Short-chain fatty acids stimulate the migration of neutrophils to inflammatory sites

SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) are produced by anaerobic bacterial fermentation. Increased concentrations of these fatty acids are observed in inflammatory conditions, such as periodontal disease, and at sites of anaerobic infection. In the present study, the effect of the SCFAs acetate, propionate and butyrate on neutrophil chemotaxis and migration was investigated. Experiments were carried out in rats and in vitro. The following parameters were measured: rolling, adherence, expression of adhesion molecules in neutrophils (L-selectin and beta 2 integrin), transmigration, air pouch influx of neutrophils and production of cytokines [CINC-2 alpha beta (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2 alpha beta), IL-1 beta (interleukin-1 beta), MIP-1 alpha (macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha) and TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha)]. SCFAs induced in vivo neutrophil migration and increased the release of CINC-2 alpha beta into the air pouch. These fatty acids increased the number of rolling and adhered cells as evaluated by intravital microscopy. SCFA treatment increased L-selectin expression on the neutrophil surface and L-selectin mRNA levels, but had no effect on the expression of beta 2 integrin. Propionate and butyrate also increased in vitro transmigration of neutrophils. These results indicate that SCFAs produced by anaerobic bacteria raise neutrophil migration through increased L-selectin expression on neutrophils and CINC-2 alpha beta release.

Optimization of the physical refining of sunflower oil concerning the final contents of trans-fatty acids

The final contents of total and individual trans-fatty acids of sunflower oil, produced during the deacidification step of physical refining were obtained using a computational simulation program that considered cis-trans isomerization reaction features for oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids attached to the glycerol part of triacylglycerols. The impact of process variables, such as temperature and liquid flow rate, and of equipment configuration parameters, such as liquid height, diameter, and number of stages, that influence the retention time of the oil in the equipment was analyzed using the response-surface methodology (RSM). The computational simulation and the RSM results were used in two different optimization methods, aiming to minimize final levels of total and individual trans-fatty acids (trans-FA), while keeping neutral oil loss and final oil acidity at low values. The main goal of this work was to indicate that computational simulation, based on a careful modeling of the reaction system, combined with optimization could be an important tool for indicating better processing conditions in industrial physical refining plants of vegetable oils, concerning trans-FA formation.

Useful Strategies for Algal Volatile Analysis

The production of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by plants is well known. However, few scientific groups have studied VOC produced by green, brown and red algae. Headspace collection of volatiles and solid phase microextraction, as well as the traditional extraction by hydrodistillation combined with analytical chromatographic techniques (i.e., GC-MS), have significantly improved the investigation of VOC from plants and algae. The major volatile compounds found in seaweeds are hydrocarbons, terpenes, phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, fatty acids and halogen or sulfur-containing compounds. This article presents an overview of VOC isolated from and identified in marine macro-algae. Focus is given to non-halogenated and non-sulfur volatile compounds, as well as strategies to analyze and identify algal VOC by GC-MS.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acid and omega-3: omega-6 fatty acid ratio predict improvement in glucose disturbances in Japanese Brazilians

Objective: We investigated whether lifestyle-induced changes in dietary fat quality are related to Improvements on glucose metabolism disturbances in Japanese Brazilians at high risk of type 2 diabetes Methods: One hundred forty-eight first- and second-generation subjects with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycemia who attended a lifestyle intervention program for 12 mo were studied in the city of Bauru. State of Sao Paulo, Brazil Dietary fatty acid intakes at baseline and after 12 mo were estimated using three 24-h recalls. The effect of dietary fat intake on glucose metabolism was investigated by multiple logistic regression models Results: At baseline, mean standard deviation age and body mass index were 60 II y and 25 5 4.2 kg/m2, respectively After 12 mo. 92 subjects had normal plasma glucose levels and 56 remained in prediabetic conditions. Using logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, generation, basal intake of explanatory nutrient, energy intake, physical activity, and waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for reversion to normoglycemia were 3 14 (1 22-8 10) in the second wrote of total w-3 fatty acid, 4 26 (1.34-13 57) in the second tunic of eicosapentaenoic acid, and 280 (1 10-7.10) in the second tertile of linolenic acid. Similarly. subjects in the highest wrote of w-3.w-6 fatty acid ratio showed a higher chance of improving glucose disturbances (2 51, 1.01-6.37) Conclusions: Our findings support the evidence of an independent protective effect of omega-3 fatty acid and of a higher omega-3:omega-6 fatty acid ratio on the glucose metabolism of high-risk individuals (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.

Effect of enzymatic pretreatment and increasing the organic loading rate of lipid-rich wastewater treated in a hybrid UASB reactor

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of increasing organic loading rates and of enzyme pretreatment on the stability and efficiency of a hybrid upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBh) treating dairy effluent. The UASBh was submitted to the following average organic loading rates (OLR) 0.98 Kg.m(-3).d(-1), 4.58 Kg.m(-3).d(-1), 8.89 Kg.m(-3).d(-1) and 15.73 Kg.m(-3).d(-1), and with the higher value, the reactor was fed with effluent with and without an enzymatic pretreatment to hydrolyze fats. The hydraulic detention time was 24 h, and the temperature was 30 +/- 2 degrees C. The reactor was equipped with a superior foam bed and showed good efficiency and stability until an OLR of 8.89 Kg.m(-3).d(-1). The foam bed was efficient for solid retention and residual volatile acid concentration consumption. The enzymatic pretreatment did not contribute to the process stability, propitiating loss in both biomass and system efficiency. Specific methanogenic activity tests indicated the presence of inhibition after the sludge had been submitted to the pretreated effluent It was concluded that continuous exposure to the hydrolysis products or to the enzyme caused a dramatic drop in the efficiency and stability of the process, and the single exposure of the biomass to this condition did not inhibit methane formation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of agitation on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor in the treatment of dairy effluents

Agitation rate is an important parameter in the operation of Anaerobic Sequencing Biofilm Batch Reactors (ASBBRs), and a proper agitation rate guarantees good mixing, improves mass transfer, and enhances the solubility of the particulate organic matter. Dairy effluents have a high amount of particulate organic matter, and their anaerobic digestion presents inhibitory intermediates (e. g., long-chain fatty acids). The importance of studying agitation in such batch systems is clear. The present study aimed to evaluate how agitation frequency influences the anaerobic treatment of dairy effluents. The ASBBR was fed with wastewater from milk pasteurisation process and cheese manufacture with no whey segregation. The organic matter concentration, measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD), was maintained at approximately 8,000 mg/L. The reactor was operated with four agitation frequencies: 500 rpm, 350 rpm, 200 rpm, and no agitation. In terms of COD removal efficiency, similar results were observed for 500 rpm and 350 rpm (around 90%) and for 200 rpm and no agitation (around 80%). Increasing the system`s agitation thus not only improved the global efficiency of organic matter removal but also influenced volatile acid production and consumption and clearly modified this balance in each experimental condition.

Effect of processing on amine formation and the lipid profile of cod (Gadus morhua) roe

The processing of fish roe leads to changes in its chemical composition, the extent of which depends on the techniques and additives employed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ripening temperature and the use of sodium benzoate and citric acid on the quality of ripened cod roe, with respect to the contents of volatile base nitrogen (VBN), trimethylamine (TMA), biogenic amines (BA) and on the lipid composition. In comparison with fresh roes, ripened roes presented higher contents of VBN, TMA, BA and the proportion of free fatty acids regardless of the temperature and additives used during the ripening process. The greatest increases were observed in the samples ripened at 17 degrees C without additives, in which histamine was detected at 8.8 mg/100 g. A low ripening temperature was the main factor responsible for minimising changes in the cod roe composition. The addition of sodium benzoate as a preservative or citric acid to decrease the pH value had a significant effect in maintaining the quality of the cod roes, mainly at high ripening temperature. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prediction of Viscosities of Fatty Compounds and Biodiesel by Group Contribution

In the present work, a group contribution method is proposed for the estimation of viscosity of fatty compounds and biodiesel esters as a function of the temperature. The databank used for regression of the group contribution parameters (1070 values for 65 types of substances) included fatty compounds, such as fatty acids, methyl and ethyl esters and alcohols, tri- and diacylglycerols, and glycerol. The inclusion of new experimental data for fatty esters, a partial acylglycerol, and glycerol allowed for a further refinement in the performance of this methodology in comparison to a prior group contribution equation (Ceriani, R.; Goncalves, C. B.; Rabelo, J.; Caruso, M.; Cunha, A. C. C.; Cavaleri, F. W.; Batista, E. A. C.; Meirelles, A. J. A. Group contribution model for predicting viscosity of fatty compounds. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2007, 52, 965-972) for all classes of fatty compounds. Besides, the influence of small concentrations of partial acylglycerols, intermediate compounds in the transesterification reaction, in the viscosity of biodiesels was also investigated.

An approach to chemotaxonomy to the fatty acid content of some Malvaceae species

Malvales is an order of flowering plants with a controversial circumscription. The relationships between taxa, particularly Malvaceae, Bombacaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Tiliaceae, are not well delineated. Several studies have reported the fatty acid compositions of Malvaceae plants but not for taxonomic purposes. In the present study, the fatty acid composition of oilseeds from seven species belonging to the Malvaceae family was determined by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the quantitative distribution of fatty acids was analyzed by a cluster analysis With Euclidean Distance and UPGMA. The oil content in the seeds was very low (8.3-11.8%). The profile of fatty acids showed that there were two distinct groups: species rich in palmitic acid (Herissantia tiubae, Sidastrum paniculatum and Sida rhombifolia) and species rich in linoleic acid (other Sida species). The fatty acid profiles found for Sida species are consistent with other reported data. Although our data support a distinction between Sida and Sidastrum, more species should be analyzed to evaluate the real taxonomic value of differences in fatty acid content for distinguishing Malvaceae. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of oleic and linoleic acids on the inflammatory phase of wound healing in rats

Inflammation is a crucial step for the wound healing process. The effect of linoleic and oleic acids on the inflammatory response of the skin during the healing process and on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by rat neutrophils in vitro was investigated. A wound in the dorsal surface of adult rats was performed and fatty acids were then topically administered. Both oleic and linoleic acids increased the wound healing tissue mass. The total protein and DNA contents of the wounds were increased by the treatment with linoleic acid. The treatments with oleic and linoleic acids did not affect vascular permeability. However, the number of neutrophils in the wounded area and air pouches was increased and the thickness of the necrotic cell layer edge around the wound was decreased. A dose-dependent increase in vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) by neutrophils incubated in the presence of oleic and linoleic acid was observed. Oleic acid was able to stimulate also the production of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in inflammation 2 alphalbeta (CINC-2 alpha/beta). This pro-inflammatory effect of oleic and linoleic acids may speed up the wound healing process. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The role of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha in the fatty-acid -dependent transcriptional control of interleukin-10 in hepatic cells of rodents

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an endogenous factor that restrains hepatic insulin resistance in diet-induced steatosis Reducing IL-10 expression increases proinflammatory activity in the steatotic liver and worsens insulin resistance As the transcriptional coactivator proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) plays a central role in dysfunctional hepatocytic activity in diet-induced steatosis, we hypothesized that at least part of the action of PGC-1 alpha could be mediated by reducing the transcription of the IL-10 gene Here, we used immunoblotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to investigate the role of PGC-1 alpha in the control of IL-10 expression in hepatic cells First, we show that, in the intact steatotic liver, the expressions of IL-10 and PGC-1 alpha are increased Inhibiting PGC-1 alpha expression by antisense oligonucleotide increases IL-10 expression and reduces the steatotic phenotype. In cultured hepatocytes, the treatment with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids increased IL-10 expression. This was accompanied by increased association of PGC-1 alpha with c-Maf and p50-nuclear factor (NF) kappa B, 2 transcription factors known to modulate IL-10 expression In addition, after fatty acid treatment. PGC-1 alpha, c-Maf, and p50-NF kappa B migrate from the cytosol to the nuclei of hepatocytes and bind to the IL-10 promoter region Inhibiting NF kappa B activation with salicylate reduces IL-10 expression and the association of PGC-1 alpha with p50-NF kappa B Thus, PGC-1 alpha emerges as a potential transcriptional regulator of the inflammatory phenomenon taking place in the steatotic liver (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved

Comparison of fatty acid composition in nine organs of the sympatric Antarctic teleost fish species Notothenia coriiceps and Notothenia rossii (Perciformes: Nototheniidae)

Fatty acid (FA) composition of nine organs from two closely related Antarctic fish species, Notothenia codiceps and Notothenia rossii, was determined through gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. A data set for each species was obtained using major FA profiles from specimens caught in the sea waters of Admiralty Bay during the summer season. The FA profiles for both species are overall similar, but organ peculiarities have been found, which could reflect metabolic specificities and feeding habits between species. With the exception of liver, the most abundant FA in organs was the n-3 polyunsaturated FA. The total n-6 polyunsaturated FAs were minor components in all evaluated organs. Palmitic acid was identified as the major saturated FA, whereas oleic acid was the most represented of the monounsaturated FA in almost all assessed organs of both species. The n-3/n-6 ratios of all organs were higher than 3.5. Differences in individual FA and FA metabolic profiles of some organs observed between N. coriiceps and N. rossii suggest specific requirements in the mobilization, transport, incorporation, and/or catabolism of lipids that were reinforced by differences on some FA ratios expressing the activity coefficient of enzymes implicated on the FA pathway flux. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Saturated Fatty Acid-Induced Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Skeletal Muscle Cells

Increased plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) occur in states of insulin resistance such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These high levels of plasma FFA are proposed to play an important role for the development of insulin resistance but the mechanisms involved are still unclear. This study investigated the effects of saturated and unsaturated FFA on insulin sensitivity in parallel with mitochondrial function. C2C12 myotubes were treated for 24 h with 0.1 mM of saturated (palmitic and stearic) and unsaturated (oleic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic) FFA. After this period, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function were evaluated. Saturated palmitic and stearic acids decreased insulin-induced glycogen synthesis, glucose oxidation, and lactate production. Basal glucose oxidation was also reduced. Palmitic and stearic acids impaired mitochondrial function as demonstrated by decrease of both mitochondrial hyperpolarization and ATP generation. These FFA also decreased Akt activation by insulin. As opposed to saturated FFA, unsaturated FFA did not impair glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function. Primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle cells exhibited similar responses to saturated FFA as compared to C2C12 cells. These results show that in muscle cells saturated FFA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction associated with impaired insulin-induced glucose metabolism. J. Cell. Physiol. 222: 187-194, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Lipid, fatty acid, protein, amino acid and ash contents in four Brazilian red algae species

Four species of marine benthic algae (Laurencia filiformis, L. intricata, Gracilaria domingensis and G. birdiae) that belong to the phylum Rhodophyta were collected in Espirito Santo State, Brazil and investigated concerning their biochemical composition (fatty acid, total lipid, soluble proteins, amino acid and ash). The total content of lipid (% dry weight) ranged from 1.1% to 6.2%: fatty acid from 0.7% to 1.0%: soluble protein from 4.6% to 18.3%, amino acid from 6.7% to 11.3% and ash from 22.5% to 38.4%. judging from their composition, the four species of algae appear to be potential sources of dietary proteins, amino acids, lipids and essential fatty acids for humans and animals. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Total Trans Fatty Acid Analysis in Spreadable Cheese by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

An alternative method for determination of total trans fatty acids expressed as elaidic acid by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) under indirect UV detection at 224 nm within an analysis time of 7.5 min was developed. The optimized running electrolyte includes 15.0 mmol L(-1) KH(2)PO(4)/Na(2)HPO(4) buffer (pH similar to 7.0), 4.0 mmol L(-1) SDBS, 8.0 mmol L(-1) Brij35, 45%v/v ACN, 8% methanol, and 1.5% v/v n-octanol. Baseline separation of the critical pair C18-9cis/C18:1-9t: with a resolution higher than 1.5 was achieved using C15:0 as the internal standard. The optimum capillary electrophoresis (CE) conditions for the background electrolyte were established with the aid of Raman spectroscopy and experiments of a 3(2) factorial design. After response factor (R(F)) calculations, the CE method was applied to total trans fatty acid (TTFA) analysis in a hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) sample, and compared with the American Oil Chemists` Society (AOCS) official method by gas chromatography (GC). The methods were compared with an independent sample t test, and no significant difference was found between CE and GC methods within the 95% confidence interval for six genuine replicates of TTFA analysis (p-value > 0.05). The CE method was applied to TTFA analysis in a spreadable cheese sample. Satisfactory results were obtained, indicating that the optimized methodology can be used for trans fatty acid determination for these samples.