The antioxidant effect of plant extract has been an interesting issue for many researchers in past few years. Spices have been identified as products with large amounts of antioxidants, and rosemary is one the most studied spice. Studies have shown evidences that population with high intake of these substances have less incidence ol coronary heart disease. The objective of this work was verify the antioxidant action of the commercial rosemary oleoresin Herbalox® (used to feed the pacu (PPiaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg) fish. The juveniles pacu were fed with isocaloric and isoprotcic diets, for two groups the lipid source was soybean oil and for the another it was corn oil. For each group of the different lipid sources, rosemary extract Herbalox® (were added in one lot and on the other which was used as control. The results showed that the addition of rosemary extracts to the ration protected them against peroxidation, when compared with the control, the lipid source also have influence on these protection.

Biocompounds naturally present in food have been the subject of several different studies, aiming at their participation in metabolic processes, related to the prevention of several chronic non-trasmissible diseases and inflammation.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) varieties have distinct characteristics that interfere with the quality of the chocolate produced. Cocoa liquors from Brazil and Peru were analyzed for bioactive compounds and physicochemical values, and dark chocolates were produced, evaluating their physical and physicochemical properties. Brazilian organic liquor showed higher phenolic content (4,403.63 mg GAE/100 g sample) and antioxidant activity (143.56 µg Trolox equivalent/g sample). Peruvian liquor cocoa butter has more palmitic acid (29.30%) and less stearic acid (32.92%), in the lower limit to oleic acid (32.92%) and the upper limit to linoleic acid (3.73%), and showed a higher content of saturated fatty acids (63.35%) and a lower content of monounsaturated acids (32.92%). Cocoa butter from organic liquor presented lower content of palmitic acid (24.01%), average stearic (34.71%) and oleic acids (35.81%), and higher content of linoleic acid (4.32%) and polyunsaturated acids (4.32%). Peruvian liquor showed higher melting point. Brazilian alkalized, organic liquors, and chocolates melting points showed no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The caramelization and carbonization points of all liquors did not show statistical differences (p > 0.05), as well as the caramelization point of all chocolates. The carbonization point was different (p < 0.05) for all chocolates. The chocolates were stable in terms of structure during storage, demonstrating the suitability for industrial production.

Rosemary is an herb exhibits biological properties, attenuates inflammation, oxidative stress, and improves lipid profile. Here, we evaluated the effects of rosemary aqueous extract (RE) on mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Male C57BL/6 mice were administered a control diet or HFD for 10 weeks. The treated groups received RE in the diet at different concentrations: 25, 250, and 500 mg/100 g. After 10 weeks, serum concentrations of glucose, lipid, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and cytokines were evaluated and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity was determined. Histological analysis was performed to determine the concentrations of triacylglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes as well as the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The dietary RE ameliorated HFD-induced weight gain, adipose tissue weight, glucose intolerance, and insulin, leptin, and free fatty acid levels. Reduction in hepatic TG deposition was observed. The levels of inflammatory cytokines decreased, and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism increased. RE mitigated oxidative stress and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, RE is a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of inflammation and oxidative stress outcomes associated with obesity.

Óleo de peixe encapsulado é um dos suplementos alimentares mais consumidos no Brasil e no Mundo, este suplemento traz diversos benefícios, como prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares, de alguns tipos de câncer, modulação do sistema imunológico, sendo essencial no desenvolvimento cerebral de bebês e crianças, sendo estudado atualmente sua relação com as doenças degenerativas psicológicas. A principal fonte deste "ômega 3” é através da extração do óleo de peixes gordurosos de água fria, que são ricos nos ácidos graxos eicosapentaenóico (EPA) e docosahexaenóico (DHA). Visando caracterizar os óleos de peixe através de suas propriedades físicas, como densidade e índice de refração foram analisadas 23 amostras de óleo de peixe e realizadas as medições de densidade e índice de refração baseados nas metodologias do Métodos para análise de alimentos do Instituto Adolfo Lutz. Os valores de densidade relativa variaram de 0,8891 a 0,9544 e do índice de refração de 1,45770 a 1,47588, estes dados foram similares a outros estudos, entretanto os dados são raros e para o índice de refração muito escassos, o parâmetro de densidade demostrou ser mais importante para a caracterização que o índice de refração, entretanto mais estudos são necessários. Portanto é de extrema importância o conhecimento destes parâmetros para caracterizar os óleos de peixe, além de gerar um banco de dados destas propriedades, para subsidiar padrões de qualidade e identidade, bem como legislações sobre o assunto.

En la actualidad existe un marcado interes por la busqueda de antioxidantes de fuentes naturales, incluidas las algas marinas. Durante aproximadamente veinte anos, el Grupo de Farmacologia y Toxicologia de la Facultad de Biologia (UH) ha investigado varias especies de algas marinas, incluida el alga roja Bryotahmnion triquetrum (S. G. Gmelin) Howe, como fuente de antioxidantes naturales. En este trabajo se analizan un conjunto de resultados, que permitiran definir las propiedades antioxidantes del alga marina roja B. triquetrum , proponer posibles mecanismos de accion y a su vez relacionar estos mecanismos con su composicion quimica. En estos trabajos se identificaron y cuantificaron los acidos fenolicos t-cinamico, p-coumarico y ferulico, moleculas que pudieran explicar su actividad antioxidante. Las propiedades antioxidantes se estudiaron con tecnicas in vitro, en total siete procedimientos experimentales, lo que permitio definir estas propiedades y postular posibles mecanismos de accion.

The goji-berry (Lycium barbarum) is an oval-shaped orange-red fruit with a slightly sweet flavor. This berry has a high antioxidant potential and presents interesting nutritional and therapeutic properties. Irradiation is a safe method that has long used to reduce the microbiological contamination of dried and dehydrated food products. This study aimed to evaluate the irradiation effects on the bioactive compounds of goji berries by irradiating samples with an electron beam at doses of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kGy. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) were assessed by analyzing the hydro alcoholic extracts. The total phenolic compounds determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Doses up to 10.0 kGy did not significantly affect the antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, and electron beam irradiation improved the total antioxidant activity of the samples in ORAC, as well as a total flavonoid and phenolics assays.

The effect of moderate Fe overload in the diet and its interaction with phytate, and/or yacon flour (YF), recognized as an inhibitor, and facilitator, of Fe absorption, respectively, was evaluated in healthy rats. For this purpose the following parameters were analyzed: (1) apparent iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) absorption; (2) blood Fe; (3) blood lipids (cholesterol, tryacylglicerol); (4) blood AST and ALT; (5) liver histology (histopathology, hemosiderin depots, apoptosis index; (6) liver fatty acid incorporation; (7) liver antioxidant enzyme activity. Moderate Fe overload may cause change in some liver markers (hemosiderin depots, apoptosis index and GPx) and blood lipids (total cholesterol and VLDL) and the interaction with yacon flour, and phytate, in the Fe overloaded diets may exert a protective effect on these alterations.

Context: Seaweeds are seen as a traditional food and folk medicine by different coastal countries. The red seaweed Bryothamnion triquetrum is a widely distributed species that grows in shallow waters, and different authors have demonstrated a possible application of the seaweeds as a source of natural antioxidants and relative diseases. Aims: To evaluate the hepatoprotective properties on CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rats that were associated with the antioxidant activity from the polyphenol-rich fractions of the red seaweed Bryothamnion triquetrum. Methods: Polyphenols were determined by Folin-Cioacalteu. Antioxidant activity from phenolic compounds-rich fractions was measured by different assays (DPPH, Reducing power, β-Carotene/linoleic acid assay and Inhibition of lipoperoxidation). Aqueous extract from B. triquetrum was administered during 20 days to rats and submitted CCl4-Induced oxidative damage. The peroxidation and hepatic damage (TBARS, ASAT and ALAT), antioxidant metabolite and enzymes (glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) were evaluated. Also, it was evaluated the expression of antioxidant enzymes by RT-PCR. Results: The antioxidant activity determined by different assays with polyphenolic fractions. Free Phenolic Acid was more active: DPPH, 20 µg 87%; Reducing power OD = 0.490, 20 µg ; β-carotene/linoleic acid 1 µg 53%, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation 0.250 µg 100%. Rats treated displayed lower liver TBARS, ASAT and ALAT than CCl4-treated group and catalase activity was increased. It was demonstrated expression of catalase. Conclusions: Data suggest that Bryothamnion triquetrum protects the liver against oxidative stress by modulating its antioxidant enzymes and oxidative status with potential use as phytodrug or functional food.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical, chromatographic, and thermogravimetric parameters and the oxidative stability of the high-oleic peanut oil (IAC-505) obtained by hydraulic pressing extraction. The analyses were performed according to the International and Official Methods of Analysis (AOAC, AOCS). The high-oleic peanut oil (IAC-505) was obtained by hydraulic pressing and stored at 4 °C. The acidity value (1.20 mg KOH g−1) and peroxide value (3.75 mEq kg−1) obtained were within the maximum values established by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) for cold-pressed oil. The fatty acid profile showed high levels of oleic fatty acid (81.88%). The thermogravimetric behavior and differential analysis indicated good stability upon gradual temperature increase around 200 °C. The oxidative stability index or oxidation induction period of the oil was 15.74 h. The differential scanning calorimetry showed crystallization temperature of − 5 °C and − 33 °C and melting temperature of − 16 °C and − 6 °C. Based on the results obtained, the nutritional and functional quality, mass loss pattern, and oxidative stability of the high-oleic peanut oil (IAC-505) were determined, demonstrating its potential applications in various industrial segments and in food technology research.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been reported to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in animal models of insulin resistance, but the involved mechanisms still remain unresolved. In this study, we evaluated the effects of fish oil (FO), a source of n-3 PUFAs, on obesity, insulin resistance and muscle mitochondrial function in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). C57Bl/6 male mice, 8 weeks old, were divided into four groups: control diet (C), high-fat diet (H), C+FO (CFO) and H+FO (HFO). FO was administered by oral gavage (2 g/kg b.w.), three times a week, starting 4 weeks before diet administration until the end of the experimental protocol. HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance associated with impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, as indicated by decreased oxygen consumption, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate (TCAi) contents (citrate, α-ketoglutarate, malate and oxaloacetate), oxidative phosphorylation protein content and mitochondrial biogenesis. These effects were associated with elevated reactive oxygen species production, decreased PGC1-a transcription and reduced Akt phosphorylation. The changes induced by the HFD were partially attenuated by FO, which decreased obesity and insulin resistance and increased mitochondrial function. In the H group, FO supplementation also improved oxygen consumption; increased TCAi content, and Akt and AMPK phosphorylation; and up-regulated mRNA expression of Gpat1, Pepck, catalase and mitochondrial proteins (Pgc1α, Pparα, Cpt1 and Ucp3). These results suggest that dietary FO attenuates the deleterious effects of the HFD (obesity and insulin resistance) by improving skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supplementation of pomegranate seed oil (PSO), being rich in punicic acid, on the biochemical parameters of healthy rats. PSO was given to the animals intragastrically for 40 days at concentrations of 1%, 2% and 4%. There were no changes in their total body weight gain, their serum biochemical markers, or in the oxidative stress in their tissues. However, the TBARS values were reduced in the brains of the animals, noting that no significant amounts of conjugated fatty acids were found in this tissue. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was present in all the other tissues studied. The results obtained have demonstrated that punicic acid from PSO was metabolised and incorporated in the form of CLA in different rat tissues. It did not cause alterations in their lipid metabolism, nor did it participate in the processes of oxidation inhibition.

In women, bone mass undergoes changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period, which has a risk for subsequent development of osteoporosis. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of flaxseed flour in femur quality during post-weaning of dam rats. After weaning, the rats were divided into control ( C , n = 7) and experimental ( F , n = 7) groups treated with a diet containing 25 g of flaxseed flour in the lactating period and 15 g in the maintenance period. After 51 days post-partum, serum hormone, fatty acids composition, bone compartments, computed tomography, and biomechanical analyses were determined. Food intake, length, body mass, hormone analysis, and total bone compartments showed similar results. For biomechanical and computed tomography analysis and fatty acids composition, the F group showed higher maximum force (+12%, p < 0.05), breaking strength (+25%, p < 0.05), rigidity (+17%, p < 0.0001), and femoral head radiodensity (+15%, p < 0.05) and presented lower total polyunsaturated fatty acids (−17%, p < 0.0001) and arachidonic acid (−44%, p < 0.0001) and higher ALA (+695%, p < 0.0001) and EPA (+160%, p < 0.05). Fatty acids composition of flaxseed flour, as well as its protein profile and calcium content, were able to improve the bone quality, which may be associated with lower serum levels of arachidonic acid and higher EPA, showing an anti-inflammatory profile and increased deposition of organic matrix during the post-weaning period, and may result in prevention of future osteoporosis.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? We investigated whether pretreatment with fish oil could prevent the major consequences of ischaemic injury to the heart. What is the main finding and its importance? Fish oil pretreatment attenuated the consequences of ischaemic injury as indicated by the small infarction area and the preservation of systolic function and coronary blood flow. These findings support the use of fish oil in order to reduce the impact of heart ischaemia. -3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid (-3 PUFA)-rich fish oil supplementation has protective effects on heart ischaemic injury. Left ventricular (LV) ischaemia was induced in rats by permanent ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Saline, fish oil or soybean oil was administered daily by gavage [3g(kg body weight)(-1)] for 20days before inducing ischaemia. Outcomes were assessed 24h after left descending coronary artery ligation. Pretreatment with fish oil decreased the -6/-3 fatty acid ratio in the LV. A reduction in infarct size and in the intensity of ventricular systolic dysfunction was found in the fish oil group compared with the saline or soybean oil groups through echocardiographic evaluation. Before infarction, LV glycogen concentrations were decreased in the fish oil group compared with the saline group. Soybean oil pretreatment led to a further increase in the LV levels of CINC-2/, IL-1 and TNF- induced by the heart infarction. In heart-infarcted rats, fish oil pretreatment decreased creatine kinase and caspase-3 activities; prevented the decrease in the coronary blood flow; increased LV contents of ATP and lactate; increased the mRNA levels of iNOS, eNOS, HIF1, GLUT1, VEGF- and p53 in the LV as measured by RT-PCR; and did not change LV pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations compared with the control group. Fish oil protected the heart from ischaemia, as indicated by the decrease in the heart infarction area and systolic dysfunction associated with increased LV ATP concentrations and maintenance of the coronary blood flow with no change in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

The consequences of two-week hindlimb suspension (HS) on skeletal muscle atrophy were investigated in balanced diet-fed Fat-1 transgenic and C57BL/6 wild-type mice. Body composition and gastrocnemius fatty acid composition were measured. Skeletal muscle force, cross-sectional area (CSA), and signaling pathways associated with protein synthesis (protein kinase B, Akt; ribosomal protein S6, S6, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1, 4EBP1; glycogen synthase kinase3-beta, GSK3-beta; and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2, ERK 1/2) and protein degradation (atrophy gene-1/muscle atrophy F-box, atrogin-1/MAFbx and muscle RING finger 1, MuRF1) were evaluated in the soleus muscle. HS decreased soleus muscle wet and dry weights (by 43% and 26%, respectively), muscle isotonic and tetanic force (by 29% and 18%, respectively), CSA of the soleus muscle (by 36%), and soleus muscle fibers (by 45%). Fat-1 transgenic mice had a decrease in the ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratio as compared with C57BL/6 wild-type mice (56%, p < 0.001). Fat-1 mice had lower soleus muscle dry mass loss (by 10%) and preserved absolute isotonic force (by 17%) and CSA of the soleus muscle (by 28%) after HS as compared with C57BL/6 wild-type mice. p-GSK3B/GSK3B ratio was increased (by 70%) and MuRF-1 content decreased (by 50%) in the soleus muscle of Fat-1 mice after HS. Balanced diet-fed Fat-1 mice are able to preserve in part the soleus muscle mass, absolute isotonic force and CSA of the soleus muscle in a disuse condition.

2][3][4] Additionally, different compounds such as carotenoids, mycosporine-related amino acids and terpenoids together with phenolic compounds have been identified among the main entities responsible for these properties in marine algae. 5,6limeda genus has been investigated over the past years by our group as a source of natural antioxidants, neuro-and hepato-protectant compounds.Indeed, several lines of results have documented the ability of this natural product to target free-radical-mediated processes on in vitro and in vivo experimental models. 9-15Thus, current results support the notion that marine seaweeds Halimeda spp are a source of hydrophilic antioxidants, which could be further recommended for the prevention of oxidative stress-related disturbances, and can be of usefulness either as dietetic supplements or as food ingredients.