiological effects and tolerability of the test fibres. In n = 10 female participants, post-prandial blood glucose, gastroparesis symptoms, and breath test measurements were recorded. Normalized clinical data revealed that test fibres PHGG and gum Arabic were able to regulate blood glucose comparable to psyllium husk, while causing far fewer symptoms, equivalent to negative control. The test fibres did not greatly delay mouth-to-caecum transit, though more data is needed. The study data looks promising, and a longer-term study investigating these test fibres is being planned.

Effects of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides on Non-Specific Immunity, Intestinal Health, and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

This study was conducted to comprehensively investigate the beneficial effects of a mannan oligosaccharide product (hereinafter called MOS) on Litopenaeus vannamei and optimum level of MOS. Five isonitrogenous and isolipid diets were formulated by adding 0%, 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.08%, and 0.16% MOS in the basal diet. Each diet was randomly fed to one group with four replicates of shrimp in an 8-week feeding trial. The results showed that dietary MOS improved the growth performance and the ability of digestion of shrimp. Dietary MOS significantly increased the activity of total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and decreased the content of malondialdehyde in plasma of shrimp. Dietary MOS significantly increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme in plasma and the hemocyte counts. Dietary MOS significantly upregulated the expression of Toll, lysozyme, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, Crustin, and heat shock protein 70 in the hepatopancreas. And dietary MOS significantly upregulated the expression of intestinal mucin-2, mucin-5B, and mucin-19, while it decreased the expression of intestinal mucin-1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Dietary MOS improved the bacterial diversity; increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, and Pseudoalteromonas; and decreased the abundance of Vibrio in the intestine. Shrimp fed MOS diets showed lower mortality after being challenged by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Notably, this study found a decrease in antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements after MOS supplementation for the first time. The present results showed that diet with MOS supplementation enhanced the organismal antioxidant capacity and immunity, improved intestinal immunity, optimized intestinal microecology, mitigated the degree of antibiotic resistance, and increased the resistance to V. parahaemolyticus in L. vannamei, especially when supplemented at 0.08% and 0.16%.

A novel bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan complex modulates the genes responsible for the development of chronic diseases in mice: A RNA sequence analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases are a major burden worldwide due to the lack of highly efficacious treatment modalities and the serious side effects associated with the available therapies. PURPOSE/STUDY DESIGN: A novel self-emulsifying formulation of curcumin with fenugreek galactomannan hydrogel scaffold as a water-dispersible non-covalent curcumin-galactomannan molecular complex (curcumagalactomannosides, CGM) has shown better bioavailability than curcumin and can be used for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. However, the exact potential of this formulation has not been studied, which would pave the way for its use for the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases. METHODS: The whole transcriptome analysis (RNAseq) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver tissues of mice treated with LPS to investigate the potential of CGM on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Expression analysis using DESeq2 package, GO, and pathway analysis of the differentially expressed transcripts was performed using UniProtKB and KEGG-KAAS server. RESULTS: The results showed that 559 genes differentially expressed between the liver tissue of control mice and CGM treated mice (100 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days), with adjusted p-value below 0.05, of which 318 genes were significantly upregulated and 241 were downregulated. Further analysis showed that 33 genes which were upregulated (log2FC > 8) in the disease conditions were significantly downregulated, and 32 genes which were downregulated (log2FC < -8) in the disease conditions were significantly upregulated after the treatment with CGM. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study showed CGM has high potential in the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases.

Does 99mTc-tilmanocept, as next generation radiotracer, meet with the requirements for improved sentinel node imaging?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the migration of 99mTc-tilmanocept from the injection site (IS) as well as the uptake in sentinel nodes (SNs) and non-SNs for lymphatic mapping in patients with breast cancer and melanoma, scheduled for SN biopsy after interstitial tracer administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 29 primary tumours in 28 patients (mean age: 62y, range: 45-81y) scheduled for SN biopsy planar images were acquired 10 and 120min after administration of 74MBq 99mTc-tilmanocept, in order to evaluate lymphatic drainage as well as uptake ratios between injection site (IS), SN and non-SN. SPECT-CT was performed immediately after delayed planar images to enable anatomical lymph node localization. RESULTS: SNs were visualized in all patients (100%) with drainage to 34 basins. Uptake in non-SNs was perceived in 16 basins (47%). Number of SNs was concordant between early and delayed images in all basins excepting five (86%). In 24 patients tracer migrated to one lymph node basin (LNB), in three to 2 and in one to 4. When IS was included (N=29) on image, IS/SN ratio could be measured per LNB. The IS/SN ratio at 2h compared to 15min decreased with an average of 66% (range: 15-96%). SN/non-SN 2h ratio in LNBs with visible non-SNs averaged 6.6 (range: 2.3-15.6). In 9 patients with two SNs SN1/SN2 ratio averaged 1.9 on delayed images. At histopathology, SNs were found to be tumour positive in 7 basins (20%). CONCLUSION: 99mTc-tilmanocept appears to meet the requirements for improved SN imaging in breast cancer and melanoma on the basis of early and persistent SN visualization frequently accompanied by no or markedly less non-SN uptake. This is associated to rapid migration from the injection site together with increasing SN uptake and retention as expressed by decreasing IS/SN and persistently high SN/non-SN ratios. Further head-to-head comparison of 99mTc-tilmanocept with standard SN radiotracers in larger series of patients is necessary.

Formulation development and in-vitro evaluation of gastroretentive drug delivery system of loxoprofen sodium: A natural excipients based approach.

The limitations of conventional type delivery systems to retain drug (s) in the stomach has resulted in the development of novel gastroretentive drug delivery system. We developed single-layer effervescent floating tablets of loxoprofen sodium for prolong delivery in the stomach using natural polymers xanthan gum, guar gum and semisynthetic polymer HPMCK4M. All the formulations (F1-F9) were developed by varying concentrations of xanthan gum and HPMCK4M while guar gum concentration was kept constant. Two gas generating agent (s) incorporated were sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. All compendial pre and post-compression tests results were in the acceptable limits. FTIR analysis confirmed drug-polymer compatibility. The in-vitro drug release in simulated conditions i.e., 0.1 N HCl for 12 h revealed orderly increase in total floating time, i.e., less than 6 h for F1 over 12 h for F9. Formulations F1 to F4 were not capable to retard drug release up to 12 h, whereas F5-F7 for 12 h, while F8 and F9 for more than 12 h. Data fitting in various kinetic models showed that drug release best fit in first order kinetic model and F9 in zero order. Based on results data, F7 was the best among all.

Comparative study of the laxative effects of konjac oligosaccharides and konjac glucomannan on loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

Dietary fiber is the basic therapeutic method to relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. The aim of this study was to compare the laxative effect of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and konjac oligosaccharides (KOS) on constipated rats. KGM and KOS were administered to loperamide-induced constipated rats at dosages of 100 mg per kg bw and 400 mg per kg bw for 15 days. Feces were collected to evaluate the defecation function. X-ray imaging and an electrophysiological system were used to determine gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to measure the protein levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess flatulence. Our results demonstrated that low-dose KOS (L-KOS) exerted the best laxative effect. Compared to the normal control (NC) group, the fecal number in the L-KOS group increased by 39.4%, and the fecal weight significantly increased by 31.9% which was higher than those in the low-dose KGM (L-KGM) and high-dose KGM (H-KGM) groups. The fecal moisture content and transit scores were significantly increased only in the L-KOS group. Meanwhile, less GI gas was produced by KOS. Additionally, further investigations suggested that KOS could upregulate the protein expression of stem cell factors (SCF)/c-kit, and significantly promoted the secretion of mucus. In conclusion, compared to KGM, KOS had a conspicuous laxative effect especially at a low dosage. The potential laxative mechanisms of KOS probably are regulating the SCF/c-kit signalling pathway and increasing mucus secretion. These findings indicated that as a kind of functional oligosaccharide, KOS is more conducive to alleviating constipation compared to polysaccharides.

Carbohydrate-containing nanoparticles as vaccine adjuvants.

Introduction: Adjuvants are essential to vaccines for immunopotentiation in the elicitation of protective immunity. However, classical and widely used aluminum-based adjuvants have limited capacity to induce cellular response. There are increasing needs for appropriate adjuvants with improved profiles for vaccine development toward emerging pathogens. Carbohydrate-containing nanoparticles (NPs) with immunomodulatory activity and particulate nanocarriers for effective antigen presentation are capable of eliciting a more balanced humoral and cellular immune response.Areas covered: We reviewed several carbohydrates with immunomodulatory properties. They include chitosan, ß-glucan, mannan, and saponins, which have been used in vaccine formulations. The mode of action, the preparation methods, characterization of these carbohydrate-containing NPs and the corresponding vaccines are presented.Expert opinion: Several carbohydrate-containing NPs have entered the clinical stage or have been used in licensed vaccines for human use. Saponin-containing NPs are being evaluated in a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen causing the on-going worldwide pandemic. Vaccines with carbohydrate-containing NPs are in different stages of development, from preclinical studies to late-stage clinical trials. A better understanding of the mode of action for carbohydrate-containing NPs as vaccine carriers and as immunostimulators will likely contribute to the design and development of new generation vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.

Dietary Phytogenics and Galactomannan Oligosaccharides in Low Fish Meal and Fish Oil-Based Diets for European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Juveniles: Effects on Gill Structure and Health and Implications on Oxidative Stress Status.

An effective replacement for fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) based on plant-based raw materials in the feed of marine fish species is necessary for the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. However, the use of plant-based raw materials to replace FM and FO has been associated with several negative health effects, some of which are related to oxidative stress processes that can induce functional and morphological alterations in mucosal tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary oligosaccharides of plant origin (5,000 ppm; galactomannan oligosaccharides, GMOS) and a phytogenic feed additive (200 ppm; garlic oil and labiatae plant extract mixture, PHYTO) on the oxidative stress status and mucosal health of the gills of juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The experimental diets, low FM and FO diets (10%FM/6%FO) were supplemented with GMOS from plant origin and PHYTO for 63 days. GMOS and PHYTO did not significantly affect feed utilization, fish growth, and survival. GMOS and PHYTO downregulated the expression of ß-act, sod, gpx, cat, and gr in the gills of the fish compared with that in fish fed the control diet. The expression of hsp70 and ocln was upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in the GMOS group compared with that in the control group, whereas the expression of zo-1 was downregulated in the PHYTO group compared with that in the GMOS group. The morphological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical parameters of the fish gills were mostly unaffected by GMOS and PHYTO. However, the PHYTO group had lower incidence of lamellar fusion than did the control group after 63 days. Although the tissular distribution of goblet cells was unaffected by GMOS and PHYTO, goblet cell size showed a decreasing trend (-11%) in the GMOS group. GMOS and PHYTO significantly reduced the concentration of PCNA+ in the epithelium of the gills. The above findings indicated that GMOS and PHYTO in low FM/FO-based diets protected the gill epithelia of D. labrax from oxidative stress by modulating the expression of oxidative enzyme-related genes and reducing the density of PCNA+ cells in the gills of the fish.

Effect of konjac glucomannan on metabolites in the stomach, small intestine and large intestine of constipated mice and prediction of the KEGG pathway.

The occurrence of constipation involves the whole gastrointestinal tract. Konjac glucomannan (KGM) has been clinically proven to alleviate constipation, but its mechanism has not been fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the excretion-promoting effect of KGM on constipated mice and the underlying molecular mechanism. In this study, the UHPLC-QE orbitrap/MS method was used to determine the metabolic phenotypes of total gastrointestinal segments (i.e., the stomach {St}, small intestine {S}, and large intestine {L}) in constipated mice treated with KGM. The results showed that KGM improved the fecal water content, body weight growth rate, and serum gastrointestinal regulation related peptide levels. The metabolomics results revealed the decreased levels of amino acids, cholines, deoxycholic acid, arachidonic acid, thiamine and the increased levels of indoxyl sulfate, histamine, linoelaidic acid etc. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the relaxation effect of KGM supplementation was most likely driven by modulating the expression levels of various key factors involved in biosynthesis of amino acid (i.e., phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan), linoleic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and arachidonic acid metabolism signalling pathways. The results indicated that KGM alleviates constipation by regulating potential metabolite markers and metabolic pathways in different gastrointestinal segments.

Recent advances in guar gum based drug delivery systems and their administrative routes.

Guar gum-based drug carrier systems have gained attention for the delivery of various therapeutic agents via different administration routes for attaining controlled and sustained release. Guar gum offers a safe and effective system for drug delivery due to its natural occurrence, easy availability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, besides simple and mild preparation techniques. Furthermore, the possibility of using various routes such as oral, buccal, transdermal, intravenous, and gene delivery further diversify guar gum applications in the biomedical field. This review delineates the recent investigation on guar gum-based drug carrier systems like hydrogels, nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and scaffolds along with their related delivery routes. Also, the inclusion of data of the loading and subsequent release of the drugs enables to explore the noble and improved drug targeting therapies.

Natural Loss-of-Function Mutations in Qa2 and NCF1 Cause the Spread of Mannan-Induced Psoriasis.

A basis for the genetic predisposition to psoriasis is a single locus, PSORS1, within the major histocompatibility complex I region. This murine major histocompatibility complex locus encodes nonclassical molecules such as Qa2. We hypothesized that a natural loss-of-function variant of Qa2 gene clusters promotes psoriasis. In this study, we have developed a mannan-induced psoriasis model with the double deficiency of Qa2 and ROS owing to natural mutations of Qa2 gene clusters and the Ncf1 gene in the C57BL/6 background, respectively. We report three key findings in mice with mannan-induced psoriasis. A complete deficiency of Qa2 resulted in the expansion of IL-17‒producing γδ T cells and group 3 innate lymphoid cells in draining lymph nodes, leading to ear psoriasis. A single copy of Qa2-encoding genes was enough to protect against mannan-induced psoriasis, and such a protection was erased by a mutated Ncf1. Double defects with Qa2 and Ncf1 elicited a spread of exaggerated ear psoriasis to the nails, and the deficiency of γδ T cells reduced the severity of nail psoriasis. Collectively, these findings in mice provide evidence for the importance of Ncf1 mutations and Qa2 gene clusters, possibly corresponding to the PSORS1 locus in the spread of psoriasis.

Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 in combination with konjac glucomannan improves constipation in mice via humoral transport.

Probiotics and natural products can promote humoral transport and effectively relieve intestinal motility. This study investigated the effects of probiotics in combination with konjac glucomannan (KGM) and an aqueous extract of Prunus persica on constipation. The growth promotion effect of these natural products on probiotics was investigated using co-culture in vitro. The combined effect of probiotics and natural products on constipation was observed in mice. The tryptophan, tryptamine and short-chain fatty acid levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography. The key genes and proteins involved in humoral transport were identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and fluorescence immunoassay. KGM promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 in vitro, and a mixture of KGM and B. animalis F1-7 effectively promoted defaecation in mice, increased the faecal water content, shortened the defaecation time and improved the gastrointestinal transit rate. In mice, the KGM + F1-7 mixture reduced the tryptophan level and increased the levels of tryptamine, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. In addition, the KGM + F1-7 mixture effectively increased the mRNA level of 5-HT4-G-protein-coupled receptors (5-HT4GPCR)/mucins-2 (MUC-2) and reduced the level of aquaporins (AQP3); furthermore, it upregulated the protein level of 5-HT4GPCR/MUC-2 and downregulated the protein level of AQP3. These findings indicated that the KGM + F1-7 mixture effectively improved intestinal motility and alleviated constipation through humoral transport-related pathways.

Effect of locust bean gum-sodium alginate coatings incorporated with daphnetin emulsions on the quality of Scophthalmus maximus at refrigerated condition.

In this study, the microbiological, physicochemical, and flavor changes of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) coated with a composite active coating of locust bean gum (LBG) and sodium alginate (SA) supplemented with daphnetin emulsions (0.16, 0.32, 0.64 mg·mL-1) were determined during 18 days of refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C). Results showed that LBG-SA coatings containing 0.32 mg·mL-1 daphnetin emulsions could significantly lower the total viable count (TVC), psychrophiles, Pseudomonas spp. and H2S-producing bacteria counts, and inhibit the productions of off-flavor compounds including the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA) and ATP-related compounds. 32 volatile compounds were identified by solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometer method (SPME-GC/MS) during refrigerated storage and the treated turbot samples significantly lowered the relative content of fishy flavor compounds. Further, the LBG-SA coatings containing daphnetin could also delay the myofibril degradation of the turbot samples. These results indicated that the LBG-SA coatings with 0.32 mg·mL-1 daphnetin were a potential alternative way to improve the quality of turbot during refrigerated storage.

Effects of Yeast Mannan Which Promotes Beneficial Bacteroides on the Intestinal Environment and Skin Condition: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Yeast mannan (YM) is an indigestible water-soluble polysaccharide of the yeast cell wall. In vitro fecal fermentation studies showed that YM could exhibit a notable prebiotic effect. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the efficacy of YM intake on the intestinal environment and skin condition. One hundred and ten healthy female subjects aged 30-49 years were supplemented with YM or placebo for eight weeks. Skin dryness was set as the primary endpoint. No side effects were observed during the study. Microbiota analyses revealed that YM intake selectively increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Bacteroides ovatus compared to that by placebo. Feces and urine analyses showed that YM intake lowered the concentration of fecal p-cresol, indole, and skatole, and elevated urinal equol levels compared to those in placebo. Furthermore, YM supplementation ameliorated subjective skin dryness. This study suggests that YM intake could promote beneficial Bacteroides and improve the intestinal environment and skin condition.

Appropriate usage of food thickening agents to prevent non-disintegration of magnesium oxide tablets.

Food thickening agents are used to aid the administration of medicine to elderly patients with dysphagia. Magnesium oxide tablets are sometimes administered with food thickening agents. Non-disintegration and disintegration delay of these tablets in the body are problems associated with food thickening agent use. However, the appropriate usage of food thickening agents for administering tablets is not established. Here, the reasons for the non-disintegration of magnesium oxide tablets administered with food thickeners and appropriate usage of food thickeners were examined using a disintegration test of newly opened and moisture-absorbed magnesium oxide tablets. Immersion of magnesium oxide tablets for 10 and 30 min in xanthan and guar gum-based food thickening agents caused disintegration delay and non-disintegration in the first fluid (pH 1.2). However, tablets immersed for 1 min quickly disintegrated. The disintegration of xanthan gum-based food thickening agents was faster than guar gum-based food thickening agents. Moisture absorption by magnesium oxide tablets caused a significant delay in their disintegration in water. The tablets that absorbed moisture disintegrated within 1 min in the first fluid, even when immersed in food thickening agents for a short time. Overall, a short immersion of magnesium oxide tablets in food thickening agents can avoid non-disintegration.

Potato Preload Mitigated Postprandial Glycemic Excursion in Healthy Subjects: An Acute Randomized Trial.

This study investigated the preload effect of the medium and high glycemic index (GI) potato, as well as the combination of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (HG) and potato, when ingested prior to a rice meal, on the iso-carbohydrate basis. In a randomized crossover trial, 17 healthy female subjects consumed (1) rice; (2) co-ingestion of highly cooked potato (HP), and rice (HP + R); (3) co-ingestion of minimally cooked potato (MP) and rice (MP + R); (4) preload HP prior to rice meal (PHP + R); (5) preload MP prior to rice meal (PMP + R); (6) co-ingestion of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (HG), HP and rice (HG + HP + R); (7) preload HG prior to co-ingestion of HP and rice (PHG + HP + R); (8) co-preload of HG and HP prior to rice (PHG + PHP + R); and (9) preload of HP prior to co-ingestion of HG and rice (PHP + HG + R). Postprandial glycemic response (GR) tests and subjective satiety tests were conducted for each test food. Cooked potato as a preload to a rice meal could significantly cut the acute postprandial glycemic excursion by around 1.0 mmol/L, irrespective of the GI of the preload. Co-preload of partial hydrolyzed guar gum and highly cooked potato (PHG + PHP + R) resulted in improved acute GR in terms of peak glucose value and glycemic excursion compared with either HG preload or HP preload. All the meals with preload showed comparable or improved self-reported satiety. Within an equicarbohydrate exchange framework, both high-GI and medium-GI potato preload decreased the postprandial glycemic excursion in young healthy female subjects. The combination of HG and HP as double preload resulted in better GR than both single HG or HP preload did.

In vitro gastric emptying characteristics of konjac glucomannan with different viscosity and its effects on appetite regulation.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is associated with the satiety-enhancing property by imparting the food matrix with high viscosity. In the present study, rheology tests on KGM sol with different viscosities were conducted to understand its flow behavior as they presented in the mouth and stomach, and the in vitro gastric emptying characteristics of KGM were examined with a human gastric simulator. Then, their effects on subjective appetite, glycemia, and appetite-related hormones (insulin, GLP-1, PYY3-36, CCK-8, ghrelin) response were investigated by conducting a randomized, single-blind, crossover trial in 22 healthy adults (11 female and 11 male, mean age (years): 23.2 ± 2.0, BMI (kg m-2): 20.6 ± 2.1). The blood samples and ratings for subjective appetite were collected at regular time intervals after the subjects were fed with four test breakfasts (one control treatment and three experimental treatments) on four different days. An ad libitum lunch was provided to the subjects once they consumed the breakfasts and their food intake was recorded. As the viscosity increased, the gastric emptying rate was delayed despite a large part of the chyme viscosity lost during digestion. The satiating capacity of the test breakfast was significantly enhanced as its viscosity increased, the and subjects' sensation for hunger, fullness, desire-to-eat, and prospective food consumption differed significantly (p = 0.006, 0.000, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively) between the treatments. The secretion of glycemia and satiety-related hormones were beneficially modulated by the increased viscosity of the test meal but a small decrease in the ad libitum food intake was observed after the intervention of the viscous test breakfasts. Overall, elevating the meal viscosity moderately by using KGM could contribute to combating the challenge of hunger for people in the bodyweight management.

Feeding of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) to sheep infected with gastrointestinal nematodes reduces faecal egg counts and worm fecundity.

The present study explored the anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins (CT) in carob (Ceratonia siliqua) pods fed to sheep against gastrointestinal nematodes. Three independent in vivo trials tested whether i) carob pod (CaBP)-containing feed had an anthelmintic effect and if yes, which was the optimal concentration in the diet; ii) whether this effect could be attributed to tannins through the polyethylene glycol (PEG) test and iii) whether there were any synergistic effects when combined with another tannin-containing feed (e.g. sainfoin). In all trials 6-month old nematode-naive lambs, experimentally infected with both Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, were used. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed regularly and at the end of each trial adult worm counts (AWC) and female worm fecundity were recorded. In trial 1, 35 lambs (five groups of seven lambs) were fed different CaBP concentrations ranging from 0% to 12 % w/w. FEC declined up to 39.2 % only in the group fed with 12 %CaBP, while a declining trend (P < 0.06) was demonstrated for the AWC of T. colubriformis, which was associated with the increasing concentration of CaBP in feed. Female worm fecundity was reduced in groups fed CaBP for both parasites, however this was only significant for H. contortus (P < 0.001), in a dose dependent manner. In trial 2, four groups of six infected lambs each were used, which received the carob diets CaBP or CaBP + PEG, and the tannin-free diets with or without PEG (C or C + PEG). Results showed that FEC of Groups C, C + PEG, and CaBP + PEG were comparable throughout the trial, while the group receiving only CaBP showed lower FEC from DAY 25 onwards. AWC showed a reduction (67.7 %) only for H. contortus (P < 0.03). Reversal of the anthelmintic effect of CaBP after PEG administration suggested that CT contributed to the anthelmintic action. However, no effect of CaBP was observed on T. colubriformis AWC and on female worm fecundity for both species. Finally, for trial 3 four groups of six lambs each received a diet based on CaBP, sainfoin (S) or a combination (CaBP + S) and were compared to a control (C) diet of lucerne. On DAY 37 FEC values in groups CaBP + S and S tended to be lower compared to the two other groups (C, CaBP), while for AWCs no significant differences were observed for both parasites. The fecundity of H. contortus and T. colubriformis demonstrated significant differences between the treated and control groups, with lower values in the animals receiving CaBP + S. Overall, the results supported the hypothesis that carob had an anthelmintic effect due to its CT, but there was no clear indication of a synergistic effect with sainfoin.

The Effect of Voluntary Exercise on Gut Microbiota in Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Intake Mice under High-Fat Diet Feeding.

Although dietary fiber treatment alters the gut microbiota and its metabolite production, it is unclear whether or not exercise habits can have a supplemental effect on changes in gut microbiota in dietary fiber-treated mice. To clarify the supplemental effect of voluntary exercise on gut microbiota in partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), which is a soluble dietary fiber, treated mice under high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, 4-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n = 80) were randomly divided into two dietary groups: the control-diet (CD) and HFD. Then, each dietary group was treated with or without PHGG, and with or without wheel running. After the experimental period, measurement of maximal oxygen consumption, a glucose tolerance test and fecal materials collection for analysis of gut microbiota were carried out. Voluntary exercise load in PHGG treatment under HFD feeding showed the supplemental effect of exercise on obesity (p < 0.01) and glucose tolerance (p < 0.01). Additionally, in both CD and HFD groups, voluntary exercise accelerated the decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in mice fed with PHGG (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that voluntary exercise might activate the prevention of obesity and insulin resistance more via change in gut microbiota in mice administrated with PHGG.