Novel extraction of polyphenols from sour cherry pomace using natural deep eutectic solvents - Ultrafast microwave-assisted NADES preparation and extraction

In this work, new approaches for the green extraction of polyphenols from sour cherry pomace were explored. Three Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) systems based on choline chloride (ChCl) as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and malic acid, urea, and fructose (MalA, Ur, and Fru) as hydrogen bond donors (HBD) were used. NADES systems were prepared by heating and stirring (H&S), ultrasound (US), and microwave (MW) methods. It was found that MW-assisted preparation was the fastest requiring less than 30 s. Polyphenol extraction from cherry pomace was performed also by three mentioned methods, and compared with conventional methods. MW extraction was the most rapid with less than 5 min necessary for the extract preparation. All three NADES systems were highly efficient for anthocyanin extraction, but the most efficient was ChCl:MalA system. Extract based on ChCl:MalA system was for 62.33% more efficient for anthocyanin extraction comparing with the conventional solvent.

Screening for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using transient elastography - a prospective, cross sectional study

AIM

To investigate the prevalence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), based on increased controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurements obtained by transient elastography. In addition, we aimed to identify parameters that correlate with increased elastographic parameters of steatosis and fibrosis to provide a better indication when a patient with T2DM should be screened for NAFLD.

METHODS

We conducted prospective, cross-sectional study of 679 consecutive adult patients with diagnosed T2DM mean age 65.2±11.6. NAFLD was defined by transient elastography. In 105 patients a percutaneous liver biopsy (LB) was done.

RESULTS

The prevalence of NAFLD based on transient elastography was 83.6%. Independent factors associated with increased CAP were higher body mass index, longer T2DM duration, higher serum triglyceride, lower levels of vitamin D, higher C-reactive protein, and higher HOMA-IR. The prevalence of moderate liver fibrosis was 26.9% and advanced liver fibrosis 12.6%. Independent factors associated with moderated fibrosis based on elastography were higher body mass index and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while independent factors associated with advanced fibrosis were female gender, higher body mass index, higher levels of ALT, gama-glutamil transferase and C-reactive protein. Sixty-four (60.9%) of 105 patients with LB had NAFLD activity score ≥5. Regarding the presence and stages of fibrosis based on LB, moderate fibrosis was found in 29.5% of patients, while 29.5% had advanced fibrosis and 6.7% cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

This study supports more aggressive screening for NAFLD and fibrosis in patients with T2DM.