Phosphatidylcholine Content Research Articles

Biomimetic spherical silica production using phosphatidylcholine and soy lecithin

Spherical silica particles are traditionally made via Stöber and modified-Stöber processes, which commonly use environmental toxins as reagents. Here we report a process to synthesise spherical silica particles using environmentally friendly biomolecules (phosphatidylcholine and soy lecithin) and employing water and soybean oil as solvents, rather than potentially harmful organic solvents. This scalable method represents an important step towards sustainable industrial silica syntheses. Under mildly acidic conditions phosphatidylcholine and soy lecithin can control the condensation of sodium silicate to form discrete, spherical silica particles. Silica particles with diameters ranging between 329 and 2232 nm were readily produced using phosphatidylcholine as the templating agent and soybean oil as the solvent in the presence of sodium silicate. Narrower size distributions (262–1272 nm) were achieved using soy lecithin as the templating agent in an aqueous acetate buffer solution containing sodium silicate. Silica particles grown using low concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and soy lecithin as templating agents formed by a combination of coalescence and Ostwald ripening, whilst particles grown at high concentrations predominantly formed through Ostwald ripening behaviour. The possibility of sustainably producing spherical silica particles in a simple biomolecule-templated synthesis is shown.

Preliminary Metabolomic Profiling of the Vitreous Humor from Hypothermia Fatalities.

The postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia fatalities is often complex due to the absence of pathognomonic lesions and biomarkers. In this study, potential novel biomarkers of hypothermia fatalities were searched in the vitreous humor of known cases of hypothermia fatalities (n = 20) compared to control cases (n = 16), using a targeted metabolomics approach allowing quantitative detection of 188 metabolites. A robust discriminant model with good predictivity was obtained with the supervised OPLS-DA multivariate analysis, showing a distinct separation between the hypothermia and control groups. This signature was characterized by the decreased concentrations of five metabolites (methionine sulfoxide, tryptophan, phenylalanine, alanine, and ornithine) and the increased concentration of 28 metabolites (21 phosphatidylcholines, 3 sphingomyelins, spermine, citrulline, acetylcarnitine, and hydroxybutyrylcarnitine) in hypothermia fatalities compared to controls. The signature shows similarities with already identified features in serum such as the altered concentrations of tryptophan, acylcarnitines, and unsaturated phosphatidylcholines, revealing a highly significant increased activity of methionine sulfoxide reductase, attested by a low methionine sulfoxide-to-methionine ratio. Our results show a preliminary metabolomics signature of hypothermia fatalities in the vitreous humor, highlighting an increased methionine sulfoxide reductase activity.

The neglected biliary mucus and its phosphatidylcholine content: a putative player in pathogenesis of primary cholangitis-a narrative review article.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare progressive cholangitis resulting in cirrhosis and cholangiocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis is unclear and an effective medical therapy is not available. It is highly associated to ulcerative colitis for which recently a disturbance of the tight junction (TJ) barrier has been claimed as etiologic feature. Genetic mouse models with intestinal TJ disruption showed a defective transport of phosphatidylcholine (PC) to intestinal mucus. Consequently, an ulcerative colitis phenotype developed. In the present study we evaluate whether there is also a paracellular transport of PC through TJ to the apical side of cholangiocytes. As in ulcerative colitis, a TJ defect could lead to deficient PC in biliary mucus. It would impair the protective barrier against aggressive bile acids in bile. Indeed with polarized biliary tumor cells a vectorial transport of PC from basal to luminal side was demonstrated using a transwell culture system. PC was not taken up by the cells but moved paracellularly via TJ to the apical side driven by luminal HCO3− generated by the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) and the anion exchange protein 2 (AE2). If such a TJ-mediated PC translocation to the apical surface of cholangiocytes could be disrupted in a genetic mouse model, a PSC phenotype would be expected. With such an experimental model functional operative therapies can be evaluated. We propose that disruption of TJ mediated paracellular transport of PC to the apical side of cholangiocytes could lead to biliary mucus PC depletion. This may be a pathogenetic factor for development of PSC.

Exercise training improves mitochondrial respiration and is associated with an altered intramuscular phospholipid signature in women with obesity

Aims/hypothesisWe sought to determine putative relationships among improved mitochondrial respiration, insulin sensitivity and altered skeletal muscle lipids and metabolite signature in response to combined aerobic and resistance training in women with obesity.MethodsThis study reports a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial including additional measures of mitochondrial respiration, skeletal muscle lipidomics, metabolomics and protein content. Women with obesity were randomised into 12 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (n = 20) or control (n = 15) groups. Pre- and post-intervention testing included peak oxygen consumption, whole-body insulin sensitivity (intravenous glucose tolerance test), skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration (high-resolution respirometry), lipidomics and metabolomics (mass spectrometry) and lipid content (magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy). Proteins involved in glucose transport (i.e. GLUT4) and lipid turnover (i.e. sphingomyelin synthase 1 and 2) were assessed by western blotting.ResultsThe original randomised controlled trial showed that exercise training increased insulin sensitivity (median [IQR]; 3.4 [2.0–4.6] to 3.6 [2.4–6.2] x10−5 pmol l−1 min−1), peak oxygen consumption (mean ± SD; 24.9 ± 2.4 to 27.6 ± 3.4 ml kg−1 min−1), and decreased body weight (84.1 ± 8.7 to 83.3 ± 9.7 kg), with an increase in weight (pre intervention, 87.8± 10.9 to post intervention 88.8 ± 11.0 kg) in the control group (interaction p < 0.05). The current study shows an increase in mitochondrial respiration and content in response to exercise training (interaction p < 0.05). The metabolite and lipid signature at baseline were significantly associated with mitochondrial respiratory capacity (p < 0.05) but were not associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity or GLUT4 protein content. Exercise training significantly altered the skeletal muscle lipid profile, increasing specific diacylglycerol(32:2) and ceramide(d18:1/24:0) levels, without changes in other intermediates or total content of diacylglycerol and ceramide. The total content of cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) increased with exercise training with a decrease in the PC:PE ratios containing 22:5 and 20:4 fatty acids. These changes were associated with content-driven increases in mitochondrial respiration (p < 0.05), but not with the increase in whole-body insulin sensitivity or GLUT4 protein content. Exercise training increased sphingomyelin synthase 1 (p < 0.05), with no change in plasma-membrane-located sphingomyelin synthase 2.Conclusions/interpretationThe major findings of our study were that exercise training altered specific intramuscular lipid intermediates, associated with content-driven increases in mitochondrial respiration but not whole-body insulin sensitivity. This highlights the benefits of exercise training and presents putative target pathways for preventing lipotoxicity in skeletal muscle, which is typically associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.Graphical abstract

Effect of enzyme on the demulsification of emulsion during aqueous enzymatic extraction and the corresponding mechanism

AbstractBackgrounds and objectivesEmulsion is formed during the aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) of peanut oil and protein. Protein and phospholipid, the main emulsifiers, play an important role in the stability of this emulsion. In this study, phospholipase A1, phospholipase A2, phospholipase D, papain, or Alcalase 2.4 L was used as demulsification agents. The phospholipid composition, interfacial protein concentration and composition, viscosity, particle diameter distribution, and microstructure of the emulsion during demulsification were evaluated.FindingsNuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the content of phosphatidylcholine decreased by 12.3% after treatment with the three phospholipases, whereas the content of phosphatidic acid increased 9 times. Treatment with protease caused the molecular weight of interfacial proteins and the viscosity of the emulsion significantly decreased, and the average particle diameter increased 8 times.ConclusionsThe free oil yields obtained using PLA1, PLA1/PLA2, PLD, Alcalase 2.4 L, and papain were 45.6%, 85.3%, 30.7%, 84.3%, and 93.8%, respectively. Papain destroyed the interfacial membrane of the emulsion and had the best demulsification effect.Significance and noveltyThe findings solve the problem of difficult demulsification during the extraction of peanut oil by AEE and provide a theoretical basis for the large‐scale industrial application of the demonstrated demulsification method.

Quantification of Lipidomics Profiling using UPLC‐QE‐HESI‐ Lipid Analysis on the Salted Duck Egg Incorporated with Clove Extract

AbstractThe salted egg yolks supplemented with clove extract are compared with the non‐supplemented group, and subsequently the lipidomics profiles are characterized and identified by UPLC‐QE‐MS/MS in positive and negative ion modes respectively. A total of 315 lipids are detected in the control group and the clove extract treated group. In the positive ion mode, the 10 subclasses of glycerolipids in the treated samples are significantly different (p &lt; 0.05). The lipid types with most varied compositions are triglyceride and ceramides, followed by CerG1 (glucosylceramide), LPE (lyso‐phosphatidylethanolamine), diglyceride, and monosialodihexosyl ganglioside. In the negative ion mode, the authors identified 35 subclasses which are significantly different (p &lt; 0.05), that include glycerolphospholipids, glycosphingolipids, and neutralglycosphingolipid. The lipid types with most varied compositions in negative mode are PE (phosphatidylethanolamine), followed by PC (phosphatidylcholine), LPC (lyso‐phosphatidylcholine), and GM3 (monosialo‐dihexosyl ganglioside). The contents of phosphatidylcholine, lyso‐phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and monosialo‐dihexosyl ganglioside in egg yolks treated with 0.5% (w/v) clove are significantly higher than those in the control group (p &lt; 0.05), in which phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are the main components of glycerolphospholipid.Practical Application : The lipidomics analyses of the salted egg yolk added with and without clove extract are compared to reveal the beneficial effect of clove extracts on the lipid profiles, and further exploring the types and relative content of the lipid components. A total of 315 lipids are detected in all samples. In the positive ion mode, the 10 subclasses of glycerolipids are found to be significantly different in the treated samples. In the negative ion mode, the lipid content of 35 subclasses are significantly different. From the nutrition fact value, salted duck egg enriched with clove extract can serve as one of the alternative egg products rich in essential lipids.

Differences in lipid composition of Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) during storage at 0 °C and 4 °C

This study aimed to investigate the lipid oxidation and distribution in Bigeye tuna stored at 0 °C and 4 °C for 6 days. Tuna were evaluated by determining the peroxide value (POV), acid value (AV), anisidine value (AnV), polyene index, fluorescence ratio (FR), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI) content, and major glycerophospholipid molecular species. The value of lipid oxidation indexes (POV, AV, AnV, FR, PC, PE and PI) increased as the storage time increased. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) results indicated that the major types of lipids included diacylglycerol (DAG), monoacylglycerol (MAG), phospholipid (PL), and triacylglycerol (TAG). At least 136 PC and 64 PE molecular species were identified in Bigeye tuna. The results of the confocal laser scanning microscope analysis indicated the distribution of TAG and PL particles. In addition, principal component analysis showed that the contents of PI and TAG were positively correlated with PC, polyene index and lipid content but negatively correlated with PI, POV, FR, AOV, AnV, MAG, and DAG, which might be explained by distinguishing the lipid parameters affecting lipid oxidation. Therefore, this study may provide a novel method to evaluate lipid changes and contribute to the balanced nutritional value of aquatic foods during cold storage.

Study on the texture properties and oxidation characteristics of egg yolk powder gel.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05027-2.

Role of Constitutive STAR in Leydig Cells.

Leydig cells contain significant amounts of constitutively produced steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR; STARD1). Hormone-induced STAR plays an essential role in inducing the transfer of cholesterol into the mitochondria for hormone-dependent steroidogenesis. STAR acts at the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with a protein complex, which includes the translocator protein (TSPO). Mutations in STAR cause lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (lipoid CAH), a disorder characterized by severe defects in adrenal and gonadal steroid production; in Leydig cells, the defects are seen mainly after the onset of hormone-dependent androgen formation. The function of constitutive STAR in Leydig cells is unknown. We generated STAR knockout (KO) MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells and showed that STAR KO cells failed to form progesterone in response to dibutyryl-cAMP and to TSPO drug ligands, but not to 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, which is a membrane-permeable intermediate of the CYP11A1 reaction. Electron microscopy of STAR KO cells revealed that the number and size of lipid droplets were similar to those in wild-type (WT) MA-10 cells. However, the density of lipid droplets in STAR KO cells was drastically different than that seen in WT cells. We isolated the lipid droplets and analyzed their content by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. There was a significant increase in cholesteryl ester and phosphatidylcholine content in STAR KO cell lipid droplets, but the most abundant increase was in the amount of diacylglycerol (DAG); DAG 38:1 was the predominantly affected species. Lastly, we identified genes involved in DAG signaling and lipid metabolism which were differentially expressed between WT MA-10 and STAR KO cells. These results suggest that constitutive STAR in Leydig cells is involved in DAG accumulation in lipid droplets, in addition to cholesterol transport. The former event may affect cell functions mediated by DAG signaling.

Effect of Intermittent Warming on the Quality and Lipid Metabolism of Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., cv. Duke) Fruit

The change of lipid metabolism is a key point of blueberry fruit after refrigeration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intermittent warming (IW) of “DuKe” blueberry fruit on its shelf life at 20 ± 0.5°C following 30 days of refrigeration. IW-treated fruit showed higher contents of phosphatidylcholine, linoleic acid, and oleic acid but lower contents of phosphatidic acid and palmitic acid compared to controls. Protective effects on the cell membrane were also reflected as inhibition of the activity of phospholipase D and lipoxygenase. The blueberry fruit showed a lower decay and pitting incidence with higher firmness than control. Interestingly, IW increased C-repeat binding transcription factor gene expression, which can induce the expression of genes related to hypothermia tolerance in plant cells at low temperature. These results indicate that IW can prevent damage to the membrane lipids, which occurs by senescence at a low temperature of blueberry fruit.

Dietary lutein plus zeaxanthin and choline intake is interactively associated with cognitive flexibility in middle-adulthood in adults with overweight and obesity

ABSTRACT Background The xanthophyll carotenoids lutein+zeaxanthin and the dietary component choline have been linked to benefits in cognition. However, knowledge on the interactive influence of these dietary components on cognitive function is sparse. Design 80 middle-aged adults with overweight and obesity (Body Mass Index: (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m²), completed 7-day diet records, venous blood draws, heterochromatic flicker photometry, assessment of intelligence quotient (IQ), and a cognitive flexibility task while undergoing electroencephalographic recording for event-related potential (ERP) extraction. Multiplicative interaction terms and hierarchical linear regressions, controlling for age, BMI, sex, annual household income, and IQ were utilized to assess independent and interactive contributions of dietary and biomarker data on Switch task outcomes. Results Higher intake of lutein+zeaxanthin and choline was associated interactively, but not independently, with faster reaction time (RT), after controlling for pertinent covariates. Dietary intake of lutein+zeaxanthin and choline was associated with serum lutein concentrations, but not with plasma choline metabolites nor macular pigmentation. Plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) concentrations were associated with higher accuracy in Switch trials, while no other biomarkers were associated with cognitive outcomes. Dietary intake and biomarker data were not related to the N2 nor P3 ERP component. Conclusions Among a sample of adults with overweight and obesity, greater intake of choline and lutein+zeaxanthin was associated with faster performance on a cognitive flexibility task. Future work examining methods of increasing consumption of both of these dietary components as a possible means of improving or maintaining cognitive flexibility among adults with overweight and obesity is therefore warranted.

Entrapment of Rosemary Extract by Liposomes Formulated by Mozafari Method Without Employing Toxic Solvents or Detergents: Physicochemical Characterization and Optimization

A major obstacle in the utilization of phenolic antioxidant compounds is their sensitivity and as a result stability issue. The current study aimed to encapsulate polyphenolic compounds, extracted from Rosemary, in liposomes prepared by the Mozafari method without the utilization of toxic solvents or detergents. The extract was prepared and converted into a powder by freeze-drying. The encapsulation protocol was optimized by changing the main process variables (i.e. liposomal ingredients, process temperature, and time). Results demonstrated that to achieve the highest rate of encapsulation, the best concentration of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and the extract were ca. 2.5% and 0.7% (w/w) respectively. The optimum process temperature and time were 70°C and 60 minutes respectively. It can be concluded that the liposomal rosemary extract formulation prepared in this study, employing a safe, scalable, and green technology, has great promise in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Study of Valproic Acid Liposomes for Delivery into the Brain Through an Intranasal Route

Intranasal drug transport through the olfactory route to the brain is an effective drug route for increased absorption and bioavailability of the drug. The objective of this study was to increase the penetration of valproic acid as an anticonvulsant into a delivery system comprising liposomes. Valproic acid liposomes were prepared by a thin-layer hydration technique using soybean phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol as the main ingredients. The formulations were evaluated for diameter size, entrapment efficiency (EE), zeta potential, polydispersity index, and morphology. Ex vivo permeation using sheep nasal mucosa and in vivo efficacy were assessed by performing a pharmacokinetic study in Wistar albino rats following intranasal administration of the formulations in comparison with pure drug. The mean vesicle size of optimized liposomes ranged from 90 to 210 nm with a low polydispersity index (<0.5). The EE of optimized liposomes was between 60% and 85%, increasing the concentration of phosphatidylcholine added to the formula. Transmission electron microscopy observations (40,000´) showed that valproic acid liposomes have a spherical molecular shape and a particle size of below 250 nm. The ex vivo and in vivo results showed that liposomal formulations provided enhanced brain exposure. Among the formulations studied, Formula 4 (F4) showed greater uptake of valproic acid into the brain than plasma. The high brain targeting efficiency index for F4 indicated the preferential transport of the drug to the brain. The study demonstrated the successful formulation of surface-modified valproic acid liposomes for nasal delivery with brain targeting potential. Funding Information: Mahdi jufri received Research Grant of the University’s Base Research Program from Directorate of Research and Community Engagement University of Indonesia, Indonesia. Declaration of Interests: There was no conflict of interest to declare. Animal Welfare: The ethics committee approved the protocol (KET1065/UN2.F1/ETIK/PPM.00.02.2019).

Development and characterization of a nano-drug delivery system containing vasaka phospholipid complex to improve bioavailability using quality by design approach.

Background and purpose:Vasicine is a potential bronchodilator and can be used for the effective management of asthma and bronchitis. It has low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract due to its poor solubility thereby low bioavailability. The objective of this research was to develop a novel drug delivery system of vasaka extract to improve its bioavailability by enhancing the solubility and absorption of vasicine.Experimental approach:Vasaka-loaded phytosomes were developed and optimized by thin-layer hydration technique using systematic quality by design approach. Box-Behnken design (32 factorial design) using Design-Expert software was employed to optimize phytosome wherein phosphatidylcholine concentration (X1), stirring temperature (X2), and stirring time (X3) were selected as independent variables. Yield (%), particle size (nm), and entrapment efficiency (%) were evaluated as responses. The optimized phytosome was characterized by studying the surface morphology such as FE-SEM and TEM analysis, thermal characteristics by thermal gravimetric analysis and spectral and diffraction studies by FTIR and XRD analysis and studying the dissolution behaviour of phytosome by in vitro release study.Findings/Results:The percentage yield, particle size, and entrapment efficiency values of the phytosomes were found in the range of 30.03-97.03%, 231.0-701.4 nm, and 20.02-95.88% w/w, respectively. The optimized phytosome showed the zeta potential of -23.2 mV exhibited good stability and SEM and TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape and smooth particles with the uniform particle size distribution of phytosomes. The comparative in vitro drug release study of vasaka extract and phytosome revealed the sustained release characteristics of phytosome which reached 68.80% at 8 h compared to vasaka extract reached a maximum of 45.08% at 4 h.Conclusion and implication:The results highlighted the importance of optimization of formulation development using quality by design strategy to achieve consistent quality of pharmaceutical products.

Serum sphingomyelin species profile is altered in hematologic malignancies

Sphingomyelin (SM) plays key roles in regulating cell membrane fluidity and in intracellular signal transduction. However, little is known as to whether alterations in SM concentration or SM species distribution are linked pathological conditions. The present study examined SM concentrations and species profiles in serum taken from patients with hematologic malignancies.Serum was collected from normal subjects and from patients with B-cell lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphatic leukemia/ lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL/LBL). Serum SM species distribution was analyzed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry (ESI MS/MS). Serum lipids concentration were measured using enzymatic assays.Normal and hematologic malignancy sera were similar in terms of total serum SM and phosphatidylcholine (PC) concentrations and SM/PC ratio. However, all hematologic malignancy sera had lower levels of SM species containing saturated odd chain fatty acids (OCFAs) in the side chain compared to normal serum. In addition, the proportion of SM species with saturated (C20 and C22) and mono unsaturated fatty acids (C18, C20, C22) were lower in MDS patient serum compared to normal serum.The present study revealed that the serum SM species profile in patients with hematologic malignancies differed from that of normal subjects despite total serum SM and PC concentrations and SM/PC ratios being similar between the various cancer groups and the normal group.

Effect of Phosphatidylcholine Nanosomes on Phospholipid Composition of the Plasma Membranes in Liver Cells and Blood Serum in Experimental Atherosclerosis.

Alimentary atherosclerosis is associated with a significant decrease in the content of phosphatidylcholine, the phospholipid that provides antioxidant protection, in the plasma membrane of liver cells, while the level of phosphatidic acid that initiates generation of superoxides, on the contrary, increases. The level of membrane phosphatidylserine, a target of the scavenger receptors, which initiates removal of damaged cells and modified lipoproteins from the circulation was also elevated. In the blood serum of rabbits receiving an atherogenic diet, the content of cardiolipin involved in the immune mechanisms of atherosclerosis development and a risk factor for thrombosis, sharply increased. The level of lysophosphatidylcholine that mediates initiation and progression of atherosclerosis increased. The content of phosphatidylinositol that is involved in the mechanisms protecting from exposure to excess cholesterol was significantly reduced. Treatment of alimentary atherosclerosis with "empty" phosphatidylcholine nanosomes eliminates the key factors initiating atherosclerosis development.

Postnatal adaptations of phosphatidylcholine metabolism in extremely preterm infants: implications for choline and PUFA metabolism

ABSTRACTBackgroundLipid metabolism in pregnancy delivers PUFAs from maternal liver to the developing fetus. The transition at birth to diets less enriched in PUFA is especially challenging for immature, extremely preterm infants who are typically supported by total parenteral nutrition.ObjectiveThe aim was to characterize phosphatidylcholine (PC) and choline metabolism in preterm infants and demonstrate the molecular specificity of PC synthesis by the immature preterm liver in vivo.MethodsThis MS-based lipidomic study quantified the postnatal adaptations to plasma PC molecular composition in 31 preterm infants <28 weeks’ gestational age. Activities of the cytidine diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) and phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathways for PC synthesis were assessed from incorporations of deuterated methyl-D9-choline chloride.ResultsThe concentration of plasma PC in these infants increased postnatally from median values of 481 (IQR: 387–798) µM at enrollment to 1046 (IQR: 616–1220) µM 5 d later (P < 0.001). Direct incorporation of methyl-D9-choline demonstrated that this transition was driven by an active CDP-choline pathway that synthesized PC enriched in species containing oleic and linoleic acids. A second infusion of methyl-D9-choline chloride at day 5 clearly indicated continued activity of this pathway. Oxidation of D9-choline through D9-betaine resulted in the transfer of 1 deuterated methyl group to S-adenosylmethionine. A very low subsequent transfer of this labeled methyl group to D3-PC indicated that liver PEMT activity was essentially inactive in these infants.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the preterm infant liver soon after birth, and by extension the fetal liver, was metabolically active in lipoprotein metabolism. The low PEMT activity, which is the only pathway for endogenous choline synthesis and is responsible for hormonally regulated export of PUFAs from adult liver, strongly supports increased supplementation of preterm parenteral nutrition with both choline and PUFAs.

Biochemical phenotyping of multiple myeloma patients at diagnosis reveals a disorder of mitochondrial complexes I and II and a Hartnup-like disturbance as underlying conditions, also influencing different stages of the disease

The aim of this study was to identify novel plasma metabolic signatures with possible relevance during multiple myeloma (MM) development and progression. A biochemical quantitative phenotyping platform based on targeted electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry technology was used to aid in the identification of any eventual perturbed biochemical pathway in peripheral blood plasma from 36 MM patients and 73 healthy controls. Our results showed that MM cases present an increase in short and medium/long-chain species of acylcarnitines resembling Multiple AcylCoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD), particularly, associated with MM advanced International Staging System (ISS). Lipids profile showed lower concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and sphingomyelins (SM) in the MM patients and its respective ISS groups. MM cases were accompanied by a drop in the concentration of essential amino acids, especially tryptophan, with a significant inverse correlation between the progressive drop in tryptophan with the elevation of β2-microglobulin, with the increase in systemic methylation levels (Symmetric Arginine Dimethylation, SDMA) and with the accumulation of esterified carnitines in relation to free carnitine (AcylC/C0). Serotonin was significantly elevated in cases of MM, without a clear association with ISS. Kynurenine/tryptophan ratio demonstrates that the activity of dioxigenases is even higher in the cases classified as ISS 3. In conclusion, our study showed that MM patients at diagnosis showed metabolic disorders resembling both mitochondrial complexes I and II and Hartnup-like disturbances as underlying conditions, also influencing different stages of the disease.

High lysophosphatidylcholine and low phosphatidylcholine concentrations in HDL phospholipids are associated with atherosclerosis in relation to decreased cholesterol efflux capacity

High lysophosphatidylcholine and low phosphatidylcholine concentrations in HDL phospholipids are associated with atherosclerosis in relation to decreased cholesterol efflux capacity

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of phospholipids in emulsion system

AbstractThis study evaluated the behavior changes of two types of phospholipid emulsions under ultrasonic treatment. The phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents for PC 50 and PC 90 were 58 and 90%, respectively. The results showed that acid value and fatty acid compositions of the two phospholipids showed no significant differences (p &gt; .05) before and after ultrasonic treatment. The peroxide value and volatile compounds revealed that PC 50 had stronger oxidative stability than PC 90, which indicated that the synergistic effect of PC and other phospholipids components could enhance the oxidative stability of individual phospholipids. This work suggests that appropriate ultrasonic treatment could make phospholipids finely dispersed in aqueous system and promote their contact efficiency with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, resulting in the increase in antioxidant ability of the phospholipid emulsions. However, prolonged ultrasonic treatment could induce the self‐oxidation of phospholipids, and more attention should be paid to the self‐oxidation of these phospholipids when ultrasound was applied in food processing.Practical ApplicationsThis study evaluated the behavior changes of two types of phospholipids under ultrasonic treatment. The findings of this study could be useful for guiding the future usage of phospholipids and ultrasound in the food industry.