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At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Effects of ingested fruiting bodies, submerged culture biomass, and acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan of Tremella mesenterica Retz.:Fr. on glycemic responses in normal and diabetic rats.

Mushroom polysaccharides have been shown to regulate glucose metabolism. Using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats), streptozotocin (STZ-NT rats), or streptozotocin plus nicotinamide (STZ+NT rats), we investigated the hypoglycemic activity of orally ingested fruiting bodies (FB), submerged culture biomass (CM), or the acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Tremella mesenterica, an edible jelly mushroom. Our results demonstrated that FB ingestion significantly attenuated the elevated blood glucose levels in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in STZ-NT rats. However, in STZ+NT rats, FB, CM, and GXM ingestion significantly attenuated the increases in food and water intake, 2-h postprandial blood glucose concentrations, and blood glucose levels in OGTT. Moreover, FB and GXM ingestion significantly decreased serum concentration of fructosamine in STZ+NT rats. Our results indicated that T. mesenterica might be developed as a potential oral hypoglycemic agent or functional food for diabetic patients and for persons with high risk for diabetes mellitus.

Agaricales↗

PubMed2005

Mediterranean food and health: building human evidence.

Adherence to a Mediterranean style diet affords protection from degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Identification of the active constituents of the Mediterranean diet is crucial to the formulation of appropriate dietary guidelines. Also, research on the pharmacological properties of the "minor components" of this diet, eg vitamins and polyphenols, is very active and might lead to the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Even though in vitro data are plentiful, human studies are difficult to perform due to ethical and practical reasons. Yet, intervention trials represent the best approach to validate claims of healthful activities. This article reviews human evidence of the biological properties of olive oil and tomato constituents and illustrates a research approach by which the bioactive elements of a wild plant (Cynara cardunculus) are first studied in vitro to build biochemical evidence, then in vivo to obtain proof of their vasomodularoty activity.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2002

Prebiotics and synbiotics: towards the next generation.

Recent research in the area of prebiotic oligosaccharides and synbiotic combinations with probiotics is leading towards a more targeted development of functional food ingredients. Improved molecular techniques for analysis of the gut microflora, new manufacturing biotechnologies, and increased understanding of the metabolism of oligosaccharides by probiotics are facilitating development. Such developments are leading us to the time when we will be able to rationally develop prebiotics and synbiotics for specific functional properties and health outcomes.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Proteomic analysis of Caco-2 cells treated with monacolin K.

Monascus species is an important traditional fermentation fungus used on food. Monacolin K (a secondary metabolite of Monascus, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase) in inhibition of mevalonate synthesis may result in reductions of isoprenoid prenylation in cells. Impairment of protein isoprenoid prenylation has been related to anticancer effect in cancer cells. As a functional food for Monascus, however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-proliferate effect of monacolin K in cancer cells are not clear. We used proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and database interrogation to separate and identify the proteins of Caco-2 cells treated with monacolin K. The results showed that monacolin K inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The identified proteins in proteomic analysis included anti-oxidation enzymes related to reactive oxygen species stress, cytoskeleton proteins, glycolytic enzymes, and enzymes involved in mediating protein interactions. Furthermore, glutathione S-transferase P 1 and cytoskeleton-8, -18, and -19 revealed a down-regulation in a dose-dependent manner in exposure of Caco-2 cells to monacolin K.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1972

Effects of emotional factors on physical performance of dogs on the treadmill.

In dogs exercising on a treadmill, increase of physical performance was particularly pronounced when the animals were punished by an electric shock for slowing the speed of running and also upon hypothalamic stimulation producing flight response. This was accompanied by alterations of autonomic and metabolic functions. Food and stimulation of hypothalamic self-stimulation areas used as a reward for better performance was also effective, but only at the beginning of the work. On the other hand, hypothalamic and midbrain stimulation which produced a passive fear response decreased the intensity of work. Autonomic and metabolic functions were strongly affected. It appears that both the animal's motor activity and vegetative processes may be influenced by motivational factors in the course of physical performance.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Inhibitory effect of clonal oregano extracts against porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a rich source of natural phenolic antioxidants and has potential to be a source of nutritional ingredients for functional foods. Herbs such as oregano have long been used in food preservation and in traditional medicine in the treatment of common ailments and have potential for positive modulation of oxidation-linked diseases such as diabetes. One of the potentially important components of anti-diabetic activity by oregano extract is mild amylase inhibition by phenolic antioxidants to help contribute towards management of hyperglycemia. Previously, we reported the ability of rosmarinic acid, one of the principal phenolic components of oregano, to inhibit porcine pancreatic amylase (PPA) activity. Here, we investigated the effect of 50% ethanol extracts of eleven phenolic antioxidant-rich oregano clonal lines on the activity of PPA in vitro. To this end, we analyzed extract total soluble phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, rosmarinic acid (RA), protochatechuic acid (PA), quercetin, and p-coumaric acid (pCA) contents by HPLC, antioxidant activity as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and PPA-inhibitory activity by incubation of the enzyme with clonal oregano extracts and characterization of the activity of the phenolic-bound enzyme. Clonal oregano extracts inhibited the activity of PPA in vitro by 9-57%. Amylase inhibition by oregano extract was associated with extract total phenolic content and RA, quercetin, PA, and pCA content, as well as extract antioxidant activity and protein content. Our finding that clonal oregano extracts can inhibit PPA supports a potential new functionality for oregano as an anti-hyperglycemic agent. This provides an opportunity for a food-based strategy for modulation of starch breakdown to glucose, which could contribute to the management of hyperglycemia and diabetes complications in the long term.

Amylases↗

PubMed2003

Beyond the traditional interpretation of Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet is the lucky definition given by Ancel Keys of the food habits of some populations in the Mediterranean area. Dietary styles of this region may widely vary between coasts and inland. The total fat content of diets may vary from less than 30% in the traditional diet of Southern Italy to about 40% in the island of Crete. Carbohydrate and fibre rich foods also vary in terms of energy content, type and amount of sugars. Also protein-rich foods have large variations being mostly of vegetable origin rather than animal. Finally the original description of this diet also brings to mind the extensive physical activity, mainly related to work and outdoor leisure activities that prevailed in these populations until the sixties. Changes toward transition diet, the meaning of functional food and life style changes in the area at present are also discussed.

Diet, Mediterranean↗

PubMed2003

Biofunctional peptides from milk proteins: mineral binding and cytomodulatory effects.

The protein fraction of milk contains many valuable components and biologically active substances. Moreover, milk proteins are precursors of many different biologically active peptides which are inactive within the sequence of the precursor protein but can be released by enzymatic proteolysis. Many milk protein-derived peptides, such as caseinophosphopeptides, reveal multi-functional bioactivities. Caseinophosphopeptides can form soluble organophosphate salts and may function as carriers for different minerals, especially calcium. Furthermore, they have been shown to exert cytomodulatory effects. Cytomodulatory peptides inhibit cancer cell growth or they stimulate the activity of immunocompetent cells and neonatal intestinal cells, respectively. Several bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins are potential modulators of various regulatory processes in the body and thus may exert beneficial physiological effects. Caseinophosphopeptides are already produced on an industrial-scale and as a consequence these peptides have been considered for application as ingredients in both 'functional foods' and pharmaceutical preparations. Although the physiological significance as exogenous regulatory substances is not yet fully understood, both mineral binding and cytomodulatory peptides derived from bovine milk proteins are claimed to be health enhancing components that can be used to reduce the risk of disease or to enhance a certain physiological function.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2006

Surfactants in microbiology and biotechnology: Part 2. Application aspects.

Surfactants are amphiphilic compounds which can reduce surface and interfacial tensions by accumulating at the interface of immiscible fluids and increase the solubility, mobility, bioavailability and subsequent biodegradation of hydrophobic or insoluble organic compounds. Chemically synthesized surfactants are commonly used in the petroleum, food and pharmaceutical industries as emulsifiers and wetting agents. Biosurfactants produced by some microorganisms are becoming important biotechnology products for industrial and medical applications due to their specific modes of action, low toxicity, relative ease of preparation and widespread applicability. They can be used as emulsifiers, de-emulsifiers, wetting and foaming agents, functional food ingredients and as detergents in petroleum, petrochemicals, environmental management, agrochemicals, foods and beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and in the mining and metallurgical industries. Addition of a surfactant of chemical or biological origin accelerates or sometimes inhibits the bioremediation of pollutants. Surfactants also play an important role in enhanced oil recovery by increasing the apparent solubility of petroleum components and effectively reducing the interfacial tensions of oil and water in situ. However, the effects of surfactants on bioremediation cannot be predicted in the absence of empirical evidence because surfactants sometimes stimulate bioremediation and sometimes inhibit it. For medical applications, biosurfactants are useful as antimicrobial agents and immunomodulatory molecules. Beneficial applications of chemical surfactants and biosurfactants in various industries are discussed in this review.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2005

The effect of plant stanol- and sterol-enriched foods on lipid metabolism, serum lipids and coronary heart disease.

Phytosterols are plant sterols, mainly campesterol and sitosterol, and their respective stanols (5alpha-saturated derivatives), which chemically resemble cholesterol. They are present in a normal diet and are absorbed proportionally to cholesterol, but to a much lesser extent, such that less than 0.1% of serum sterols are plant sterols. Phytosterols inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption, and fat-soluble plant stanol esters were introduced as a functional food for lowering serum cholesterol in the early 1990s; plant sterol esters entered the market at the end of the 1990s. Inhibition of the intestinal absorption of cholesterol stimulates cholesterol synthesis, a factor which limits serum cholesterol lowering to about 10% with phytosterols. Enrichment of the diet with plant stanol esters reduces absorption and serum concentrations of both cholesterol and plant sterols, whereas enrichment of the diet with plant sterol esters, especially in combination with statins, lowers serum cholesterol but increases serum plant sterol levels. Recent studies have suggested that high-serum plant sterol levels may be associated with increased coincidence of coronary heart disease. Estimates of coronary heart disease reduction by 20--25% with plant sterols/stanols is based mainly on short-term studies. Long-term cholesterol lowering, needed for the prevention of coronary heart disease, may be successful with plant stanol esters, which lower serum cholesterol in both genders over at least a year.

Coronary Artery Disease↗

PubMed2002

Probiotics and atopic dermatitis. A new strategy in atopic dermatitis.

Over the last few decades, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis has been increasing from 2% to 100%, with 90% of cases within 5 years of age versus 6% between 6 and 10 years and 2% after 10 years, and environmental factors may possibly play an important role in this increase as in other atopic diseases. Many findings suggest an important role of atopy in atopic dermatitis; moreover, 40% of children with atopic dermatitis have food allergy and the removal of the food allergen from the patient's diet leads to a significant clinical improvement. In a possible scenario, IgE-bearing dendritic cells are likely to process allergens acquired in the gastrointestinal tract, circulate to the skin and activate local T cells. Cultures of beneficial live microorganisms characteristic of the commensal microflora are administered with probiotic functional foods in order to provide a microbial challenge for the maturation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which the infant often lacks. The probiotic effects are attributed to normalisation of the increased intestinal permeability and balancing gut microecology, improvement of the immunological defence barrier (IgA) of the intestine, alleviation of the intestinal inflammatory response, and downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines characteristic of local and systemic allergic inflammation.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Adaptation of bacteria to the intestinal niche: probiotics and gut disorder.

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem host to a diverse and highly evolved microbial community composed of hundreds of different microbial species. The interactions that occur between this complex microbial community and the human host have become the focus of scientific research due to increases in the incidence of illnesses associated with deficient or compromised microflora (e.g., gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers). Effective multidisciplinary research programs now complement conventional microbiology with molecular ecology techniques to provide culture-independent analysis of the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Furthermore, as we acquire an understanding of gut microflora composition and processes such as intestinal adherence, colonization, translocation, and immunomodulation, we are also elucidating mechanisms by which these can be influenced. This knowledge not only allows scientists to define the activities and interactions of "functional food"-borne beneficial bacteria in the gut, but will also provide the scientific basis for the development of innovative biotechnology-based products tailored to prevent specific diseases and promote overall human gastrointestinal health.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2005

Stability of spray-dried tuna oil emulsions encapsulated with two-layered interfacial membranes.

omega-3 Fatty acids have numerous health benefits, but their addition to foods is limited by oxidative rancidity. Spray-drying tuna oil-in-water emulsion droplets with a coating of lecithin and chitosan multilayer system could produce emulsion droplet interfacial membranes that are cationic and thick, both factors that can help control lipid oxidation. Physicochemical and oxidative stability of the spray-dried emulsions were determined as a function of storage temperature and relative humidity (RH). The combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and mixed tocopherols was able to increase the oxidative stability of dried emulsions. Lipid oxidation was more rapid during storage at low relative humidity (11% and 33% compared to 52% RH). At high moisture, physical modifications in the sample were observed, including reduced dispersibility and formation of brown pigments. Sugar crystallization or Maillard products produced at the higher humidities may have inhibited oxidation. Overall, spray-dried tuna oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by lecithin-chitosan membranes were more oxidatively stable than bulk oils and thus have excellent potential as an omega-3 fatty acid ingredient for functional foods.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[Eat well and stay healthy. Changing perspectives on good nutrition].

Nutrition as a discipline evolved out of medical and bio-chemical thinking on the relation between food and health. Until the 1950s nutrient deficiencies dominated the nutritional way of thinking. From this moment attention was directed to nutritional consequences of the welfare state. During the last years a gradual shift in emphasis has taken place from cardiovascular diseases to nutrition and cancer, and to nutrition of the elderly. New is the attention on novel and functional foods as a means to promote nutritional health, besides the ongoing efforts to change food habits.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2006

Short-chain fatty acids: ready for prime time?

The concept of colonic health has become a major target for the development of functional foods such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. These bioactive agents have a profound effect on the composition of the microflora, as well as on the physiology of the colon, and display distinct health benefits. Dietary carbohydrates escaping digestion/absorption in the small bowel and prebiotics undergo fermentation in the colon and give rise to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). As the main anions of the colon and the major source of energy for colonocytes, SCFA are rapidly absorbed by nonionic diffusion mostly but also by active transport mediated by a sodium-coupled transporter, thereby fostering the absorption of sodium and water. SCFA in general and butyrate in particular enhance the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and play a central role on the physiology and metabolism of the colon. The effect of prebiotics on cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, mucin production, immune function, mineral absorption, lipid metabolism, and gastrointestinal (GI) peptides has been well documented experimentally. These effects seem to be largely mediated by SCFA, but evidence from human studies remains inconsistent. The food industry is making a leap of faith in their efforts to commercialize prebiotics and exploit potential health benefits. The future lies with the design of studies to further explore basic mechanisms, and gene expression in particular, but emphasis should be placed on human intervention trials.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Oral administration of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711, enhances the intestinal function of healthy adults.

Modifications in gastrointestinal parameters, intestinal colonization and tolerance are some of the main goals claimed for probiotics. However, although healthy people are the common target for these new functional food products, the number of clinical trials analysing the effects of probiotics in gastrointestinal parameters of healthy subjects is very scarce. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial involving 30 healthy adults was performed to investigate the effect of a fermented product containing two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711, on several blood and fecal parameters, most of them related to the host intestinal function. The volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, one receiving a standard yogurt and the other a similar dairy fermented product in which the Lactobacillus delbreuckii subsp. bulgaricus yogurt strain had been replaced by a combination of the probiotic strains L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711. The volunteers that received the probiotic strains reported no adverse effects and the strains could be isolated from their feces at a relatively high level. In fact, the concentration of fecal lactic acid bacteria significantly increased in the probiotic group. Additionally, the oral administration of the probiotic strains led to an improvement of parameters such as the production of short chain fatty acids, the fecal moisture and the frequency and volume of the stools. As a result, the volunteers assigned to the probiotic group perceived a clear improvement in their intestinal habits. The study revealed that probiotics may exert a positive effect on healthy adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Raffinose family of oligosaccharides from lupin seeds as prebiotics: application in dairy products.

The raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) isolated from lupin seeds (Lupinus albus var. Multolupa) was evaluated for bifidogenic effects during the manufacture of probiotic fermented milk. A mixed starter inoculum was composed of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus (1:1). Lupins are a rich source of RFOs that can be used as functional food ingredients. The addition of RFOs to milk increased B. lactis Bb-12 and L. acidophilus populations at the final fermentation time compared with controls. Final fermentation products are positively affected by addition of RFOs, and time of fermentation was reduced from 12 to 10 h. When RFOs were added to milk, they were preferentially used as a carbon source (57.7%) compared with lactose (23.7%) at the end of fermentation. These results suggest that the eventual choice of B. lactis Bb-12 and L. acidophilus in a mixed culture at a 1:1 ratio and addition of RFOs to produce a fermented milk product would have the advantages of rapid growth and acidificationrate and would likely increase the probiotic effect of the final functional product.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed1999

Enhancing market value of milk by adding cultures.

Fluid milk and several dairy products are an excellent medium to generate an array of products that fit into the current consumer demand for health-driven foods. Several technologies associated with culture addition, fermentation, or both are available for creating an assortment of flavors and textures in milk products. It appears that accentuating the positive attributes of inherent milk constituents, incorporating health-promoting cultures, and offering a variety of flavors and textures to the consumer could enhance milk consumption. Recent advances in probiotic research show much promise in new product development of functional foods based on milk. Several scientifically sound clinical studies have verified some of the anecdotal reports of the past. Among the reported beneficial effects of consuming certain strains of cultures, or their metabolites, or both are enhanced immune response, balancing of colonic microbiota, vaccine adjuvant effect, reduction of fecal enzymes implicated in cancer initiation, treatment of diarrhea associated with travel, antibiotic therapy, control of rotavirus and Clostridium difficile, control of ulcers related to Helicobacter pylori, reduction of serum cholesterol, antagonism against food-borne pathogens and tooth decay organisms, and amelioration of lactose malabsorption symptoms. The mode of action in most cases seems to involve modulation of ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract of the host. Several strains belonging to genera Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, which have desirable clinical benefits, are now available. They are being incorporated in yogurts, dairy snacks, breakfast foods, drinks, refrigerated desserts, cheeses, spreads, frozen desserts, and unfermented sweet cultured milk.

Animals↗