PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Tomassi

Publications and source records attributed to G Tomassi.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

An assessment of the safety of tocopherols as food additives.

This paper is a critical review of data relevant to the safety of tocopherols as food additives. Tocopherols are considered from the standpoint of their chemical-physical properties, occurrence in nature and use in commercial products. Dietary intake and kinetic and metabolic data, as well as biological activity and interactions with other vitamins, are also examined. The subjects discussed include acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity data, reproduction and teratogenesis studies, and observations in humans following high intakes of tocopherols. On the basis of the comprehensive experimental and clinical data available on alpha-tocopherol, the chemical and biological similarity of the alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols and the information available on the levels of tocopherols used as food antioxidants, it is concluded that tocopherols are safe food additives.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of age and duration of meal-eating on body composition and on lipogenesis and cellularity of adipose tissue in male rats.

Several studies indicate that in rats changing the rhythm of feeding from nibbling to meal-eating results in hyperlipogenesis and higher body fat deposition. Among the factors influencing this phenomenon, the effects of age and duration of treatment are not yet clear. Male rats of 4, 6, 12 and 18 weeks have been meal-fed (two 1-hour meals per day) for 5, 10, 20 and 30 days. Pair-fed Nibblers were used as controls. Adipocyte diameters and number from epididymal adipose tissues were determined, and lipogenesis measured my glucose-U-14-C incorporation into lipids. The results show that cellularity, glucose-U-14-C incorporation into adipocyte lipids and CO2 and body fat deposition are not affected by short-term meal-eating treatment in growing animals. In the adult rats, only after 30 days do the parameters studied show significant higher values in the meal-eating animals. The results are discussed in view of the possible interrelationships among the different factors influencing animal response to modifications in feeding frequency.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms: metabolic and nutritional aspects].

Odd-numbered fatty acids are present in natural sources of animal or vegetable origin. Their concentration is generally not higher than 5% of the total fatty acids. In some cases, however, like in the mullet or Euglena gracilis, the value reaches 20% of the total fatty acids. Higher concentrations, up to 80%, have been found in some hydrocarbon-grown microorganisms. In the animal organisms metabolic pathways for the synthesis or degradation of the odd-numbered fatty acids are present, but the adaptive capacity and the regulation of the different pathways are not known. The consequences of feeding animals or human beings on these unusual fatty acids in large amount are uncertain, because the composition of the fat depots, of the lipid structures and the circulating lipids can be affected, possibily influencing the membrane functions and, particularly the nervous system functions. The literature sighted shows the scarcity of specific studies in this field and indicates the need for further and more detailed researches.

Animals↗