Os objetivos deste experimento foram os de realizar levantamento exploratório da produção, composição e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de búfalas e dos alimentos utilizados em cinco fazendas da região de Sarapuí e Pilar do Sul, no Estado de São Paulo. Foram coletadas amostras mensais de leite de oito búfalas por fazenda e de alimentos durante os meses de abril a novembro de 2002. Das cinco fazendas, uma explorava sistema de confinamento total e quatro usavam sistemas de produção a pasto com suplementação volumosa no inverno (silagem de gramíneas e cana-de-açúcar) e concentrado (resíduo de cervejaria ou mistura comercial) o ano todo.Três propriedades realizavam duas ordenhas diárias, e as demais apenas uma. Os teores de gordura, proteína e lactose variaram de 5,4 a 8,6%, 3,7 a 4,9% e 4,5 a 5,6%, respectivamente, valores normais para bubalinos. Os teores de gordura e de proteína aumentaram ao longo da lactação, enquanto o teor de lactose acompanhou a curva de lactação. O teor de nitrogênio uréico no leite variou entre 5,6 e 27,3 mg/dL, com valor médio em todas as fazendas de 15,9 mg/dL, inferior ao observado na literatura para bubalinos. Do total de ácidos graxos na B. decumbens o ácido linoléico variou de 18,2% no inverno para 19,9% no verão e o ácido linolênico de 20,8% no inverno para 31,4% no verão. A B. ruziziensis apresentou teor de ácido linoléico 17,7% no inverno e 19,4% no verão, enquanto o ácido linolênico variou de 50,2% no inverno para 45,6% no verão. Observou-se grande variação individual no teor de CLA no leite de bubalinos (0,31-3,42%). Nos animais a pasto ou com suplementação volumosa de gramíneas frescas a variação foi maior (0,44 a 3,31%) que nos animais confinados (0,31 a 1,74%). Os teores obtidos de CLA no verão foram em média mais elevados (38,6%), que no inverno, nos rebanhos em pastejo. A Análise de Componentes Principais confirmou a correlação positiva entre os ácidos graxos de cadeia ímpar e de cadeia ramificada e alta correlação entre os ácidos capróico, caprílico e cáprico. Também indicou correlação negativa entre os ácidos graxos de cadeia longa com os de cadeia curta, média, ímpar e ramificada. O teor dos ácidos graxos hiper-colesterolêmicos (ácidos láurico, mirístico e palmítico) diminuiu à medida que houve elevação do teor de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa no leite. A atividade da enzima ∆9-dessaturase, medida indiretamente (relação produto x substrato), foi maior em animais que receberam resíduo de cervejaria em menor quantidade ao longo do ano. / The objective of this study was to determine milk production, composition and fatty acids profiles in five buffalo farms in the Sarapui and Pilar do Sul counties, in the Southeast region of the State of Sao Paulo. Monthly feed and milk (from eight animals per farm) samples were collected from April to November 2002. In one farm animals were housed in total confinement and were fed a TMR ration; wet brewers grains and a commercial grain mix and summer pasture and a mixture of grass silage plus chopped sugar cane during winter were offered in the remaining farms. Animals were milked twice daily in three farms. Milk fat, protein and lactose contents varied from 5.4 to8.6%, 3.7 to 4.9% and 4.5 to 5.6%, respectively. Milk fat and protein contents increased as the lactation progressed. Milk urea nitrogen showed a large variation among farms (5.6 to 27.3 mg/dL). The content of linoleic and linolenic acids in B. decumbens varied from18.2 and 20.8% (winter) to 19.9 and 31.4% (summer) and in B. ruziziensis varied from 17.7 and 50.2% (winter) to 19.4 and 45.6% (summer). "Milk CLA content showed a large variation among animals (0.31 to 3.42%). Pasture fed or green chopp supplemented animals showed a larger variation (0.44 to 3.31%) than TMR fed animals (0.31 to 1.74%). Milk CLA content was higher (39%) during summer than in winter, in pasture fed animals. Principle Component Analysis confirmed the positive correlation between odd chain and side chain fatty acids and a high correlation among caproic, caprilic and capric acids. It also showed a negative correlation between long chain fatty acids and short and medium chain and odd and side chain fatty acids. Milk hiper-colesterolemic fatty acids (lauric, miristic and palmitic acids) content decreased as the long chain fatty acids did increased. The indirectly measured Delta 9 dessaturase activity was higher in animals being offered small amounts of wet brewers grains throughout the lactation.

Background Ovarian follicular fluid serves as the microenvironment for a maturing oocyte prior to ovulation. Previous studies have shown that gilts fed a high fibre (HF) diet before ovulation have improved fertility compared to gilts fed a control (C) diet, including a higher proportion of metaphase II oocytes following in vitro maturation (IVM). Hypothesis The molecular composition of porcine follicular fluid (pFF) was altered by the diet and that these alterations conferred the fertility benefits. Aims The aim of this study was to compare the protein composition of pFF from pigs fed a control diet with pFF of pigs fed a high fibre diet, to identify whether a high fibre diet fed to pigs during their oestrous cycle altered the composition of pFF. Additionally, the pFF of fertile animals was compared with the pFF of non-fertile animals to identify whether pFF composition was associated with fertility; fertile animals produced an embryo following in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Differences in the molecular composition were to be used to ascertain the potential underlying mechanism(s) involved in dietary induced improvements to oocyte maturation. Results The protein composition of pooled pFF from 12 HF-pigs and 12 C-pigs was compared by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Additionally, within each dietary group, the composition of pooled pFF from pigs whose oocytes produced blastocysts following in vitro fertilisation (C-Bl and HF-Bl) was compared with pFF from pigs whose oocytes did not produce blastocysts (C-No and HF-No respectively; n=6 per group). These proteomic analyses identified differentially expressed proteins, associated with several canonical pathways including acute phase response signalling, complement system and LXR/RXR activation, as determined by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Quantitative western blots revealed the differential expression of candidates associated with these canonical pathways. Plasminogen expression was lower (P≤0.05) in pFF of HF-pigs compared to pFF of C-pigs. In pFF from C-Bl gilts, apolipoprotein A4 (P≤0.01) and apolipoprotein M (P≤0.05) expression were higher compared to pFF from C-No gilts. Plasmin expression was lower (P≤0.05) in pFF from HF-Bl gilts compared to pFF from C-Bl gilts. Due to the interest in the differentially expressed apolipoproteins (involved in cholesterol and lipid efflux), a targeted metabolomic analysis was carried out to measure the concentration of nine fatty acids (FAs) in pFF of individual pigs in C-No, C-Bl, HF-No, HF-Bl groups (n=6 per group); adrenic, arachadonic, arachidic, dihomo- γ-linolenic, docosapentaenoic, erucic, linoleic, palmitoleic and oleic acids were measured by LC-MS/MS. The analysis revealed the lower concentration of linoleic acid (LA, p≤0.05) and higher concentration of erucic acid (P≤0.05) in HF-pFF compared to C-pFF. Following the results of the targeted metabolomic analysis, cumulus-oocytecomplexes (COCs) were matured in TCM 199 medium supplemented with 0 (No-LA), 50, 100 or 200 μM LA for 44 hours (n = 320 per treatment). COC diameters were measured and the COCs were categorised into "full", "partial" or "no" expansion. COCs were denuded, fixed and stained to determine their stage of maturation. IVM with 200 μM LA resulted in the reduced diameter of COCs (p≤0.01), fewer COCs with full cumulus expansion (p≤0.05) and fewer metaphase II oocytes (p≤0.05). Discussion Plasminogen is the precursor to plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme involved in weakening the follicular wall prior to ovulation. The lower expression of plasminogen and plasmin in pFF of high fibre pigs implies a delay in the accumulation of the inflammatory proteins required for ovulation. The delay in ovulation can result in the lengthening of the oocyte maturation process, leading to more mature oocytes, as observed in the previous studies. A disruption in the expression of apolipoproteins may also occur in high fibre-fed pigs. The increase in apolipoproteins associated with blastocyst development was only observed with pFF of control pigs but not high fibre pigs. An alteration in lipid homeostasis in the high fibre pigs could potentially affect oocyte energy consumption. LA concentration was also lower in pFF of high fibre pigs. LA is an essential fatty acid, indicating that the difference in concentration is directly from the diet. The lower levels of LA can potentially be beneficial to oocyte maturation, which is substantiated by the negative effects of a high LA concentration on IVM of abattoir derived oocytes.

Ho, Lai Ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 213-238). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract in Chinese (摘要） --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / List of abbreviations --- p.ix / Table of contents --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter One: --- General Introduction_ --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Neuroblastoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- An overview on neuroblastoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Classification of neuroblastoma --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Epidemiology of neuroblastoma --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Clinical manifestation of neuroblastoma --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Diagnosis of neuroblastoma --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Conventional therapy of neuroblastoma --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.7 --- Novel treatments of neuroblastoma --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conjugated linolenic acid (CLN) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- An overview of polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated fatty acids --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Chemical structure and physical properties of CLNs --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Natural occurrence of CLNs --- p.21 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Synthesis of CLNs --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of CLNs --- p.24 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Major biological and pharmacological activities of CLNs --- p.25 / Chapter 1.2.6.1 --- Hypolipidemic and anti-obese effects --- p.25 / Chapter 1.2.6.2 --- Anti-cancer effects --- p.27 / Chapter 1.2.6.2.1 --- Anti-proliferation --- p.27 / Chapter 1.2.6.2.2 --- Chemoprevention --- p.28 / Chapter 1.2.6.2.3 --- Apoptosis-inducing --- p.28 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aims and scope of the study --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Materials and Methods_ --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Animals --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cell lines --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- "Cell culture medium, buffers and other reagents" --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Reagents for DNA extraction --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Reagents for gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Reagents and buffers for flow cytometry --- p.49 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Reagents and buffers for measuring caspase activity --- p.50 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Reagents for Hoechst staining --- p.53 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Reagents and buffers for RNA extraction --- p.53 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- Reagents and buffers for DNA digestion --- p.54 / Chapter 2.1.11 --- Reagents and buffers for reverse transcription --- p.55 / Chapter 2.1.12 --- Reagents for real-time polymerase chain reaction --- p.57 / Chapter 2.1.13 --- Reagents and buffers for Western blotting --- p.59 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.64 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Culture of cell lines --- p.64 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of NIH-3T3 conditioned medium --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Determination of cell viability --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Determination of cell proliferation by tritiated thymidine incorporation assay --- p.66 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Cytotoxicity test of CLNs on murine peritoneal macrophages --- p.67 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Cytotoxicity test of CLNs on murine bone marrow cells --- p.68 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Cytotoxicity test of CLNs on murine splenocytes --- p.68 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Cytotoxicity tests of CLNs on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells --- p.69 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) staining analyzed by flow cytometry --- p.69 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Determination of colony forming ability --- p.70 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Determination of cell invasiveness --- p.70 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- In vivo tumorigenicity assay --- p.71 / Chapter 2.2.13 --- Analysis of cell cycle profile/ DNA content by flow cytometry --- p.72 / Chapter 2.1.14 --- Measurements of apoptosis --- p.72 / Chapter 2.1.15 --- Measurements of differentiation --- p.77 / Chapter 2.1.16 --- Gene expression study --- p.78 / Chapter 2.2.17 --- Protein expression study --- p.81 / Chapter 2.2.18 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.84 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Anti-proliferative Effect of CLN Isomers on Human Neuroblastoma cells --- p.86 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.87 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Anti-proliferative effect of CLN isomers on various human neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Direct cytotoxic effect of jacaric acid on neuroblastoma LA-N-1 cells in vitro --- p.100 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Cytotoxicity of jacaric acid on primary murine cells and human normal cell lines --- p.103 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Kinetic and reversibility studies of the anti-proliferative effect of jacaric acid on LA-N-1 cells --- p.106 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Synergistic anti-proliferative effect of jacaric acid with daidzein and retinoic acid on LA-N-1 cells in vitro --- p.110 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Modulatory effect of jacaric acid on the number of cell division in LA-N-1 cells --- p.113 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the cell cycle profile of LA-N-1 cells --- p.115 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the invasiveness of LA-N-1 cells --- p.118 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the colony forming ability of LA-N-1 cells in soft agar --- p.120 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the in vivo tumorigenicity of the LA-N-1 cells --- p.122 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.124 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Apoptosis- and Differentiation-inducing Effects of Jacaric Acid on Human Neuroblastoma Cells --- p.133 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.134 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.138 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Induction of DNA fragmentation and apoptotic ultrastructural changes in LA-N-1 cells by jacaric acid --- p.138 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Induction of phosphatidylserine externalization by jacaric acid in human neuroblastoma cells as detected by Annexin V-GFP/ PI dual staining --- p.142 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the mitochondrial membrane potential in human neuroblastoma cells --- p.146 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the caspase-3 activity in LA-N-1 cells --- p.150 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Effect of jacaric acid on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human neuroblastoma cells --- p.153 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Morphological changes induced by jacaric acid in SH-SY5Y cells --- p.158 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.162 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Mechanistic Studies of Anti-proliferative Effect of Jacaric Acid on Human Neuroblastoma Cells --- p.171 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.172 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results --- p.178 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Effect of antioxidant a-tocopherol on the anti-proliferative effect of jacaric acid on LA-N-1 cells --- p.178 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Effect of caspase inhibitors on the anti-proliferative effect of jacaric acid on LA-N-1 cells --- p.180 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Jacaric acid modulated the mRNA expression of N-myc and other related transcription factors in LA-N-1 cells --- p.182 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Jacaric acid modulated the protein expression of N-myc --- p.186 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Jacaric acid modulated the mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes --- p.188 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion --- p.191 / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Conclusions and Future Perspectives --- p.202 / References --- p.212

Introduction: Fast and convenience foods are abundant, relatively inexpensive, and accommodating to the fast-paced lifestyle of many Americans. One popular method of cooking used by many fast food establishments is deep-fat frying. Soybean oil is commonly used for frying and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as linoleic acid (LA). When soybean oil is used for deep-fat frying, LA becomes oxidized (Ox-LA). Endogenous Ox-LA has the capacity to be a ligand to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR¥ã), a nuclear transcription factor that regulates adipocyte maturation. It is not yet known whether or not dietary Ox-LA has the same capacity with respect to PPAR¥ã. Considering the fact that dietary oxidized lipids are abundant in the typical American diet, it is important to know if they regulate weight gain and especially adipose tissue mass. In this study, we investigate the effects of fresh and heated soybean oil on weight gain and adiposity in mice fed isocaloric low fat diets. Methods: Soybean oil was heated on a hot plate, under a hood, at 190¨¬C for three hours. Fresh soybean oil served as the source of unoxidized oil (Unox-oil) and the heated oil served as the source of oxidized oil (Ox-oil). Both the Ox-oil and Unox-oil were incorporated into a low-fat (10% of calories) mouse chow by Research Diets, Inc. (New Brunswick, NJ). Sixteen C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups and fed low fat diets with Ox-oil (low fat oxidized, LFO) or with Unox-oil (low fat unoxidized, LFU). Another group of 8 mice were pair fed to the LFO group with the Unox-oil containing chow (PLU). Mice in the LFO and LFU groups were fed ad libitum and known amounts of fresh food was added to the cages every three days. Leftover food was weighed. Body weights were measured once a week. After 16 weeks mice were euthanized and epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT), retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RWAT), inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT), and intrascapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) samples were collected, weighed and stored at -80 degrees Celsius until further analysis. Fat pads were homogenized and cytosolic and nuclear proteins were extracted by standard methods. These extracts were subjected to Western blotting to determine the amount of PPAR¥ã in the cytosol and nuclear compartments of the fat pads. Differences in group means were analyzed by Mann Whitney U test. Comparisons were considered statistically significant at a p-value of < 0.05. Results: Final mean body weights were significantly different when comparing the mice in the LFU group to the pair fed mice (PLU) (mean ¡¾ SD; 29.52 ¡¾ 1.09 grams (g) and 26.85 ¡¾ 1.44 g, respectively; p < 0.05). Mice fed a low fat diet consisting of Ox-oil (LFO) had a final mean body weight of 27.88 ¡¾ 2.03 g. Mice in the LFU group gained significantly more weight on average than did mice in the LFO or PLU groups (mean ¡¾ SD; 8.86 ¡¾ 1.37g, 7.10 ¡¾ 1.47 g, and 5.71 ¡¾ 1.13 g, respectively). Although mean food intakes were not significantly different between any of the three groups, the average food intake was greatest for the LFU mice in comparison to the LFO and the PLU mice (mean ¡¾ SD; 20.65 ¡¾ 0.09 g/week, 18.40 ¡¾ 0.05 g/week, and 18.38 ¡¾ 0.19 g/week, respectively). Feeding efficiency (g of weight gain/g of food consumed) was the highest in the LFU mice compared to the PLU mice (mean ¡¾ SD; 0.031 ¡¾ 0.005 g/g and0.022 ¡¾ 0.004 g/g) and this difference was statistically significant. The LFO mice gained less weight per gram of food consumed than did the LFU mice (mean ¡¾ SD; 0.028 ¡¾ 0.006 g/g). Mean weights of all fat pads in the LFO group were significantly greater than those of the LFU and PLU mice (mean ¡¾ SD; 0.329 ¡¾ 0.109g, 0.199 ¡¾ 0.055g, and 0.219 ¡¾ 0.041 for EWAT, 0.091 ¡¾ 0.039g, 0.050 ¡¾ 0.026g, and 0.051 ¡¾ 0.017 for RWAT, 0.221 ¡¾ 0.065g, 0.135 ¡¾ 0.053g, and 0.144 ¡¾ 0.038 for IWAT, and 0.079 ¡¾ 0.012g, 0.055 ¡¾ 0.013g, and 0.062 ¡¾ 0.011 for IBAT, respectively). PPAR¥ã protein in the cytosol of EWAT fat pads was analyzed and quantified in comparison to the amount of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH; loading control) present. Mean PPAR¥ã /GAPDH ratios for LFU mice was 0.226 ¡¾ 0.082, for LFO mice was 0.264 ¡¾ 0.122, and for PLU mice was 0.234 ¡¾ 0.108. Mean PPAR¥ã:GAPDH ratios were not significantly different between any of the groups. Conclusion: It appears that the consumption of oxidized oil caused a significant decrease in weight gain and food intake (although not significant) and a significant increase in fat pad mass in mice compared to those consuming a diet with unoxidized oil. The lack of difference in the amount of PPAR¥ã among the three groups of mice suggests that the changes in weight gain and fat pad mass among the oxidized oil consuming animals is not mediated through regulation of PPAR¥ã protein. To our knowledge, ours is the first study to report that mice consuming a low fat diet inclusive of dietary oxidized lipids exhibit greater adiposity than do mice consuming a low fat diet consisting of unoxidized lipids.

Tyrimo tikslas. Ištirti ir įvertinti padidintos biologinės vertės maisto produktų (mineralinio vandens „Tichė“ ir rūgpienio, praturtinto konjuguota linolo rūgštimi ir probiotinėmis kultūromis) įtaką 2007/ 2008 m.m. besimokiusių Vilniaus universiteto Medicinos fakulteto II-o kurso Medicinos studijų programos studentų kai kuriems kraujo laboratoriniams rodikliams. Metodai. Vilniaus universiteto ligoninės Santariškių klinikų LDC buvo atlikti kraujo laboratoriniai tyrimai. Siekiant įvertinti vartotų padidintos biologinės vertės maisto produktų galimą poveikį organizmo virškinimo sistemos funkcijoms, buvo sudarytos anketos. Siekiant įvertinti, ar papildomai vartotas maistas turėjo įtakos kraujo biocheminiams rodikliams, buvo atlikti studentų faktinės mitybos tyrimai pagal standartinę 24 valandų apklausos metodiką. Duomenų suvedimui ir analizei panaudotos MICROSOFT EXCEL 2003, SPSS 12,0 programos. Rezultatai ir išvados. Asmenų, kurie vartojo mineralinį vandenį „Tichė“, jonizuoto Ca koncentracija kraujo plazmoje patikimai padidėjo, o kontrolinio bandinio metu, kai buvo vartojamas vien tik šaltinio vanduo, tiek jonizuoto Ca, tiek ir bendra Ca koncentracijos patikimai mažėjo. Tirtieji Medicinos fakulteto studentai pakankamai gerai žino, kiek reikėtų suvartoti geriamo vandens per parą ir supranta jo reikšmę organizmo fiziologinėms funkcijoms. Didžiausia dalis respondentų (net 67,9 proc.) gėrimui vartojo vandentiekio vandenį, tačiau, jeigu vandenį pirko parduotuvėse, 81,8 proc... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Purpose of the analysis. To investigate and to evaluate the influence of food products with increased biological value (“Tichė” mineral water and sour milk enriched with conjugated linoleic acid and probiotic cultures) on some laboratory blood test results of students who have attended the second year of Medicine studies at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University in 2007/ 2008. Methods. Laboratory blood examinations were performed in the LDC of Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos. In order to evaluate the possible effect of food products with increased biological value on digestive functions of the organism, questionnaires were distributed. In order to find out whether the additionally consumed food had any influence on biochemical blood indicators, actual student nutrition analyses based on standard 24-hour survey methodology were performed. Programs used for data processing and analysis were MICROSOFT EXCEL 2003, and SPSS 12 0. Results and conclusions. The ionized Ca concentration in the blood plasma of persons that were using “Tichė” mineral water increased reliably, while both ionized Ca and overall Ca concentrations were decreasing during a control test when only spring water was used. The examined medical students were sufficiently aware of the daily water amount that should be consumed and understand its significance to the physiological functions of the body. The majority of respondents (67.9 percent) were drinking tap water; however, if the water... [to full text]

The study was designed to develop a nutraceutical product from by-products of fish processing. Fish oil was extracted from mackerel tissues (skin, viscera and muscle) using hexane-isopropanol (3:2 v/v) and chloroform-methanol (2:1 v/v) solvent systems. An oxidative study was carried out to determine the best processing and storage conditions to minimize autooxidation of mackerel oil. Urea complexation was used to concentrate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from the extracted fish oil. The urea complexation process was optimized to determine the best reaction conditions for high yield of the omega-3 fatty acids in particular, and total PUFA. / Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was synthesized from four vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, soybean and corn) by alkaline isomerization. The CLA isomers and PUFA concentrated from mackerel tissues were used to synthesize triglycerides by lipase-catalyzed esterification. The effect of temperature, reaction medium, enzyme, moisture removal system and glycerol to fatty acid ratio on extent of synthesis were investigated. The synthesis process was also optimized using central composite design to determine the best conditions for high synthesis yield. The fatty acid composition and positional analyses were determined by GC-FID and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS) / The results showed that mackerel skins were most suitable for concentrating PUFA. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and -docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of fish oil from the tissues examined ranged between 6.3--9.7 (wt%) with an iodine value of 134 +/- 5.0. The baseline total PUFA content was increased from ca 21.0 to ca 83.0 (wt%) with an associated iodine value of 296 +/- 7.0 using urea complexation. Low (50 ppm and 100 ppm) levels of alpha-tocopherol in combination with low storage temperature (-40°C) showed lowest oxidation after 66 days of storage. High levels (250 and 500 ppm) of alpha-tocopherol were observed to be prooxidant based on TBARS, peroxide and conjugated diene measurements. Urea to fatty acid ratio and temperature were predominant effectors influencing the amounts of individual omega-3 fatty acids and total PUFA concentrated by urea complexation. The model developed for the optimized urea complexation process were capable of predicting the yields of EPA, DHA, total PUFA and Iodine values to a high degree of accuracy at R2 = 0.87, 0.96, 0.95, and 0.92 respectively. / Sunflower oil was most suitable for synthesizing conjugated linoleic acid by alkaline isomerization, compared with soybean, canola and corn oil. Two CLA isomers, c9,t11 and t10, c12 were most abundant and occurred in approximately equal proportions irrespective of vegetable oil used. Total CLA synthesized from sunflower oil was 93.5 +/- 3.5 (wt%) with the two major isomers making up 89 +/- 3.5 (wt%). Candida antartica lipase showed more synthesis activity than Mucor meihie in both organic and solvent-free systems. Analysis of isolated synthesized triglycerides by GC-FID and mass spectrometry showed that DHA, EPA, CLA and linolenic acid were the main fatty acids incorporated into the triglycerides. DHA and EPA were mostly esterified at the sn-2 position.

O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de diferentes concentrações dos isômeros cis-9, trans-11 e trans-10, cis-12 do ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) ao meio de congelação sobre a motilidade espermática, a integridade da membrana plasmática, acrossomal e mitocondrial dos espermatozoides de touros. No experimento foram utilizados 4 touros Jersey, sendo os ejaculados processados na forma de “pool” (experimento 1) e individualmente (experimento 2). O meio base (MB) era constituído de tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brasil) + 20 % de gema de ovo. Os tratamentos com CLA (Luta-CLA®-BASF, Brasil), tinham apresentação oleosa por isso foram preparados a partir do MB com adição de 1% de lauril sulfato de sódio (MBL). Os tratamentos foram compostos por: controle positivo (CP) = MB, controle negativo (CN) = MBL; tratamento 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; tratamento 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA e tratamento 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. Após o descongelamento a qualidade espermática foi analisada pelo CASA, e a integridade das membranas plasmática, acrossomal e função mitocondrial através da associação das sondas PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 e H-342. Em ambos os experimentos não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos nas concentrações utilizadas, para os parâmetros avaliados, porém no experimento 2 houve diferenças entre indivíduos. / The objective was to evaluate the effects of addition of different concentrations of the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to the freezing medium on sperm motility, the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal and mitochondrial of bovine sperm. In the experiment, four Jersey bulls were used, and the ejaculates processed as "pool" (experiment 1) and individually (experiment 2). The diluent medium was based on tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brazil) + 20% egg yolk (MB). The treatments with CLA (CLA-Luta®-BASF, Brazil), which had oily presentation, were prepared from MB with addition of 1% sodium lauryl sulfate (MBL). The treatments were: positive control (CP) = MB, negative control (CN) = MBL; treatment 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; treatment 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA and treatment 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. After thawing the semen, the characteristics were analyzed by CASA, and the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function of sperm by association probes PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 and H-342. In both experiments there were no differences between treatments and the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), at the concentrations used, had no effect on the integrity and superior functionality of spermatozoa that underwent cryopreservation. However, but in experiment 2, there were differences between individuals.

Três experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do fornecimento de baixos teores de óleo de peixe em substituição parcial ao óleo de soja, sobre o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), produção e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de ovelhas, ganho médio diário de peso corporal (GMD), características da carcaça e composição de ácidos graxos da carne de cordeiros, digestibilidade dos nutrientes, características de fermentação ruminal e metabolismo ruminal dos ácidos graxos. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta controle (CONT), sem adição de óleo; e 4 dietas adicionadas com 4,0% de óleo, consistindo de 0,0% (0P); 0,25% (25P); 0,50% (50P) e 0,75% de óleo de peixe (75P), com o óleo de soja completando o teor de 4,0% de óleo adicionado (% MS). No Experimento I a dieta controle foi composta por 70% de concentrado e 30% de volumoso, nos Experimentos II e III a dieta controle foi composta por 90% de concentrado e 10% de volumoso. Experimento I: Foram utilizadas 50 ovelhas, distribuídas em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados. Verificouse aumento linear na produção de leite das ovelhas e no GMD das crias com a inclusão de óleo de peixe nas dietas. As concentrações de ácido vacênico, CLA C18:2 trans-10, cis-12, ácido eicosapentaenóico (EPA) e ácido docosahexaenóico (DHA) também aumentaram linearmente com os teores crescentes de inclusão de óleo de peixe. Experimento II: Foram utilizados 50 cordeiros, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados. O CMS expresso em % do peso corporal (PC) e em g/kg de PC0,75 aumentou linearmente com os teores crescentes de inclusão de óleo de peixe, o que resultou em aumento linear no GMD dos cordeiros. A concentração de ácido esteárico reduziu com os teores crescentes de substituição do óleo de soja pelo óleo de peixe. Verificou-se aumento linear na concentração de ácido vacênico à medida que o óleo de peixe foi adicionado à dieta. Em comparação ao tratamento controle, os animais alimentados com as dietas contendo óleo de peixe apresentaram maior concentração de CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 na carne. Experimento III: Foram utilizados cinco borregos, canulados no rúmen e no duodeno, distribuídos em delineamento experimental quadrado latino 5 x 5. A suplementação com as fontes de óleo reduziu a digestibilidade da PB. A concentração de acetato, butirato e dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) totais foi maior no conteúdo ruminal dos animais alimentados com a dieta controle em relação aos das dietas contendo óleo, como conseqüência, o pH ruminal destes animais foi inferior. O fluxo duodenal de C18:1 trans-11 e CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 foi superior para os animais que receberam gordura suplementar. Observou-se aumento linear no fluxo duodenal de ácido C18:1 trans-11 em resposta a inclusão de óleo de peixe nas dietas. A inclusão de 0,75% de óleo de peixe na dieta misturado à 3,25% de óleo de soja mostrou-se como a melhor alternativa avaliada. / Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of small amounts of fish oil supply in partial replacement of soybean oil on dry matter intake (DMI), lactation performance and milk fatty acid composition of ewes, growth, carcass characteristics, and on meat fatty acid composition of feedlot lambs, some rumen constituents, and ruminal fatty acid metabolism. Treatments consisted of a control diet (CONT), and 4 diets with 4% added fat consisting of 0.0% (0FO), 0.25% (25FO), 0.50% (50FO) and 0.75% (75FO) fish oil with soybean oil providing the balance of 4% added fat. In trial I the control treatment consisted of 30:70 ratio of forage to concentrate (DM basis). In trials II and III the control treatment consisted of 10:90 ratio of forage to concentrate (DM basis). Trial I: Fifty Santa Inês ewes were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design. Milk production and preweaning ADG of lambs increased linearly when fish oil replaced soybean oil. Vaccenic acid, CLA trans-10, cis-12, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased linearly with fish oil inclusion. Trial II: Fifty Santa Inês ram lambs were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design. DMI (% of BW and g/kg of BW0,75) increased linearly when fish oil replaced soybean oil, as consequence ADG also increased. Stearic acid concentration decreased and vaccenic acid increased with fish oil inclusion. CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 showed higher concentration in meat of animals fed diets containing fish oil compared to the control diet. Trial III: Five ram lambs cannulated in the rumen and proximal duodenum were assigned in a 5 x 5 Latin Square design. Soybean oil and fish oil supplementations decreased CP digestibility. Ruminal concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total SCFA were higher for animals fed the control diet. Ruminal pH was lower for animals fed the control diet compared to diets with oils. Duodenal flow of C18:1 trans-11 and CLA C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 was greater for diets containing supplemented oils. C18:1 trans-11 flow to the duodenum increased linearly with fish oil inclusion.The inclusion of 0.75% of fish oil in the diet mixed with 3.25% soybean oil was the best alternative evaluated.

O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de diferentes concentrações dos isômeros cis-9, trans-11 e trans-10, cis-12 do ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) ao meio de congelação sobre a motilidade espermática, a integridade da membrana plasmática, acrossomal e mitocondrial dos espermatozoides de touros. No experimento foram utilizados 4 touros Jersey, sendo os ejaculados processados na forma de “pool” (experimento 1) e individualmente (experimento 2). O meio base (MB) era constituído de tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brasil) + 20 % de gema de ovo. Os tratamentos com CLA (Luta-CLA®-BASF, Brasil), tinham apresentação oleosa por isso foram preparados a partir do MB com adição de 1% de lauril sulfato de sódio (MBL). Os tratamentos foram compostos por: controle positivo (CP) = MB, controle negativo (CN) = MBL; tratamento 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; tratamento 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA e tratamento 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. Após o descongelamento a qualidade espermática foi analisada pelo CASA, e a integridade das membranas plasmática, acrossomal e função mitocondrial através da associação das sondas PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 e H-342. Em ambos os experimentos não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos nas concentrações utilizadas, para os parâmetros avaliados, porém no experimento 2 houve diferenças entre indivíduos. / The objective was to evaluate the effects of addition of different concentrations of the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to the freezing medium on sperm motility, the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal and mitochondrial of bovine sperm. In the experiment, four Jersey bulls were used, and the ejaculates processed as "pool" (experiment 1) and individually (experiment 2). The diluent medium was based on tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brazil) + 20% egg yolk (MB). The treatments with CLA (CLA-Luta®-BASF, Brazil), which had oily presentation, were prepared from MB with addition of 1% sodium lauryl sulfate (MBL). The treatments were: positive control (CP) = MB, negative control (CN) = MBL; treatment 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; treatment 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA and treatment 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. After thawing the semen, the characteristics were analyzed by CASA, and the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function of sperm by association probes PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 and H-342. In both experiments there were no differences between treatments and the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), at the concentrations used, had no effect on the integrity and superior functionality of spermatozoa that underwent cryopreservation. However, but in experiment 2, there were differences between individuals.

Ácidos graxos conjugados (AGCs) é o termo geral para descrever os isômeros posicionais e geométricos dos ácidos graxos poliinsaturados com duplas ligações conjugadas. Inúmeros efeitos benéficos para a saúde como: anti-cancerígeno, anti-aterogênicos, anti-adipogênicos e anti-inflamatórios, tem sido atribuídos ao consumo dos AGCs. Entretanto, estudos sobre os efeitos dos AGCs no organismo ainda são inconclusivos e por isso o interesse em pesquisas visando a sua participação em processos fisiológicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar em ratos o efeito dos isômeros conjugados do ácido linoleico (9cis, 11trans e 10trans, 12cis) sobre o perfil lipídico tecidual e sua influência sobre parâmetros bioquímicos em processos oxidativos. Não foi possível detectar a atividade antioxidante in vitro dos CLAs. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o FFA-CLA foi capaz de reagir apenas com o radical DPPH. No experimento in vivo uma mistura comercial dos isômeros (9cis, 11trans e 10trans, 12 cis) foi utilizada como fonte de CLAs, e a influência da suplementação desses isômeros, foi avaliada e comparada com um grupo controle suplementado com água e com grupos experimentais suplementados com óleo de soja. O primeiro experimento foi realizado com animais Wistar saudáveis e teve duração de 40 dias, as amostras de ácidos graxos livres de CLAs, (FFACLAs) e óleo de soja foram fornecidas aos animais por meio de entubação orogástrica nas concentrações de 1%, 2% e 4% em relação ao consumo diário de dieta, o grupo controle recebeu 1% de água. A suplementação da dieta dos animais com os CLAs leva ao aumento nos níveis de triglicérides, mas não interfere nos parâmetros de estresse oxidativo, embora haja incorporação dose-dependente nos tecidos hepático, muscular e adiposo, não foram observadas alterações no volume das células adiposas, e na área e diâmetro do tecido muscular. No segundo experimento, com duração de 21 dias, ao avaliar o efeito da suplementação na dose de 2% de CLAs em ratos Wistar induzidos a peroxidação, pelo tratamento com tetracloreto de carbono. Pôde-se observar efeitos hepatoprotetor, dos CLAs atribuídos a sua prevenção na peroxidação lipídica e ao aumento da atividade das enzimas catalase (CAT), glutatina redutase (GR) e glutationa reduzida (GSH). / Conjugated fatty acids (CFAs) is the general term to describe positional and geometric isomers of polyunsaturated fatty acids with conjugated double bonds. Many beneficial health effects such as anti-cancer, anti-atherogenic, anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory, has been attributed to the consumption of the CFAs. However, studies on the effects of the CFAs in the body are still inconclusive and therefore the interest in research aimed at their participation in processes physiological. The objective of this study was to evaluate in rats the effect of conjugated linoleic acid isomers (9cis, 11trans and 10trans, 12cis) on lipid profile tissue and its effect on biochemical parameters in oxidative processes. It was not possible to detect the in vitro antioxidant activity of CLAs. The results showed that the free fatty acids of CLAs (FFA-CLAs) was able to react only with the DPPH radical. In in vivo experiment a commercial mixture of isomers (9cis, 11trans and 10trans, 12cis) was used as a source of CLAs and the influence of supplementation of these isomers was evaluated and compared with a control group supplemented with water and experimental groups supplemented with soybean oil. The first experiment was conducted with healthy Wistar and lasted 40 days, samples of FFA-CLA and soybean oil were delivered to animals via orogastric intubation at concentrations of 1%, 2 % and 4% in relation to daily diet, the control group received 1% water. Supplementing the diet with CLAs leads to increased levels of triglycerides, but does not interfere with oxidative stress parameters, although there is a dose-dependent incorporation into liver tissue, muscle and fat, no changes were observed in the volume of fat cells, and in the area and diameter of muscle tissue. In the second experiment, lasting 21 days, to evaluate the effect of supplementation at a dose of 2% of CLAs in Wistar, tha peroxidation induced by treatment with carbon tetrachloride. Could be observed hepatoprotective effects, attributed to the CLAs prevention lipid peroxidation and increased activity of the enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione reduzida (GSH).