Sodium benzoate, a food additive and a metabolite of cinnamon, modifies T cells at multiple steps and inhibits adoptive transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the animal model for multiple sclerosis. This study explores a novel use of sodium benzoate (NaB), a commonly used food additive and a Food and Drug Administration-approved nontoxic drug for urea cycle disorders, in treating the disease process of relapsing-remitting EAE in female SJL/J mice. NaB, administered through drinking water at physiologically tolerable doses, ameliorated clinical symptoms and disease progression of EAE in recipient mice and suppressed the generation of encephalitogenic T cells in donor mice. Histological studies reveal that NaB effectively inhibited infiltration of mononuclear cells and demyelination in the spinal cord of EAE mice. Consequently, NaB also suppressed the expression of proinflammatory molecules and normalized myelin gene expression in the CNS of EAE mice. Furthermore, we observed that NaB switched the differentiation of myelin basic protein-primed T cells from Th1 to Th2 mode, enriched regulatory T cell population, and down-regulated the expression of various contact molecules in T cells. Taken together, our results suggest that NaB modifies encephalitogenic T cells at multiple steps and that NaB may have therapeutic importance in multiple sclerosis.

Bactericidal activity of wasabi (Wasabia japonica) against Helicobacter pylori

In this study, the bactericidal activity of Korean and Japanese wasabi roots, stems and leaves against Helicobacter pylori were examined. Allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) in roots, stems and leaves of Korean wasabi were 0.75, 0.18 and 0.32 mg/g, respectively. AIT in roots, stems and leaves of Japanese wasabi were 1.18, 0.41 and 0.38 mg/g, respectively. All parts of wasabi showed bactericidal activities against H. pylori strain NCTC 11637, YS 27 and YS 50. The leaves of both wasabi showed the highest bactericidal activities with the minimum bactericidal concentration of 1.05-1.31 mg of dry weight/ml against three strains of H. pylori. The roots showed a little lower bactericidal activity with 2.09-4.17 mg of dry weight/ml against them. The main component related to antimicrobial activity in wasabi is well known to be AIT. In this study, the bactericidal activity of leaves was higher than that of roots, although AIT amount of leaves was lower than that of roots. These results suggest that certain components besides AIT in wasabi are effective in killing H. pylori.

Antioxidant properties of extracts from Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman

The antioxidant activities of the leaf and root extracts of Alchornea laxiflora, a plant used locally for the preservation of food items in Nigeria, were evaluated using the ferric thiocyanate method, horseradish peroxidase catalysed oxidation of 2,2 azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), beta-carotene linoleate model system and Fe(2+)/ascorbate/H(2)O(2)-induced rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation. The crude hexane root (HR), methanol root (MR), methanol leaf (ML) and hexane leaf (HL) extracts from A. laxiflora were tested for antioxidant activities. Antioxidant activity decreased in the following order: HR (76.4%), MR (63%), ML (40%) and HL (38%) at a concentration of 0.05% v/v. The antioxidant activity of HR compared to that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (80%), a standard antioxidant. The total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the crude extracts suggests that activity is highest in the HR compared with the others. The TAA value was estimated to be 8.0 measured as mm of vitamin C equivalent. Six column chromatographic fractions (FI-FVI) from HR showed antioxidant activity to varying extents in the beta-carotene model system in the order of FII > FI > FVI > FIII > FIV > FV. FII exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all model systems utilized, it recorded a higher antioxidant activity than BHA and quercetin in the beta-carotene linoleate and Fe(2+)/ascorbate/H(2)O(2). TLC analysis of fraction II revealed the presence of terpenoid compounds (radiant green coloration with 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine). Our results suggest that A. laxiflora contains potent natural antioxidants and may therefore be relevant in the preservation of lipid food products, which are prone to oxidation and rancidity.

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency: a urea cycle defect

The symptoms and signs of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency are discussed. When the condition occurs among males in the neonatal period it is likely to be lethal. Pathological findings are non-specific. The diagnosis should be considered if coma with cerebral oedema and respiratory alkalosis occurs for no obvious reason. When hyperammonaemia is found, enzyme assay on a liver biopsy should be considered. A useful clue in an asymptomatic patient is a voluntary adoption of a vegetarian diet. Provocative tests, such as the allopurinol test can be used, but the method most frequently applied is mutation analysis. In the case of prenatal diagnosis this is possible on a chorionic villus sample. The prognosis of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency is better for those with an onset after infancy, but morbidity from brain damage does not appear to be linked to the number of episodes of hyperammonaemia that have occurred. The syndrome results from a deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase which catalyses the conversion of ornithine and carbamoyl phosphate to citrulline. The gene responsible for this enzyme is located on Xp21.1, and is expressed in the liver and gut. Mutations can be divided into two groups: those with neonatal onset with all enzyme activity abolished, and those with later onset with partial and varying enzyme deficiency. There can be a variety of precipitating causes, for example sodium valproate. Treatment can be given with a low protein diet, and with alternate pathway drugs such as sodium benzoate and phenylbutyrate. Liver transplant can be considered when symptoms are life-threatening, although there may be severe complications.Gene replacement therapy is the hope of the future.

The effects of benzoate and fluoride on dental caries in intact and desalivated rats

The decline in prevalence of dental caries in some segments of the population has been attributed mainly to extensive exposure to fluoride. Over the past decades, the use of fluoridated products has increased. During the same period, the consumption of food preservatives such as benzoates and sorbates has also increased substantially. Benzoates, in vitro, possess antibacterial properties similar to those of fluoride and in combination with fluoride could affect caries development. In the present study we explored the effects of sodium benzoate and fluoride in combination and alone on dental caries in our animal model. The results showed a combination of benzoate and fluoride reduced caries activity more effectively in rodents fed a cariogenic diet ad libitum than fluoride alone (p = 0.038).

Citrullinemia. Clinical experience with 23 cases

A retrospective study was performed on the clinical outcome of 23 patients with citrullinemia diagnosed during the last 20 years in our clinic. The study group consisted of 13 patients with the neonatal form of the disease, four patients with the subacute form, five patients with the late-onset form and one with the asymptomatic form. All patients were treated with natural protein restriction, sodium benzoate and arginine administration. Almost all of the neonatal-onset patients were treated with exchange transfusions and/or peritoneal dialysis. Fourteen patients died: 11 with the neonatal form, one with the subacute form, and two with the late-onset form. The general neurological outcome of the patients who were alive was not satisfactory. Despite these results, it was concluded that the prognosis and quality of life of patients with citrullinemia might be improved with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Absence of acidosis in the initial presentation of propionic acidaemia

The clinical presentation and results of the initial biochemical and haematological investigations in 11 newborn term infants with propionic acidaemia are described. All patients had neurological symptoms. Only four had clinically important acidosis, but all had a raised blood ammonia. A diagnosis of propionic acidaemia should be considered in all newborn infants with unexplained neurological deterioration even in the absence of a metabolic acidosis.