The potential of sphingomyelin as a chemopreventive agent in AOM-induced colon cancer model: wild-type and p53+/- mice

A protective effect of sphingolipids on colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported in certain mouse strains. It is unknown if sphingolipids are protective in a p53 deficiency mouse model of CRC. This study investigated the effect of sphingomyelin (SM) on intestinal sphingomyelinase (SMase) activity, colonic epithelial biology and azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CRC. Groups of wild-type (C57BL/6J) and p53+/- mice were fed 0.1% SM diet for 4 wk, administered a single AOM injection and then killed 6 h later to measure apoptosis and proliferation. Separately, both mouse types were fed 0.05% SM diet, administered three AOM injections and killed 33-38 wk later to measure tumour formation. SM significantly increased SMase activity and reduced proliferation (p < 0.05) in wild-type and p53+/- mice. SM did not regulate baseline apoptosis, apoptotic response to AOM or apoptosis in tumours, nor did it restore defective apoptosis in p53+/- mice. There was a nonsignificant trend to reduced tumour incidence with SM in wild-type (p = 0.15) and p53+/- (p = 0.12) mice. In conclusion, while increasing intestinal SMase activity and suppressing proliferation, SM did not promote any form of apoptosis and failed to achieve significant protection in these mice. Further investigation to understand the variable effect of SM in preventing CRC is warranted.     

Influence of body weight of mice on the susceptibility to okadaic acid,a diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxin

The mouse bioassay (MBA) for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins has been widely used in many countries of the world. However, different body weight ranges of mice are designated to be used in the Japanese official method and European Union procedure. In this study we investigated whether and to what extent the body weights of the mice affect the susceptibility to DSP toxins. A lethal dose of okadaic acid, one of the representative DSP toxins, was injected intraperitoneally into mice of five different body weight range groups, from 14 to 24 g. The mice were observed until 24 h after injection. The lethality was 100% in the 14–15 and 16–17 g groups, 80% in the 19–20 g group, 50% in the 21–22 g group, and 40% in the 23–24 g group, with significant differences. Survival analysis indicated a relationship between body weights of mice and susceptibility to okadaic acid. These results would be quite useful not only for the MBA, but also to improve understanding of the biological responses to DSP toxins.     

Conjugated linoleic acid intake in humans: a systematic review focusing on its effect on body composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism

Studies performed on different species show that the consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) leads to a loss of fat and total body weight, reduces the plasma concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol, and has an antiinflammatory effect. This article reviews the clinical trials on human beings that evaluate how mixtures of CLA isomers administered as supplements or CLA-enriched products can affect total body weight, body composition, plasma lipid profile, glycemia, insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid oxidation, and inflammation. After analyzing the few studies published to date in reduced samples of healthy humans or patients with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes, we deduce that there is not enough evidence to show that conjugated linoleic acid has an effect on weight and body composition in humans. However, some of these studies have observed that the administration of various CLA isomers has adverse effects on lipid profile (it decreases HDL cholesterol concentration and increases Lp(a) circulating levels), glucose metabolism (glycemia, insulinemia or insulin sensitivity), lipid oxidation, inflammation, or endothelial function. Therefore, long-term randomized clinical trials, controlled with placebo, need to be made in large samples of patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CLA isomers before its indiscriminate use in human beings can be recommended.     

G1793A polymorphisms in the methylene-tetrahydrofolate gene: effect of folic acid on homocysteine levels

Mutations or polymorphisms in the gene of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) are associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and possibly with an elevated risk for vascular diseases. A study was conducted on 83 individuals with type 2 diabetes in order to determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the G1793A mutation and to assess the effect of folic acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine concentrations. The patients were attended by the Diabetes and Hypertension Program--Balneario Camboriu/SC and received daily supplements containing 1 mg of folic acid for 3 months. DNA was previously extracted from leukocytes and the G1793A mutation was detected by PCR-RFLP. Blood samples were collected during the basal period and after supplementation for the determination of homocysteine by HPLC, and of folic acid and vitamin B(12) by RIA. The allele frequency for the G1793A mutation was 3.01% and no homozygous individuals with mutant alleles were detected. Hyperhomocysteinemia was diagnosed in 27.71% of the patients, folic acid deficiency in 15.66%, and vitamin B(12) deficiency in 7.23%. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were inversely correlated with folic acid (r = -0.27, p = 0.01) and vitamin B(12) (r = -0.21; p = 0.05) concentrations. The individuals with a heterozygous genotype for the G1793A mutation showed borderlines or deficient values in folic acid and vitamin B(12) concentrations compared to individuals with a normal genotype. Hyperhomocysteinemia and the vitamin deficiencies presented by type 2 diabetic individuals, included with a heterozygous genotype for the G1793A mutation in the MTHFR gene, reached normal values by daily folic acid supplementation.     

A comparative study on the determination of lactic acid in silage juice by colorimetric,high-performance liquid chromatography and enzymatic methods

The determination of lactic acid in the silage juice of artichokes with different additives (formid acid, molasses and NaCl) by the colorimetric method and its comparision with the high-performance liquid chromatography and enzymatic methods was investigated. The lactic acid content of the artichoke with molasses (62.1 g kg⁻¹) was higher than that of those with formic acid, or NaCl and without any additive (39.3, 33.0 and 43.2 g kg⁻¹, respectively). However, this effect was not significant (P > 0.05). There were significant differences on the method of measuring lactic acid of the artichoke silages (P < 0.001). The use of the enzymatic method resulted in a higher (75.6 g kg⁻¹) lactic acid content than when the colorimetric or HPLC methods were employed (with results of 42.0 and 28.9 g kg⁻¹, respectively). However, the levels of lactic acid in silage juices found using the colorimetric and HPLC methods were not different, and recovery percentages, by using the colorimetric method, were satisfactory (103.78%), when the detection limit at maximum level (30 µg ml⁻¹) was not exceeded. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Monitoring programme on nitrates in vegetables and vegetable-based baby foods marketed in the Region of Valencia,Spain: levels and estimated daily intake

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of nitrates in vegetables and vegetable-based baby foods (a total of 1150 samples) marketed in the Region of Valencia, Spain, over the period 2000–2008, and to estimate the toxicological risk associated with their intake. Average (median) levels of nitrate in lettuce, iceberg-type lettuce and spinach (1156, 798 and 1410 mg kg^?1 w/w, respectively) were lower than the maximum limits established by European Union legislation. Thirteen fresh spinach samples exceeded the regulatory limits. Median nitrate values in other vegetables for which a maximum limit has not been fixed by the European Commission were 196, 203, 1597, 96, 4474 and 2572 mg kg^?1 w/w (for potato, carrot, chard, artichoke, rucola and lamb's lettuce, respectively). The estimated nitrate daily intakes through vegetables consumption for adult, extreme consumers and children were found to be about 29%, 79.8% and 15.1%, respectively, of the acceptable daily intake (3.7 mg kg^?1). The levels (median = 60.4 mg kg^?1 w/w) found in vegetable-based baby foods were, in all cases, lower the maximum level proposed by European Union legislation. The estimated nitrate daily intake through baby foods for infants between 0–1 and 1–2 years of age were 13% and 18%, respectively, of the acceptable daily intake.     

Temperature-dependent quality characteristics of pre-dehydrated cookies: Structure,browning, texture, in vitro starch digestibility,and the effect on blood glucose levels in mice

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the physical and biochemical properties of pre-dehydrated cookies baked at various temperatures. Cookie dough was vacuum-dried, and then baked at 120–180 °C for 18 min. All samples showed lower spread ratio than non-dehydrated cookie baked at 180 °C (control). Browning of the samples baked at 180 °C and 160 °C was higher than that of the control. In contrast, little browning was observed in the sample baked at 120 °C. The fracture force of samples baked at 140 °C and 120 °C agreed well with the control. From these results, the sample baked at 140 °C was employed for subsequent studies. In vitro starch digestibility suggested that the sample baked at 140 °C had higher slowly digestible starch content than the control. From postprandial blood glucose levels in mice, it was found that the sample significantly reduced the blood glucose peak observed at 30 min post-administration.     

The effect of pH on the formation of aroma compounds produced by heating a model system containing l-ascorbic acid with l-threonine/l-serine

The identification of aroma compounds, formed from the reactions of l-ascorbic acid with l-threonine/l-serine at five different pH values (5.00, 6.00, 7.00, 8.00, or 9.55) and 143 ± 2 °C for 2 h, was performed using a SPME–GC–MS technique, and further use of LRI. The results showed 35 aroma compounds. The reaction between l-ascorbic acid and l-threonine/l-serine led mainly to the formation of pyrazines. Many of these were alkylpyrazines, such as 2-methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, and 3,5-diethyl-2-methylpyrazine; other compounds identified were furans and aldehydes. More volatiles were generated in l-ascorbic acid with l-threonine systems than in l-ascorbic acid with l-serine systems. The studies showed that furans, such as furfural, 2-furanmethanol, benzofuran, 2,5-furandicarboxaldehyde and 2-furfurylfuran were formed mainly at acidic pH. In contrast, higher pH values could promote the production of pyrazines.     

Antioxidant effect of rosemary,borage, green tea,pu‐erh tea and ascorbic acid on fresh pork sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere: influence of the presence of sodium chloride

Fresh pork sausages formulated with and without salt, and with antioxidant mixtures containing either rosemary extract, green tea powder, pu‐erh tea infusion or borage meal and their mixtures with ascorbic acid, were packaged in an atmosphere containing four parts O₂ with one part CO₂ (v/v) and stored in the dark for 20 days. In a series of three experiments, the following parameters were measured at 4‐day intervals: instrumental colour (CIE L* and a*), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aerobic psychrotroph counts and sensory off‐odour and discolouration. NaCl caused a decrease of the L* value and promoted lipid oxidation, but it protected sausages from discolouration. Green tea powder, pu‐erh tea infusion and borage meal caused a strong inhibition of lipid oxidation, dependent on the concentration used, but they failed to protect sausages from colour loss, even in the presence of ascorbic acid. Rosemary extract plus ascorbic acid strongly inhibited lipid oxidation and therefore off‐odour formation, delayed sausage discolouration and inhibited microbial growth, extending the shelf‐life of salted fresh pork sausages by at least 4 days. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry