A comprehensive review on fruit Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui) for modern health: towards a better understanding

Human and animal intervention studies have provided enough evidence for the protective effects of different foods rich in polyphenols against non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Though over the last decade South American berries, rich sources of polyphenols, especially maqui, have become the subject of research interest due to their remarkable potential health benefits, yet so far very limited studies have been conducted on the effect of maqui berry on non-communicable diseases, and information about its domestication is also still deficient. This comprehensive review focuses on the health potential of maqui, especially on its effect on non-communicable diseases. It is anticipated that this article will extend our understanding of the maqui-health benefit relationship. More detailed and long term in vivo intervention and in vitro studies are needed to fully understand how maqui interacts with human physiological and pathological processes, considering the rapid increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

Influence of processing and storage conditions in strawberry jam color / Influencia de las condiciones de tratamiento y de almacenamiento en el color de confituras de fresa

The influence of time and temperature of processing on the color of strawberry jams, and the time and presence of light during their storage is evaluated. Results showed that processing time is the determinant for obtaining color quality products, as boiling for over 15 min has a deleterious effect. The effect of daylight during storage caused insignificant color and anthocyanin losses, when com pared with storage under dark conditions. However, there was no direct relationship between antho cyanin loss during processing and storage and the color observed under any of the assayed condi tions. The freezing of fruit for long periods (one year) for future jam preparation provoked 77% of anthocyanin losses. Nevertheless, fruit could be stored at -20°C for six months, since less than 20% loss of anthocyanins was noted.

Stabilization of strawberry jam colour with natural colourants / Estabilización del color de mermelada de fresa mediante la adición de colorantes naturales

A recurrent problem in the fruit processing industry is the loss of colour in fruit preserves during storage. Colour of such products may be fortified by adding natural colourants. In this work a commonly used colourant (elderberry extract) is compared with a newly proposed alternative, pomegranate juice, for the stabilization of strawberry jam colour. The results showed that adding a colourant to the jams helped to maintain the colour, and that the pomegranate-derived colourant could possibly be used as an alternative to elderberry pigments for this purpose.

Markers of cardiovascular risk in elderly patients with age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness among persons aged 60 years and older and many theories exist and feature mechanisms of oxidative stress, atherosclerotic-like changes, genetic predisposition, and inflammation in development of AMD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between markers of inflammation and cardiovascular risk with age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

Case-control study that includes 163 patients with wet AMD (age group of 55-82 years with the mean age of 71 years and 170 age-matched healthy controls in the age group of 55-78 years with the mean age of 71 years. The following parameters were determined: lipidic profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), homocysteine and fibrinogen.

RESULTS

We found significant differences between AMD patients and control group in baseline values of homocysteine, CRP and fibrinogen, although we do not observed differences in levels of lipidic profile.

CONCLUSION

Our data support the role of chronic inflammation in the development of AMD, however, further studies are needed to determine which common disease mechanisms of chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD.

Influence of anti-VEGF about cardiovascular biomarkers in age related macular degeneration

Systemic VEGF inhibition disrupts endothelial homeostasis and accelerates the atherogenesis, suggesting that these events contribute to the clinical cardiovascular adverse events of VEGF-inhibiting therapies. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effect of anti-VEGF therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration. A total of 73 patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (without previous anti-VEGF therapy) were treated with two anti-VEGF: Ranibizumab and Pegaptanib sodium. The follow up was 6 months. The following parameters were determined before and after treatment: homocysteine, lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c), C-Reactive Protein and fibrinogen. There were not statistically significant differences in parameters studied before and after treatment with both Pegaptanib sodium and Ranibizumab, except C-Reactive Protein. Of all patients analyzed, only 3 of them have initially C-Reactive Protein levels above normal levels and after antiangiogenic therapy, there was a significant increase in C-Reactive Protein. We have not found results in our study who to suspect that treatment with anti-VEGF in the patients with exudative age related macular degeneration increases cardiovascular risk predictors. However, after therapy was increased the CRP and fibrinogen may mean that anti-VEGF contribute an alteration of endothelial homeostasis in exudative AMD.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with wet age related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with wet age related macular degeneration (AMD).

PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Case-control study that includes 163 patients with wet AMD (age group of 55-82 years with the mean age of 71 years and 170 age-matched healthy controls in the age group of 55-78 years with the mean age of 71 years. The following parameters were determined: reduced and oxidized Glutathione (GSH/GSSH), protein carbonyl groups, total antioxidant activity in plasma and the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as, gluthatione peroxidase, gluthatione reductase and superoxide dismutase.

RESULTS

We observed total antioxidant activity higher in control group (CG) compared with patients with wet AMD (7.1 ± 1.2 μM Trolox vs 5.8 ± 1.1 μM Trolox). Values of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), gluthatione reductase (GR) and gluthatione peroxidase (GPx) are higher in control group than in patients with wet AMD. According to the GSH/GSSH results, average values were higher in the CG than in patients with wet AMD and data were not significantly different.. Values of protein carbonyl groups were higher in patients with wet AMD than in CG and significant differences were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of the present study suggests that the patients with wet AMD are an altered metabolic state of oxidation-reduction and that it is convenient to give therapeutic interventions with antioxidants. We have demonstrated that systematic oxidative stress, measured by different biomarkers is closely associated with the wet AMD.

Soy isoflavones and cardiovascular disease epidemiological, clinical and -omics perspectives

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates are lower in Asian countries where dietary patterns are very different from Western diet. A number of studies have linked these lower rates to the inclusion of soy products as a staple food in those countries. Soy is the richest dietary source of isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen associated with many potentially beneficial effects. Isoflavone-containing soy protein consumption has been linked to reduced levels of LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients. This effect is increased with the concomitant administration of isoflavones, and seems to be also complemented by the isoflavone capacity to restore the endothelial function in patients with weak and moderated endothelial dysfunction. The effects are variable depending on individuals� � � metabolism and in particular to their ability to convert daidzein to equol that seems to be restricted to approximately 1/3 of the population. Equol production has been indeed linked to a decreased arterial stiffness and antiatherosclerotic effects via NO production. Because the relevance of isoflavones consumption on the modulation of cardiovascular risk still remains unclear, this paper aims to review the existing knowledge on the biological activity of the isoflavones on the human cardiovascular system from an epidemiological, clinical and -omics point of view.

Oxidative stress, frailty and cognitive decline

The causes of frailty are complex and must be accepted as multidimensional based on the interplay of genetic, biological, physical, psychological, social and environmental factors, although inflammation and oxidative stress are two factors that play an important role in the development of symptoms with those fragile states.

OBJECTIVE

to establish the relationship between oxidative stress, frailty and decline cognitive.

METHODS

A review of the literature and data abstraction from papers are showing the relationship between a) oxidative stress and frailty, b) oxidative stress and decline cognitive.

RESULTS

The papers reviewed showed that we can establish a relationship between the progress of neurodegenerative disorders and increased oxidative stress. Also found in frailty, that oxidative stress plays an important role as one of the starting points for the appearance of permanent inflammatory states.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the literature indicates the relationship between oxidative stress, frailty and decline cognitive, more studies are needed in this regard, especially interventions that asses whether increased intake of antioxidants in older frailty may improve the progress of disease and slow cognitive decline.

Bioavailability of insect growth regulator residues in citrus

The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge in the field of bioavailability of pollutants in agricultural food samples. Bioavailability of flufenoxuron, lufenuron, pyriproxyfen and fenoxycarb was studied in a common commodity as mandarin in vitro. Not only was it studied in fresh fruit but also in standards and canned mandarin to be able to establish matrix-related differences. Human gastric digestion, intestinal digestion and absorption were imitated. Porcine pepsin, porcine pancreatin, bile salts and semipermeable cellulose dialysis tubing were used. Dialysis values were lower than 15% and followed this order: standards > processed samples > fresh samples. The highest dialyzable values were observed for fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen. The higher the digested amount of pesticide, the higher the dialysed amount.

Bioavailability of insect growth regulators in citrus and stone fruits

The aim of this study was to offer data about the bioavailability of flufenoxuron, lufenuron, pyriproxyfen and fenoxycarb in common commodities like mandarin, apricot and peach. The in vitro bioavailability of the compounds was studied not only in fresh fruit but also in standards and canned food in order to establish possible differences according to the matrix. The gastric digestion was simulated with porcine pepsin at pH 2, for 2 h in a shaking water bath at 37 degrees C. The intestinal digestion was simulated with porcine pancreatin at pH 7, for 2 h in a shaking water bath at 37 degrees C. The intestinal absorption was simulated with cellulose dialysis tubing filled with a solution of sodium carbonate. No in vitro bioavailability was observed in mandarin, peach and apricot samples spiked at the concentrations generally found in the market for the raw and processed commodities. In standards, the dialysis started at the level of 0.25 mg/kg. This is an approximation to the pesticide digestion and absorption in humans.

[Detection of hyponutrition risk in non-institutionalised elderly]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

an inadequate food intake in the elderly increases immunological system vulnerability, the risk for infections, and it also leads to muscle atrophy, high sugar and fat plasma levels, fatigue, apathy, greater risk for bone fractures, and lower response to medication. Physiological and pathological changes related to aging bring about changes in dietary habits and organ body use of nutrients. The main consequence is an increase in the prevalence of individuals with global or nutrient-specific hyponutrition. The aim of this work was to detect the percentage of non-institutionalised malnourished elderly patients from Murcia with hyponutrition risk, in order to being able of preventively act on them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

360 elderly patients of both genders, non-institutionalised and residing in Murcia compose the population sample. Hyponutrition risk detection is based on performance of a test to each patient with nine questions relating to nutritional risk, which is a validated nutritional screening method, with a 95% positive predictive value and 81% negative predictive value. Besides, other factors that may affect hyponutrition risk were assessed in each patient (BMI, gender, age, persons living with him/her, marital status, educational level, and other conditions). Statistical analysis is done with the SPSS package, v. 12.0, using the Student's t test for comparison of independent variables with a normal distribution and Pearson's correlation to analyse the correlation level between variables.

RESULTS

The population sample is composed by elder people aged 73.5 +/- 0.5 years (mean +/- SEM), with a BMI of 27.5 +/- 0.3 (Kg/m2), of which 41% are males and 59% females. Forty-six percent have incomplete primary education, and only 11% have university education. Seventy-five percent of these elder people live with somebody (with their spouse or other relatives), and 22% live alone. Sixty-percent are married, and 31% are widow. About age-related pathologies, we observe higher prevalence of diabetes (21%) and cardiovascular diseases, (21%), high cholesterol levels (32%), and high prevalence of arterial hypertension (42%). Seven percent have involuntarily lost weight for the last 3 months, and 11% find themselves thinner, 14% have difficulty eating. Seventeen percent of the studied elder people have a likely risk for malnutrition, with 3% of malnourished patients. When analysing gender differences we observe a greater percentage of women with arterial hypertension, as compared to men (p < 0.05) whereas men diagnosed with COPD outnumber women with COPD (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) are seen in malnutrition risk by gender, being higher in females as compared to men. BMI and malnutrition risk are negatively correlated (p < 0.01). A direct correlation is seen between the patient's age and his/her malnutrition risk (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In Murcia 17% of analysed elderly people have a likely risk for malnutrition and 2% are malnourished. This malnutrition refers to deficient nutrition, so for these results suggest the need to perform: 1) further studies to determine qualitatively and quantitatively nutritional deficits. 22 A nutritional intervention in this population to prevent deficient states associated to the development of several pathologies.

Oxidative stress in Alzheimer patients in different stages of the disease

Increasing evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress causes damage to cell function with aging and is involved in a number of age-related disorders including atherosclerosis, arthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders. Cellular changes show that oxidative stress is a condition that precedes the appearance of the hallmark pathologies of the disease, neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. The aim of this article is to analyze the different biomarkers of oxidative stress in Alzheimer patients, in different stages of the illness, and compare the results with a control group. A nutritional evaluation was carried out, including anthropometric and biological measures and a 3 day dietary record. The concentration of substances which react to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) was measured as a marker of the degree of peroxidation using the HPLC method. The oxidation of proteins was analyzed by measuring the carbonyl groups in plasma. In addition, measurements were made of the total antioxidant activity in plasma and the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as gluthatione peroxidase, gluthatione reductase and superoxide dismutase. The total antioxidant plasmatic status of the patients with Alzheimer both in light-moderate phase and in advanced phase was lower than in the control. No significant differences were observed between the different stages of the disease in protein oxidation levels. Peroxidation was higher in patients in the advanced stage of the disease than in the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the different stages of the disease. In this preliminary study, it was observed that Alzheimer patients in the light-moderate stage already present oxidative stress levels above those of the control group.

Effects of polyphenolic antioxidants on exercise-induced oxidative stress

Polyphenols are of increasing interest to consumers and food manufacturers for several reasons. Commonly referred to as antioxidants (they are the most abundant antioxidants in our diets), they may prevent various oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and others. Physical activity is known to induce oxidative stress in individuals after intensive exercise. In this study, the effect of the flavonoid contents (which are the most abundant polyphenols) was investigated, as the only antioxidant in a replacement drink designed for sportsmen on various oxidative stress biomarkers after two identical trials of sub-maximal aerobic exercise, in a group of 30 sportsmen. In one of the trials, the cyclists consumed the antioxidant supplement (with 2.3g polyphenols/trial), and in another they consumed a placebo. Blood samples were collected both at rest and after exercise immediately and 45 minutes (min) later, for measurements of plasmatic indices of oxidative stress: lipid oxidation (TBARS), total antioxidant status (TAS); protein oxidation (carbonyl groups, CO) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) enzymes for each trial. All values were adjusted for changes in plasma volume. No changes were detected in plasma TAS and LDH after exercise or after the polyphenolic supplement. CK and TBARS increased after exercise in both tests. However, in response to strenuous exercise, the polyphenol-supplemented test showed a smaller increase in plasma TBARS and CK than the placebo test. CO increased by 12% in response to the placebo test, whereas it decreased by 23% in the polyphenol-supplement test. This may indicate that the antioxidant supplement offered protection against exercise-induced oxidative stress.

The effects of an antioxidant-supplemented beverage on exercise-induced oxidative stress: results from a placebo-controlled double-blind study in cyclists

The objective of this study was to test the effects of an antioxidant-supplemented beverage on exercise-induced oxidative stress in moderately trained cyclists. A double-blind study was conducted in moderately trained cyclists. They were randomly allocated to receive either an antioxidant (13 subjects) or a placebo (13 subjects) 15 min pre-exercise (30 ml.kg(-1)) and during a 90 min constant-load test (30 ml.kg(-1).15 min(-1)) on a bicycle ergometer at 70% VO2max The supplemented beverage contained black grape (81 g/l), raspberry (93 g/l) and red currant (39 g/l) concentrates, and its total antioxidant capacity, measured by the ABTS(.+) technique, was 0.41 mM Trolox. No significant difference from basal to post-exercise period was detected for plasma TBARS in either the placebo group or the group receiving the antioxidant supplemented beverage. Post-exercise carbonyls decreased by 29% in the group receiving antioxidants, and the pattern of change was significantly different between antioxidant and placebo conditions. The urinary excretion of 8-OHdG increased significantly by 21% in the placebo group. Again differences in the pre- to post-exercise change were significant between both conditions These results suggest that in moderately trained cyclists, antioxidant supplementation counters oxidative stress induced by a 90 min exercise at 70% VO2max.

Effect of processing and storage on the antioxidant ellagic acid derivatives and flavonoids of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) jams

From red raspberries, ellagic acid, its 4-arabinoside, its 4' (4' '-acetyl) arabinoside, and its 4' (4' '-acetyl)xyloside, as well as quercetin and kaempferol 3-glucosides, were identified. In addition, two unidentified ellagic acid derivatives were detected. The free radical scavenging activity of the ellagic acid derivatives was evaluated by using the DPPH method and compared to that of Trolox. All of the isolated compounds showed antioxidant activity. The effect of processing to obtain jams on raspberry phenolics was evaluated. The flavonol content decreased slightly with processing and more markedly during storage of the jams. The ellagic acid derivatives, with the exception of ellagic acid itself, remained quite stable with processing and during 6 months of jam storage. The content of free ellagic acid increased 3-fold during the storage period. The initial content (10 mg/kg of fresh weight of raspberries) increased 2-fold with processing, and it continued increasing up to 35 mg/kg after 1 month of storage of the jam. Then a slight decrease was observed until 6 months of storage had elapsed. The increase observed in ellagic acid could be explained by a release of ellagic acid from ellagitannins with the thermal treatment.