Kg-1 Body Weight Day-1 Research Articles

Holothuria leucospilota Polysaccharides Improve Immunity and the Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Immunosuppressed Mice.

Immunosuppression is one of the major risk factors for a series of diseases, such as tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, and microbial infection. Various natural products have attracted wide attention due to their immunomodulatory activities. Herein, the study investigates the regulation of Holothuria leucospilota polysaccharides (HLP) in immunosuppressed mice. Eight-week-old female BALB/c mice are injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide (80mgkg-1 body weight day-1 ) to establish the immunosuppressive model. After 12 days of HLP treatment, the immune organ indexes, serum cytokines, and immunoglobulin levels are significantly increased in immunosuppressed mice (p < 0.05). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis find that HLP improves the immune factors, T-cell markers, and Toll-like receptors (TLR) pathway-related proteins expression. Simultaneously, HLP significantly increases the short-chain fatty acids concentration and regulates the gut microbiota composition (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the metagenomics analysis shows that HLP increases the levels of functional genes involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and growth activity of the gut microbiota. HLP intervention improves the mice's immune function, and the beneficial effects are closely associated with intestinal homeostasis regulation and TLR pathway activation. This study suggests the potential for HLP as prebiotics in novel immunopotentiators development.

The Implication of Aflatoxin B1 Contamination Through Dietary Intake of Farm Products Sold at Selected Markets in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria

A survey was conducted on 100 farm products sold at selected markets in Damaturu to access the levels of AFB1 contamination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples collected include; 20 g each of cereals (rice, millet, maize paste 1, maize 2 and wheat flour), legumes (red beans, groundnut 1, soya bean, white beans, groundnut 2), vegetables (spinach, red onions, garlic, egusi, baobab leaves (kuka) hot pepper, sweet pepper, clove 1, clove 2, moringa, locust bean, okra, dried ginger) and tuber (white cassava). A food sample questionnaire was used to determine the frequency of food consumed and consumption rates. Results of the study revealed that one of the Aflatoxigenic moulds (Aspergillus Niger) is associated with cereal/legume products from both open and stored markets except for protein, minerals, and tuber products. A. flavus (66.67%), A parasiticus (66.67%), Fusarium (50%), and A flavus (50) were associated with cereals, legumes, and beverages in stored markets respectively. The cereal products collected from open and stored markets were found to be contaminated with AFB1 at concentrations of 0.9ppb and 4.1ppb respectively. However, Protein and tuber products were found to be free of any contamination. AFB1 was recorded in beverages(0.66ppb), cereals/legumes (0.37ppb), and minerals (0.5ppb) under the stored market, these results are lower than the limits established by NAFDAC of 10ppb on ready-to-eat foods and 20ppb on other food items. Based on the results obtained, cereal-based food recorded the highest consumption (16.98kg – 88kg) rate per day among the different individuals in each age group while beverages recorded the lowest consumption (1.5g-8.0g) rate per day. The estimated daily intake of AFB1 from individual age groups based on the consumption of different types of food ranged from 0.03-1.16 ng kg-1 body weight day-1. These results suggest that the dietary intake of AFB1, in Damaturu has no adverse health effects on the population.

Burdur İli Çiğ İnek Sütü Örneklerinde Aflatoksin M1 Kalıntısının İncelenmesi

Bu çalışma, gıdalarda aflatoksin bulunmasından kaynaklanan ekonomik kayıplar ve halk sağlığı endişeleri nedeniyle aflatoksin M1 (AFM1) düzeyini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Burdur ilindeki çiftliklerden toplam 82 çiğ inek sütü örneği rastgele alındı ve Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) yöntemi kullanılarak AFM1 açısından analiz edildi. İncelenen 82 çiğ inek sütü örneğinin 48'inde (%58,5) AFM1 seviyesinin 5,06 ila 50,63 ng kg-1 arasında ve ortalama kontaminasyon oranının 15,53 ±1,49 ng kg-1 olduğu tespit edildi. Süt örneklerinin 1'inde (%1,2) AFM1 düzeyi Türk Gıda Kodeksi ve AB Yönetmeliği'nde belirtilen yasal sınırların üzerinde olduğu belirlendi. Sonuç olarak çiğ süt örneklerinde belirlenen AFM1 seviyesi maksimum kalıntı limitlerinin altında ve insan tüketimine uygun bulunmuştur. Ayrıca Türkiye'deki yetişkin tüketici için AFM1'in tahmini günlük alım miktarı (EDI) belirlenmiştir. Yetişkin tüketicinin ortalama EDI'si (0,19 ng kg-1 vücut ağırlığı gün-1), önerilen günlük 0,2 ng kg-1 vücut ağırlığı gün-1 AFM1 alımına yakın bulunmuştur. Ancak bu konudaki çalışmaların düzenli bir program dahilinde tekrarlanması ve hem üreticilerin hem de tüketicilerin konu hakkında bilgilendirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Concentrations and Toxic Implications of Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Soil Samples from Electrical Power Stations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are ubiquitous chemicals which mediate toxicity in a way similar to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. In silico modeling was used to predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties of eight dioxin-like PCBs in soil samples of 12 power stations in Lagos, Nigeria. Concentrations of Σdl-PCB8 in soil samples ranged from 490 to 61,000 pg g-1 , with mean concentrations of 17,000 pg g-1 . The corresponding toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of Ʃdl-PCB8 ranged from 0.01 to 450 pg TEQ g-1 , with a mean value of 42 pg TEQ g-1 . Mean TEQ concentrations for Ʃdl-PCB8 in soil samples from all but one of the sites exceeded the Canadian guideline value of 4 pg TEQ g-1 and the US and German guideline values of 5-10 pg TEQ g-1 . However, the TEQ concentrations obtained were all below the US action level of 1000 pg TEQ g-1 . The ADMET predictions revealed that all studied dl-PCBs are inhibitors of three major isoforms (1A2, 2C9, and 2C19) of cytochrome P450 enzyme. Acute oral toxicity (median lethal dose) predictions revealed that all target dl-PCBs were class III compounds. Hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity were positive, signifying that the studied compounds all have a tendency to elicit these effects. Occupational daily TEQ exposure via soil ingestion was estimated for an average adult worker weighing 70 kg. The maximum exposure obtained was 0.14 pg TEQ kg-1 body weight day-1 , which is half of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) tolerable daily intake (TDI) for dioxin-like compounds. This raises concern over the possible exceedance of the EFSA TDI for these workers if other dietary and nondietary exposure pathways and dioxin-like compounds are considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:800-809. © 2021 SETAC.

Ethanolic extract of Salacia nitida root bark ameliorates lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei-malaria infected mice.

The root bark of Salacia nitida L.benth (celastraceae) is used as remedy for malaria and typhoid fever in Southern part of Nigeria. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida on lipid peroxidation, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei-malaria infected mice. Thirty malaria-infected and six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of ethanolic extract and 4 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of artesunate were administered orally to infected mice in groups B, C, D, and E, while 4 ml kg-1 body weight day-1 of physiological saline was given to infected untreated mice in group A and the uninfected untreated mice in group F. Treatments were done for five days. Levels of malondialdehyde were measured as means of assessing lipid peroxidation in the experimental animals. Weights of experimental animals, liver, and spleen, and the length of spleen from experimental animals were also measured. Animal's liver and spleen-body weight ratios were determined. Results from the study showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in levels of malondialdehyde, and significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weights. Also, significant decreases (P < 0.05) were seen in the weights of liver and spleen, lengths of spleen, and organ-body weight ratios of malaria-infected treated mice. Therefore, this study confirmed that ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida is effective in the treatment of malaria, as it is seen in its ability to attenuate lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in mice, thus corroborating its traditional use for the treatment of malaria.

Ethanolic extract of Salacia nitida root bark ameliorates lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei–malaria infected mice

The root bark of Salacia nitida L.benth (celastraceae) is used as remedy for malaria and typhoid fever in Southern part of Nigeria. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida on lipid peroxidation, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei-malaria infected mice. Thirty malaria-infected and six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of ethanolic extract and 4 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of artesunate were administered orally to infected mice in groups B, C, D, and E, while 4 ml kg-1 body weight day-1 of physiological saline was given to infected untreated mice in group A and the uninfected untreated mice in group F. Treatments were done for five days. Levels of malondialdehyde were measured as means of assessing lipid peroxidation in the experimental animals. Weights of experimental animals, liver, and spleen, and the length of spleen from experimental animals were also measured. Animal’s liver and spleen-body weight ratios were determined. Results from the study showed significant decrease (P &lt; 0.05) in levels of malondialdehyde, and significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in body weights. Also, significant decreases (P &lt; 0.05) were seen in the weights of liver and spleen, lengths of spleen, and organ-body weight ratios of malaria-infected treated mice. Therefore, this study confirmed that ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida is effective in the treatment of malaria, as it is seen in its ability to attenuate lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in mice, thus corroborating its traditional use for the treatment of malaria.

Nitrite content in meat products from the Serbian market and estimated intake

The aim of this study was to determine levels of nitrites in some meat products sold on the Serbian market over a period of 3 years (2018-2020) and to compare results with maximum residue levels as well to discuss dietary exposure of the Serbian adult population to nitrites.A total of 1291 meat product samples, produced by the Serbian meat industry or imported (509 dry fermented sausages, 37 semi-dry fermented sausages, 451 finely minced cooked sausages and 294 coarsely minced cooked sausages), were obtained from the Serbian retail market during 2018-2020.Higher mean levels of nitrite content, expressed as NaNO2, were found in cooked sausages (40.35 mg kg-1, finely minced and 33.75 mg kg-1, coarsely minced) compared to fermented sausages (1.86 mg kg-1 dry fermented and 1.83 mg kg-1, semi-dry fermented).The average dietary exposure to nitrites, expressed as nitrite ion, for the Serbian adult population varies from 0.001 to 0.015 mg kg-1body weight (BW) day-1 and was far below the European acceptable daily intake (0.07 mg kg-1 BW day-1). In conclusion, the concentrations of nitrite in all meat products were below established maximum permitted levels (national and European), indicating that the use of nitrite as a food additive in Serbia is generally in line with existing regulations.

Rosuvastatin reduced brain parasite burden in a chronic toxoplasmosis in vivo model and influenced the neuropathological pattern of ME-49 strain.

This study evaluated the effects of rosuvastatin in vivo on toxoplasmosis chronic infection. Thirty-five Swiss mice were orally infected (ME-49 strain). After 50 days, the mice were separated into five groups: GI - non-infected, GII - infected, GIII - infected and treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (12.5 + 50 mg kg-1 body weight day-1), GIV and GV - infected and treated with rosuvastatin 10 and 40 mg kg-1 body weight day-1, respectively. After 21 days, we collected blood, liver, lungs, femoral biceps and brain were removed for Toxoplasma gondii DNA quantification by qPCR and histopathological analysis. GIV and GV did not present premature death or clinical changes, and the hepatic enzyme levels were lower compared to GI. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected mainly in brain and muscle, but the parasite load was significantly lower in GV compared to GII brains (P < 0.05). Histopathological changes were observed in brains, with T. gondii cysts as well as an inflammatory condition, including necrosis areas in GII and GIII. These data confirm active infection with tissue injury. This inflammatory condition was attenuated in the groups treated with rosuvastatin, especially R40 (GV). Our findings demonstrated the in vivo action of rosuvastatin in reducing cerebral parasitic load and indicate that this drug may interfere in chronic toxoplasmosis.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in mothers' breast milk and associated health risk to nursing infants in Uganda.

The aim of this study was to investigate levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk samples from healthy primiparous mothers who had lived in Kampala capital city (urban area) and Nakaseke district (a rural area) for the last five years. Fifty samples were collected between March and June 2018 and were extracted by dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE). Clean-up was performed on an SPE column and analysis was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total (∑) PBDEs (BDE 28, 47, 49, 66, 77, 99, 100,138,153, 154, 183 and 209) ranged from 0.59 to 8.11 ng/g lipid weight (lw). The levels of PBDEs in samples from Kampala capital city were significantly higher than those from Nakaseke (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). The most dominant congeners were BDE-209 and -47 (contributed 37.1% and 20.2%, respectively to ∑PBDEs), suggesting recent exposure of mothers to deca-and penta-BDE formulations. Fish and egg consumption, plastics/e-waste recycling and paint fumes were associated with higher levels of BDE-47, -153 and -99, respectively, implying that diet and occupation were possible sources of the pollutants. Estimated dietary intakes (ng kg-1 body weight day-1) for BDE-47, -99 and -153 were below the US EPA reference doses for neurodevelopmental toxicity, suggesting minimal health risks to nursing infants who feed on the milk. Generally, the risk quotients for BDE-47, -99 and -153 were <1 in majority (96%) samples, indicating that the breast milk of mothers in Uganda was fit for human consumption.

Inhibitory effects of cycloastragenol on abdominal aortic aneurysm and its related mechanisms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative disease affecting human health, but there are no safe and effective medications for AAA therapy. Cycloastragenol (CAG), derived from Astragali Radix, has various pharmacological effects. However, whether CAG can protect against AAA remains elusive. In this study, we investigated whether CAG has an inhibitory effect on AAA and its related mechanism. The AAA mouse model was induced by incubating the abdominal aorta with elastase. CAG was administered by gavage at different doses beginning on the same day or 14days after inducing AAA to explore its preventive or therapeutic effects respectively. The preventive effects of CAG on AAA were verified in another AAA mouse model induced by angiotensin II in ApoE-/- mouse. In vitro experiments were implemented on rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by TNF-α. Compared to the control AAA model group, CAG (125mg·kg-1 body weight day-1 ) reduced the incidence of AAA, the dilatation of aorta and elastin degradation in media in both mouse models of AAA. CAG suppressed the inflammation, oxidation, phenotype switch and apoptosis in TNF-α-stimulated VSMCs, ameliorated the expression and activity of MMPs and decreased the activation of the ERK/JNK signalling pathway. CAG also inhibited the degradation of elastin in TNF-α-stimulated VSMCs. CAG presents protective effects against AAA through down-regulation of the MAPK signalling pathways and thus attenuates inflammation, oxidation, VSMC phenotype switch and apoptosis and the expression of MMPs as well as increasing elastin biosynthesis.

Aucubin protects against pressure overload-induced cardiac remodelling via the β3 -adrenoceptor-neuronal NOS cascades.

Aucubin, the predominant component of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., has been shown to have profound effects on oxidative stress. As oxidative stress has previously been demonstrated to contribute to acute and chronic myocardial injury, we tested the effects of aucubin on cardiac remodelling and heart failure. Initially, H9c2 cardiomyocytes and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes pretreated with aucubin (1, 3, 10, 25 and 50μM) were challenged with phenylephrine. Secondly, the transverse aorta was constricted in C57/B6 and neuronal NOS (nNOS)-knockout mice, then aucubin (1 or 5mg·kg-1 body weight day-1 ) was injected i.p. for 25days. Hypertrophy was evaluated by assessing morphological changes, echocardiographic parameters, histological analyses and hypertrophic markers. Oxidative stress was evaluated by examining ROS generation, oxidase activity and NO generation. NOS expression was determined by Western blotting. Aucubin effectively suppressed cardiac remodelling; in mice, aucubin substantially inhibited pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation, whereas knocking out nNOS abolished these cardioprotective effects of aucubin. Blocking or knocking down the β3 -adrenoceptor abolished the protective effects of aucubin in vitro. Furthermore, aucubin enhanced the protective effects of a β3 -adrenoceptor agonist in vitro by increasing cellular cAMP levels, whereas treatment with an adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitor abolished the cardioprotective effects of aucubin. Aucubin suppresses oxidative stress during cardiac remodelling by increasing the expression of nNOS in a process that requires activation of the β3 -adrenoceptor/AC/cAMP pathway. These findings suggest that aucubin could have potential as a treatment for cardiac remodelling and heart failure.

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on glucose homeostasis after oral administration.

As food additives, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been widely used in various products that are usually simultaneously consumed with a high content of sugar, thus necessitating research on the effect of TiO2 NPs on glucose homeostasis. We conducted an animal study to explore the effect of orally administrated TiO2 NPs on glucose absorption and metabolism in rats at 0, 2, 10 and 50mg kg-1 body weight day-1 for 30 and 90days. The results showed that oral exposure to TiO2 NPs caused a slight and temporary hypoglycemic effect in rats at 30days post-exposure but recovered at 90days post-exposure. Decreased levels of intestinal glucose absorption and increased levels of hepatic glucose metabolism may be responsible for the hypoglycemic effect. Remodeling of the villi in the small intestine that decreased the surface area available for glucose absorption and increased levels of hepatic glucose uptake, utilization and storage related to hepatocellular injury are supposed to be the mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that dietary intake of TiO2 NPs as food additives could affect the absorption and metabolism of glucose.

Thirteen week toxicity study of dietary l-tryptophan in rats with a recovery period of 5weeks.

Although l-tryptophan is nutritionally important and widely used in medical applications, toxicity data for its oral administration are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of an experimental diet containing added l-tryptophan at doses of 0 (basal diet), 1.25%, 2.5% and 5.0% when administered to Sprague-Dawley rats for 13weeks. There were no toxicological changes in clinical signs, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, necropsy, organ weight and histopathology between control rats and those fed additional l-tryptophan. Body weight gain and food consumption significantly decreased throughout the administration period in males in the 2.5% group and in both sexes in the 5.0% group. At the end of the dosing period, decreases in water intake in males in the 5.0% group and in serum glucose in females in the 5.0% group were observed. The changes described above were considered toxicologically significant; however, they were not observed after a 5week recovery period, suggesting reversibility. Consequently, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of l-tryptophan in the present study was 1.25% for males and 2.5% for females (mean intake of l-tryptophan: 779mg kg-1 body weight day-1 [males] and 1765mg kg-1 body weight day-1 [females]). As the basal diet used in this study contained 0.27% of proteinaceous l-tryptophan, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of overall l-tryptophan was 1.52% for males and 2.77% for females (mean intake of overall l-tryptophan: 948mg kg-1 body weight day-1 (males) and 1956mg kg-1 body weight day-1 (females)). We conclude that l-tryptophan has a low toxicity profile in terms of human use.

Adverse effects of leptin on histone-to-protamine transition during spermatogenesis are prevented by melatonin in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study examines the effect of melatonin on leptin-induced changes in transition of histone to protamine in adult rats during spermatogenesis. Twelve-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into control, leptin-, leptin-melatonin-10-, leptin-melatonin-20- and melatonin-10-treated groups with six rats per group. Leptin was given via intraperitoneal injections (i.p.) daily for 42days (60μg/kg body weight). Rats in the leptin- and melatonin-treated groups were given either 10 or 20mgday-1 kg-1 body weight of leptin in drinking water. Melatonin-10-treated group received only 10mg of melatonin day-1 kg-1 body weight in drinking water for 42days. Control rats received 0.1ml of 0.9% saline. Upon completion of the treatment, sperm count, morphology and histone-to-protamine ratio were estimated. Gene expression of HAT, HDAC1, HDAC2, H2B, H2A, H1, PRM1, PRM2, TNP1 and TNP2 was determined. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Sperm count was significantly lower, whereas the fraction of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology, the ratio of histone-to-protamine transition and the expressions of HAT, HDAC1, HDAC2, H2B, H2A, H1, PRM1 were significantly higher in leptin-treated rats than those in controls or melatonin-treated rats. It appears that exogenous leptin administration adversely affects histone-to-protamine transition, which is prevented by concurrent administration of melatonin.

Dietary exposure to acrylamide from cafeteria foods in Jeddah schools and associated risk assessment.

Acrylamide (AA) is a carcinogenic and genotoxic food contaminant produced at high temperatures in foods that are rich in carbohydrates. Foods sold in schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are among such carbohydrate-rich foods produced at high cooking temperatures. It is crucial to determine the importance of AA exposure with respect to cafeteria foods and assess the associated risks. The highest mean AA level was measured in chocolate pies (439 µg kg-1 ), followed by custard pies (435 µg kg-1 ) and cheese pies (432 µg kg-1 ). The average and 95th percentile values of AA exposure were 0.51 and 1.17 [µg kg-1 body weight (BW) school day-1 ]. The average exposure significantly decreased with an increase in age, from 0.65 (µg kg-1 BW school day-1 ) in primary school students to 0.37 in secondary school students. Cheese and chocolate pies are the main contributors in AA intake. The contributions of cheese and chocolate pies to the average exposure among primary, middle and secondary school students were 23.1%, 24.7% and 29.4% and 16.9%, 12.1% and 11.9%, respectively. Other products with significant contributions included cheese sandwiches (10.8%, 8.9% and 12.7%), plain cookies (7.7%, 5.6% and 6.7%) and custard pies (7.7%, 4.8% and 8.9%). Other cafeteria products contributed to AA exposure at much lower percentages. The calculated margins of exposure (MOEs) for the average [356 and 614 for both benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) 0.18 and 0.31 mg kg-1 BW day-1 ] and 95th percentile AA exposure values (154 and 265 for both BMDL 0.18 and 0.31 mg kg-1 BW day-1 ) suggest that there is a health concern with respect to school-aged students. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-prediabetic effect of rose hip (Rosa canina) extract in spontaneously diabetic Torii rats.

Prediabetes, a high-risk state for developing diabetes showing impaired glucose tolerance but a normal fasting blood glucose level, has an increasing prevalence worldwide. However, no study investigating the prevention of impaired glucose tolerance at the prediabetic stage by anti-diabetic functional foods has been reported. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the anti-prediabetic effect of rose hip in a prediabetic rat model. Spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) rats were supplemented with hot-water extract of rose hip at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 for 12 weeks. The results obtained showed that the supplementation of rose hip extract improved impaired glucose tolerance, promoted insulin secretion, preserved pancreatic beta-cell function and suppressed plasma advanced glycation end-products formation of methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone (MG-H1) residue and Nϵ -carboxymethyl-lysine residues (e.g. MG-H1, control: 465.5 ± 43.8 versus rose hip: 59.1 ± 13.0 pmol mg protein-1 , P < 0.05) in SDT rats at the prediabetic stage (12-20 weeks old). The present study provides the first evidence showing that a hot-water extract of rose hip could exert an anti-prediabetic effect in a rat model. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Horseradish extract promotes urinary bladder carcinogenesis when administered to F344 rats in drinking water.

Horseradish extract (HRE), consisting mainly of a mixture of allyl isothiocyanate and other isothiocyanates, has been used as a food additive. To evaluate the potential hazards of HRE, a 104-week chronic study, a 2-week analysis of cell proliferation in the urinary bladder and a medium-term promotion bioassay of HRE were conducted with administration at concentrations of up to 0.04% HRE in the drinking water to male F344 rats. In the 104-week chronic study with 32 male rats per group, no treatment-related increases in the incidences of neoplastic lesions in any organ, including urinary bladder, were observed, except for simple hyperplasia in the urinary bladder in rats treated with HRE at concentrations of more than 0.01% (5.0 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 ). In the promotion study, HRE treatment after N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine initiation caused a clear increase in papillary or nodular hyperplasia, papilloma, and urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder in the groups given HRE for 13 weeks at doses higher than 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.04% (2.7, 5.4 and 20.5 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 ), respectively. In the 2-week cell proliferation analysis, treatment with HRE at concentrations greater than 0.005% (3.9 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 ) caused transient increases in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling indices in the urothelium. Although clear tumor induction was not observed, administration of relatively low-dose HRE increased cell proliferation in the urothelium and exerted obvious promoting effects on rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mode of action of HRE in the rat urinary bladder to facilitate data extrapolation from the present study and provide insights into risk assessment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Total Aflatoxin Contamination Level in Flour in Mongolia and Aflatoxin Intake

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the total aflatoxin contamination level in flour, flour storage conditions, and the aflatoxin intake in Mongolia. Methods: A total of 71 samples of flour were randomly collected from the survey area in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, from March to December 2015. An ELISA test was used for detection the total aflatoxins B1 + B2 . The relative humidity and temperatures of the storage areas were measured at the time of sampling the flour. The personal daily intake of aflatoxin was estimated. Results: The survey found that 43.7% of all analyzed flour samples had detectable aflatoxin at 0.04 µg kg-1 and 0.05 µg kg-1. The mean relative humidity and temperatures of the storage areas were higher than the recommended level. The aflatoxin intakes were 0.1271 µg kg-1 body weight day-1 and 0.3615 µg kg-1 body weight day-1 as calculated from the mean daily flour intake and the 95th percentile intake, respectively. Conclusion: The potential health hazard associated with aflatoxin in flour was not determined as a serious threat in Mongolia, but the storage conditions of flour may encourage the growth of fungi-producing aflatoxins. Thus, a national strategy for the elimination of aflatoxin in foods is needed in Mongolia.

Inhibitory effects of Japanese horseradish (Wasabia japonica) on the formation and genotoxicity of a potent carcinogen, acrylamide.

The formation of acrylamide (AA) in cooked foods has raised human health concerns. AA is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) to glycidamide (GA), which forms DNA adducts. This study examined the inhibitory effects of wasabi (Japanese horseradish, Wasabia japonica) roots and leaves as well as their active component, allyl isothiocyanate (AIT), on the formation and genotoxicity of AA. AA formation (51.8 ± 4.2 µg kg-1 ) was inhibited with ≥2 mg mL-1 of AIT. Wasabi roots also inhibited AA formation (∼90% reduction), but wasabi leaves were not effective at 2 mg mL-1 . Wasabi roots and leaves decreased the number of cells with micronuclei by approximately 33 and 24% respectively compared with the AA treatment group. Moreover, wasabi roots and leaves (100 mg kg-1 body weight (BW) day-1 for each) decreased AA (100 mg kg-1 BW day-1 )-induced DNA damage. The AA-induced CYP2E1 activity was decreased by 39 and 26% with wasabi roots and leaves respectively. Further, the activity of glutathione S-transferase, which catalyzes the detoxification of AA via glutathione conjugation, increased by 54 and 33% with wasabi roots and leaves respectively. These results indicate that wasabi roots and leaves are effective ingredients for inhibiting the formation and genotoxicity of AA. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate on Weight Gain and Gonad Production in Small Sea Urchins, Lytechinus variegatus.

In experiment 1, juvenile sea urchins (n = 80, 0.088 ± 0.001 g wet weight and 5.72 ± 0.04 mm diameter) were held individually and fed ad libitum one of three semi-purified formulated diets (n = 16 individuals treatment-1). In the diets, protein was held constant (310g kg-1 dry, as fed) and carbohydrate level varied (190, 260, or 380 g kg-1 dry, as fed). Wet weights were measured every 2 weeks. Total wet weight gain was inversely proportional to dietary carbohydrate level and energy content of the respective diet. In experiment 2, sea urchins (5.60 ± 0.48g wet weight, n= 40) fed 190 g kg-1 carbohydrate consumed significantly more dry feed than those fed 260 g kg-1, but not more than those fed 380 g kg-1 carbohydrate. Based on differential feed intake rates, sea urchins that consumed more feed also consumed higher levels of protein and had the highest weight gain. Consequently, protein content and/or protein: energy ratio may be important in determining feed utilization and growth among sea urchins in this study. The average digestible energy intake was approximately 70 kcal kg-1 body weight day-1, suggesting daily caloric intake of juvenile Lytechinus variegatus is lower than in shrimp and fish.