Teratogenic Potential of Traditionally Formulated and Nano-Encapsulated Vitamin A in Two Vertebrate Models, Rattus norvegicus and Xenopus Laevis

Nano-encapsulation is applied for the preparation of functional food to preserve micronutrients degradation and to ameliorate their absorption. Being nano-encapsulation already related to increased vitamin A embryotoxicity, we aimed to evaluate the effect of traditionally formulated (BULK-A) and nano-encapsulated vitamin A (NANO-A) in two different vertebrate models: rat post implantation Whole Embryo Culture (WEC) and Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX). After benchmark-dose modelling, WEC results showed that NANO-A was 7 times more effective than BULK-A, while FETAX results indicated that X. laevis development was affected only by NANO-A. The relative potency of WEC was 14 times the potency of FETAX, suggesting a minor role of preformed vitamin A in X. laevis development in respect to mammal embryogenesis. Results from this work prompt the necessity to monitor the use of food supplemented with NANO A, since even low doses can elicit teratogenic effects on vertebrate embryos due to its increased bioavailability.

Obese and Overweight People Food Profile in Brazzaville, Congo

In Congo Brazzaville, there are two factors that early led the country to turn to importation of meat and agricultural products from developed countries: low performances in both livestock farming and agriculture sectors and the popula-tion growth of people who preferably live in urban centers. The association of those two factors has impacts on people nutritional status. This present study, for the first time, shows the actual situation of overweight and obese people food profile in Congo Brazzaville what shall enable to elaborate a database and take further necessary measures to address the issue. To do so, a food consumption study has been carried out in the nine neighborhoods of Brazzaville, the capital city of the republic of Congo, and concerned 65 households. So, it appears that, of the 26.2% of the investigated people, 58.5% were women. The women were the dominant gender, aged between 31 and 40 (p?0.001). The women who were living alone represented 84.5% and those who were living in couples represented 15.5%. Those investigated people had a low education level: 73.3% of them only attended junior high school. Their households’ monthly income was low too. The households whose sizes ran from 7 to 8 people represented 21.3% and those living with three meals a day at home represented 85.7%. The majority of the investigated people that lived on food dominated by animal proteins represented 92.3%, those living on oilseeds represented 90.8% and simple carbohydrates represented 98.5%. Fruit and vegetables, rich in micronutrients and fibers, were not eaten enough: fruit 3.1% and vegetables 1.5% (p ? 0.001). 86.2% of overweight and obese people had sport activities restrictions. So, people in Brazzaville, according to the above fig-ures, adapt to behavior that leads to obesity. That is why, for such a population, we must initiate a food education and fight bad behavior that leads to obesity.

Copper (I) Nicotinate complex Abrogates Acrylamide Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats: Biochemical and Histological Studies

This study was conducted as a trail to abrogates acrylamide induced hepatotoxicity in male rats by administration of copper (I) nicotinic acid complex. Animals were divided into 4 groups ;GI: control kept on balanced diet and tap water , GII: Acrylamide group received acrylamide in drinking water (7.5 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days. GIII: treated with copper (I)-nicotinate complex (400 μg/kg b.w.) after acrylamide intoxication for 30 days and GIV the complex then acrylamide (prophylactic). Results showed significant increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in acrylamide group. Moreover a significant increase in tumer markers AFU and TNF-Alpha. while Levels of each of S. total protein and S. albumin were significantly decreased in ACR group compared with control. Histological study showed congestion of central vein in liver section and vacuolation of hepatocytes in ACR group. Anticancer activity using in-vitro cytotoxic assay of Cu (I) Nicotinate complex ; proves the anticancer properties of it comparing with doxorubicin. Treatment with Copper (I)-Nicotinate Complex restored tissue and serological indices concomitantly towards normal levels. These results revealed that Copper (I)-Nicotinate Complex is able to significantly alleviate the hepatotoxicity induced by AA in rats and could be utilized as a potent food additives.

Honey as Versatile Remedy: A Focus on Selected Honeys

Introduction: Honey is one of the oldest traditional medicines. It has been well known that honey contains various components that could be use as treatment option. Most commonly studied honeys include gelam, kelulut, acacia, tualang and pineapple honeys. This review listed the five most commonly studied honeys, its properties and the study model involved. Results: Honey has been reported to have multiple properties. Honeys were used to study their antimicrobial properties which includes antibacterial and antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and wound healing, anticancer properties. Interestingly, tualang honey was used to study cognitive function and also used to study its ability to function as an adjuvant. Gelam honey and tualang honey both have been studied to determine their effects on fertility. From these five honeys reviewed, the most studied honey is tualang honey that showed significant impact not only on general health being and wound healoing, but also on cancer, inflammation, infection, oxidative stress, cognitive function as well as potential adjuvant. The studies were carried out on different study model from cell lines (in vitro) animal such as Sprague-dawley rats and Wistar albino rats and also human. Conclusion: Honey is a natural compound with significant impact on health and general well-being. These effects might be due to its phenolics and flavonoid content as well as its involvement as signalling molecule that initiates the possible mechanism that needs to be further clarified in the future in treating and preventing diseases.

Effect of Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment on the Physicochemical and Thermal Properties of Selenium

Selenium is an essential micronutrient which is useful for various biological functions in the body, as well as prevention and treatment of selenium deficiency-related diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and thermal properties of the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatedselenium using the modern analytical technique. The test sample was divided into two parts viz. control and treated sample. The control sample did not receive Biofield Energy Treatment; whereas the treated sample received the Biofield Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Alice Branton. The PXRD peak intensities and crystallite sizes were significantly altered ranging from -21.59 to 412.20% and -6.90% to 40.68% respectively; however, the average crystallite size was significantly increased by 5.44% in the treated sample compared with the control sample. The particle size values were altered by -4.54%(d10), 0.92%(d50), 1.18%( d90), and 0.66%{D(4,3)}, respectively, thus the specific surface area was increased by 2.48% in the treated sample compared to the control sample. The melting point and latent heat of fusion of the treated selenium were increased by 0.27% and 5.94%, respectively compared with the control sample. The residue amount was increased by 3.83% in the treated selenium compared with the control sample. The maximum thermal degradation temperature of the treated sample was significantly increased by 14.94% compared with the control sample. The Biofield Energy Treatment might have generated a new polymorphic form of selenium which would be more efficacious against diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, viral diseases, male infertility, stress, aging, muscle disorders, neurological disorders, degenerative ailments, etc.