Abstract:We investigated the antihypertensive effects of Artemisia scoparia (AS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The rats were fed diets containing 2% (w/w) hot water extracts of AS aerial parts for 6 weeks. The AS group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than the control group. The AS group also had lower angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II content in serum compared to the control group. The AS group showed higher vascular endothelial growth factor and lower ras homolog gene family member A expression levels in kidney compared to the control group. The AS group had significantly lower levels of plasma lipid oxidation and protein carbonyls than the control group. One new and six known compounds were isolated from AS by guided purification. The new compound was determined to be 4 1 -O-β-D-glucopyranoyl (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl benzoate, based on its nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy data.
Endothelial dysfunction is directly involved in consequence of various metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of two ark clams [ark shell (AS, Scapharca subcrenata) and granular ark (GA, Tegillarca granosa)] on endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: control (normal diet), HF (high-fat diet), AS (high-fat diet + 5% AS powder), and GA (high-fat diet + 5% GA powder) for 12 weeks. AS and GA diets enhanced vascular reactivity of the rat thoracic aorta and significantly increased expression levels of vascular relaxation-related proteins (p-Akt-ser473 and p-eNOS-ser1177). Ark clam supplement reduced endothelin-1 expression level, as compared to the HF group. Additionally, AS and GA showed a trend of improving insulin sensitivity compared to HF. Our results suggest that AS and GA enhance vascular reactivity and ameliorated endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet.
Although numerous citrus varieties have recently been developed to enhance their quality, information on their quality characteristics is limited. We assessed the quality characteristics of Yellowball, a novel citrus variety, by evaluating its appearance, storability, sensory properties, functionality, and metabolite profiles and then comparing these characteristics with those of its parent varieties, Haruka and Kiyomi. The metabolite profiles between the citrus varieties differed significantly, resulting in distinct physicochemical and functional qualities. The storability of Yellowball was significantly increased compared with that of its parent varieties owing to its strong antifungal activity and unique peel morphology, including the stoma and albedo layers. While we did not investigate the volatile compounds, overall functional activities, and detailed characteristics of each metabolite, our data provide valuable insights into the relationship between citrus metabolites, peel morphology, physicochemical properties, and storability, and demonstrate the potential of Yellowball as a promising variety in the citrus industry.
High salt intake is positively linked to many health problems, but the effect of mineral-rich sea salt (SS) has rarely been studied. To better understand the physiological effects of SS intake, the changes in general characteristics, metabolites, steroid hormones, and gut microbiota of SS-fed rats were investigated. Male rats were fed either a normal diet (ND, control) or ND containing 1% SS or 4% SS for 5 weeks. SS intake decreased fat, spleen, liver, and body weight, and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), water intake, and gut salt content. Accumulated gut salt content led to a decrease in beneficial bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillus, but an increase in potentially harmful bacteria, resulting in a change in lipid metabolites associated with gut health. Interestingly, most renal lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) associated with many renal functions were dramatically decreased and female hormones, such as estrogens, were significantly more altered than the male hormones by high SS intake. Although further investigation is needed, these data suggest that high SS intake could be positively linked to kidney dysfunction and gut health problems, and salt-related physiological changes may be sex-specific. Additionally, these data will be useful to better under-stand the physiological effects of SS intake.
Metabolic diseases (MDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes, occur when the body’s normal metabolic processes are disrupted. Behavioral risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and dietary habits are strongly associated with a higher risk of MD. However, scientific evidence strongly suggests that balanced, healthy diets containing non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), such as dietary fiber and resistant starch, can reduce the risk of developing MD. In particular, major properties of NDCs, such as water retention, fecal bulking, viscosity, and fermentation in the gut, have been found to be important for reducing the risk of MD by decreasing blood glucose and lipid levels, increasing satiety and insulin sensitivity, and modifying the gut microbiome. Short chain fatty acids produced during the fermentation of NDCs in the gut are mainly responsible for improvement in MD. However, the effects of NDCs are dependent on the type, source, dose, and duration of NDC intake, and some of the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of NDCs on MD remain unclear. In this review, we briefly summarize current studies on the effects of NDCs on MD and discuss potential mechanisms that might contribute to further understanding these effects.
We have investigated the in vitro and in vivo antioxidative activity of solar sea salts(SS) roasted with (BS) or without (RS) bamboo, which are widely consumed as dietary salts in Korea. BS exhibited antioxidative activity in the in vitro assays of various radical-scavenging activities and DNA oxidation. RS also scavenged superoxide radicals and inhibited DNA oxidation. However, SS did not exhibit antioxidative activity in vitro. Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered various salts (1.8 g NaCl equivalent/kg) daily for 7 weeks. The rats fed RS and BS exhibited significantly lower levels of lipid peroxidation and a higher total thiol content than the SS group (P < 0.05). The RS and BS groups exhibited a lower protein carbonyl content and expression level of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 than the SS group. These results indicate that roasted solar sea salts (RS and BS) generate less oxidative stress than SS. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSHeat-treated solar sea salt (SS) is a traditional Korean processed salt used as a dietary salt. SS roasted with (BS) or without (RS) bamboo exhibited antioxidative activity in vitro and generated less oxidative stress than SS in rats. BS exhibited the highest antioxidative effect in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that roasted SSs could be consumed as an alternative dietary salt and could be important in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Onion is a well-known health-beneficial vegetable. However, fresh onion is high in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) which may be problematic for IBD. Fermentation of onion may help to lower FODMAP problems and increase the availability of bioactive compounds, especially quercetin. We investigated the effect of fermented onion on DSS-induced IBD in rats. Rats were divided into six groups and treated orally with saline as a control and negative control (DSS), probiotics, low and high doses of fermented onion, or fresh onion extract for 3 weeks. After two weeks, rats were given drinking water containing 0.2% DSS for 5 days, except for the control followed by two days of regular water. The colonic histomorphology, immunity, oxidative stress, short-chain fatty acids, and biochemical analysis showed improved IBD conditions in the fermented onion groups. In contrast, the consumption of fresh onion appeared to exacerbate the IBD condition. These results suggest that the consumption of a high dose of fermented onion can ameliorate IBD symptoms.
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