Effect of praziquantel administration on hepatic stereology of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and fed a low-protein diet

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of administering praziquantel (PZQ), focusing on the liver stereological findings of malnourished mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Thirty female Swiss Webster mice (age: 21 days; weight: 8-14 g) were fed either a low-protein diet (8%) or standard chow (22% protein) for 15 days. Five mice in each group were infected with 50 cercariae each of the BH strain (Brazil). PZQ therapy (80 mg/kg body weight, per day) was started on the 50th day of infection and consisted of daily administration for 5 days. Volume density (hepatocytes, sinusoids and hepatic fibrosis) was determined by stereology using a light microscope. Body weight gain and total serum albumin levels were always lower in undernourished mice. Our stereological study demonstrated that treatment increased both volume density of hepatocytes in mice fed standard chow (47.56%, treated group and 12.06%, control) and low-protein chow (30.98%, treated group and 21.44%, control), and hepatic sinusoids [standard chow (12.52%, treated group and 9.06%, control), low-protein chow (14.42%, treated group and 8.46%, control)], while hepatic fibrosis was reduced [standard chow (39.92%, treated group and 78.88%, control) and low-protein chow (54.60%, treated group and 70.10%, control)]. On the other hand, mice fed low-protein chow decreased density volume of hepatocytes and hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that treatment with PZQ ameliorates hepatic schistosomiasis pathology even in mice fed a low-protein diet.

Reduced pancreatic β-cell mass is associated with decreased FoxO1 and Erk1/2 protein phosphorylation in low-protein malnourished rats

A low-protein diet leads to functional and structural pancreatic islet alterations, including islet hypotrophy. Insulin-signaling pathways are involved in several adaptive responses by pancreatic islets. We determined the levels of some insulin-signaling proteins related to pancreatic islet function and growth in malnourished rats. Adult male Wistar rats (N = 20 per group) were fed a 17% protein (normal-protein diet; NP) or 6% protein (low-protein diet; LP), for 8 weeks. At the end of this period, blood glucose and serum insulin and albumin levels were measured. The morphometric parameters of the endocrine pancreas and the content of some proteins in islet lysates were determined. The β-cell mass was significantly reduced (≅65%) in normoglycemic but hypoinsulinemic LP rats compared to NP rats. Associated with these alterations, a significant 30% reduction in insulin receptor substrate-1 and a 70% increase in insulin receptor substrate-2 protein content were observed in LP islets compared to NP islets. The phosphorylated serine-threonine protein kinase (pAkt)/Akt protein ratio was similar in LP and NP islets. The phosphorylated forkhead-O1 (pFoxO1)/FoxO1 protein ratio was decreased by 43% in LP islets compared to NP islets (P < 0.05). Finally, the ratio of phosphorylated-extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (pErk1/2) to total Erk1/2 protein levels was decreased by 71% in LP islets compared to NP islets (P < 0.05). Therefore, the reduced β-cell mass observed in LP rats is associated with the reduction of phosphorylation in mitogenic-related signals, FoxO1 and Erk proteins. The cause/effect basis of this association remains to be determined.

Identification of Albizia lebbeck seed coat chitin-binding vicilins (7S globulins) with high toxicity to the larvae of the bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus

Seed coat is a specialized maternal tissue that interfaces the embryo and the external environment during embryogenesis, dormancy and germination. In addition, it is the first defensive barrier against penetration by pathogens and herbivores. Here we show that Albizia lebbeck seed coat dramatically compromises the oviposition, eclosion and development of the bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus. Dietary supplementation of bruchid larvae with A. lebbeck seed coat flour causes severe weight loss and reduces survival. By means of protein purification, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analyses, we show that chitin-binding vicilins are the main source of A. lebbeck tegumental toxicity to C. maculatus. At concentrations as low as 0.1%, A. lebbeck vicilins reduce larval mass from 8.1 ± 1.7 (mass of control larvae) to 1.8 ± 0.5 mg, which corresponds to a decrease of 78%. Seed coat toxicity constitutes an efficient defense mechanism, hindering insect predation and preventing embryo damage. We hypothesize that A. lebbeck vicilins are good candidates for the genetic transformation of crop legumes to enhance resistance to bruchid predation.

Simultaneous allergen inactivation and detoxification of castor bean cake by treatment with calcium compounds

Ricinus communis L. is of great economic importance due to the oil extracted from its seeds. Castor oil has been used for pharmaceutical and industrial applications, as a lubricant or coating agent, as a component of plastic products, as a fungicide or in the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. After oil extraction, a castor cake with a large amount of protein is obtained. However, this by-product cannot be used as animal feed due to the presence of toxic (ricin) and allergenic (2S albumin) proteins. Here, we propose two processes for detoxification and allergen inactivation of the castor cake. In addition, we establish a biological test to detect ricin and validate these detoxification processes. In this test, Vero cells were treated with ricin, and cell death was assessed by cell counting and measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The limit of detection of the Vero cell assay was 10 ng/mL using a concentration of 1.6 x 10(5) cells/well. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) and treatment with calcium compounds were used as cake detoxification processes. For SSF, Aspergillus niger was grown using a castor cake as a substrate, and this cake was analyzed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of SSF. Ricin was eliminated after 24 h of SSF treatment. The cake was treated with 4 or 8% Ca(OH)2 or CaO, and both the toxicity and the allergenic properties were entirely abolished. A by-product free of toxicity and allergens was obtained.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Our objective was to evaluate the concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], serum calcium, serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathormone (PTH) in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to associate them with disease duration and activity, bone mineral density and use of medications. In a cross-sectional and controlled study, 30 patients with polyarticular JIA were evaluated and compared to 30 healthy individuals matched for age and gender. Clinical status, anthropometry, laboratory markers in both patients and controls, and bone mineral density, only in the patients, were measured. Of the 30 patients included in the study, 23 (76.7%) were female and 16 (53.3%) non-Caucasian; mean age was 14 years (range = 4 to 20 years). Mean disease duration was 5 years (range = 1 to 12 years). The mean concentrations of serum albumin-corrected calcium (9.04 ± 0.41 mg/dL) and alkaline phosphatase (153.3 ± 100.1 IU) were significantly lower in patients with JIA than in controls (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively). No differences in 25(OH)D, PTH or serum phosphorus were observed between JIA and control subjects. Regarding 25(OH)D concentration, 8 patients (26.7%) and 5 controls (16.7%) had 25(OH)D concentrations compatible with deficiency (lower than 20 ng/mL) and 14 patients (46.7%) and 18 controls (60%) had concentrations compatible with insufficiency (20-32 ng/mL). These values were not associated with disease activity, use of medications or bone mineral density. We observed a high frequency of 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency in the study sample. The compromised bone metabolism emphasizes the importance of follow-up of JIA patients.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) induce apoptosis of periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Diabetics have an increased prevalence of periodontitis, and diabetes is one of the causative factors of severe periodontitis. Apoptosis is thought to be involved in this pathogenic relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate apoptosis in human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE). We examined the roles of apoptosis, AGEs, and RAGE during periodontitis in diabetes mellitus using cultured PDL fibroblasts that were treated by AGE-modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) alone, or given no treatment (control). Microscopy and real-time quantitative PCR indicated that PDL fibroblasts treated with AGE-BSA were deformed and expressed higher levels of RAGE and caspase 3. Cell viability assays and flow cytometry indicated that AGE-BSA reduced cell viability (69.80±5.50%, P<0.01) and increased apoptosis (11.31±1.73%, P<0.05). Hoechst 33258 staining and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling revealed that AGE-BSA significantly increased apoptosis of PDL fibroblasts. The results showed that the changes in PDL fibroblasts induced by AGE-BSA may explain how AGE-RAGE participates in and exacerbates periodontium destruction.

Chemical and nutritional evaluation of kernels of bocaiuva, Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd.

Protein characterization and results of proximate composition and mineral analyses of fruit kernels of bocaiuva, Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd., are reported. The kernels presented high contents of oil (51.7%), protein (17.6%) and fiber (15.8%). The seeds´ soluble proteins were isolated according to their solubility. The main separated proteins were globulins (53.5%) and glutelins (40.0%). Moreover, the presence of low molecular mass proteases in these two fractions was shown by the SDS-PAGE method. The assays of protease-inhibitory and hemagglutinating activities showed that bocaiuva´s protein fractions were not resistant to trypsin or chymotrypsin activities and that both had low lectin content. The globulin in vitro digestibility assay resembled a casein standard. Neither globulin nor glutelin enzymatic hydrolyses increased significantly (p < 0.05) after heat treatment. Threonine and lysine are the most limiting amino acids, respectively from two major protein fractions of the bocaiuva kernel, globulin (47.1% amino acid score) and glutelin (49.5% amino acid score), in terms of the theoretical profiles for children in the age range of 2 to 5 years recommended by the FAO/WHO. Bocaiuva kernels are found to be rich in calcium, phosphorus and manganese compared to some fruit nuts such as cashew and coconut.

In vitro digestibility of globulins from sapucaia (Lecythis pisonis Camb.) nuts by mammalian digestive proteinases

Sapucaia (Lecythis pisonis Camb.) raw nuts collected from Brazil were analyzed to determine the proximate composition, amino acid profile of protein fractions, in vitro protein digestibility and antinutritional factors in order to evaluate their potential as a protein alimentary complement. The nuts contained adequate amounts of essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals. In the present study, no hemagglutinating or inhibitory activities were observed in any of the samples investigated, indicating low or non-detectable levels of proteinase inhibitors or lectins in the samples. In vitro digestibility of in natura and heated nut globulins by mammalian digestive proteinases was carried out using trypsin + chymotrypsin + peptidase, with resulting mean values of approximately 70.30 and 71.35%, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that sapucaia nuts may provide a new source of protein to use as a potential nutritional agent.

Study of the proteins in the defatted flour and protein concentrate of baru nuts (Dipteryx alata Vog)

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is an abundant legume in the Brazilian Savanna. Its nuts can be exploited sustainably using its protein and lipid fractions. This study aimed to analyze the proteins of the nuts present in the defatted flour and protein concentrate in terms of their functional properties, the profile of their fractions, and the in vitro digestibility. The flour was defatted with hexane and extracted at the pH of higher protein solubility to obtain the protein concentrate. The electrophoretic profile of the protein fractions was evaluated in SDS-PAGE gel. The functional properties of the proteins indicate the possibility of their use in various foods, like soybeans providing water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying properties, and foamability. Globulins, followed by the albumins, are the major fractions of the flour and protein concentrate, respectively. Digestibility was greater for the concentrate than for the defatted flour.

Influence of harvest year in the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils from Tunisia

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of five years on physico-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils. Oil and protein on flaxseed hull varied between 20.15 and 22.56 and 17.45 and 19.14, respectively. The albumin fraction dominated the seed hull protein composition (44 - 47%). Flaxseed hull oils showed significantly high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (6.61 - 8.36) and calculated oxidizability (Cox) values (10.88 - 12.30). The physiochemical parameters determined included saponification value (SV) (174 -182 mg KOH/g), unsaponifiable matter (UM) (1.32 - 1.64%), peroxide value (PV) (1.70 - 2.20 mequiv/kg), Oxidation value (OV) (4.40 - 5.90) and oil stability (1.10 - 1.42 h). The highest content of total phenolic acids and total tocopherols were recorded on hull sample collected in 2008. Flavanoid content ranged from 11 to 19 mg/100 g oil. Antioxidant activity differed significantly; the greatest inhibition (61.38%) was for the hull sample collected in 2008.

Lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy

Abstract Adverse reactions to food intake have very diverse etiology and symptomatology. Regarding milk, its food allergy is presented as lactose intolerance, the sugar in milk, or allergy to milk protein. Despite having different symptomatology, confusions among allergic conditions to dairy and its mediators are common. Milk protein allergy originates from protein components present in milk, causing reactions to either the protein fractions in emulsion (caseins) or in whey (milk albumin). The allergic reaction is type IV mediated by T lymphocytes. The allergic reaction produces severe cellular damage and it triggers physical, mental and emotional symptomatology that may vary in time, intensity and severity. Lactose intolerance is originated by total or partial absence of the enzyme that digests this disaccharide. Lactose intolerance can be primary or congenital and secondary; the former being more rare and severe, the latter being more common. Lactase deficiency can be diagnosed by symptoms associated with cramping and diarrhea. Thus, the objective of this study was to conduct a review of available literature on cow’s milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance.

Early changes in serum albumin: impact on 2-year mortality in incident hemodialysis patients

AbstractIntroduction/objective:We evaluated the predictability of early changes in serum albumin (sAlb) on the two-year mortality of incident hemodialysis patients.Methods:Observational, longitudinal retrospective study using the database of Fresenius Medical Care of Latin America. Adult patients starting dialysis from January/2000 to June/2004, from 25 centers were included. Changes in sAlb during the first 3 months on hemodialysis were used as the main predictor. The outcome was death from any cause.Results:1,679 incident patients were included. They were 52 ± 15 years old, 58.7% male and 21.5% diabetic, with a median sAlb of 38 g/L (bromocresol green). 923 patients had sAlb < 38 g/L (Low sAlb Group) and 756 ones had sAlb > 38.0 g/L (Adequate sAlb Group). The mortality was significantly higher in Low sAlb Group (17% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). Early changes in sAlb significantly affected two-year mortality. Factoring the Kaplan Meier curve of Low sAlb Group by the presence of an increase in sAlb uncovered of a statistically significant difference in mortality favoring the ones whose sAlb went up (19% vs. 15%, p = 0.043). Differently, patients from Adequate sAlb Group with a decrease in their sAlb had a statistically higher mortality rate (13% vs. 8%, p = 0.029).Conclusions:Early sAlb changes showed a significant predictive power on mortality at 2 years in incident hemodialysis patients. Those with low initial sAlb may have a better prognosis if their sAlb rises. In contrast, patients with satisfactory initial levels can have a worsening of their prognosis in the case of an early reduction in sAlb.

Understanding the bioactivity of plant tannins: developments in analysis methods and structure-activity studies

Tannins, typically segregated into two major groups, the hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) and the proanthocyanidins (PAs), are plant polyphenolic secondary metabolites found throughout the plant kingdom. On one hand, tannins may cause harmful nutritional effects on herbivores, for example insects, and hence they work as plants’ defense against plant-eating animals. On the other hand, they may affect positively some herbivores, such as mammals, for example by their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anticarcinogenic activities. This thesis focuses on understanding the bioactivity of plant tannins, their anthelmintic properties and the tools used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of this endless source of structural diversity. The first part of the experimental work focused on the development of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) based methods for the rapid fingerprint analysis of bioactive polyphenols, especially tannins. In the second part of the experimental work the in vitro activity of isolated and purified HTs and their hydrolysis product, gallic acid, was tested against egg hatching and larval motility of two larval developmental stages, L1 and L2, of a common ruminant gastrointestinal parasite, Haemonchus contortus. The results indicated clear relationships between the HT structure and the anthelmintic activity. The activity of the studied compounds depended on many structural features, including size, functional groups present in the structure, and the structural rigidness. To further understand tannin bioactivity on a molecular level, the interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA), and seven HTs and epigallocatechin gallate was examined. The objective was to define the effect of pH on the formation on tannin–protein complexes and to evaluate the stability of the formed complexes by gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS. The results indicated that more basic pH values had a stabilizing effect on the tannin–protein complexes and that the tannin oxidative activity was directly linked with their tendency to form covalently stabilized complexes with BSA at increased pH.

Relationship between physical activity and resting secretory immunity in children

This study examined relationships among physical activity, body fat and salivary immonoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in adolescent children of Southern Ontario. Gender differences on these factors were also assessed. Sixty-one grade-five students (10-1 lyrs), males (n=29) and females (n=31), who had not received a flu vaccination in the past 12 months, participated in the study. They were assessed for: aerobic power (20-m shuttle run), relative body fat (bioelectrical impedance analysis), sIgA, sIgA/albumin ratio, and salivary Cortisol. Each subject completed the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale and the Participation Questioimaire. Students wore a pedometer for 48h to estimate their average total distance traveled per day. The results show 40% of the children were over 25% body fat and 50% of them spend less than five hours per day in any physical activities. Salivary IgA was not related to salivary Cortisol, physical activity, fitness level or body fat in this age group. There were no gender differences in sIgA and Cortisol levels. Boys had a significantly higher aerobic power and daily distance traveled, but reported similar organized and fi-ee time activity participation levels as the girls. The test-retest reproducibility for salivary Cortisol was 0.663 (p<0.01), while long term sIgA and sIgA/albumin ratio reproducibility was non-significant for repeated measurements taken after six weeks. It was found that salivary IgA has not been shovm to be a stable measure in children, in contrast to the results found in the literatiu-e that tested adults and the relationship with physical activity, fitness level and body fat.

Effect of albumin dialysis on intracranial pressure increase in pigs with acute liver failure: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) worsens the outcome of acute liver failure (ALF). This study investigates the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and evaluates the therapeutic effect of albumin dialysis in ALF with use of the Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System without hemofiltration/dialysis (modified, M-MARS). METHODS: Pigs were randomized into three groups: sham, ALF, and ALF + M-MARS. ALF was induced by hepatic devascularization (time = 0). M-MARS began at time = 2 and ended with the experiment at time = 6. ICP, arterial ammonia, brain water, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and plasma inflammatory markers were measured. RESULTS: ICP and arterial ammonia increased significantly over 6 hrs in the ALF group, in comparison with the sham group. M-MARS attenuated (did not normalize) the increased ICP in the ALF group, whereas arterial ammonia was unaltered by M-MARS. Brain water in the frontal cortex (grey matter) and in the subcortical white matter at 6 hrs was significantly higher in the ALF group than in the sham group. M-MARS prevented a rise in water content, but only in white matter. CBF and inflammatory mediators remained unchanged in all groups. CONCLUSION: The initial development of cerebral edema and increased ICP occurs independently of CBF changes in this noninflammatory model of ALF. Factor(s) other than or in addition to hyperammonemia are important, however, and may be more amenable to alteration by albumin dialysis.