Search

In patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, reduced physical performance is associated with lower blood levels of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and increased oxidative stress markers. Supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium improves the quadriceps’ physical performance. Here, we compared the nutritional status of 74 women and 85 men with FSHD. Calorie intake was lower in women with FSHD than in men. Moreover, we assessed vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, and selenium intakes in diet and their concentrations in the plasma. Vitamin E, copper, and zinc intake were lower in women with FSHD than in men, whereas plasma vitamin C, copper levels, and copper/zinc ratio were higher in women with FSHD than in men. The dietary intake and plasma concentrations of the studied vitamins and minerals were not correlated in both sexes. A well-balanced and varied diet might not be enough in patients with FSHD to correct the observed vitamin/mineral deficiencies. A low energy intake is a risk factor for suboptimal intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are important for protein synthesis and other metabolic pathways and that might contribute to progressive muscle mass loss. Antioxidant supplementation and higher protein intake seem necessary to confer protection against oxidative stress and skeletal muscle mass loss.

Fungal toxins can have various adverse health effects, including carcinogenic, teratogenic or hepatotoxic impacts. In addition, fungal alteration has also a negative impact on agricultural plant production. The use of chemical fungicides to control mycotoxin contamination is increasingly controversial and regulated. More environmentally friendly methods are therefore being explored. Essential oils, as compounds extracted from plants, are liquids whose specific aromatic compounds give each essential oil its own unique characteristics. Due to their rich chemical composition, essential oils (EOs) have many interesting properties, including antifungal activities. The objective of the present study was to analyze volatile chemical composition of EOs (Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Cymbopogon nardus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis) by GC/MS and to investigate their effects on the growth, sporulation and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus carbonarius and Fusarium verticillioides (aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1, respectively). In addition, EOs influence on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) biosynthesis pathways was explored using real-time qRT-PCR. The results obtained in vitro, by direct contact with the EOs and by diffusion of their volatile compounds, showed that the essential oils had inhibitory effects on the growth and the production of mycotoxins of the 3 fungal strains and modified the expression of some toxin synthesis genes. We conclude that the recorded effects were dependent on the combined effects of the EOs type, the fungal strains and the doses studied.

Background: Public health policies in France and the USA promote health professionals’ collaborative practices in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations emphasizing the need to promote interprofessional education and training. To optimize alignment of health-care policy and education, a scientific evidence-based approach is required. Methods: A French translation (SPICE-R2F) of the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education—Revised instrument, version 2 (SPICE-R2) was generated. SPICE-R2F was then completed by a multicentric cohort of French health students, and confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to evaluate the validity and reliability of this instrument based on response patterns. Results: Translation of SPICE-R2 was validated evaluating psychometric properties and conducting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Adequate model fit was demonstrated using RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) and CFI (comparative fit index) model fit criteria. Within each factor, however, low to moderate levels of reliability were observed between items. These observations diverge from other countries and highlight a potential French singularity. Conclusion: Our results suggest the need to improve interprofessional clinical practice education in France at early stages in the health-care curricula. The SPICE-R2F instrument may represent a valuable evidence-based tool to characterize perceptions of interprofessional education and training of health-care students and professionals in France.

Citrus juices can be cold-concentrated by crossflow microfiltration (CMF) in order to obtain functional foods enriched in carotenoids, flavonoids and pectins. The work aimed to characterize the organoleptic quality of this type of micronutrient-dense foods through their aroma profile and sensory analysis. Two citrus concentrates with and without a diafiltration step were compared.Both citrus products were very different, linked to aroma compound, sugar and organic acid contents. Due to its sugar/acidity balance and its better aromatic profile responsible for the citrus-floral flavour, the concentrate without diafiltration was preferred by the sensory panel. Thanks to a simple transfer model, we showed that retention of volatiles clearly varied from one aroma compound to another. The terpene hydrocarbons were the most retained by the membrane during CMF, probably because they were strongly associated with insoluble solids by adsorption.Even though the process modified their organoleptic profiles, both citrus-based products were well rated and can be consumed directly as pleasant functional drinks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Citrus fruits are known for their beneficial health effects associated with the prevention of metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes that is mainly attributed to flavonoids. Few investigations have reported the potential anti-diabetic effects of retinoids from the bioconversion of β-cryptoxanthin (bcx), a citrus carotenoid. Therefore, the present study explored the anti-diabetic effect of a citrus functional food, obtained by membrane eco-technology of a citrus clementina juice, especially enriched in bcx but also in flavonoids and pectin. We assessed the in vivo effect of citrus bcx absorption and its bioconversion into retinoids in metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetic fructose rats. Fructose-fed rats were used as a prediabetic control, and a prediabetic group was treated with the citrus concentrate for 8 weeks. The citrus-based food treatment improved glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and blood pressure, in prediabetic rats. Although these effects were in part due to the synergy between enriched phytonutrients (bcx, hesperidin, pectin) of the citrus matrix, the role of bcx and its bioconversion into retinoids were highlighted. We showed that prediabetic rats absorbed less bcx and the bioconversion was less efficient. Bcx from citrus-based food was able to restore vitamin A status in prediabetic rats suggesting that the absorption/bioconversion of bcx may have a key role in improvement of metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes.

International audience; The aim of our study was to identify novel molecules able to induce an adaptative response against oxidative stress during the first stages of metabolic syndrome. A cellular survival in vitro test against H2O2-based test was applied after pretreatment with various natural bitter Asteraceae extracts. This screening revealed potent protection from burdock leaf extract. Using chromatography and LC-MS—RMN, we then isolated and identified an original sesquiterpene lactone bioactive molecule: the Xanthatin-13-(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid) (XPc). A real-time RT-qPCR experiment was carried out on three essential genes involved in oxidative stress protection: GPx, SOD, and G6PD. In presence of XPc, an over-expression of the G6PD gene was recorded, whereas no modification of the two others genes could be observed. A biochemical docking approach demonstrated that XPc had a high probability to directly interact with G6PD at different positions. One of the most probable docking sites corresponds precisely to the binding site of AG1, known to stabilize the G6PD dimeric form and enhance its activity. In conclusion, this novel sesquiterpene lactone XPc might be a promising prophylactic bioactive agent against oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: Golden berry (Physalis peruviana L.) is an exotic fruit exported from Colombia to different countries around the world. A review of the literature tends to demonstrate a hypoglycaemic effect with an improvement in insulin sensitivity after oral ingestion of fruit extracts in animal models. However, little is known about their potential effects in humans, and very little is known about the mechanisms involved. This study aimed at identifying discriminant metabolites after acute and chronic intake of golden berry. Method: An untargeted metabolomics strategy using high-performance chemical isotope-labelling LC-MS was applied. The blood samples of eighteen healthy adults were analysed at baseline, at 6 h after the intake of 250 g of golden berry (acute intervention), and after 19 days of daily consumption of 150 g (medium-term intervention). Results: Forty-nine and 36 discriminant metabolites were identified with high confidence, respectively, after the acute and medium-term interventions. Taking into account up- and downregulated metabolites, three biological networks mainly involving insulin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) were identified. Conclusions: The biological intracellular networks identified are highly interconnected with the insulin signalling pathway, showing that berry intake may be associated with insulin signalling, which could reduce some risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Primary registry of WHO.

International audience; Many studies indicate that food matrix microstructure and type of dietary oil or fat play a key role in carotenoid absorption. Therefore, this work was designed to highlight the relationship between processed food microstructure and carotenoid absorption. This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of a carotenoid-rich fruit snack on lipid profile, glycemia and especially on carotenoid absorption/bioconversion in Wistar rats. Animals were fed with mixtures based on vacuum-fried papaya chips with either soy oil (PC-S) or palm oil (PC-P) during 7 days, receiving 0.29 mg lycopene/kg/day and 0.35 mg total carotenoids/kg/day. Lycopene and retinoids were analyzed in plasma and liver of rats by HPLC-DAD. Results showed that the consumption of mixtures based on papaya chips did not affect the lipid profile or glycemia in rat plasma, regardless the type of oil. Wide-field and confocal microscopy analyses of food matrix helped to understand why lycopene accumulation in the liver was higher (p

Guiana is a little-known and endemic variety of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), native to French Guiana. No data were available regarding its chemical composition and biological properties, therefore, a study was necessary, using Forastero as a reference. To exemplify biological activities of the cacao species, cocoa extracts were evaluated by antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, ORAC) and anti-inflammatory assays. Our results showed that raw Guiana presented equivalent DPPH and FRAP activities, but a 1.3-fold higher antioxidant activity (1097 ± 111.8 μM ET/g DM) than Forastero (838.5 ± 67.8 μM ET/g DM) in ORAC assay. Furthermore, the impact of fermentation (under four conditions: unfermented, two days, four days and six days of fermentation) on Guiana cocoa beans composition and health properties was also studied. Indeed, fermentation, a key step necessary to obtain the taste and color of chocolate, is generally known to alter bean composition and modulate its health benefits. At six days, the fermentation process led to a nearly 25% lower antioxidative capacity in various assays. Moreover, in inflammation-induced macrophage assays, Guiana and Forastero unfermented extracts induced a 112% stimulation in TNF-α production, and a 56.8% inhibition of IL-6 production. Fermentation altered the cocoa composition by diminishing bioactive compounds, which could be responsible for these biological activities. Indeed, after six days of fermentation, compounds decreased from 614.1 ± 39.3 to 332.3 ± 29 mg/100 g DM for epicatechin, from 254.1 ± 14.8 to 129.5 ± 20.7 mg/100 g DM for procyanidin B2 and from 178.4 ± 23.5 to 81.7 ± 2.9 mg/100 g DM for procyanidin C1. The similar composition and the equivalent or higher antioxidant activity of Guiana leads us to propose it as an alternative to Forastero.

Lentinus edodes (shiitake) is an edible mushroom cultivated and marketed due to its nutritional and medicinal values. L. edodes is appreciated for its unique fragrant taste and its high dietetic potential. Its bioactive molecules explain its interest as medicinal mushroom. This mushroom can be grown using various substrates and culture conditions. Thus, our work focused on the comparison of chemical constituents (i.e., amino acids and ergosterol) of L. edodes fruit bodies cultivated in organic or nonorganic growing conditions in the French region of Occitanie. Sequential extraction was performed on freeze-dried fungal materials. Quantitative evaluation of amino acids was done using high performance thin layer chromatography. Assay of ergosterol was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography. For both ergosterol and amino acids, differences were highlighted between extracts (depending on the nature of the solvents) and between growing conditions (organic versus nonorganic). Extracts from organically produced shiitake contained the highest content of ergosterol, isoleucine and alanine. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that culture conditions influence the chemical profile of L. edodes as far as ergosterol and amino acids are concerned, which could improve nutrition and human health.

Purpose: Golden berry (Physalis peruviana L.) is an exotic fruit exported from Colombia to different countries around the world. A review of the literature tends to demonstrate a hypoglycaemic effect with an improvement in insulin sensitivity after oral ingestion of fruit extracts in animal models. However, little is known about their potential effects in humans, and very little is known about the mechanisms involved. This study aimed at identifying discriminant metabolites after acute and chronic intake of golden berry. Method: An untargeted metabolomics strategy using high-performance chemical isotope-labelling LC-MS was applied. The blood samples of eighteen healthy adults were analysed at baseline, at 6 h after the intake of 250 g of golden berry (acute intervention), and after 19 days of daily consumption of 150 g (medium-term intervention). Results: Forty-nine and 36 discriminant metabolites were identified with high confidence, respectively, after the acute and medium-term interventions. Taking into account up- and downregulated metabolites, three biological networks mainly involving insulin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) were identified. Conclusions: The biological intracellular networks identified are highly interconnected with the insulin signalling pathway, showing that berry intake may be associated with insulin signalling, which could reduce some risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Primary registry of WHO.

International audience; Lentinus edodes (=Lentinula edodes) is an edible mushroom grown and marketed for centuries due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. L. edodes has multiple pharmacological activities as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Few studies were performed taking into account the influence of culture conditions to optimize the biological properties of L. edodes on human health. Our work focused on the comparison of antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activity of L. edodes fruit bodies cultivated by three mushroom producers in the French Occitanie region using the same strain in various growing conditions (orga nic and nonorganic). Sequential extraction was performed on freeze dried fungal materials. All extracts have a quantifiable but moderate antioxidant activity using the DPPH and ORAC tests. The antiinflammatory activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts was evaluated on a model of inflammatory macrophages. The ethanol extracts inhibit NO production in a dose-dependent manner when the cells are pre-treated for 4 h with a 24 h stimulation time

International audience; Citrus pectin is known to influence carotenoid bioaccessibility and absorption in humans, but limited attention has been given to the influence of pectin structure related to the particle size from differentially processed citrus food matrices. In this context, this study aims to investigate the nutritional health benefits of an innovative Citrus clementina concentrate, which is a new citrus-based food made by cross-flow microfiltration. This concentrated citrus-based food was selectively enriched 8-fold in β-cryptoxanthin (43–55 μg g−1) and β-carotene (6–9 μg g−1) as well as 6-fold in pectin (376–462 mg per 100 g). The bioaccessibility of pro-vitamin A carotenoids from commercial and fresh clementina juices versus their concentrates was assessed, including the intestinal carotenoid uptake by Caco-2 cells. Differences in particles size and pectin status resulted in a 7-fold increase in the bioaccessibility of carotenoids in industrial products versus fresh products while limiting their cellular uptake in correlation with larger micelle sizes (10.6 nm and 6.82 nm for industrial and fresh concentrates, respectively). Overall, the highest carotenoid bioaccessibility from industrial concentrate was sufficient to offset the lower carotenoid intestinal uptake related to micelle size. This study highlights that the structure of pectins, more specifically their degree of methoxylation, favors carotenoid bioaccessibility but impairs the intestinal absorption of carotenoids from citrus concentrates.

In this study, the effect of extraction processes on the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant potential of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed oil was evaluated. The oils were extracted, on the one hand, by cold pressing, and on the other hand, with three types of organic solvents (acetone, chloroform, n-hexane). The recorded results indicated that the extraction yield of baobab oil was significantly impacted by both the extraction method and the polarity of the solvent used. In addition, chloroform provides the best extraction yield (40.12 ± 0.607). However, extraction by cold pressure preserves at best the physicochemical and bioactive properties of the extracted oils. Indeed, the pressing oil contains a content of phenolic compounds (0.047 ± 0.0024 mgEAG/g of oil) and a very high radical scavenging activity (DPPH) (31.71% ± 0.61%). For the various oils extracted, the minimum and maximum values were 0.50 and 3.17 mEq?kg-1; 56.26 and 99.113 mgI2?100 g-1; 1.457 and 1.465; 205.37 and 233.587 mgKOH/g respectively for the peroxide, iodine, refractive and saponification values. The color parameters (L*, a* and b*) of the oils also differ depending on the nature of the organic solvent used. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis were performed on the physicochemical properties and the antioxidant potential of the extracted oils. Therefore, the results suggest the mixed use of acetone and hexane to obtain oil comparable to that extracted by cold pressing.

Plant bioactive extracts represent a major resource for identifying drugs and adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes. To promote early screening of plants’ antidiabetic potential, we designed a four in vitro tests strategy to anticipate in vivo bioactivity. Two antidiabetic plants were studied: Ocimum gratissimum L. (Oc) leaf extract and Musanga cecropoides R. Br. ex Tedlie (Mu) stem bark extract. Chemical compositions were analyzed by LCMS and HPLC. Antidiabetic properties were measured based on (1) INS-1 cells for insulin secretion, (2) L6 myoblast cells for insulin sensitization (Glut-4 translocation), (3) L6 myoblast cells for protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidative stress (cell mortality), and (4) liver microsomial fraction for glucose-6-phosphastase activity (G6P). Oc extract increased insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, whereas it decreased oxidative stress-induced cell mortality and G6P activity. Mu extract decreased insulin secretion and had no effect on insulin sensitivity or G6P activity, but it increased oxidative stress-induced cell mortality. Results were compared with NCRAE, an antidiabetic plant extract used as reference, previously characterized and reported with increased insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, protection against oxidative stress, and decreased G6P activity. The proposed set of four in vitro tests combined with chemical analysis provided insight into the interest in rapid early screening of plant extract antidiabetic potential to anticipate pharmaco-toxicological in vivo effects.

International audience; Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential elements of the human diet, which display increased plasma levels in obesity and regained particular interest as potential biomarkers for development of diabetes. To define determinants of insulin resistance (IR) we investigated 73 genes involved in BCAA metabolism or regulation by fine-scale haplotype mapping in two European populations with metabolic syndrome. French and Romanians (n = 465) were genotyped for SNPs (Affymetrix) and enriched by imputation (BEAGLE 4.1) at 1000 genome project density. Initial association hits detected by sliding window were refined (HAPLOVIEW 3.1 and PHASE 2.1) and correlated to homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR) index, in vivo insulin sensitivity (SI) and BCAA plasma levels (ANOVA). Four genomic regions were associated with IR located downstream of MUT, AACS, SLC6A15 and PRKCA genes (P between 9.3 and 3.7 x 10-5). Inferred haplotypes up to 13 SNPs length were associated with IR (e.g. MUT gene with P < 4.9 x 10-5; Bonferroni 1.3 x 10-3) and synergistic to HOMAIR. SNPs in the same regions were also associated with one order of magnitude lower P values (e.g. rs20167284 in the MUT gene with P < 1.27 x 10-4) and replicated in Mediterranean samples (n = 832). In French, influential haplotypes (OR > 2.0) were correlated with in vivo insulin sensitivity (1/SI) except for SLC6A15 gene. Association of these genes with BCAA levels was variable, but influential haplotypes confirmed implication of MUT from BCAA metabolism as well as a role of regulatory genes (AACS and PRKCA) and suggested potential changes in transcriptional activity. These data drive attention towards new regulatory regions involved in IR in relation with BCAA and show the ability of haplotypes in phased DNA to detect signals complimentary to SNPs, which may be useful in designing genetic markers for clinical applications in ethnic populations.

International audience; communication orale 35

International audience; Crossflow microfiltration was implemented to enrich a clementine/pink grapefruit juice in carotenoids, flavonoids and pectins modulating its sugar content thanks to an added diafiltration step. Using tubular ceramic membrane with pore diameter of 0.2 μm at 30 –40 ◦C, a crossflow velocity of 5 m ‧s 1 and a transmembrane pressure of 2.6 bar, the impact of the process was assessed focusing on bioactive compounds and physical characteristics of the concentrates. With permeate flux above 30 kg‧h 1‧m 2, the process resulted in an increase of 8–10 times in the content of provitamin A carotenoids (33 mg‧kg 1 in the final products), lycopene (43 mg‧ kg 1), hesperidin (3.2 g‧kg 1) and pectin (5.5 g‧kg 1) giving a unique and interesting composition profile. Moreover, diafiltration divided the sugar content by 3. This can be relevant for the product to be recommended as part of a reduced sugar diet for diabetic people. By modelling the retention of bioactive compounds, we showed that it was possible to modulate sugar, flavonoids, carotenoids and pectin contents in the concentrate that could be a key issue for the biological activity of this potential functional citrus-based food.

Abnormal glucose metabolism, hyperlipidaemia profiles and high levels of radical oxygen species (ROS) are classic features of diabetes. This study evaluates the effect of the consumption of two different blackberry beverages at 25 and 12.5% given orally for 40 days to rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes. The lower dose of blackberry (12.5%) non-statistically decreased glycaemia (−10.4%), triacylglycerols (−4.6%) and cholesterol (−21.0%). These differences were not statistically significant. The higher dose of blackberry (25%) significantly decreased glucose (−48.6%), triacylglycerols (−43.5%) and cholesterol (−28.6%). The higher dose of blackberry (25%) improved plasma antioxidant capacity, reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation in plasma (−19%) and in kidney (−23%). Blackberry intake did not improve catalase, suggesting that attenuation of oxidative stress via scavenging activities rather than improving the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results provide promising data for this blackberry as a dietary adjuvant to the pharmacological management of diabetes. Consejo Nacional de Rectores/[801-B1-655]/CONARE/Costa Rica UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (CITA)

A mild and stable form of diabetes, resembling Type II human diabetes, is produced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) in 2-day-old neonatal rats. A decrease in diabetes induction efficacy after substitution of glucose by other sugars supports the presence of a stereospecific membrane receptor or recognition site on the plasma membrane of the s-cell, identified as probably being the glucose transporter GLUT2. Viral induction of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus allows for the identification of the role of environmental factors in the development of human diabetes. While the studies all report a dose dependency to the STZ effects, there is no agreement on the results of a particular dose. Involvement of Nitric Oxide has also been proposed as a possible mechanism for mediating the diabetogenic effects of STZ. The age of the animals has some influence on the severity of diabetes produced by a given dose of STZ.

International audience; We selected edible and inedible mushrooms growing in the Mediterranean area of France to screen their biological activity: Caloboletus calopus, Rubroboletus lupinus, R. pulchrotinctus, R. satanas, Gyroporus castaneus, Suillus luteus, and Omphalotus olearius. Mushrooms were sequentially extracted using cyclohexane, chloroform, ethanol, and water. The antiproliferative activity against the HCT116 colon adenocarcinoma cell line and the antioxidant properties (DPPH radical scavenging assay, Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of the Boletales extracts were evaluated and compared. Among the 28 mushroom extracts evaluated, 11 presented antiproliferative activity against HCT116 cells. These activities were not linked to antioxidant capacity. Among the antioxidant extracts, most were aqueous extracts in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, whereas the highest values on the Folin-Ciocalteu and DPPH assays were noted for chloroform, ethanol, or aqueous extracts, depending on the mushroom species. Further studies are necessary to identify bioactive compounds and to valorize the mushrooms—for edible species, directly as health foods, or, for inedible mushrooms, as ingredients in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Introduction: Insulin gene VNTR was associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in some studies but not in others. This couldb be due to the heterogeneity of the definition of PCOS and/or the use of inappropriate gene mapping strategies. Material and methods: In this investigation, the association of VNTR with PCOS was explored in a population of women from Central Europe (377 cases and 105 controls) in whom PCOS was diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria. Seven SNPs: rs3842756 (G/A), rs3842755 (G/T), rs3842754 (C/T), rs3842753 (A/C), rs3842752 (C/T), rs3842748 (G/C), and rs689 (T/A) were genotyped in a portion of the population (160 cases and 95 controls) by sequencing or by SSO-PCR. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern allowed selecting three tagSNPs (rs3842754, rs3842748, and rs689), which were genotyped in the rest of the population by KASPar. Results: Six haplotypes were reconstructed, among which three (h1, h2 and h6) were more frequent. Statistical analysis allowed observation of the association of the SNP rs3842748, through its GC genotype, with obesity in PCOS (P = 0.049; OR CI95% 1,59 [1.00–2.51]) and in classical PCOS (YPCOS) (P = 0.010), as well as the correlation of the SNP rs689 and the pair of haplotypes h1/h1 with higher levels of testosteronaemia in the PCOS group, although this was at the limit of significance (P = 0.054) Conclusion: These results are in accordance with some studies in literature and highlight the role of insulin gene VNTR in complex metabolic disorders. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (3): 198–206)

The FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene was associated with different metabolic disorders in populations from different origins but with great difference between African and non-African populations. North-African populations combine many genetic backgrounds, among which African, Berber and Caucasian components, which makes North-Africans a good model for studying the genetic association of FTO. In the present investigation we explored the association of FTO gene with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a population from Tunisia (n=278). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) used in this study were previously associated in non-African populations: rs8050136 (A/C), rs9939609 (A/T), rs9930506 (G/A), or in both African and non-African populations: rs8057044 (A/G). Genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination method on StepOne real-time PCR system or KASPar technology. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern was assessed by HAPLOVIEW and reconstruction of haplotypes was performed by PHASE, while statistical analyses were performed using StatView and GoldenHelix programs. Among the 13 haplotypes in the population, three (h1, h7 and h13) were strongly associated with PCOS notably h13 (P

Nutritional recommendations emphasize fruit and vegetable consumption. This is related to health-benefits associated with bioactive nutritive molecules (nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fibers, …) as well as non-nutritive phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, bioactive peptides, …) content of these types of foods. Fermented fruit or vegetable products are part of various diets worldwide. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation is common among the various fermentation processes used. It produces changes in both profile and types of bioactive compounds. Molecules such as bioactive peptides, short chain fatty acids or polysaccharides are generated while sugar content or anti-nutritional compounds are decreased and phenolic compounds are converted to molecules with added biological value. These transformations, associated with prebiotic and/or probiotic potential supply as well as improvement of food components bioaccessibility and bioavailability, result in modifications of health-related properties. Lastly, interactions between ingested fermented food, intestinal microbiota and their correlations to metabolomics profiles and health represent an important perspective deserving to be further explored.

International audience; Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (Shiitake) is popular in Asia due to its medicinal properties, taste and high nutritional value. It is the second most widely cultivated mushrooms species in the world. Annual production is estimated of 900.000 tons worldwide distributed. This mushroom has been cultivated in Asia since the 13th century. Cultivation has now expanded wordlwide, i.e., in United State, South America, Australia and European countries including France. Shiitake was generally cultivated on logs, but to steep up production, blocks or bags are now used in Europe and America [1]. Shiitake is reported to have multiple bioactivities.Few studies concern the influence of cultivation conditions on chemical composition and biological activities. We presented here preliminary results of antioxidant properties of Shiitake sporophores harvested from different culture conditions were evaluated and compared

International audience

Human body energy storage operates as a stock-and-flow system with inflow (food intake) and outflow (energy expenditure). In spite of the ubiquity of stock-and-flow structures, evidence suggests that human beings fail to understand stock accumulation and rates of change, a difficulty called the stock–flow failure. This study examines the influence of health care training and cultural background in overcoming stock–flow failure. A standardized protocol assessed lay people's and health care professionals’ ability to apply stock-and-flow reasoning to infer the dynamics of weight gain/loss during the holiday season (621 subjects from seven countries). Our results indicate that both types of subjects exhibited systematic errors indicative of use of erroneous heuristics. Indeed 76% of lay subjects and 71% of health care professionals failed to understand the simple dynamic impact of energy intake and energy expenditure on body weight. Stock–flow failure was found across cultures and was not improved by professional health training. The problem of stock–flow failure as a transcultural global issue with education and policy implications is discussed. Copyright © 2014 System Dynamics Society

International audience; The combined influence of maturation, ripening, and climate on the profile of bioactive compounds was studied in banana (Musa acuminata, AAA, Cavendish, cv. Grande Naine). Their bioactive compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method. The polyphenol content of bananas harvested after 400 degree days remained unchanged during ripening, while bananas harvested after 600 and 900 degree days exhibited a significant polyphenol increase. Although dopamine was the polyphenol with the highest concentration in banana peels during the green developmental stage and ripening, its kinetics differed from the total polyphenol profile. Our results showed that this matrix of choice (maturation, ripening, and climate) may allow selection of the banana (M. acuminata, AAA, Cavendish, cv. Grande Naine) status that will produce optimal concentrations of identified compounds with human health relevance.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Lippia multiflora is a plant with nutritional and pharmaco-therapeutic properties that is native to central and occidental Africa. The potential effects of plants on health are associated with their chemical composition. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify chemical variations in essential oils of Lippia multiflora as a function of geographic origin and time of annual harvest to determine optimal chemical profiles for ethno-pharmacotherapeutic applications. Materials and methods Experimental plants were cultivated at Abidjan (LPA), Toumodi (LPT) and Bondoukou (LPB). Natural Lippia multiflora seeds were sourced to produce standardized plants over a period of six months. Standard plants (n=40) were re-introduced into natural plots, cultivated for 12 months and leaves were sampled monthly in a standardized fashion. Essentials oils (n=36) were then extracted from these samples by hydro-distillation according to the European Pharmacopoeia and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using GC/FID and GC/MS. These data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Anti-inflammatory properties were also assessed against activated macrophages in vitro. Results The results indicated that chemical profiles and essential oil yields vary according to the location where the plants were cultivated. One essential oil chemotype corresponded to the LPA and LPT sites and one corresponded to the LPB site. Statistical analysis of the chemical profiles and monthly evolution of the three sites over a period of one year allowed assessment of variations in composition and the subsequent choice of the optimal harvest time for ethnopharmacological applications. Anti-inflammatory activity apparently correlated with chemical profiles of essential oils and the geographic origins of the plants. Conclusion The optimal harvest time was associated with the maximum yield of pharmacological compounds with the most potential interest for health.

International audience; Amatoxin-containing mushroom poisonings are recorded worldwide and the frequency increases due to confusion with other macrofungi. Affected regions are characterized by important disparities in relation to available technological equipment for analytical identification of amatoxins. In this context the present study was designed to define advantages and disadvantages of the most accessible standard analytical methods for amatoxin detection. Several methods were compared: (1) a commercialized immunoassay kit, (2) standard high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and (3) high-performance thin layer chromatography (HP-TLC). For each method, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ) and recovery were determined. Six macrofungi were analysed using these compared methods, three known to contain amatoxins: Amanita phalloides, Amanita virosa, Lepiota josserandii, and three free-amatoxin containing macrofungi: Amanita muscaria, Macrolepiota procera and Omphalotus olearius. Our results will allow for a choice of method with full knowledge of advantages and disadvantages of each technique as a function of local technological possibilities when facing suspected poisoning due to amatoxincontaining mushrooms. The final aim is to be able to reach faster and effective diagnosis in order to save a patient’s life.

Awara (Astrocaryum vulgare M.) is a palm fruit mainly used in nutrition. We analysed the pulp oil for fatty acid, tocopherol, carotenoid, and phytosterol and we evaluated whether this oil may attenuate inflammation in vivo. In an endotoxic shock model, awara pulp oil treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines. In a pulmonary inflammation model, awara pulp oil treatment reduced eosinophil and lymphocyte numbers recovered into the broncho-alveolar lavages. These results suggest that awara pulp oil administration can efficiently counteract an acute and chronic inflammatory response in vivo that is probably mediated by fatty acids and minor compounds.

Aim of the study Noni fruit ( Morinda citrifolia L.) juice has been used for more than 2000 years in Polynesia as a traditional folk medicine. The aim of the present study was to finely characterize noni juice from Costa Rica and to evaluate its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Materials and methods A microfiltrated noni juice was prepared with Costarican nonis. HPLC-DAD and Electro Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometric detection (HPLC-ESI-MS) were used to identify phenolic compounds and iridoids. The anti-oxidative activity of noni juice was measured in vitro by both Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging methods. The anti-inflammatory effects of noni juice were investigated in vitro by: measuring its effect on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production by activated macrophages, evaluating its inhibitory activities on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 and in vivo on a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats. Results Several polyphenols belonging to the coumarin, flavonoid and phenolic acid groups, and two iridoids were identified. Noni juice demonstrated a mean range free radical scavenging capacity. Furthermore, it also reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema, directly inhibited cyclooxygenase COX-1 and COX-2 activities and inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins E 2 (PGE 2 ) in activated J774 cells, in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions This study showed that noni's biological effects include: (1) anti-oxidant properties probably associated with phenolic compounds, iridoids and ascorbic acid and (2) anti-inflammatory action through NO and PGE 2 pathways that might also be strengthened by anti-oxidant effects.

A polyphenol extract from a Corbières (France) red wine (P, 200 mg/kg), ethanol (E, 1 mL/kg), or a combination of both (PE) was administered by daily gavage for 6 weeks to healthy control or streptozotocin (60 mg/kg i.v.)-induced diabetic rats (180-200 g). Treatment groups included C or D (untreated control or diabetic) and CP, CE, or CPE (treated control) or DP, DE, or DPE (treated diabetic). P treatment induced a reduction in body growth, food intake, and glycemia in both CP and DP groups. In DP, hyperglycemia was reduced when measured 1 h after daily treatment but not at sacrifice (no treatment on that day). The hyperglycemic response to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and plasma insulin at sacrifice were impaired similarly in DP and D groups. In contrast, in DE or DPE, body growth was partially restored while hyperglycemia was reduced both during treatment and at sacrifice. In addition, hyperglycemia response to OGTT was reduced and plasma insulin was higher in DE or DPE than in D animals, indicating a long-term correction of diabetes in ethanol-treated animals. Morphometric studies showed that ethanol partially reversed the enlarging effect of diabetes on the mesenteric arterial system while the polyphenolic treatment enhanced it in the absence of ethanol. In summary, our study shows that (i). a polyphenol extract from red wine ("used at a pharmacological" dose) reduces glycemia and decreases food intake and body growth in diabetic and nondiabetic animals and (ii). ethanol ("nutritional" dose) administered alone or in combination with polyphenols is able to correct the diabetic state. Some of the effects of polyphenols were masked by the effects of ethanol, notably in diabetic animals. Further studies will determine the effect of "nutritional" doses of polyphenols as well as their mechanism of action.

In this paper, the influence of food and diabetes on the pharmacokinetics of sodium tungstate in rat was investigated. The compound was administered intravenously (9 mg/kg) and orally in the form of solution (36 mg/kg). An empirical Bayes methodology was used to compute individual pharmacokinetic parameters. Sodium tungstate followed first-order kinetics, and plasma concentration versus time data were described by a two-compartment model. A significant relationship was found between the bioavailability and the status of the animals. Total plasma clearance and elimination half-life averaged 3.1 ml/min/kg and 1.6 h, respectively. Food had some effects on the extent of sodium tungstate absorption. After oral administration, the bioavailability (0.67 versus 0.85), C(max) (6.10 versus 15.2 microg/ml) and AUC (70.7 versus 105 mgh/l) were 20, 60 and 32% lower in fed than in fasted rats, respectively. The presence of cellulose and sulphate anions in rat chow could partially explain the fed state-associated reduction of tungstate bioavailability. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic fed rats, a 25% decrease occurred in AUC and F, and a 14% increase occurred in the elimination rate constant compared with healthy fed rats. These changes could be explain on the one hand, by the increase of liquid consumption and food intake, and on the other hand, by a gastroparesis in the early diabetic rats.

Insulin gene VNTR was associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in some studies but not in others. This couldb be due to the heterogeneity of the definition of PCOS and/or the use of inappropriate gene mapping strategies.In this investigation, the association of VNTR with PCOS was explored in a population of women from Central Europe (377 cases and 105 controls) in whom PCOS was diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria. Seven SNPs: rs3842756 (G/A), rs3842755 (G/T), rs3842754 (C/T), rs3842753 (A/C), rs3842752 (C/T), rs3842748 (G/C), and rs689 (T/A) were genotyped in a portion of the population (160 cases and 95 controls) by sequencing or by SSO-PCR. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern allowed selecting three tagSNPs (rs3842754, rs3842748, and rs689), which were genotyped in the rest of the population by KASPar.Six haplotypes were reconstructed, among which three (h1, h2 and h6) were more frequent. Statistical analysis allowed observation of the association of the SNP rs3842748, through its GC genotype, with obesity in PCOS (P = 0.049; OR CI95% 1,59 [1.00-2.51]) and in classical PCOS (YPCOS) (P = 0.010), as well as the correlation of the SNP rs689 and the pair of haplotypes h1/h1 with higher levels of testosteronaemia in the PCOS group, although this was at the limit of significance (P = 0.054) CONCLUSION: These results are in accordance with some studies in literature and highlight the role of insulin gene VNTR in complex metabolic disorders.

Phenolics from grapes and wines can play a role against oxidation and development of atherosclerosis. Levels of phenolics, major catechins [(+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin dimers B1, B2, B3, and B4], phenolic acids (gallic acid and caffeic acid), caftaric acid, malvidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-glucoside were quantified by HPLC with UV detection for 54 French varietal commercial wines taken from southern France to study the antioxidant capacity and the daily dietary intake of these compounds for the French population. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained with red wines and ranged from 12.8 mmol/L (Grenache) to 25.2 mmol/L (Pinot Noir). For white wines, Chardonnay enriched in phenolics by special wine-making was found to have an antioxidant capacity of 13.8 mmol/L, comparable to red wine values. For red wines classified by vintages (1996-1999) antioxidant capacities were approximately 20 mmol/L and then decreased to 13.4 mmol/L for vintages 1995-1991. Sweet white wines have 1.7 times more antioxidant capacity (3.2 mmol/L) than dry white wines (1.91 mmol/L). On the basis of a still significant French wine consumption of 180 mL/day/person, the current daily intake of catechins (monomers and dimers B1, B2, B3, and B4) averaged 5 (dry white wine), 4.36 (sweet white wines), 7.70 (rosé wines), 31.98 (red wines), and 66.94 (dry white wine enriched in phenolic) mg/day/resident for the French population. Red wine, and particularly Pinot Noir, Egiodola, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varieties, or Chardonnay enriched in phenolics during wine-making for white varieties contribute to a very significant catechin dietary intake.

This paper describes an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometric method for the analysis of tungsten in dog and rat plasma. Calibration curves were obtained in the range 134–1300 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation ranged from 0.4 to 17%, and accuracy was between 89 and 105%. Dilution has no influence on the performance of the method which could then be used to quantitate plasma samples containing up to 90 μg/ml. The limit of quantification was 100 ng/ml, at this level, the average relative standard deviation was 17%. The results obtained indicate that the method described for assaying tungsten in plasma samples fulfills the accuracy and precision requirements necessary to carry out pharmacokinetic studies. This method was used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters in rats and dogs.