Effect of combination on the antioxidant and inhibitory properties of tropical pepper varieties against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in vitro

Pepper used as a spice for food preparations is usually a single type or a combination of several different varieties. This choice is usually based on individual preferences, without consideration of health benefits. Therefore, the present study investigated the health benefits of a combination of 3 pepper varieties commonly consumed in Nigeria. Aqueous extracts (1:100?w/v) of Capsicum annuum var. grossum, C. annuum var. abbreviatum, and C. annuum var. accuminatum and a combination of the 3 varieties (1:1:1) were assayed for phenolic content (total phenol and flavonoid), antioxidant activities (reducing power and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging abilities), inhibitory effect on Fe2?-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas in vitro, and the ability of the extracts to inhibit key enzymes linked with type 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). The combination of peppers showed additive effects in their phenolic content and displayed antioxidant properties. However, the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase activity showed an additive effect, whereas α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was antagonistic with the combination. C. annuum var. accuminatum contributed most to the activities of the combined peppers. Strong inhibitory activities of the peppers against key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and Fe2?-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas in vitro, coupled with their antioxidant properties, suggest that pepper could be used in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. The pepper combination showed additive tendencies of these properties.     

Apolipoprotein D and α1-microglobulin in human urine: effect of cadmium exposure

Summary Apolipoprotein D is a previously unrecognized urinary protein of unknown function which we have tested as a potential marker for kidney malfunction. This protein and ₁-microglobulin have been quantified by zone immunoelectrophoresis assay in urine samples from a group of eight men occupationally exposed to cadmium-containing welding fumes for many years. All these workers had highly elevated concentrations of urinary cadmium and indications of tubular proteinuria, as compared to a group of 50 apparently healthy normal men analyzed in parallel. The cadmium-exposed workers demonstrated three- and 15-fold average increases in apolipoprotein D and ₁-microglobulin, respectively, over normal values in urine, estimated both as excretion rates and as milligrams of protein per mmol of creatinine. All these increments were highly significantly different (P < 0.001) from the corresponding values of the reference group. Essentially the same results were obtained for each of the proteins from two independent consecutive samplings of the workers' urine. There were good linear (R = 0.70, 0.80) and logarithmic (R = 0.84, 0.81) correlations between the urinary concentrations of ₁-microglobulin and apolipoprotein D for both the reference and the study group. Although not as sensitive an indicator for tubular proteinuria as ₁-microglobulin, apolipoprotein D, being a storage-stable urinary protein, seems a valuable complement for the diagnosis of tubular malfunction.     

What is 'normal' about women's (hetero)sexual desire and orgasm?: a report of an in-depth interview study

This paper challenges the rapidly re-emerging medicalised model of women's sexual problems, or female sexual dysfunction, particularly those concerned with problems of orgasm. It reports a qualitative in-depth interview study of 33 women between the ages of 19 and 60 years (mean age 28.6 years) where the data analysis particularly focused upon their subjective perceptions of what constituted 'normal' sexual satisfaction for themselves and other women. The data comprised taped interviews which were fully transcribed and analysed using an interpretive framework based on both symbolic interactionist and psychodynamic concepts. The results indicated that these women's desires and expectations differed appreciably from those reported in the typical clinical and sexological literature. Women interviewed here seemed less concerned with achieving orgasm through heterosexual intercourse for themselves than the literature suggested they might be. There was however, evidence of a strong desire to experience orgasm in this way for the sake of their male partners. Thus, it is suggested that there is probably a closer relationship between popular beliefs about what is 'normal' based upon the medical model with women placing themselves in a dysfunctional category, than there is between the everyday enjoyment of sex and women identifying themselves as being sexually healthy.     

Metformin-like effect of Salvia officinalis (common sage): is it useful in diabetes prevention?

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is among the plants that are claimed to be beneficial to diabetic patients, and previous studies have suggested that some of its extracts have hypoglycaemic effects in normal and diabetic animals. In the present study, we aimed to verify the antidiabetic effects of an infusion (tea) of common sage, which is the most common form of this plant consumed. Replacing water with sage tea for 14 d lowered the fasting plasma glucose level in normal mice but had no effect on glucose clearance in response to an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. This indicated effects on gluconeogenesis at the level of the liver. Primary cultures of hepatocytes from healthy, sage-tea-drinking rats showed, after stimulation, a high glucose uptake capacity and decreased gluconeogenesis in response to glucagon. Essential oil from sage further increased hepatocyte sensitivity to insulin and inhibited gluconeogenesis. Overall, these effects resemble those of the pharmaceutical drug metformin, a known inhibitor of gluconeogenesis used in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In primary cultures of rat hepatocytes isolated from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, none of these activities was observed. The present results seem to indicate that sage tea does not possess antidiabetic effects at this level. However, its effects on fasting glucose levels in normal animals and its metformin-like effects on rat hepatocytes suggest that sage may be useful as a food supplement in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus by lowering the plasma glucose of individuals at risk.     

Area deprivation,individual factors and low birth weight in England: is there evidence of an “area effect”?

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between low and very low birth weights, mother's age, individual socioeconomic status and area deprivation. DESIGN: Analysis of the incidence of low and very low birth weights by area deprivation, maternal age, social class of household and estimated income. SETTING: England 1996-2000. SUBJECTS: 2 894 440 singleton live births and the 10% sample of these births for which parents' individual-level socioeconomic measures were coded. RESULTS: Social class, estimated household income, lone-parenthood and mother's age were all associated with the risk of low and very low birth weight. Even when controlling for these individual level factors, area income deprivation was significantly associated with low and very low birth weight (p<0.00). For low birth weight there was a significant interaction between area income deprivation and mother's age. For very young mothers, the area effect was non-significant (p<0.37). For older mothers, particularly those aged 30-34 years, it was stronger (p<0.00). As a result, mothers aged <18 years, although at relatively high risk of low birth weight irrespective of area income deprivation, were actually at slightly lower risk than mothers aged >40 years in the most deprived areas. CONCLUSIONS: For all but very young mothers, there seems to be a negative effect on birth weight from living in areas of income deprivation, whatever their individual circumstances.     

The effect of high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy on prematurity and fetal growth retardation: the mother–child cohort study in Crete, Greece (Rhea study)

Purpose

We examined whether high doses of folic acid and iron supplementation in early-to-mid pregnancy affect the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, in the mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study).

Methods

We included 1,279 women with singleton pregnancies with complete data on supplements use in early-to-mid pregnancy and birth outcomes. Anthropometric measurements at birth were obtained from medical records. Red blood cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a subsample of the study population (n = 58).

Results

Sixty-six percent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/day), while 21 % reported excessive doses of folic acid use (>5 mg/day) in early-to-mid pregnancy. Daily intake of 5-mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 31 % decrease in the risk of preterm birth (RR, 0.69; 95 % CI, 0.44, 0.99), 60 % decrease in the risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR, 0.40; 95 % CI, 0.21, 0.76), and 66 % decrease in the risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate (RR, 0.34; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.73). Daily doses of iron supplementation more than 100 mg were associated with a twofold increased risk for SGA neonates (RR, 2.14; 95 % CI, 0.99, 5.97).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that high daily doses of supplementary folic acid in early-to-mid pregnancy may be protective for preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age neonates, while high daily doses of supplementary iron may be harmful for fetal growth.     

Epidemiological survey of melanoma in the Auvergne region (France): is there an increased incidence in Auvergne?

To assess the efficiency of melanoma screening and prevention campaigns in the Auvergne region (France), cases of melanoma have been recorded since 1st June 1998. The epidemiological follow-up of melanoma was carried out using two sentinel networks; one involving the pathologists, and the other, the dermatologists of the region. Incidence was calculated using the capture–recapture method, by cross-matching the data supplied by both dermatologists and pathologists. Between June 1st 1998 and December 31st 2000, 363 cases of melanoma were recorded. The crude incidence rate of melanoma per 100,000 person-years was 17.1 for all melanomas and 14.6 for invasive melanomas. These rates of incidence were higher than the estimated national rate of France, and were close to incidences found in countries of Northern Europe. This might be explained by an increase in screening for melanoma, by more precise estimation of the incidence due to the capture–recapture method, or by geographic factors (mountainous area). An answer may be provided by following the variation in time of incidence and thickness of melanomas; the increase in the number of thin (low Breslow index) melanomas corresponding with increased screening.     

Antioxidant status and risk of cancer in the SU.VI.MAX study: is the effect of supplementation dependent on baseline levels?

The SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) study, a randomised double-blind, primary-prevention trial showed that after 7.5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered the total cancer incidence in men, but not in women. To explain this difference in the impact of antioxidant supplementation in men and women, we hypothesised that the effect of supplementation is dependent on initial antioxidant status; 12 741 French adults (7713 females aged 35--60 years; 5028 males aged 45--60 years) received daily antioxidant supplementation (120 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, 100 microg Se, 20 mg Zn daily) or a matching placebo. Cut-off limits for baseline serum concentrations of the different antioxidant vitamins and minerals were defined as follows for both men and women: 0.3 micromol/l for beta-carotene, 11.4 micromol/l for vitamin C, 15 micromol/l for vitamin E, 0.75 micromol/l for Se and 10.7 micromol/l for Zn. The percentage of men with serum concentrations under cut-off limits was higher for vitamins C and E and beta-carotene in those who developed a cancer than in those who did not. The risk of cancer was higher in men with baseline concentrations of serum vitamin C or vitamin E under cut-off limits, but not in women. The effect of supplementation was greater in men with baseline serum concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene below the cut-off limits compared with those above it. This effect was maintained only for vitamin E after adjustment for age, tobacco, and alcohol consumption and BMI. No effect of supplementation could be seen in women. Baseline antioxidant status is related to the risk of cancer in men but not in women and therefore does not entirely explain the differences observed in the effect of antioxidant supplementation on cancer risk between sexes in the SU.VI.MAX study.     

Milk consumption in relation to incidence of prostate, breast, colon, and rectal cancers: is there an independent effect?

Milk contains a wide variety of ingredients, such as nutrients, hormones, and chemical contaminants. Whether milk consumption is associated with the risk of prostate, breast, colon, and rectal cancers is unclear and was evaluated in this study. Data on milk consumption for 9 time periods (1964-1994) and incidence rates of prostate, female breast, colon, and rectal cancers, mostly around 1993-1997, in 38 countries were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, respectively. Milk consumption was strongly correlated with incidence rates of prostate cancer (r = 0.65-0.69; all P < 0.0001) and breast cancer (r = 0.64-0.74; all P < 0.0001) in all the nine time periods examined. A modest positive correlation was found for colon and rectal cancers in both sexes (all P < 0.05, except for rectal cancer in the first three time periods). The previous findings remained essentially unchanged after adjustment for vegetable, alcohol, and cigarette consumption but disappeared after further adjustment for non-milk fat consumption, except for breast cancer in the last three time periods. The present study does not support an overall substantial effect of milk consumption on the risk of prostate, breast, colon, and rectal cancers at the population level.     

Activity and health prevention in preschools—contents of an activity-based intervention programme (PAKT—Prevention through Activity in Kindergarten Trial)

Aim  

To establish an effective and feasible physical activity intervention programme for preschools.     

In vitro investigations of the potential health benefits of Australian-grown faba beans (Vicia faba L.): chemopreventative capacity and inhibitory effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme, α-glucosidase and lipase

The functional properties, including antioxidant and chemopreventative capacities as well as the inhibitory effects on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, of three Australian-grown faba bean genotypes (Nura, Rossa and TF(Ic*As)*483/13) were investigated using an array of in vitro assays. Chromatograms of on-line post column derivatisation assay coupled with HPLC revealed the existence of active phenolics (hump) in the coloured genotypes, which was lacking in the white-coloured breeding line, TF(Ic*As)*483/13. Roasting reduced the phenolic content, and diminished antioxidant activity by 10-40?% as measured by the reagent-based assays (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity) in all genotypes. Cell culture-based antioxidant activity assay (cellular antioxidant activity) showed an increase of activity in the coloured genotypes after roasting. Faba bean extracts demonstrated cellular protection ability against H2O2-induced DNA damage (assessed using RAW264.7 cells), and inhibited the proliferation of all human cancer cell lines (BL13, AGS, Hep G2 and HT-29) evaluated. However, the effect of faba bean extracts on the non-transformed human cells (CCD-18Co) was negligible. Flow cytometric analyses showed that faba bean extracts successfully induced apoptosis of HL-60 (acute promyelocytic leukaemia) cells. The faba bean extracts also exhibited ACE, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Overall, extracts from Nura (buff-coloured) and Rossa (red-coloured) were comparable, while TF(Ic*As)*483/13 (white-coloured) contained the lowest phenolic content and exhibited the least antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. These results are important to promote the utilisation of faba beans in human diets for various health benefits.     

Ethanolic extract of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L) prevents high-fat diet–induced obesity in mice through down-regulation of adipogenic and lipogenic gene expression

Phenolic compounds and flavonoids ameliorate bodyweight, blood glucose, and serum lipid profile. Since seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is known as a rich source of isoflavones and flavonoids, we hypothesized that ethanolic extract of seabuckthorn leaves (SL) may have anti-obesity and hypoglycemic effects. To investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of SL, 32 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 dietary groups, containing 8 mice in each group: normal diet group; high-fat diet (HD) control group; high-fat diet with SL extract, 500 mg/kg body weight (BW) (SL1) group; and high-fat diet with SL extract, 1000 mg/kg BW (SL2) group. After 13 weeks, it was observed that oral administration of SL extract significantly reduced the energy intake; BW gain; epididymal fat pad weight; hepatic triglyceride, hepatic, and serum total cholesterol levels; and serum leptin levels in the SL groups compared to the HD group. However, differences in serum triglyceride and insulin levels in the SL groups were not significant in comparison to the HD group. The hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 along with PPAR-γ were significantly increased in SL groups, whereas the level of acetyl-CoA carboxylase was significantly reduced in SL groups compared to HD group. Our results indicated that SL is effective in preventing BW gain and fat accumulation in the liver; it also reduced adipose tissue mass, hepatic lipid profile, and serum leptin level in the mouse. Together, these observations suggest that SL is a potential agent to study in the management of obesity and related disorders.     

New potent 5-HT(2A) receptor ligands containing an N'-cyanopicolinamidine nucleus: Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological evaluation

N'-cyanopicolinamidine derivatives, linked to an arylpiperazine moiety, were prepared and their affinity to serotonin 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors were evaluated. The combination of structural elements (heterocyclic nucleus, alkyl chain and 4-substituted piperazine) known to be critical for affinity to 5-HT(1A) receptors and the proper selection of substituents led to compounds with high specificity and affinity towards serotoninergic receptors. In binding studies, several molecules showed affinity in nanomolar and subnanomolar range at 5-HT(2A) and moderate to no affinity for other relevant receptors (5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2C), D(1), D(2), α(1) and α(2)). N'-cyano-N-(3-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-picolinamidine (4l) with K(i)=0.000185nM, was the most active and selective derivative for the 5-HT(2A) receptor compared to other serotoninergic, dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors.     

Seasonal changes in morphology and steroid receptor expression in the prostate of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): an animal model for the study of prostate growth?

The prostate of the brushtail possum undergoes growth and regression during the year. The present study investigated the morphological changes and expression of androgen and oestrogen receptors during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Prostate tissue was collected from adult possums at 2-monthly intervals. The periurethral and outer glandular areas were separated and the volume of stromal, epithelial and luminal tissues measured in each area. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate cell proliferation with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and to localise androgen receptor (AR) and oestrogen receptors α and β (ERα, ERβ). Seasonal changes in expression of the three receptors were investigated using quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. During the breeding season the volume of stromal tissue in the periurethral area and the luminal volume in the glandular area significantly increased. The change in periurethral volume was associated with increased PCNA-immunopositive cells. While the localisation of AR to the stromal and epithelial cells did not change, there was a significant increase in receptor expression before the main breeding season. ERα and ERβ expression and localisation did not alter during the year. Similarities in receptor expression and localisation suggest that the possum may be a suitable animal model for the study of human prostate growth.     

Different (13)CO(2) recovery of orally administered [1-(13)C]- and [8-(13)C] triolein in postprandial humans: an effect of phosphoenolpyruvate-carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) in peripheral tissues?

In this study the conversion of orally administered [1-(13)C]- and [8-(13)C]triolein to CO(2) was compared in normal postprandial human subjects (3 female, 3 male). After an overnight fast the subjects consumed hourly meals of a liquid formula diet over 12 h (8.3% of the predicted 24 h resting energy expenditure/h). 90 min after the first meal on one occasion a bolus of [1-(13)C]triolein was given and in the repeat study the same subject received [8-(13)C]triolein. The order of isotope substrate was randomized. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis of breath samples an recorded CO(2) production rate resulted in a significant 1.31 times greater (13)CO(2) recovery of [1-(13)C]triolein compared to [8-(13)C]triolein within 7.5 h. 10 h after bolus the significant difference disappeared. The different (13)CO(2) recovery is probably due to a different metabolic fate of (13)C at odd and even numbered carbon positions in the fatty acid chain caused by beta-oxidation, citric acid cycle and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) reaction in peripheral tissues. A contribution of a chain shortening in peroxisomes seems unlikely.     

Trends in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Poland: is there an impact of the introduction of the organised screening?

Aside from existing opportunistic screening, an organised screening programme (OSP) for cervical cancer (CC) was implemented in 2006/2007 in Poland. We applied joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort model to look for the impact of the OSP on CC incidence/mortality trends. Decline of age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) in the screening-age group (25–59 years) accelerated from ?2.2% (95% CI ?2.7 to ?1.7%) between 1993 and 2008 to ?6.1% (95% CI ?7.7 to ?4.4%) annually after 2008. In women aged 60+ years, ASIRs declined from 1986 until 2005 [annual percent change (APC) = ?2.6%, 95% CI ?2.9 to ?2.4%] and stabilised thereafter. Decline of age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) in the screening-age group accelerated from ?1.3% (95% CI ?1.5 to ?1.1%) between 1980 and 2005 to ?4.7% (95% CI ?5.6 to ?3.8%) annually after 2005. In women aged 60+ ASMR declined between 1991 and 2004 (APC = ?2.9%, 95% CI ?3.5 to ?2.3%) and stabilised thereafter. Relative risks of CC diagnosis and death were 0.63 (95% CI 0.62–0.65) and 0.61 (95% CI 0.59–0.63), respectively, for the most recent period compared to the reference around 1982. Implementation of the OSP possibly accelerated downward trends in the burden of CC in Polish women under the age of 60, but recent stabilisation of trends in older women requires actions.