Identification and quantification of carotenoids,tocopherols and chlorophylls in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables

The carotenoid, tocopherol and chlorophyll metabolic profiles and content of a selection of fruits and vegetables found commonly in the diet, have been determined using a rapid RP-HPLC technique with on-line PDA detection. Information gathered from the screening of secondary plant metabolites is vital for the accurate determination of the dietary intake of these micro-nutrients, and in the development of comprehensive food tables. Determination of basal levels is also necessary for the rational engineering of health-promoting phytochemicals in food crops. In addition this approach can also be applied to the routine screening of products to determine metabolic differences between varieties and cultivars, as well as between genetically modified and the corresponding non-genetically modified tissue.     

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) modulate the metabolism of deoxynivalenol (DON) in the pig

Pigs might be exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and deoxynivalenol (DON) at the same time, and both toxins are thought to interactively affect the intestinal barrier, the innate immune system, and the xenobiotics metabolism. Hence, we aimed at examining the single and combined effects of both toxins on nutrient digestibility and DON metabolism. For this purpose, barrows (26?±?4 kg) were fed restrictedly either a control diet (CON) or a diet contaminated with 3.1 mg DON/kg (DON) for 37 days. At day 37 of the experiment, pigs were infused intravenously for 60 min either with 100 μg DON/kg body weight (BW) (CON-DON), 7.5 μg LPS/kg BW (CON-LPS, DON-LPS) or a combination of both substances (CON-DON?+?LPS), or physiological saline (CON-CON, DON-CON). Blood samples were collected frequently until 3.25 h before the pigs were sacrificed for bile, liver, and kidney collection. The apparent digestibility of N-free extractives was significantly increased by 1 % when the DON-contaminated diet was fed. The total DON content in blood was significantly higher in endotoxemic pigs (34.8 ng/mL; CON-DON?+?LPS) when compared to the pigs infused with DON alone (18.8 ng/mL; CON-DON) while bile concentrations were not influenced by LPS. DON residue levels in liver and kidney closely reflected the treatment effects as described for blood. In contrast to DON infusion, the LPS challenge resulted in a significantly lower total DON concentration (13.2 vs. 7.5 ng/mL in groups DON-CON and DON-LPS, respectively) when the pigs were exposed to DON through the diet. The conjugation degree for DON in blood and bile was not influenced by treatments. In conclusion, endotoxemic pigs are characterized by higher DON residue levels in blood, liver, and kidney, probably by a compromised elimination.     

Compositional studies and biological activities of some mash bean (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) cultivars commonly consumed in Pakistan

Background

In recent years, the desire to adopt a healthy diet has drawn attention to legume seeds and food products derived from them. Mash bean is an important legume crop used in Pakistan however a systematic mapping of the chemical composition of mash bean seeds is lacking. Therefore seeds of four mash bean (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, family Leguminoseae) cultivars (NARC-Mash-1, NARC-Mash-2, NARC-Mash-3, NARC-Mash-97) commonly consumed in Pakistan have been analyzed for their chemical composition, antioxidant potential and biological activities like inhibition of formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) activity and tyrosinase inhibition activity.

Results

The investigated cultivars varied in terms of biochemical composition to various extents. Mineral composition indicated potassium and zinc in highest and lowest amounts respectively, in all cultivars. The amino acid profile in protein of these cultivars suggested cysteine is present in lowest quantity in all cultivars while fatty acid distribution pattern indicated unsaturated fatty acids as major fatty acids in all cultivars. All cultivars were found to be rich source of tocopherols and sterols. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) fingerprints of seed flour and extracts indicated major functional groups such as polysaccharides, lipids, amides, amines and amino acids. Results indicated that all investigated cultivars possessed appreciable antioxidant potential.

Conclusions

All cultivars are rich source of protein and possess sufficient content of dietary fiber, a balanced amino acid profile, low saturated fatty acids and antioxidant capacity that rationalizes many traditional uses of seeds of this crop besides its nutritional importance. The collected data will be useful for academic and corporate researchers, nutritionists and clinical dieticians as well as consumers. If proper attention is paid, it may become an important export commodity and may fetch considerable foreign exchange for Pakistan.     

Cholecystokinin pathways modulate sensations induced by gastric distension in humans

Ingested fat releases CCK, causes gastric relaxation, delays gastric emptying, and limits meal size; however, the mechanistic link among these actions has not been established. Fatty acid release of CCK is chain-length sensitive; dodecanoic acid (C12) induces greater CCK release than decanoic acid (C10). The effect of C12 or C10 on tolerance to subsequent intragastric infusion of liquid was determined in healthy subjects, with and without the CCK(1) receptor antagonist dexloxiglumide. Gastric wall relaxation after either fatty acid was assessed by graded volume distension and by barostat; gastric emptying was measured by gastric aspiration and by a [(13)C]octanoic acid breath technique. C12 released more CCK (mean plasma CCK after vehicle, 4.7 +/- 0.8 pM; C10, 4.8 +/- 0.3 pM; C12, 8 +/- 1.2 pM; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle) and reduced the volume of water (and of 5 and 25% glucose solutions) delivered at maximum tolerance compared with C10 or vehicle (volume of water tolerated after vehicle, 1,535 +/- 164 ml; C10, 1,335 +/- 160 ml; C12, 842 +/- 103 ml; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle); this effect was abolished by dexloxiglumide. Intragastric volumes were always similar at the limit of tolerance, and, whereas gastric relaxation occurred to similar degrees after the fatty acids, its duration was longer after C12, which also induced a longer delay in half-gastric emptying [t(1/2)(min) after vehicle, 53 +/- 2; C10, 67 +/- 3; C12, 88 +/- 7; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle]. In conclusion, ingestion of a CCK-releasing fatty acid reduces the tolerated volume of liquid delivered into the stomach, primarily via a CCK(1) receptor-mediated delay in gastric emptying.     

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and bone metabolism

The 1alpha-hydroxylated metabolite of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), is the biologically most active metabolite of vitamin D. The 24-hydroxylated metabolites were generally considered as degradation products of a catabolic pathway finally leading to excretion of calcitroic acid. Studies with analogues fluorinated at the C-24 position did not indicate a physiological function for 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3). Nevertheless throughout the years various studies showed biologic effects of other metabolites than 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). In particular the metabolite 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) has been functionally analyzed, e.g. with respect to a role in normal chicken egg hatchability and effects on chondrocytes in the resting zone of cartilage. Numerous studies have shown the presence of the vitamin D receptor in bone cells and effects of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) on bone and bone cells. Also for 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) studies have been performed focusing on effects on bone and bone cells. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data regarding 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) and bone and to evaluate its role in bone biology.     

Bioavailability of lutein in humans from intrinsically labeled vegetables determined by LC-APCI-MS

The aim of the investigation was to assess a stable isotope method for determining the relative bioavailability of food-derived lutein in humans. Subjects were administered a single dose of deuterium-labeled carotenoids from intrinsically labeled spinach or collard green; 10 mL blood samples were drawn at various time points over a 34 days period. The vegetables had been hydroponically grown using 25 atom-% deuterated water. Lutein molecules in the vegetables were partially deuterated with a highest abundance isotopomer at M(0) + 8 (unlabeled molecular mass, M(0,) plus 8 additional mass units from 8 deuterium atoms in the molecules). This allowed labeled lutein to be distinguished from endogenous lutein in serum samples after consuming the labeled meal. The presence of labeled lutein in the circulation was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface. The quantification of the labeled lutein in serum samples enabled the calculation of the enrichment for each time point after the dose; these values were plotted vs. time to generate absorption-clearance curves for each of the subjects. Area under the curve analyses of four different subjects (integrated over 29 days) yielded serum lutein responses of 128, 145, 149, and 262 microg-day/mg dietary lutein, following an acute dose of spinach containing 15.4, 18.8, 18.8 and 9.8 mg labeled lutein, respectively. This technique will facilitate the study of lutein bioavailability from different foods of diverse carotenoid composition and/or following various food preparation procedures.     

Some aspects of carnitine metabolism in avocado (Persea americana) (Short Communication)

The fact that palmitoyl-l-carnitine is oxidized by avocado mitochondria at a rate comparable with that of succinate oxidation suggests that there are at least two systems for β-oxidation in higher plants. The carnitine-associated system is located in a mitochondrial fraction, whereas the glyoxylate-cycle-associated system is located in the glyoxysomes.     

Sympathetic neural influence on bone metabolism in microgravity (Review)

Bone loss is one of the most important complications for astronauts who are exposed to long-term microgravity in space and also for bedridden elderly people. Recent studies have indicated that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in bone metabolism. This paper reviews findings concerning with sympathetic influences on bone metabolism to hypothesize the mechanism how sympathetic neural functions are related to bone loss in microgravity. Animal studies have suggested that leptin stimulates hypothalamus increasing sympathetic outflow to bone and enhances bone resorption through noradrenaline and β-adrenoreceptors in bone. In humans, even though there have been some controversial findings, use of β-adrenoblockers has been reported to be beneficial for prevention of osteoporosis and bone fracture. On the other hand, microneurographically-recorded sympathetic nerve activity was enhanced by exposure to microgravity in space as well as dry immersion or long-term bed rest to simulate microgravity. The same sympathetic activity became higher in elderly people whose bone mass becomes generally reduced. Our recent findings indicated a significant correlation between muscle sympathetic nerve activity and urinary deoxypyridinoline as a specific marker measuring bone resorption. Based on these findings we would like to propose a following hypothesis concerning the sympathetic involvement in the mechanism of bone loss in microgravity: An exposure to prolonged microgravity may enhance sympathetic neural traffic not only to muscle but also to bone. This sympathetic enhancement increases plasma noradrenaline level and inhibits osteogenesis and facilitates bone resorption through β-adrenoreceptors in bone to facilitate bone resorption to reduce bone mass. The use of β-adrenoblockers to prevent bone loss in microgravity may be reasonable.     

海南长臂猿破碎化生境中食物资源可利用性分析

食物种类及其可获得性是动物生存的基本条件,也是生境质量评价的重要指标。2013年1月至2014年7月,对海南长臂猿(Nomascus hainanus) C群生境内食源植物种类、数量、食物可获得性及主要取食植物的径级结构进行调查分析,共记录到64种食源植物(标记胸径≥5 cm的乔木1 484株)。海南长臂猿以高大粗壮的食源植物为主要采食对象。这些乔木型食源植物结果率超过50.0%的有15种,占C群全部乔木型采食植物种数的28.8%;结果率最高的是海南单籽暗罗(Monoon laui, 76.7%),最低的是鹅掌柴(Heptapleurum heptaphyllum, 9.6%)。18种长臂猿主食食源乔木中,白肉榕(Ficus vasculosa)、斜叶榕(Ficus tinctoria)等15种食源植物的植株呈增长型结构。南酸枣(Choerospondias axillaria)、二色波罗蜜(Artocarpus styracifolius)为稳定型结构,而桃榄(Pouteria annamensis)为衰退型结构。提示海南长臂猿食物供应植物仍处于年轻状态,但这些食源植物并非每年结果,...     

Effect of different proportion of sulphur treatments on the contents of glucosinolate in kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) commonly consumed in Republic of Korea

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala Group) is the rich source of medicinal value sulphur compounds, glucosinolates (GLSs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different proportion of sulphur (S) supplementation levels on the accumulation of GLSs in the leaves of the kale cultivar ('TBC'). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation method guided to identify and quantify six GSLs including three aliphatic (progoitrin, sinigrin and gluconapin) and three indolyl (glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin and neoglucobrasscin) respectively. Analysis of these distinct levels of S supplementation revealed that the accumulation of individual and total GLSs was directly proportional to the S concentration. The maximum levels of total GLSs (26.8 µmol/g DW) and glucobrassicin (9.98 µmol/g DW) were found in lower and upper parts of the leaves supplemented with 1 mM and 2 mM S, respectively. Interestingly, aliphatic GSLs were noted predominant in all the parts (50.1, 59.3 and 56% of total GSLs). Among the aliphatic and indolyl GSLs, sinigrin and glucobrassicin account 35.3 and 30.88% of the total GSLs. From this study, it is concluded that supply of S enhance the GSLs accumulation in kale.     

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) from NADPH and xanthine oxidase modulate the cutaneous local heating response in healthy humans

Local cutaneous heating produces vasodilation that is largely nitric oxide (NO) dependent. We showed that angiotensin II (ANG II) attenuates this by an ANG II receptor, type 1 (AT1R)-dependent mechanism that is reversible with the antioxidant ascorbate, indicating oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by ANG II employ NADPH and xanthine oxidase pathways. To determine whether these mechanisms pertain to skin, we measured cutaneous local heating with 10 μM ANG II, using apocynin to inhibit NADPH oxidase and allopurinol to inhibit xanthine oxidase. We also inhibited superoxide with tempol, and H(2)O(2) with ebselen. We heated the skin of the calf in 8 healthy volunteers (24.5-29.9 yr old) to 42°C and measured local blood flow to assess the percentage of maximum cutaneous vascular conductance. We remeasured while perfusing allopurinol, apocynin, ebselen, and tempol through individual microdialysis catheters. This was then repeated with ANG II combined with antioxidant drugs. tempol and apocynin alone had no effect on the heat response. Allopurinol enhanced the entire response (125% of heat alone), while ebselen suppressed the heat plateau (76% of heat alone). ANG II alone caused significant attenuation of the entire heat response (52%). When added to ANG II, Allopurinol partially reversed the ANG II attenuation. Heat with ebselen and ANG II were similar to heat and ANG II; ebselen only partially reversed the ANG II attenuation. Apocynin and tempol each partially reversed the attenuation caused by ANG II. This suggests that ROS, produced by ANG II via NADPH and xanthine oxidase pathways, modulates the response of skin to the application of heat, and thus contributes to the control of local cutaneous blood flow.     

Ability of 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (15-OH-20:3) to modulate macrophage arachidonic acid metabolism

Mouse peritoneal macrophages metabolize dihomogammalinolenic acid (20:3n-6) primarily to 15-hydroxy-8,11,13-eicosatrienoic acid (15-OH-20:3). Since the biological properties of this novel trienoic eicosanoid remain poorly defined, the effects of increasing concentrations of 15-OH-20:3 and its arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) derived analogue. 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), on mouse macrophage 20:4n-6 metabolism were investigated. Resident peritoneal macrophages were prelabeled with [3H]-20:4n-6 and subsequently stimulated with zymosan in the presence of either 15-OH-20:3 or 15-HETE (1-30 microM). After 1 hr, the radiolabeled soluble metabolites were analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. 15-OH-20:3 inhibited zymosan-induced leukotriene C4 (IC50 = 2.4 microM) and 5-HETE (IC50 = 3.1 microM) synthesis. In contrast to the inhibition of macrophage 5-lipoxygenase, 15-OH-20:3 enhanced 12-HETE synthesis (5-30 microM) and had no measurable effect on cyclooxygenase metabolism (1-10 microM) i.e., 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Addition of exogenous 15-HETE produced similar effects. These results suggest that the manipulation of macrophage 15-OH-20:3n-6 levels may provide a measure of cellular control over 20:4n-6 metabolism, specifically, leukotriene production.     

Polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) metabolism by plant cells

Summary Suspension cultures of Paul's Scarlet rose provided with 0.3 ppm of 2,2, 4,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl metabolized the compound at a rate of 45 proles· n^–1·g dry wt^–1. The environmental and technological significance of plants to metabolize environmentally persistent compounds is discussed.     

Coprinellus curtus (Hitoyo-take) prevents diseases of vegetables caused by pathogenic fungi

A strain of Coprinellus curtus (designated GM-21), a basidiomycete that suppressed bottom-rot disease of Chinese cabbage, 'pak-choi' (Brassica campestris), caused by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Pak-choi 2 was isolated. The mechanism of plant disease suppression was discovered to be hyphal interference, a combative fungal interaction between strain GM-21 and the pathogen. The antifungal spectrum of strain GM-21 was shown to include R. solani and Fusarium sp., i.e. strain GM-21 showed disease-suppressive ability against bottom-rot disease of lettuce and Rhizoctonia-patch disease of mascarene grass caused by strains of R. solani. In addition, clear evidence of hyphal interference between strain GM-21 and Fusarium pathogens that cause crown (foot) and root-rot disease of tomato and Fusarium wilt of melon, respectively, was demonstrated. It was thus considered that GM-21 is effective for suppressing soil-borne pathogens, and that GM-21 presents new possibilities for biological control of vegetable diseases.     

Inhibitory Smads and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) modulate anterior photoreceptor cell number during planarian eye regeneration

Planarians represent an excellent model to study the processes of body axis and organ re-specification during regeneration. Previous studies have revealed a conserved role for the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway and its intracellular mediators Smad1/5/8 and Smad4 in planarian dorsoventral (DV) axis re-establishment. In an attempt to gain further insight into the role of this signalling pathway in planarians, we have isolated and functionally characte-rized the inhibitory Smads (I-Smads) in Schmidtea mediterranea. Two I-Smad homologues have been identified: Smed-smad6/7-1 and Smed-smad6/7-2. Expression of smad6/7-1 was detected in the parenchyma, while smad6/7-2 was found to be ex-pressed in the central nervous system and the eyes. Neither single smad6/7-1 and smad6/7-2 nor double smad6/7-1,-2 silencing gave rise to any apparent disruption of the DV axis. However, both regenerating and intact smad6/7-2 (RNAi) planarians showed defects in eye morphogenesis and displayed small, rounded eyes that lacked the anterior subpopulation of photoreceptor cells. The number of pigment cells was also reduced in these animals at later stages of regeneration. In contrast, after low doses of Smed-bmp(RNAi), planarians regenerated larger eyes in which the anterior subpopulation of photoreceptor cells was expanded. Our results suggest that Smed-smad6/7-2 and Smed-bmp control the re-specification and maintenance of anterior photoreceptor cell number in S. mediterranea.