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Anthony R. Tagliaferro

Other affiliations: Cornell University
Bio: Anthony R. Tagliaferro is an academic researcher from University of New Hampshire. The author has contributed to research in topics: Basal metabolic rate & Insulin. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 26 publications receiving 3841 citations. Previous affiliations of Anthony R. Tagliaferro include Cornell University.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The diversity and multiple mechanisms of flavonoid action, together with the numerous methods of initiation, detection and measurement of oxidative processes in vitro and in vivo offer plausible explanations for existing discrepancies in structure-activity relationships.
Abstract: Flavonoids are a class of secondary plant phenolics with significant antioxidant and chelating properties. In the human diet, they are most concentrated in fruits, vegetables, wines, teas and cocoa. Their cardioprotective effects stem from the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation, chelate redox-active metals, and attenuate other processes involving reactive oxygen species. Flavonoids occur in foods primarily as glycosides and polymers that are degraded to variable extents in the digestive tract. Although metabolism of these compounds remains elusive, enteric absorption occurs sufficiently to reduce plasma indices of oxidant status. The propensity of a flavonoid to inhibit free-radical mediated events is governed by its chemical structure. Since these compounds are based on the flavan nucleus, the number, positions, and types of substitutions influence radical scavenging and chelating activity. The diversity and multiple mechanisms of flavonoid action, together with the numerous methods of initiation, detection and measurement of oxidative processes in vitro and in vivo offer plausible explanations for existing discrepancies in structure-activity relationships. Despite some inconsistent lines of evidence, several structure-activity relationships are well established in vitro. Multiple hydroxyl groups confer upon the molecule substantial antioxidant, chelating and prooxidant activity. Methoxy groups introduce unfavorable steric effects and increase lipophilicity and membrane partitioning. A double bond and carbonyl function in the heterocycle or polymerization of the nuclear structure increases activity by affording a more stable flavonoid radical through conjugation and electron delocalization. Further investigation of the metabolism of these phytochemicals is justified to extend structure-activity relationships (SAR) to preventive and therapeutic nutritional strategies.

3,567 citations

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TL;DR: The hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of DHEA on energy storage as fat is mediated, at least in part, by increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids in peroxisomes is supported.
Abstract: The present study is a follow-up to the report that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) acetate treatment in rats stimulated metabolic heat production and suppressed serum triglycerides, adiposity and weight gain without affecting food intake. Activities of peroxisomal fatty acyl-coenzyme (CoA) oxidase and catalase as well as mitochondrial citrate synthase were assayed in liver tissue of 24 young adult male and female Wistar rats fed a nonpurified diet containing 0.6% DHEA (6 g/kg) for 6 wk. DHEA-treated animals gained less weight but had heavier liver weights than did the controls. Hepatic activity of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase of the experimental male and female animal was 1058 and 946% higher, respectively, than that of the controls. For catalase activity, only the female groups were different (30%). Activity of citrate synthase was not affected by DHEA. These data support the hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of DHEA on energy storage as fat is mediated, at least in part, by increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids in peroxisomes. The peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway is uncoupled from oxidative phosphorylation; electrons are transferred directly to molecular O2 because of cycling of NAD/NADH resulting in the expenditure of chemical energy as heat.

78 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: Moderate treadmill exercise increased the incidence and number of cancers induced and shortened cancer latency in comparison to animals that received either the high fat or low fat diet and were sedentary, document a heretofore unreported effect of a moderate level of aerobic work on breast cancer induction.
Abstract: Although data reported in several epidemiological investigations indicate that reduced consumption of dietary fat and increased levels of physical activity are associated with reduced risk for breast cancer, the results of some studies do not support these observations. Underlying this situation is the unanswered question about whether degree of body fatness, which is affected by dietary composition, total caloric intake, and energy expenditure, is the critical determinant affecting breast cancer risk. The objective of this work was to establish whether increasing energy expenditure by exercise would reduce the occurrence of mammary carcinomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA) in animals consuming a high fat diet to the level of occurrence observed in sedentary animals consuming a low fat diet. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained at 21 days of age and maintained on a 5% (w/w) corn oil diet (AIN-76A) until they were 64 days of age. At 50 days of age, rats received either 5 mg DMBA or the solvent in which the carcinogen was dissolved. Fourteen days after DMBA intubation they were randomized into one of three groups: 5% fat (w/w), sedentary; 24.6% fat (w/w), sedentary; or 24.6% fat (w/w), exercised. Animals were exercised on a motor-driven treadmill at a belt speed of 20 m/min and a 1-degree incline for 15 min/day, 5 days/week for 18 weeks. Feeding a high fat versus a low fat diet increased the number of breast cancers induced and the rate at which they appeared in agreement with previous investigations. However, rather than retarding the development of tumors as was hypothesized, moderate treadmill exercise increased the incidence and number of cancers induced and shortened cancer latency in comparison to animals that received either the high fat or low fat diet and were sedentary. Body composition was not altered by the exercise regime imposed, although these animals weighed more than either sedentary group. These data document a heretofore unreported effect of a moderate level of aerobic work on breast cancer induction.

75 citations

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TL;DR: RMR was independent of O2 max, or body fatness, but women had a significantly higher average RMR than men, and DIT was increased in proportion to the increase in aerobic capacity, and body fat decreased in males but not females.
Abstract: Resting metabolic rate (RMR), dietary thermogenesis (DIT), aerobic capacity ( $$\dot V$$ O2 max), and percent body fat were measured in a group of sixteen women and ten men. DIT was significantly positively correlated with aerobic capacity (r=0.658). Percent body fat was significantly negatively correlated with $$\dot V$$ O2 max (r=−0.727). RMR was independent of $$\dot V$$ O2 max, or body fatness, but women had a significantly higher average RMR than men. Three men and three women participated in an endurance training program which significantly increased $$\dot V$$ O2 max. DIT was increased in proportion to the increase in aerobic capacity (r s=0.924), RMR was unchanged, and body fat decreased in males but not females. The controversy surrounding “luxuskonsumption” may stem in part from not taking into account individual differences in aerobic capacity when measuring DIT.

65 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings confirm a direct relation between obesity and a T helper 2 cell immune response in women and its relation to fat mass, insulin resistance, and plasma concentrations of 17beta-estradiol, interleukin 4, and leptin.

61 citations


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TL;DR: The structural features of flavonoids, their beneficial roles in human health, and significance in plants as well as their microbial production are highlighted.
Abstract: There has been increasing interest in the research on flavonoids from plant sources because of their versatile health benefits reported in various epidemiological studies. Since flavonoids are directly associated with human dietary ingredients and health, there is need to evaluate structure and function relationship. The bioavailability, metabolism, and biological activity of flavonoids depend upon the configuration, total number of hydroxyl groups, and substitution of functional groups about their nuclear structure. Fruits and vegetables are the main dietary sources of flavonoids for humans, along with tea and wine. Most recent researches have focused on the health aspects of flavonoids for humans. Many flavonoids are shown to have antioxidative activity, free radical scavenging capacity, coronary heart disease prevention, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, while some flavonoids exhibit potential antiviral activities. In plant systems, flavonoids help in combating oxidative stress and act as growth regulators. For pharmaceutical purposes cost-effective bulk production of different types of flavonoids has been made possible with the help of microbial biotechnology. This review highlights the structural features of flavonoids, their beneficial roles in human health, and significance in plants as well as their microbial production.

3,107 citations

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TL;DR: Phenolic compounds, ubiquitous in plants are an essential part of the human diet, and are of considerable interest due to their antioxidant properties as mentioned in this paper, and their structures may range from a simple phenolic molecule to a complex high-molecular weight polymer.

2,723 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this review, the most recent findings in the oxidative stress field are described, highlighting both its bad and good sides for human health.
Abstract: Oxidative stress is a phenomenon caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues and the ability of a biological system to detoxify these reactive products. ROS can play, and in fact they do it, several physiological roles (i.e., cell signaling), and they are normally generated as by-products of oxygen metabolism; despite this, environmental stressors (i.e., UV, ionizing radiations, pollutants, and heavy metals) and xenobiotics (i.e., antiblastic drugs) contribute to greatly increase ROS production, therefore causing the imbalance that leads to cell and tissue damage (oxidative stress). Several antioxidants have been exploited in recent years for their actual or supposed beneficial effect against oxidative stress, such as vitamin E, flavonoids, and polyphenols. While we tend to describe oxidative stress just as harmful for human body, it is true as well that it is exploited as a therapeutic approach to treat clinical conditions such as cancer, with a certain degree of clinical success. In this review, we will describe the most recent findings in the oxidative stress field, highlighting both its bad and good sides for human health.

1,810 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds can be found in this article, which summarizes both the synthetic and natural phenolic antioxidants, emphasizing their mode of action, health effects, degradation products and toxicology.

1,800 citations

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TL;DR: A comprehensive account of recent updates describing health effects of lead exposure, relevant biomarkers and mechanisms involved in lead toxicity, and updates the readers about recent advances in chelation therapy and newer therapeutic strategies, like nanoencapsulation, to treat lead induced toxic manifestations are provided.
Abstract: Lead poisoning has been recognized as a major public health risk, particularly in developing countries. Though various occupational and public health measures have been undertaken in order to control lead exposure, cases of lead poisoning are still reported. Exposure to lead produces various deleterious effects on the hematopoietic, renal, reproductive and central nervous system, mainly through increased oxidative stress. These alterations play a prominent role in disease manifestations. Modulation of cellular thiols for protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been used as a therapeutic strategy against lead poisoning. N-acetylcysteine, α-lipoic acid, vitamin E, quercetin and a few herbal extracts show prophylaxis against the majority of lead mediated injury in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review provides a comprehensive account of recent updates describing health effects of lead exposure, relevant biomarkers and mechanisms involved in lead toxicity. It also updates the readers about recent advances in chelation therapy and newer therapeutic strategies, like nanoencapsulation, to treat lead induced toxic manifestations.

1,523 citations