-
Genes Apr 2024Tocopherols are secondary metabolites synthesized through the shikimate biosynthetic pathway in the plastids of most plants. It is well known that α-Tocopherol (vitamin... (Review)
Review
Tocopherols are secondary metabolites synthesized through the shikimate biosynthetic pathway in the plastids of most plants. It is well known that α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) has many health benefits for humans and animals; therefore, it is highly used in human and animal diets. Tocopherols vary considerably in most crop (and plant) species and within cultivars of the same species depending on environmental and growth conditions; tocopherol content is a polygenic, complex traits, and its inheritance is poorly understood. The objective of this review paper was to summarize all identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control seed tocopherols and related contents identified in maize () during the past two decades (2002-2022). Candidate genes identified within these QTL regions are also discussed. The QTL described here, and candidate genes identified within these genomic regions could be used in breeding programs to develop maize cultivars with high, beneficial levels of seed tocopherol contents.
Topics: Zea mays; Quantitative Trait Loci; Seeds; Tocopherols
PubMed: 38674406
DOI: 10.3390/genes15040472 -
Journal of Separation Science Nov 2023Vitamin E represents a group of lipophilic phenolic compounds, including α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol, and α-tocotrienol,...
Vitamin E represents a group of lipophilic phenolic compounds, including α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol, and α-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, and δ-tocotrienol isomers. Different forms of vitamin E have been proven to exhibit varying biological activities. However, due to their structural similarities, the separation of vitamin E isomers is a challenging task. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an efficient method for isolating individual isomers. In this study, co-current countercurrent chromatography was employed to isolate vitamin E isomers from commercial capsules using a n-heptane-methanol-water (10:9.5:0.5, v/v) solvent system. The partition coefficients of the main constituents in the capsules ranged from 0.94 to 6.23, requiring over 450 min for a complete separation. To improve separation efficiency, a co-current elution mode was implemented and the flow rates of the two liquid phases as well as sample amount were examined. The results suggested that increasing the flow rate of the stationary phase and sample size could result in more effective separation, shorter separation time, and higher yield. It proved that co-current countercurrent chromatography was an effective method for the separation of vitamin E isomers.
Topics: Countercurrent Distribution; Vitamin E; Isomerism; Solvents; Methanol
PubMed: 37654055
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300285 -
Environmental cadmium exposure alters the internal microbiota and metabolome of Sprague-Dawley rats.Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic element that can negatively affect both humans and animals. It enters the human and animal bodies through the respiratory and digestive tracts,...
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic element that can negatively affect both humans and animals. It enters the human and animal bodies through the respiratory and digestive tracts, following which it tends to accumulate in different organs, thereby seriously affecting human and animal health, as well as hampering social and economic development. Cd exposure can alter the composition of intestinal microbiota. In addition, it can damage the peripheral organs by causing the translocation of intestinal microbiota. However, the relationship between translocation-induced changes in the composition of microbiome in the blood and metabolic changes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Cd exposure on microbiota and serum metabolism in rats by omics analysis. The results demonstrated that Cd exposure disrupted the balance between the blood and intestinal flora in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, with a significant increase in gut microbiota (, ) and blood microbiome (, ). However, Cd exposure caused the translocation of and from the gut into the blood. In addition, Cd exposure was associated with the up-regulation of serum indoxyl sulfate, phenyl sulfate, and p-cresol sulfate; down-regulation of δ-tocopherol and L-glutamine; and changes in blood microbiome and metabolites. In conclusion, we identified novel metabolic biomarkers for Cd toxicity, which will also expand our understanding of the role of blood microbiome in Cd-induced injury.
PubMed: 37565077
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1219729 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jan 2024Retinol, tocopherols, and carotenoids (RTC) have physiological roles as vitamins, pro-vitamins, and antioxidants, and provide biomarkers of dietary vegetable and fruit...
BACKGROUND
Retinol, tocopherols, and carotenoids (RTC) have physiological roles as vitamins, pro-vitamins, and antioxidants, and provide biomarkers of dietary vegetable and fruit intake. The goal was to investigate RTC in multiple sclerosis (MS).
METHODS
This exploratory study included 106 people with MS (71 relapsing-remitting MS or RR-MS; and 35 progressive MS or PMS) and 31 healthy controls (HC) at baseline and 5-year follow-up (5YFU). Serum retinol, α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels were measured using the single molecule array method. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and low contrast letter acuity (LCLA) were used as disability measures.
RESULTS
Retinol in MS was positively correlated with α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and α-tocopherol but negatively correlated with δ-tocopherol. EDSS was associated with α-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and lycopene. Greater retinol levels were associated with greater LCLA in RR-MS and PMS; high contrast visual acuity was not associated. Greater γ-tocopherol levels were associated with lower LCLA and high contrast visual acuity in PMS.
CONCLUSIONS
RTC exhibit distinctive associations with LCLA and EDSS in MS.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin A; Tocopherols; Follow-Up Studies; beta Carotene; Lycopene; gamma-Tocopherol; alpha-Tocopherol; Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Beta-Cryptoxanthin; Multiple Sclerosis; Carotenoids; Vitamins
PubMed: 38039941
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105143 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024In 2021, we published three papers related to the anti-inflammatory effects of food ingredients. The present paper reports the effects of vitamin E homologs and sweet...
In 2021, we published three papers related to the anti-inflammatory effects of food ingredients. The present paper reports the effects of vitamin E homologs and sweet basil powder. In these papers, we investigated whether inflammation occurs in the adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 16 weeks. Inflammatory cytokine gene expression was significantly higher in the epididymal fat of the high-fat and high-sucrose diet group than in that of the control diet group. However, the addition of α-tocopherol or δ-tocopherol to the diet could not restrain the inflammation of mice epididymal fats. Thereafter, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of α- and δ-tocopherols using the co-cultured cells. Consequently, we clarified that δ-tocopherol inhibited the increase in the gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines. We also examined the effect of sweet basil powder on a similar obese mice model. The final body weight in the high-fat and high-sucrose group that received sweet basil powder was significantly lower than that in the high-fat and high-sucrose diet group. Liver weights were also significantly lower in the high-fat and high-sucrose diet group that received sweet basil powder than in the high-fat and high-sucrose diet group, although adipose tissue weights were unchanged in both groups. Furthermore, sweet basil powder tended to inhibit in lipid synthesis in the mice livers. Therefore, we suggested that sweet basil powder inhibited fatty acid synthesis in mice livers, thereby suppressing liver enlargement, and resulting in body weight loss. Moreover, the gene expression of MCP-1 in the adipose tissue of mice fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet added with sweet basil powder was significantly lower than that of mice fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 12 weeks. Therefore, sweet basil powder inhibited inflammation onset in the adipose tissue of mice. Taken together, the results suggested that food ingredients, especially vitamin E homologs and sweet basil powder, have anti-inflammatory effects on mice adipose tissue and mice adipocyte-induced inflammation.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Food Ingredients; Powders; Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue; Inflammation; Cytokines; Sucrose; Vitamin E; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Diet, High-Fat; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38556276
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23221 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Sacha inchi seed oil is a food matrix rich in bioactive constituents, mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, the characteristics of color, carotenoid...
Sacha inchi seed oil is a food matrix rich in bioactive constituents, mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, the characteristics of color, carotenoid content, tocopherols, and volatile aroma compounds in eight sacha inchi seed (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil accessions were evaluated. Results showed that the oil obtained from the accessions presented a lightness and chroma of 91 to 98 units and 6 to 10 units respectively, while the hue angle ranged between 93 to 97 units. The total carotenoid content in the different accessions ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 mg/kg, while γ- and δ-tocopherol ranged from 861.6 to 1142 mg/kg and 587 to 717.1 mg/kg. In addition, the total content of tocopherols varied between 1450 and 1856 mg/kg and the δ/γ ratio ranged between 0.58 and 0.70. The oils from the accessions PER000408 (861 µg/kg) and PER000411 (896 µg/kg) were those with the higher volatile concentration, especially 1-hepten-3-ol, 2-nonanol, (E)-3-hexen- 1-ol, (E)-2-hexenal, and 1-hexanol. In this study, the variability of the oil obtained from 8 accessions were observed, from which promising accessions can be selected for continuous investigations of the new sacha inchi seed genotypes.
Topics: Carotenoids; Tocopherols; Seeds; Volatile Organic Compounds; Plant Oils; Brassicaceae
PubMed: 38692890
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23158 -
Journal of Chromatography. A Sep 2023It is well-known that an ideal extraction method enabling quantitative analysis should give complete extraction of the target analytes as well as minimal co-extraction...
It is well-known that an ideal extraction method enabling quantitative analysis should give complete extraction of the target analytes as well as minimal co-extraction of unwanted matrix substances. If the extraction method is part of a nontarget screening protocol, the desired analytes can differ widely in terms of chemical properties. In chromatography, terminologies such as recovery, selectivity, and comprehensiveness are well-established and can easily be determined. However, in extraction, these concepts are much less developed. Hence, the aim of our research is to develop and scrutinize theory in extraction with respect to numerical descriptors for extractability, selectivity, and comprehensiveness. Our approach is based on experiments determining the extractability of target analytes and selected interferences. As a case study, we use a pooled sample of three species of seaweed (Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata and Ascophyllum nodosum). Target analytes are β-carotene, fucoxanthin, δ-tocopherol, and phloroglucinol; and selected interferences are carbohydrates, proteins, ash, arsenic, and chlorophyll a. As a "green and clean" extraction technique, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using mixtures of CO, ethanol and water were explored using a design of experiment. The temperature was varied between 40-80°C, and the pressure was held constant at 300 bar. Obtained results clearly demonstrate that highest relative selectivity was achieved with CO containing only 5 vol% of ethanol and no water, which primarily enabled high extractability of β-carotene, and yielding an extract free of carbohydrates, proteins, and toxic metals such as arsenic. Best methods for highest extractability of the other target analytes varied quite widely. Analytes requiring the highest water content (fucoxanthin and phloroglucinol), also resulted in the lowest relative selectivity. Maximum relative comprehensiveness was achieved using CO/ethanol/water (40/55/5, v/v/v) at 70°C and 300 bar. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using relative quantitative descriptors for extractability, selectivity, and comprehensiveness, in optimization strategies for analytical extractions.
Topics: Ethanol; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid; Carbon Dioxide; beta Carotene; Seaweed; Arsenic; Chlorophyll A; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 37572535
DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464267 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with various complications encompassing male reproductive dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the...
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with various complications encompassing male reproductive dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of biologically active seed oil (LSO) against the testicular dysfunction associated with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Male adults (n = 24) were divided into four groups: control, LSO-administered, diabetic (D), and LSO-treated diabetic (D+LSO) groups. LSO was extracted from seeds, and its chemical composition was determined using GC-MS. Serum testosterone levels, testicular enzymatic antioxidants (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), an oxidative stress (OS) biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA), pro-inflammatory markers (NF-kB, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α), and the expression level of NF-kB were assessed. In addition, histopathological changes were evaluated in testicular tissues. The results obtained showed that the chemical composition of LSO indicated its enrichment mainly with γ-tocopherol (62.1%), followed by 2-methylhexacosane (8.12%), butylated hydroxytoluene (8.04%), 10-Methylnonadecane (4.81%), and δ-tocopherol (3.91%). Moreover, LSO administration in the D+LSO mice significantly increased testosterone levels and ameliorated the observed testicular oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and reduced NF-kB expression compared to the diabetic mice. Biochemical and molecular analyses confirmed the histological results. In conclusion, LSO may prevent the progression of diabetes-induced impairment in the testes through inhibition of the OS- and NF-kB-mediated inflammatory response.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Male; Animals; Testis; Lepidium sativum; NF-kappa B; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Testicular Diseases; Inflammation; Testosterone; Plant Oils
PubMed: 37895159
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015478 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024The quality of meat, with a focus on compounds important for human health, is directly related to the rearing systems in which the animals are produced. The search for a...
INTRODUCTION
The quality of meat, with a focus on compounds important for human health, is directly related to the rearing systems in which the animals are produced. The search for a balanced diet, with an emphasis on low cholesterol and adequate levels of vitamins, aligns with society's emphasis on healthy eating, directly correlated with the importance of the offer made by producers for the cattle's diet.
OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY
The objective was to verify the impact of different rearing systems, in the Eastern Amazon, during the rainy season, on the concentrations of vitamins (A, E) and cholesterol in the muscle () of crossbred Nelore cattle, castrated, aged between 24 and 36 months, and weighing between 410 and 628 kg. Twelve animals, from each of the three pasture rearing systems: native pasture in flooded areas of Monte Alegre; native pasture in a flooded area of Santa Cruz do Arari; and pasture cultivated on dry land in São Miguel do Guamá, all located in Pará, Brazil-were sampled in commercial slaughterhouses.
RESULTS
A notable influence was observed in the concentrations of β-carotene ( < 0.01), α-Tocopherol ( = 0.02), β-Tocopherol ( < 0.01) and the combined sum of β-Tocotrienol and γ-Tocopherol ( < 0.01), as well as δ-Tocopherol ( < 0.01) when contrasting extensive with intensive systems (confinement). However, there was a difference in the content of vitamins and cholesterol between the isolated extensive systems, or between the four rearing systems ( > 0.05). Extensive systems, mainly in Monte Alegre, demonstrated greater amounts of α-Tocopherol and δ-Tocopherol.
CONCLUSION
On the other hand, the intensive system exhibited higher levels of other investigated compounds, clarifying the nutritional variations generated by different livestock rearing practices in the region. Therefore, the results obtained are innovative in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, in addition to inspiring the development of new research to meet other demands in this field, and achieve additional results, such as determining which meat, coming from cattle in production systems in the country, presents the better compositional quality of vitamins and lipids.
PubMed: 38818497
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1331913