Carotenoids from tomatoes inhibit heterocyclic amine formation

Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants and they are commonly used for meat cooking in Mediterranean countries. The effects of tomato antioxidants on the formation of carcinogenic/mutagenic heterocyclic amines were investigated. A liquid model system containing as precursors creatinine, glucose and glycine in molar concentrations comparable to those present in bovine meat (chemical model system) was employed. A freeze-dried bovine meat juice (meat juice model system) was also used for some experiments. In both model systems, an inhibiting effect of tomato carotenoid fraction on the formation of imidazoquinolines (IQx, MeIQx and DiMeIQx) was observed. Using carotenoid extract at a concentration of 1000 ppm, inhibitions of 36% and 11% of IQx and MeIQx formation respectively in the chemical system and of 13% of MeIQx and of 5% of 4,8-DiMeIQx in the meat juice system was observed. The effect of the main tomato flavonoid, quercetin, was investigated using the meat juice system. Quercetin gave an inhibition of MeIQx formation between 9% and 57% with a maximum effect of 67% at 10 ppm.     

Characterization of melanoidins from a glucose-glycine model system

The properties of melanoidins prepared from glucose and glycine (GG) were investigated by a three step purification protocol consisting of dialysis, gel filtration at high ionic strength and ion metal affinity chromatography. The high molecular weight fraction obtained in the GG system is responsible for 80% of the total brown colour and its antioxidative ability was about 1/4 of that of Trolox measured by the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. GG melanoidins have good affinity towards Cu (II) (32% bound to the resin) while it is much lower towards Pb (II) (10%) and Fe (II) (5%). Capillary zone electrophoresis analysis suggests that GG melanoidins are positively charged, although no signal was observed analysing melanoidins by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS).     

Antioxidant activity of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds in a micellar system†

The antioxidant activity of two virgin olive oils, obtained from the same olive (Olea europaea sativa) batch but processed with different hammer crushing conditions, was evaluated by measuring their protective action towards linoleic acid peroxidation in a micellar system. The antioxidant efficiency (AE) of the oil phenolic fraction was higher when the olives were processed with a higher hammer crusher rotation rate. HPLC analysis demonstrated that one of the main derivatives of oleuropein, indicated as 3,4-DHPEA-EDA (the dialdehydic form of elenolic acid linked with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol), is present only in the oil with higher AE. 3,4-DHPEA-EDA showed the greatest antioxidant ability among virgin olive oil phenols. Its greater efficiency in the micellar system in comparison with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (3,4-DHPEA) is related to its greater lipophilicity. It is suggested that the behaviour in the water–micellar environment is representative of that in a real system such as tomato-based sauce with added virgin olive oil. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Juice of New citrus hybrids (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.×C. sinensis L. Osbeck) as a source of natural antioxidants

Fruit juices of pigmented and non-pigmented new citrus hybrids obtained by crossing clementine cv. Oroval with different cultivars of blood oranges were analysed to determine parameters related to fruit quality (total soluble solids titratable acidity, pH), and the content of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, flavanones, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and inhibition of induced linoleic acid peroxidation (InLAP) assays. The results of this study show that some hybrids with high antioxidant activity owing to considerable polyphenol content may be considered rich sources of phytochemicals. The OTA 9 hybrid was shown to be richest in polyphenols, suggesting that consumption of OTA 9 fruit or juice could be useful in health promotion and a disease-preventing diet. Moreover, the juice of this hybrid could be used as raw material to produce antioxidant ingredients for dietary, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic purposes.     

Anti-listerial activity of a polymeric film coated with hybrid coatings doped with Enterocin 416K1 for use as bioactive food packaging

In this study, Enterocin 416K1, a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1, was entrapped in an organic-inorganic hybrid coating applied to a LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film for its potential use in the active food packaging field. The antibacterial activity of the coated film was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888 by qualitative modified agar diffusion assay, quantitative determination in listeria saline solution suspension and direct contact with artificially contaminated food samples (frankfurters and fresh cheeses) stored at room and refrigeration temperatures. All investigations demonstrated that enterocin-activated coatings have a good anti-listeria activity. Qualitative tests showed a clear zone of inhibition in the indicator lawn in contact with and around the coated film. During the quantitative antibacterial evaluation the L. monocytogenes viable counts decreased to 1.5 log units compared to the control. The inhibitory capability was confirmed also in food-contact assays. In all food samples packed with coated films we observed a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes viable counts in the first 24 h compared to the control. This difference was generally maintained up to the seventh day and then decreased, with the exception of the cheese samples stored at refrigeration temperature.     

Fatty Acids,CD36, Thrombospondin-1, and CD47 in Glioblastoma: Together and/or Separately?

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive tumors of the central nervous system, characterized by a wide range of inter- and intratumor heterogeneity. Accumulation of fatty acids (FA) metabolites was associated with a low survival rate in high-grade glioma patients. The diversity of brain lipids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is greater than in all other organs and several classes of proteins, such as FA transport proteins (FATPs), and FA translocases are considered principal candidates for PUFAs transport through BBB and delivery of PUFAs to brain cells. Among these, the CD36 FA translocase promotes long-chain FA uptake as well as oxidated lipoproteins. Moreover, CD36 binds and recognizes thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an extracellular matrix protein that was shown to play a multifaceted role in cancer as part of the tumor microenvironment. Effects on tumor cells are mediated by TSP-1 through the interaction with CD36 as well as CD47, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. TSP-1/CD47 interactions have an important role in the modulation of glioma cell invasion and angiogenesis in GBM. Separately, FA, the two membrane receptors CD36, CD47, and their joint ligand TSP-1 all play a part in GBM pathogenesis. The last research has put in light their interconnection/interrelationship in order to exert a cumulative effect in the modulation of the GBM molecular network.     

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

Microgravity Modifies the Phenotype of Fibroblast and Promotes Remodeling of the Fibroblast–Keratinocyte Interaction in a 3D Co-Culture Model

Microgravity impairs tissue organization and critical pathways involved in the cell–microenvironment interplay, where fibroblasts have a critical role. We exposed dermal fibroblasts to simulated microgravity by means of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), a device that reproduces conditions of weightlessness. Molecular and structural changes were analyzed and compared to control samples growing in a normal gravity field. Simulated microgravity impairs fibroblast conversion into myofibroblast and inhibits their migratory properties. Consequently, the normal interplay between fibroblasts and keratinocytes were remarkably altered in 3D co-culture experiments, giving rise to several ultra-structural abnormalities. Such phenotypic changes are associated with down-regulation of α-SMA that translocate in the nucleoplasm, altogether with the concomitant modification of the actin-vinculin apparatus. Noticeably, the stress associated with weightlessness induced oxidative damage, which seemed to concur with such modifications. These findings disclose new opportunities to establish antioxidant strategies that counteract the microgravity-induced disruptive effects on fibroblasts and tissue organization.     

Lipidomic Approaches to Study HDL Metabolism in Patients with Central Obesity Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors characterised by central obesity, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, and changes in the circulating lipidome; the underlying mechanisms that lead to this lipid remodelling have only been partially elucidated. This study used an integrated “omics” approach (untargeted whole serum lipidomics, targeted proteomics, and lipoprotein lipidomics) to study lipoprotein remodelling and HDL composition in subjects with central obesity diagnosed with MetS (vs. controls). Compared with healthy subjects, MetS patients showed higher free fatty acids, diglycerides, phosphatidylcholines, and triglycerides, particularly those enriched in products of de novo lipogenesis. On the other hand, the “lysophosphatidylcholines to phosphatidylcholines” and “cholesteryl ester to free cholesterol” ratios were reduced, pointing to a lower activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in MetS; LCAT activity (directly measured and predicted by lipidomic ratios) was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance. Moreover, many phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were significantly lower in the HDL of MetS patients and strongly correlated with BMI and clinical metabolic parameters. These results suggest that MetS is associated with an impairment of phospholipid metabolism in HDL, partially led by LCAT, and associated with obesity and underlying insulin resistance. This study proposes a candidate strategy to use integrated “omics” approaches to gain mechanistic insights into lipoprotein remodelling, thus deepening the knowledge regarding the molecular basis of the association between MetS and atherosclerosis.