scholarly journals Carnosine, Small But Mighty—Prospect of Use as Functional Ingredient for Functional Food Formulation

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1037
Author(s):  
Ivana Jukić ◽  
Nikolina Kolobarić ◽  
Ana Stupin ◽  
Anita Matić ◽  
Nataša Kozina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Divalent Metal Ions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Beta Alanine ◽  
High Concentrations

Carnosine is a dipeptide synthesized in the body from β-alanine and L-histidine. It is found in high concentrations in the brain, muscle, and gastrointestinal tissues of humans and is present in all vertebrates. Carnosine has a number of beneficial antioxidant properties. For example, carnosine scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as alpha-beta unsaturated aldehydes created by peroxidation of fatty acid cell membranes during oxidative stress. Carnosine can oppose glycation, and it can chelate divalent metal ions. Carnosine alleviates diabetic nephropathy by protecting podocyte and mesangial cells, and can slow down aging. Its component, the amino acid beta-alanine, is particularly interesting as a dietary supplement for athletes because it increases muscle carnosine, and improves effectiveness of exercise and stimulation and contraction in muscles. Carnosine is widely used among athletes in the form of supplements, but rarely in the population of cardiovascular or diabetic patients. Much less is known, if any, about its potential use in enriched food. In the present review, we aimed to provide recent knowledge on carnosine properties and distribution, its metabolism (synthesis and degradation), and analytical methods for carnosine determination, since one of the difficulties is the measurement of carnosine concentration in human samples. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of carnosine’s biological effects in musculature, metabolism and on immunomodulation are discussed. Finally, this review provides a section on carnosine supplementation in the form of functional food and potential health benefits and up to the present, neglected clinical use of carnosine.

scholarly journals Plant Phenolics: Bioavailability as a Key Determinant of Their Potential Health-Promoting Applications

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1263
Author(s):  
Patricia Cosme ◽  
Ana B. Rodríguez ◽  
Javier Espino ◽  
María Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Plant Phenolics ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Radical Scavenging Ability ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely spread throughout the plant kingdom that can be categorized as flavonoids and non-flavonoids. Interest in phenolic compounds has dramatically increased during the last decade due to their biological effects and promising therapeutic applications. In this review, we discuss the importance of phenolic compounds’ bioavailability to accomplish their physiological functions, and highlight main factors affecting such parameter throughout metabolism of phenolics, from absorption to excretion. Besides, we give an updated overview of the health benefits of phenolic compounds, which are mainly linked to both their direct (e.g., free-radical scavenging ability) and indirect (e.g., by stimulating activity of antioxidant enzymes) antioxidant properties. Such antioxidant actions reportedly help them to prevent chronic and oxidative stress-related disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. Last, we comment on development of cutting-edge delivery systems intended to improve bioavailability and enhance stability of phenolic compounds in the human body.

scholarly journals INTENSITY OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIS IN THE BLOOD OF RATS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SODIUM FLUORIDE

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
I.L. Kolisnyk
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Superoxide Anion ◽  
Anion Radical ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
The Body ◽  
Superoxide Anion Radical ◽  
Chemical Agent ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Nitrate Anions

The influence of fluoride ion as a chemical agent affects the metabolism, the change of which is manifested in functional and structural changes. The final stable metabolites of NO include nitrite and nitrate anions (NO2, NO3), the concentration of which serves as an indirect method for estimating the intensity of NO synthesis. The concentration of NO is a major factor in its numerical biological effects (regulatory, protective). At low NO concentrations, direct effects aimed at maintaining homeostasis, such as the vascular, respiratory, and nervous systems, predominate; at high concentrations of NO, indirect effects prevail, due primarily to the formation of peroxynitrite. It is known that when the rate of free radical reactions in the body increases, NO can react with a superoxide anion radical to form peroxynitrite, a highly reactive compound with destructive properties against proteins and lipids. Oral administration of FN to rats in doses of 1/10 and 1/100 DL50 leads to an increase in the content of nitrite and nitrate anions in the blood plasma during the first 30 days, which indirectly indicates excess production of nitric oxide, which in the initial stages of intoxication may play a compensatory role, but subsequently cause pathological reactions associated with the activation of oxidative stress. The decrease in nitrite and nitrate anions at the end of long-term action of FN indirectly indicates a decrease in nitric oxide generation, which may be associated, in particular, with an increase in peroxynitrite concentration due to the use of nitric oxide in reaction with superoxide anion radical and antioxidant deficiency.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Fucoxanthin on High Glucose- and 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-Induced Injury in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1176
Author(s):  
Yi-Fen Chiang ◽  
Hsin-Yuan Chen ◽  
Yen-Jui Chang ◽  
Yin-Hwa Shih ◽  
Tzong-Ming Shieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
The Body ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Blood Retinal Barrier

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing due to the eating and living habits of modern people. As the disease progresses, the long-term effects of diabetes can cause microvascular disease, causing dysfunction in different parts of the body, which, in turn, leads to different complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is the main cause of vision loss and blindness in diabetic patients. Persistent hyperglycemia may cause damage to the retina, induce the accumulation of inflammatory factors, and destroy the blood–retinal barrier function. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid extracted from seaweed. It accounts for more than 10% of the total carotenoids in nature. Fx is mainly found in brown algae and has strong antioxidant properties, due to its unique biologically active structure. This carotenoid also has the effects of reducing lipid peroxidation, reducing DNA damage, and preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, there is no relevant research on the protective effect of Fx in DR. Therefore, in this study, we explore the protective effect of Fx on the retina. Human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19) are used to investigate the protective effect of Fx on high glucose stress- (glucose 75 mM) and high lipid peroxidation stress (4-hydroxynonenal, 4-HNE (30 μM))-induced DR. The cell viability test shows that Fx recovered the cell damage, and Western blotting shows that Fx reduced the inflammation response and maintained the integrity of the blood–retinal barrier by reducing its apoptosis and cell adhesion factor protein expression. Using an antioxidant enzyme assay kit, we find that the protective effect of Fx may be related to the strong antioxidant properties of Fx, which increases catalase and reduces oxidative stress to produce a protective effect on the retina.

scholarly journals Functional foods: concepts and application to inulin and oligofructose

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (S2) ◽  
pp. S139-S143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel B. Roberfroid
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Function Type ◽  
Food Components

A food can be regarded as functional if it is satisfactorily demonstrated to affect beneficially one or more target functions in the body, beyond adequate nutritional effects, in a way which is relevant to either the state of well-being and health or the reduction of the risk of a disease. Health claims are expected to be authorized for functional foods based either on enhanced function (type A claim) or disease risk reduction (type B claim). Their development is a unique opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the quality of the food offered to consumer's choice for the benefit of his well-being and health. But only a rigorous scientific approach producing sound data will garantee its success. The functional food components that are discussed in the proceedings of the 3rd ORAFTI Research Conference are the inulin-type fructans, natural food components found in miscellaneous edible plants. They are non-digestible oligosaccharides that are classified as dietary fiber. The targets for their functional effects are the colonic microflora that use them as selective ‘fertilizers’; the gastrointestinal physiology; the immune functions; the bioavailability of minerals; and the metabolism of lipids. Potential health benefits may also concern reduction of the risk of some diseases like intestinal infections, constipation, non-insulin dependent diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis or colon cancer. The present proceedings review the scientific data available and, by reference to the concepts in functional food science, they assess the scientific evidence which will be used to substantiate health claims.

scholarly journals Prebiotics and synbiotics: concepts and nutritional properties

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (S2) ◽  
pp. S197-S202 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Roberfroid
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
The Body ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Faecal Flora ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Food Ingredients

The main role of diet is to provide enough nutrients to meet the requirements of a balanced diet, while giving the consumer a feeling of satisfaction and well-being. The most recent knowledge in bioscience supports the hypothesis that diet also controls and modulates various functions in the body, and, in doing so, contributes to the state of good health necessary to reduce the risk of some diseases. It is such an hypothesis which is at the origin both of the concept of ‘functional food’ and the development of a new scientific discipline of ‘functional food science’. In the context of this paper the potential ‘functional foods’ to be discussed are the prebiotics and the synbiotics. The prebiotics developed so far are the non-digestible oligosaccharides and especially the non-digestible fructans among which chicory fructans play a major role. The chicory fructans are β (2-1) fructo-oligosaccharides classified as natural food ingredients. They positively affect various physiological functions in such a way that they are already or may, in the future, be classified as functional food ingredients for which claims of functional effects or of disease risk reduction might become authorized. They are classified as prebiotic and have been shown to induce an increase in the number of bifidobacteria in human faecal flora. As part of a synbiotic-type product, they are already bifidogenic at a dose of 2·75 g/d and the effect lasts for at least 7 weeks. The other potential functional effects are on the bioavailability of minerals, but also, and more systemically, on the metabolism of lipids. Potential health benefits may concern reduction of the risk of intestinal infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and cancer. However, except for the prebiotic effect, and tentatively the improvement of calcium bioavailability, the evidence to support such effects is still missing in humans though hypotheses already exist to justify nutrition studies.

scholarly journals New promising alien species of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia (Рoepp. et Еndl.) H. Robinson) for medicinal plant cultivation in Ukraine

2016 ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
A. Dashchenko ◽  
V. Novozhylov ◽  
L. Hlushchenko ◽  
N. Taran ◽  
S. Marchyshyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Medicinal Plant Cultivation ◽  
Favorable Conditions

Available to man source of bioactive compounds and minerals are plants. One of the promising crops is yakon that was introduced and put into culture in many countries. Perspective for Ukraine exotic species, which yakon belongs to, was recently started to grow in our country. The main area of yakon distribution is average latitude of South America. Due to the content of chlorogenic, coffee acids and other phenolic compounds in leaves yakon has antioxidant properties. Root tubers of yakon contain inulin — a polysaccharide that is easily absorbed by the body and serves as a substitute for sugar in the diets of diabetic patients. In recent years, scientists from different countries have been studying yakon hypoglycemic properties. Researchers worldwide proved that the content of important biologically active compounds and chemical composition of yakon grown under different conditions vary quite strongly. So our goal was to find the optimal soil and climatic conditions for growing exotic species and identify favorable conditions for the accumulation of macro and micronutrients. This paper defines the contents of 23 chemical elements in the leaves, roots, tubers and root peel of yakon. A high content of vital macro and trace elements, including selenium was found out. Gray forest ashed, roughly silty, easily loam soil was found to be the most suitable for growing exotic species new for Ukraine Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl., from which the highest yield — 3.5 kg weight of underground parts (root tubers and rootstock) of the plant was obtained.

scholarly journals Angiotensin II regulates migration in mouse cultured mesangial cells: evidence for the presence of receptor subtype-specific regulation

2006 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichiro Takeuchi ◽  
Keishi Yamauchi ◽  
Junko Nakamura ◽  
Satoshi Shigematsu ◽  
Kiyoshi Hashizume
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Specific Regulation

The biological effects of angiotensin II (AngII) are mediated by two major subtypes of AngII receptors, type 1 (AT1R) and type 2 (AT2R). In this study, we attempted to elucidate the role of AngII subtype receptor-specific regulation in migration and proliferation of mouse cultured mesangial (MSG) cells. We found that 100 nM AngII stimulated weak migration of MSG cells. Cell motility increased more in the presence of AT2R than in the presence of AT1R, and it was suppressed by guanylate cyclase inhibitors. On the other hand, the activation of AT1R resulted in increased cell numbers, while AT2R activation inhibited cell proliferation. Moreover, high concentrations of glucose (25 mM) stimulated the expression of AT2R but not AT1R. These results indicate that there are receptor subtype-specific roles in MSG cells, and it is therefore possible that the activation of AT2R stimulates repair of glomerular tissue defect, by regulation of migration and proliferation of MSG cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the relative concentrations of AT1R and AT2R are important factors in the regulation of AngII function in glomerular tissue, and alterations in the concentrations of these receptors may contribute to progression of or protection from diabetic nephropathy.

Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Milk of Cow Grazing At Selected Areas, of Kaduna Metropolis

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Mohammed Imam ◽  
Zahra Muhammad ◽  
Amina Zakari
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Cadmium Toxicity ◽  
Research Work ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Scientific Model ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Lead And Cadmium ◽  
Digestion Technique

In this research work the concentration of zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium, and nickel in cow milk samples obtained from four different grazing areas   (kakuri, kudendan, malali, kawo) of Kaduna metropolis. The samples were digested by wet digestion technique .The trace element were determined using bulk scientific model VPG 210 model  Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).. The concentration of the determined heavy metal were The result revealed that Cr,  Ni and Cd were not detected in milk samples from Kawo, Malali  and Kudendan whereas lead (Pb) is detected in all samples and found to be above  the stipulated limits of recommended dietary allowance (NRC,1989) given as 0.02mg/day. Cu and Zn are essential elements needed by the body for proper metabolism and as such their deficiency or excess is very dangerous for human health. However, they were found in all samples and are within the recommended limits while Cd (2.13 – 3.15 mg/kg) in milk samples from Kakuri was found to be above such limit (0.5mg/day). Cow milk samples analyzed for heavy metals in this research work pose a threat of lead and cadmium toxicity due to their exposure to direct sources of air, water and plants in these grazing areas, thereby, resulting to a potential health risk to the consumers.

The Toxicity of Castor Beans and its Treatment with Doxycycline in Local Rabbits

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nael Mohammed Sarheed ◽  
Osamah Faisal Kokas ◽  
Doaa Abd Alabas Muhammed Ridh
Keyword(s):  
Castor Bean ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Doxycycline Treatment ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Physiological Tests ◽  
Animal House ◽  
Physiological And Biochemical

The plant of castor is widely spread in the Iraqi land, and characterized with containing ricin toxin, which has a very serious effects, and because the seeds of this plant scattered in the agricultural soil and rivers water, which increases the exposure of humans and animals to these beans. Objective: This experiment was designed to study the effect of high concentration of castor bean powder in some physiological and biochemical parameters and changes in some tissues of the body, as well as trying to use doxycycline to reduce the effects of ingestion of these seeds. Materials and Methods: In the experiment, 24 local rabbits were raised and fed in the Animal House of the Faculty of Medicine / Al-Muthanna University, then divided into four groups and treated for three weeks (21 days), Control group: treated with normal saline solution (0.9) orally throughout the experiment, G1: was treated orally with a concentration of 25 mg / kg of castor bean powder daily during the experiment, G2 : orally treated 25 mg / kg of castor bean and 25 mg / kg of doxycycline, G3: orally treated 25 mg / kg of castor powder with 50 mg / kg of doxycycline daily throughout the trial period. Results: The results of the experiment showed significant changes (P less than 0.05) in all physiological and biochemical blood tests when compared with control group. There was a significant decrease in PCV, Hb, RBC, T.protein and body weights, while demonstrated a significant increase in WBC, Urea, Creatinine, ALT, AST and ALP, with distortions in liver and kidney of animals that treated with Castor beans. In contrast, the treatment with doxycycline and caster beans showed significant improvement reflected by a normal proportion in physiological tests and biochemical tests with improvement in the tissues when compared to control group. Conclusions: It can be concluded from this study that castor bean has high toxic and pathogenic effects that may be dangerous to the life of the organism. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious of these pills and avoid exposure to them, also recommended to take high concentrations of doxycycline treatment when infected with castor bean poisoning.

scholarly journals Collagen-Based Electrospun Materials for Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Britani N. Blackstone ◽  
Summer C. Gallentine ◽  
Heather M. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Collagen Type I ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pool Data ◽  
Type I ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Increased Strength

Collagen is a key component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in organs and tissues throughout the body and is used for many tissue engineering applications. Electrospinning of collagen can produce scaffolds in a wide variety of shapes, fiber diameters and porosities to match that of the native ECM. This systematic review aims to pool data from available manuscripts on electrospun collagen and tissue engineering to provide insight into the connection between source material, solvent, crosslinking method and functional outcomes. D-banding was most often observed in electrospun collagen formed using collagen type I isolated from calfskin, often isolated within the laboratory, with short solution solubilization times. All physical and chemical methods of crosslinking utilized imparted resistance to degradation and increased strength. Cytotoxicity was observed at high concentrations of crosslinking agents and when abbreviated rinsing protocols were utilized. Collagen and collagen-based scaffolds were capable of forming engineered tissues in vitro and in vivo with high similarity to the native structures.

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