Porphyra yezoensis Sauces Fermented With Lactic Acid Bacteria: Fermentation Properties, Flavor Profile, and Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity in vitro

The demand for roasted seaweed sandwich (Porphyra yezoensis) product has risen in recent years. The product slicing process has created a huge number of scraps that are not utilized effectively. Three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were used to ferment P. yezoensis sauces in this study, including Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus thermophilus, and the mixed strains (1:1:1, v/v). The fermentation characteristics, antioxidant capacity in vitro, sensory properties, and flavoring substances of fermented P. yezoensis sauces were analyzed. After 21 days of fermentation, all LAB strains grew well in the P. yezoensis sauces, with protease activity increased to 6.6, 9.24, 5.06, and 5.5 U/mL, respectively. Also, the flavors of P. yezoensis sauces fermented with L. casei and L. fermentum were satisfactory. On this premise, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to investigate the changes in gustatory compounds in P. yezoensis sauces fermented with L. casei and L. fermentum. In general, 42 and 41 volatile flavor chemicals were identified after the fermentation of L. casei and L. fermentum. Furthermore, the fermented P. yezoensis sauce possessed greater DPPH scavenging activity and ferric-reducing ability power than the unfermented P. yezoensis. Overall, the flavor and taste of P. yezoensis sauce fermented by L. casei was superior.

Oxidative Stress Markers in COPD Patients Admitted to Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pathology, which leads to an irreversible and progressive reduction of the airflow, usually caused by smoking, but only present in 25% of smokers. Some mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of the disease are local and systemic factors such as inflammation, exacerbated immune response and the appearance of oxidative stress. For all these reasons, the use of oxidative stress parameters as progression markers or even as a way to monitor the response of any kind of non-pharmacological interventions, like the use of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), is feasible. Aims: The study aims to determine markers of oxidative stress levels in plasma and erythrocytes in patients with COPD through the application of a PR protocol. Methods: The study included 25 patients diagnosed with COPD according to the GOLD criteria with a medical indication of PR and attendance at the gym in San José Hospital, Santiago, Chile. Blood samples were obtained before the start of the protocol, in the 10th session, and at the end of the protocol (20th session). These samples were stored for oxidative stress determinations: FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma), F2-isoprostanes, reduced (GSH)/oxidized (GSSG) ratio and antioxidant enzyme activity in the erythrocyte. In all stages, associations between events and clinical parameters in patients have been observed. The clinical parameters assessed were the six-minute walking test (6MWT), maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, the BODE index and Saint George’s respiratory questionnaire, which includes quality of life. Results: The intracellular and extracellular capacity (GSH/GSSG and FRAP) in patients in PR at the 10th session were 53.1 and 34% higher than basal values, respectively. Only the GSH/GSSG ratio was 38.2% lower at the 20th session, related in part with higher plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation at baseline. This could be due to the high concentration of reactive oxygen species in the first sessions, which has been reported in the literature as the acute effect of controlled exercise. Blood lipid peroxidation was 43.34 and 58.34% lower at the 10th and 20th sessions, respectively, demonstrating the improvements in the oxidative parameters with long-term exercise. With respect to oxidative enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase and catalase showed higher values of activity at the 10th and 20th sessions compared to the baseline. In the clinical parameters of the PR, significant changes were found in the BODE index and Saint George’s questionnaire, with these results being associated with a less predictive mortality score and a better understanding of the disease. This may be because the patients achieved longer distances in the 6MWT and better understood the disease at the end of the PR. Conclusion: The goal of this study was to contribute to the pathophysiological basis for further research on COPD patients, a disease of high prevalence in Chile. This study could support the basis for non-pharmacological strategies such a PR.

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities of the Extracts from Two Oenanthe Species (O. aquatica and O. silaifolia)

This study presents the evaluation of biological activities and chemical profiling of Oenanthe aquatica (L.) Poir. and Oenanthe silaifolia M. Bieb. The phytochemical profile, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic and antiviral activities of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated. The aqueous extract of O. aquatica possessing the highest content of phenolics (60.85 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract), also exhibited the strongest radical scavenging potential against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (79.46 and 148.66 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract, respectively), the highest reducing ability (207.59 and 107.27 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract, for cupric reducing antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant activity, respectively), metal chelating potential (33.91 mg ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid equivalent/g extract) and total antioxidant ability (1.60 mmol Trolox equivalent/g extract). Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) permitted tentative identification of compounds from simple organic acids, phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids and their glycosides in O. aquatica and O. silaifolia extracts. The methanolic extract of O. aquatica substantially depressed acetylcholinesterase (3.67 mg galantamine equivalent/g extract), tyrosinase (126.66 mg kojic acid equivalent/g extract), and α-amylase (0.83 mmol acarbose equivalent/g extract) enzymes. The methanolic extract of O. silaifolia showed highest enzymatic inhibitory property against butyrylcholinesterase, and its aqueous extract depressed α-glucosidase activity (0.26 mmol acarbose equivalent/g extract). All tested extracts exerted selective toxicity towards cancer cell lines, and the highest anticancer potential was found for O. aquatica aqueous extract on FaDu and HeLa cells with CC50 of 57.36 and 47.16 µg/mL, respectively. Significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 (HHV-1) was found for both aqueous extracts in concentrations of 1000 µg/mL, which inhibited the HSV-1 cytopathic effect (CPE) in virus infected VERO cells and reduced the virus infective titer by more than 3 log (logCCID50/mL). This study has produced critical scientific data on O. aquatica and O. silaifolia, which are potential contenders for the development of novel phyto-pharmaceuticals.

Severity of the acute phase response in experimental ulcerative colitis under conditions of the use of vitamin D3 in a novel rectal suppository

Цель - изучение влияния витамина D3 в составе оригинальных ректальных суппозиториев на выраженность острофазового ответа при экспериментальном язвенном колите Методика. Эксперимент выполнен на 49 половозрелых крысах-самцах Wistar. Язвенный колит (ЯК) моделировали двухэтапным (накожным, а затем ректальным) применением 3% спиртового раствора оксазолона. Оригинальные суппозитории на основе смеси полиэтиленгликолей массой 300 мг, содержащие 1500 ME витамина D3, вводили per rectum каждые 12 ч в течение 6 сут. Исследования проводили на 2-е, 4-е и 6-е сут заболевания. Клиническую картину оценивали по адаптированной для крыс шкале Disease activity index (DAI) с учетом массы тела, консистенции и наличия крови в каловых массах. Количество лейкоцитов и нейтрофилов определяли на гематологическом анализаторе и в мазках крови. Функциональную активность нейтрофилов исследовали по поглощению частиц монодисперсного латекса в спонтанном и индуцированном НСТ-тесте. Концентрацию в сыворотке крови C-реактивного белка (С-РБ), IL-6 и IL-8 определяли с помощью иммуноферментного анализа, экспрессию TNF-α в стенке толстой кишки - иммуногистохимическим методом. Результаты. При экспериментальном ЯК на 2-е, 4-е и 6-е сут наряду с прогрессивным повышением DAI зафиксированы изменения показателей острофазового ответа (ООФ): увеличивается экспрессия в толстой кишке TNF-α с максимальным уровнем на 4-е и 6-е сут, повышается концентрация в сыворотке крови IL-6 с максимальным уровнем на 4-е, IL-8 - на 6-е сут; в сыворотке возрастает концентрация С-РБ максимально на 6-е сут, в крови увеличивается общее количество лейкоцитов, число палочкоядерных и сегментоядерных нейтрофилов с максимальным уровнем на 2-е и 4-е сут. Возрастает поглотительная и НСТ-редуцирующая способность нейтрофилов крови с максимальными значениями на 4-е и 6-е сут эксперимента. Применение при экспериментальном ЯК ректальных суппозиториев с витамином D3 приводит на 4-е и 6-е сут наблюдения к снижению DAI, экспрессии TNF-α в толстой кишке и количества нейтрофилов, на 2-е, 4-е и 6-е сут - к уменьшению концентрации IL-6 и С-РБ в сыворотке, поглотительной и НСТ-редуцирующей способности нейтрофилов крови, на 6-е сут - к снижению концентрации IL-8 в сыворотке и общего количества лейкоцитов в крови. Заключение. Применение при экспериментальном ЯК оригинальных ректальных суппозиториев с витамином D3 приводит к снижению индекса активности болезни. Выраженность клинических проявлений ослабевает по мере снижения экспрессии в кишке TNF-α, снижения концентрации в сыворотке IL-6, количества в крови лейкоцитов и нейтрофилов, уменьшения НСТ-редуцирующей способности нейтрофилов. Aim. To study the effect of vitamin D3 in rectal suppositories on severity of the acute phase response (APR) in experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods. Experiments were performed on 49 mature male Wistar rats. UC was induced by cutaneous followed by rectal applications of a 3% oxazolone alcohol solution. Novel polyethylene glycol suppositories (300 mg) containing 1500 IU of vitamin D3 were injected per rectum every 12 hrs for 6 days. Data were collected on days 2, 4, and 6 of UC. The clinical picture was assessed according to the Disease Activity Index (DAI) scale adapted for rats, taking into account body weight, consistency of, and the presence of blood in the feces. The number of blood leukocytes and neutrophils was determined on a hematological analyzer and in blood smears. The functional activity of neutrophils isolated from the blood was evaluated by the absorption of monodisperse latex particles and with the spontaneous and induced NBT test. Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by enzyme immunoassay. TNF-α expression in the colon wall was measured by an immunohistochemical method. Results. The following changes in APR variables along with a progressive increase in DAI were recorded on days 2, 4, and 6. Expression of colon TNF-α increased, with maximal values on days 4 and 6. Serum IL-6 increased and reached a maximal value on day 4; and serum IL-8 increased, with a maximum on day 6. Serum CRP increased, with a maximum on day 6. The total number of blood leukocytes and the number of stab and segmented neutrophils increased, with maximal values on days 2 and 4. The absorption and NBT-reducing ability of blood neutrophils increased, with maximal values on days 4 and 6. The use of rectal suppositories with vitamin D3 in experimental UC resulted in decreases in DAI, colon TNF-α expression, and the number of blood neutrophils on days 4 and 6; decreases in serum concentrations of IL-6 and CRP, and the absorption and NBT-reducing ability of blood neutrophils on days 2, 4, and 6; and decreases in the serum concentration of IL-8 and in the total number of blood leukocytes on day 6. Severity of clinical manifestations was alleviated with decreases in the expression of colon TNF-α, the serum concentration of IL-6, the number of blood leukocytes and neutrophils, and the NBT-reducing ability of neutrophils decreases. Conclusion. Application of the original rectal suppositories with vitamin D3 every 12 hours in experimental UC leads to a decrease in the disease activity index. The severity of clinical manifestations weakens as TNF-α expression, serum IL-6 concentration, number of leukocytes and neutrophils in blood, and decrease of neutrophil NST-reducing capacity decrease.

A Comparative Assessment on Antioxidant and Phytochemical of Trichilia monadelpha (Thonn) J.J. De Wilde (Meliaceae) Plant Extracts

This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities of Trichilia monadelpha plant extracts. The leaves were extracted using two different solvents namely-(n-hexane and methanol). The dry or wet yield of n-hexane extract was 1.3%, while methanolic extract exhibited a percentage yield of 3.7 %. Phytochemical research revealed the presence of secondary plant metabolites such as; alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and saponins. In-vitro antioxidant activity was determined using three assays (DPPH free radical scavenging assay, reducing ability and hydroxy radical scavenging activity) with four concentrations (0.25, 5.0, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L), vitamin C was also used as a standard antioxidant. The percentage of inhibition was measured, and the results from all assay models showed a concentration-dependent percentage of inhibition by the methanol extract. However, the percentage values for the 2,2, -diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing ability and hydroxy radical scavenging activity assays of T. monadelpha leaf was lower than that of standard vitamin C. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was evaluated and the results showed that of the two extracts, the methanolic extract had the most antioxidant activity with the methanol extract exhibiting a better significant correlation that had a similar trend to that of the antioxidant compound (vitamin C). The results of this study have shown that the plant Trichilia monodelpha contains bioactive compounds which may have contributed to its antioxidant properties.

Feasibility of Elder-Friendly Food Applications of Sacha Inchi According to Cooking Method: Focusing on Analysis of Antioxidative Activity and Brain Neuron Cell Viability

One of the objectives of this study was to determine the effect of the cooking method on the antioxidant activity of Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis). This work was focused on the importance of performing proper cooking for studying Sacha inchi. The result of this study sheds light on preventing nutritional loss with appropriate cooking methods. Three types of cooking processes were selected: uncooked, roasted at 160 °C for 6 min, boiled at 100 °C for 13 min. The results of the present study indicated that roasted Sacha inchi is distinguishable for its high content of antioxidants (total polyphenol content 485.50 μM, total flavonoid content 0.02 μg/mL, DPPH free radical scavenging activity 33.05%, ferric reducing ability 0.19 μM). The results of the present study also indicated that Sacha inchi uniquely promotes HT22 cell viability. With roasted Sacha inchi treatment, HT22 hippocampal neuronal cell showed a significantly increased number of growth (p < 0.001). Results also suggest that the development of tenderized Sacha inchi could help the elderly consumers achieve their target antioxidant provision in smaller portion sizes, thus curtailing the peril of sarcopenia. The mousse type of elderly food may also change the taste of many other nut consumers as they may opt to start selling and consuming Sacha inchi. It could be in the Sacha inchi industry’s best interest to make certain all of the population’s textural favors are catered.

Changes in salivary biomarkers of oxidative status in calves at weaning and grouping

Background Saliva is being increasingly used as a sample for measuring biomarkers in several species and shows a high potential of use to detect and monitor stress. The weaning and grouping in dairy calves are a particularly stressful time. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate a panel of antioxidant and oxidant biomarkers in the saliva of calves on the day of weaning (W0), 2 days after weaning or milk withdrawal (W + 2), and 4 days after grouping (G + 4). In addition, to verify if cortisol and oxytocin concentrations are related to the biomarkers measured. Results Salivary cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) were significantly higher (P < 0.02) 4 days after grouping than the day of weaning and 2 days after. The increases were 50 and 54% for CUPRAC, 93 and 116% for FRAS, 117 and 135% for TEAC, 22 and 49% for AOPP and 10 and 5% for FOX in comparison with weaning and 2 days after, respectively. In addition, oxytocin and cortisol showed significant negative and positive correlations (P < 0.05) respectively with the biomarkers of oxidative status. Conclusions Our results showed that calves after grouping show increases in antioxidants and oxidants concentrations, indicating that a balance between these molecules has been tried to maintain during this stressful situation. The dynamic changes of biomarkers of oxidative status should be explored and characterised in other stressful conditions.

Phytochemical content and antioxidant activities of Rhubarb (Rheum emodi)

Medicinal plants have varying natural products and several antioxidants. Antioxidants play a principal function to protect against destruction caused by oxidative stress (OS), <i>Rheum emodi</i> is not an exception, in which it is reported to have compounds that possess antioxidant activity, like polyphenolic compounds. In addition to that, other compounds have proven to have antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifungal, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities. This study aimed to quantify the water extract of a powdered plant of <i>R. emodi</i> to evaluate its ability to scavage free radicals. Total phenolic, total flavonoid contents, and reducing ability were measured to consider possible sources of future novel antioxidants in plants. The TPC, TFC, and reducing power assay increased with increasing concentrations of <i>R. emodi</i>. At 1000 µg/ml, the absorbance ranged from 1.437 for TPC, 1.602 for TFC, and 1.638 for reducing power assay, which is more than the absorbance of the standards at the same concentration. The extracted content of reducing power, phenolic, and flavonoid compounds were higher than the standard pyrogallol, quercetin, and ascorbic acid.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antiradical Properties of Some Phyto and Mammalian Lignans

In this study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of some phyto lignans (nordihydroguaiaretic acid, secoisolariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, and α-(-)-conidendrin) and mammalian lignans (enterodiol and enterolactone) were examined by different antioxidant assays. For this purpose, radical scavenging activities of phyto and mammalian lignans were realized by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS•+) scavenging assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging assay. Additionally, the reducing ability of phyto and mammalian lignans were evaluated by cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing (CUPRAC) ability, and ferric ions (Fe3+) and [Fe3+-(TPTZ)2]3+ complex reducing (FRAP) abilities. Also, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined and reported for DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging influences of all of the lignan molecules. The absorbances of the lignans were found in the range of 0.150–2.320 for Fe3+ reducing, in the range of 0.040–2.090 for Cu2+ reducing, and in the range of 0.360–1.810 for the FRAP assay. On the other hand, the IC50 values of phyto and mammalian lignans were determined in the ranges of 6.601–932.167 µg/mL for DPPH• scavenging and 13.007–27.829 µg/mL for ABTS•+ scavenging. In all of the used bioanalytical methods, phyto lignans, as secondary metabolites in plants, demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity compared to that of mammalian lignans. In addition, it was observed that enterodiol and enterolactone exhibited relatively weaker antioxidant activities when compared to phyto lignans or standard antioxidants, including butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Trolox, and α-tocopherol.

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers as a Predictor of Stage Illness and Clinical Course of Schizophrenia

Pro/antioxidant imbalance has been reported in schizophrenia (SZ). However, the results of studies are inconsistent and usually do not include other factors that are highly affected by oxidative stress (OS).This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the serum levels of OS markers and their potential connection with schizophrenia. The total sample comprised 147: 98 individuals with SZ −47 first-episode (FS) and 49 chronic patients (CS)—and 49 healthy individuals (HC) as a control group. The examination included clinical variables and serum levels of antioxidants and oxidative damage products. The significant changes were observed in concentrations of all examined markers, without any specific direction of the pro/antioxidant balance shift between SZ and HC. In the regression model adjusted for cofounders, catalase: OR = 0.81 (95%CI: 0.74–0.88); glutathione peroxidase: OR = 1.06 (95%CI: 1.02–1.10); total antioxidant capacity: OR = 0.85 (95%CI: 0.75–0.98); oxidative stress index: OR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.03–1.52); ferric reducing ability of plasma: OR = 0.79 (95%CI: 0.69–0.89); advanced glycation end products: OR = 1.03 (95%CI: 1.01–1.04); and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP): OR = 1.05 (95%CI: 1.03–1.07) turned out to be significant predictors of schizophrenia. In the multiple stepwise regression model, pro/antioxidant status and their interaction with the duration of illness-related factors affected schizophrenia symptoms: positive symptoms (FRAPxKYN), negative (DITYR, FRAP, CAT), general (KYN), and over-all psychopathology (KYNxNFK). The results confirm differences in serum levels of oxidative biomarkers between SZ patients and healthy individuals. The pro/antioxidant status could be considered a predictor of schizophrenia and the factor affects patients' symptom severity.