High Levels of Avenanthramides in Oat-Based Diet Further Suppress High Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- Mice

Oats, in addition to cholesterol-lowering properties, contain unique antioxidants called avenanthramides (Avns), which inhibit both inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells in culture. This study evaluated the effects of Avns of oats on atherosclerosis in Ldlr^-/- mice, one of the most commonly used atherosclerosis mouse models with their similar cholesterol distributions to humans. The Ldlr^-/- mice were fed a low fat, high fat, high fat containing regular oat brans with low levels of Avns (HFLA), or high fat containing regular oat brans with high levels of Avns (HFHA) diet. After 16 weeks of intervention, blood cholesterol and extent of aortic lesions were evaluated. We found that both oat-based diets reduced high fat diet-induced atheroma lesions in the aortic valve (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the effects of oat-based diets are more profound in HFHA mice than mice fed HFLA. Total plasma cholesterol levels were similarly reduced in both oat-supplemented mice. We concluded that oat bran diets reduce atheroma lesions and higher levels of Avns further reduce aortic lesions compared to regular oat bran. These preliminary in vivo data indicate that consumption of oats bran, with high Avns, has demonstrable beneficial effects on prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Avenanthramides inhibit proliferation of human colon cancer cell lines in vitro

A high intake of whole grain foods is associated with reduced risk of colon cancer, but the mechanism underlying this protection has yet to be elucidated. Chronic inflammation and associated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the colon epithelium are causally related to epithelial carcinogenesis, proliferation, and tumor growth. We examined the effect of avenanthramides (Avns), unique polyphenols from oats with anti-inflammatory properties, on COX-2 expression in macrophages, colon cancer cell lines, and on proliferation of human colon cancer cell lines. We found that Avns-enriched extract of oats (AvExO) had no effect on COX-2 expression, but it did inhibit COX enzyme activity and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Avns (AvExO, Avn-C, and the methylated form of Avn-C (CH3-Avn-C)) significantly inhibited cell proliferation of both COX-2-positive HT29, Caco-2, and LS174T, and COX-2-negative HCT116 human colon cancer cell lines, CH3-Avn-C being the most potent. However, Avns had no effect on COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production in Caco-2 and HT29 colon cancer cells. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of Avns on colon cancer cell proliferation may be independent of COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production. Thus, Avns might reduce colon cancer risk through inhibition of macrophage PGE(2) production and non-COX-related antiproliferative effects in colon cancer cells. Interestingly, Avns had no effect on cell viability of confluence-induced differentiated Caco-2 cells, which display the characteristics of normal colonic epithelial cells. Our results suggest that the consumption of oats and oat bran may reduce the risk of colon cancer not only because of their high fiber content but also due to Avns, which attenuate proliferation of colonic cancer cells.

Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, inhibit IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activation in endothelial cells

The chronic inflammation of arterial walls is associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Earlier we reported that avenanthramide (Avn)s-enriched extract of oats (AvnsO) significantly suppressed interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, by human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). The main objective of the current study was to determine if the mechanism of inhibitory effect of these polyphenols from oats on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines is mediated through modulation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent transcription. Confluent HAEC monolayers were treated for 24 h with AvnsO, and synthetically prepared Avn-c suppressed IL-beta-stimulated activation of NF-kappaB in a concentration-dependent manner. CH3-Avn-c, a synthetically prepared methyl ester derivative of Avn-c with a high biological potency, significantly and dose dependently decreased mRNA expression and secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 by HAEC as determined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, and it inhibited IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-stimulated NF-kappaB activation as determined by a NF-kappaB DNA binding assay and a NF-kappaB luciferase reporter assay. AvnsO and Avn-c as well as CH3-Avn-c also inhibited the NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression activated by TNFR-associated factor 2 and 6 (TRAF2, TRAF6) and NFkappaB-inducing kinase (NIK). CH3-Avn-c also significantly and dose dependently decreased the phosphorylation level of IkappaB kinase (IKK) and IkappaB, and prevented IkappaB degradation as measured by Western blotting. In addition, CH3-Avn-c markedly increased the overall levels of high mass ubiquitin-conjugated protein levels while it mildly inhibited proteasome activity. These observations suggest that Avns, unique polyphenols from oats, decrease the expression of endothelial proinflammatory cytokines at least in part through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IKK and IkappaB, and by suppressing proteasome activity.

Avenanthramides are bioavailable and have antioxidant activity in humans after acute consumption of an enriched mixture from oats

The consumption of polyphenols is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Avenanthramides (AV), alkaloids occurring only in oats, may have anti-atherosclerotic activity, but there is no information concerning their bioavailability and bioactivity in humans. We characterized the pharmacokinetics and antioxidant action of avenanthramide A, B, and C in healthy older adults in a randomized, placebo-controlled, 3-way crossover trial with 1-wk washout periods. Six free-living subjects (3 mol/L, 3 F; 60.8 +/- 3.6 y) consumed 360 mL skim milk alone (placebo) or containing 0.5 or 1 g avenanthramide-enriched mixture (AEM) extracted from oats. Plasma samples were collected over a 10-h period. Concentrations of AV-A, AV-B, and AV-C in the AEM were 154, 109, and 111 micromol/g, respectively. Maximum plasma concentrations of AV (free + conjugated) after consumption of 0.5 and 1 g AEM were 112.9 and 374.6 nmol/L for AV-A, 13.2 and 96.0 nmol/L for AV-B, and 41.4 and 89.0 nmol/L for AV-C, respectively. Times to reach the C(max) for both doses were 2.30, 1.75, and 2.15 h for AV-A, AV-B, and AV-C and half times for elimination were 1.75, 3.75, and 3.00 h, respectively. The elimination kinetics of plasma AV appeared to follow first-order kinetics. The bioavailability of AV-A was 4-fold larger than that of AV-B at the 0.5 g AEM dose. After consumption of 1 g AEM, plasma reduced glutathione was elevated by 21% at 15 min (P < or = 0.005) and by 14% at 10 h (P < or = 0.05). Thus, oat AV are bioavailable and increase antioxidant capacity in healthy older adults.

The antiatherogenic potential of oat phenolic compounds

Avenanthramides are phenolic antioxidants, which are present in oats. Avenanthramides A, B, and C are the major constituents of the total soluble antioxidant phenolic compounds in oats. We tested the potential antiatherogenic activity of partially purified avenanthramides from oats by examining their effects on adhesion of monocytes to human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) monolayers, expression of adhesion molecules, and production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by HAEC. The oat avenanthramides mixture was prepared and partially purified by column chromatography. This avenanthramide-enriched mixture (AEM) had no toxicity to HAEC as tested up to 40 ng/ml. The pre-incubation of HAEC with 4, 20, and 40ng/ml AEM for 24h significantly decreased adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated HAEC in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of HAEC with AEM at 20 and 40 microg/ml, but not at 4 microg/ml, for 24h significantly suppressed IL-1beta-stimulated expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, chemokines IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. These data provide evidence for the potential anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of antioxidant avenanthramides present in oats.

Avenanthramides and phenolic acids from oats are bioavailable and act synergistically with vitamin C to enhance hamster and human LDL resistance to oxidation

The intake of phenolic acids and related polyphenolic compounds has been inversely associated with the risk of heart disease, but limited information is available about their bioavailability or mechanisms of action. Polyphenolics, principally avenanthramides, and simple phenolic acids in oat bran phenol-rich powder were dissolved in HCl:H(2)O:methanol (1:19:80) and characterized by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The bioavailability of these oat phenolics was examined in BioF1B hamsters. Hamsters were gavaged with saline containing 0.25 g oat bran phenol-rich powder (40 micromol phenolics), and blood was collected between 20 and 120 min. Peak plasma concentrations of avenanthramides A and B, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, ferulic, sinapic, and syringic acids appeared at 40 min. Although absorbed oat phenolics did not enhance ex vivo resistance of LDL to Cu(2+)-induced oxidation, in vitro addition of ascorbic acid synergistically extended the lag time of the 60-min sample from 137 to 216 min (P < or = 0.05), unmasking the bioactivity of the oat phenolics from the oral dose. The antioxidant capability of oat phenolics to protect human LDL against oxidation induced by 10 micromol/L Cu(2+) was also determined in vitro. Oat phenolics from 0.52 to 1.95 micromol/L increased the lag time to LDL oxidation in a dose-dependent manner (P < or = 0.0001). Combining the oat phenolics with 5 micromol/L ascorbic acid extended the lag time in a synergistic fashion (P < or = 0.005). Thus, oat phenolics, including avenanthramides, are bioavailable in hamsters and interact synergistically with vitamin C to protect LDL during oxidation.

Evidence that soyasaponin Bb retards disease progression in a murine model of polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

We reported a lessened cyst growth in the pcy mouse model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when mice were fed a soy protein isolate (SPI)-based diet and hypothesized that the soyasaponins may be associated with this therapeutic effect. The effects of feeding a saponin-enriched alcohol extract (SEAE) from SPI, an isoflavone- and saponin-enriched soy supplement (Novasoy 400), or a 99.5% pure soyasaponin Bb powder on cyst growth are reported here.

METHODS

The therapeutic effects of the soyasaponins were studied in 60-day-old male pcy mice in two separate, 90-day feeding trials. In the first study, mice were fed either a casein-based (control) diet, a diet in which SPI replaced the casein or the control diet supplemented with SEAE. In the second study, mice were fed the control diet unsupplemented or supplemented with either a soyasaponin- and isoflavone-enriched soy product (Novasoy 400) or a 99.5% pure soyasaponin Bb powder.

RESULTS

In study 1, kidney weight, water content, and plasma creatinine and urea levels were markedly reduced in the SEAE-fed animals compared to tissues from the control group; likewise, mice fed the SPI-based diet showed a decreased plasma creatinine, but only a slightly reduced plasma urea. In study 2, kidney weight, water content, plasma creatinine and urea levels were significantly reduced in mice fed the soyasaponin Bb powder and the Novasoy-400 supplement, compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

Soyasaponin Bb can impede kidney enlargement and cyst growth in the pcy mouse model of PKD. Further studies are needed to determine its most effective dose and mechanism of action.

Antimicrobial activity of 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one under anaerobic conditions

Potential toxicity of 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one to 20 bacterial species and two fungi and its inactivation under anaerobic conditions were investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentration for cellulolytic bacteria was in the range of 50-100 micrograms.mL-1, but at 100 micrograms.mL-1 of 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one, there was no effect on the growth of any of the noncellulolytic bacteria. Four noncellulolytic bacterial strains showed no inhibition of growth, even at 200 micrograms.mL-1 of this compound. Under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of cysteine, the long wavelength absorption band of this compound slowly shifted from about 434 to 320 nm, and its inhibitory effect on RNA synthesis was relieved after one-half of a generation time in cultures of cellulolytic ruminal bacteria. A similar shift of absorption band was observed in rumen fluid filtered through a 0.22-microns Millipore filter. It was concluded that protonation of 2-aminophenoxazin-3-one under anaerobic conditions present in the rumen would considerably reduce its potential toxicity to cellulolytic bacteria.

Research note: efficacy of various flavonoids and simple phenolics in prevention of nutritional myopathy in the chick

A 33-day feeding experiment was conducted with 3-day-old broiler chicks to assess the efficacy of various flavonoid and simple phenolic antioxidants in preventing nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) resulting from vitamin E deficiency. None of the flavonoids or simple phenolics at a dietary concentration of 1,000 ppm completely prevented NMD but quercetin reduced (P less than .05) its incidence and quercetin, morin, and ferulic acid reduced (P less than .05) the severity of the disorder. The low-selenium, low-vitamin E diet also promoted the development of a mild exudative diathesis (ED) in many of the birds, which was inhibited (P less than .05) by the rutin and silymarin treatments, but exacerbated (P less than .05) by quercetin, morin, and ferulic acid. Changes in concentrations of vitamin E in plasma, liver, or muscle, caused by the various treatments (other than vitamin E), were not related to protection against NMD or ED.

Aroma chemicals: Reference sources for perfume and flavour ingredients with special reference to cinnamic aldehyde

Bibliographic sources for the complex subject of aroma chemicals are reviewed. The references are not comprehensive but are those which we found to be of value in finding out some of the opportunities for contact with a sensitizing chemical compound, cinnamic aldehyde.