Effect of flavonol glycoside in mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf on glucose metabolism and oxidative stress in liver in diet‐induced obese mice

BACKGROUND: Mulberry therapies on type 2 diabetic patients or streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats have been reported to improve fasting blood glucose levels. We investigated the effects of dietary consumption of mulberry‐leaf powder and purified quercetin 3‐(6‐malonylglucoside), the quantitatively major flavonol glycoside in mulberry leaves, on glucose and lipid metabolism in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice aged 8 weeks were assigned to three groups (control, mulberry leaf powder (MLP), and quercetin 3‐(6‐malonylglucoside) (Q3MG)) and treated with their respective diets for 8 weeks. RESULTS: We found that dietary supplementation of 10 g MLP kg^?1 or 1 g Q3MG kg^?1 in high‐fat diet effectively suppressed blood glucose levels. We also noted increased expression of glycolysis‐related genes and suppression of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentrations in the liver of Q3MG group compared to control mice. CONCLUSION: Dietary consumption of Q3MG, the quantitatively major flavonol glycoside in mulberry leaves, improved hyperglycemia in obese mice and reduced oxidative stress in the liver. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects of total flavonoids from seed residues of Hippophae rhamnoides L. in mice fed a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects of total flavonoids from seed residues of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (FSH) in a high‐fat diet fed mouse model. Consumption of a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks caused a significant rise of serum total cholesterol in mice. These hypercholesterolaemic mice then were orally administrated with different doses of FSH (50, 100 and 150 mg kg^?1 body weight) and simvastatin (20 mg kg^?1 body weight) for another 12 weeks under continuous HFD feeding. RESULTS: FSH administration markedly reduced total mouse body, liver, and epididymal fat pad weights. Serum total cholesterol and low density of lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels were also significantly decreased by FSH treatment. Additionally, FSH significantly lowered total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in liver, and the results were corroborated by transmission electron microscope findings. The rise in serum glucose was significantly suppressed by FSH treatment while improving impaired glucose tolerance. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FSH possesses hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic properties in mice fed a high‐fat diet and could be developed as a supplement in healthcare foods and drugs. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Vitamin D3 regulation of body fat,cytokines, and calpain gene expression

BACKGROUND: We conducted an in vivo experiment to determine whether vitamin D₃ acts as a fat synthesizer and/or meat tenderizer in mice. At 6 weeks of age, 20 male C57BL/6 wild‐type mice were randomly divided into two groups (10 mice per group) and fed a modified AIN93G diet with (vitamin D₃ diet) or without (basal diet) 10 IU 25‐OH‐cholecalciferol kg^?3 for 3 weeks. RESULTS: When vitamin D₃ was fed to mice for 3 weeks, body fat was significantly increased compared to mice fed a basal diet. There was, however, no difference in body weight between the two groups. Vitamin D₃ increased the gene expressions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, but decreased interleukin‐15 in adipose tissue through nuclear vitamin D receptor and uncoupling protein‐2 signals. The muscle inducible nitrate oxide synthase content of mice fed vitamin D₃ was higher than those fed a basal diet, while muscle arginase l showed a reverse phenomenon. longissimuss dorsi muscle of vitamin D₃‐fed mice showed more severe fat deposition than those fed a basal diet. Vitamin D₃ amplified muscle u‐ and m‐calpain protein content and suppressed muscle calpastatin protein content. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that vitamin D₃ can be used as a fat synthesizer and meat tenderizer in meat‐producing animals. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

甜叶菊废渣提取物的主要成分分析及其抗氧化作用

研究甜叶菊废渣提取物的主要成分及其抗氧化活性,并阐明其对甜叶菊废渣提取物总抗氧化能力的贡献情况.通过高效液相色谱-串联质谱法和高效液相色谱法对甜叶菊废渣提取物的主要成分进行定性和定量分析,采用1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼法、2,2'-联氮-二(3-乙基-苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)二铵盐法、铁离子还原法3 种体外抗氧化方法分...     

Beneficial effect of yam on the amyloid β‐protein,monoamine oxidase B and cognitive deficit in mice with accelerated senescence

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of yam tuber material [Dioscorea alata L. var. purpurea (M.) Pouch.] on the amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) accumulation, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, cognitive ability and antioxidative defense system in senescence‐accelerated mice (SAMP8). Three‐month‐old male mice were fed with four different diets for 12 weeks: a casein diet (control group) and a casein diet supplemented with either 100, 200 or 400 g kg^?1 lyophilized yam. The results of the active shuttle avoidance test showed that the mice fed with the yam‐containing diets had significantly better learning and memory ability than the control group. All yam‐containing diet groups had lower Aβ levels and MAO B activities than the control, whereas the MAO A activity did not differ among the four diet groups. At the 400 g kg^?1 level, the yam‐containing diet group showed significantly lower concentration of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), higher total thiol level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the hippocampus than the control, but these values were not altered by the 100 and 200 g kg^?1 yam‐containing diet groups. The addition of 200 or 400 g kg^?1 yam also lowered the triglyceride levels but not the total cholesterol concentration. These results indicate that lyophilized yam could reduce brain Aβ accumulation, MAO B activity and cognitive deficits and promote the antioxidative defense system in SAMP8 mice. The improvements were in a dose‐dependent manner, possibly because the 400 g kg^?1 yam‐containing diet might contain more antioxidative phytochemicals. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of feeding oilseed supplements to dairy cows on ruminal and milk fatty acid composition

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of oilseed‐based supplements, rapeseed and linseed, against a barley‐based control, on the fatty acid composition, and subsequent solid fat ratio, of the milk fat from dairy cows. In addition, as a means of understanding the digestive processes which influence the milk fat composition, ruminal extracts were collected from the cows and analysed for fatty acid composition. Four lactating dairy cows each fitted with a rumen fistula were provided with silage and one of four concentrate diets. The main constituent of the concentrate supplements was either rapeseed (ground or unground), linseed (unground) or a barley control. The diets were offered in accordance with a 4 × 4 Latin square arrangement. The oilseed‐supplemented concentrates provided the cows with 620–640 g fatty acids day^?1. Experimental treatments were provided to the cows for 2 weeks, after which ruminal extracts were collected over a 24 h period and a milk sample was taken. All extracts were analysed for fatty acid composition. The diets fed influenced the long‐chain fatty acid composition of the ruminal extracts and milk fat. The proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the ruminal extracts increased from 202–224 to 282–321 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids when the cows were provided with the rapeseed‐based diets. The linseed‐based diet increased the C18:1n‐9 proportion of the ruminal extracts from 164 to 218 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids. Both rapeseed‐based diets also resulted in a higher proportion of C18:0 in the ruminal extract, possibly owing to biohydrogenation of the dietary fatty acids. This proportion of C18:0 in the ruminal extract was lowest immediately after feeding, increasing to a maximum 4–6 h later. Both rapeseed‐based concentrates increased the proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the milk fat to approximately 300 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids as compared with 214 g kg^?1 for the control. The proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the milk fat from the cows offered the linseed‐based concentrate was 246 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids. There were also significant decreases in the proportions of C16:0 in the milk fat from the cows offered all oilseed‐based concentrates. There was no difference between the fatty acid compositions of the milk fats from the cows fed the ground or unground rapeseed‐based supplements. The oilseed‐based supplements also resulted in significant decreases in the solid fat content of the milk fat at temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 °C, which would be indicative of a softer, more spreadable butter. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mucilage in linseed: effects on the intestinal viscosity and nutrient digestion in broiler chicks

A study was conducted to obtain more information on the role of mucilage in the adverse effects produced by the use of linseed in chick diets. Mucilaginous material was extracted from linseed with hot distilled water (80 °C) for 2 h; after filtration the water‐soluble extract was freeze‐dried and ground. A maize/soyabean meal basal diet with supplemental linseed mucilage extract (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 g kg^?1) was given to chicks from 8 to 28 days of age. During the last 3 days the excreta were collected quantitatively, then the chicks were slaughtered and the jejunal and ileal contents were collected. Feeding the mucilage extract‐containing diets to birds increased markedly, from 4.35 to 18.89 mPa s, the digesta viscosity at jejunal level. The apparent faecal digestibility of crude fat and major fatty acids and the dietary AMEn value (metabolisable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention by the body) were linear and negatively influenced by the inclusion level of mucilage extract. However, the presence of mucilage in the diet did not affect the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and individual amino acids. These results seem to suggest that mucilage in linseed has lower antinutritional properties than those reported for whole linseed or linseed meal when included in chick diets. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant capacities of polysaccharides obtained from Laminaria japonica by different extraction media in diet‐induced mouse model

This study shows the industrial feasibility of using aqueous methods to produce antioxidative and hypolipidaemic polysaccharides from Laminaria japonica (LJP). Comparison was firstly made among the polysaccharides prepared using different extraction media, that is water alone (LJPW) and citric acid (LJPC), sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. LJPC enabled the highest extract yield (~11% dry weight), bile salt adsorption rate (~59% dry weight), ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ value 1.06 mg mL^?1) and ORAC antioxidant activity (341.87 μmol Trolox g^?1). In animal trial using diet‐induced high‐fat mice, oral administration of LJP produced with citric acid (LJPC) at a high dose (200 mg kg^?1 body mass per day) enabled significantly higher serum HDL‐C, lower LDL‐C/HDL‐C and unaltered LDL‐C, whilst a medium dose (100 mg kg^?1 body mass per day) significantly decreased LDL‐C. Administration of LJP produced with water (200 mg kg^?1 body mass per day) significantly lowered serum LDL‐C. Therefore, LJP may provide dose‐dependent pharmacological and therapeutic effects to combat atherosclerosis through their hyperlipidaemic and antioxidant properties.     

Anti-obesity role of adzuki bean extract containing polyphenols: in vivo and in vitro effects

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of polyphenol‐rich adzuki bean extract on lipid metabolism, triglyceride accumulation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: For the in vivo study, rats were divided into four groups: group C was fed a control diet, group A was fed the control diet with 1% adzuki bean extract, group CF was fed a high fat diet, and group AF was fed a high fat diet with 1% adzuki bean extract. For the in vitro study, the ability of adzuki bean extract to suppress triglyceride incorporation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory response was investigated in cultured human adipocytes. Data from the animal study showed that adzuki bean extract improved lipid metabolism in both the normal and high‐fat diet groups. Adzuki bean extract treatment in the high‐fat group resulted in significant reductions in total hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid secretion into the feces. Incubation of adipocytes with adzuki bean extract significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory responses without affecting cell viability. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that adzuki bean extract has high potential to serve as a natural anti‐obesity agent. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of level of oil inclusion in the diet of dairy cows at pasture on animal performance and milk composition and properties

The effect of including additional oil, incorporated as whole rapeseeds, in the diet of 64 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (32 mid‐ and 32 late‐lactation) at pasture on animal performance and milk fat composition and properties was followed over a continuous trial of 20 weeks duration. Within two stages of lactation (mid, 130 ± 16.2 days, or late, 231 ± 58.9 days), cows were allocated to concentrate treatments representing four levels of rapeseed oil inclusion, 0 (control), 200, 400 and 600 g oil day^?1. Oil inclusion had little effect on milk yield but decreased milk fat content significantly (P < 0.01), with a mean depression of 0.40% at the highest level of oil inclusion. The content of milk protein also decreased with increasing addition of oil, but the decrease was smaller than the milk fat depression and was not statistically significant. Increasing the level of rapeseed oil in the diet to 600 g oil day^?1 resulted in linear changes in milk fat and protein concentrations which were described by regression equations. For each 100 g of rapeseed oil added to the diet, milk fat content decreased by 0.068% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.061% in late‐lactation cows, while protein content decreased by 0.026% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.028% in late‐lactation cows. Total unsaturated fatty acid content of milk fat also increased in a linear fashion with increased level of oil addition, from 345.7 g kg^?1 total fatty acids in control milk fat to 459.3 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1, while total saturated fatty acids decreased in the same milk fats from 640.7 to 522.2 g kg^?1 total fatty acids. These changes were reflected in lower solid fat contents (SFC) in the milk fat at the lower temperatures of measurement, eg 41% SFC at 5 °C at the highest level of oil inclusion compared with 52% in the control milk fat. However, SFC at 20 °C showed little difference with increasing level of dietary oil addition, an important factor in maintaining product integrity at room temperatures. The relatively high content of the monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 (345.5 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) and low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (total C18:2 and C18:3 <40 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) ensured that the oxidative stability of the treatment and control milk fats did not differ significantly. Stage of lactation had an unexplained effect of consistent magnitude on milk fat composition throughout the trial period, with late‐lactation animals producing milk fats containing a significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than the mid‐lactation animals. Changes in the proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat, as reflected by changes in iodine value, were established within 2 weeks of the trial commencing and persisted over the 20 weeks of the trial duration. No adverse effect on animal health from this type of dietary manipulation was identified. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of fibre level and fat supplementation in expander‐processed diets on grower–finisher pig performance

Seventy‐two entire male pigs (40.4 ± 1.0 kg) were used to study the effects of increasing crude fibre (CF) level in the diet and maintaining the digestible energy (DE) content of the diet by increasing dietary fat inclusion on pig performance and nutrient digestibility in a 3 × 2 factorial experiment. Productive performance and nutrient digestibility were determined in individually fed pigs offered expander‐processed pelleted diets ad libitum containing three levels of CF (50, 60 and 70 g kg^?1) and two levels of fat supplementation (25 and 50 g kg^?1) until slaughter at 100 kg. All diets were expander processed at 105 °C for 5 s at 35 bar pressure having been previously conditioned at 85 °C for 5 s. All diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of digestible energy (13.5 MJ kg^?1) and lysine (10 g kg^?1) and the fat source was a 60:40 blend of tallow and palm oil. The increase in dietary CF level decreased (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude protein, organic matter (OM) and energy, while the inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat decreased (P < 0.01) OM and energy digestibility. The inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat in the diet increased (P < 0.01) ether extract digestibility at the 50 and 60 g kg^?1 CF levels; however, fat inclusion had no effect at the 70 g kg^?1 CF level. There was no CF × fat interaction in any growth criteria. The inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat in the diet significantly reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake (2.28 versus 2.43 kg day^?1, SEM 0.039), average daily gain (ADG; 0.877 versus 0.927 kg day^?1, SEM 0.017) and DE conversion ratio (36.1 versus 35.0 MJ kg^?1, SEM 0.40). The increase in dietary CF level decreased (linear, P < 0.05) feed intake (2.45 versus 2.32 versus 2.29 kg day^?1, SEM 0.040), ADG (0.940 versus 0.896 versus 0.872 kg day^?1, SEM 0.021) and kill‐out proportion (740 versus 741 versus 730 g kg^?1, SEM 3.6). In conclusion, increasing both the CF level and supplementary fat inclusion rate had a negative effect on pig growth performance and nutrient digestibility. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of fruit ripeness and method of fruit drying on the extractability of avocado oil with hexane and supercritical carbon dioxide

BACKGROUND: Oil yield from avocado fruit may be influenced by fruit pre‐treatment and extraction method. Unripe and ripe avocado fruit pieces were deep‐frozen at ? 20 °C and either freeze‐dried or oven‐dried (80 °C). Oil yield from these samples was determined after extraction with hexane and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO₂). The fruit samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy before and after oil extraction. RESULTS: Average oil yield from ripe fruit (freeze‐dried and oven‐dried combined) was 72 g kg^?1 higher than from unripe fruit for SC‐CO₂ extracts and 61 g kg^?1 higher for hexane extracts. This may be due to enzymatic degradation of parenchyma cell walls during ripening, thus making the oil more available for extraction. Freeze‐dried samples had a mean oil yield 55 g kg^?1 greater than oven‐dried samples for SC‐CO₂ extracts and 31 g kg^?1 higher for hexane extracts. However, oil yields from ripe fruit (freeze‐dried and oven‐dried) subjected to hexane extraction were not significantly different. All hexane extracts combined had a mean oil yield 93 g kg^?1 higher than SC‐CO₂ extracts. CONCLUSION: SC‐CO₂ may be more selective and may create paths of least resistance through the plant material. Hexane, on the other hand, is less selective and permeates the whole plant material, leading to more complete extraction and higher oil yields under the experimental conditions. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comprehensive review on agro technologies of low‐calorie natural sweetener stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni): a boon to diabetic patients

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a low‐calorie natural sweetener plant native to Paraguay. The leaves of stevia have sweetening compounds called steviol glycosides (SGs), which contain different marker compounds, i.e. stevioside (St), rebaudioside (Rb) A, B, C, D and E, dulcoside A and steviol biosides, which are nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a better alternative to sugar in formulating food products, reducing the harmful effect of sugar and improving the nutrient properties. We have tried to compile a literature on various agronomic and management aspects which are helpful in increasing the yield and quality of stevia to be grown as a crop that will benefit farmers and industrialists. The stevioside thus obtained can be used to make different food products for sweetening purposes, which could be a boon to diabetic patients. Incorporation of different agronomic techniques like propagation method, transplanting time, intercropping, irrigation, mulching, plant geometry, pinching and harvesting time not only improve the biomass but also increase the quality of stevia. Therefore, agronomic considerations are of high priority to utilize its maximum potential. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of solid content and composition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-lipid edible coatings on physico-chemical and nutritional quality of 'Oronules' mandarins

BACKGROUND: Citrus fruit represent an important source of vitamin C, as well as other bioactive compounds. Edible coatings have the potential to extend shelf life of citrus by providing a semi‐permeable barrier to water and gases, which depends on coating composition, solid content (SC), and cultivar. However, little is known about the effect of coatings on citrus nutritional quality. This work studies the effect of coating composition and SC of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)–beeswax (BW)–shellac coatings on the physico‐chemical, sensory and nutritional quality of ‘Oronules’ mandarins. Coatings prepared at the same lipid content differed in the BW:shellac ratio (1:3 and 3:1) and SC of the formulations (40 and 80 g kg^?1). RESULTS: The coating with 1:3 BW:shellac ratio and 80 g kg^?1 SC was the most effective controlling weight loss, although it was less effective than the commercial wax tested. Increasing SC had a greater effect than the BW:shellac ratio in fruit internal atmosphere and sensory quality, with the presence of off‐flavour when coatings were applied at 80 g kg^?1 SC. Nutritional quality was not affected by the application of the different treatments. CONCLUSION: HPMC–lipid coatings have the potential to extend shelf life of ‘Oronules’ mandarins. However, care should be taken controlling formulation SC to avoid the build‐up of off‐flavour. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anti-obesity effect of a standardised ethanol extract from Curcuma longa L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae in ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes

BACKGROUND: We examined the anti‐obesity effect of fermented Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) standardised ethanol extract (FTE) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model. Mice were fed a chow diet containing FTE (0, 200, or 500 mg kg^?1 body weight) for 9 weeks. RESULTS: Supplementation with FTE significantly reduced body weight gain and retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissue weights compared to the ob/ob control group. Additionally, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum and liver were significantly decreased in FTE‐200 and FTE‐500 groups when compared to those of the ob/ob control group, whereas the high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol level was significantly increased. The levels of serum adiponectin as well as mRNA expression of lipases, such as hormone sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase, were clearly increased. In primary adipocytes of C57BL/6J mice, FTE treatment caused a significant increase glycerol release and hormone sensitive lipase levels and decreased perilipin A levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that supplementation of FTE has potent anti‐obesity effects by controlling body weight, fat mass, serum lipids, and hepatic lipids. Moreover, FTE could be considered a potential resource for the treatment of obesity through its promotion of lipolysis via the protein kinase A pathway. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary Intake of Structured Lipids with Different Contents of Medium‐Chain Fatty Acids on Obesity Prevention in C57BL/6J Mice

Three medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) with different contents of medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFA) (10% to 30%, w/w) were prepared and evaluated for their anti‐obesity potential in C57BL/6J mice. The group fed with a high fat diet of MLCT containing 30% (w/w) MCFA showed significantly decreased body weight and fat mass (P < 0.05) relative to the control mice fed an obesity‐inducing high fat rapeseed oil diet. In addition, serum parameters including triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, glucose, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B in the treatment group fed with 30% (w/w) MCFA were close to those of mice fed with a low fat rapeseed oil diet, but significantly different (P < 0.05) from those of the obesity control group. Moreover, the intake of MLCT with high content of MCFA reduced the size of adipocytes. In addition, the visceral fat and liver weights, as well as the liver triacylglycerol for 3 treatment groups were lower than those of the obesity control group. These results demonstrate the great potential of MLCT with high content of MCFA in weight loss.     

Steviol glycosides are not altered during commercial extraction and purification processes

Steviol glycosides, sweet diterpenes extracted from the shrub Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, are approved as sweeteners in many countries throughout the world. Former heat and pH‐investigations of these glycosides have established their stability. However, due to the complex purification process, the natural authenticity has still been discussed and challenged, recently. Thus, the objective of this work was to show that the steviol glycosides are not chemically modified during the commercial extraction and purification process. Therefore, samples of three independent commercial‐scale extraction and purification batches of steviol glycosides, each batch containing a sample of the untreated stevia leaves, the first water extract and the high‐purity end product, were analysed using HPLC‐UV and HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. The results show that the commercial powders of extracted steviol glycosides with an estimated purity of more than or equal to 95% contain the same steviol glycosides as the dried stevia leaves and their hot water infusions, demonstrating that steviol glycosides are not affected by the purification process.     

Effects of L‐carnitine supplementation to diets with different fat sources and energy levels on fatty acid composition of egg yolk of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to determine the effects of feeding diets with two different levels of metabolisable energy (ME) (11.51 or 10.88 MJ ME kg^?1 diet) and three different sources of fat (palm oil, sunflower oil or fish oil) with or without supplemental L ‐carnitine (0 or 500 mg kg^?1 diet) on the fatty acid (FA) composition of egg yolk and the passage of n3 polyunsaturated FAs to egg yolk in laying hens. RESULTS: The ∑n3, particularly C22:6n‐3, FA contents of egg yolk were significantly reduced by adding of L ‐carnitine (C2) to different fat sources (P < 0.01). The ratio of n6/n3 was reduced from 53.77 to 17.72 in eggs yolks when ME was lowered in the diet with C2‐sunflower oil (SFO) whereas it was enhanced from 2.19 to 9.31 in C2‐E2 (low energy) diet with fish oil (FO) (P < 0.001). The diet with E2 or C2 containing FO resulted in a decrease of the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.001). On the other hand, supplementation of C2 to diets with SFO or palm oil (PO) caused to a decrease in the C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.01). A significant increase of the ratio of n6/n3 in egg yolk can be seen by feeding with E2 diet by adding of C2 to all fat sources like in E1 (normal energy) diet (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dietary treatments resulted in major changes in FA composition of egg yolk. The supplemental C2 in diet decreased the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3FA contents in egg yolk. The use of FO in diets with E2 significantly reduced the passage rate of C22:6n‐3 FA to egg yolk. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facilitative effects of Eucommia ulmoides on fatty acid oxidation in hypertriglyceridaemic rats

BACKGROUND: Tea made from Eucommia ulmoides leaves is widely consumed as a health food, since recent studies have revealed various pharmacological effects of the tea, e.g. a hypotriglyceridaemic effect. This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the plasma triglyceride‐lowering effect of E. ulmoides leaves. RESULTS: Rats were divided into four groups: a normal group, a group fed a high‐fat/high‐fructose diet (untreated group) and two groups fed a high‐fat/high‐fructose diet and E. ulmoides tea (4 or 20 g L^?1 extract, treated groups). Plasma triglyceride concentrations were reduced in treated groups in a dose‐dependent manner compared with the untreated group. DNA microarray analysis revealed that genes involved in hepatic α‐, β‐ and ω‐oxidation, mainly related to the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α and δ signalling pathway, were up‐regulated in the treated group. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that E. ulmoides leaves contain three phytochemicals that make up 60 mg g^?1 of the material and are likely to be the active components. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the promotion of fatty acid oxidation, probably by the action of phytochemicals, participates in the ameliorative effect of E. ulmoides leaves on hypertriglyceridaemia. These findings provide the scientific evidence for the functionality of E. ulmoides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modulation of lipid metabolism by polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract improves liver steatosis and adiposity in high fat fed mice

This study investigated the influence of polyphenol‐rich grape skin extract (GSE) on adiposity and hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and its underlying mechanisms based on adipose and hepatic lipid metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or a HFD (20% fat, w/w) with or without GSE (0.15%, w/w) for 10 weeks. The supplementation of GSE significantly lowered body weight, fat weight, plasma free fatty acid level, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD group. Plasma leptin level was significantly lower, while the plasma adiponectin level was higher in the GSE group than in the HFD group. GSE supplementation significantly suppressed the activities of lipogenic enzymes in both adipose and liver tissues, which was concomitant with β‐oxidation activation. Furthermore, GSE reversed the HFD‐induced changes of the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and β‐oxidation in the liver. These findings suggest that GSE may protect against diet‐induced adiposity and hepatic steatosis by regulating mRNA expression and/or activities of enzymes that regulate lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in the adipose tissue and liver.