Crystal type, chain length and polydispersity impact the resistant starch type 3 immunomodulatory capacity via Toll-like receptors

Food ingredients that can activate and improve immunological defense, against e.g., pathogens, have become a major field of research. Resistant starches (RSs) can resist enzymes in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and induce health benefits. RS-3 physicochemical characteristics such as chain length (DP), A- or B-type crystal, and polydispersity index (PI) might be crucial for immunomodulation by activating human toll-like receptors (hTLRs). We hypothesize that crystal type, DP and PI, alone or in combination, impact the recognition of RS-3 preparations by hTLRs leading to different RS-3 immunomodulatory effects. We studied the activation of hTLR2, hTLR4, and hTLR5 by 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL of RS-3. We found strong activation of hTLR2-dependent NF-kB activation with PI <1.25, DP 18 as an A- or B-type crystal. At different doses, NF-kB activation was increased from 6.8 to 7.1 and 10-fold with A-type and 6.2 to 10.2 and 14.4-fold with B-type. This also resulted in higher cytokine production in monocytes. Molecular docking, using amylose-A and B, demonstrated that B-crystals bind hTLR2 promoting hTLR2-1 dimerization, supporting the stronger effects of B-type crystals. Immunomodulatory effects of RS-3 are predominantly hTLR2-dependent, and activation can be tailored by managing crystallinity, chain length, and PI.

Effects of granule size of cross-linked and hydroxypropylated sweet potato starches on their physicochemical properties

Sweet potato starch was modified by cross-linking, hydroxypropylation, and combined cross-linking and hydroxypropylation, and the starches were subsequently sieved to obtain differently sized granule fractions. The effects of granule size of native and modified sweet potato starch fractions and all fractions were investigated with respect to their physicochemical properties. The large-size granule fraction (27-30 μm) showed a 16-20% higher chemical phosphorylation and a 4-7% higher hydroxypropylation than the small-size granule fraction (14-16 μm). The large-size granule fractions of native and modified sweet potato starches showed lower transition temperatures (0.7-3.1 °C for peak temperature of gelatinization) and lower enthalpy changes (0.6-1.9 J/g) during gelatinization than the small-size granule fractions, making the sweet potato starch different from cereal starches. The large-size granule fraction of native starch showed a higher paste viscosity (78-244 cP) than the corresponding small-size granule fraction. In addition, cross-linking and hydroxypropylation affected the paste viscosity of the large-size granule fraction significantly more than that of the small-size granule fraction when compared to the corresponding parental starch fractions. The large-size granule fraction of native and dual-modified starches showed a lower syneresis after freeze-thaw treatments than the small-size granule fractions. The difference in swelling power between large- and small-size granule fractions was not significant. In general, the large-size granule fraction of sweet potato starch was more susceptible for cross-linking and hydroxypropylation and the physicochemical properties were changed to a higher extent compared to the corresponding small-size granule fraction.

Evaluation of a home-care/counselling AIDS programme in Kgatleng district, Botswana

In 1988 a programme for care and follow-up of HIV-positive persons and AIDS patients was implemented by the existing health facilities (district health team and hospital team) of Kgatleng District, Botswana. A survey study in 1991 tried to indicate the effectiveness and bottlenecks of the programme. All advisory nurses (AN) were interviewed via two questionnaires: one pertaining to case management of clients and one on their perceptions of their work. Seventy-two of 109 HIV-infected persons accepted and received counselling. Response of the 72 varied: 26 with a good, 34 with a moderate and 12 with a bad response. Prevention, contact tracing and home visiting were studied, as well as ANs' experiences and opinions of the programme. Some behavioural change by clients was indicated by the results though its extent remains questionable. Programme problems included client migration and refusal of counselling, and discontinuation of HIV-testing facilities. Once a relationship was established, confidentiality, questions and fear of stigmatization posed major problems. One-to-one support of ANs could help them cope better with these problems as well as discuss their own worries.