Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor I is Involved in the Effect of High Fat Diet on Peripheral Amyloid β Clearance

Obesity is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but underlying mechanisms are not clear. We analyzed peripheral clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) in overweight mice because its systemic elimination may impact brain Aβ load, a major landmark of AD pathology. We also analyzed whether circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) intervenes in the effects of overweight as this growth factor modulates brain Aβ clearance and is increased in the serum of overweight mice. Overweight mice showed increased Aβ accumulation by the liver, the major site of elimination of systemic Aβ, but unaltered brain Aβ levels. We also found that Aβ accumulation by hepatocytes is stimulated by IGF-I, and that mice with low serum IGF-I levels show reduced liver Aβ accumulation—ameliorated by IGF-I administration, and unchanged brain Aβ levels. In the brain, IGF-I favored the association of its receptor (IGF-IR) with the Aβ precursor protein (APP), and at the same time, stimulated non-amyloidogenic processing of APP in astrocytes, as indicated by an increased sAPPα/sAPPβ ratio after IGF-I treatment. Since serum IGF-I enters into the brain in an activity-dependent manner, we analyzed in overweight mice the effect of brain activation by environmental enrichment (EE) on brain IGF-IR phosphorylation and its association to APP, as a readout of IGF-I activity. After EE, significantly reduced brain IGF-IR phosphorylation and APP/IGF-IR association were found in overweight mice as compared to lean controls. Collectively, these results indicate that a high-fat diet influences peripheral clearance of Aβ without affecting brain Aβ load. Increased serum IGF-I likely contributes to enhanced peripheral Aβ clearance in overweight mice, without affecting brain Aβ load probably because its brain entrance is reduced.     

Effect of cooking and germination on phenolic composition and biological properties of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Legumes are the base´s diet in several countries. They hold a high nutritional value, but other properties related to human health are nowadays being studied. The aim of this work was to study the influence of processes (boiling or germination) on the phenolic composition of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. c.v. Tolosana) and their effect on their antioxidant, neuroprotective and anticancer ability. Phenolic composition of raw and processed dark beans was analysed by HPLC-PAD and HPLC–ESI/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by ORAC. Astrocytes cultures (U-373) have been used to test their neuroprotective effect. Anticancer activities were evaluated on three different cell lines (renal adenocarcinoma (TK-10), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and melanoma (UACC-62)) by sulphorhodamine B method. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition have been observed between raw and processed dark beans that influence the antioxidant activity, mainly for germinated samples which show a decrease of antioxidant capacity. Although every assayed extracts decreased reactive oxygen species release and exhibited cytotoxicity activities on cancer cell lines, raw beans proved to be the most active in neuroprotective and antitumoral effects; this sample is especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins. This study further demonstrated that phenolic composition of dark beans is related with cooking process and so with their neuroprotective and anticancer activity; cooking of dark beans improves their digestion and absorption at intestinal level, while maintaining its protective ability on oxidative process at cellular level.     

ELECTROPHORETIC MOBILITY AND STABILIZATION OF ASPHALTENES IN LOW CONDUCTIVITY MEDIA

ABSTRACT

The electrophoretic mobilities of asphaltenes in n-heptane and ethanol were determined. The asphaltenes studied show a positive charge in both solvents. However, the magnitude of the charge is considerably lower in n-heptane than in ethanol. It is concluded that although the electrostatic forces are presented in both solvents, the van der Waals’ atractive forces are the main responsable for the flocculation of asphaltene particles. The addition of a well known asphaltene stabilizer, dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid (DBSA), decreases the electrophoretic mobility of asphaltene particles in ethanol until a constant positive value is reached. This means that the neutralization of the positive charges of the asphaltene particles is not complete, probably due to the limited adsorption of the DBSA on asphaltene surface and also, to the presence of charges inside the asphaltene particles that are not accessible to the DBSA.     

Copolymers of long-side-chain di-n-alkyl itaconates or methyl n-alkyl itaconates with styrene: synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties

Two series of copolymers of styrene with di-n-alkyl itaconates or methyl n-alkyl itaconates with n-alkyl side chains of 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22, using different compositions in the feed have been prepared in bulk via radical at 60 °C with AIBN as initiator. In most of the cases the copolymers were obtained in goods yields, their composition being close to the feed composition and their physical states depending on the composition and the itaconate structure. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The ¹H NMR studies indicate that the copolymers have a mainly random distribution of the monomeric units. The thermal degradation process occurs in one step with decomposition temperatures intermediate between those of polyitaconate and polystyrene. Finally, the alkyl side chains of the itaconate moieties are able to crystallize in a paraffinic phase where the melting temperature and enthalpy increase as the itaconate content and the side chain length rise.     

Synthesis,characterization and side chains crystallization of comb-like poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkylstyrene)s

A series of comb like poly(p-n-alkylstyrene)s with linear alkyl groups, containing even numbers of carbon atoms from 12 up to 22 were synthesized by radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, TGA, TVA DSC, and WAXS. All polymers were obtained in good yields and were soluble in organic solvents as chloroform, dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran and insoluble in methanol; they are stable up to temperatures near 300 °C. On the other hand, the alkylic side chains of all series are able to crystallize in a paraffinic phase in which the melting temperature and enthalpy increase with the methylene number of the n-alkyl chain.     

Differential effect of organic cultivation on the levels of phenolics,peroxidase and capsidiol in sweet peppers

BACKGROUND: Coincident with the changes in agricultural practices from conventional to organic, changes in the nutrient composition of fresh fruits and vegetables have been identified. The levels of peroxidase, total phenolics content, and capsidiol activity in organic as compared with conventional sweet pepper fruit were examined in this study. In order to avoid interferences of environmental factors on the studied parameters, the sweet peppers were grown (organically and conventionally) in a greenhouse under the same soil and climate conditions. RESULTS: Peroxidase was partially purified using the Triton X‐114 method and both organic and conventional peppers had the same isoenzymatic form. However, peroxidase activity in organic sweet peppers was higher than in conventional ones, in both maturity stages studied. The level of total phenolics compunds was also higher in organic than in conventional sweet peppers. With respect to the capsidiol activity, expressed as inhibition of fungus growth, it was not affected by the cultivation method at the green mature stage. However, at the red mature stage, organic sweet peppers showed higher capsidiol activity than those grown under the conventional system. CONCLUSION: Sweet peppers grown under organic culture have a maturity‐related response, with high levels of phenolic compounds, and peroxidase and capsidiol activity that contribute to disease resistance in organic farming. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of grape variety and their phenolic composition on vasorelaxing activity of young red wines

Red wine has been reported to exert beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular diseases probably due to their polyphenols constituents. The vasorelaxant capacity and phenolic composition of four monovarietal young red wines Merlot, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet-Sauvignon obtained from grapes from 2004 vintage, cultivated under the same climatic and agricultural conditions, wine-making technology and storage conditions, were determined using vascular reactivity assay in rat aortic and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells from Wistar rats were also used to evaluate their survival prevention activity as well. Every studied wine present vasorelaxation effect, but the higher value corresponds to the analyzed Merlot wine, especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly catechins and oligomeric proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin glycosides. This study further demonstrated previous investigations about the phenolic composition of wines relation with their vasorelaxation activity.     

Germination as a process to increase the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of lupin seeds (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

In this work, the effect of germination of lupin seeds (Lupinus angustifolius L., c.v. Zapatón) on bioactive phenolic compounds as well as on the antioxidant activity was studied. Phenolic compounds were analysed by HPLC-PAD-ESI/MS. The antioxidant activity was determined by spectrophotometry, evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of the samples. Germination produced significant changes in flavonoids and non-flavonoid phenolic compounds. In the analysed samples, isoflavones, flavones and dihydroflavonols in free and conjugated forms were identified. The results obtained indicate that germination modifies the quantitative and qualitative polyphenolic composition of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) seeds during the different days of the process, with a significant increase of flavonoids. An increase in the antioxidant activity was also observed as a consequence of the process. Germination was shown to be a good process to increase the phenolic content of lupin seeds as well as their antioxidant activity.     

Latent inhibition in human affective learning.

This study presents the results of a new visual procedure designed to generate affective learning, namely the change in the affective rating of a previously. neutral stimulus by simply pairing it with a liked or disliked stimulus. Specifically, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of nonreinforced preexposures to the to-be-conditioned stimulus (a non-sense shape) on affective conditioning. This manipulation, intended to produce latent inhibition, typically results in retarded learning when the preexposed stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus. The results revealed that it is possible to modify the affective value of a previously neutral non-sense shape by pairing it with a liked or disliked unconditioned stimulus, and that latent inhibition affects affective conditioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Volatile compounds in Spanish dry-fermented sausage ‘salchichón’ subjected to high pressure processing. Effect of the packaging material

The effect of high pressure treatment (400 MPa, 10 min at 12 °C) on the volatile profile of Spanish dry-fermented sausage ‘salchichón’, packaged with or without aluminium foil in a multilayer polymeric bag, was investigated. The analysis of the volatile fraction was carried out by dynamic headspace extraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pressure-treated samples showed significantly higher levels of alcohols, aldehydes and alkanes and lower levels of two methylketones as compared with control samples. An intense migration was observed of compounds from the plastic material into the product, mainly linear and branched-chain alkanes, alkenes and benzene compounds. Most of these migrating compounds were significantly more abundant in pressurized samples than in untreated samples.