PMID: 

Food Funct. 2018 Jun 20 ;9(6):3092-3096. PMID: 29872803

Abstract Title: 

Barleyβ-glucan increases fecal bile acid excretion and short chain fatty acid levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Abstract: 

The cholesterol-lowering effect of barleyβ-glucan has been proposed to be the result of a pleiotropic effect, which involves several biological mechanisms such as gut fermentation, inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption and increased bile acid excretion and its synthesis. However, one of the recent studies from our laboratory indicated that increased bile acid excretion and subsequent increase in its synthesis, but not the inhibition of cholesterol absorption or synthesis might be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect of barley β-glucan. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present study was to investigate the concentration of bile acids (BA), neutral sterols (NS) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) excreted through the feces by mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects who consumed diets containing barley β-glucan with varying molecular weights (MW) and concentrations. In a controlled, four phase, crossover trial, 30 mildly hypercholesterolemic but otherwise healthy subjects were randomly assigned to receive breakfast containing 3 g high MW (HMW), 5 g low MW (LMW), 3 g LMW barley β-glucan or a control diet for 5 weeks. The concentrations of BA, NS and SCFA in the feces were measured at the end of each treatment phase. Compared to the other treatment groups, 3 g day-1 HMW barley β-glucan consumption resulted in increased lithocholic acid (LCA) excretion (P

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PMID: 

J Diet Suppl. 2019 ;16(4):369-378. Epub 2018 Jun 19. PMID: 29920123

Abstract Title: 

Effects ofβ-glucan and Vitamin D Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

Abstract: 

The objective of this article is to evaluate the potential effects of beta-glucan and vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the levels of several parameters of inflammatory reactions (C-reactive protein [CRP], serum amyloid A [SAA], and interleukin- [IL-] 6), leptin, and vitamin D. Using a 3-month interval, we divided the patients into three groups: (1) supplemented with beta-glucan and vitamin D, (2) supplemented with vitamin D and placebo, and (3) supplemented with vitamin D alone. By this division, we aim not only to observe whether beta-glucan can increase the effects of vitamin D, but also to eliminate the potential effects of placebo. The doses of vitamin D corresponded to phototype, weight, age, and sex of the individual. Fifty-two diabetic retinopathy patients were selected for our study. We found significant vitamin D deficits in all cases, even after three months of supplementation with vitamin D. Significant changes in levels of CRP were observed in the beta-glucan-supplemented group; levels of SAA and IL-6 were not changed. Leptin levels were significantly lowered in the beta-glucan-supplemented group and increased in the other groups. More detailed studies and/or longer supplementation is necessary.

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PMID: 

Appetite. 2018 09 1 ;128:197-204. Epub 2018 Jun 18. PMID: 29920323

Abstract Title: 

Effects of oatβ-glucan consumption at breakfast on ad libitum eating, appetite, glycemia, insulinemia and GLP-1 concentrations in healthy subjects.

Abstract: 

There is evidence that oatβ-glucan lowers appetite and ad libitum eating; however, not all studies are consistent, and the underpinning mechanisms are not entirely understood. We investigated the effects of 4 g high molecular weight (MW) oat β-glucan on ad libitum eating, subjective appetite, glycemia, insulinemia and plasma GLP-1 responses in 33 normal-weight subjects (22 female/11 male, mean age (y): 26.9 ± 1.0, BMI (kg/m): 23.5 ± 0.4). The study followed a randomised double-blind, cross-over design with subjects fed two test breakfasts with and without oat β-glucan followed by an ad libitum test meal on two different days. Blood samples and ratings for subjective appetite were collected postprandially at regular time intervals. Oat β-glucan increased feelings of fullness (p = 0.048) and satiety (p = 0.034), but did not affect energy and amount eaten at the ad libitum test meal. There was a treatment by time interaction for plasma GLP-1, plasma insulin and blood glucose. GLP-1 was significantly reducedat 90 min (p = 0.021), blood glucose at 30 min (p = 0.008) and plasma insulin at 30 and 60 min (p = 0.002 and 0.017, respectively) following the oat β-glucan breakfast when compared with the control breakfast. Four grams of high MW oat β-glucan lowers appetite but not ad libitumeating and beneficially modulates postprandial glycaemia, it does however, not increase plasma GLP-1 secretion.

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PMID: 

Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2018 Jul ;24(4):287-293. PMID: 30028484

Abstract Title: 

Effect ofß-glucan on serum levels of IL-12, hs-CRP, and clinical outcomes in multiple-trauma patients: a prospective randomized study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Trauma is associated with a profound immunological dysfunction. This predisposes patients to infections and adverse outcomes.ß-glucan has been implicated in the initiation of anti-microbial immune response. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of an enteral diet containing ß-glucan on serum levels of IL-12 and highly-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), occurrence of infection, and clinical outcomes in critically ill multiple-trauma patients.METHODS: Forty multiple trauma patients requiring enteral nutrition for at least 10 days were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=20) or the placebo group (n=20). The intervention group received a high-protein enteral diet providing 3 gß-glucan, and the control group received a similar diet, except for 3 g of maltodextrin as a placebo. Serum levels of IL-12 and hs-CRP were measured on days 0, 10, and 21.RESULTS: Theß-glucan group showed significantly higher serum levels of IL-12 on day 21 compared to the control group. Infection frequency and duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly lower in the ß-glucan group. A significant difference was found in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)score in favor of the ß-glucan group. No difference was found in the serum levels of hs-CRP, length of ICU stay, occurrence of infection, and mortality rates between the two groups.CONCLUSION: ß-glucan may increase serum levels of IL-12, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, and reduce organ failure in critically ill multiple-trauma patients.

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PMID: 

Indian Heart J. 2018 Sep – Oct;70(5):608-614. Epub 2017 Dec 14. PMID: 30392496

Abstract Title: 

The role of polysaccharide peptide of Ganoderma lucidum as a potent antioxidant against atherosclerosis in high risk and stable angina patients.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: Antioxidants can reduce oxidative radicals that affect the early phase of atherogenesis, that is endothelial dysfunction. Polysaccharide Peptide (PsP) derived from Ganoderma lucidum has an active substance in the form ofβ-glucan. Previous studies have proven the PsP of Ganoderma lucidum as an effective antioxidant in atherosclerotic rats and shows no toxicity in animal model. This study aims to prove the effect of PsP as potent antioxidant in high risk and stable angina patients.METHOD: This is a clinical trial conducted to 37 high risk and 34 stable angina patients, which were determined based on ESC Stable CAD Guidelines and Framingham risk score, with pre and post test design without control group. The parameters are superoxide dimustase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, circulating endothelial cell (CEC) and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) counts. The patients were given PsP 750mg/day in 3 divided dose for 90days. Paired t-test was performed for normally distributed data, and Wilcoxon test for not normally distributed data, and significant level of p≤0,05.RESULTS: SOD level in high risk patients slightly increased but not statistically significant with p=0,22. Level of SOD in stable angina group significantly increased with p=0,001. MDA concentration significantly reduced in high risk and stable angina patients with p=0.000. CEC significantly reduced both in high risk and stable angina patients, with p=0.000 in both groups. EPC count significantly reduced in high risk and stable angina with p=0.000.CONCLUSION: PsP of Ganoderma lucidum is a potent antioxidant against pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in stable angina and high risk patients.

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PMID: 

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2019 Nov ;32(6):2545-2551. PMID: 31969284

Abstract Title: 

Potential nutraceutical benefits of basmati rice bran oil as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis.

Abstract: 

Numerous nutraceutical applications have been explored during the last decades. The present study is based on extraction of oil from super kernel basmati rice which has shown effective analgesic, anti- inflammatory, and anti-arthiritic activities. The feeding experiments on male Wister rats and female Sprague-dawley (SD) rats have elaborated the therapeutic value of variety of bioactive components includingγ-oryzanol present in the oil.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2018 07 ;57:77-85. Epub 2018 Mar 21. PMID: 29679925

Abstract Title: 

Tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation reduces hyperglycemia-induced skeletal muscle damage through regulation of insulin signaling and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic mice.

Abstract: 

Chronic hyperglycemia induces impairment of muscle growth and development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Since skeletal muscle is the major site for disposal of ingested glucose, impaired glucose metabolism causes imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation which adversely affects physical mobility. In this study, we investigated the effect of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation on skeletal muscle damage in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet with streptozotocin (STZ) injection (100 mg/kg) in male C57BL/6J mice. After diabetes was induced (fasting blood glucose levels≥250 mg/dl), normal control (CON) and diabetic control (DMC) groups were administrated with olive oil, while TRF treatment groups were administrated with TRF (dissolved in olive oil) at low dose (100 mg/kg BW, LT) or high dose (300 mg/kg BW, HT) by oral gavage for 12 weeks. TRF supplementation ameliorated muscle atrophy, plasma insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment estimated insulin resistance in diabetic mice. Moreover, TRF treatment up-regulated IRS-1 and Akt levels accompanied by increased translocation of GLUT4. Furthermore, TRF increased mitochondrial biogenesis by activating SIRT1, SIRT3 and AMPK in diabetic skeletal muscle. These changes were in part mechanistically explained by reduced levels of skeletal muscle proteins related to oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal, protein carbonyls, Nrf2 and HO-1), inflammation (NFkB, MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-α), and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl₂ and caspase-3) in diabetic mice. Taken together, these results suggest that TRF might be useful as a beneficial nutraceutical to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy associated with diabetes by regulating insulin signaling via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α pathways in type 2 diabetic mice.

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PMID: 

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2018 ;12:1715-1726. Epub 2018 Jun 13. PMID: 29942115

Abstract Title: 

Annatto-derived tocotrienol stimulates osteogenic activity in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells: a temporal sequential study.

Abstract: 

Purpose: Annatto-derived tocotrienol (AnTT) has been shown to improve bone formation in animal models of osteoporosis. However, detailed studies of the effects of AnTT on preosteoblastic cells were limited. This study was conducted to investigate the osteogenic effect of AnTT on preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells in a time-dependent manner.Materials and methods: Murine MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells were cultured in the different concentrations of AnTT (0.001-1µg/mL) up to 24 days. Expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers was measured by qPCR (osterix [OSX], collagen 1 alpha 1 [COL1α1], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and osteocalcin [OCN]) and by fluorometric assay for ALP activity. Detection of collagen and mineralized nodules was done via Direct Red staining and Alizarin Red staining, respectively.Results: The results showed that osteoblastic differentiation-related genes, such as OSX, COL1α1, ALP, and OCN, were significantly increased in the AnTT-treated groups compared to the vehicle group in a time-dependent manner (

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PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2019 May ;67:36-43. Epub 2019 Feb 10. PMID: 30852322

Abstract Title: 

Effect of annatto-extracted tocotrienols and green tea polyphenols on glucose homeostasis and skeletal muscle metabolism in obese male mice.

Abstract: 

Skeletal muscle is the major site for glucose uptake and thus plays an important role in initiating insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the effects of tocotrienols (TT) and green tea polyphenols (GTP) individually or in combination on glucose homeostasis and skeletal muscle metabolism in obese mice with insulin resistance and elevation of blood glucose. Forty-eight male mice were fed a high-fat diet and assigned to 4 groups in a 2 (no TT vs. 400 mg TT/kg diet) × 2 (no GTP vs. 0.5% vol/wt GTP in water) for 14 weeks. Both GTP and TT improved area under curve of insulin intolerance; while GTP increased serum insulin levels in obese mice, probably due to the addition of sweetener in drinking water. An interaction (TT×GTP) was observed in glucose tolerance test, total pancreas insulin concentration, and citrate synthase activity of soleus in mice. Neither TT nor GTP affected insulin and glucagon protein expression in pancreas based on immunohistochemistry. Both TT and GTP individually increased soleus muscle weight of mice; while only GTP increased gastrocnemius muscle weight of mice. The TT+GTP group had the greatest gastrocnemius muscle cross sectional area than other groups. GTP, not TT, induced cytochrome c oxidase activity and reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in soleus muscle. Our results suggest that TT and GTP, individually or synergistically have the potential to improve skeletal muscle metabolism in obese mice by improving glucose homeostasis, reducing lipid peroxidation, and increasing rate limiting enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation.

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PMID: 

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 10 ;1405(1):177-188. Epub 2017 Jun 14. PMID: 28614589

Abstract Title: 

Lactoferrin protects against intestinal inflammation and bacteria-induced barrier dysfunction in vitro.

Abstract: 

The iron-binding glycoprotein lactoferrin (LF) is naturally present in human breast milk. Several studies suggest that LF contributes to infant health and development owing to a variety of protective effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory features. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate its protective properties on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by infection or inflammation using the human epithelial cell culture models HT-29/B6 and T84. During barrier perturbation induced by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α), bovine LF restored tight junction (TJ) morphometry and inhibited TNF-α-induced epithelial apoptosis. This resulted in an attenuation of the TNF-α-induced decrease in transepithelial resistance (TER) and increases in permeability of fluorescein and FITC-dextran (4 kDa) and was as effective as the apoptosis inhibitor Q-VD-Oph. The enteropathogenic bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica is a frequent cause of diarrhea in early childhood. This involves focal changes in TJ protein expression and localization. LF diminished the Y. enterocolitica-induced drop in TER in the present in vitromodel, which was paralleled by an inhibition of the Yersinia-induced reduction of claudin-8 expression via c-Jun kinase signaling. In conclusion, LF exerts protective effects against inflammation- or infection-induced barrier dysfunction in human intestinal cell lines, supporting its relevance for healthy infant development.

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