A new short-path distillation system applied to the reduction of cholesterol in butter and lard

A molecular distillation plant, built particularly to increase the separation efficiency and to obtain safer working conditions, was tested to remove cholesterol from anhydrous butter and lard. A preliminary experiment was carried out with butter to evaluate the fractionation obtained at temperatures between 190 and 250°C and residual pressures between 10⁻³ and 10⁻⁴ torr. A second experiment was carried out at 185°C and at the maximum operational vacuum, evaluating the fractionation achieved within a time scale between 30 and 180 min. Cholesterol was almost completely removed during the second hour with minimal loss of low-molecular weight triglycerides. An experiment was carried out with lard at 250°C and maximum achievable operational vacuum (10⁻⁴ Torr), lasting approximately 6 h, and cholesterol was removed almost completely during the second hour without significant modifications in the triglyceride composition. This situation remained constant throughout the duration of the test.     

Competitive Displacement of Clozapine from Plasma Proteins in Normolipidemic and Hyperlipidemic Plasma Samples: Clinical Implications

Objective, This study assesses whether competitive displacement of clozapine by warfarin affects clozapine's overall plasma distribution. Methods, Warfarin sodium was preincubated in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic plasma samples in varying concentrations. Following the preincubation with warfarin, [³H]clozapine mixed with unlabeled clozapine was added to the plasma samples. The plasma was separated into its lipoprotein and lipoprotein-deficient fractions by density gradient ultracentrifugation, and clozapine distribution was determined. Results, When normolipidemic plasma was preincubated with various concentrations of warfarin, no significant redistribution of clozapine was noted among the various plasma lipoprotein fractions. However, in the case of the hyperlipidemic plasma, preincubating with warfarin did result in a significant redistribution of clozapine from the lipoprotein-deficient fraction to the very-low-density and low-density fractions of lipoproteins. Based on pharmacokinetic principles, the steady-state unbound concentration of clozapine in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic plasma is not expected to change. Conclusion, Although no change in the steady-state unbound (active) concentration of clozapine would predict no change in clinical status, it is possible that this may only apply to the individuals with a normal lipid profile. We believe clozapine's association with lipoproteins (particularly triglycerides) may actually increase clozapine's effectiveness.     

Effect of Flaxseed Meals and Extracts on Lipid Stability in a Stored Meat Product

Flaxseeds have been recently in focus due to the antioxidant capacity of some of their compounds. However, there is a lack of easily accessible information concerning their activity against lipid oxidation in food systems. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of defatted meals (DFM) and the aqueous extracts (AFE) obtained from brown and golden flaxseeds on lipid oxidation in pork meatballs. Fatty acid composition, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and cholesterol content were monitored during 6 months of freezer storage. Cholesterol oxidation products were identified and quantified. Both DFM and AFE limited fatty acid and cholesterol oxidation during meatball storage. Their antioxidant effect depended on flax variety (brown or golden) and preparation type (DFM or AFE). Lower level of PV and TBARS, compared with the ones with AFE, were noted in meatballs with DFM. Both DFM and AFE, from the brown seed variety, protect the lipids against oxidation to a higher extent. During the storage, a cholesterol degradation was observed. AFE (particularly from the brown variety) limited changes in cholesterol content. Moreover, they stabilized fatty acid composition of stored meatballs. However, DFM efficiently inhibited cholesterol oxidation.     

Gut Microbial Metabolites of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Correlate with Specific Fecal Bacteria and Serum Markers of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Women

The aim of this human study was to assess the influence of prebiotic-induced gut microbiota modulation on PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites production. Therefore, we analyzed the circulating fatty acid profile including CLA/CLnA in obese women treated during 3 months with inulin-type fructan prebiotics. In these patients, we had already determined gut microbiota composition by phylogenetic microarray and qPCR analysis of 16S rDNA. Some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were detected in the serum of obese patients. Despite the prebiotic-induced modulation of gut microbiota, including changes in CLA/CLnA-producing bacteria, the treatment did not impact significantly on the circulating level of these metabolites. However, some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were positively correlated with specific fecal bacteria (Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium ventriosum and Lactobacillus spp.) and inversely correlated with serum cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL). These correlations suggest a potential beneficial effect of some of these metabolites but this remains to be confirmed by further investigation.     

牛磺酸对肥胖大鼠甘油三酯和胆固醇代谢的影响

目的 探讨长期经饮水方式补充牛磺酸对高脂膳食所致肥胖大鼠降脂减重作用,对甘油三酯合成关键分子和胆固醇7α羟化酶(cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, CYP7A1)表达调控关键分子的影响。方法 根据血清胆固醇水平和体重, SD大鼠被分为3组,为对照组(normal, N)饲喂基础维持饲料,肥胖组(high fat, HF)和牛磺酸组(high fat taurine, HFT)饲喂高脂饲料。N组和HF组自由饮水,而HFT组给予牛磺酸溶液代替水,持续12周。结果 与HF组相比,给予牛磺酸的HFT组大鼠体重、附睾周围脂肪重量、血清总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、游离脂肪酸、固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, SREBP-1c)和脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase, FAS)基因表达显著降低,粪便胆汁酸水平、脂蛋白脂肪酶(lipoprotein lipase, LPL)活性以及CYP7A1和Ser63p-c-Jun的蛋白表达显著增加,但肝细胞核因子4α(hepatocyte...     

Association of Dietary Phytosterols with Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in Humans

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Elevated concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are major lipid biomarkers that contribute to the risk of CVD. Phytosterols well known for their cholesterol-lowering ability, are non-nutritive compounds that are naturally found in plant-based foods and can be classified into plant sterols and plant stanols. Numerous clinical trials demonstrated that 2 g phytosterols per day have LDL-C lowering efficacy ranges of 8–10%. Some observational studies also showed an inverse association between phytosterols and LDL-C reduction. Beyond the cholesterol-lowering beneficial effects of phytosterols, the association of phytosterols with CVD risk events such as coronary artery disease and premature atherosclerosis in sitosterolemia patients have also been reported. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand to determine the association of circulating phytosterols with vascular health biomarkers such as arterial stiffness biomarkers. Therefore, this review aims to examine the ability of phytosterols for CVD risk prevention by reviewing the current data that looks at the association between dietary phytosterols intake and serum lipid biomarkers, and the impact of circulating phytosterols level on vascular health biomarkers. The clinical studies in which the impact of phytosterols on vascular function is investigated show minor but beneficial phytosterols effects over vascular health. The aforementioned vascular health biomarkers are pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and arterial blood pressure. The current review will serve to begin to address the research gap that exists between the association of dietary phytosterols with CVD risk biomarkers.     

Effects of coenzyme Q10, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on oxidation of cholesterol in chicken liver pâté

The aim of this study was to determine whether supplemental addition of coenzyme Q₁₀ and ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol, either alone or together, can prevent oxidative damage in chicken liver pâté, as reflected by reduced formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) and by preservation of sensorial quality. Separate groups of chicken liver pâtés had no supplements (control) or were supplemented with coenzyme Q₁₀ (0.2 g/kg) and either ascorbic acid (2 g/kg) or α-tocopherol (0.2 g/kg), or both. All products were pasteurised (82 °C) or sterilised (121 °C). Four COPs were found: 7α-, 7β-, 20α- and 25-hydroxycholesterol. The COP radical scavenger function of coenzyme Q₁₀ (control, 5.16 mg/kg; plus Q₁₀, 3.94 mg/kg) and the synchronous actions of coenzyme Q₁₀ and α-tocopherol (2.6 mg/kg) were confirmed in sterilised pâtés. Generally, in pasteurised and sterilised pâtés, the most efficient scavenger function was with ascorbic acid either alone or together with α-tocopherol, where the formation of COPs was below the limit of detection. An increase of 1.9 mg/kg in COP production during heating was also seen in samples without added antioxidants. There was a weak interdependence between the content of COPs and the sensory parameters of the pâté. For addition of antioxidants, in the pasteurised pâté, colour and smell were slightly improved, but flavour deteriorated; in the sterilised pâté, colour was slightly worse, with a more tender texture. Overall, instrumentally measured colour and sensory properties (except texture) showed no significant differences between pasteurisation and sterilisation.     

Cholesterol photosensitised oxidation of horse meat slices stored under different packaging films

The effect of the type of packaging film (transparent vs. light-protecting red film) was evaluated on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in refrigerated horse meat slices stored in retail conditions under light exposure for 8 h. In meat wrapped with a transparent film, COPs increased from 233 (control) to 317 μg/g of fat, whereas the red film delayed cholesterol oxidation and offered protection against COPs formation, since COPs decreased from 173 (control) to 139 μg/g of fat after 8 h of light exposure. In addition, light opened the epoxy ring and led to the formation of triol, which was actually absent at T_0. A proper packaging film may represent a useful strategy to retard oxidative degradation in a light-sensitive, high pigment- and fat-containing food, such as horse meat.     

L-阿拉伯糖对正常及高糖高脂喂养大鼠生长及糖脂代谢的影响

目的观察L-阿拉伯糖对正常大鼠和高糖高脂喂养大鼠生长及糖脂代谢的影响。方法雄性Wistar大鼠60只,按体重和空腹血糖随机分为6组(n=10):空白对照组、高剂量对照组、模型对照组以及L-阿拉伯糖低、中、高剂量实验组,分别以普通饲料和高糖高脂饲料喂养6周,观察大鼠的体重、食物利用率,测定大鼠的糖脂代谢指标。结果L-阿拉伯糖对正常大鼠的体重、体脂、食物利用率、空腹血糖均无影响;能显著提高正常大鼠的糖耐量(P<0.01);降低正常大鼠的血清甘油三酯(P<0.05)并增高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(P<0.01)。模型对照组和各实验组大鼠的体重、体脂、糖耐量、血清总胆固醇均显著高于空白对照组(P<0.05)。以87.5、175、525mg/kgBW剂量的L-阿拉伯糖灌胃高糖高脂饲料喂养的肥胖模型大鼠6周,各剂量L-阿拉伯糖均能显著改善肥胖模型大鼠的糖耐量(P<0.01),高剂量组大鼠的体脂含量明显下降(P<0.05)。结论L-阿拉伯糖能显著增强正常和高糖高脂喂养大鼠的糖耐量,降低大鼠血清甘油三酯,增高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇,并有降低大鼠体脂含量和减缓体重增加的趋势。