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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are common causes of chronic gastrointestinal signs in cats and include different diseases such as food-responsive enteropathy (FRE),...
Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are common causes of chronic gastrointestinal signs in cats and include different diseases such as food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and low-grade intestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL). Although changes in intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolites have been reported in dogs and humans with chronic enteropathy, research in cats has been limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiota and lipid-related fecal metabolites in cats with FCE to a clinically healthy comparison group (CG). A total of 34 cats with FCE (13 FRE, 15 IBD, and 6 LGITL) and 27 cats in the CG were enrolled in this study. The fecal microbiota was evaluated by the qPCR-based feline Dysbiosis Index (DI). The feline DI in cats with CE (median: 1.3, range: -2.4 to 3.8) was significantly higher ( < 0.0001) compared to CG (median: - 2.3, Range: -4.3 to 2.3), with no difference found among the FCE subgroups. The fecal abundances of Faecalibacterium ( < 0.0001), ( < 0.0001), ( = 0.0398), Bifidobacterium ( = 0.0004), and total bacteria ( = 0.0337) significantly decreased in cats with FCE. Twenty-seven targeted metabolites were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, including long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), sterols, and bile acids (BAs). Fecal concentrations of 5 of 12 LCFAs were significantly increased in cats with FCE compared to CG. Fecal concentrations of zoosterol ( = 0.0109), such as cholesterol ( < 0.001) were also significantly increased in cats with FCE, but those of phytosterols were significantly decreased in this group. No differences in fecal BAs were found between the groups. Although no differences were found between the four groups, the fecal metabolomic pattern of cats with FRE was more similar to that of the CG than to those with IBD or LGITL. This could be explained by the mild changes associated with FRE compared to IBD and LGITL. The study showed changes in intestinal microbiota and alteration of fecal metabolites in FCE cats compared to the CG. Changes in fecal lipids metabolites suggest a dysmetabolism of lipids, including LCFAs, sterols, and unconjugated BAs in cats with CE.
PubMed: 38933703
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1401592 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Species belonging to the genus (Apiaceae) have been used by humanity since ancient times as flavoring agents, preservatives, and medicines for the treatment of a broad... (Review)
Review
Species belonging to the genus (Apiaceae) have been used by humanity since ancient times as flavoring agents, preservatives, and medicines for the treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including respiratory, digestive and kidney disorders, fungi infections, wounds, and gastric ulcers. Phytochemical studies on this botanical genus mainly investigate the essential oil composition and reveal the species as a rich source of volatile compounds, including monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids. Among the non-volatile secondary metabolites, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and polyacetylenes have been identified. Pharmacological studies revealed extracts and essential oils exhibit different biological properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. However, compared to other genera, the biological activity and chemical diversity of this genus are not well studied. In future decades, it is highly likely that the small genus will play an important role in drug discovery and drug development.
PubMed: 38931031
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121599 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This article provides an overview of the literature data on the role of liposomal structures and encapsulated substances in food technology and human nutrition. The... (Review)
Review
This article provides an overview of the literature data on the role of liposomal structures and encapsulated substances in food technology and human nutrition. The paper briefly describes how liposomes are created and how they encapsulate food ingredients, which can either be individual compounds or plant extracts. Another very interesting application of liposomes is their use as antimicrobial carriers to protect food products from spoilage during storage. The encapsulation of food ingredients in liposomes can increase their bioavailability, which is particularly important for compounds with health-promoting properties but low bioavailability. Particular attention was paid to compounds such as phytosterols, which lower blood cholesterol levels but have very low absorption in the human body. In addition, consumer expectations and regulations for liposomes in food are discussed. To date, no in vivo human studies have been conducted to indicate which encapsulation methods give the best results for gastrointestinal effects and which food-added substances are most stable during food storage and processing. The paper identifies further lines of research that are needed before liposomes can be introduced into food.
PubMed: 38928757
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121814 -
Animal : An International Journal of... May 2024Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; BSFL) can transform organic wastes into nutritional biomass useful in animal feeding. The aim of this work was to study the...
Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens; BSFL) can transform organic wastes into nutritional biomass useful in animal feeding. The aim of this work was to study the effect of five diets (meat, fruit, vegetable substrates, a mix of them and control) on the profile of fatty acids (FAs) and sterols of BSFL. For a more exhaustive characterization of the nutritional properties, the profile of esterified FAs in the sn-2 position of the triglycerides, the most absorbed lipid component during animal digestion was evaluated. The dietary effect was estimated on two different Hermetia illucens populations (Greek - UTH and Italian - UNIPI). The diet affected all the lipid fractions examined. Regardless of diet, the fat was characterized mainly of lauric acid and other saturated FAs, which were found to be synthesized by the larvae, as it was not present in any of the five substrates. In general, UTH larvae contained a higher level of lipids (7.38 vs 2.48 g/100 g of larvae; P < 0.001) and saturated FAs (49.71 vs 36.10 g/100 g of Total Lipids; P < 0.001) and a lower percentage of monounsaturated FAs (14.74 vs 26.70 g/100 g of Total Lipids), C18:3n-3 (0.67 vs 1.13 g/100 g of Total Lipids; P < 0.001), and C18:2c9t11 (2.02 vs 2.80 g/100 g of Total Lipids; P < 0.001). Irrespective of the populations, BSFL reared on control and fruit substrates showed higher level of lipids (8.06 and 5.61 g/100 g of larvae, respectively), and saturated FA (38.99 and 71.19 g/100 g of Total Lipids, respectively), while the presence of meat increased the level of C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 and C22:5n-3 (0.70, 0.13 and 0.45 g/100 g of Total Lipids, respectively). The results confirmed that BSFL accumulate phytosterols in their lipid fraction. The sterol profile was strongly influenced by the substrate on which the larvae were reared, with higher levels of cholesterol in the larvae of the meat group (38.55 mg/100 g of Total Lipids) and of stigmasterol and campesterol (9.04 and 15.23 mg/100 g of Total Lipids, respectively) in those of the vegetable group. The sterol content between the two populations was significantly different, with a higher percentage in UTH larvae (113.28 vs 34.03 mg/100 g of Total Lipids; P < 0.001). Finally, BSFLs showed a high plasticity of the lipid profile depending on both the substrate and the metabolism linked to the different populations. This variability allows the nutritional characteristics of the BSFL to be shaped by modifying the substrate, to adapt it to the technological and feeding needs to which the larvae are destined.
PubMed: 38905779
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101205 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Winter plants acclimate to frost mainly during the autumn months, through the process of cold acclimation. Global climate change is causing changes in weather patterns...
Winter plants acclimate to frost mainly during the autumn months, through the process of cold acclimation. Global climate change is causing changes in weather patterns such as the occurrence of warmer periods during late autumn or in winter. An increase in temperature after cold acclimation can decrease frost tolerance, which is particularly dangerous for winter crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of brassinosteroids (BRs) and BR analogues as protective agents against the negative results of deacclimation. Plants were cold-acclimated (3 weeks, 4 °C) and deacclimated (1 week, 16/9 °C d/n). Deacclimation generally reversed the cold-induced changes in the level of the putative brassinosteroid receptor protein (BRI1), the expression of BR-induced , and the expression of , which is involved in BR signal transduction. The deacclimation-induced decrease in frost tolerance in oilseed rape could to some extent be limited by applying steroid regulators. The deacclimation in plants could be detected using non-invasive measurements such as leaf reflectance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and gas exchange monitoring.
Topics: Brassinosteroids; Acclimatization; Cold Temperature; Brassica napus; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Seasons; Plant Proteins; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 38892204
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116010 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Dietary intake of natural substances to regulate physiological functions is currently regarded as a potential way of promoting health. As one of the recommended dietary... (Review)
Review
Dietary intake of natural substances to regulate physiological functions is currently regarded as a potential way of promoting health. As one of the recommended dietary ingredients, phytosterols that are natural bioactive compounds distributed in plants have received increasing attention for their health effects. Phytosterols have attracted great attention from scientists because of many physiological functions, for example, cholesterol-lowering, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, the physiological functions of phytosterols, the purification, structure analysis, synthesis, and food application of phytosterols have been widely studied. Nowadays, many bioactivities of phytosterols have been assessed in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms of their pharmacological activities are not yet fully understood, and in-depth investigation of the relationship between structure and function is crucial. Therefore, a contemporaneous overview of the extraction, beneficial properties, and the mechanisms, as well as the current states of phytosterol application, in the food field of phytosterols is provided in this review.
PubMed: 38890982
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111754 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024In this study, tomato seed (TS) samples were subjected to different roasting conditions (90-170 °C and 10-30 min) to compare their effects on the chemical composition...
In this study, tomato seed (TS) samples were subjected to different roasting conditions (90-170 °C and 10-30 min) to compare their effects on the chemical composition and oxidative stability of tomato seed oil (TSO). Unroasted TS was considered as a control sample. Our results revealed that moderate roasting (130 °C/20 min) can significantly increase the content of linoleic acid (54.01-54.89%), linolenic acid (2.17-2.41%), phytosterols (2789.56-3037.31 mg/kg), squalene (5.06-13.10 mg/kg), total phenols (22.37-22.67 mg GAE/100 g), and other functional components ( < 0.05) in TSO, while the antioxidant activity (via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays) also increased. In addition, the tocopherol content decreased significantly (758.53-729.50 mg/kg). Accelerated oxidation experiments showed that roasting (170 °C/30 min) increased the oxidative stability index (OSI) of TSO from 5.35 to 7.07 h ( < 0.05). Furthermore, roasting gradually increased the content of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (0-1.74 mg/kg), which indicates that the oxidative stability and the degree of the Maillard reaction increased upon roasting. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that moderate roasting (130 °C/20 min) improved the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability of TSO. Furthermore, this work provides a useful theoretical basis for the processing and wide application of TSO in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
PubMed: 38890911
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111682 -
Cardiovascular Diabetology Jun 2024There has been a substantial increase in the use of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to treat morbid obesity despite observational evidence demonstrating the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
There has been a substantial increase in the use of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to treat morbid obesity despite observational evidence demonstrating the superiority of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The main aim was to ascertain whether high LDL cholesterol levels should be considered when selecting the most appropriate surgical procedure for each patient (RYGB or SG).
METHODS
In this single-center, randomized clinical trial using intention-to-treat analysis, 38 patients with severe obesity and elevated levels of LDL cholesterol were randomly assigned to undergo RYGB or SG. The primary outcome was LDL cholesterol remission at 12 months, defined as LDL cholesterol < 3.36 nmol/l without lipid-lowering medications. Secondary outcomes included changes in weight, other comorbidities, qualitative lipoprotein traits, cholesterol esters, glycoproteins, cholesterol absorption and synthesis metabolites and complications.
RESULTS
Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that LDL cholesterol remission occurred in 66.6% of RYGB patients compared to 27.8% of SG patients (p = 0.019). Among patients completing follow-up, RYGB demonstrated superior remission (80.0% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.005). Exclusive benefits of RYGB included a reduction in large, medium, and small LDL particles. Cholesterol absorption markers showed differential behavior after both techniques: campesterol (Δ -15.2 µg/mg, 95% CI -30.2 to -0.1) decreased after RYGB, and sitosterol (Δ 21.1 µg/mg, 95% CI 0.9 to 41.2), cholestanol (Δ 30.6 µg/mg, 95% CI 14.8 to 57.9) and campesterol (Δ 18.4 µg/mg, 95% CI 4.4 to 32.3) increased after SG. No differences in weight loss, cholesterol esters, glycoproteins, cholesterol synthesis metabolites or postoperative complications were observed between techniques.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, RYGB is superior to SG in terms of short-term of high LDL cholesterol remission. Furthermore, RYGB also led to a greater improvement in lipoprotein parameters that confer an atherogenic profile. Therefore, the presence of elevated levels of LDL cholesterol should be considered when determining the optimal bariatric surgery procedure for each patient.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT03975478).
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Gastric Bypass; Gastrectomy; Adult; Middle Aged; Cholesterol, LDL; Treatment Outcome; Obesity, Morbid; Time Factors; Biomarkers; Weight Loss; Remission Induction; Laparoscopy; Hypercholesterolemia; Sitosterols
PubMed: 38879559
DOI: 10.1186/s12933-024-02296-x -
PloS One 2024Milk thistle seed oil is still not a well-known edible oil. Silybum marianum (milk thistle), is present in several countries and is the only known representative of the...
Milk thistle seed oil is still not a well-known edible oil. Silybum marianum (milk thistle), is present in several countries and is the only known representative of the genus Silybum. However, Silybum eburneum, which is an endemic plant in Spain, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, is considered a marginalized species. The present work is the first report that gives information on the lipid and phenolic profiles of Tunisian S. eburneum seed oil compared to those of Tunisian S. marianum seed oil. In addition, the antioxidant properties of these oils were determined with DPPH, FRAP, and KRL assays, and their ability to prevent oxidative stress was determined on human monocytic THP-1 cells. These oils are characterized by high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids; linoleic acid and oleic acid are the most abundant. Campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and β-amyrin were the major phytosterols identified. α-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol found. These oils also contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds. The diversity and richness of Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum seed oils in unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols are associated with high antioxidant activities revealed by the DPPH, FRAP, and KRL assays. In addition, on THP-1 cells, these oils powerfully reduced the oxidative stress induced by 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol, two strongly pro-oxidant oxysterols often present at increased levels in patients with age-related diseases. Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum seed oils are therefore important sources of bioactive molecules with nutritional interest that prevent age-related diseases, the frequency of which is increasing in all countries due to the length of life expectancy.
Topics: Silybum marianum; Plant Oils; Seeds; Antioxidants; Humans; Phytosterols; Phytochemicals; Oxidative Stress; THP-1 Cells
PubMed: 38875282
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304021 -
Nutrition Research and Practice Jun 2024Okra seed is a rich source of various nutritional and bioactive constituents, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluated the...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Okra seed is a rich source of various nutritional and bioactive constituents, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluated the effects on glucose uptake and serum lipid profiles of unsaponifiable matter (USM) from okra seed in adipocytes and diabetic animal models.
MATERIALS/METHODS
USM was prepared from okra seed powder by saponification. The contents of phytosterols and vitamin E in USM were measured. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured for 6 days with different concentrations of USM (0-200 μg/mL). The diabetic rats were administered with or without USM for 5 wk.
RESULTS
In the USM, the contents of phytosterols and vitamin E were 394.13 mg/g USM and 31.16 mg/g USM, respectively. USM showed no cytotoxicity and led to an approximately 1.4-fold increase in glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The treatment of USM also increased the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and glucose transporter-4 in a dose-dependent manner in adipocytes. The body weight change was not significantly different in all diabetic rats. However, blood glucose and the weights of liver and adipose tissues were significantly reduced compared to those in the control diabetic rats. Treatment with USM decreased the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the control group. The USM group also showed significantly decreased atherogenic indices and cardiac risk factors.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that USM from okra seed improves the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats, and provides valuable information for improving the functional properties of okra seed.
PubMed: 38854468
DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2024.18.3.345