Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

This study investigated the rheological and tribological properties of cold beverages [bottled water (BW), sports drink (SD), orange juice (OJ), and whole milk (WM)] thickened with various concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%, w/w) of xanthan gum-based food thickeners. All thickened beverages exhibited high pseudoplastic behavior, with increasing thickener concentration leading to higher viscosity and viscoelastic moduli and a lower flow behavior index. Thickened BW, SD, and WM exhibited typical Stribeck curves covering the boundary, mixed, and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes. However, thickened OJ displayed a different curve pattern comprising five regimes because of the presence of small pulp and gel particles. As the thickener concentration was increased, the maximum friction coefficient (μ) values of thickened BW, SD, and OJ decreased, whereas that of thickened WM increased because of the depletion flocculation of emulsion particles. The maximum μ values of thickened beverages, except for thickened WM, were positively correlated with n and tan δ values with increasing thickener concentration. Thus, the tribological characteristics of cold thickened beverages had a good relationship with their rheological properties, which were greatly influenced by the thickener concentration and beverage type.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a popular herb in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system in India. It is known to exert stress-mitigating properties and has been extensively studied for its safety and efficacy in various disorders. This in vivo study assessed the effects of Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on stress in rats. The anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of ARE were assessed using the elevated plus maze test, sucrose preference test, and forced swim test. The rats were divided into the following groups: control group (no disease), disease control group (no treatment), standardized ARE group (test; ARE administered in doses of 27, 54, and 108 mg/kg body weight), and fluoxetine group (active control). Biochemical parameters in the serum [monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A, MAO-B, serotonin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)] and brain tissue (serotonin) were estimated at the end of 36 days to understand the potential mechanism behind the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of ARE. The behavior test results indicated significant improvement in anxiety and depression-like behavior with ARE treatment in a rat model exposed to a validated protocol of chronic variable stress. The results of biochemical analyses revealed a significant increase in serotonin and BDNF levels and a decrease in CRH, ACTH, and cortisol levels. The inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α were also significantly reduced with ARE treatment. ARE demonstrated notable effects on anxiety and depression markers in rats, indicating its potential as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

Ripening karanda fruits are a natural source of phytochemicals, which exhibit various biological properties. The present study aimed to determine the types of phytochemicals, biological properties, and cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of ripening karanda fruits. Two mechanical tools were used to collect the phytochemicals under low temperatures during the extraction process. The extracts were investigated for antioxidants using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The total phenolic contents were studied using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The phytochemicals of the total extract were analyzed by gas column chromatography-mass spectrometry. The saccharide types, including the total sugar content, were determined using thin-layer chromatography and the Lane-Eynon method. The total ascorbic acid was analyzed in accordance with the AOAC 967.21 method. The cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of phytochemicals were investigated using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) and human red blood cells (hRBCs). The results showed that the appropriation for repeated ultrasonic extraction is four times. The fresh ripening karanda fruit (Fresh-RKF) and freeze-dried powder of ripening karanda fruit extracts exhibited antioxidant activity in vitro and exerted a noncytotoxic effect on hPBMCs at a concentration of ≤2.5 mg/mL and a hemolytic effect on hRBCs at a concentration of >5.0 mg/mL. The Fresh-RKF extract comprised 0.27% of total sugar and 0.01% of ascorbic acid. These data could support the development of supplemental foods using ripening karanda fruits as the primary ingredient.

Chicken essence (CE) is known for its antihypertensive properties. However, few studies have investigated the effects of CE in prehypertensive individuals. Here, we conducted a randomized crossover clinical trial on prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents to evaluate the effects of preworkout CE consumption (CEC) on post-exercise hypotension (PEH) and cardiac autonomic and vascular responses. Ten prehypertensive males participated in three randomly ordered sessions: a resting control (REST) condition and two exercise conditions involving CEC and an exercise control (CON). The participants in the CEC condition consumed CE daily for seven days prior to the experimental sessions. Measurements were taken before and after each intervention. The results showed that the CEC condition resulted in significantly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at night compared with the CON and REST conditions (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). This reduction in SBP and MAP in the CEC condition was observed as early as 10 min and persisted for up to 12 h after a single exercise session. Only the CEC condition showed significantly higher root mean square of successive differences at night (P<0.05) and across a 24-h period (P<0.05). Moreover, we observed a significantly lower brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity 30 min post-exercise (P<0.05). These findings support the efficacy of CE in promoting PEH, particularly with greater reductions in SBP, DBP, and MAP at night, while also enhancing post-exercise vagal activity and reducing vascular stiffness. Thus, CEC may be an effective strategy for preventing hypertension.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) is a popular fruit known for its sweet and slightly tangy flavor, which is widely consumed both fresh and in various processed forms. This study aimed to analyze the biochemical composition of loquat juice and investigate its metabolic benefits in mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFSD). Mice were fed either a standard diet or an HFSD and received or not the loquat juice at 4 or 8 mL/kg body weight for 8 weeks. Body weight, food efficiency ratio, plasma lipoprotein profile, plasma glucose, and lipid indices were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, additional assessments were performed, including lipid content measurements in liver, adipose tissue, bile, and feces; hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase); hepatic malondialdehyde content; plasma biomarkers of liver injury; liver histology; and organ relative weight. Feeding mice with the HFSD resulted in a significant perturbation in lipid and glucose metabolism, obesity, liver steatosis, and oxidative stress-related enzymes. However, the concomitant administration of loquat juice significantly corrected this imbalance. Fresh loquat juice is low in fat and protein, moderately sugary, and energetically light; however, it is rich in minerals, vitamin C, and various phytochemicals compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The loquat juice could be considered a functional food and could be valorized through the extraction of active substances and their use as food supplements to prevent lipid metabolism disorders and the resulting health complications.

The accumulation of cholesterol-bearing macrophage foam cells in the initial stages of atherosclerosis serves as a characteristic feature of atherosclerotic lesions. The inhibitory effect of Siegesbeckia glabrescens, a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, on foam cell formation in THP-1 macrophages has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we explored the effect of S. glabrescens ethanol extract (SGEE) and hot water extract (SGWE) on foam cell formation via co-treatment with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mimicking the occurrence of atherosclerosis in vitro, and studied the regulation of its underlying mechanisms. THP-1 cells differentiated by PMA (1 μM) for 48 h were subsequently treated with/without SGWE and SGEE for 48 h. THP-1 macrophages were treated with ox-LDL (20 μg/mL) and LPS (500 ng/mL) for 24 h. Treatment with ox-LDL and LPS for 24 h enhanced the lipid accumulation in foam cells compared to in untreated cells, as determined by oil red O staining. In contrast, SGWE and SGEE treatment inhibited lipid accumulation in foam cells. Both extracts significantly upregulated ABCA1, LXRα, and PPARγ expression in ox-LDL- and LPS-treated cells (P<0.05). Moreover, both SGWE and SGEE decreased LOX-1, CD36, and SR-A1 expression. The co-treatment of ox-LDL and LPS increased NF-κB, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory activation and expression compared with untreated cells. However, this increase suppressed NF-κB, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory expression by SGWE and SGEE. The results indicated that both extracts can partially inhibit foam cell formation and contribute to protective effects by suppressing cholesterol accumulation during the onset of atherosclerosis.

Bioactive peptides generated from jack bean sprouts are reported to function as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. However, no studies have investigated the effect of precooking followed by simulated digestion using pepsin-pancreatin to increase DPP-IV inhibitory peptide generation in jack bean sprouts. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the generation of DPP-IV inhibitory peptides from precooked jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC] sprouts during simulated digestion with pepsin-pancreatin. The results showed that peptide fractions of the sample hydrolysate with molecular weight <1 kDa exhibited the strongest DPP-IV inhibitory activity (84.77%±0.49%) after simulated digestion. This activity was slightly greater than that (74.12%±0.85%) observed prior to simulated digestion. These findings demonstrate that the DPP-IV inhibitory activity of precooked jack bean sprouts can be retained following simulated digestion. Moreover, our investigation revealed the sequences of two novel peptides following simulated digestion with critical amino acids. The presence of alanine and glycine at the penultimate N-terminus of AAGPKP and LGDLLK confirmed the presence of DPP-IV inhibitors. Both peptide sequences are nontoxic and interact with the catalytic sites of enzymes through hydrogen bonds.

This study assessed the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of green yuja peel hot water extract (GYW) and ethanol extract (GYE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. GYW and GYE (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) significantly reduced the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and reactive oxygen species in a concentration-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. Compared with control cells, GYW and GYE significantly downregulated the protein levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the gene expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. Conversely, they upregulated the gene expression of IL-10. Moreover, GYW and GYE significantly suppressed NF-κB p65 and IκB-α phosphorylation and increased the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) compared with control cells. These results suggest that GYW and GYE exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties by downregulating the NF-κB signaling pathway and upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 system in LPS-activated macrophages.

This study investigated the antioxidative characteristics of Zea mays L. purple corn cob and husk extract (PCHE) and its potential protective effects against blue light (BL)-induced damage in N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E)-accumulated ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells. PCHE had a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging capacity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of 1.28±0.43 mM Trolox equivalents (TE)/g and 2,545.41±34.13 mM TE/g, respectively. Total content of anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids in the PCHE was 11.13±0.10 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g, 227.90±7.38 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, and 117.75±2.46 mg catechin equivalents/g, respectively. PCHE suppressed the accumulation of A2E and the photooxidation caused by BL in a dose-dependent manner. After initial treatment with 25 µM/mL A2E and BL, ARPE-19 cells showed increased cell viability following additional treatment with 15 µg/mL PCHE while the expression of the p62 sequestosome 1 decreased, whereas that of heme oxygenase-1 protein increased compared with that in cells without PCHE treatment. This suggests that PCHE may slow the autophagy induced by BL exposure in A2E-accumulated retinal cells and protect them against oxidative stress.

[This corrects the article on p. 426 in vol. 24, PMID: 31915638.].