Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil Research Articles

Ultrasonic Fabrication of Catechin Nanoemulsions from Green Tea with Enhanced Stability and Antioxidant Activity Optimized by Box-Behnken Design

Nanoemulsions are emulsions, either O/W (oil in water) or W/O (water in oil), with droplet diameters typically ranging from 50 to 1,000 nm. Research indicates that nanoemulsions are highly effective in enhancing the bioavailability, bioactivity, digestibility, stability, safety, quality and sensory attributes of food components. The study aimed to determine the optimum formulation and ultrasonic condition for fabricating catechin nanoemulsion (Ca-NE) from green tea with improved physical stability and antioxidant activity using response surface methodology. The effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil concentration (7.5 - 12.5 % w/w), Tween® 80 concentration (1 - 5 % w/w) and sonication time (5 - 15 min) on the droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI) and antioxidant activity presented by DPPH value of the Ca-NE were investigated using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The results found that droplet size and antioxidant activity of the Ca-NE were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the proposed parameters, whereas the PDI value was slightly affected by those factors. The BBD results suggested that the Ca-NE fabrication condition was optimized with 7.5 % (w/w) oil concentration, 5 % (w/w) Tween® 80 concentration and a sonication time of 10.87 min. The optimum nanoemulsion showed good physical stability in terms of droplet size and PDI and had higher antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. This study showed that catechin nanoemulsions fabricated by ultrasonication had good stability and antioxidant activity and, hence, had high potential for food and beverage applications in the food industry. HIGHLIGHTS The optimum nanoemulsion had good physical stability regarding droplet size and PDI when stored at 4 and 30 °C for 90 days. The ultrasonic fabrication of Ca-NE results in better retention of antioxidant activity than unencapsulated catechins. The ultrasonic fabrication provided the Ca-NE with good stability and high antioxidant activity. The results suggest that the obtained nanoemulsion of catechins has great potential in food or pharmaceutical applications. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Comparison of the Effect of Omega-3 vs. MCT Supplementation on Iron-Related Indices in Patients Undergoing Dialysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), characterized by progressive kidney failure, significantly increases mortality and comorbidity risks such as anemia. This study contrasts the impacts of omega-3 and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil on levels of iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and transferrin saturation in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis. This interventional trial was conducted on 120 patients with CKD undergoing dialysis in Rasht, Iran. For 8weeks, the omega-3 group was orally administered three 1000-mg capsules of omega-3 fatty acid supplement, and the MCT group was administered three 1000-mg capsules containing MCT oil daily. Serum concentrations of ferritin, iron, TIBC, Hb, and transferrin saturation were assessed pre-intervention and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in serum iron levels in the MCT group compared to the omega-3 group (103.72 ± 57.8vs. 77.48±40.13; P = 0.031). No effect was found regarding other iron-related factors such as TIBC, Hb, transferrin saturation, and ferritin levels. The results of our study indicated that taking MCT oil increased serum iron levels compared to omega-3 supplementation in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis. Further research is needed to better understand the potential benefits of MCT oils in patients with CKD.

Triheptanoin in patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders: clinical experience in Italy

BackgroundLong-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD) are rare and potentially life-threatening diseases that cause deficient energy production and accumulation of toxic metabolites. Despite dietary management, adherence to maximum fasting guidelines, restricted long-chain triglyceride intake and supplementation with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (current standard of care), most patients experience recurrent decompensation episodes that can require hospitalisation. Herein, we analysed the effectiveness and safety of triheptanoin (a highly purified, synthetic medium odd-chain triglyceride) treatment in a cohort of Italian patients with LC-FAOD.MethodsThis retrospective, nationwide study included nine patients with LC-FAOD who switched from standard therapy with MCT oil to triheptanoin oral liquid. Data were collected between 2018 and 2022. Clinical outcome measures were the number and duration of intercurrent catabolic episodes and number and duration of metabolic decompensation episodes requiring hospitalisation. Creatine kinase (CK) levels and treatment-related adverse effects were also reported.ResultsPatients were provided a mean ± standard deviation (SD) triheptanoin dose of 1.5 ± 0.9 g/kg/day in four divided administrations, which accounted for 23.9 ± 8.9% of patients’ total daily caloric intake. Triheptanoin treatment was started between 2.7 and 16 years of age and was continued for 2.2 ± 0.9 years. The number of intercurrent catabolic episodes during triheptanoin treatment was significantly lower than during MCT therapy (4.3 ± 5.3 vs 22.0 ± 22.2; p = 0.034), as were the number of metabolic decompensations requiring hospitalisation (mean ± SD: 2.0 ± 2.5 vs 18.3 ± 17.7; p = 0.014), and annualised hospitalisation rates and duration. Mean CK levels (outside metabolic decompensation episodes) were lower with triheptanoin treatment versus MCT oil for seven patients. No intensive care unit admissions were required during triheptanoin treatment. Epigastric pain and diarrhoea were recorded as adverse effects during both MCT and triheptanoin treatment.ConclusionsThe significant improvement in clinical outcome measures after the administration of triheptanoin highlights that this treatment approach can be more effective than MCT supplementation in patients with LC-FAOD. Triheptanoin was well tolerated and decreased the number of intercurrent catabolic episodes, metabolic decompensation episodes requiring hospitalisation, and the annualised rate and duration of hospitalisations.

Effect of Human Milk Fortifiers, Medium-chain Triglyceride Oil, Minerals, and Vitamin Supplements on the Osmolality of Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

Aim: We aimed to study the changes in osmolality of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) after the addition of four human milk fortifiers (HMFs), medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, minerals, and vitamin supplements commonly used in neonates. Methods: The osmolality of 25 ml of PDHM was measured after the addition of 1 g each of HMF and 0.5 ml of MCT oil separately with a calibrated osmometer. The osmolality of 5 ml of PDHM was measured after the addition of minerals and vitamin supplements in therapeutic doses separately. All these measurements were carried out at 10 min, 30 min, and 2 h by a technician who was blinded to the fortifiers, minerals, and vitamin supplements used. Results: The osmolality of PDHM was 256 mOsm/kg (range = 256–259 mOsm/kg), which increased with all four HMFs tested, but remained below 450 mOsm/kg as recommended by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Proprietary fortifiers increased the osmolality of PDHM to a maximum of 429 mOsm/kg (range = 306–429 mOsm/kg). However, there was no change in the osmolality with MCT oil. A maximum increase in osmolality was observed with the addition of calcium phosphate syrup to PDHM (1181 mOsm/kg). The addition of multivitamins and Vitamin D3 in therapeutic doses increased osmolality (range = 552–753 mOsm/kg) beyond the safety limits of ESPGHAN recommendation. Conclusions: HMFs increased the osmolality of PDHM but were within the safety limits of ESPGHAN recommendation. MCT oil did not affect the osmolality of PDHM. Minerals and vitamin supplements added in therapeutic dosages significantly increased the osmolality of PDHM. Minerals and vitamin supplements need to be appropriately diluted to keep osmolality below 450 mOsm/kg to ensure safety. Future research should focus on manufacturing fortifiers and supplements with low osmolality to ensure safety.

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of erythorbyl oleate and its characterization as a multifunctional emulsifier.

Erythorbyl oleate (EO), a novel emulsifier with multifunctional properties, was synthesized via lipase-catalyzed solvent-free esterification between erythorbic acid and oleic acid. The reaction produced EO of 30.75±1.65mM at 60h, monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Purified EO was chemically identified as 6-O-oleoyl-erythorbic acid by HPLC-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 13C NMR analyses, and further investigations on its multifunctionalities were conducted. EO displayed antioxidant activity equivalent to erythorbic acid in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities. Investigation of the antibacterial activity of EO against foodborne pathogens showed MICs of 0.27±0.09 and 0.40mM for Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12692, respectively. EO also displayed interfacial properties, lowering interfacial tension between medium-chain triglyceride oil and water to 3.40±0.04 mN/m with a critical micelle concentration of 2.54±0.03mM. Dynamic light scattering analyses of the emulsion stabilized by EO demonstrated a similar polydispersity index (0.15±0.00) to Tween 80-stabilized emulsion (0.28±0.01), with an average droplet size of 173.2±1.8nm. In addition, the EO-stabilized emulsion exhibited a negative surface charge (-56.83±4.30mV) in zeta potential measurements, indicating sufficient electrostatic repulsion between droplets. These results suggest that EO is a multifunctional emulsifier to simultaneously control oxidative rancidification and bacterial spoilage in emulsion-based foods. Practical Application: EO was synthesized via an enzymatic esterification reaction between erythorbic acid and oleic acid. The synthetic process excluded any use of organic solvent, diminishing potential health hazards or environmental pollution associated with chemical reactions. The interfacial properties of the resultant EO, along with excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activities, propose its potential application in emulsion-based foods. Simultaneous control of bacterial spoilage and oxidative rancidification by EO would fulfill the industrial needs for extending shelf life and enhancing consumer safety.

Physicochemical Properties, Heavy Metal and Pesticide Contaminations, and Microbial Limit Tests of Cannabis Oral Drops

Cannabis, a medicinal herb renowned for its therapeutic potential, is utilized in the treatment of various ailments, including the stimulation of appetite in cancer patients. In Thailand, the predominant dosage form is oral drops; however, the absence of robust quality control measures for these products poses significant health risks to patients. The primary objectives of this study were to formulate and evaluate cannabis oral drops, with a comprehensive evaluation encompassing physicochemical properties such as appearance, pH, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol contents. Furthermore, heavy metals (specifically arsenic, cadmium, and lead), pesticides (including pyrethroids, organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates), and microbial contaminations (Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium spp., and Salmonella spp.) were evaluated. The results revealed that the optimal formulation, comprising cannabis extract derived from supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, vitamin E acetate, and medium-chain triglyceride oil, exhibited a pH of approximately 4.0, a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of approximately 27 mg/mL, and a cannabidiol content of approximately 9 mg/mL. Furthermore, there were no heavy metals or pesticides detected. Microbial limit tests demonstrated the absence of Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium spp., and Salmonella spp. In conclusion, this endeavor successfully achieved the development of high-quality cannabis oral drops, showcasing the potential for safe and therapeutic use.

Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Ketones in People with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder and Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Literature Review.

Mild neurocognitive disorder (NCD), formally known as mild cognitive impairment, is usually the clinical stage preceding the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent major NCD, and other causes of dementia. Glucose is a major source of energy for human brain metabolism and the uptake of glucose is reduced in patients with mild NCD, AD, and other NCDs. Unlike glucose, the uptake of ketones remains normal in people with mild NCD and AD, suggesting that the use of ketone bodies may compensate for glucose energy deficiency in patients with mild NCD and AD. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the efficacy and safety of exogenic ketones, including medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), on cognitive function in patients with mild NCD and AD. The Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, PubMed Ahead-of-Print, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Europe PMC databases were searched from inception to April 2022. Studies reporting cognitive function efficacy and safety outcomes from randomized controlled trials of exogenic ketones in patients with mild NCD and AD were included. Data were extracted by 1 reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, version 2. This review identified 13 individual trials investigating the efficacy and safety of MCT or coconut oil for patients with mild NCD or with AD. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis was used. Overall, improvements associated with exogenic ketones were observed in multiple aspects of cognitive abilities, although the large heterogeneity between the included studies makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions from the current literature. Although some studies investigated the impact of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele status on treatment efficacy, the current data are insufficient to conclude whether such an effect is present. PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022336664.

The effects of a brand-specific, hemp-derived cannabidiol product on physiological, biochemical, and psychometric outcomes in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phyto-cannabinoid derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD exhibits various interactions at receptor sites, prompting the research of its potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, psychological, and pain-relieving effects. This study aimed to investigate the physiological, biochemical, and psychometric effects of a brand-specific, hemp-derived CBD product in healthy adults over a 12-week observation period. 54 healthy males and females (age = 25 ± 7y; BMI = 24.82 ± 3.25 kg/m2) recruited from a large Southeastern University completed the study. Participants arrived at the laboratory after > 8 h of fasting, and > 48 h without alcohol consumption and vigorous exercise. Following baseline measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood work), participants were stratified by sex and randomized to either CBD or placebo groups. Products were administered double-blinded, with both given in liquid form containing medium-chain triglyceride oil, while the CBD product specifically contained 50 mg/mL of CBD. Participants were instructed to consume 1 mL of their product twice daily and were given enough product to last until their next laboratory visit. Data were collected at baseline and on days 30 ± 3, 60 ± 3, and 90 ± 3. Blood was drawn for analysis of immune and inflammatory biomarkers. Chronic pain among participants was calculated using urine samples according to the foundational pain index (FPI). Self-reported psychometric questionnaires were utilized (Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Profile of Mood States,10-item Likert scale for perceived pain) to assess stress, sleep quality, mood state, and body discomfort. To determine overall wellbeing, participants completed a daily survey indicating if they missed work or school due to illness. Change from baseline was calculated for each measure, and mixed effects models were used to determine differences between groups over time while adjusting for baseline values (α = 0.05). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. There were no Group-by-Time interactions or Group or Time main effects for immune or inflammatory biomarkers (p > 0.05). Analyses revealed no Group-by-Time interactions or main effects observed for perceived stress, sleep quality, overall mood disturbance, and all the profile of mood state subscales (p > 0.05), except "vigor-activity." A Time main effect was found for the sub-score for "vigor-activity" (p = 0.007; Pre CBD = 19.5 ± 5.2, Post CBD = 17.3 ± 5.3; Pre PL = 19.0 ± 5.7, Post PL = 17.9 ± 7.1), which decreased from Visit 3 to Visit 4 (p = 0.025) and from Visit 3 to Visit 5 (p = 0.014). There was a Group main effect for FPI (p = 0.028; Pre CBD = 11.9 ± 14.4, Post CBD = 8.8 ± 10.9; Pre PL = 9.0 ± 14.2, Post PL = 12.9 ± 11.5), indicating that the placebo group had greater increases in pain over the intervention compared to the CBD group. No significant differences were found between groups in the incidence and prevalence of "colds or flus" (p > 0.05). CBD was safe and well tolerated in healthy adults. These findings show pain was lower in the CBD group, suggesting a potentially positive effect for consumption of CBD. "Vigor-activity" decreased across the intervention, which may be a confounding effect of the academic semester. While the dosage chosen was safe, more research may be warranted using higher doses as these may be needed to observe further therapeutic effects in healthy populations.

Phosphatidylcholine-depleted lecithin as low-HLB emulsifier in double emulsions: A sensitivity analysis

Phosphatidylcholine-depleted (PC-depleted) lecithin is characterized by a lower phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (PC/PE) ratio, favoring the formation of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, and thus can be applied in water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsions (DEs). However, up to now, only a limited number of studies have described the use of PC-depleted lecithin in double emulsions. In this study, the influence of the formulation and processing conditions on the formation and stability of PC-depleted lecithin stabilized-DEs was investigated. The characterizations of DEs involved morphology, droplet size, viscosity, and entrapped water yield. The experimental results indicated that the incorporation of glucose in the water phase instead of potassium chloride (KCl) increased both the droplet size and the entrapped water yield in DEs, whereby the latter was increased by around 65% as compared to DEs containing 100 mM KCl. Reducing the salt content also facilitated the formation of DEs. Moreover, a correlation between the oil type and the 1st homogenization method was found: whereas DEs formulated with high oleic sunflower oil were always unstable irrespective of the emulsification method used, stable DEs were produced by the combination of medium-chain triglyceride oil and a rotor-stator system whereby microfluidization caused phase inversion. In addition, PC-depleted lecithin could stabilize up to 60% of water in oil. Meanwhile, stable DEs with a maximum internal water fraction of 24.1% were obtained by adjusting the original W/O/W ratio to 25/25/50. Finally, DEs stabilized by PC-depleted lecithin showed a comparable stability to those stabilized by polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) during 28 days of storage. To sum up, this work provides a better understanding of the sensitivity of PC-depleted lecithin-stabilized W/O/W emulsions towards the applied formulation conditions.

The Effects of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Butter on Lipid Profiles.

Background and objective Butter coffee drinks, mainly a form of a saturated fat diet, are widely accepted as a "healthy energy-boosting drink", especially in the young and healthy military population. The objective of our study was to determine the effects of medium-chain triglyceride(MCT) oil and butter on lipid profile, especially apolipoprotein B (ApoB), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-C), and other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as BMI, BP, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in healthy adults. Materials and methods We conducted aprospective study of 60 subjects who were randomized to one of the two following regimens: (1) coffee or (2) coffee with butter plus MCT oil combination. The primary outcome was the effect on ApoB. Secondary outcomes were as follows: non-HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, BP, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c. These parameters were evaluated at the baseline and after 12 weeks. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for analysis of the results. Results While 60 subjects were recruited for the study, only 41 completed it, meeting the minimum required sample size (17 per group) necessary to achieve the desired effect size: 21 males (nine in the control group and 12 in the experimental group) and 20 females (10 in each group). Anthropometric measures were similar between the two groups at baseline, and so were age and BMI(average age: 33.00 ± 5.84 years among controls and 30.86 ± 6.14 years in the experimental group; BMI: 27.35 ± 4.63 kg/m2vs. 25.74 ± 2.70 kg/m2). The pulse rate was 69.35 ± 10.98in the control vs. 70.68 ± 10.32 bpm in the experimental group.The waist size was also similar in both groups. Baseline lab findings were as follows: ApoB: 89.85 ± 17.52 (control), 81.60 ± 12.84mg/dL (experimental); hs-CRP: 0.18 ± 0.27(control), 0.17 ± 0.27 mg/L (experimental); LDL-C 113.65 ±23.71(control), 106.50 ± 18.99 mg/dL (experimental); HDL-C 57.35 ± 14.63(control),62.41 ± 16.15 mg/dL (experimental); and triglycerides: 76.00 ± 31.30(control), 56.77 ± 14.77 mg/dL (experimental), and these values were similar. The values after 12 weeks of intervention were as follows: BMI: 27.37 ± 5.24 (control), 26.36 ± 3.55 (experimental); pulse rate: 78.88 ± 14.00(control), 74.20 ± 11.90 bpm (experimental); ApoB 87.1 ± 17.38 (control), 85.7 ±20.59 mg/dL (experimental); hs-CRP 0.26 ± 0.22(control), 0.15 ± 0.14 mg/L (experimental); LDL-C 111.59 ± 20.35 (control), 114.10 ± 26.99 mg/dL (experimental); HDL-C 57.71 ± 12.93(control), 64.85 ± 13.32 mg/dL (experimental); and triglycerides: 74.71 ± 25.39(control), 60.80 ± 15.77 mg/dL (experimental). Conclusion At a significance level of 5%, there was no difference between the two groups, either at the baseline or at 12 weeks of intervention. Based on our findings, adding MCT oil and butter to coffee may be safe. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer duration are needed to validate our findings.

Impact of MCT Oil and Caffeine on Substrate Metabolism during Submaximal Exercise

Introduction: Recent research has suggested that medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation may increase fat oxidation (FatOx) during aerobic exercise, sparing muscle glycogen and, perhaps, enhancing performance. As both MCT and caffeine (CAF) are theorized to elicit these effects, this pilot study’s purpose was to compare the physiological responses of their combined supplementation during submaximal cycling exercise. Methods: Eight aerobically trained males (mean±SD; age 23.6±4.4 years; body mass 82.3±15.8 kg; height 180.9±8.7 cm) completed one aerobic capacity (VO2peak) test and three 45-min exercise trials at 60% VO2peak. Blinded and counterbalanced, one-hour prior to each trial, participants consumed: MCT+CAF (20 mL + 100 mg), long-chain triglycerides (LCT)+CAF (40 mL + 100 mg), or CAF (100 mg). Oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), and minute ventilation (VE) were measured, subsequently calculating respiratory exchange ratio (RER), energy expenditure (EE), carbohydrate oxidation (CarbOx), and FatOx. Results: No significant differences between conditions were observed for average VO2 (p=0.474; η2=0.101), VE (p=0.323; η2=0.149), (RER (p=0.323; η2=0.149), EE (p=0.474; η2=0.101), CarbOx (p=0.274; η2=0.169), or FatOx (p=0.478; η2=0.100) or for total EE (p=0.474; η2=0.101), CarbOx (p=0.274; η2=0.169), or FatOx (p=0.478; η2=0.100). Conclusions: Co-ingestion of MCT+CAF didn’t produce any significantly different physiological responses compared to co-ingestion of LCT+CAF or the CAF control.

Exogenous Ketone Supplement Administration Abrogated Isoflurane-Anesthesia-Induced Increase in Blood Glucose Level in Female WAG/Rij Rats.

It has been demonstrated that isoflurane-induced anesthesia can increase the blood glucose level, leading to hyperglycemia and several adverse effects. The administration of a mix of ketone diester (KE) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, named KEMCT, abolished the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level and prolonged the recovery time from isoflurane anesthesia in a male preclinical rodent model, Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats. While most preclinical studies use exclusively male animals, our previous study on blood glucose changes in response to KEMCT administration showed that the results can be sex-dependent. Thus, in this study, we investigated female WAG/Rij rats, whether KEMCT gavage (3 g/kg/day for 7 days) can change the isoflurane (3%)-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level and the recovery time from isoflurane-evoked anesthesia using the righting reflex. Moreover, KEMCT-induced ketosis may enhance both the extracellular level of adenosine and the activity of adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs). To obtain information on the putative A1R mechanism of action, the effects of an A1R antagonist, DPCPX (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine; intraperitoneal/i.p. 0.2 mg/kg), on KEMCT-generated influences were also investigated. Our results show that KEMCT supplementation abolished the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level, and this was abrogated by the co-administration of DPCPX. Nevertheless, KEMCT gavage did not change the recovery time from isoflurane-induced anesthesia. We can conclude that intragastric gavage of exogenous ketone supplements (EKSs), such as KEMCT, can abolish the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level in both sexes likely through A1Rs in WAG/Rij rats, while recovery time was not affected in females, unlike in males. These results suggest that the administration of EKSs as an adjuvant therapy may be effective in mitigating metabolic side effects of isoflurane, such as hyperglycemia, in both sexes.

Coconut-sourced MCT oil: its potential health benefits beyond traditional coconut oil

AbstractPlant dietary lipids remain one of the most intriguing and complex classes of biological molecules. Among them, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have garnered recognition for their unique physico-chemical properties and potential health benefits. Despite their classification as saturated fats, they stand apart from other saturated fatty acids due to their distinctive characteristics, positioning them as a valuable component in nutrition. While traditional dietary fats primarily contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs consist of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), naturally found in coconut and palm oils. The structural dissimilarity grants MCTs advantageous attributes, encompassing rapid digestion and absorption, providing a swift source of energy. Importantly, MCT oil derived from coconuts surpasses traditional coconut oil in efficiency and speed of energy conversion due to its higher concentration of readily metabolizable MCTs, making it a superior choice in human nutrition. This comprehensive study delves deeply into the potential of coconut-derived MCT oil, illuminating its chemical constituents, production from coconut oil, distinctive physical and chemical properties, and metabolic characteristics. Additionally, it highlights a range of potential biological activities of the oil, including its efficacy in managing gastrointestinal disorders and promising roles in anticancer, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial effects. The report also discusses the extensive applications of MCT oil across diverse industrial and technological sectors, as well as its utilization in structured lipids, oleogels, and as a carrier for capsaicin. Addressing safety concerns and providing dosage guidelines, this paper emphasizes MCT oil as an alternative to coconut oil in various applications, offering a holistic perspective on its benefits.

Structural characteristics and in vitro starch digestibility of oil-modified cooked rice with varied addition manipulations

Lipid has crucial applications in improving the quality of starchy products during heat processing. Herein, the influence of lipid modification and thermal treatment on the physicochemical properties and starch digestibility of cooked rice prepared with varied addition manipulations was investigated. Rice bran oil (RO) and medium chain triglyceride oil (MO) manipulations were performed either before (BC) or after cooking (AC). GC–MS was applied to determine the fatty acid profiles. Nutritional quality was analyzed by quantifying total phenolics, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices. All complexes exhibited higher surface firmness, a soft core, and less adhesive. FTIR spectrum demonstrated that the guest component affected some of the dense structural attributes of V-amylose. The kinetic constant was in the range between 0.47 and 0.86 min−1 wherein before mode presented a higher value. The lowest glucose release was observed in the RO_BC sample, whereas the highest complexing index was observed in the RO_AC sample, indicating that the dense molecular configuration of complexes that could resist enzymatic digestion was more critical than the quantity of complex formation. Despite the damage caused by mass and heat transfer, physical barrier, intact granule forms, and strengthened dense structure were the central contributors affecting the digestion characteristics of lipid-starch complexes.

Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Dietary Intervention Improved Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters in Children with Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1 in Jordan: A Clinical Trial.

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, most of which are inherited in autosomal recessive patterns. GSDs are of two types: those that have to do with liver and hypoglycaemia (hepatic GSDs) and those that are linked to neuromuscular presentation. This study aims to assess the impact of dietary intervention, including medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, on anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis and metabolic parameters among Jordanian children and is expected to be the first in the country. A sample of 38 children with glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD-1) (median age = 6.4 years) were on a diet that included uncooked cornstarch therapy and a fructose-, sucrose- and lactose-restricted diet. Patients started to take MCT oil along with the prescribed diet after the first body composition test. Patients' nutritional status was re-evaluated three months later. The study results show that the percentage of patients who suffered from hypoglycaemia at the beginning of the study decreased significantly from 94.7% to 7.9% (p < 0.0001). The serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid and lactate decreased significantly after three months of intervention (100-71.1%, 73.7-21.1%, 97.4-52.6% and 94.7-18.4%, respectively). In contrast, there was no statistical difference in neutrophil count. Regarding clinical parameters, liver span was significantly reduced from (16.01 ± 2.65 cm) to (14.85 ± 2.26 cm) (p < 0.0001). There were significant improvements in growth parameters, including height-for-age and BMI-for-age for children aged ≥2 years (p = 0.034 and p = 0.074, respectively). Significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral content were also noticed at the end of the trial (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, medium-chain triglyceride therapy is found to improve biochemical and growth parameters in children with GSD-1 in Jordan.

Topical Nanoemulsions as Delivery Systems for Green Extracts of Pterocaulon balansae Aiming at the Treatment of Sporotrichosis.

Coumarins are benzopyrones found in several plant genera, including Pterocaulon (Asteraceae). These compounds represent an important source of new treatments, especially as antimicrobial and antifungal agents. In this study, two coumarin-rich extracts from Pterocaulon balansae using green technologies were obtained through aqueous maceration (AE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Such extracts were incorporated into nanoemulsions (NAE and NSFE) composed of a medium-chain triglyceride oil core stabilized by phospholipids. The nanoemulsions exhibited droplet sizes between 127 and 162 nm, pH above 5.0, and viscosity of approximately 1.0 cP, properties compatible with the topical route. The coumarins permeation/retention from formulations through ear porcine skin using Franz-type diffusion cells were evaluated. Whatever the extract, coumarins were distributed in skin layers, especially in the dermis in both intact and impaired (tape stripping) skin. In addition, a significant increase in coumarins that reached up to the receptor fluid was observed for impaired skin, with increases of approximately threefold for NAE and fourfold for NSFE. Finally, antifungal activity of nanoemulsions was evaluated according to minimum inhibitory concentrations, and the values were 250 µg/mL for all strains tested. The overall results demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating P. balansae extracts into nanoemulsions and showed a potential alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis.

A randomized feasibility trial of medium chain triglyceride-supplemented ketogenic diet in people with Parkinson's disease

BackgroundA ketogenic diet (KD) may benefit people with neurodegenerative disorders marked by mitochondrial depolarization/insufficiency, including Parkinson’s disease (PD).ObjectiveEvaluate whether a KD supplemented by medium chain triglyceride (MCT-KD) oil is feasible and acceptable for PD patients. Furthermore, we explored the effects of MCT-KD on blood ketone levels, metabolic parameters, levodopa absorption, mobility, nonmotor symptoms, simple motor and cognitive tests, autonomic function, and resting-state electroencephalography (rsEEG).MethodsA one-week in-hospital, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled diet (MCT-KD vs. standard diet (SD)), followed by an at-home two-week open-label extension. The primary outcome was KD feasibility and acceptability. The secondary outcome was the change in Timed Up & Go (TUG) on day 7 of the diet intervention. Additional exploratory outcomes included the N-Back task, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Non-Motor Symptom Scale, and rsEEG connectivity.ResultsA total of 15/16 subjects completed the study. The mean acceptability was 2.3/3, indicating willingness to continue the KD. Day 7 TUG time was not significantly different between the SD and KD groups. The nonmotor symptom severity score was reduced at the week 3 visit and to a greater extent in the KD group. UPDRS, 3-back, and rsEEG measures were not significantly different between groups. Blood ketosis was attained by day 4 in the KD group and to a greater extent at week 3 than in the SD group. The plasma levodopa metabolites DOPAC and dopamine both showed nonsignificant increasing trends over 3 days in the KD vs. SD groups.ConclusionsAn MCT-supplemented KD is feasible and acceptable to PD patients but requires further study to understand its effects on symptoms and disease.Trial RegistrationTrial Registration Number NCT04584346, registration dates were Oct 14, 2020 – Sept 13, 2022.

Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Oil on Chronic Insomnia: The First Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover, Pilot Study in Thailand

Objective: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating extract from Cannabis sativa. The advantages of CBD on sleep-wake cycle and insomnia remain sparse. The present study investigated the impact of a continuous four-week sublingual CBD intake on sleep indicators. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study involving 45 chronic insomnia patients. The participants were administered medium-chain triglycerides oil soluble cannabidiol (MCT-CBD) using 1 mg/kg/dose, sublingually for four weeks, then two weeks of washout period, and a subsequent four-week placebo phase. Sleep architecture with N1, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement (REM), sleep quality (PSQI), daytime sleepiness (ESS), and quality of life were investigated. Results: Polysomnography (PSG) revealed that the total sleep time (TST), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), and arousal index were significantly improved compared to the patients who were taking placebo, while sleep structure remained unaltered. Additionally, actigraphy showed a substantial improvement in TST, sleep efficiency (SE), and SOL. The results of PSQI, ESS, and EQ-5D-5L were statistically significant and better than placebo (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Continuously sublingual CBD treatment could improve sleep duration, sleep maintenance, sleep induction, quality of life, and daytime sleepiness without altering the sleep architecture in patients with chronic insomnia. No evidence of serious side-effects was found. Keywords: Hemp; CBD; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Insomnia; Sleep

Safety study of cannabidiol products in healthy dogs.

The tolerability of different cannabinoids given orally to dogs was evaluated in a randomized, non-blinded, negative controlled, parallel design 90-day repeat dose study with a 14-day recovery period. Healthy beagles (16 males and 16 females) were randomized into four treatment groups and treated with either medium chain triglyceride oil as the control or one of the following: broad spectrum cannabidiol, broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabigerol, or broad spectrum cannabidiol with cannabidiolic acid at 5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight/day. Animals were observed daily with detailed clinical examinations conducted weekly. Animals were monitored for an additional 2 weeks after dosing. Body weights, food consumption and clinical pathology evaluations were included in the study. Cannabinoids were well tolerated when healthy male and female beagles were dosed for 90 consecutive days. Annual post-market surveillance data for hemp-derived supplement products sold for use in dogs from 2010 to 2023 (partial year) shows that the rate per 1 million administrations sold is 2.10 for adverse events and 0.01 for serious adverse events. Based on the results of this study, other published studies, and data from extensive post-market surveillance, hemp-derived cannabinoids are well tolerated in healthy dogs at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day.

Impact of cocoa butter and medium chain triglycerides ratios on processing stability, supersaturation, and digestive properties of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers

In the pursuit of optimal delivery of hydrophobic agents such as curcumin, the role of lipid composition in the efficacy of nanostructured lipid carriers is gaining significant attention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cocoa butter (0–10 wt%) and medium chain triglycerides oil (0–10 wt%) mass ratios on processing stability, crystallization, polymorphism transition, supersaturation, encapsulation, and in vitro digestion of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (Cur-NLCs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that spherical Cur-NLCs exhibited larger average particle size with the increase in cocoa butter content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the crystallinity and thickness of solid shells decreased with the increase in liquid lipid content. The obtained Cur-NLCs remained stable under various conditions: thermal treatments (25, 37, 60, and 121 °C), varied ionic strengths (50–500 mM), pH changes (2.0–6.0), centrifugation (21382×g for 40 min), and 60-days storage. Furthermore, Cur-NLCs showed higher supersaturation (1863 ± 20–2328 ± 10%) than that of nanoemulsion (1489 ± 6%) and solid lipid nanoparticles (1635 ± 36%). In addition, the prepared Cur-NLCs exhibited high bioaccessibility (79.4 ± 3.1–91.1 ± 2.1%) along with a controlled release of curcumin. This study provides guidelines to prepare Cur-NLCs with tailored physicochemical, functional, and digestion properties to deliver hydrophobic bioactive substances, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.