Effects of different roasting methods on formation of acrylamide in pistachio

Drying and roasting are conventional processes in the nut industry. However, roasting as an important procedure in nuts manufacturing may cause some physicochemical changes in nuts. Acrylamide is one of these chemical compounds that is formed due to the roasting process. Acrylamide is known as a neurotoxicant, carcinogen, and reproductive toxicant. In this study, raw and salted pistachios were roasted under three conditions including hot-air, infrared (IR), and microwave methods. Then, 80 pistachio kernels were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that all samples contained different ranges of acrylamide between 57 ± 0.86 and 851 ± 2.8 μg/kg. Besides, raw pistachios and sun-dried pistachios also contained acrylamide, with the amount of 57 ± 0.86 and 93 ± 1.07 μg/kg, respectively. The highest acrylamide amount was found in raw pistachio (unsalted) roasted by IR method, while lower acrylamide amount observed in the microwave method. The amount of acrylamide in salted and roasted pistachios was less than just roasted pistachios under the same conditions. Finally, in all the treatments, increasing temperature, time, voltage, and power lead to an increase in acrylamide levels. The results showed that acrylamide in the roasted pistachios may cause health problems. This study presents a novel investigation in the effects of roasting conditions (temperature, power, voltage, and time) on acrylamide content in pistachios.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the serum levels of amylase, adenosine deaminase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Background:

Increased levels of reactive oxygen species is a key factor involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a nonenzymatic antioxidant that restores other antioxidants.

Materials and Methods:

This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial study has been designed to evaluate the effects of CoQ₁₀ supplementation on serum values of amylase, adenosine deaminase, catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in women with T2DM. Serum levels of CoQ₁₀ were measured too. Sixty-eight women with T2DM were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into two groups. One group received 100 mg/day of CoQ₁₀ supplement for 12 weeks (n = 34), and the other group was given placebo for the same time duration and dosage (n = 34).

Results:

After the intervention, serum CAT activity (P < 0.001), TAC (P = 0.006), CoQ₁₀ (P = 0.001), and QUICKI (P = 0.005) increased and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.05) decreased significantly in CoQ₁₀ group.

Conclusion:

This study showed that daily supplementation with 100 mg of CoQ₁₀ could increase TAC and CAT activity as, CoQ₁₀ and QUICKI and could reduce oxidative stress and FBS in women with T2DM.

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Serum Values of Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Pseudocholinesterase, Bilirubin, Ferritin, and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disease associated with increased oxidative stress which results from mitochondrial dysfunction. Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is an essential antioxidant for energy production in mitochondria. The purpose of this randomized double-blind clinical trial study was to evaluate the effects of CoQ₁₀ supplementation on serum values of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), pseudocholinesterase (PchE), bilirubin, ferritin, and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and metabolic syndrome biomarkers in women with T2DM.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Eighty women with T2DM enrolled in this study. Thirty six of them were randomized in the drug group (receiving 100 mg/day of CoQ₁₀) and 44 women were randomized in placebo group. Intervention was continued for 12 weeks. In both groups 35 subjects finished the study and were included in the analysis. Serum levels of the variables were measured before and after supplementation.

RESULTS

Serum values of FBS (P=0.039), HOMA-IR (P=0.01), ferritin (P<0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (P=0.006), LDL-C (P=0.007) decreased and HDL-C (P=0.02) increased significantly in the drug group after intervention. Serum levels of triglyceride (P=0.09) decreased marginally in CoQ₁₀ group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study had shown that after supplementation with 100 mg/day of CoQ₁₀ for 12 weeks, serum values of FBS, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C and ferritin were decreased and values of HDL-C were increased in women with T2DM.