In vitro screening of probiotics and synbiotics according to anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects

There is emerging evidence of the efficiency of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic treatments in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and one of their long-term complications, colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, various strains of probiotic lactic acid bacteria, prebiotic glucooligosaccharides (GOS) or a synbiotic combination of the two were screened for anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects in different in vitro models in the context of such diseases. To mimic IBD response to Gram negative bacteria, HT-29 cells were sensitised to inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by IFNγ which increased expression of TLR4, the LPS biosensor, and were then treated by probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Secreted IL-8 and activated NF-κB were monitored as inflammation biomarkers. A selection of active strains were then subjected to a second inflammatory cell culture model consisting of inflammatory activated transgenic Caco-2 cells transfected by a reporter gene under the control of NF-κB inducible promoter. Quantification of reporter gene expression allowed us to demonstrate some probiotic inhibitory properties or to confirm such characteristics in two different models. Proliferation of cancerous HT-29 cells was monitored by XTT assay. Only three probiotic strains induced a proliferation decrease, but with a lack of reproducibility. Binary or ternary probiotic associations, complemented or not by prebiotic GOS, significantly decreased proliferation, especially with a synbiotic association of Bifidobacterium breve, Lactococcus lactis and oligoalternan, a GOS. This combination was selected for the following experiments. We showed the involvement of both bacterial and carbohydrate compounds of this synbiotic in the observed effect by dose range tests. We demonstrated that this decrease in proliferation may be due to an induction of a differentiated phenotype, as shown by the up-regulation of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, a biomarker of differentiation, monitored by real-time RT-PCR in HT-29 cells treated by the selected synbiotics. Thus, this study demonstrates the ability of probiotics to exert anti-inflammatory effects and shows some anti-proliferative characteristics for a specific synbiotics. These products should be further evaluated in animal models to confirm the in vitro results.     

Dietary exposure of the Belgian population to emulsifiers E481 (sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate) and E482 (calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate)

A dietary exposure assessment of food emulsifiers E481 (sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate) and E482 (calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate) in the Belgian population was performed. Nationally representative food consumption data from the Belgian National Food Consumption Surveys 2004 (BNFCS2004) and 2014 (BNFCS2014) were used for calculations. A conservative approach (combining individual food consumption data with the maximum permitted level (MPL) of foods (tier 2), was compared with more refined estimates (combining individual food consumption data with actual concentrations measured in food products available on the Belgian market (tier 3)). Estimated daily intakes were compared to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of the stearoyl-2-lactylates. The results of tier 2 demonstrated that 92% of the children (3–9 years), 53% of the adolescents (10–17 years), 15% of the adults (18–64 years) and 26% of the elderly (64–98 years) had a potential intake higher than the ADI. When replacing the MPL with maximum analysed concentration levels in foods, daily intake estimates decreased dramatically. The estimated daily intake of the food emulsifiers was below the ADI for all age groups, except for a small percentage of children (1.9%) for which the intake exceeded the ADI. The main contributors to the exposure of E481 and E482 were bread, rolls and fine bakery wares.     

Mycotoxin Biomarkers of Exposure: A Comprehensive Review

To date, the use of biomarkers has become generally accepted. Biomarker‐driven research has been proposed as a successful method to assess the exposure to xenobiotics by using concentrations of the parent compounds and/or metabolites in biological matrices such as urine or blood. However, the identification and validation of biomarkers of exposure remain a challenge. Recent advances in high‐resolution mass spectrometry along with new analytical (post‐acquisition data‐mining) techniques will improve the quality and output of the biomarker identification process. Chronic or even acute exposure to mycotoxins remains a daily fact, and therefore it is crucial that the mycotoxins’ metabolism is unravelled so more knowledge on biomarkers in humans and animals is acquired. This review aims to provide the scientific community with a comprehensive overview of reported in vitro and in vivo mycotoxin metabolism studies in relation to biomarkers of exposure for deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenon‐X, T‐2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, ochratoxin A, citrinin, fumonisins, zearalenone, aflatoxins, and sterigmatocystin.     

Proteome profiling of exosomes derived from plasma of heifers with divergent genetic merit for fertility

The current study evaluated exosomes isolated from plasma of heifers bred to have high or low fertility through developing extreme diversity in fertility breeding values, however, key animal traits (e.g., body weight, milk production, and percentage of North American genetics) remained similar between the 2 groups. The exosomes were isolated by a combined ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography approach and characterized by their size distribution (nanoparticle tracking analysis), morphology (transmission electron microscopy), and presence of exosomal markers (immunoblotting). In addition, a targeted mass spectrometry approach was used to confirm the presence of 2 exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 and flotillin 1. The number of exosomes from plasma of high fertility heifers was greater compared with low fertility heifers. Interestingly, the exosomal proteomic profile, evaluated using mass spectrometry, identified 89 and 116 proteins in the high and low fertility heifers respectively, of which 4 and 31 were unique, respectively. These include proteins associated with specific biological processes and molecular functions of fertility. Most notably, the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 41-related, glycodelin, and kelch-like protein 8 were identified in plasma exosomes unique to the low fertility heifers. These proteins are suggested to play a role in reproduction; however, the role of these proteins in dairy cow reproduction remains to be elucidated. Their identification underscores the potential for proteins within exosomes to provide information on the fertility status and physiological condition of the cow. This may potentially lead to the development of prognostic tools and interventions to improving dairy cow fertility.     

Prioritising quality traits for gender-responsive breeding for boiled potato in Uganda

Using quantitative, qualitative and sensorial data collected from western (Kabale) and central (Rakai) Uganda, this paper identifies and describes gender-responsive traits preferred in varieties for the boiled potato market. These traits are aggregated into a product profile to support breeding programme design and decision-making that will increase probability of variety acceptance. An interdisciplinary and participatory methodology was used to collect data on socio-economic on trait preferences, processing and organoleptics and finally, to develop a lexicon through a sensorial panel. Characteristics that were important to both men and women, such as red skin and yellow flesh, are linked to market preferences. Women-only preferred characteristics such as big size and mealiness are linked to processing efficiency and eating quality. Besides agronomic traits, breeders must consider factors such as gender roles, social norms, and market preferences traits that guide farmers and other food chain actors in their selection of new varieties.     

Urinary Excretion of Ecdysterone and Its Metabolites Following Spinach Consumption

Scope

The phytosteroid ecdysterone is present in spinach. In this study, the urinary elimination of ecdysterone and its metabolites in humans is investigated following spinach consumption of two different culinary preparations.

Methods and results

Eight participants (four males, four females) ingested 950 (27.1) g sautéed spinach (average [±standard deviation (SD)]) and 912 (70.6) g spinach smoothie as second intervention after washout. Post-administration urines are analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After intake of both preparations, ecdysterone and two metabolites, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone, and 14-deoxy-poststerone, are excreted in urine. The maximum concentration of ecdysterone is ranging from 0.09 to 0.41 µg mL⁻¹ after sautéed spinach and 0.08–0.74 µg mL⁻¹ after smoothie ingestion. The total excreted amount (mean% [±SD]) in the urine as a parent drug plus the metabolites is only 1.4 (1.0) for both sautéed spinach and smoothie. The apparent sex related differences in 14-deoxy-poststerone excretion will need further investigations.

Conclusion

Only a small proportion of ecdysterone from spinach is excreted into urine. No significant differences are found in concentration and recovered amount (%) of ecdysterone, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone, and 14-deoxy-poststerone in urine between sautéed spinach and smoothie ingestion. A discrimination between ecdysterone from food or preparations will be challenging based on urinary concentrations only, at least for later post-administration samples.     

Variations of the chemical composition of clonal black tea (Camellia sinensis) due to delayed withering

The chemical composition of black teas (Camellia sinensis L) varies when the green leaf from which they are manufactured is withered physically to the same degree but for different periods. Caffeine contents progressively increase with prolonged withering time whereas theaflavins decrease due to prolonged withering. Although the sums of group I and group II volatile flavour compounds (VFC) decrease with prolonged withering time, the flavour index (expressed as group II VFC/group I VFC) increases due to prolonged withering. No significant changes were noted in the thearubigin levels with variation in withering time, but the tasters' evaluations were at a maximum for teas withered for 14 h. Subsequently the evaluation decreased with longer withering times.     

Antimicrobial peptides and pregnancy

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins produced by epithelial surfaces and inflammatory cells, which have broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. They are known to be important in a number of infectious and inflammatory conditions and have been shown to be present in a number of sites throughout the female reproductive tract. Inflammation and infection are associated with a number of complications of pregnancy including preterm labor, and AMPs may play a key role in maintaining and protecting pregnancy. The aim of this review is to describe the expression and function of AMPs in the pregnant female reproductive tract and their relation to preterm labor.     

An experimental investigation into the pre-treatment of synthetic membranes using sodium hydroxide solutions

In this paper the effect of two pre-treatment methods are compared experimentally for the filtration of (i) a spent sulphite liquor (17.8 wt.% dry solids) using a 20 kg mol⁻¹ molar mass cut off (MMCO) fluoropolymer membrane and (ii) a molasses solution (45° Brix) using a polysulphone (Psf) membrane (1.5 μm pore size). Both feeds are industrially relevant, and subject to severe fouling issues when membranes are used in their subsequent processing. The pre-treatment methods evaluated were: (i) conditioning with water at 60 °C only [Protocol 1], and (ii) conditioning with water at 60 °C followed by cleaning with 0.5 wt.% NaOH [Protocol 2]. Results are presented that confirm the benefits of sodium hydroxide preconditioning upon performance, supporting the suggestion by some membrane manufacturers that this step be included as part of the pre-treatment protocol.