No description available.

No description available.

A indústria alimentícia tem oferecido ao consumidor muitas opções para aquisição de pães, dentre essas estão os pães enriquecidos e os integrais. A linhaça é um alimento com alegação funcional que vem se destacando pela presença do Omega-3, fibra solúvel e proteína, porém seu consumo é baixo devido à falta de hábito e também por escassez de informação dos consumidores. O objetivo do estudo foi formular pães com adição de grãos de linhaça nas concentrações de 3%, 6% e 9% e compará-los ao controle, sem adição de linhaça. Foram realizadas análises de determinação do perfil de ácidos graxos, composição centesimal, quantificação do teor de minerais, determinação de antinutricionais (ácido fítico, taninos, compostos fenólicos totais), digestibilidade de proteína in vitro, análise da qualidade dos pães através do peso da massa crua, peso da massa assada, perdas durante a cocção e índice de conversão. As propriedades físicas dos pães também foram avaliadas através da textura, volume e cor. As características sensoriais foram analisadas através de teste de aceitabilidade realizado em padaria com 116 provadores e também pela Análise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ) com 13 provadores treinados. Com os dados obtidos das análises químicas, elaborou-se um rótulo nutricional para cada formulação. Dentre os ácidos graxos quantificados, o palmítico, o oléico e o linoléico foram os maiores representantes nas 4 amostras de pães o que contribuiu para a frágil estabilidade dos produtos e para a formação de compostos indesejáveis, porém a presença de antioxidantes naturais nas sementes de linhaça controlou a oxidação lípidica. Nenhuma das amostras pode ser considerada fonte de fibra alimentar pelo fato de não conter 3g/100g de alimento pronto para consumo. O teor de fitatos presente nas amostras aumentou de acordo com a adição de sementes de linhaça. Nas 4 formulações de pães o teor de fitato diminuiu significativamente quando comparado ao da semente de linhaça. As amostras controle e com 6% de linhaça foram classificadas como volume específico Muito bom e as amostras com 3% e 9% de linhaça foram classificadas como volume específico Bom. Entre as amostras que receberam adição de linhaça, a amostra com 9% foi a melhor aceita pelos provadores e na ADQ, essa amostra apresentou médias superiores às demais em relação a maioria dos atributos levantados pelo provadores. Não foram identificados atributos indesejáveis para nenhuma das amostras através da ADQ. / Food industries offer to consumer several types of breads options which vary from whole wheat to enrich with multigrain such with flax seed. Flax seed is considered a functional food that has important content of omega 3 fat acids, soluble fiber and protein, however it intakes is very low in our diet. The aim of the research was to prepare a wheat bread enrich with flax seed at 3% or 6% or 9% concentration and to compare with a wheat bread control with no flax seed added. Analysis of fat acids composition, mineral composition, antinutritionals content (phytic acid, tannin, total phenolic compounds) and in vitro protein digestibility were carried out in the bread samples. Bread quality was evaluated analyzing the weight of the raw dough, the baked bread, and the lost during baking process and its conversion index. Physical properties of breads were evaluated for texture, volume and color. The sensory characteristics were evaluated using acceptability test with 116 panelists and by quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) with 13 trained panelists. A nutritional label was formulated to each one of the bread preparations. The quantified fat acids profile showed that palmitic, oleic and linolenic acids were the most representative fat acids in the 4 bread sample analyzed. The presence of those fat acids possibly contributes to poor stability of product and for the development of undesirable compound. However, the presence of natural antioxidants in flax seed may help to control fat acid oxidation. None of the samples were considered source of dietary fiber because they have less then 3g/100 g of bread. The phytate content present in the samples increased according to the increase of flax seed concentration in the bread. Compared to raw flax seed, the phytate content in the bread samples were lower. The control and the sample with 6% of flax seed had the ranking for specific volume described as Very good and the samples with 3% and 9% of flax seed as Good. Between the bread samples, the best score in the acceptability test was obtained in the sample with 9% of flax seed. The same was observed for QDA which showed that the panel had high attributes for this sample compared to other ones. No undesirable attributes were identified in any other sample analyzed in QDA.

Die Infektion mit Schistosoma mansoni resultiert in einer Th2-Immunantwort mit Eosinophilie und erhöhtem IgE-Titer, wobei der wasserlösliche Extrakt der S. mansoni Eier (SEA) ausreicht um diese Reaktion auszulösen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte demonstriert werden, dass sich IL-4-produzierende CD4+ T-Lymphozyten in Zellkulturen mit SEA-konditionierten Dendritischen Zellen (DCs) trotz gleichzeitig vorkommenden IFN-gamma entwickeln und SEA die Expression von Faktoren in DCs, die üblicherweise mit einer Th1-Antwort einhergehen, auf Transkriptions- und Proteinebene selektiv hemmt. Um den Faktor aus S. mansoni Eiern zu isolieren, der zur Expression von IL-4 in CD4+ Zellen und zur Inhibition von IL-12 in DCs führt, wurde eine Gelfiltrationschromatographie der exkretorisch/sekretorischen Ei-antigene (ES) durchgeführt und die Fraktionen in vitro getestet. Darin wurde gezeigt, dass Fraktionen mit einer Proteinbande von 30 kD die Expression von IL-4 in CD4+ Zellen induzieren. Dieses ES-Protein wurde durch N-terminale Sequenzierung als hepatotoxische Ribonuclease Omega-1 identifiziert, welches ebenfalls die Expression von IL-12 in DCs inhibiert und die Produktion von IL-4 in CD4+ Zellen bei einer 10-fach geringeren Proteinkonzentration als mit dem Kontrollansatz SEA induziert. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, inwieweit Toll-like Rezeptoren in der Generierung einer Th2 Antwort gegen schistosomale Antigene involviert sind. Dazu wurden TLR2-, TLR3-, TLR4- und MyD88-defiziente Mäuse mit S. mansoni infiziert und immunologische und pathologische Daten in der akuten und chronischen Phase der Infektion analysiert. Demnach sind TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 und MyD88-abhängige Signaltransduktionswege nicht für eine-Th2 Antwort notwendig, jedoch ist letzteres Molekül in der Ausprägung der typischen Leberfibrose involviert. / Infection with Schistosoma mansoni results in the induction of a Th2 immune response, eosinophilia and increased levels of IgE. The water-soluble extract of S. mansoni eggs (SEA) is sufficient to promote TH2 polarization in a dendritic cell-dependent manner. In this thesis, it was demonstrated that IL-4+ CD4+ cells emerge in cultures with SEA-conditioned dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence of IFN-gamma and that SEA inhibits selectively the expression of IL-12 and co-stimulatory markers in DCs on the transcriptional and protein level. To identify the putative protein in S. mansoni eggs mediating a Th2 induction, a gel filtration chromatography of the excretory/secretory egg antigens (ES) was conducted and the fractions tested in vitro. Fractions containing a single band of 30 kD were sufficient to promote IL-4 induction in naïve CD4+ cells. Using N-terminal sequencing this ES-protein was identified as the hepatotoxic S. mansoni ribonuclease omega-1 which displayed both biological functions observed with SEA: inhibition of IL-12 in LPS-stimulated DCs and induction of IL-4+ CD4 cells at a 10 fold lower protein concentration than SEA. In order to understand, if the innate immune receptors TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 or the TLR adaptor molecule MyD88 are involved in the generation of the Th2 response against schistosomal antigens, the respective knock out mice were infected and immunological and pathological parameters were analyzed during acute and chronic phase of infection. This study showed that during S. mansoni infection TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR activation through the MyD88-dependent pathway are neither required for the induction (priming and polarization) nor for the down-regulation of Th2 responses, however, the fibrotic response against S. mansoni eggs was significantly reduced in MyD88-deficient mice suggesting a detrimental role of this pathway in liver pathology.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência de dietas suplementadas com semente de linhaça (ricas em ácido alfa-linolênico, LNA, ômega3) e antioxidantes naturais, provenientes do orégano e do alecrim, sobre o nível de incorporação dos ácidos graxos poliinsaturados ômega 3 (PUFA ômega3) em ovos e tecidos de aves. Para isto, 192 galinhas poedeiras da linhagem comercial Babcock de 22 semanas, foram alimentadas durante 30 dias com dietas constituídas de 0 (zero) e 5% de óleo de linhaça. Foram definidos 8 tratamentos: 4 grupos com 5% de óleo de linhaça (controle/sem antioxidante; BHA+BHT, 100+100 ppm; orégano, 200 ppm; alecrim, 200 ppm) e 4 grupos sem óleo de linhaça, mas utilizando os mesmos antioxidantes. A amostragem dos ovos foi realizada durante o experimento nos períodos 0, 10, 20 e 30 dias e dos tecidos das aves (sobrecoxa, coxa, asa, peito, coração, tecido adiposo e fígado) no tempo final do experimento. Os ácidos graxos foram determinados por cromatografia gasosa e o grau de oxidação lipídica através do teste do ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA). De acordo aos resultados obtidos, verificou-se aumento significativo dos ácidos graxos alfa-linolênico (LNA) e docosahexaenóico (DHA) nas gemas de ovo das aves que receberam 5% de óleo de linhaça nos tratamentos controle, BHA+BHT, orégano e alecrim, nos diferentes tempos (10, 20 e 30 dias), quando comparados com a dieta 0% linhaça. Além disso, a incorporação máxima dos ácidos LNA e DHA nas gemas de ovo foi obtida aos 20 dias de alimentação das aves, com um índice de incorporação de 15 a 30 e de 2,5 a 4,5 vezes o grupo controle, respectivamente. Na avaliação do grau de oxidação lipídica nas gemas de ovo, foi verificada diferença significativa na redução dos valores de absorbância nas 2 dietas, em todos os tratamentos com antioxidantes, quando relacionados ao seu respectivo controle. Com relação aos tecidos das aves, também houve incorporação significativa dos ácidos LNA e DHA, quando comparadas as duas dietas, sendo o fígado o tecido que apresentou a maior concentração destes ácidos graxos. Também foi possível verificar a eficácia dos antioxidantes naturais na proteção contra a oxidação lipídica nos tecidos sobrecoxa, coxa, asa e peito. Portanto, os extratos das especiarias, alecrim e orégano, podem ser utilizados satisfatoriamente para se obter ovos e tecidos de aves enriquecidos com PUFA ômega-3, melhorando a estabilidade lipídica. Considerando que os PUFA ômega-3 têm um interesse considerável na saúde humana, o fornecimento de dietas ricas em ácido alfa-linolênico presente na linhaça, para galinhas poedeiras, permitiu a obtenção de ovos e tecidos enriquecidos, os quais tornam-se uma fonte alternativa de PUFA ômega-3. / The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of diets containing flaxseed (rich in alpha-linolenic acid, LNA, omega-3) and natural antioxidants from oregano and rosemary on the level of incorporation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 (PUFA omega-3) in eggs and tissues of poultry. For this purpose, 192 laying hens at 22 weeks of age, of commercial lineage Babcock, were fed for 30 days with diets containing 0 (zero) or 5% of flaxseed oil. The hens were divided in 8 groups: 4 groups received diets with 5% of flaxseed oil (control / no antioxidant; BHA+BHT, 100+100 ppm; oregano, 200 ppm; rosemary, 200 ppm) and 4 groups received no flaxseed oil, but the same antioxidants. The sampling of the eggs was accomplished in 4 periods (0, 10, 20 and 30 days) and of the tissues of poultry (upper thigh, thigh, wing, breast, heart, adipose tissue and liver) at the end of experiment. The fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography and the lipid oxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid test (TBA). The results showed that the levels of alpha-linolenic (LNA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids increased in egg yolks from hens of the 4 groups fed diets with 5% flaxseed oil after 10, 20 and 30 days, when compared with diets 0% flaxseed oil. In addition, the maximum incorporation of LNA and DHA in egg yolks was obtained after 20 days, with an index of incorporation ranging from 15 to 30 and from 2.5 to 4.5, respectively. Also, a significant decrease of lipid oxidation in egg yolks for all groups receiving antioxidants was observed, when related with control. In the tissues of the hens, there was also significant incorporation of the LNA and DHA acids, when comparing the 2 diets, with the liver presenting the major concentration of these fatty acids. It was also possible to verify the effectiveness of the natural antioxidants in the protection against lipid oxidation in upper thigh, thigh, wing and breast tissues. Therefore, rosemary and oregano can be used satisfactorily to obtain eggs and tissues of poultry enriched with PUFA omega-3, improving the lipid stability. Considering that the PUFA omega-3 have considerable interest in the human health, the administration of diets rich in alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed to laying hens allows the eggs and tissues enrichment as an alternative source of PUFA omega-3.

Os ácidos graxos (AG) podem influenciar o processo secretório de insulina induzido pela glicose. Os AG ω3 interferem em diversos processos fisiológicos, sendo que nas ilhotas pancreáticas, os AG ω3 colaboram para a diminuição da lipotoxicidade induzida pelo ácido palmítico. Ao ácido palmítico são atribuídos efeitos deletérios em diversos tecidos, assim como nas células β, onde ele promove a alteração da composição dos fosfolípides de membrana, do potencial elétrico da mesma e consequentemente do processo de extrusão dos grânulos de insulina. A exposição crônica das células β ao excesso de ácido palmítico é tóxica, provocando diminuição da resposta secretória de insulina, redução da oxidação e captação de glicose e aumento de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) que, em quantidades suprafisiológicas, irão contribuir para a falência e morte da célula β. As EROs podem ser de origem mitocondrial, através do metabolismo dos nutrientes ou ainda proveniente da ativação do complexo enzimático NADPH oxidase, o qual é modulado pela glicose e pelos AG, incluindo o ácido palmítico. Em contrapartida, os AG ω3 exercem efeitos anti-inflamatórios e antioxidantes em diversos sistemas, contribuindo para melhora de perfil lipídico e resistência periférica à insulina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o possível efeito protetor dos AG ω3 contra os efeitos deletérios do ácido palmítico em células β pancreáticas. Nas células β, a partir dos resultados obtidos, a presença de AG ω3 mostrou-se eficaz para prevenir o dano secretório e o aumento de EROs, além de contribuir para manutenção da viabilidade celular e da captação de glicose nas ilhotas tratadas com ácido palmítico, desempenhando um importante papel protetor na célula β. / Fatty acids (FA) may influence the process of glucose-induced insulin. The ω3 FA interferes in several physiological processes, and in the pancreatic islets collaborate to decrease the lipotoxicity induced by palmitic acid. Palmitic acid induces deleterious effects in several tissues, as well as in β cells, where it promotes the alteration of the membrane phospholipid composition, the plasma membrane electric potential, and consequently, the process of the insulin granules extrusion. Chronic exposure of β cells to high concentration of palmitic acid is toxic, leading to decreased insulin secretory response, reduced oxidation and uptake of glucose, and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) which, in supraphysiological amounts, will contribute to β-cell failure and death. ROS may be of mitochondrial origin, through the metabolism of nutrients or even from the activation of the enzymatic complex NADPH oxidase, which is modulated by glucose and FA, including palmitic acid. In contrast, ω3 FA exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in several systems, contributing to the improvement of lipid profile and peripheral resistance to insulin. The aim of this study was verify the protective possible effect of AG ω3 against the deleterious effects of palmitic acid on pancreatic β cells. Our results shown that the presence of ω3 FA was effective in preventing secretory damage and increase of EROs, also contributing to the maintenance of cell viability and glucose uptake in the islets treated with palmitic acid, playing an important β-cell protective role.

During the 21 day incubation period, the fertile egg provides nutrients such as fatty acids for energy and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for membrane synthesis to the developing chick. The hypothesis tested in the present study is that the type of PUFA fed to the breeder hen can alter tissue lipid composition and PUFA metabolism in the progeny during growth. The objective of the present study was to test two different sources of PUFA (n-3 or n-6) on: 1) egg production, egg, and chick quality; and 2) changes in tissue PUFA composition and metabolism in progeny during growth. Fertilized eggs (n=240) were collected from Ross breeder hens (n=45) fed one of the three experimental diets containing 3.5% fish (long chain n-3), flax (18:3 n-3), or safflower oil (18:2 n-6). The egg and yolk weight was lowest for eggs from hens fed fish oil (P=0.09, P=0.02). The chick weight on day of hatch was 41.2, 45.3, and 43.3g, for fish, flax, and safflower, respectively (P=0.003). In the second experiment fertilized eggs were collected from Lohman Brown layer hens (n=75) fed a control, high n-3, or low n-3 diet. Chicks were raised up to day 14 on a control diet lacking long-chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. Chick tissue samples (gastrointestinal tract, liver, and blood) were collected on day 1, 7, and 14 and were subjected to fatty acid (FA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) analysis. The long-chain n-6 to long chain n-3 ratio was lowest in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and liver from chicks hatched from fish oil fed hens (P<0.001) up to day 14. Interleukin-6 was lowest in liver (P=0.009) and serum on day of hatch, for fish oil chicks. The results from this study show that the diet fed to breeder hens alters progeny tissue PUFA composition and lipid metabolism during early development in avians. The long term effects of maternal diet manipulation on progeny growth and lipid metabolism need to be investigated in detail. / Graduation date: 2013

Die vorliegende Arbeit hat zum Ziel, den Einfluss der Rückkopplung zwischen Landoberfläche und Atmosphäre auf den regionalen Wasserhaushalt abzuschätzen. Dazu erfolgen Modellsimulationen mit dem gekoppelten Vegetations-Grenzschichtmodell HIRVAC (HIgh Resolution Vegetation Atmosphere Coupler) für das Einzugsgebiet Sperrgraben (Bayerische Alpen). Im Ergebnis wird der Zusammenhang zwischen dem Entkopplungsfaktor Omega und der Verdunstung als Wasserhaushaltsgröße für einen festgelegten Zeitraum untersucht. Die Kombination eines vertikal hochaufgelösten Grenzschichtmodells (HUB) mit einem mechanistischen Photosynthesemodell (PSN6) im Modell HIRVAC ermöglicht eine detaillierte physikalische Beschreibung der turbulenten Austauschprozesse innerhalb der atmosphärischen Grenzschicht. Gleichzeitig werden die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Vegetation und Atmosphäre für jede Modellschicht innerhalb des Bestandes und zu jedem Modellzeitschritt simuliert. Die Definition des Entkopplungsfaktors erfordert die Festlegung eines geeigneten Referenzniveaus über der Vegetationsobergrenze zur Ermittlung der Widerstände gegen den turbulenten Austausch von Wärme und Feuchte. Die Bestimmung dieser Modellschichthöhe wird nach Untersuchungen zur Ausbildung der dynamischen Grenzschicht sowie der Vertikalprofile der Transportwiderstände und des Omega-Faktors vorgenommen. Die dabei erzielten Ergebnisse zum höhenabhängigen Verlauf des Entkopplungsfaktors über der Wiesenfläche und dem Fichtenbestand zeigen, dass mit dem Modell HIRVAC das unterschiedliche Kopplungsverhalten von kleinen Beständen mit glatter Oberfläche (Oberflächenrückkopplung) und hohen, rauen Beständen (Grenzschichtrückkopplung) qualitativ und auch quantitativ sehr gut wiedergegeben werden kann. Die Sensitivitätsstudien für die Landnutzungsarten Fichte und Wiese verdeutlichen den Einfluss veränderter Bestandesparameter wie Bestandeshöhe, LAI und Kronenschlussgrad auf den Entkopplungsfaktor und die Evapotranspiration. Sehr gut ersichtlich wird außerdem das unterschiedliche atmosphärische Turbulenzspektrum durch die Verwendung verschiedener Schließungsansätze im Modell und deren Einfluss auf die turbulenten Diffussionskoeffizienten. Die Ergebnisse werden mit dem Ziel der Ableitung einfacher Zusammenhänge zu Landschaftskennziffern parametrisiert. Zur Bereitstellung von flächenhaften Klimadaten wird das Modell HIRVAC mit einem Geographischen Informationssystem (ArcView) gekoppelt. Das Modell HIRGIS bietet eine geeignete Basis für die Regionalisierung von Klimagrößen im kleinräumig strukturierten Gelände. Auf der Grundlage der digitalen Gelände- und Landnutzungsdaten können topoklimatisch beeinflusste Größen, wie z.B. Einstrahlung, Temperatur, Strahlungsbilanz und Verdunstung für Gebiete flächendeckend berechnet werden. In den Ergebniswerten sind die Rückkopplungseffekte zwischen Bestand und Atmosphäre in aktueller Form enthalten. Außerdem entfallen Generalisierungseffekte, wie sie bei statistischen Übertragungsmethoden (Interpolation von Messwerten) auftreten. Durch die Möglichkeit der messwertunabhängigen Modellierung kann HIRGIS prinzipiell für Regionen mit anderem Gebietscharakter eingesetzt werden. Bei der Anwendung von HIRGIS auf das Einzugegebiet Sperrgraben wird allerdings deutlich, wie wichtig eine präzise Anpassung der Modellparametrisierung, insbesondere der Vegetation, an den Standort ist. Die erzeugten Karten zu den Klimagrößen liefern dem Nutzer eine gute Grundlage für klimatologische Gebietsinformationen. Eine Quantifizierung des Einflusses der Rückkopplung auf die Verdunstung im Einzugsgebiet Sperrgraben erweist sich für den untersuchten Zeitraum als schwierig. Die Ergebnisse zur Verdunstung zeigen trotzdem eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung mit Transpirationswerten aus Saftflussmessungen für Buche und Fichte im Einzugsgebiet Sperrgraben und decken sich mit den Transpirationswerten aus der Literatur für vergleichbare Bestände.

Il periparto è la parte più critica della vita della bovina da latte. I cambiamenti importanti ed improvvisi nel metabolismo e nelle condizioni di vita possono favorire l’insorgenza di problemi di salute e di uno stato infiammatorio. Una risposta eccessiva dell’organismo all’infiammazione può sottrarre risorse fondamentali, causando un peggioramento delle condizioni di salute e un calo della produzione di latte. Nella prima parte della tesi si propone un nuovo indice basato su alcuni parametri plasmatici utile a descrivere meglio la risposta all’infiammazione nel post-parto. Una identificazione rapida degli animali caratterizzati da una risposta eccessiva all’infiammazione, specialmente quelli senza sintomi esterni, permette un intervento efficace per evitare ulteriori conseguenze negative. La seconda e terza parte della tesi descrivono due prove sperimentali finalizzate a ridurre la risposta all’infiammazione impiegando acidi grassi ω-3 e/o acido acetilsalicilico. La somministrazione di acidi grassi ω-3 a cavallo del parto ha ridotto la risposta all’infiammazione e migliorato il bilancio energetico, mentre la loro somministrazione esclusivamente prima del parto ha evidenziato alcuni leggeri miglioramenti nella risposta all’infiammazione e nel bilancio energetico. La somministrazione prima del parto di acido acetilsalicilico ha causato l’insorgenza di alcuni problemi e pertanto dovrebbe essere somministrata solo dopo il parto. / The peripartum period is the most critical stage of the dairy cows. The sudden and major changes in metabolism and life conditions may favor the onset of health problems together with an inflammatory status. An excessive response by the organism to inflammation may subtract primary resources, resulting in a worsening of health status and in a lower milk yield. In the first part of the thesis a new index based on some plasma parameters is proposed to better describe the response to inflammation in the post-calving of dairy cows. An early identification of the animals characterized by a severe response to inflammation, especially without any external symptom, allows an effective intervention in order to avoid further negative consequences. The second and the third part of the thesis describe two experiments aiming to reduce the response to inflammation using ω-3 fatty acids and/or acetylsalicylic acid. The administration of ω-3 fatty acids around calving reduced the inflammatory response and improved the energy balance, while their pre-calving only administration highlighted some slight improvements in inflammatory response and energy balance. The pre-calving administration of acetylsalicylic acid caused the onset of some problems and should be used only after calving.

A few abnormal cells found in a small piece of prostate tissue are most consequential for a man’s future. The prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa) is increasing globally. The main instigating factor for this cancer is not yet known, but it appears to be the consequence of many variables such as an increasingly older population, more frequent PSA-testing, and factors involving lifestyle. Prostate cancer screening, as an equivalent for breast cancer screening, has been suggested but unfortunately there are no accurate diagnostic tools available for this type of screening. The reason for this is simply that the prostate is one of the most difficult organs to diagnose and, consequently, PCa screening would generate far too many false-positive and false-negative results.  The prostate is not easily accessible as it is deeply-seated in the male pelvic area, wrapped around the urethra and surrounded by sensitive vital organs.  Furthermore, PCa is frequently multi-focal, and the cancer cells have a tendency of assimilating among normal cells and, thus, do not always form solid lumps.  Therefore, prostate tumors are often not felt by digital rectal examination (DRE) or identified by imaging.  The PSA-test is not reliable as it is more prostate-specific than cancer-specific.  Due to increasing prostate awareness, more early-stage and locally confined PCa are being detected. This is saving lives, although there is a high risk of over treatment and unnecessary side-effects.  The increased detection of PCa requires sophisticated diagnostic methods and highly skilled clinicians who can discern between indolent and aggressive cancers.  The current “gold-standard” for PCa diagnosis is biopsy grading by pathologists using the Gleason score system, which is a difficult task.  Therefore, innovative methods to improve the precision of prostate diagnosis, by increased biopsy sensitivity and tumor localization, are of essence. In light of these difficulties, the metabolomic approach using 1D and 2D high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy combined with histopathology on intact prostatectomy specimens was evaluated in this research project.  The non-destructive nature of HRMAS NMR enables spectroscopic analysis of intact tissue samples with consecutive histological examinations under light microscope. Metabolomics aids in the unraveling and the discovery of organ-specific endogenous metabolites that have the potential to be reliable indicators of organ function and viability, extrinsic and intrinsic perturbations, as well as valuable markers for treatment response. The results may, therefore, be applied clinically to characterize an organ by utilizing biomarkers that have the capacity to distinguish between disease and health. The aim was to characterize the human and the rat prostate in terms of its intermediary metabolism, which I show here to differ between species and anatomical regions.  Furthermore, the aim is to seek the verification of HRMAS NMR derived metabolites which are known to be a part of the prostate metabolome such as, citrate, choline, and the polyamines which were performed, but also the identification of metabolites not previously identified as part of the local prostate metabolism, such as Omega-6, which was detected in tumors.  The extended aim was to elucidate novel bio-markers with clinical potential. In this study, the common phyto-nutrient, inositol, which appears to possess protective properties, was identified as being a potentially important PCa bio-marker for the distinction between the more indolent Gleason score 6 and the more aggressive Gleason score 7 in non-malignant prostate tissues with tumors elsewhere in the organ. Further studies in this area of PCa research are therefore warranted.