Evaluation of whole antioxidant defenses of human mononuclear cells by a new in vitro biological test: lack of correlation between erythrocyte and mononuclear cell resistance to oxidative stress

A Nano-Emulsion Platform Functionalized with a Fully Human scFv-Fc Antibody for Atheroma Targeting: Towards a Theranostic Approach to Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is at the onset of the cardiovascular diseases that are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Currently, high-risk plaques, also called vulnerable atheromatous plaques, remain often undiagnosed until the occurrence of severe complications, such as stroke or myocardial infarction. Molecular imaging agents that target high-risk atheromatous lesions could greatly improve the diagnosis of atherosclerosis by identifying sites of high disease activity. Moreover, a "theranostic approach" that combines molecular imaging agents (for diagnosis) and therapeutic molecules would be of great value for the local management of atheromatous plaques. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize an innovative theranostic tool for atherosclerosis. We engineered oil-in-water nano-emulsions (NEs) loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) purposes. Dynamic MRI showed that NE-SPIO nanoparticles decorated with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer reduced their liver uptake and extended their half-life. Next, the NE-SPIO-PEG formulation was functionalized with a fully human scFv-Fc antibody (P3) recognizing galectin 3, an atherosclerosis biomarker. The P3-functionalized formulation targeted atheromatous plaques, as demonstrated in an immunohistochemistry analyses of mouse aorta and human artery sections and in an Apoe^-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis. Moreover, the formulation was loaded with SPIO nanoparticles and/or alpha-tocopherol to be used as a theranostic tool for atherosclerosis imaging (SPIO) and for delivery of drugs that reduce oxidation (here, alpha-tocopherol) in atheromatous plaques. This study paves the way to non-invasive targeted imaging of atherosclerosis and synergistic therapeutic applications.

Hypervitaminosis A is associated with immunological non-response in HIV-1-infected adults: a case-control study

For people living with HIV, determinants of immunological non-response (INR) to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) have not been fully elucidated. In a case-control study, we evaluated the influence of the nutritional and antioxidant status in HIV-1 adults whose cART was initiated between January 2001 and December 2013. Cases had persistent CD4 counts < 350/μL vs. > 350/μL for controls, after at least 2 years of cART with persistent viral loads (VL) < 50 copies/mL. Twelve cases and twenty-eight control subjects with the same CD4 count at cART initiation were compared for their nutritional and antioxidant status after age adjustment at dosage assessment. Patients were predominantly male (70%), Caucasian (82%) and at AIDS stage (62%). The median age was 53, and the median CD4 count was 245/mm³ for cases and 630/mm³ for controls after a median time of 7 years on cART. Despite higher energy intakes in cases, anthropometric data was comparable between groups who had similar vitamins B9/B12/C/D/E, zinc, citrulline and glutamine levels. Nine cases (75%) and 8 controls (29%) had hypervitaminosis A (> 2.70 μmol/L) (p = 0.030). Cases had lower erythrocyte resistance when exposed to a controlled free radical attack (p = 0.014). Most cases had hypervitaminosis A and altered antioxidant capacities that could affect immunological response. Wide-scale studies are required, but in the meantime, screening of their vitamin A status must be encouraged in these patients.

Green Tea and Pomegranate Extract Administered During Critical Moments of the Production Cycle Improves Blood Antiradical Activity and Alters Cecal Microbial Ecology of Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

Since the European Union’s (EU) antibiotic ban in 2006, interest in natural feed additives has largely increased. Natural feed additives are used to prevent diseases and promote growth in chickens, supporting animal health and modulating the development of the gut microflora during stressful situations. In the present study, a bioactive compound from plants belonging to the class of phytobiotics was assessed for its effects on production performance, antiradical activity and gut microflora in broiler chickens. The obtained results show how the tested compound is able to exert beneficial effects on the antiradical activity and gut microbial ecology of birds, even though the chickens’ performance was unaffected.

Abstract

Phytobiotics are usually tested in feed and throughout the production cycle. However, it could be beneficial to evaluate their effects when administered only during critical moments, such as changes in feeding phases. The aim of the trial was to investigate the effect of a commercial plant extract (PE; IQV-10-P01, InQpharm Animal Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on growth performance, blood antiradical activity and cecal microbiome when administered in drinking water to broiler chickens during the post-hatching phase and at each change of diet. In the experiment, 480 1-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups in a 50-day trial. Broilers received drinking water (C) or drinking water plus PE (T) at a rate of 2 mL/L on days 0 to 4, 10–11 and 20–21. PE did not affect performance and water intake, while total antiradical activity was improved (p < 0.05). A greater abundance of lactic acid bacteria (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) was found in the T group and the result was confirmed at a lower taxonomic level with higher Lactobacillaceae abundance (FDR < 0.05). Our findings suggest that PE administration during critical moments of the production cycle of broiler chickens may exert beneficial effects at a systemic level and on gut microbial ecology.

Supplementation with a Polyphenol-Rich Extract, PerfLoad®, Improves Physical Performance during High-Intensity Exercise: A Randomized, Double Blind, Crossover Trial

Workout capacity is energy-production driven. To produce peak metabolic power outputs, the organism predominantly relies more on anaerobic metabolism, but this undoubtedly has a negative and limiting impact on muscle function and performance. The aim of the study was to evaluate if an innovative polyphenol-based food supplement, PerfLoad^®, was able to improve metabolic homeostasis and physical performance during high-intensity exercises under anaerobic conditions. The effect of a supplementation has been investigated on fifteen recreationally-active male athletes during a randomized, double-blind and crossover clinical investigation. The Wingate test, an inducer of an unbalanced metabolism associated to oxidative stress, was used to assess maximum anaerobic power during a high-intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer. Supplementation with PerfLoad^® correlated with a significant increase in total power output (5%), maximal peak power output (3.7%), and average power developed (5%), without inducing more fatigue or greater heart rate. Instead, oxidative homeostasis was stabilized in supplemented subjects. Such results demonstrated that PerfLoad^® is a natural and efficient solution capable of, similarly to training benefits, helping athletes to improve their physical performance, while balancing their metabolism and reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Application of KRL test to assess total antioxidant activity in pigs: sensitivity to dietary antioxidants

The application of Kit Radicaux Libres (KRL) test to assess total blood antioxidant activity in pigs was evaluated. The KRL has been validated and is widely used in humans for assessing the effectiveness of natural or pharmaceutical treatments, and in vitro to evaluate the antioxidant activities of natural or synthetic antioxidants. In this study the sensitivity of the KRL test in assessing the effectiveness of dietary antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E and plant extract) was evaluated in two different phases of pig breeding. The first trial, in post-weaned piglets (40 piglets/group) fed dietary vitamin E supplementation for 60 days, indicated that there was a higher total antioxidant activity (P=0.032) of whole blood and of red blood cells (P=0.001) than for control pigs. The second trial indicated that long-term supplementation of water soluble plant extract (20 pigs/group) from the leaves of Verbenaceae (Lippia spp.) tended (P=0.091) to increase antioxidant activity in the whole blood of treated, rather than control pigs. These results indicate that the KRL might be recommended as one of efficient means for evaluating antioxidant activity of dietary ingredients fed to pigs.