Effects of diet enriched with restructured meats, containing Himanthalia elongata, on hypercholesterolaemic induction, CYP7A1 expression and antioxidant enzyme activity and expression in growing rats

Bioactive peptides of marine organisms: Roles in the reduction and control of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affect the quality of life or are fatal in the worst cases, resulting in a significant economic and social burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need to invent functional products or drugs for improving patient health and alleviating and controlling these diseases. Marine bioactive peptides reduce and control CVDs. Many of the predisposing factors triggering CVDs can be alleviated by consuming functional foods containing marine biopeptides. Therefore, improving CVD incidence through the use of effective biopeptide foods from marine sources has attracted increasing interest and attention. This review reports information on bioactive peptides derived from various marine organisms, focusing on the process of the separation, purification, and identification of biological peptides, biological characteristics, and functional food for promoting cardiovascular health. Increasing evidence shows that the bioactivity and safety of marine peptides significantly impact their storage, purification, and processing. It is feasible to develop further strategies involving functional foods to treat CVDs through effective safety testing methods. Future work should focus on producing high-quality marine peptides and applying them in the food and drug industry.

Silicon-enriched meat positively improves plasma lipidaemia and lipoproteinaemia, LDLr, and insulin capability and the signalling pathway induced by an atherogenic diet in late-stage type 2 diabetes mellitus rats

The impact of silicon as a functional ingredient in restructured meat (RM) on lipoprotein composition, metabolism, and oxidation on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) markers has never been studied. This study aims to evaluate the effect of silicon-enriched-meat consumption on lipidaemia, lipoprotein profile and metabolism, plasma arylesterase, and TBARS and their relationships with glycaemia, insulinaemia, and insulin-signaling markers in late-stage-T2DM rats fed a high-saturated-fat-high-cholesterol (HSFHC) diet. Saturated-fat diets with or without added cholesterol were formulated by mixing a 70% purified diet with 30% freeze-dried RM with or without added silicon. Three groups of seven Wistar rats each were tested. The ED group received the control RM in the framework of a high-saturated-fat diet as early-stage T2DM control. The other two groups received streptozotocin-nicotinamide administration together with the HSFHC diet containing the control RM (LD) or silicon-enriched RM (LD-Si). Scores were created to define the diabetic trend and dyslipidaemia. The ED rats showed hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, and triglyceride-rich-VLDLs, suggesting they were in early-stage T2DM. LD rats presented hyperglycaemia, hypoinsulinaemia, and reduced HOMA-beta and insulin signaling markers typical of late-stage T2DM along with hypercholesterolaemia and high amounts of beta-VLDL, IDL, and LDL particles and low arylesterase activity. All these markers were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in LD-Si rats. The diabetic trend and diabetes dyslipidaemia scores showed a high and significant correlation (r = 0.595, p < 0.01). Silicon-enriched-meat consumption counterbalances the negative effects of HSFHC diets, functioning as an active hypolipemic, antioxidant, and antidiabetic dietary ingredient in a T2DM rat model, delaying the onset of late-stage diabetes.

Marine algal polysaccharides as future potential constituents against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most chronic and incurable liver diseases triggered mainly by an inappropriate diet and hereditary factors which burden liver metabolic stress, and may result in liver fibrosis or even cancer. While the available drugs show adverse side effects. The non-toxic bioactive molecules derived from natural resources, particularly marine algal polysaccharides (MAPs), present significant potential for treating NASH. In this review, we summarized the protective effects of MAPs on NASH from multiple perspectives, including reducing oxidative stress, regulating lipid metabolism, enhancing immune function, preventing fibrosis, and providing cell protection. Furthermore, the mechanisms of MAPs in treating NASH were comprehensively described. Additionally, we highlight the influences of the special structures of MAPs on their bioactive differences. Through this comprehensive review, we aim to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MAPs in NASH and inspire insights for deeper research on the functional food and clinical applications of MAPs.

Antioxidant and chemotherapeutic efficacies of seaweed-derived phlorotannins in cancer treatment: A review regarding novel anticancer drugs

The ineffectiveness of traditional cancer therapies due to drug resistance, nontargeted delivery, and chemotherapy-associated adverse side effects has shifted attention to bioactive phytochemicals. Consequently, research efforts toward screening and identification of natural compounds with anticancer properties have increased in recent years. Marine seaweed-derived bioactive compounds, such as polyphenolic compounds, have exhibited anticancer properties. Phlorotannins (PTs), a major group of seaweed-derived polyphenolic compounds, have emerged as powerful chemopreventive and chemoprotective compounds, regulating apoptotic cell death pathways both in vitro and in vivo. In this context, this review focuses on the anticancer activity of polyphenols isolated from brown algae, with a special reference to PTs. Furthermore, we highlight the antioxidant effects of PTs and discuss how they can impact cell survival and tumor development and progression. Moreover, we discussed the potential therapeutic application of PTs as anticancer agents, having molecular mechanisms involving oxidative stress reduction. We have also discussed patents or patent applications that apply PTs as major components of antioxidant and antitumor products. With this review, researcher may gain new insights into the potential novel role of PTs, as well as uncover a novel cancer-prevention mechanism and improve human health.

Impact of Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Phlorotannins from Himanthalia elongata

A phlorotannin extract was obtained from Himanthalia elongata, revealing a profile rich in fucophlorethol-type and carmalol-type compounds. When subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion, its levels of total phlorotannins and antioxidant activity, measured in vitro via NO^● and O₂^●− scavenging assays, were reduced, thus suggesting that these compounds’ integrity and bioactivity are negatively affected by the digestive process. Nevertheless, when undigested vs. digested extracts were used on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages, both showed a strong inhibitory effect on the cellular NO^● production. In fact, although not statistically significant, the digested extract revealed a tendentially stronger effect compared to its undigested counterpart, suggesting that even though there is a decrease in the phlorotannins’ concentration after digestion, with a consequent loss of their scavenging properties, the possible degradation products being formed may exert their effects through the modulation of the intracellular signaling mechanisms. Overall, this study not only contributes to a better understanding of the phlorotannins’ composition of the species H. elongata, but also shows that, although the digestive process may affect the integrity and concentration of these compounds, this does not necessarily translate into loss of bioactivity, in particular the anti-inflammatory activity, probably owing to the bioactive effects that the degradation products of these phenolics may have at an intracellular level.

Functional Meat Products as Oxidative Stress Modulators: A Review

High meat consumption has been associated with increased oxidative stress mainly due to the generation of oxidized compounds in the body, such as malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-nonenal, oxysterols, or protein carbonyls, which can induce oxidative damage. Meat products are excellent matrices for introducing different bioactive compounds, to obtain functional meat products aimed at minimizing the pro-oxidant effects associated with high meat consumption. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the concept and preparation of healthy and functional meat, which could benefit antioxidant status. Likewise, the key strategies regarding meat production and storage as well as ingredients used (e.g., minerals, polyphenols, fatty acids, walnuts) for developing these functional meats are detailed. Although most effort has been made to reduce the oxidation status of meat, newly emerging approaches also aim to improve the oxidation status of consumers of meat products. Thus, we will delve into the relation between functional meats and their health effects on consumers. In this review, animal trials and intervention studies are discussed, ascertaining the extent of functional meat products' properties (e.g., neutralizing reactive oxygen species formation and increasing the antioxidant response). The effects of functional meat products in the frame of diet-gene interactions are analyzed to 1) discover target subjects that would benefit from their consumption, and 2) understand the molecular mechanisms that ensure precision in the prevention and treatment of diseases, where high oxidative stress takes place. Long-term intervention-controlled studies, testing different types and amounts of functional meat, are also necessary to ascertain their positive impact on degenerative diseases.

Brown Algae Phlorotannins: A Marine Alternative to Break the Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Cancer Network

According to the WHO, cancer was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018, making it the second global leading cause of death. The main risk factors that lead to the development of this disease include poor behavioral and dietary habits, such as tobacco use, alcohol use and lack of fruit and vegetable intake, or physical inactivity. In turn, it is well known that polyphenols are deeply implicated with the lower rates of cancer in populations that consume high levels of plant derived foods. In this field, phlorotannins have been under the spotlight in recent years since they have shown exceptional bioactive properties, with great interest for application in food and pharmaceutical industries. Among their multiple bioactive properties, phlorotannins have revealed the capacity to interfere with several biochemical mechanisms that regulate oxidative stress, inflammation and tumorigenesis, which are central aspects in the pathogenesis of cancer. This versatility and ability to act either directly or indirectly at different stages and mechanisms of cancer growth make these compounds highly appealing for the development of new therapeutical strategies to address this world scourge. The present manuscript revises relevant studies focusing the effects of phlorotannins to counteract the oxidative stress-inflammation network, emphasizing their potential for application in cancer prevention and/or treatment.

Toward Food Freshness Monitoring: Coordination Binding-Based Colorimetric Sensor Array for Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids

Herein, a self-assembled colorimetric chemosensor array composed of off-the-shelf catechol dyes and a metal ion (i.e., Zn2+) has been used for the sulfur-containing amino acids (SCAAs; i.e., glutathione, glutathione disulfide, L-cysteine, DL-homocysteine, and L-cystine). The coordination binding-based chemosensor array (CBSA) fabricated by a competitive assay among SCAAs, Zn2+ ions, and catechol dyes [i.e., pyrocatechol violet (PV), bromopyrogallol red (BPR), pyrogallol red (PR), and alizarin red S (ARS)] yielded fingerprint-like colorimetric changes. We succeeded in the qualification of SCAAs based on pattern recognition [i.e., a linear discrimination analysis (LDA)] with 100% correct classification accuracy. The semiquantification of reduced/oxidized forms of SCAAs was also performed based on LDA. Furthermore, we carried out a spike test of glutathione in food samples using the proposed chemosensor array with regression analysis. It is worth mentioning that we achieved a 91-110% recovery rate in real sample tests, which confirmed the accuracy of the constructed model. Thus, this study represents a step forward in assessing food freshness based on supramolecular analytical methods.

Brown Seaweeds for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the coexistence of different metabolic disorders which increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, metabolic syndrome leads to a reduction in patients' quality of life as well as to an increase in morbidity and mortality. In the last few decades, it has been demonstrated that seaweeds exert multiple beneficial effects by virtue of their micro- and macronutrient content, which could help in the management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the potential of brown seaweeds for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases, based on the most recent evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. Owing to their great potential for health benefits, brown seaweeds are successfully used in some nutraceuticals and functional foods for treating metabolic syndrome comorbidities. However, some issues still need to be tackled and deepened to improve the knowledge of their ADME/Tox profile in humans, in particular by finding validated indexes of their absorption and obtaining reliable information on their efficacy and long-term safety.

Brown Macroalgae as Valuable Food Ingredients

Due to the balanced nutritional value and abundance of bioactive compounds, seaweeds represent great candidates to be used as health-promoting ingredients by the food industry. In this field, Phaeophyta, i.e., brown macroalgae, have been receiving great attention particularly due to their abundance in complex polysaccharides, phlorotannins, fucoxanthin and iodine. In the past decade, brown algae and their extracts have been extensively studied, aiming at the development of well-accepted products with the simultaneous enhancement of nutritional value and/or shelf-life. However, the reports aiming at their bioactivity in in vivo models are still scarce and need additional exploration. Therefore, this manuscript revises the relevant literature data regarding the development of Phaeophyta-enriched food products, namely those focused on species considered as safe for human consumption in Europe. Hopefully, this will create awareness to the need of further studies in order to determine how those benefits can translate to human beings.

Chia Oil-Enriched Restructured Pork Effects on Oxidative and Inflammatory Status of Aged Rats Fed High Cholesterol/High Fat Diets

Chia oil has the highest recognized α-linolenic acid (ALA) content. ALA is associated with beneficial changes in plasma lipids and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Present article aims to analyze the effect of Chia oil-enriched restructured pork (RP) on aged rats in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. Groups of six male Wistar rats (1-year old) were fed the experimental diets: control RP diet (C) noncholesterol high saturated; cholesterol-enriched high-saturated fat/high-cholesterol control RP diet (HC) with added cholesterol and cholic acid; and Chia oil- or Hydroxytyrosol RP cholesterol-enriched high-saturated fat/high cholesterol (CHIA and HxT). Total cholesterol, hepatosomatic index, Nrf2, antioxidant, and inflammation markers were determined. CHIA reduced the hypercholesterolemic effect by lowering levels similar to C; also, ameliorated redox index. CHIA, despite high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content, reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and induced the lowest SOD protein synthesis but not a reduction on its activity. Chia oil activated the Nrf2 to arrest the pro-oxidative response to cholesterol and aging. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) system was lower in HxT than in CHIA, suggesting its antiatherogenic activity and related protective effect against high PUFA. Increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was partially blocked by CHIA. Chia oil has the ability to prevent oxidative damage and modify the inflammatory response, suggesting adequate regulation of the antioxidant system. Results stress the importance of incorporating ALA into the diet.

Glucomannan- and glucomannan plus spirulina-enriched pork affect liver fatty acid profile, LDL receptor expression and antioxidant status in Zucker fa/fa rats fed atherogenic diets

We evaluated the effects of glucomannan or glucomannan plus spirulina-restructured pork (RP) on liver fatty acid profile, desaturase/elongase enzyme activities and oxidative status of Zucker fa/fa rats for seven weeks. Control (C), glucomannan (G) and glucomannan/spirulina (GS)-RP; HC (cholesterol-enriched control), HG and HGS (cholesterol-enriched glucomannan and glucomannan/spirulina-RP) experimental diets were tested. Increased metabolic syndrome markers were found in C, G and GS rats. Cholesterol feeding increased liver size, fat, and cholesterol and reduced antioxidant enzyme levels and expressions. Cholesterolemia was lower in HG and HGS than in HC. GS vs. G showed higher stearic but lower oleic levels. SFA and PUFA decreased while MUFA increased by cholesterol feeding. The arachidonic/linoleic and docosahexaenoic/alpha-linolenic ratios were lower in HC, HG, and HGS vs. C, G, and GS, respectively, suggesting a delta-6-elongase-desaturase system inhibition. Moreover, cholesterol feeding, mainly in HGS, decreased low-density-lipoprotein receptor expression and the delta-5-desaturase activity and increased the delta-9-desaturase activity. In conclusion, the liver production of highly unsaturated fatty acids was limited to decrease their oxidation in presence of hypercholesterolaemia. Glucomannan or glucomannan/spirulina-RP has added new attributes to their functional properties in meat, partially arresting the negative effects induced by high-fat-high-cholesterol feeding on the liver fatty acid and antioxidant statuses.

Glucomannan and glucomannan plus spirulina added to pork significantly block dietary cholesterol effects on lipoproteinemia, arylesterase activity, and CYP7A1 expression in Zucker fa/fa rats

Zucker fa/fa rats easily develop dyslipidemia and obesity. Restructured pork (RP) is a suitable matrix for including functional ingredients. The effects of glucomannan- RP or glucomannan plus spirulina-enriched RP on plasma lipid/lipoprotein levels, cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) expression, and arylesterase activity in growing fa/fa rats fed high-energy, high-fat cholesterol-enriched diets were tested. Groups of six rats each received diet containing 15% control-RP (C), 15% glucomannan-RP diet (G), 15% glucomannan + spirulina-RP diet (GS), and same diets enriched with 2.4% cholesterol and 0.49% cholic acid (cholesterol-enriched control (HC), cholesterol-enriched glucomannan (HG), and cholesterol-enriched glucomannan + spirulina (HGS) diets) over a 7-week period. C diet induced obesity, severe hyperglycemia, moderate hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Those facts were not significantly modified by G or GS diets. G diet increased CYP7A1 expression but decreased the total cholesterol/high density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol ratio (p < 0.05) vs. C diet. GS vs. G diet increased (p < 0.05) CYP7A1 expression. HC vs. C diet reduced food intake, body weight gain, and plasma glucose (p < 0.01) but increased cholesterolemia (p < 0.01), lipidemia (plasma cholesterol plus triglycerides) (p < 0.001), cholesterol/triglyceride ratio in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), and HDL (p < 0.05), cholesterol transported by VLDL and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) + low density lipoproteins (LDL), total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and CYP7A1 expression (at least p < 0.05). HG and HGS diets vs. HC noticeably reduced lipidemia (p < 0.001), normalized VLDL and IDL + LDL lipid composition, and increased CYP7A1 expression (p < 0.01) but did not modify the cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. HGS vs. HG decreased triglyceridemia, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and increased arylesterase/HDL-cholesterol activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, G- and GS-RP act as functional foods and notably blocked the dietary cholesterol effects. In addition, HGS-RP improved the glucomannan hypolipidemic effects, increased arylesterase/HDL-cholesterol activity, and decreased insulin resistance.

Application of seaweeds to develop new food products with enhanced shelf-life, quality and health-related beneficial properties

Edible seaweeds are a good source of antioxidants, dietary fibers, essential amino acids, vitamins, phytochemicals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and minerals. Many studies have evaluated the gelling, thickening and therapeutic properties of seaweeds when they are used individually. This review gives an overview on the nutritional, textural, sensorial, and health-related properties of food products enriched with seaweeds and seaweed extracts. The effect of seaweed incorporation on properties of meat, fish, bakery, and other food products were highlighted in depth. Moreover, the positive effects of foods enriched with seaweeds and seaweed extracts on different lifestyle diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were also discussed. The results of the studies demonstrated that the addition of seaweeds, in powder or extract form, can improve the nutritional and textural properties of food products. Additionally, low-fat products with less calories and less saturated fatty acids can be prepared using seaweeds. Moreover, the addition of seaweeds also affected the health properties of food products. The results of these studies demonstrated that the health value, shelf-life and overall quality of foods can be improved through the addition of either seaweeds or seaweed extracts.

A comprehensive approach to formulation of seaweed-enriched meat products: From technological development to assessment of healthy properties

Meat consumption is influenced by various kinds of factors, among them health implications. Different strategies can be effective in developing meat-based functional foods. These basically entail reducing the presence of compounds with negative health implications and enhancing the presence of beneficial compounds. This article reviews a comprehensive model for the development of meat-based functional foods based on a presentation of the research achieved in terms of the design and development of qualitatively and quantitatively modified meat products (frankfurters, patties and restructured steaks). These were reformulated to incorporate nutrients associated with three different seaweeds (wakame-Undaria pinnatifida; nori-Porphyra umbilicalis; and sea spaghetti-Himanthalia elongata) as sources of bioactive substances, while simultaneously reducing sodium and fat and improving fatty acid profiles. Those seaweeds were chosen, because in terms of composition and health implications, abundance on Spanish coasts, relatively widespread consumption, and suitability in terms of flavour and colour they are better suited than others for use as ingredients in new products. It also discusses the consequences of the use of this type of meat-based functional foods (combination of pork meat and 5% of each seaweed with or without hypercholesterolaemic agent included in the diets) on growing animals (Wistar male rats), and their effects on different aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, oxidative stress and liver structure. This article, then, reports a comprehensive approach to the production of seaweed-enriched meat products, considering aspects of technological development aimed at achieving the functional effect.

Looking Beyond the Terrestrial: The Potential of Seaweed Derived Bioactives to Treat Non-Communicable Diseases

Seaweeds are a large and diverse group of marine organisms that are commonly found in the maritime regions of the world. They are an excellent source of biologically active secondary metabolites and have been shown to exhibit a wide range of therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities. Several Asian cultures have a strong tradition of using different varieties of seaweed extensively in cooking as well as in herbal medicines preparations. As such, seaweeds have been used to treat a wide variety of health conditions such as cancer, digestive problems, and renal disorders. Today, increasing numbers of people are adopting a "westernised lifestyle" characterised by low levels of physical exercise and excessive calorific and saturated fat intake. This has led to an increase in numbers of chronic Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, being reported. Recently, NCDs have replaced communicable infectious diseases as the number one cause of human mortality. Current medical treatments for NCDs rely mainly on drugs that have been obtained from the terrestrial regions of the world, with the oceans and seas remaining largely an untapped reservoir for exploration. This review focuses on the potential of using seaweed derived bioactives including polysaccharides, antioxidants and fatty acids, amongst others, to treat chronic NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of emodin by simultaneous determination of in vitro and in vivo bile salts binding

Emodin is an active anthraquinone derivative from Rheum palmatum and some other Chinese herbs and it is traditionally used for treating a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated the hypocholesterolemic effects and mechanism of emodin on hypercholesterolemia rats. In vitro, capability of emodin binding to sodium deoxycholate which is one kind of bile salts (BAs) was evaluated by detection of surplus content of sodium deoxycholate. In vivo, hypocholesterolemic effects were assessed by determining total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level of serum and TC, TG level of the liver. Oil red O staining was employed to determine lipid droplet of the liver. The mechanism was explored by BAs in feces, the liver and small intestine. Furthermore, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) activity was measured to evaluate cholesterol's transforming to BAs. The results indicated that TC level of emodin group apparently decreased comparing with model group (p<0.05). Emodin could bind to BAs both in vivo (p<0.05) and in vitro. CYP7A1 activity in emodin group apparently increased comparing with model group (p<0.05). Data suggested that emodin had the potential value for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The underlying mechanism is probably associated with binding capability to BAs and subsequent increasing expression of CYP7A1.

Seaweeds as Preventive Agents for Cardiovascular Diseases: From Nutrients to Functional Foods

Being naturally enriched in key nutrients and in various health-promoting compounds, seaweeds represent promising candidates for the design of functional foods. Soluble dietary fibers, peptides, phlorotannins, lipids and minerals are macroalgae's major compounds that can hold potential in high-value food products derived from macroalgae, including those directed to the cardiovascular-health promotion. This manuscript revises available reported data focusing the role of diet supplementation of macroalgae, or extracts enriched in bioactive compounds from macroalgae origin, in targeting modifiable markers of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), like dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, hypertension, hypercoagulability and activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems, among others. At last, the review also describes several products that have been formulated with the use of whole macroalgae or extracts, along with their claimed cardiovascular-associated benefits.

Protective effects of sea spaghetti-enriched restructured pork against dietary cholesterol: effects on arylesterase and lipoprotein profile and composition of growing rats

There is a general assumption that seaweeds are hypocholesterolemics and antioxidants. However, controversial results suggest specific properties for each individual alga. This study aims to assess the effect of including Sea Spaghetti alga (S) in a restructured-pork (RP) diet, both enriched and not enriched with dietary cholesterol, on arylesterase (AE) activity and lipoprotein concentration and composition of Wistar rats. Four groups of 10 growing male Wistar rats were each fed a mix of 85% AIN-93M diet and 15% freeze-dried RP for 5 weeks. The control group (C) consumed control RP-C; the S group consumed RP-S with 5% seaweeds; the Chol-C group consumed the C diet but enriched with cholesterol (2.43%) and cholic acid (0.49%); the Chol-S group consumed the S diet but enriched with cholesterol and cholic acid. AE activity was five times higher (P<.01) in S compared with C rats, but three times lower in Chol-S compared with Chol-C rats (P<.01). The Chol-C diet induced hypercholesterolemia but reduced triglycerides (TG), giving rise to the presence of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) that was enriched in cholesterol. The Chol-S diet partially blocked (P<.001) the hypercholesterolemic induction of the Chol-C diet, and reduced TG levels (P<.05) with respect to S rats. The cholesterol supplementation increased total cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and intermediate-density lipoprotein+LDL-cholesterol (IDL+LDL)-cholesterol (P<.001) in Chol-C rats, but the effect was lower in the Chol-S diet. In conclusion, RP-S increases the antioxidant capacity within a noncholesterol enriched diet while improving the lipoprotein profile within a cholesterol-enriched diet.

Evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect and antioxidant activity of Boops boops proteins in cholesterol-fed rats

Dietary proteins affect blood cholesterol concentrations and antioxidant status, which are related to several diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The present study attempts to investigate the potential of Boops boops proteins (Bb-NHP) and its hydrolysate (Bb-HP) in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress in rats fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD). After four weeks' treatment, serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] in liver were determined. Compared with those fed a standard diet, high cholesterol diet induced dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and aortic structure alterations. Interestingly, supplementing the HCD with Boops boops proteins attenuated these anomalies in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggested that B. boops proteins might provide health benefits by helping to reduce the deleterious effects of increased intake of cholesterol that characterize modern diets.

Liver oxidation and inflammation in Fa/Fa rats fed glucomannan/spirulina-surimi

The effect of high-fat squid-surimi diets enriched in glucomannan or glucomannan-spirulina on lipemia, liver glutathione status, antioxidant enzymes and inflammation biomarkers was determined in Zucker Fa/Fa rats. Groups of eight rats each received for 7weeks the squid-surimi control (C), glucomannan-enriched squid-surimi (G) and glucomannan-spirulina enriched squid-surimi (GS). Liver weight, cytochrome P450 7A1 expression and cholesterolemia were decreased in G and GS vs. C, improving glutathione red-ox index (p<0.05). G also showed increased glutathione reductase (GR) levels vs. C, but reduced the endothelial (eNOS) and increased the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels (p<0.05). The GS diet improved superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and GR activities and eNOS, iNOS and TNF-α levels (p<0.05). The glucomannan enriched surimi-diet induced hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and proinflammatory effects, while the addition of 3g/kg spirulina kept those hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant effects but reduced the inflammation observed.

Effects of seaweed-restructured pork diets enriched or not with cholesterol on rat cholesterolaemia and liver damage

Seaweed enriched-restructured pork (RP) is a potential functional food. However, indications of adverse effects associated with herbal medications, which include among others liver failure, toxic hepatitis, and death have been reported. Cholesterol feeding produces hepatomegalia and fat liver infiltration. The effect of seaweed-RP diet, cholesterol-enriched or not, on plasma cholesterol, liver damage markers, structure, and cytochrome CYP4A-1 were evaluated after 5 wk. Eight rat groups were fed a mix of 85% AIN-93M rodent-diet plus 15% RP. The Cholesterol-control (CC), Cholesterol-Wakame (CW), Cholesterol-Nori (CN) and Cholesterol-Sea Spaghetti (CS) groups respectively consumed similar diets to control (C), Wakame (W), Nori (N), and Sea Spaghetti (S) but as part of hypercholesterolaemic diets. CN and CS significantly blocked the hypercholesterolaemic effect observed in CC group. After 5-wk, N and S diets increased the CYP4A-1 expression. However, seaweed-RPs were unable to reduce the histological liver alterations observed in CC group. Larger and more abundant hepatocellular alterations were found in CS and CN rats suggesting that the hypocholesterolaemic effects of these seaweed-RPs seem to be a two-edged sword as they increased liver damage. Future studies are needed to understand the involved mechanisms.