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Editor’s Choice : Gliadin Degradation Ability of Artisanal Lactic Acid Bacteria, The Potential Probiotics from Dairy Products
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Abstract: Selected Lactobacillus spp. with high protease and acid producing capacity was explored for effective gliadin degradation in wheat sourdough environment. The total titratable acidity (TTA), pH and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were evaluated. At the end of fermentation, the acidity and pH of the sourdough samples reached to 13.49-17.34 and 3.84-3.52 range, respectively. LAB population was enumerated as 107-109 colony forming unit (CFU)/g dough. Gliadin profiles were examined qualitatively using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) techniques. Especially RP-HPLC could be considered as a sensitive technique and is useful to determine the biochemical changes in gliadin fragmentation throughout sourdough fermentation process. LAB inoculated sourdoughs and chemically acidified sourdoughs generally represent similar gliadin degradation patterns. Although the total removal of gliadin toxicity could not be achieved in all dough formulations, it may be beneficial to use LAB to improve the dough and bread quality through the exploration of its bioconversion by-products. Keywords: :Gliadin, sourdough, lactic acid bacteria, probiotic, celiac.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Guava Leaf Extracts Inhibit 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation Via Activating AMPK
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Abstract: The guava tree (psidium guajava linn.) is commonly used not only as food but also as folk medicine. In our previous studies, we showed that oral administration of guava leaf extracts (GLE) had beneficial anti-obesity effects using metabolic syndrome model rats. However, we did not clarify molecular mechanism by which GLE administration leads to anti-obesity effect. This study was designed to evaluate the mechanism of anti-obesity by GLE using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell lines. We found that GLE significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 differentiation via down-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors and markers. Mitotic clonal expansion, which is essential for adipose differentiation, was also depressed in the early phase. Interestingly, GLE increased the phosphorylation of AMPK on 3T3-L1 cells and, by pretreatment with AMPK siRNA, the GLE treatment group showed restored adipocyte differentiation. In conclusion, these results showed that GLE is capable of inhibiting adipocyte differentiation via AMPK activation and therefore it may prevent obesity in vivo. Keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase, 3T3-L1 differentiation, guava leaf extract, Mitotic clonal expansion, obesity..Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Major Classes of Phytonutriceuticals in Vegetables and Health Benefits: A Review
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Abstract: Vegetables are essential for well-balanced diets since they supply phytonutriceuticals. About 3 billion people in the world are malnourished due to imbalanced diets. Regular consumption of a vegetable rich diet has undeniable effects on health since they have been strongly associated with improvement of gastrointestinal health, good vision, and reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic diseases such as diabetes, and some forms of cancer. The mechanism by which vegetables decrease risk of disease is complex and largely unknown. Some phytochemicals of vegetables are strong antioxidants and are thought to reduce the risk of chronic disease by protecting against free radical damage, by modifying metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens, or even by influencing processes that alter the course of tumor cells. The dietary fiber content and type of different vegetables may also contribute to the overall health benefit. Each vegetable contains a unique combination of phytonutriceuticals. A great diversity of vegetables should be eaten to ensure that individual’s diet includes a combination of phytonutriceuticals and to get all the health benefits. Keywords: Antioxidants, dietary fiber, disease control, horticulture, minerals, nutrition, phytochemicals, vitamins.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Influence of Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, and Caffeine Supplementation on Calf Muscle Re-Oxygenation During and after Acute Resistance Exercise
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Abstract: Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor is a ‘cocktail’ supplement proposed to improve skeletal muscle blood flow via arginine’s effect on nitric oxide synthesis and vasodilation. Two other major ingredients, caffeine and creatine, cause vasoconstriction, which could potentially counteract the proposed hemodynamic effects of arginine. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor on muscle re-oxygenation after resistance exercise compared to supplementation with constituent ingredients L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate and caffeine. Nine recreationally active men (21±1y) performed 3 sets of 20 repetitions of seated single-leg calf raise at 60% 1-RM with 3 min rests. The same calf raise exercise was performed following 4 separate supplementation conditions: L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), caffeine (CAFF), Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor (XPAND), and placebo (PLAC). Soleus muscle re-oxygenation time was measured before, during, and immediately after exercise using near infrared spectroscopy. Supplementation with XPAND (0.43±0.03), AAKG (0.34±0.02), and CAFF (0.45±0.05) did not significantly affect muscle re-oxygenation halftime (minutes) compared to placebo (0.35±0.04). An arginine containing ‘cocktail’ supplement did not affect skeletal muscle re-oxygenation after resistance exercise, possibly due to a wash-out effect caused by the multiple ingredients. Keywords: Ergogenic, blood flow, oxygen delivery, supplements, vasomotor, athletic performance, near infrared spectroscopy..Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Malnutrition and Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Hospitalized Elderly Patients with and without Heart Failure
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Abstract: Heart failure (HF) is highly prevalent among older subjects and it is associated with poor prognosis. HF frequently coexists with malnutrition. Objectives of our work were to assess nutritional status of old inpatients with and without HF and to study the association of malnutrition markers with echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function and geometry.We enrolled 165 patients (72 men, 93 women; mean age: 80±7 years) consecutively admitted to Cardiology ward of our geriatric research hospital. For all subjects we performed clinical examination, echocardiogram and laboratory tests. Nutritional status was assessed evaluating anthropometric and laboratory markers of malnutrition (BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2 and/or serum albumin ≤ 3.2 g/dL). We found high prevalence of HF (67.3%) and malnutrition (28.5%). Mean serum albumin and mean BMI were 3.6±0.5 g/dL and 25.8±5.2 kg/m2 respectively. T-Student tests showed lower values of serum albumin in patients with HF compared with patients without HF (3.5±0.6 g/dL vs 3.7±0.4 g/dL; p:0.043). Conversely BMI values were not significantly different. We found significant association between serum albumin and ejection fraction (EF) of left ventriculum (r:0.311; p:0.001). An independent correlation between EF and serum albumin was confirmed by multivariate analysis (β:0.301; p:0.027). Our study highlights that malnutrition is common among elderly inpatients with HF. Lower albumin was associated with worse systolic left ventricular function. Efforts should be made in the research setting to better understand the pathophysiology of malnutrition in HF and to identify useful management strategies for nutritional assessment and supplementation. Keywords: Heart failure, Malnutrition, Elderly, Albumin, Systolic function.Download Full Article |