Role of Insulin Resistance in MAFLD

Many studies have reported that metabolic dysfunction is closely involved in the complex mechanism underlying the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has prompted a movement to consider renaming NAFLD as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Metabolic dysfunction in this context encompasses obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, with insulin resistance as the common underlying pathophysiology. Imbalance between energy intake and expenditure results in insulin resistance in various tissues and alteration of the gut microbiota, resulting in fat accumulation in the liver. The role of genetics has also been revealed in hepatic fat accumulation and fibrosis. In the process of fat accumulation in the liver, intracellular damage as well as hepatic insulin resistance further potentiates inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Increased lipogenic substrate supply from other tissues, hepatic zonation of Irs1, and other factors, including ER stress, play crucial roles in increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis in MAFLD with hepatic insulin resistance. Herein, we provide an overview of the factors contributing to and the role of systemic and local insulin resistance in the development and progression of MAFLD.     

Bambangan (Mangifera pajang) kernel fat: a potential new source of cocoa butter alternative

Bambangan (Mangifera pajang) is one of the underutilised tropical fruits found in the Borneo islands (Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei). The physicochemical and thermal properties of bambangan kernel fat (BKF) were investigated in an effort to identify an innovative fat that could be exploited in confectionery applications. The fatty acids and triglyceride (TG) contents, melting behaviour and solid fat content (SFC) of the BKF were determined by various chromatographic and thermal techniques. BKF had three main TGs, namely 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐stearoyl‐glycerol (POS) (11.6%), 1,3‐distearoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐glycerol (SOS) (28.7%) and 1‐stearoyl‐2,3‐dioleoyl‐glycerol (SOO) (11.2%), with SOS being the major component. Stearic, oleic and palmitic acids were the dominant fatty acids with the area percentage of 36.4%, 44.5% and 8.4%, respectively. The melting behaviour indicated a single curve with only one maximum shoulder. With respect to the physicochemical and thermal properties, BKF is ideal for use in formulations (blending components) as an alternative to CB in food products, especially confectionary products.     

中碳链脂肪酸甘油三酯制备方法的研究进展

中碳链脂肪酸甘油三酯是一种天然油脂的改性产品,因其具有消化吸收快,能量易释放等优点被广泛用于营养、医药、化妆品等领域。对中碳链脂肪酸甘油三酯的理化性质和制备方法进行了综述,以期为进一步研究中碳链脂肪酸甘油三酯的高效合成及工业化生产提供参考。     

Changes in lipolysis and volatile fraction of a goat cheese manufactured employing a hygienized rennet paste and a defined strain starter

The effect of a hygienized rennet paste (HRP) and a defined strain starter IFPL on the volatile fraction of goat cheese (Majorero) was examined. Three batches were made and those cheeses produced either industrially (IL) or in artisanal manner (AL) were compared with the experimental lot (EL), which included both HRP and IFPL starter in its manufacture. Analysis of the volatile fraction was by static headspace connected to GC–MS and this disclosed a total of 28 components belonging to the following chemical families: fatty acids, esters, ketones, aldehydes and alcohols. Most of the volatile components identified appeared in all lots but at different concentrations. IL cheeses were distinguished from the other lots, including HRP in their manufacture, essentially by a lower presence of esters and FFA (both branched-chain and aliphatic acids). The use of HRP and a defined strain starter culture (including Lb. casei IFPL 731 as adjunct) directly affected lipolysis degree. This was reflected in an increase in the mono-and diglyceride concentrations and in a greater content of short-chain FFA, particularly butanoic acid, an important flavour component, which imparts a desirable sharp, “piquant” taste to Majorero cheese. The IFPL starter culture also had a significant effect on concentrations of compounds such as 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3 methyl-1-butanol, isoamyl butyrate and acetoin.     

Effect of different sources of dietary omega‐3 fatty acids on general performance and fatty acid profiles of thigh,breast, liver and portal blood of broilers

One hundred and sixty‐eight 1‐day‐old Cobb broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 12 broiler cages to determine the dietary effect of different sources of oils rich in long‐chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3PUFA). The following oils were added to the feed at a concentration of 12.5 g kg^?1: a highly refined seal blubber oil (SBO) containing 225 g kg^?1 LCω3PUFA; a fish oil (FO) concentrate containing >800 g kg^?1 LCω3PUFA in the form of triglycerides; and an FO concentrate containing >600 g kg^?1 LCω3PUFA in the form of ethyl esters. Fatty acid profiles of the breast and thigh meat were measured in order to determine the deposition of LCω3PUFA into the body tissues, whilst fatty acid profiles of the liver and the portal blood were taken in order to deduce consequences of the different ester forms on the absorption process. A triangular sensory evaluation was performed on the breast meat. The levels of LCω3PUFA in all tissues and the portal blood reflected the concentrations of LCω3PUFA in the diets. The sensory properties of the breast meat were negatively influenced by ethyl ester supplementation only. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition of tobacco seeds (Nicotiana tabacum L) from Argentina

The lipid constituents, free fatty acids, triglycerides, sterol esters and free sterols of 11 cultivars of tobacco from Argentina were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were the major components in all fractions studied. Sitosterol was the main component of the free sterol and sterol ester fractions. Oil and protein contents, as well as some physicochemical characteristics of the oils, are also reported.     

UPLC-PDA–MS evaluation of bioactive compounds from leaves of Ilex paraguariensis with different growth conditions,treatments and ageing

Teas from Maté have been widely consumed for centuries in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. We now determine how age, growth conditions and post-harvesting processes of leaves from Ilex paraguariensis affect the concentration of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant capacity. Phenolics, xanthines, and carbohydrates were identified and quantified by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), which dramatically reduces the time for each analysis (<3 min). On average, sun-exposed (monoculture) leaf extracts exhibited higher levels of bioactive compounds as compared to shaded (forest grown) ones. PCA (principal component analysis) analysis of all the samples indicated that those obtained after blanching and drying contained more phenolics and a smaller concentration of xanthine than those in natura. The oxidised leaves had lower concentrations of phenolics, and consequently a decline in antioxidant activity. No differences were found based on the leaf age.     

Common Variants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ABCB4</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ABCB11</Emphasis> and Plasma Lipid Levels: A Study in Sib Pairs with Gallstones,and Controls

Most epidemiological surveys have confirmed the association of low HDL-cholesterol and high triglyceride levels with cholesterol gallstones. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between plasma lipid levels and common polymorphisms of ABCB11 (encoding the bile salt export pump, BSEP) and ABCB4 (encoding the phospholipid transporter into bile, MDR3) genes. Plasma lipids were measured in 108 index patients of sib pairs with gallstones and in 260 controls. Using PCR-based assays with 5′-nuclease and fluorescence detection (TaqMan), the ABCB11 coding SNP p.A444V and four haplotype-tagging SNPs covering the ABCB4 gene (c.504C > T, c.711T > A, p.R652G, rs31653 in intron 26) were genotyped. Plasma lipids were compared in carriers of the common versus rare allele of these polymorphisms using Student’s t test and Pearson’s correlation. BMI and triglyceride levels were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels were lower in affected siblings than in controls. Among cases, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were higher in carriers of the common versus rare (hetero/homozygous carriers) allele of the SNPs p.A444V of ABCB11 and C.504C > T of ABCB4. HDL-cholesterol was lower in carriers of the common allele of rs31653. In controls, significant differences of cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were found in carriers of ABCB4 polymorphisms. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a link between ABCB4 and ABCB11 polymorphisms, lithogenic dyslipidemia, and gallstone risk.     

Correlating viscosity with temperature and other properties

Simple viscosity equations based on linearities [1/η^e (or φ^e) vs. T; T/η^e vs. T and φ^e vs. P; (η, viscosity; φ, fluidity; T, temperature; and P, any property or property function linear with T, such as, density, refractivity, and surface tension)] are given for glycerol, triglycerides, glyceride oils, n-fatty acids, esters, an alcohol, and an amine.