The influence of dietary fat source on liver and skeletal muscle mitochondrial modifications and lifespan changes in calorie-restricted mice

The Membrane Theory of Aging proposes that lifespan is inversely related to the level of unsaturation in membrane phospholipids. Calorie restriction (CR) without malnutrition extends lifespan in many model organisms, which may be related to alterations in membrane phospholipids fatty acids. During the last few years our research focused on studying how altering the predominant fat source affects the outcome of CR in mice. We have established four dietary groups: one control group fed 95 % of a pre-determined ad libitum intake (in order to prevent obesity), and three CR groups fed 40 % less than ad libitum intake. Lipid source for the control and one of the CR groups was soybean oil (high in n-6 PUFA) whereas the two remaining CR groups were fed diets containing fish oil (high in n-3 PUFA), or lard (high in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids). Dietary intervention periods ranged from 1 to 18 months. We performed a longitudinal lifespan study and a cross-sectional study set up to evaluate several mitochondrial parameters which included fatty acid composition, H(+) leak, activities of electron transport chain enzymes, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial ultrastructure, and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling in liver and skeletal muscle. These approaches applied to different cohorts of mice have independently indicated that lard as a fat source often maximizes the effects of 40 % CR on mice. These effects could be due to significant increases of monounsaturated fatty acids levels, in accordance with the Membrane Theory of Aging.

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy for screening the individual and total glucosinolate contents in Indian mustard seed (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss.)

The potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for screening the sinigrin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, and total glucosinolate contents of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss.) seed was assessed. Intact seed samples of this species were analyzed by NIRS and their reference values regressed against different spectral transformations by modified partial least-squares (MPLS) regression. The coefficients of determination (r (2)) for sinigrin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, and total glucosinolate contents were, respectively, 0.86, 0.95, 0.33, and 0.82. The standard deviation to standard error of prediction (SEP) ratio, and SEP to standard error of laboratory ratio were for these constituents as follows: sinigrin, 2.59 and 2.70; gluconapin, 4.16 and 2.08; 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, 1.18 and 1.40; and total glucosinolates, 2.18 and 1.60. By comparison of commercial sinigrin spectrum with the first MPLS loadings of the sinigrin equation, it can be concluded that the molecule of sinigrin has a specific signal in the seed spectrum of Brassica.

Heavy metals and arsenic uptake by wild vegetation in the Guadiamar river area after the toxic spill of the Aznalcóllar mine

On 25 April 1998, approximately 4.5 hm(3) of pyritic sludge, containing 5000 mg of As kg(-1) among other pollutants, was spilled into the Agrio and Guadiamar rivers and the surrounding agricultural areas (Aznalcóllar, Seville, Southern Spain). Many trace metals such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Tl, Sb and As reached the Doñana National Park, the largest wetland area in Europe, affecting soils, different plant and animal species. In order to recuperate the affected lands by employing plants capable of accumulating high levels of contaminants in shoots, periodical field surveys have been made to identify the metal-tolerant species that are spontaneously growing in the polluted soils, and are able to uptake one or various of the contaminants. Among the 99 different plant species studied, Anchusa azurea, Beta vulgaris, Chamaemelum fuscatum, Convolvulus arvensis, Cynodon dactylon, Diplotaxis virgata, Erodium aethiopicum, Lavatera cretica, Malva nicaeensis, Silybum marianum and, above all, Amaranthus blitoides highlight as the most promising to be used in the remediation of the affected area.