Fruits and vegetables are extensively processed and the residues are often discarded. However, due to their rich composition, they could be used to minimize food waste. This study aimed to develop food products based on the solid residue generated from the manufacture of an isotonic beverage. This beverage was produced based on integral exploitation of several fruits and vegetables: orange, passion fruit, watermelon, lettuce, courgette, carrot, spinach, mint, taro, cucumber and rocket. The remaining residue was processed into flour and its functional properties were evaluated. The fruit and vegetable residue (FVR) flour was incorporated with different levels (20 to 35 %) into biscuits and cereal bars. The proximate composition, microbiological stability until 90 days and consumer acceptance were analyzed. The FVR flour presented a higher water holding capacity than oil holding capacity, respectively 7.43 and 1.91 g g −1 of flour, probably associated with its high levels of carbohydrates (53 %) and fibres (21.5 %). Biscuits enriched with 35 % of FVR flour presented significantly higher fibre, ranging from 57 % to 118 % and mineral contents, from 25 % to 37 % than when only 20 % was added. Cereal bars presented about 75 % of fibres and variable mineral contents between 14 % and 37 %. The incorporation of FVR did not change the fat content. The microbiological examinations are within acceptable limits according to international regulation. The incorporation of FVR flour did not impair consumer acceptance, the sensory attributes averaged around 6. The chemical, microbiological and sensorial results of the designed products attested for an alternative towards applying and reducing agro-industrial wastes.

The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often a debilitating chronic condition, characterized by long-lasting anxiety that is not focused on any object or situation. Besides being clearly linked to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, anxiety is also known to contribute to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory/autoimmune disorders. The present work aimed to explore the T cell profile following in vitro activation in cultures obtained from a group of individuals with GAD, comparing them with healthy control individuals. Our results demonstrated that cell cultures from GAD group proliferated less following T cell activation as compared with the control group. The analysis of the cytokine profile revealed Th1 and Th2 cytokine deficiencies in the anxious group, as compared with the control subjects. On the other hand, this cellular and humoral immune damage was followed by enhanced production of Th17-derived cytokines. In particular, the levels of TNF-α and IL-17 were significantly higher in cell cultures containing activated T cells from GAD individuals. Therefore, besides a deficiency on Th1 phenotype, an elevated proinflammatory status of these individuals might be related to both glucocorticoid immune resistance and lower IL-10 levels produced by activated T cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated a T cell functional dysregulation in individuals with GAD, and can help to explain the mechanisms of immune impairment in these subjects and their relationship with increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases.

Edible films were developed from the solid residue of the processing of whole fruits and vegetables. The solid residue, processed into flour (FVR flour) was chemically and structurally characterized by microstructure, elemental composition, structural links, and moisture sorption isotherm. Films were prepared by casting using aqueous extracts of 8% and 10% of flour (w/w) and characterized in terms of thickness, water solubility, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The analysis of microstructure and elemental composition, performed on flour (mean particle size 350 μm), showed an essentially granular aspect, with the presence of fibrous particles having potassium as one of the most abundant elements. FTIR results showed similarity between the characteristic bands of other raw materials used in edible films. The sorption isotherm of FVR flour showed a typical profile of foods rich in soluble components, such as sugars. Dried films presented an average thickness of 0.263 ± 0.003 mm, a homogenous aspect, bright yellow color, pronounced fruit flavor, and high water solubility. The FTIR spectra of the edible films revealed that addition of potato skin flour did not change the molecular conformation. Moreover, the films presented low tensile strength at break when compared with fruit starch-based films.

Excessive levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the CNS are associated with reduced serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, a neurotransmitter with diverse immune effects. In this study, we evaluated the ability of exogenous 5-HT to modulate the T-cell behavior of patients with MS, a demyelinating autoimmune disease mediated by Th1 and Th17 cytokines. Here, 5-HT attenuated, in vitro, T-cell proliferation and Th1 and Th17 cytokines production in cell cultures from MS patients. Additionally, 5-HT reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 release by CD8 T cells. By contrast, 5-HT increased IL-10 production by CD4 T cells from MS patients. A more accurate analysis of these IL-10-secreting CD4 T cells revealed that 5-HT favors the expansion of FoxP3 CD39 regulatory T cells (Tregs) and type 1 regulatory T cells. Notably, this neurotransmitter also elevated the frequency of Treg17 cells, a novel regulatory T-cell subset. The effect of 5-HT in upregulating CD39 Treg and Treg17 cells was inversely correlated with the number of active brain lesions. Finally, in addition to directly reducing cytokine production by purified Th1 and Th17 cells, 5-HT enhanced in vitro Treg function. In summary, our data suggest that serotonin may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of MS.

No abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the immune system attacks myelin of the neurons located at the optic nerves and spinal cord, thus producing a simultaneous or sequential optic neuritis and myelitis. The objective of this study was evaluated the background T-cell function of patients suffering from neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. In our study, the in vitro T cell proliferation and the production of Th1 cytokines were significantly lower in cell cultures from NMO patients, as compared with healthy individuals. In contrast, a dominant Th17-like phenotype, associate with higher IL-23 and IL-6 production by LPS-activated monocytes, was observed among NMO patients. The release of IL-21 and IL-6 by polyclonally activated CD4+ T cells was directly correlated to neurological disability. In addition, the in vitro release of IL-21, IL-6 and IL-17 was significantly more resistant to glucocorticoid inhibition in NMO patients. In conclusion, the results indicate dominant Th17-related response in NMO patients that was directly proportional to neurological disability. Furthermore, our results can help to explain why NMO patients trend to be more refractory to corticoid treatment.

SummaryT helper type 17 (Th17) cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). As humanized anti-interleukin (IL)-6R (tocilizumab) immunoglobulin (Ig)G has been used as disease-modifying therapy for NMO, the objective of our study was to investigate the role of endogenous IL-6 on NMO-derived CD4 1 T cell behaviour. High production of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-21 by CD4 1 T-cells was detected in NMO patients.Further, IL-21 and IL-6 levels were related directly to the level of neurological disabilities. The addition of anti-IL-6R IgG not only reduced directly the production of these cytokines, but also almost abolished the ability of activated autologous monocytes in enhancing IL-6, IL-17 and IL-21 release by CD4 1 T cells. In contrast, the production of IL-10 was amplified in those cell cultures. Further, anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibodies (mAb) also potentiated the ability of glucocorticoid in reducing Th17 cytokines. Finally, the in-vivo and in-vitro IL-6 levels were significantly higher among those patients who experienced clinical relapse during 2-year follow-up. In summary, our results suggest a deleterious role of IL-6 in NMO by favouring, at least in part, the expansion of corticoid-resistant Th17 cells.

SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. It is believed that immunological events in the early stages have great impact on the disease course. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the cytokine profile of myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cells from MS patients in the early phase of the disease and correlate it to clinical parameters, as well as to the effect of in vitro corticoid treatment. Peripheral T cells from MS patients were stimulated with MBP with our without hydrocortisone for 5 days. The cytokines level were determined by ELISA. The number of active brain lesions was determined by MRI scans, and the neurological disabilities were assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. Our results demonstrated that MS-derived T cells responded to MBP by producing high levels of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cytokines. Although the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-17 and IL-22 was less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition, only IL-17 and IL-22 levels correlated with active brain lesions. The ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit IL-17 and IL-22 production by MBP-specific CD4 + T cells was inversely related to the number of active brain lesions. Finally, the production of both cytokines was significantly higher in cell cultures from Afrodescendant patients and it was less sensitive to hydrocortisone inhibition. In summary, our data suggest that IL-17-and IL-22-secreting CD4 + T cells resistant to corticoids are associated with radiological activity of the MS in early stages of the disease, mainly among Afrodescendant patients who, normally, have worse prognosis.