Recent reports have shown heterozygosity for some twenty different mutations in the CuZn–superoxide dismutase (CuZn–SOD) gene in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS), and analysed samples from patients have shown decreased enzymic activity. Here we report homozygosity for an exon 4 mutation, Asp90Ala in fourteen patients among four unrelated ALS families and four apparently sporadic ALS patients from Sweden and Finland. The erythrocyte CuZn–SOD activity is essentially normal. Our findings suggest that this CuZn–SOD mutation causes ALS by a gain of function rather than by loss, and that the Asp90Ala mutation is less detrimental than previously reported mutations.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with homozygosity for an Asp90Ala mutation in CuZn-superoxide dismutase.

Tree nuts contain an array of phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols and polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, proanthocyanidins (PAC) and stilbenes, all of which are included in nutrient databases, as well as phytates, sphingolipids, alkylphenols and lignans, which are not. The phytochemical content of tree nuts can vary considerably by nut type, genotype, pre- and post-harvest conditions, as well as storage conditions. Genotype affects phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and phytosterols, but data are lacking for many other phytochemical classes. During the roasting process, tree nut isoflavones, flavanols and flavonols were found to be more resistant to heat than the anthocyanins, PAC and trans-resveratrol. The choice of solvents used for extracting polyphenols and phytosterols significantly affects their quantification, and studies validating these methods for tree nut phytochemicals are lacking. The phytochemicals found in tree nuts have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antiviral, chemopreventive and hypocholesterolaemic actions, all of which are known to affect the initiation and progression of several pathogenic processes. While tree nut phytochemicals are bioaccessible and bioavailable in humans, the number of intervention trials conducted to date is limited. The objectives of the present review are to summarise tree nut: (1) phytochemicals; (2) phytochemical content included in nutrient databases and current publications; (3) phytochemicals affected by pre- and post-harvest conditions and analytical methodology; and (4) bioactivity and health benefits in humans.

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Tree nut phytochemicals: composition, antioxidant capacity, bioactivity, impact factors. A systematic review of almonds, Brazils, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.

Atherosclerosis is associated with immune activation. T cells and macrophages infiltrate atherosclerotic plaques and disease progression is associated with formation of autoantibodies to oxidized lipoproteins. In the apo E knockout mouse, a genetic model of cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, congenital deficiency of macrophages, lymphocytes, or interferon-gamma receptors result in reduced lesion formation. We have now evaluated whether immune modulation in the adult animal affects disease development. Injections of 7-wk-old male apo E knockout mice with polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations (ivIg) during a 5-d period reduced fatty streak formation over a 2-mo period on cholesterol diet by 35%. Fibrofatty lesions induced by diet treatment for 4 mo were reduced by 50% in mice receiving ivIg after 2 mo on the diet. ivIg treatment also reduced IgM antibodies to oxidized LDL and led to inactivation of spleen and lymph node T cells. These data indicate that ivIg inhibits atherosclerosis, that it is effective both during the fatty streak and plaque phases, and that it may act by modulating T cell activity and/or antibody production. Therefore, immunomodulation may be an effective way to prevent and/or treat atherosclerosis.

/pdf/immunoglobulin-treatment-reduces-atherosclerosis-in-apo-e-1lb7znxmrr.pdf

Immunoglobulin treatment reduces atherosclerosis in apo E knockout mice.

https://dyuthi.cusat.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/purl/4254/Valorization%20of%20date%20palm%20(Phoenix%20dactylifera)%20fruit%20processing%20by-products%20and%20wastes%20using%20bioprocess%20technology%20%e2%80%93%20Review.pdf?sequence=1

Valorization of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit processing by-products and wastes using bioprocess technology - Review.

The levels of phytochemicals (total phenols, proanthocyanidins, gallic acid + gallotannins, ellagic acid + ellagitannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes and phytates), fat-soluble bioactives (lipid, tocols, phytosterols, sphingolipids, carotenoids, chlorophylls and alkyl phenols) as well as natural antioxidants (nutrient and non-nutrient) present in commonly consumed twelve nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, heartnut, macadamia, peanut, pecan, pine nut, pistachio and walnut) are compared and reported. Recent studies adding new evidence for the health benefits of nuts are also discussed. Research findings from over 112 references, many of which have been published within last 10 years, have been compiled and reported.

/pdf/review-of-nut-phytochemicals-fat-soluble-bioactives-3dm1mfktys.pdf

Review of nut phytochemicals, fat-soluble bioactives, antioxidant components and health effects

Nigella sativa L.: Chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of lipid fraction

Background The pathogenetic mechanisms in vitiligo have not been clarified completely. One of the major hypotheses in the pathogenesis of vitiligo is the oxidative stress hypothesis. The active and stable phases of vitiligo are defined as the progression or appearance of new lesions in the last 3 months and the absence of new lesions or progression in the last 6 months, respectively.



Methods  We examined the levels of malondialdehyde, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the tissues of 10 patients with active vitiligo, 10 patients with stable vitiligo, and 20 matched healthy controls.



Results  The results revealed that the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde in tissues were increased significantly in patients with active vitiligo relative to those in patients with stable vitiligo and matched controls; however, the levels of catalase in tissues were decreased significantly in patients with active vitiligo relative to those in patients with stable vitiligo and matched controls.



Conclusions  Our study shows that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of both active and stable vitiligo, but an increased imbalance of antioxidants is observed in the tissues of patients with active vitiligo.

Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation at the tissue level in patients with stable and active vitiligo.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative stress status and antioxidant enzyme activities in infertile men's semen and to determine their relationship with spermatozoa characteristics. Four groups of infertile men, normozoospermic (n=9), azoospermic (n=13), oligoasthenozoospermic (n=38), and asthenozoospermic (n=42), were tested for malonaldialdehyde (MDA) concentration and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in semen using spectrophotometric methods. We found that MDA levels in semen and SOD activity in seminal plasma (SP) were significantly higher in oligoasthenozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups compared with normozoospermic group. In contrast, the mean values of CAT activity were not significantly different in all groups. We found positive correlations between semen MDA concentration and SOD activity (P<0.01). MDA levels in sperm pellet and in SP were also positively correlated with mobility grade b (P<0.01), acrosome anomalies (P<0.01), and residual cytoplasmic droplets (P<0.05). In contrast, SOD activity in SP was negatively correlated with sperm concentration and normal morphology (P<0.05). Similarly, CAT activity in SP was negatively correlated with sperm and leukocyte concentrations (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that the evaluation of oxidative status and antioxidant defenses may be taken as an important tool for diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in infertile men: correlation with semen parameter.

We previously reported that infection of BALB/c mice with the parasite Plasmodium chabaudi induces high production of natural autoantibodies. Here we demonstrate that such an infection of lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 (B/W) mice retards the development of their autoimmune disease. Survival and disease hallmarks (high-grade proteinuria and IgG anti-DNA antibodies) were delayed for 6 months when parasite inoculation was given at either 3 or 7 months of age, i.e. before or after the onset of the clinical symptoms. Similar beneficial effects, although less pronounced, were obtained when mice were treated with a total of 800 micrograms of IgG (P-IgG) or IgM (P-IgM) or 300 micrograms of cryoglobulin preparations isolated from P. chabaudi-infected BALB/c mice while similarly prepared fractions from uninfected mice had little effect. Compared to these fractions, P-IgG and P-IgM contained higher levels of natural antibodies bearing the D23 idiotype characteristic of polyreactive natural autoantibodies with enhanced activity against Fab and Fc fragments of IgG. In surviving mice, the level of anti-DNA antibodies, particularly those of IgG1 isotype, were significantly decreased. Flow cytometric analysis of various T cell subsets showed that the number of cells expressing gamma delta T cell receptor (TcR) antigens which did not vary with age was not modified after P-IgG or P-IgM treatment. In contrast, the number of T cells expressing V beta 8.1,2,V beta 10 and V beta 14 TcR antigens, which increased with age, were significantly reduced. Taken together, these results indicate that parasite infection of mice induces the synthesis of populations of IgM and IgG natural autoantibodies with immunoregulatory properties and that these antibodies attempt, at least transitorily, to rescue a natural autoantibody network that is deficient in B/W mice.

Beneficial effect of polyclonal immunoglobulins from malaria-infected BALB/c mice on the lupus-like syndrome of (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

The proximate composition of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seeds cultivated in Bizerta (Tunisia) were investigated for their fatty acid composition, and their thermal and physical properties of lipid fraction. The proximate analysis of pine seeds showed the following composition (on a dry-weight basis): protein 22.7%, oil 43.3%, ash 8.3% and total carbohydrate 25.7%. Potassium, magnesium and calcium were the predominant mineral elements present in the seeds and reached, together, about 1%. Oleic and linoleic acids were the major unsaturated fatty acids (27.3 and 48.8%, respectively), while the main saturated one was palmitic acid (8.75%). Myristic, myristoleic, palmitoleic, margaric, margaroleic, stearic, linolenic, arachidic, eicosenoic, eicosadienoic, eicosatrienoic, behenic and lignoceric acids were also detected. Thermal profile of Pinus halepensis Mill. seed oil, determined by its DSC melting curve, showed that the entire liquefaction of the Aleppo pine seed oil occurs at 8°C. CieLab colour pa...

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Basma Hentati

Papers

Nigella sativa L.: Chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of lipid fraction

Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation at the tissue level in patients with stable and active vitiligo.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in infertile men: correlation with semen parameter.

Beneficial effect of polyclonal immunoglobulins from malaria-infected BALB/c mice on the lupus-like syndrome of (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

Chemical composition and lipid fraction characteristics of aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seeds cultivated in Tunisia