Antiproliferative effect of alkylglycerols as vehicles of butyric acid on colon cancer cells

Anti-inflammatory effect of two pomegranate seed oils obtained by green technologies in Caco-2 cells using the bioaccessible fraction from in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Pomegranate seeds contain up to 20% oil with a high content of punicic acid (85%), which is responsible for several biological activities. In this work, two pomegranate oils obtained by a two-step sequential extraction, first with an expeller and then via supercritical CO₂ technologies, have been studied in a static gastrointestinal in vitro digestion model to evaluate their bioaccessibility. The micellar phases obtained were evaluated by an in vitro model of intestinal inflammation and Caco-2 cells exposed to the inflammatory mediator lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inflammatory response was assessed by measuring the production of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and by evaluating the monolayer integrity. The results obtained indicate that expeller pomegranate oil (EPO) provides the highest amount of micellar phase (ca. 93%) with free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols as major components. The micellar phase obtained with supercritical CO₂ pomegranate oil (SCPO) is ca. 82% with similar lipid composition. Micellar phases of EPO and SCPO showed high stability and adequate particle size. EPO shows an anti-inflammatory response, reducing the production of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in LPS stimulated caco-2 cells and increasing the integrity of the cell monolayer as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). In the case of SCPO, the anti-inflammatory effect was only evident for IL-8. The present work demonstrates good digestibility, bioaccessibility and anti-inflammatory response of both EPO and SCPO oils.

Ultrasound enhanced butyric acid-lauric acid designer lipid synthesis: Based on artificial neural network and changes in enzymatic structure

Ultrasound is a green technology for intensifying enzymatic reactions. In this study, an ultrasonic water bath with equipment parameters of 28 kHz, 1750.1 W/m², 60% duty cycle was used to assist the synthesis of butyric acid-lauric acid designer lipid (BLDL), which was catalyzed by Lipozyme 435. A convincing three-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) model was established (R² = 0.949, RMSE = 4.759, ADD = 7.329) to accurately predict the optimal parameters combination, which was described as 13.72 mL reaction volume, 15.49% enzyme loading, 0.253 substrate molar ratio (tributyrin/lauric acid), 56.58 °C reaction temperature and 120 min reaction time. The ultrasonic assistance increased actual butyric acid conversion rate by 11.38%, and also enhanced the consumption rate of tributyrin and lauric acid during the reaction. Meanwhile, the esterification activity of Lipozyme 435 was enhanced and its effectiveness up to 6 cycles. Structurally, ultrasound assistance significantly disrupted the secondary structure of the Lipozyme 435: reduced the content of α-helices, increased the content of β-sheet and β-turn. In addition, sonication caused an increase in crevice and micro-damage on the surface of the immobilized enzyme. In conclusion, low-intensity ultrasound at 28 kHz improved the synthesis efficiency of BLDL, which was scientifically predicted by ANN model, and the change of enzyme structure may be the vital reason for ultrasound enhanced reaction. However, the effect of ultrasound on immobilized enzymes' activity needs to be further explored.

Heat-treated adzuki bean protein hydrolysates reduce obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet via remodeling gut microbiota and improving metabolic function

SCOPE

Heat-treated adzuki bean protein hydrolysates (APH) reduced cholesterol in vitro. However, it is unclear if APH have anti-obesity effects in vivo and, if so, the relationship between the effects and the improvement of gut microbiota composition and metabolic function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four groups of mice were fed either a normal control diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) with or without APH for 12 weeks. In HFD-fed mice, APH supplementation significantly alleviated fat accumulation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. In addition, APH supplementation regulated gut microbiota composition, reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Romboutsia, Blautia, Mucispirillum, Bilophila, and Peptococcus), enriched Lactobacillus and SCFA-producing bacteria (Lactobacillaceae, Eisenbergiella, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, Tannerellaceae, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Acetatifactor, Rikenellaceae, and Odoribacter), and increased fecal SCFAs concentration. Importantly, APH supplementation significantly regulated the levels of serum metabolites, especially Lactobacillus-derived metabolites and tryptophan derivatives, which helped to alleviate obesity and its complications.

CONCLUSION

APH improved gut microbiota composition and metabolic function in mice and may help to prevent and treat obesity and related complications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Shark liver oil supplementation enriches endogenous plasmalogens and reduces markers of dyslipidemia and inflammation

Plasmalogens are membrane glycerophospholipids with diverse biological functions. Reduced plasmalogen levels have been observed in metabolic diseases; hence, increasing their levels might be beneficial in ameliorating these conditions. Shark liver oil (SLO) is a rich source of alkylglycerols that can be metabolized into plasmalogens. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of SLO supplementation on endogenous plasmalogen levels in individuals with features of metabolic disease. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study, the participants (10 overweight or obese males) received 4-g Alkyrol® (purified SLO) or placebo (methylcellulose) per day for 3 weeks followed by a 3-week washout phase and were then crossed over to 3 weeks of the alternate placebo/Alkyrol® treatment. SLO supplementation led to significant changes in plasma and circulatory white blood cell lipidomes, notably increased levels of plasmalogens and other ether lipids. In addition, SLO supplementation significantly decreased the plasma levels of total free cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein. These findings suggest that SLO supplementation can enrich plasma and cellular plasmalogens and this enrichment may provide protection against obesity-related dyslipidemia and inflammation.

Characterization of Kefir Produced in Household Conditions: Physicochemical and Nutritional Profile, and Storage Stability

Kefir, a traditional fermented food, has numerous health benefits due to its unique chemical composition, which is reflected in its excellent nutritional value. Physicochemical and microbial composition of kefir obtained from fermented milk are influenced by the type of the milk, grain to milk ratio, time and temperature of fermentation, and storage conditions. It is crucial that kefir characteristics are maintained during storage since continuous metabolic activities of residual kefir microbiota may occur. This study aimed to examine the nutritional profile of kefir produced in traditional in use conditions by fermentation of ultra-high temperature pasteurized (UHT) semi-skimmed cow milk using argentinean kefir grains and compare the stability and nutritional compliance of freshly made and refrigerated kefir. Results indicate that kefir produced under home use conditions maintains the expected characteristics with respect to the physicochemical parameters and composition, both after fermentation and after refrigerated storage. This work further contributes to the characterization of this food product that is so widely consumed around the world by focusing on kefir that was produced in a typical household setting.

Tolerability and Safety of a Nutritional Supplement with Potential as Adjuvant in Colorectal Cancer Therapy: A Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers

Bioactive supplements display relevant therapeutic properties when properly applied according to validated molecular effects. Our previous research efforts established the basis to develop a dietary supplement based on a Rosmarinus officinalis supercritical extract. This was enriched in phenolic diterpenes (RE) with proven properties against signaling pathways involved in colon tumorigenesis, and shark liver oil rich in alkylglycerols (AKG) as a bioactive lipid vehicle to improve RE bioavailability and synergize with the potential therapeutic action of the extract. Herein, we have investigated the tolerability and safety of the supplement and the biological and molecular effects from an immuno-nutritional perspective. Sixty healthy volunteers participated in a six week, double-blind, randomized parallel pilot study with two study arms: RE-AKG capsules (CR) and control capsules (CC). Mean age (±SD) of volunteers was 28.32 (±11.39) and 27.5 (±9.04) for the control and the study groups, respectively. Safety of the CR product consumption was confirmed by analyzing liver profile, vital constants, and oxidation markers (LDLox in blood and isoprostanes and thromboxanes in urine). The following were monitored: (1) the phenotyping of plasmatic leukocytes and the ex vivo response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); (2) expression of genes associated with immune-modulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and tumorigenesis; and (3) the correlation of selected genetic variants (SNPs) with the differential responses among individuals. The lack of adverse effects on liver profile and oxidation markers, together with adequate tolerability and safe immunological adaptations, provide high-quality information for the potential use of CR as co-adjuvant of therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer.

1-O-alkylglycerols from the hepatopancreas of the crab Paralithodes camtschaticus, liver of the squid Berryteuthis magister, and liver of the skate Bathyraja parmifera, and their anticancer activity on human melanoma cells

1-O-alkylglycerols (AKG) are a class of natural ether lipids derived from 1-O-alkyl-2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols by deacylation. In this study, 1-O-alkylglycerol (AKG) composition was investigated in the hepatopancreas lipids of the crab Paralithodes camtschaticus and the liver lipids of the squid Berryteuthis magister and the skate  Bathyraja parmifera. One of the principal AKG in marine organisms was 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol (AKG 16:0). To assess AKG influence on melanoma, we evaluated the cytotoxicity and antiproliferative actions of natural AKG 16:0 and synthetic 1-O-octyl-sn-glycerol (AKG 8:0) on three human melanoma cell lines SK-Mel-5, SK-Mel-28, and RPMI-7951. Natural AKG 16:0 in concentration up to 20 µM was not toxic to all cell lines. AKG 8:0 showed no toxicity to cells SK-Mel-5 and SK-Mel-28 in concentrations up to 20 µM but had moderate cytotoxicity to RPMI-7951 cells with an IC₅₀ of 13 µM. Both investigated substances inhibited the proliferation, formation, and growth of cell colonies of RPMI-7951. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: AKG exhibit a variety of biological activities, including anticancer effects. In this study, the liver lipids of the skate B. parmifera and the hepatopancreas lipids of crab P. camtschaticus were shown to be sources of AKG. Our data showed that AKG can be used to prevent the formation of new colonies of malignant cells in combination therapy against melanoma. The results will be useful for future studies involving marine ether lipids and the examination of their anticancer properties against malignant cells.

Biochemical Characterization of Liver Oil of Echinorhinus brucus (Bramble Shark) and Its Cytotoxic Evaluation on Neuroblastoma Cell Lines (SHSY-5Y)

The objective of the present study was to characterize the liver oil extracted from the deep sea shark, Echinorhinus brucus, caught from Central Indian Ocean and to evaluate its cytotoxic effect on neuroblastoma cell line (SHSY-5Y). Characterization of liver oil of Echinorhinus brucus revealed the presence of palmitic acid (15%), oleic acid (12%), stearic acid (8%), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (18%), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (16%). It was also found to be a good source of squalene (38.5%) and fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, and K (vitamin A: 17.08 mg/100 g of oil, vitamin D: 15.04 mg/100 g oil, and vitamin K: 11.45 mg/100 g oil). Since it was found to be rich in essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins, and squalene, it can be considered as better dietary supplement. The oil of Echinorhinus brucus also showed high in vitro cytotoxic effect against the human neuroblastoma cell line (SHSY-5Y) and the IC50 value laid between 35 and 45 ng.

In vitro and in vivo study of a colon-targeting resin microcapsule loading a novel prodrug, 3,4,5-tributyryl shikimic acid

Prodrugs synthesized by different drugs not only overcome the defects of the original drugs, but also significantly enhance their treatment effects.

Kefir Grains Change Fatty Acid Profile of Milk during Fermentation and Storage

Several studies have reported that lactic acid bacteria may increase the production of free fatty acids by lipolysis of milk fat, though no studies have been found in the literature showing the effect of kefir grains on the composition of fatty acids in milk. In this study the influence of kefir grains from different origins [Rio de Janeiro (AR), Viçosa (AV) e Lavras (AD)], different time of storage, and different fat content on the fatty acid content of cow milk after fermentation was investigated. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Values were considered significantly different when p<0.05. The highest palmitic acid content, which is antimutagenic compost, was seen in AV grain (36.6g/100g fatty acids), which may have contributed to increasing the antimutagenic potential in fermented milk. Higher monounsaturated fatty acid (25.8g/100g fatty acids) and lower saturated fatty acid (72.7g/100g fatty acids) contents were observed in AV, when compared to other grains, due to higher Δ9-desaturase activity (0.31) that improves the nutritional quality of lipids. Higher oleic acid (25.0g/100g fatty acids) and monounsaturated fatty acid (28.2g/100g fatty acids) and lower saturated fatty acid (67.2g/100g fatty acids) contents were found in stored kefir relatively to fermented kefir leading to possible increase of antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potential and improvement of nutritional quality of lipids in storage milk. Only high-lipidic matrix displayed increase polyunsaturated fatty acids after fermentation. These findings open up new areas of study related to optimizing desaturase activity during fermentation in order to obtaining a fermented product with higher nutritional lipid quality.

Jurassic surgery and immunity enhancement by alkyglycerols of shark liver oil

Background

Shark liver oil (SLO) contains both alkylglycerols (AKG) and squalene and is an ancient remedy among the fishermen on the west coast of Norway and Sweden. Literature reports showed that alkyglycerols enhance Fc–receptor mediated phagocytosis, increase humoral immune response and delay hypersensitivity reactions.

Methods

On this background we performed an open spontaneous study on 40 very old aged surgical patients preoperatively treated with alkyglycerols (500 mg twice a day for 4 weeks), in order to reduce the risks of operation, counteracting the postoperative inflammatory and anergic conditions thus achieving quick and plain recovery. To better understand the possible therapeutic impact of alkyglycerols we compared on a case/control basis treated versus untreated patients submitted contemporarily to the identical operation and exposed to the same environmental and seasonal risks.

Results

The onset of complications was reduced in the alkyglycerols treated group and the compliance to the natural treatment was excellent without any serious adverse effect. WBC count and IgG significant increase (respectively p <0.05 and p <0.001) might explain some sort of protection against infectious agents and wound repair adverse events. Also lymphocytes concentration significantly increased in the AKG treated group (p <0.001) whereas a slight decrease was observed in the control group. Conversely neutrophils significantly decreased in the AKG treated group (p <0.001) meaning that patients have no more infections and have re-established their physiologic state. However a significant increase was observed in the control group (p <0.05). CRP significantly decreased in the group receiving AKG (p <0.05), thus evidencing a slight antiinflammtory effect of the product. Also ESR decreased from a baseline in the group receiving AKG.

Conclusions

In conclusion we suggest the opportunity to introduce this nutraceutical product in dosages of 500 mg twice a day to very old people before surgical treatment for an effective modulation of leukocytes and soluble immune reactivity according with the shark liver oil consumption trend in the northern Europe countries folk medicine. For this reason it might be advisable a wider study on a substantially bigger patients cohort focused on the complication rate prevention or control.