Phytic Acid and Whole Grains for Health Controversy

Phytate (PA) serves as a phosphate storage molecule in cereals and other plant foods. In food and in the human body, PA has a high affinity to chelate Zn2+ and Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Mn2+ and Cu2+. As a consequence, minerals chelated in PA are not bio-available, which is a concern for public health in conditions of poor food availability and low mineral intakes, ultimately leading to an impaired micronutrient status, growth, development and increased mortality. For low-income countries this has resulted in communications on how to reduce the content of PA in food, by appropriate at home food processing. However, claims that a reduction in PA in food by processing per definition leads to a measurable improvement in mineral status and that the consumption of grains rich in PA impairs mineral status requires nuance. Frequently observed decreases of PA and increases in soluble minerals in in vitro food digestion (increased bio-accessibility) are used to promote food benefits. However, these do not necessarily translate into an increased bioavailability and mineral status in vivo. In vitro essays have limitations, such as the absence of blood flow, hormonal responses, neural regulation, gut epithelium associated factors and the presence of microbiota, which mutually influence the in vivo effects and should be considered. In Western countries, increased consumption of whole grain foods is associated with improved health outcomes, which does not justify advice to refrain from grain-based foods because they contain PA. The present commentary aims to clarify these seemingly controversial aspects.

Download Full-text

Nematicidal Activity of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Assisted by Phytochemical Analysis

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins12050319 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 319

Author(s):

Nikoletta Ntalli ◽

Konstantinos M. Kasiotis ◽

Eirini Baira ◽

Christos L. Stamatis ◽

Kyriaki Machera

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Stevia Rebaudiana ◽

Nematicidal Activity ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

In Vitro Tests ◽

Phytochemical Analysis ◽

Inoculum Level ◽

Water Extracts

To date, there has been great demand for ecofriendly nematicides with beneficial properties to the nematode hosting plants. Great efforts are made towards the chemical characterization of botanical extracts exhibiting nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne spp., but only a small percentage of these data are actually used by the chemical industry in order to develop new formulates. On the other hand, the ready to use farmer produced water extracts based on edible plants could be a sustainable and economic solution for low income countries. Herein, we evaluate the nematicidal potential of Stevia rebaudiana grown in Greece against Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica, two most notorious phytoparasitic nematode species causing great losses in tomato cultivation worldwide. In an effort to recycle the plant’s remnants, after leaves selection for commercial use, we use both leaves and wooden stems to test for activity. In vitro tests demonstrate significant paralysis activity of both plant parts’ water extracts against the second-stage juvenile (J2) of the parasites; while, in vivo bioassays demonstrated the substantial efficacy of leaves’ powder (95% at 1 g kg−1) followed by stems. Interestingly, the incorporation of up to 50 g powder/kg of soil is not phytotoxic, which demonstrates the ability to elevate the applied concentration of the nematicidal stevia powder under high inoculum level. Last but not least, the chemical composition analyses using cutting edge analytical methodologies, demonstrated amongst components molecules of already proven nematicidal activity, was exemplified by several flavonoids and essential oil components. Interestingly, and to our knowledge, for the flavonoids, morin and robinin, the anthocyanidin, keracyanin, and a napthalen-2-ol derivative is their first report in Stevia species.

Download Full-text

The Activity of Plant Crude Extracts against Schistosoma mansoni

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2021/4397053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Hirut Basha ◽

Hassen Mamo

Keyword(s):

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Extracts ◽

Low Income ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Eligibility Criteria

Background. Schistosoma mansoni remains a significant health problem in low-income countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and PZQ resistance is a potential threat towards control of the disease although PZQ is currently effective against all species of schistosomes. Moreover, PZQ is less efficacious against larval stages. In response to these challenges, multiple in vivo/in vitro studies evaluated the anti-S. mansoni activity of crude plant extracts in a bid for novel drug(s). However, these studies appear fragmented and patchy. This systematic review explored the extent of such studies in the past 11 years (2010-2020). Methods. A systematic web search analysis and review of the literature on crude plant extracts tested against S. mansoni was done. Data from 17 articles meeting eligibility criteria were extracted and analyzed. Forty-three plant species have been tested by the 17 studies. The leaves, barks, stems, flowers, rhizomes, and roots of the plants as well as the whole plant part were used for the experiments. Conclusion. Nearly all of the plants significantly reduced schistosome egg output, killed adult worms, and improved liver histology and function. Further studies are required to assess the therapeutic potential of more promising plant species.

Download Full-text

The Complex Interactions Between Rotavirus and the Gut Microbiota

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2020.586751 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew HyoungJin Kim ◽

Michael P. Hogarty ◽

Vanessa C. Harris ◽

Megan T. Baldridge

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Low Income ◽

Natural Infection ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Human Rotavirus ◽

Research Findings ◽

Gnotobiotic Pig

Human rotavirus (HRV) is the leading worldwide cause of acute diarrhea-related death in children under the age of five. RV infects the small intestine, an important site of colonization by the microbiota, and studies over the past decade have begun to reveal a complex set of interactions between RV and the gut microbiota. RV infection can temporarily alter the composition of the gut microbiota and probiotic administration alleviates some symptoms of infection in vivo, suggesting reciprocal effects between the virus and the gut microbiota. While development of effective RV vaccines has offered significant protection against RV-associated mortality, vaccine effectiveness in low-income countries has been limited, potentially due to regional differences in the gut microbiota. In this mini review, we briefly detail research findings to date related to HRV vaccine cohorts, studies of natural infection, explorations of RV-microbiota interactions in gnotobiotic pig models, and highlight various in vivo and in vitro models that could be used in future studies to better define how the microbiota may regulate RV infection and host antiviral immune responses.

Download Full-text

Pharmacology of 5-HT1A Receptors: Critical Aspects

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900006635 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 3 (10) ◽

pp. 17-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Franco Borsini

Keyword(s):

Receptor Subtypes ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

In Vivo Effects ◽

Critical Aspects

AbstractMyriad difficulties exist in analyzing the pharmacology of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor. The receptor may demonstrate a different activity depending on the tissue or species used for analysis, the agent used, laboratory conditions, and differences between in vitro and in vivo effects of compounds. Affinity for 5-HT receptors also varies widely, presenting difficulties in drawing definitive conclusions on affinity values for various compounds. At least two possibilities exist to explain the diversity of pharmacology of 5-HT receptors. First, it is possible that different 5-HT1A receptor subtypes exist. Second, the 5-HT1A receptors may play a far more complex role than previously believed.

Download Full-text

In vitro evaluation of estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antitumor effects of amentoflavone

Human & Experimental Toxicology ◽

10.1177/0960327121999454 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096032712199945

Author(s):

AT Aliyev ◽

S Ozcan-Sezer ◽

A Akdemir ◽

H Gurer-Orhan

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Antitumor Effects ◽

Antiestrogenic Activity ◽

Er Positive ◽

In Vivo Effects ◽

Mcf 7

Apigenin, a flavonoid, is reported to act as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist and inhibit aromatase enzyme. However, amentoflavone, a biflavonoid bearing two apigenin molecules, has not been evaluated for its endocrine modulatory effects. Besides, it is highly consumed by young people to build muscles, enhance mood and lose weight. In the present study, apigenin was used as a reference molecule and ER mediated as well as ER-independent estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of amentoflavone was investigated. Antitumor activity of amentoflavone was also investigated in both ER positive (MCF-7 BUS) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells and its cytotoxicity was evaluated in human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). Our data confirmed ER agonist, aromatase inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of apigenin in breast cancer cells, where no ER mediated estrogenic effect and physiologically irrelevant, slight, aromatase inhibition was found for amentoflavone. Although selective cytotoxicity of amentoflavone was found in MCF-7 BUS cells, it does not seem to be an alternative to the present cytotoxic drugs. Therefore, neither an adverse effect, mediated by an estrogenic/antiestrogenic effect of amentoflavone nor a therapeutical benefit would be expected from amentoflavone. Further studies could be performed to investigate its in vivo effects.

Download Full-text

Effects of Bacterial CLPB Protein Fragments on Food Intake and PYY Secretion

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2223

Author(s):

Manon Dominique ◽

Nicolas Lucas ◽

Romain Legrand ◽

Illona-Marie Bouleté ◽

Christine Bôle-Feysot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Peptide Yy ◽

Molecular Mimicry ◽

Potential Effect ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

E Coli ◽

In Vivo Effects

CLPB (Caseinolytic peptidase B) protein is a conformational mimetic of α-MSH, an anorectic hormone. Previous in vivo studies have already shown the potential effect of CLPB protein on food intake and on the production of peptide YY (PYY) by injection of E. coli wild type (WT) or E. coli ΔClpB. However, until now, no study has shown its direct effect on food intake. Furthermore, this protein can fragment naturally. Therefore, the aim of this study was (i) to evaluate the in vitro effects of CLPB fragments on PYY production; and (ii) to test the in vivo effects of a CLPB fragment sharing molecular mimicry with α-MSH (CLPB25) compared to natural fragments of the CLPB protein (CLPB96). To do that, a primary culture of intestinal mucosal cells from male Sprague–Dawley rats was incubated with proteins extracted from E. coli WT and ΔCLPB after fragmentation with trypsin or after a heat treatment of the CLPB protein. PYY secretion was measured by ELISA. CLPB fragments were analyzed by Western Blot using anti-α-MSH antibodies. In vivo effects of the CLPB protein on food intake were evaluated by intraperitoneal injections in male C57Bl/6 and ob/ob mice using the BioDAQ® system. The natural CLPB96 fragmentation increased PYY production in vitro and significantly decreased cumulative food intake from 2 h in C57Bl/6 and ob/ob mice on the contrary to CLPB25. Therefore, the anorexigenic effect of CLPB is likely the consequence of enhanced PYY secretion.

Download Full-text

Dual Role of Interleukin-10 in Murine NZB/W F1 Lupus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22031347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 1347

Author(s):

Anaïs Amend ◽

Natalie Wickli ◽

Anna-Lena Schäfer ◽

Dalina T. L. Sprenger ◽

Rudolf A. Manz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

Disease Model ◽

Interleukin 10 ◽

Immune Functions ◽

Murine Lupus ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

In Vivo Effects

As a key anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 is crucial in preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, in human and murine lupus, its role remains controversial. Our aim was to understand regulation and immunologic effects of IL-10 on different immune functions in the setting of lupus. This was explored in lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice in vitro and vivo to understand IL-10 effects on individual immune cells as well as in the complex in vivo setting. We found pleiotropic IL-10 expression that largely increased with progressing lupus, while IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) levels remained relatively stable. In vitro experiments revealed pro- and anti-inflammatory IL-10 effects. Particularly, IL-10 decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and slowed B cell proliferation, thereby triggering plasma cell differentiation. The frequent co-expression of ICOS, IL-21 and cMAF suggests that IL-10-producing CD4 T cells are important B cell helpers in this context. In vitro and in vivo effects of IL-10 were not fully concordant. In vivo IL-10R blockade slightly accelerated clinical lupus manifestations and immune dysregulation. Altogether, our side-by-side in vitro and in vivo comparison of the influence of IL-10 on different aspects of immunity shows that IL-10 has dual effects. Our results further reveal that the overall outcome may depend on the interplay of different factors such as target cell, inflammatory and stimulatory microenvironment, disease model and state. A comprehensive understanding of such influences is important to exploit IL-10 as a therapeutic target.

Download Full-text

Role of Apolipoprotein A-I in Protecting against Endotoxin Toxicity

Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica ◽

10.1093/abbs/36.6.419 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 419-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Juan Ma ◽

Xue-Ling Liao ◽

Bin Lou ◽

Man-Ping Wu

Keyword(s):

Survival Time ◽

Binding Capacity ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Mtt Method ◽

Apolipoprotein A ◽

Plasma Fraction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

In Vivo Effects

Abstract High density lipoprotein (HDL) binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin) and neutralizes its toxicity. We investigated the function of Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), a major apolipoprotein in HDL, in this process. Mouse macrophages were incubated with LPS, LPS+ApoA-I, LPS+ApoA-I+LFF (lipoprotein-free plasma fraction d>1.210 g/ml), LPS+HDL, LPS+HDL+LFF, respectively. MTT method was used to detect the mortality of L-929 cells which were attacked by the release-out cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. It was found that ApoA-I significantly decreased L-929 cells mortality caused by LPS treatment (LPS vs. LPS+ApoA-I, P<0.05) and this effect became even more significant when LFF was utilized (LPS vs. LPS+ApoA-I+LFF, P<0.01; LPS vs. LPS+HDL+LFF, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between LPS+ApoA-I+LFF and LPS+HDL+LFF treatment, indicating that ApoA-I was the main factor. We also investigated in vivo effects of ApoA-I on mouse mortality rate and survival time after LPS administration. We found that the mortality in LPS+ApoA-I group (20%) and in LPS+ApoA-I+LFF group (10%) was significantly lower than that in LPS group (80%) (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively); the survival time was (43.20 ± 10.13) h in LPS+ApoA-I group and (46.80 ± 3.79) h in LPS+ApoA-I+LFF group, which were significantly longer than that in LPS group (16.25 ± 17.28) h (P<0.01). We also carried out in vitro binding study to investigate the binding capacity of ApoA-I and ApoA-I+LFF to fluorescence labeled LPS (FITC-LPS). It was shown that both ApoA-I and ApoA-I+LFF could bind with FITC-LPS, however, the binding capacity of ApoA-I+LFF to FITC-LPS (64.47 ± 8.06) was significantly higher than that of ApoA-I alone (24.35 ± 3.70) (P<0.01). The results suggest that: (1) ApoA-I has the ability to bind with and protect against LPS; (2) LFF enhances the effect of ApoA-I; (3) ApoA-I is the major contributor for HDL anti-endotoxin function.

Download Full-text