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The pathogenic mechanism of dementia is still unknown, and the fundamental treatment remains to be established. Thus, there is growing interest in preventing dementia through diet. One of the functional ingredients attracting attention is docosahexaenoic acid. We conducted a 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in healthy elderly Japanese individuals with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 28 or higher at baseline using a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched milk beverage containing 297 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 137 mg eicosapentaenoic acid. Consumption of a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched milk beverage increased the fatty acid levels of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in erythrocyte membranes, which was the primary outcome of this study. Moreover, intake of this beverage prevented age-related cognitive decline and decreased serum bone resorption marker levels. Our data demonstrate that, even at a low dose, long-term daily intake of docosahexaenoic acid prevents dementia and may show beneficial effect on bone health.

Lablab purpureus (L) bean is an undervalued or underutilized orphan crop in many tropical countries, where different forms of malnutrition are associated with stunting growth and cognitive deficiencies. We previously reported that L. purpureus contains ω‐3 α‐linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3, ω‐3), which can act as the precursor of ω‐3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, ω‐3). Inadequate level of DHA impairs growth, development, and cognitive performance. Therefore, we evaluated if supplementation of L. purpureus seed flour (LPS) affects the nutritional status, in terms of body weight gain, plasma proteins, and DHA levels of malnourished model rats. Three groups of rats, namely, controls, malnourished alone (MN), and 15% LPS‐supplemented malnourished (MN + LPS) rats were fed with LPS for 12 weeks. Afterward, body weight, liver weight, brain weight, plasma proteins, micronutrients, lipid profile, and fatty acid profile of plasma, liver, and brains were determined by standard methods. The levels of liver lipid peroxide (LPO) and proinflammatory TNFα were also measured. The body weight, liver weight, serum total proteins and micronutrients (iron/potassium), and the levels of docosahexaenoic acid significantly increased in the plasma, liver, and brain of MN + LPS rats. Moreover, LPO and TNFα levels reduced significantly in MN + LPS rats. in vitro analysis revealed a significant free radical scavenging and antioxidative potential of L. purpureus seed extract. Thus, L. purpureus not only replenishes protein‐energy malnutrition, but also increases the levels of DHA, an indispensable polyunsaturated fatty acid for brain cognition. Finally, our results suggest that L. purpureus might benefit human malnutrition and related cognitive deficits.

Plasmalogens are alkenyl-acyl glycerophospholipids and decreased in post-mortem Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains. The aim of this study is to investigate the time-dependent changes of plasmalogens in the hippocampus of an AD model mouse (J20). Plasmalogen levels at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months were analyzed by liquid-chromatography-targeted-multiplexed-selected-reaction-monitoring-tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC-SRM/MS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated using dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). Plasmalogen synthesizing enzyme glycerone-phosphate O-acyltransferase (GNPAT) and late endosome marker Rab7 levels were quantified by Western blotting. GNPAT localization, changes of neuronal and glial cell numbers were evaluated by immunostaining. Compared to wild-type mice (WT), total plasmalogen-ethanolamine, but not plasmalogen-choline levels, were increased at 9 months and subsequently decreased at 15 months in J20 mice. A principal component analysis of plasmalogen-ethanolamine species could separate WT and J20 mice both at 9 and 15 months. Both GNPAT and Rab7 protein were increased in J20 mice at 9 months, whereas GNPAT was decreased at 15 months. ROS levels were increased in J20 mice except for 9 months. Our results suggest that increased plasmalogen-ethanolamine could counteract ROS levels and contribute to the phagocytosis process in J20 mice at 9 months. Such results might indicate a transient protective response of plasmalogen-ethanolamine in AD conditions.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) impairs memory and learning related behavioural performances of the affected person. Compared with the controls, memory and learning related behavioural performances of the AD model rats followed by hippocampal proteomics had been observed in the present study. In the eight armed radial maze, altered performance of the AD rats had been observed. Using liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), 822 proteins had been identified with protein threshold at 95.0%, minimum peptide of 2 and peptide threshold at 0.1% FDR. Among them, 329 proteins were differentially expressed with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Among the significantly regulated (P < 0.05) 329 proteins, 289 met the criteria of fold change (LogFC of 1.5) cut off value. Number of proteins linked with AD, oxidative stress (OS) and hypercholesterolemia was 59, 20 and 12, respectively. Number of commonly expressed proteins was 361. The highest amount of proteins differentially expressed in the AD rats were those involved in metabolic processes followed by those linked with OS. Most notable was the perturbed state of the cholesterol metabolizing proteins in the AD group. Current findings suggest that proteins associated with oxidative stress, glucose and cholesterol metabolism and cellular stress response are among the mostly affected proteins in AD subjects. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches targeting these proteins could be strategized to withstand the ever increasing global AD burden.

Pregerminated brown rice (GBR) is assumed to be more beneficial than polished white rice (WR), with regard to nutrition and cardiovascular health. To support this with scientific evidence, cholesterol-lowering and antioxidative effects of GBR were studied in the present investigation. The most popular rice variety in Bangladesh BIRI-29 was used to prepare GBR and WR. Initially, we analyzed the proximate composition, antioxidative phytochemicals, in vitro 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging ability and anti-hemolytic effects of GBR. To examine the dietary impact and possible benefits of the GBR, experimentally-induced hypercholesterolemic (HC, 1% cholesterol) rats were fed with GBR against WR for 12 wk. At the end, plasma total cholesterol (TC), low- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), fecal TC, and hepatic TC, lipid peroxide (LPO) and proinflammatory TNFα levels were determined. Relative to WR, GBR contained higher amounts of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, β-carotene and lycopene, and exhibited a stronger in vitro DPPH-free radical scavenging ability and antihemolytic potentials. Levels of plasma TC, LDL-C, TG, and hepatic TC and TG significantly decreased, while plasma HDL-C and fecal TC levels significantly increased in the GBR-fed HC-rats, indicating dietary GBR demonstrates a stronger antilipidemic effect than WR. The hepatic levels of LPO and TNFα also decreased (p

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of salinity and variety on yield and yield contributing characters of Red amaranth at Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experiment consisted of three varieties viz; Altapety, RM, Deshi and four levels of salinity viz; 0mM, 25mM, 50mM and 75mM. The experiment was laid out following RCBD with three replications. Variety had significant effect on yield characters and yield. The highest average weight of plant (9.69 g/pot), highest average root weight (2.13 g/pot), highest average root length (10.28 g/pot) and highest yield per pot (237.08g) were found from the variety Altapety and the lowest average weight of plant (7.67 g/pot), lowest average root weight (2.03 g/pot), lowest average root length (8.83 g/pot) and yield per pot (198.58g) were found from the variety RM. Salinity had significant effect on yield characters and yield. The highest average weight of plant (10.22 g/pot) was recorded from the variety Altapety at the application of 25mM NaCl, highest average of root weight (2.27 g/pot) was recorded from the variety Altapety at the application of 25mM NaCl, highest average of root length (10.29 g/pot) was recorded from the variety Altapety at the application of 25mM NaCl and yield (259.56g/pot) were found from the application of 25mM NaCl. The lowest average weight of plant (6.93 g/pot) was recorded from the variety RM at the application of 75mM NaCl solution, lowest average of root weight (1.78 g/pot) was recorded from the variety RM at the application of 75mM NaCl solution, lowest average of root length (8.12g/pot) was recorded from the variety RM at the application of 75mM NaCl solution and yield per pot (154.44g) were found from the application of 75mM NaCl. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 271-278, August 2019

In this study, a series of bacteria capable of degrading starch and cellulose were isolated from the aging flue-cured tobacco leaves. Remarkably, there was a thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis ZIM3, that can simultaneously degrade both starch and cellulose at a wide range of temperature and pH values. Genome sequencing, comparative genomics analyses, and enzymatic activity assays showed that the ZIM3 strain expressed a variety of highly active plant biomass-degrading enzymes, such as the amylase AmyE1 and cellulase CelE1. The in vitro and PhoA-fusion assays indicated that these enzymes degrading complex plant biomass into fermentable sugars were secreted into ambient environment to function. Besides, the amylase and cellulase activities were further increased by three- to five-folds by using overexpression. Furthermore, a fermentation strategy was developed and the biodegradation efficiency of the starch and cellulose in the tobacco leaves were improved by 30–48%. These results reveal that B. subtilis ZIM3 and the recombinant strain exhibited high amylase and cellulase activities for efficient biodegradation of starch and cellulose in tobacco and could potentially be applied for industrial tobacco fermentation.

Hypercholesterolemia has been implicated as one of the pathomechanistic factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting memory and learning abilities. In the present study, ameliorative effect of hot water extract (HWE) of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum to the memory and learning related behavioral performance of hypercholesterolemic and AD rats was investigated using Morris water maze (MWM). Male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into control, extract fed control, hypercholesterolemic, extract fed hypercholesterolemic, AD, and extract fed AD groups, each group containing 8 animals. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by adding 1% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid with the basal diet of the respective group. Alzheimer's disease model rats were prepared through infusion of amyloid β(1-42) to the right ventricle. Memory and learning related performance of all the rats was tested for 6 consecutive days that included time taken to reach the submerged platform (sec) and distance traveled (m). G. lucidum HWE fed rats took less time and traveled less distance to find the submerged platform, which indicates the spatial learning and memory related behavioral amelioration of the extract fed rats compared with their non-fed counterparts. Thus, usage of G. lucidum seems promising in withstanding hypercholesterolemia-induced Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is known to be highly atherogenic. Thus, decreasing the blood levels of Ox-LDL through dietary means is an important approach to reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals. In this randomized placebo-controlled human interventional trial, we aimed to evaluate whether Perilla frutescens leaf powder (PLP) ameliorates Ox-LDL and home blood pressure, along with its biological antioxidant potential. Healthy Japanese volunteers aged 30&ndash, 60 years (n = 60) were randomized to PLP and placebo groups. The PLP group consumed PLP dried using a microwave under reduced pressure, and the placebo group consumed pectin fiber daily for 6 months. Home blood pressure, serum biochemical parameters, and fatty acid profiles of erythrocyte plasma membranes were analyzed. Plasma Ox-LDL levels significantly decreased in the PLP group but not in the placebo group. Mean changes in the biological antioxidant potential and alpha-linolenic acid levels in the erythrocyte plasma membrane were significantly increased in the PLP group than in the placebo group. In subjects with prehypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] &sup3, 120 mmHg), the mean reduction in morning or nocturnal SBP was significantly greater in the PLP group than in the placebo group. Thus, PLP intake may be an effective intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

The effects of cholesterol-lowering statins, which substantially benefit future cardiovascular events, on fatty acid metabolism have remained largely obscured. In this study, we investigated the effects of atorvastatin on fatty acid metabolism together with the effects of TAK-085 containing highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester on atorvastatin-induced n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid lowering in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHRcp) rats, as a metabolic syndrome model. Supplementation with 10mg/kg body weight/day of atorvastatin for 17 weeks significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Atorvastatin alone caused a subtle change in fatty acid composition particularly of EPA and DHA in the plasma, liver or erythrocyte membranes. However, the TAK-085 consistently increased both the levels of EPA and DHA in the plasma, liver and erythrocyte membranes. After confirming the reduction of plasma total cholesterol, 300mg/kg body weight/day of TAK-085 was continuously administered for another 6 weeks. Supplementation with TAK-085 did not decrease plasma total cholesterol but significantly increased the EPA and DHA levels in both the plasma and liver compared with rats administered atorvastatin only. Supplementation with atorvastatin alone significantly decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, Δ5- and Δ6-desaturases, elongase-5, and stearoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase-2 levels and increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase mRNA expression in the liver compared with control rats. TAK-085 supplementation significantly increased stearoyl-CoA desaturase-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that long-term supplementation with atorvastatin decreases the EPA and DHA levels by inhibiting the desaturation and elongation of n-3 fatty acid metabolism, while TAK-085 supplementation effectively replenishes this effect in SHRcp rat liver.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, ω-3), an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is critical for brain growth, development, and cognitive ability. It is consumed by offspring via milk during lactation. However, the toxic heavy metal lead (Pb) readily passes into the mammary glands of mother animals and then to offspring through milk. Here, we investigated whether DHA composition of milk and mammary gland tissues is affected by Pb exposure. Mother rats were exposed to Pb via drinking water (0.1%). The fatty acid profile and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxide (LPO), and pro-inflammatory TNF-α in milk and mammary tissues were measured. Levels of DHA and antioxidant GSH decreased (P < 0.05), while LPO and TNF-α levels increased (P < 0.05) both in milk and mammary tissues. Our results suggest that toxic Pb exposure can upset the level of milk DHA, which may affect brain growth and development, and hence cognitive ability in adulthood and later life.

Background Arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4, ω-6) is a ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and plays diverse roles in cell signaling. Numerous reports on the effects of ω-3 PUFAs, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, ω-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, ω-3) on learning and memory impairments of rats are available, however, the role of AA on brain cognition is largely unknown. Objective In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of oral administration of AA on spatial memory-related learning ability in aged (100 weeks) male rats. Design One group was per orally administered 240 mg/kg per day AA oil and the other group was administered the similar volume of control oil. Five weeks after the start of the administration, rats were tested with the partially baited eight-arm radial maze to evaluate two types of spatial memory-related learning ability displayed by reference memory errors (RMEs) and working memory errors (WMEs). Also, the time required to complete the task was recorded. The levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured, as an indicator oxidative stress in the plasma and brain corticohippocampal brain tissues. Results The scores of RMEs and WMEs, which are analogous to long-term and short-term memory, respectively, were not affected, however, the trial time was shorter in the AA-administered rats than that of the controls. AA also significantly increased the degree of oxidative stress both in the plasma and corticohippocampal brain tissues. Conclusions Our results suggest that though AA deposition in the corticohippocampal tissues of senescent rats caused a faster performance activity, which is reminiscent to hyperactive behavior of animals, the spatial learning ability-related memory of the rats, however, was not improved.

The accumulation of amyloid β peptide1-42 (Aβ1-42) masses in the brains of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients is associated with neuronal loss and memory deficits. We have previously reported that oral administration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, n-3) significantly decreases Aβ burden in the brains of AD model rats and that direct in vitro incubation of DHA with Aβ1-42 curbs the progression of amyloid fibrillation. In the present in silico study, we investigated whether DHA computationally binds with amyloid peptides. The NMR solution structures of Aβ1-42 were downloaded from the Protein Data Bank (PDB IDs: 1Z0Q and 2BEG). The binding of DHA to Aβ peptides was assessed by molecular docking using both a flexible and rigid docking system. Thioflavin T (ThT) was used as positive control. The chemical structures of ThT and DHA were modeled and converted to the PDB format using PRODRUG. Drug-like properties of DHA were evaluated by ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion). DHA was found to successfully dock with Aβ1-42. Computational analyses of the binding of DHA to Aβ1-42, as evaluated by docking studies, further corroborated the inhibitory effect of DHA on in vitro Aβ1-42 fibrillogenesis and might explain the in vivo reduction of amyloid burden observed in the brains of DHA-administered AD model rats demonstrated in our previous study. These computational data suggest the potential utility of DHA as a preventive medication in Aβ-induced neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.

Memory extinction is referred to as a learning process in which a conditioned response (CR) progressively reduces over time as an animal learns to uncouple a response from a stimulus. Extinction occurs when the rat is placed into a context without shock after training. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, n-3) is implicated in memory formation in mammalian brains. In a two-way active shuttle-avoidance apparatus, we examined whether DHA affects the extinction memory and the expression of brain cognition-related proteins, including gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (BDNFR) tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrKB), and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits NR2A and NR2B. Also, the protein levels of GRP, BDNF, postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and the antioxidative potentials, in terms of lipid peroxide (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were examined in the hippocampus. During the acquisition phase, the rats received a conditioned stimulus (CS-tone) paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS foot shock) for three consecutive days (Sessions S1, S2, and S3, each consisting of 30-trials) after 12 weeks of oral administration of DHA. After a three-day interval, the rats were re-subjected to two extinction sessions (S4, S5), each comprising 30 trials of CS alone. During the acquisition training in S1, the shock-related avoidance frequency (acquisition memory) was significantly higher in the DHA-administered rats compared with the control rats. The avoidance frequency, however, decreased with successive acquisition trainings in sessions S2 and S3. When the rats were subjected to the extinction sessions after a break for consolidation, the conditioned response (CR) was also significantly higher in the DHA-administered rats. Interestingly, the freezing responses (frequency and time) also significantly decreased in the DHA-administered rats, thus suggesting that a higher coping capacity was present during fear stress in the DHA-administered rats. DHA treatments increased the mRNA levels of GRPR, BDNF receptor TrKB, and NMDAR subunit NR2B. DHA also increased the protein levels of GRP, BDNF, PSD-95, and VAChT, and the antioxidative potentials in the hippocampus. These results suggest the usefulness of DHA for treating stress disorders.

We studied on the effect of Curcuma longa extract on spatial learning-related memory ability of old rats in eight-arm radial maze task. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: one group was orally administered 100 mg/KgBW/day C. longa extract (CLE) dissolved in deionized water and the other group was administered the vehicle alone for 10 weeks. The rats were tested with the partially baited eight-arm radial maze to evaluate two types of spatial memory-related learning ability displayed by reference memory errors (RMEs) and working memory errors (WMEs). Chronic administration of CLE significantly decreased the number of RMEs and WMEs, concurrently with the decreases in the cortico-hippocampal levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). In a parallel set of experiments, CLE-pretreated rats of the same age group were subjected to hypoxia-reperfusion injury by carotid artery occlusion to induce oxidative stress in the brains in order to examine whether such an in vivo hypoxia-induced oxidative stress could be ameliorated by the extract. Again, the levels of LPO were significantly decreased in the cortico-hippocampal tissues of the CLE-fed hypoxic rats. The histology of the brains also revealed that the CLE-pretreated rats had retained improved cellular integrity. Finally, our results provide the evidence that oral administration of C. longa extract increases the defense against oxidative stress and proinflammatory TNF-α, concurrently with the improvement of memory-related brain cognitive ability of the aged rats.

Metabolic syndrome is implicated in the decline of cognitive ability. We investigated whether the prescription n-3 fatty acid administration improves cognitive learning ability in SHR.Cg-Lepr(cp)/NDmcr (SHR-cp) rats, a metabolic syndrome model, in comparison with administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, n-3) alone. Administration of TAK-085 [highly purified and concentrated n-3 fatty acid formulation containing EPA ethyl ester and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, n-3) ethyl ester] at 300 mg/kg body weight per day for 13 weeks reduced the number of reference memory-related errors in SHR-cp rats, but EPA alone had no effect, suggesting that long-term TAK-085 administration improves cognitive learning ability in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. However, the working memory-related errors were not affected in either of the rat groups. TAK-085 and EPA administration increased plasma EPA and DHA levels of SHR-cp rats, associating with an increase in EPA and DHA in the cerebral cortex. The TAK-085 administration decreased the lipid peroxide levels and reactive oxygen species in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of SHR-cp rats, suggesting that TAK-085 increases antioxidative defenses. Its administration also increased the brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the cortical and hippocampal tissues of TAK-085-administered rats. The present study suggests that long-term TAK-085 administration is a possible therapeutic strategy for protecting against metabolic syndrome-induced learning decline.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Leucas zeylanica against oxidative stress on hepatic tissue. Oxidative stress was induced by exposing hepatic tissue to ethanol and Fenton’s reagent (H2O2+FeSO4). The effect of oxidative stress on liver also was evaluated by the determination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO). The antioxidative activity of L. zeylanica was determined by estimating it ability to inhibit the hepatic levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), as indicator of oxidative stress. Concomitantly, the antioxidant phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids were assessed against pyrogallol and quercetin standards. The ALT and AST activities and the levels of LPO of hepatic tissue were significantly increased by oxidative stress. L. zeylanica pretreatment, however, significantly repressed the oxidative stress on hepatic tissue, as indicated by the decreased activities of ALT and AST enzymes and levels of LPO. Analyses of the phytochemicals revealed that the extract of L. zeylanica contained substantial amounts of polyphenols (74.32 ± 4.6 µg of pyrogallol equivalent/mg) and flavonoids (15.69 ± 2.2 µg quercetin equivalent/mg of extract). Finally, the results of the present study demonstrated the presence of antioxidant phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids in L. zeylanica and henceforth conferred protection against ethanol and H2O2-induced oxidative stress on hepatic tissue.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i9.16076 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, August 2013, 2(9): 148-151

To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fast on serum lipid profile status of men, the study was carried out in the National Mushroom Development and Extension Centre, Sobhanbag, Savar Dhaka in association with the Department of Pharmacy and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. The experiment was conducted before and after the Arabic month, Ramadan, when there occurs a change both in the pattern and timing of dietary intake. Findings of the study shows Ramadan fast significantly reduced serum Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p = 0.011). A statistically non significant reduction of total Cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.340), small elevation of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) (p = 0.252) and Triglyceride (TG) (p = 0.502) were also observed. Considering the findings of the study it was noticeable that one month Ramadan fast can improve lipid profile status of blood and hence able to improve atherosclerotic diseases which includes hypertension, ischemic heart disease and stroke. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i2.16021 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (02): 37-42

Amyloid β(Aβ)1-42 fibrillation is a crucial step in the development of pathological hallmarks, such as neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we evaluated the effects of free docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential brain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), on the inhibition of Aβ1-42 fibrillation by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), a technique capable of detecting molecular movements and interactions in solution. We also examined whether free arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and metabolites of DHA, including neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1, 10S, 17S-dihydroxy-DHA), resolvin D1 (RvD1, 7S, 8R, 17S-trihydroxy-DHA), and didocosahexaenoyl glycerol (diDHA), affect Aβ1-42 polymerization. The results of the FCS study reveal that DHA and AA significantly reduced the diffusion time of TAMRA (5-carboxytetramethylrhoda-mine)-Aβ1-42 by 28% and 31%, respectively, while EPA, NPD1, RvD1, and diDHA had no effects on diffusion time. These results indicate that DHA and AA inhibited Aβ1-42 polymerization and that their inhibitory effects occurred at the initial stage of Aβ1-42 polymerization. This study will advance the research on PUFAs in preventing AD progression.

Functional food can be either natural or processed. Food contains known biologically active compounds, which provides clinically proven and documented health benefit. So far, no database is available in Bangladesh regarding the functionality of the indigenous foods. As a primary step, this study had been conducted with an aim to identify and characterize functionality of the indigenous foods of Bangladesh. Eight fruits and vegetables, which are very popular for their taste, price and easy availability, have been selected for in vitro screening of their functionality. High levels of fat and sugar binding capacity were observed in Pineapple (500% and 270.891% respectively). High nuplli mortality rate was found in cytotoxicity test with Pomelo extract (100%), which also contained high level of vitamin C (155 mg/100g). Pomelo contained the highest level of antioxidant among all these foods (0.674 nMol/100μl/mg protein). Red amaranth contained highest amount of protein (4.31 g/100g). In stem amaranth, Iron level was highest (1855.67 mg/kg). Total phenolics content of Water spinach and Stem amaranth were found higher than the other samples (59.339 and 55.728 mg GAE/g respectively). All these experiments showed these vegetables and fruits have high health impacts and can be act as potential functional foods.

The high mortality rate in Bangladesh is related to poverty, which results in protein malnutrition, essential fatty acid deficiency and lacks in adequate vitamins, minerals and calorie. Exploring new food items with improved dietary nutrition factors may, therefore, help to decrease the mortality rate in the poor countries like Bangladesh. Accordingly, the present study was a proximate composition and fatty acid analysis of L. purpureus seed—a legume seed which is given no careful attention locally, though it might be a good source of valuable nutrition factors for both animals and humans. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to generate awareness that L. purpureus could also act as a good source of food components essential for good health. Proximate analysis revealed that the seed powder contained 8.47 ± 0.52% moisture; 3.50 ± 0.0.07% ash; 1.02 ± 0.06% total fat; 23.95 ± 0.15% total protein; 1.21 ± 0.16% total dietary fiber; 61.86 ± 0.70% total carbohydrate and 352.4 ± 2.66 kcal/100 g energy. Phytic acid content (%) was 1.014 ± 0.048. Major fatty acid composition (%): the essential fatty acid linoleic acid (C18:2, ω-6) was 9.50 ± 0.68, while the linolenic acid (C18:3, ω-3) was 1.95 ± 0.18. Palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1) were, respectively, 2.96 ± 0.19, 0.77 ± 0.04 and 1.10 ± 0.06. Lignoceric acid (C24:0) was 0.11 ± 0.007%. Monounsaturated palmitoleic acid (0.006 ± 0.0), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5, ω-3) and nervonic acid (0.002 ± 0.0) were present in trace amounts. Arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4, ω-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5, ω-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, ω-3) were not detected. The fatty acid profile, thus, suggests that essential omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (C18:3, ω-6) and omega-3 linolenic acid (C18:3, ω-3) were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) present in L. purpureus seed. In addition, the seed contained high amount of proteins. Finally, these results suggest that L. purpureus seed could be used as a good source of quality food components, including protein and essential fatty acids.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, ω-3) is a highly polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid. It is concentrated in neuronal brain membranes, for which reason it is also referred to as a "brain food". DHA is essential for brain development and function. It plays an important role in improving antioxidant and cognitive activities of the brain. DHA deficiency occurs during aging and dementia, impairs memory and learning, and promotes age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). For about two decades, we have reported that oral administration of DHA increases spatial memory acquisition, stimulates neurogenesis, and protects against and reverses memory impairment in amyloid β peptide-infused AD rat models by decreasing amyloidogenesis and protects against age-related cognitive decline in the elderly. These results demonstrate a robust link between DHA and cognitive health. Rodents that were fed a diet low in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly those that were DHA-deficient, frequently suffered from anxiety, depression and memory impairment. Although the exact mechanisms of action of DHA in brain functions are still elusive, a host of mechanisms have been proposed. For example, DHA, which inherently has a characteristic three-dimensional structure, increases membrane fluidity, strengthens antioxidant activity and enhances the expression of several proteins that act as substrates for improving memory functions. It reduces the brain amyloid burden and inhibits in vitro fibrillation and amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in cell-culture model. In this review, we discuss how DHA acts as a molecule with diverse functions.

Myosin heavy chain (MHC) mediates the metabolic and contractile responses of skeletal muscles. MHC displays different isoforms, each of which has different characteristics. To better understand the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids in skeletal muscles, rats were fed with control-, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-, and arachidonic acid (ARA)-oil, and the effects on plasma and muscular fatty acid profile, oxidative stress, mRNA levels of myosin heavy chain isoforms MHC1 of slow-twitch muscle (SO) and MHC2A, MHC2X, and MHCB isoforms of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) of fast-twitch muscle were evaluated. Concomitantly, mRNA levels of anti-oxidative enzymes, such as, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD were determined. The expressions of MHC1, MHC2A, MHC2X, and MHC2B were lower in the SO of the DHA-fed rats. In the EDL muscles of DHA-fed rats, the expressions of MHC1 and MHC2A increased; however, the expressions of MHC2X increased and that of the MHC2 were not altered. Oxidative stress, as indicated by the levels of LPO, was significantly higher in the plasma of the ARA-fed rats, when compared with that of the DHA-fed rats. The LPO levels were higher both in the SO and EDL muscles of ARA-fed rats. Compared with ARA oil intake, DHA oil showed higher mRNA levels of GPx and SOD. Catalase expression was higher only in the EDL but not in the SO-type muscles. Our studies finally indicate that DHA and ARA differentially affect the regulation of contractile and metabolic properties of slow- and fast-twitch skeletal muscles.

Identifying dietary alternatives for artificial antioxidants capable of boosting antihemolytic and antioxidative defense has been an important endeavor in improving human health. In the present study, we studied antihemolytic and antioxidative effects of germosprout (i.e., the germ part along with sprouted stems plus roots) extract prepared from the pregerminated rice. The extract contained considerable amounts of antioxidantβ-carotene (414±12 ng/g of extract) and phytochemicals such as total polyphenols (12.0±1.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract) and flavonoids (11.0±1.4 mg catechin equivalent/g of extract). The antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed by its DPPH- (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-) free radical scavenging activity where we observed that germosprout extract had considerable antioxidative potentials. To evaluate antihemolytic effect of the extract, freshly prepared erythrocytes were incubated with either peroxynitrite or Fenton’s reagent in the absence or presence of the extract. We observed that erythrocytes pretreated with the extract exhibited reduced degree ofin vitrohemolysis. To support the proposition that germosprout extract could act as a good antioxidative agent, we also inducedin vitrooxidative stress in erythrocyte membranes and in the aorta, brain, heart, and liver tissue homogenates in the presence of the extract. As expected, germosprout extract decreased oxidative stress almost to the same extent as that of vitamin E, as measured by lipid peroxide levels, in all the mentioned tissues. We conclude that rice germosprout extract could be a good natural source of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress-induced hemolysis and damage of blood vessels and other tissues.

Objective: Raphanus sativus is a hugely used edible root vegetable. We investigated whether the feeding of the Raphanus sativus hot water extract (RSE) ameliorates atherogenic lipid profile and oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemia. Methods: After feeding of the RSE to hypercholesterolemic rats for 6 weeks, the levels of plasma and hepatic total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and fecal TC levels were studied. The effects of RSE on the hepatic enzymes, namely alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and liver histology were also evaluated. Results: Hypercholesterolemia increased the levels of TC and TG in the plasma and livers. The levels of ALT, AST and ALP in plasma and LPO in the liver also increased. The dietary RSE, however, significantly ameliorated the above atherogenic lipids and liver enzymes. The RSE significantly reduced the levels of LPO in the liver, suggesting an in vivo protection against of oxidative stress. The RSE also inhibited the in vitro Fenton’s reagent-induced oxidative stress, thus corroborating the in vivo anti-LPO actions of RSE. The levels of hepatic LPO were positively correlated with plasma AST (r=0.76; P

We investigated the effect of Syzygium cumini(L.) Skeels seed extract on the oxidative stress of brain cortical tissues of alcohol-treated rats. The in vitro antioxidative effect of methnolic S. cumini seed extract was initially compared with those of the buytylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and Vitamin C, by determining their DPPH-free radical scavenging activity. The S. cumini seed extract exhibited stronger free radical scavenging activity than those of the BHT and Vitamin C. Cortex homogenates were then directly incubated with 15% ethanol and/or Fenton’s reagent (H2O2 + Fe2SO4) to induce in vitro oxidative stress in the absence or presence of S. cumini seed extract . The S. cumini seed extract significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) in the cortical homogenates. Twenty four rats were then divided into four groups: Control, S. cumini seed extract (SE)-administered, 15% ethanol-fed (EtOH) and EtOH + SE rats. The oral administration of the extract (400 mg/kg BW.day) for 8 weeks significantly (P

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3), the most abundant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in the brain, is essential for brain growth and development. Recent evidence has indicated the potential health benefits of DHA for managing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For example, dietary administration of DHA considerably protects against and ameliorates the impairment of learning ability in amyloid-beta (Aβ)1–40-infused AD-model rats, with concurrent increases in DHA levels and decreases in the levels of lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species in the cortico-hippocampal tissues. In addition, dietary DHA helps in eliminating the amyloid burden from the brains of AD-model rats. In vitro studies have revealed that DHA substantially inhibits Aβ fibrillation. Furthermore, DHA reduces amyloid-induced toxicity in cell culture. These in vitro data support the hypothesis that DHA can ameliorate the cognitive deficits of AD in vivo by limiting Aβ polymerization in the brains. Therefore, it might be a useful therapeutic agent to prevent and/or delay cognitive impairment in mild cases of AD. Keywords:: Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid fibrillation, docosahexaenoic acid, neurogenesis, neuronal toxicity, oxidative stress, polyunsaturated fatty acid

Background Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide (1–40) can cause cognitive impairment. Experimental design We investigated whether dietary preadministration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is conducive to cognition learning ability and whether it protects against the impairment of learning ability in rats infused with Aβ peptide (1–40) into the cerebral ventricle. Results Dietary EPA administered to rats for 12 weeks before the infusion of Aβ into the rat brain significantly decreased the number of reference memory errors (RMEs) and working memory errors (WMEs), suggesting that chronic administration of EPA improves cognition learning ability in rats. EPA preadministered to the Aβ-infused rats significantly reduced the increase in the number of RMEs and WMEs, with concurrent proportional increases in the levels of corticohippocampal EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and in the DHA/arachidonic acid molar ratio. Decrease in oxidative stress in these tissues was evaluated by determining the reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxide levels. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that altered genes included those that control synaptic signal transduction, cell communication, membrane-related vesicular transport functions, and enzymes and several other proteins. Conclusion The present study suggests that EPA, by acting as a precursor for DHA, ameliorates learning deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease and that these effects are modulated by the expression of proteins involved in neuronal plasticity.

The mechanism of the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n-3), one of the essential brain nutrients, on in vitro fibrillation of amyloid beta (Abeta(1-42)), Abeta(1-42)-oligomers and its toxicity imparted to SH-S5Y5 cells was studied with the use of thioflavin T fluorospectroscopy, laser confocal microfluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. The results clearly indicated that DHA inhibited Abeta(1-42)-fibrill formation with a concomitant reduction in the levels of soluble Abeta(1-42) oligomers. The polymerization (into fibrils) of preformed oligomers treated with DHA was inhibited, indicating that DHA not only obstructs their formation but also inhibits their transformation into fibrils. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (12.5%), Tris-Tricine gradient(4-20%) gel electrophoresis and western blot analyses revealed that DHA inhibited at least 2 species of Abeta(1-42) oligomers of 15-20 kDa, indicating that it hinders these on-pathway tri/tetrameric intermediates during fibrillation. DHA also reduced the levels of dityrosine and tyrosine intrinsic fluorescence intensity, indicating DHA interrupts the microenvironment of tyrosine in the Abeta(1-42) backbone. Furthermore, DHA protected the tyrosine from acrylamide collisional quenching, as indicated by decreases in Stern-Volmer constants. 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide-reduction efficiency and immunohistochemical examination suggested that DHA inhibits Abeta(1-42)-induced toxicity in SH-S5Y5 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that by restraining Abeta(1-42) toxic tri/tetrameric oligomers, DHA may limit amyloidogenic neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease.

Female Wistar rats (100 weeks old) were divided into two groups; one group was fed a high-cholesterol diet (HC) and the other a high-cholesterol diet plus docosahexaenoic acid (HC-fed DHA rats). Fatty acid concentrations in brain tissues were analyzed by gas chromatography. In the HC-fed DHA rats, brain catalase (CAT), GSH, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased in the cerebrum but not in the brainstem or cerebellum. The rate of increase was 23.0% for CAT, 24.5% for GSH, and 26.3% for GPx compared with that in the HC animals (p < 0.05). In the cerebrum of the HC-fed DHA rats, CAT and GPx increased, with an increase in the ratio of DHA to arachidonic acid. The cerebrum, unlike the other areas of the brain, seems to be more sensitive to DHA in stimulating CAT and GPx. We suggest that DHA plays an important role in inducing an antioxidative defense against active oxygen by enhancing the cerebral activities of CAT, GPx, and GSH.

The effect of industrial effluent on the oxidative stress of Puntius sophore (punti fish) tissue was investigated. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring lipid peroxide (LPO) and fatty acid profile as bioindicators. Punti fishes were collected from a river where textile mill effluent is discharged, as well as from fresh water as controls. Homogenized tissues were used for LPO, fatty acid, total cholesterol, phospholipid and protein measurements. LPO levels in both hepatic and extrahepatic tissues increased significantly in the industrial-effluent-exposed fish tissue as compared with those of the freshwater fish (control versus industrial-effluent-exposed fish: hepatic tissues, 54.0 ± 5.0 and 89.0 ± 9.0 nmol/mg protein; extrahepatic tissues, 52.0 ± 9.0 and 270 ± 16.0 nmol/mg protein). Five biologically important polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) and linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), significantly decreased, and saturated fatty acid, stearic acid (C18:0), significantly increased in the effluent-exposed fish tissue than those of the freshwater counterpart. Cholesterol level of industrial-effluent-exposed punti fish was 1.5-fold lower than those of the freshwater fish. This study thus suggests that industrial effluent poses a threat, at least partially, through oxidative insult to fish tissues. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The study reported here indicates that fish exposed to industrial effluent induce a greater risk of oxidative stress with a resultant increased level of lipid peroxides. Consequently, if these fish with increased oxidative species are ingested by humans, they may cause physiological problems such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer involving disruption of cellular homeostasis. Therefore, an investigation about the oxidative stress of fish tissue in terms of lipid peroxidation could be of considerable significance in Third World countries where consumers remain unaware about the quality of the fish sold in the local markets and are ignorant of the oxidative stress and its consequences. The information of the present investigation may help in providing some preliminary information about the impact of unplanned industrialization on aquatic ecosystem.

1. The effects of chitosan (CS) derived from the exoskeleton of the shrimp Macrobracium rosenbergii on bodyweight, plasma lipid profile, fatty acid composition, liver lipid peroxide (LPO) levels and plasma levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were determined in normocholesterolaemic (NC) and hypercholesterolaemic (HC) Long Evans rats. 2. The NC rats were fed a diet containing 2% CS and the HC rats were fed a diet containing 2 and 4% CS for 8 weeks. Chitosan significantly reduced bodyweight gain only in HC + 4% CS rats compared with HC rats, but not in NC + 2% CS or HC + 2% CS rats. 3. Chitosan reduced plasma total cholesterol in the HC + 2% CS, HC + 4% CS and NC + 2% CS rats; however, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased only in the first two groups. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in the HC + 4% CS rats by 24% compared with the HC + 2% CS group and by 30% compared with HC rats; however, HDL-C did not increase in the NC + 2% CS group compared with NC rats. The level of plasma triglycerides decreased significantly only in HC + 2% CS rats compared with HC rats. 4. Chitosan significantly decreased plasma levels of arachidonic acid in the HC + 2% CS and HC + 4% CS groups, with a concurrent increase in the molar ratio of total unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA) to total saturated fatty acid (TSFA). 5. Moreover, CS increased liver LPO levels without affecting plasma levels of GPT. Liver LPO levels were positively correlated with the TUFA/TSFA molar ratio. 6. The present study suggests that dietary CS decreases the atherogenic lipid profiles of both NC and HC rats and reduces the bodyweight gain of HC rats.

Background Identifying agents that inhibit amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) aggregation is the ultimate goal for slowing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. This study investigated whether the glycoside asiaticoside inhibits Aβ1–42 fibrillation in vitro. Methods Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), evaluating the Brownian diffusion times of moving particles in a small confocal volume at the single-molecule level, was used. If asiaticoside inhibits early Aβ1–42 fibrillation steps, more Aβs would remain free and rapidly diffuse in the confocal volume. In contrast, “weaker or no inhibition” permits a greater number of Aβs to polymerize into oligomers, leading to fibers and gives rise to slow diffusion times in the solution. Trace amounts of 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled Aβ1–42 in the presence of excess unlabeled Aβ1–42 (10 μM) was used as a fluorescent probe. Steady-state and kinetic-Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorospectroscopy, laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy (LSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also used to monitor fibrillation. Binding of asiaticoside with Aβ1–42 at the atomic level was computationally examined using the Molegro Virtual Docker and PatchDock. Results With 1 h of incubation time for aggregation, FCS data analysis revealed that the diffusion time of TAMRA-Aβ1–42 was 208 ± 4 μs, which decreased to 164 ± 8.0 μs in the presence of asiaticoside, clearly indicating that asiaticoside inhibited the early stages Aβ1–42 of fibrillation, leaving more free Aβs in the solution and permitting their rapid diffusion in the confocal volume. The inhibitory effects were also evidenced by reduced fiber formation as assessed by steady-state and kinetic ThT fluorospectroscopy, LSM, and TEM. Asiaticoside elongated the lag phase of Aβ1–42 fibrillation, indicating the formation of smaller amyloid species were impaired in the presence of asiaticoside. Molecular docking revealed that asiaticoside binds with amyloid intra- and inter-molecular amino acid residues, which are responsible for β-sheet formation and longitudinal extension of fibrils. Conclusion Finally, asiaticoside prevents amyloidogenesis that precedes neurodegeneration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

We studied the effect of chronic oral exposure to lead acetate (PbA) on the sensitivity of RBC to hemolysis and whether the sensitivity could be decreased by feeding the rats with extract of medicinal mushroomGanoderma lucidum. Three groups of rats, control, PbA-exposed, andG. lucidum (Gl)+PbA,were used. PbA (3 mM) was administered via drinking water andG. lucidumextract by gavage at 300 mg/Kg BW/day for 12 weeks. Afterwards, the rats were killed and washed RBCs were subjected to hemolysis in the presence of Fenton’s reagents. Hemolysis was determined by estimating the amount of released hemoglobin. The levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and GSH were determined from RBC membranes and whole RBCs, respectively. The levels of TNFαand LPO also were determined from hepatic tissues. The RBCs of PbA-exposed rats displayed significantly higher sensitivity to hemolysis than those of theGl+PbA rats. The levels of LPO increased and GSH decreased in the RBCs, with concomitant increases in the levels of hepatic TNFαand LPO in the PbA-exposed rats. The degree of hemolysis was significantly low in the RBCs ofGl+PbA rats, concurrently with amelioration of hepatic parameters. Finally, the study suggests that PbA-induced-hemolysis and related oxidative-toxicity might be minimized by consumption ofG. lucidum.

SUMMARY 1. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-induced protection of learning deficit of amyloid b(1-40)-infused Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model rats and changes in synaptosomal plasma membrane fluidity of the cerebral cortex. 2. Synaptosomal membrane lateral and rotational fluidity were measured using pyrene excimer spectroscopy and fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), respectively. 3. Avoidance learning ability, as assessed by a two-way active avoidance paradigm, decreased significantly in the AD model rats. 4. Pyrene-determined annular/non-annular fluidity ratio and the DPH-determined bulk fluidity of the synaptosomal plasma membrane decreased in the amyloid b(1-40)-infused rats. Oral pre-administration of DHA (300 mg/kg per day for 12 weeks) significantly increased both lateral and rotational fluidity. 5. The synaptosomal membrane DHA content increased and the cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio and lipid peroxidation decreased. 6. The annular to non-annular fluidity ratio of the synaptic plasma membrane was positively correlated with total avoidance learning. 7. The present results indicate that DHA-induced alterations in synaptic plasma membrane fluidity may contribute to the synaptic plasma membrane-related functions that constitute avoidance learning-related memory in amyloid b(1-40)-infused rats.

SUMMARY 1. The effects of edible oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus on plasma and liver lipid profiles and on the plasma total antioxidant status were estimated in hyper- and normocholesterolaemic Long Evans rats. 2. The feeding of 5% powder of the fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus mushrooms to hypercholesterolaemic rats reduced their plasma total cholesterol by approximately 28%, lowdensity lipoprotein‐cholesterol by approximately 55%, triglyceride by approximately 34%, non-esterified fatty acid by approximately 30% and total liver cholesterol levels by > 34%, with a concurrent increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein‐ cholesterol concentration of > 21%. However, these effects were not observed in mushroom-fed normocholesterolaemic rats. 3. Mushroom feeding significantly increased plasma fatty acid unsaturation in both normo- and hypercholesterolaemic rats. 4. Plasma total anti-oxidant status, as estimated by the oxidation of 2,2 � -azino-bis-[3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulphonic-acid], was significantly decreased in mushroom-fed hypercholesterolaemic rats, concomitant with a decrease in plasma total cholesterol. 5. The present study suggests that 5% P. ostreatus supplementation provides health benefits, at least partially, by acting on the atherogenic lipid profile in the hypercholesterolaemic condition.

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3), a major n-3 fatty acid of the brain, has been implicated in restoration and enhancement of memory-related functions. Because Alzheimer's disease impairs memory, and infusion of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide (1-40) into the rat cerebral ventricle reduces learning ability, we investigated the effect of dietary pre-administration of docosahexaenoic acid on avoidance learning ability in Abeta peptide-produced Alzheimer's disease model rats. After a mini-osmotic pump filled with Abeta peptide or vehicle was implanted in docosahexaenoic acid-fed and control rats, they were subjected to an active avoidance task in a shuttle avoidance system apparatus. Pre-administration of docosahexaenoic acid had a profoundly beneficial effect on the decline in avoidance learning ability in the Alzheimer's disease model rats, associated with an increase in the cortico-hippocampal docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid molar ratio, and a decrease in neuronal apoptotic products. Docosahexaenoic acid pre-administration furthermore increased cortico-hippocampal reduced glutathione levels and glutathione reductase activity, and suppressed the increase in lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the Alzheimer's disease model rats, suggesting an increase in antioxidative defence. Docosahexaenoic acid is thus a possible prophylactic means for preventing the learning deficiencies of Alzheimer's disease.

We investigated whether a highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a concentrated n-3 fatty acid formulation (prescription TAK-085) containing EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester could improve the learning ability of aged rats and whether this specific outcome had any relation with the brain levels of EPA-derived eicosanoids and DHA-derived docosanoids. The rats were tested for reference memory errors (RMEs) and working memory errors (WMEs) in an eight-arm radial maze. Fatty acid compositions were analyzed by GC, whereas brain eicosanoid/docosanoids were measured by LC–ESI-MS–MS-based analysis. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPOs) were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The administration of TAK-085 at 300 mg·kg− 1 day− 1 for 17 weeks reduced the number of RMEs in aged rats compared with that in the control rats. Both TAK-085 and EPA administration increased plasma EPA and DHA levels in aged rats, with concurrent increases in DHA and decreases in arachidonic acid in the corticohippocampal brain tissues. TAK-085 administration significantly increased the formation of EPA-derived 5-HETE and DHA-derived 7-, 10-, and 17-HDoHE, PD1, RvD1, and RvD2. ARA-derived PGE2, PGD2, and PGF2α significantly decreased in TAK-085-treated rats. DHA-derived mediators demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with the number of RMEs, whereas EPA-derived mediators did not exhibit any relationship. Furthermore, compared with the control rats, the levels of LPO in the plasma, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus were significantly reduced in TAK-085-treated rats. The findings of the present study suggest that long-term EPA + DHA administration may be a possible preventative strategy against age-related cognitive decline.

The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the fluidity of the annular lipid regions and their associated membrane-bound proteins is still not as well understood as that in the global (bulk) lipid regions. We therefore studied the effects of dietary DHA on the relationship between annular and global lipid fluidity and membrane-bound enzymes such as 5′-nucleotidase and Mg2+-ATPase in the rat bile canalicular membrane. Dietary DHA caused significant increases in 5′-nucleotidase and Mg2+-ATPase activity and in global and annular lipid fluidity, a higher increase in fluidity in the annular lipids than the global lipids, and a decrease in the cholesterol-to-phospholipid molar ratio in the canalicular membrane. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased, and fecal cholesterol increased in the DHA-fed rats. No changes were observed in oxidative markers, but glutathione peroxidase increased in the liver with DHA feeding. Annular lipid fluidity, but not global lipid fluidity, correlated remarkably well with DHA, synchronously with the activities of 5′-nucleotidase and Mg2+-ATPase. The data indicate that the DHA-induced increase in annular lipid fluidity is responsible for the increases observed in the enzyme activity.We therefore concluded that the increased activity of membrane-bound enzymes and transporters induced by DHA and the concomitant increase in annular lipid fluidity comprise one of the mechanisms involved in DHA-induced clearance of plasma cholesterol.—Hashimoto, M., M. S. Hossain, T. Shimada, H. Yamasaki, Y. Fujii, and O. Shido. Effects of docosahexaenoic acid on annular lipid fluidity of the rat bile canalicular plasma membrane. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 1160–1168.

Fish oils have been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. To determine the mechanism of this hypotensive effect, we examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil, on blood pressure and on the release of adenyl purines, such as ATP, ADP, AMP and adenosine, from the caudal arteries of aged rats. Aged female Wistar rats (100 wk) were fed a high cholesterol diet and were administered intragastrically ethyl all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoate [300 mg/ (kg d)] for 12 wk (DHA group) or vehicle alone (control group). Compared with the controls, rats supplemented with DHA had significantly greater (10.1%) DHA concentrations in the caudal arteries. This was associated with more total (n-3) arterial fatty acids, a greater unsaturation index of arterial fatty acids, 43.9% lower plasma noradrenaline levels and the repression of the elevation in blood pressure observed with advancing age. The amount of purines released, both spontaneously and in response to noradrenaline, from arterial segments of DHA-supplemented rats was significantly higher than that released from tissues of control rats. Regression analysis revealed significant negative relationships between the total amount of purines released from the artery and the systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures. These results suggest that in aged rats, supplementation with DHA alters the membrane fatty acid composition as well as the amount of ATP released from vascular endothelial cells and decreases plasma noradrenaline, and that these factors may ameliorate the rise in blood pressure normally associated with advancing age.

Aloe vera is a semi-tropical plant of Liliaceae family which has a wide range of applications in traditional medicine. In the present study, we sought to investigate the heptaoprotective potential of Aloe vera gel as a diet supplement. To achieve this goal, we have designed in vitro and in vivo experimental models of chemical-induced liver damage using male Sprague-Dawley rat. In the in vitro model, its effect was evaluated on Fenton's reaction-induced liver lipid peroxidation. Co-incubation with gel significantly reduced the generation of liver lipid peroxide (LPO). Next, to see the similar effect in vivo, gel was orally administered to rats once daily for 21 successive days. Following 1 hour of the last administration of gel, rats were treated with intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4. Dietary gel showed significant hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced damage as evident by restoration of liver LPO, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin towards near normal. The beneficial effects were pronounced with the doses used (400 and 800 mg/kg body weight). Besides, we did not observe any significant drop in serum albumin, globulin as well as total protein levels of gel-administered rats. Histopathology of the liver tissue further supported the biochemical findings confirming the hepatoprotective potential of dietary gel.

The in vitro oxidative stress induced by ethanol/Fenton's reaction in rat liver homogenates decreased significantly in the presence of Syzygium cumini seed extract, suggesting the protective effect of the seed extract against the oxidative stress in liver. To corroborate the in vitro effects by an in vivo experiment, 24 rats were divided into four groups: control, S. cumini seed-extract-administered (SE), 15% ethanol-fed (Alc) and Alc+SE rats. The oral administration of the extract (400 mg/kg BW.day) for 7 weeks significantly decreased the levels of liver LPO in the Alc+SE rats, suggesting that S. cumini seed not only obstructed the in vitro free radical production and subsequent oxidative stress, but also inhibited their in vivo formation. The oral administration of extract also reduced the enzyme activities of serum gammaglutamyl transferase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase and the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, serum/liver triglycerides and total cholesterol of the alcoholic rats. The levels of fecal cholesterol were increased by the extract. Fatty degenerations in liver and kidney were absent with S. cumini seed extract treatment. The results suggest that S. cumini seed may be a potential therapy for alcoholics and related dysfunctions by restraining oxidative stress.

We investigated the effects of dietary administration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) on the levels of amyloid beta (A beta) peptide (1-40) and cholesterol in the nonionic detergent Triton 100 x-insoluble membrane fractions (DIFs) of the cerebral cortex and, also, on learning-related memory in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats infused with A beta peptide (1-40) into the cerebral ventricle. The infusion increased the levels of A beta peptide and cholesterol in the DIFs concurrently with a significant increase in reference memory errors (measured by eight-arm radial-maze tasks) compared with those of vehicle rats. Conversely, the dietary administration of DHA to AD-model rats decreased the levels of A beta peptide and cholesterol in the DIFs, with the decrease being more prominent in the DHA-administered rats. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between A beta peptide and each of cholesterol, palmitic acid and stearic acid, and between the number of reference memory errors and each of cholesterol, palmitic, stearic and oleic acid; moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between the number of reference memory errors and the molar ratio of DHA to palmitic plus stearic acid. These results suggest that DHA-induced protection of memory deficits in AD-model rats is related to the interactions of cholesterol, palmitic acid or stearic acid with A beta peptides in DIFs where DHA ameliorates these interactions.

Age-related changes in adenyl purine release from rat arteries and endothelial cell (EC) plasma membrane (PM) fluidity were studied. High performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence revealed that aging significantly decreased the release of adenyl purines. Pyrene-excimer spectroscopy disclosed that EC PM fluidity of aged rats decreased more significantly than that of young rats. An increase in cholesterol content and a decrease in the unsaturation index (USI) of fatty acids in cholesterol-enriched ECs reduced PM fluidity and 5'-nucleotidase (5'-ND) activity (measured by coupled assay of adenosine deaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase). Moreover, a decrease in cholesterol content and an increase in the USI of fatty acyl chains of the PM in docosahexaenoic acid-enriched ECs concurrently increased enzyme activity and extracellular adenosine. Therefore, decreases in PM fluidity, observed with age-dependent increased cholesterol and decreased USI, induce a decrease in 5'-ND activity, decrease extracellular adenosine levels, and might relate to hypertension in aged rats.

To determine the differential effects of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid on platelet membrane fluidity under hypercholesterolemic conditions. DHA and EPA were orally administered (300 mg/kg body weight(.)day) to hypercholesterolemic rats for 12 weeks. Membrane fluidity, evaluated by fluorescence polarization of nonpolar 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), of the platelets of high cholesterol (HC; 1%)-fed rats decreased significantly compared with that of the platelets of normocholesterolemic rats. In HC-fed rats, dietary administration of DHA, unlike that of EPA, significantly increased platelet membrane fluidity. A high cholesterol diet significantly increased platelet aggregation, compared with the platelet aggregation of normocholesterolemic rats. DHA administration significantly decreased the aggregation, whereas EPA had no effect. Levels of EPA in the platelets of the EPA-fed HC rats and those of DHA in the platelets of the DHA-fed HC rats increased by 482 and 174%, respectively, compared with those in the platelets of the HC-fed rats. The unsaturation index and the ratio of saturated to (poly)unsaturated fatty acid of the platelet membrane increased only in the DHA-fed rats. The phospholipid content in platelet membranes remained unaltered in all groups, whereas the cholesterol content decreased significantly in DHA-fed rats, resulting in a significant decrease in the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio only in the platelet membranes of DHA-fed rats. These results suggest that DHA is a more potent membrane-fluidizer than EPA in withstanding cholesterol-induced decreases in platelet membrane fluidity and a stronger ameliorative modulator of platelet hyperaggregation.