Postpartum Weight Retention is Associated with Elevated Ratio of Oxidized LDL Lipids to HDL-Cholesterol

Oxidized LDL lipids (ox‐LDL) are associated with lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated how postpartum weight retention effects on ox‐LDL and serum lipids. The study is a nested comparative research of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial, NELLI (lifestyle and counselling during pregnancy). During early pregnancy (8–12 weeks) and 1 year postpartum, 141 women participated in measurements for determining of plasma lipids: total cholesterol (T‐C), LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C), triacylglycerols (TAG) and ox‐LDL. Subjects were stratified into tertiles (weight loss, unaltered weight and weight gain groups) based on their weight change from baseline to follow‐up. Ox‐LDL was determined by baseline level of conjugated dienes in LDL lipids. Among the group of weight gainers, concentration of TAG reduced less (?0.14 vs. ?0.33, p = 0.002), HDL‐C reduced more (?0.31 vs. ?0.16, p = 0.003) and ox‐LDL/HDL‐C ratio increased (3.0 vs. ?0.2, p = 0.003) when compared to group of weight loss. Both T‐C and LDL‐C elevated more (0.14 vs. ?0.21, p = 0.008; 0.31 vs. 0.07, p = 0.015) and TAG and ox‐LDL reduced less (?0.33 vs. 0.20, p = 0.033; ?3.33 vs. ?0.68, p = 0.026) in unaltered weight group compared to weight loss group. The women who gained weight developed higher TAG and ox‐LDL/HDL‐C ratio as compared to those who lost weight. Postpartum weight retention of 3.4 kg or more is associated with atherogenic lipid profile.     

The effect of ageing time on co-precipitated Cu/ZnO/ZrO2 catalysts used in methanol synthesis from CO2 and H2

The effect of suspension ageing time during the catalyst precipitation process on the performance of co-precipitated Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts in methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂ has been studied. The ageing time influenced greatly the physical and chemical characteristics of the catalysts as well as their activity in the methanol synthesis. Prolonged ageing was advantageous, mainly due to both lower sodium contents and enhanced crystallinity of the catalysts.     

The effect of La2O3 on dynamic OSC over the Pd/OSC/Al2O3-based catalysts

In this study, fresh and aged Pd/(OSC–Al₂O₃) and Pd/(Al₂O₃–OSC–La₂O₃) metallic monoliths (OSC material Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂) were used to find out the effect of La₂O₃ on the catalyst behaviour in dynamic oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurements. In addition, the interaction of CO, NO and O₂ reaction compounds over the studied catalysts was investigated in order to understand the effect of La₂O₃ in the oxidation and reduction reactions in lean automotive exhaust gas conditions. A FT-IR gas analyser was used to analyse the product gas composition. The presence of La₂O₃ on fresh and aged catalysts had negative effect on both the dynamic OSC and the activity of the catalyst. The reason for this is the different washcoat compositions between the studied catalysts which could explain the differences in BET surface areas.     

Use of epoxy reactivity for compatibilization of PP/PBT and PP/LCP blends

Binary blends of a reactive ethylene-based terpolymer with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and with a liquid crystalline polyester (LCP) were studied to clarify the possible interactions between the blended polymers. The aim was to determine the suitability of the reactive terpolymer containing epoxy reactivity as a compatibilizer in blends of polypropylene (PP) and these two polyesters. The binary blends exhibited increased viscosity during blending, changes in the crystallization of the PBT phase, and an intimate contact between the blended polymers, which pointed to strong interactions or chemical reactions between the compatibilizer and both PBT and LCP. FTIR analysis confirmed the reaction of the epoxide and formation of new esters. Most probably the carboxyl end groups of the polyesters reacted with the epoxy group of the compatibilizer. In the second part of the work the same terpolymer was shown to act as a compatibilizer in PP/PBT and PP/LCP blends. This behavior was based on good mixing with the PP phase and on the chemical reactivity or strong interactions with the polyesters demonstrated in the investigations on binary blends. Addition of 5 wt% of the compatibilizer improved the impact strength, especially in PP/PBT blends where synergistic behavior was found at compositions of 80/20 and 20/80. In PP/LCP blends, the compatibilizer significantly improved the impact strength of unnotched samples at 20 wt % LCP content. In both blends, the compatibilizer reduced the size of the dispersed domains and caused them to attach better in the matrix. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Metabolic effects of a novel microfiltered native whey protein in diet-induced obese mice

Microfiltered native whey protein (MFNW) exerts superior in vitro functional properties compared to traditional cheese whey protein. We here investigated the metabolic effects of a novel MFNW, produced by economic polymeric membranes and rich in α-lactalbumin (α-lactalbumin 24% and β-lactoglobulin 65% of the protein), in a mice model of diet-induced obesity during weight gain and weight loss. Furthermore, the effects of MFNW were compared with those of α-lactalbumin. Replacement of casein in the diet (18% of energy) by MFNW prevented weight gain and body fat accumulation without influencing food intake, body temperature or glucose homeostasis. However, the anti-obesity effect of MFNW was inferior compared to α-lactalbumin (approximately 1/3). During weight loss (70% of ad libitum energy intake) the beneficial effects of both MFNW and α-lactalbumin were attenuated. Our findings indicate that MFNW protects against diet-induced obesity, and suggest that the beneficial effects of MFNW are due, to a great extent, to its α-lactalbumin content.     

Casein-derived bioactive tripeptides Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro attenuate the development of hypertension and improve endothelial function in salt-loaded Goto–Kakizaki rats

Increased blood pressure and plasma cholesterol concentration are the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. We have previously shown that fermented milk products containing casein-derived bioactive tripeptides, isoleucine-proline-proline (Ile-Pro-Pro) and valine-proline-proline (Val-Pro-Pro) partly inhibit the blood pressure increase in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, we investigated the effect of bioactive tripeptide-containing fermented milk products (with or without plant sterols) on blood pressure and vascular function in salt-loaded type 2 diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats after 8 weeks’ treatment. The development of blood pressure was attenuated in the groups receiving tripeptide-containing products (?10 to ?12 mmHg vs. the control product group, P < 0.01). Tripeptide-containing products enhanced the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of mesenteric arteries. Also the role of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) was demonstrated. Interestingly, pretreatment of arterial rings with verapamil normalized the impaired endothelial function. Endothelium-independent relaxations were similar between the groups. Furthermore, tripeptides had positive effects on renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.     

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) isoflavones: root phenolic compounds affected by biotic and abiotic stress factors

BACKGROUND: Phenolic compounds have recently received considerable attention for their ability to protect plant and human cells from oxidative stress‐induced damage. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a rich source of isoflavonoids with multiple potential protective functions. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise phenolic compounds in red clover roots by high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and to study the effects of stress factors and growth stage on root phenolics. RESULTS: A total of 28 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in red clover roots. The most abundant phenolics in pot‐grown roots were formononetin glycoside malonate (G‐M) (1.51–4.26 mg g^?1), formononetin (2.21–3.57 mg g^?1) and biochanin A (1.73–2.17 mg g^?1), whereas field‐grown roots were rich in formononetin‐G‐M (3.90–4.27 mg g^?1), maackiain‐G‐M (2.35–3.02 mg g^?1) and pseudobaptigenin‐G‐M (1.80–2.58 mg g^?1). Concentrations were affected by the growth stage. Ozone exposure slightly affected the total phenolic content in roots and also had minor effects on individual compounds. CONCLUSION: Elevated ozone, cultivation regime and growth stage affected the levels of phenolics in red clover roots, suggesting sensitivity of root phenolics to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The high levels of phenolics found in roots even in late autumn may be utilised in many applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Relative Humidity on the Oxidative Stability of Microencapsulated Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil

ABSTRACT: The effect of relative humidity (RH) (20 °C: RH 11%, 54%) on oxidative stability microencapsulated sea buckthorn seed oil was studied using bulk oil as a reference. Microcapsules were prepared by spray-drying using maltodextrin-gum arabic (MD/GA) and corn starch sodium octenyl succinate derivate (HiCap) as the wall materials. The influence of the physical state of the wall material was also evaluated. Under dry conditions, the microencapsulated oils were most stable, but the oxidation of the bulk oil was accelerated. At 20 °C and at RH 11%, the peroxide value of the bulk oil exceeded 20 meq/kg within 1 wk. Microencapsulation prolonged the shelf-life of the oil from 1 wk to 2 mo at 20 °C, when the encapsulating matrix was in glassy state. In conditions in which the HiCap matrix was in a rubbery state (RH 54%, 20 °C), the oxidation proceeded very quickly, reaching a peroxide value of 20 meq/kg just after 1 wk. Caking and collapse of the microcapsule powder were observed in the rubbery state. At accelerated conditions (50 °C: RH 11%, 30%, 45%), the oxidation was noticeably fast, not only in the bulk oil but also in the MD/GA matrix, even in the glassy state. The behavior in the HiCap matrix was more complex as the amount of peroxides started to decrease in time. This was assigned to the structural collapse in HiCap microcapsules. The behavior of the microencapsulated oils under accelerated conditions did not correlate with their behavior at 20 °C.