Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemistry, production, applications, and health effects of chitin, chitosan, and co-products. Chitin and chitosan are weak bases, and have been tested to have material and biological properties that might be beneficial to enhance wound repair. Both of them have great influence on different stages of wound healing in the experimental animal models. Chitosan polymers can interact with and modulate the migration behavior of neutrophils and macrophages modifying subsequent repair process, such as fibroplastica and reepithelialization. Chitosan has many industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Safety and toxicological studies have been performed on chitosan to address issues related to its regulatory status. Based on its definition of functional foods, chitin and chitosans possess most of the required attributes related to enhancement of immunity, prevention of illness, delaying of aging, recovery for illness, and control of biorhythm. Thus, the use of chitosan in foods, such as potato chips, has been in commercial practice for some time. Therefore, regulatory status of chitosan varies from country to country and its use in food requires further studies to address issues of concern.

Chitin, Chitosan, and Co-Products: Chemistry, Production, Applications, and Health Effects

We examined dietary supplement use for weight loss and perceptions about safety, efficacy, and regulatory oversight of these products. A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in 2005-2006, with a representative sample of 3,500 US adults. The survey assessed the beliefs and practices related to weight control. Outcome measures included the prevalence of dietary supplement use for weight reduction, demographic profile of supplement users, and knowledge about safety, efficacy, and regulation of dietary supplements. Of the adults who made a serious weight-loss attempt (n = 1,444), 33.9% reported ever using a dietary supplement for weight loss. Supplement use was more common among women (44.9%) vs. men (19.8%); those aged 25-34; African Americans (48.7%) or Hispanics (41.6%) vs. whites (31.2%); less educated (38.4% high school degree or less vs. 31.1% some college or more); lower income households (41.8% made or =$40K); obese (40.7%) vs. overweight (29.1%); those who made more lifetime weight-loss attempts (42.0% made > or =3 vs. 22.1% made or =4 vs. 25.2% used <4). Many users and non-users of dietary supplements had misperceptions about these products-many believed they are evaluated for safety and efficacy by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before marketing, and that dietary supplements are safer than over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. Use of dietary supplements for weight loss is common. More information about dietary supplements is necessary to correct misperceptions and encourage the use of safe and effective weight-loss methods.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1038/oby.2007.136

Use of dietary supplements for weight loss in the United States: results of a national survey.

Aims: To observe the antiobesity activity of trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-producing lactobacillus in mice.



Methods and Results: Lactobacillus plantarum PL62, which can grow in the presence of linoleic acid, was selected and studied. The culture supernatant of Lact. plantarum PL62 contained trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (6·4 μg ml−1), and the crude enzyme prepared from washed cells produced trans-10,cis-12 CLA (1395 μg mg−1 protein). Lact. plantarum PL62 reduced the weights of epididymal, inguinal, mesenteric, and perirenal white adipose tissues and significantly reduced the blood levels of total glucose and body weights of mice (P < 0·01).



Conclusions: trans-10,cis-12-CLA-producing Lact. plantarum PL62 can exert the same antiobesity activity as trans-10,cis-12-CLA in mice.



Significance and impact of the study: trans-10,cis-12-CLA-producing Lactobacillus can be a replacement for CLA for obesity treatment via the continuous production of trans-10,cis-12-CLA. The results provide a novel opportunity to develop foods with antiobesity activity.

Antiobesity effect of trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid-producing Lactobacillus plantarum PL62 on diet-induced obese mice

Objective Dietary supplements are not recommended as part of a weight-loss program due to concerns about efficacy and safety. This study sought to assess prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health care professional, and specific ingredient use. Participants and Design Adults aged ≥18 years (n=9,403) completed a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of health behaviors from September 2002 through December 2002. Statistical Analyses Performed Both χ 2 and t tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons and multiple variable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors. Results An estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%). In regression models, use was equally prevalent among race/ethnic groups and education levels. One in 10 (10.2%) of users reported ≥12 month use, with less frequent long-term use in women (7.7%) than men (15.0%), P =0.01. Almost one third (30.2%) of users discussed use during the past year; 73.8% used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine, and/or bitter orange. Conclusions Use of supplements for losing weight seems to be common among many segments of the US adult population. Many adults are long-term users and most do not discuss this practice with their physician. Most of the weight-loss supplements taken contain stimulants. Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as to dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.

Use of Nonprescription Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Is Common among Americans

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the pharmacology and neurochemistry of apomorphine. Apomorphine was first employed as a powerful emetic agent. Apomorphine can be obtained by the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of morphine and by total synthesis. The hydrochloride forms colorless crystals that readily undergo superficial oxidation and assume a greenish tinge. Apomorphine solutions in water are unstable, turning green upon exposure to light and to air oxygen. Oxidation of apomorphine is much slower in acidic media. These properties of apomorphine explain the current addition of ascorbic acid to apomorphine solutions. The preparation of apomorphine by the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of morphine results in the retention of the configuration at the C6a chiral center leading to the corresponding (–)-isomer. Apomorphine has been measured in biological samples by spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods and by fluorescence quenching after chromatographic separation. Apomorphine is metabolized by O-glucuronidation, O-methylation, and, probably, by N-demethylation. Apomorphine is methylated in vitro when incubated with rat liver soluble fraction in the presence of S-adenosylmethionine as methyl donor. This reaction is carried by the enzyme COMT.

Pharmacology and neurochemistry of apomorphine.

Combinations of meparfynol and anticonvulsant drugs were tested for anti-Metrazol® potency and neurotoxicity in mice. The addition of meparfynol to an anticonvulsant did not cause the protective index to rise above that of the better component in the combination.

Anti‐metrazol® efficacy of combinations of meparfynol and anticonvulsant drugs

Pharmacological Activity of Thalicarpine

Blood nitrite and nitrate concentration after oral and intravenous administration of glyceryl trinitrate in rabbits

A method of evaluating local anesthetics, based on the response of albino rats to heat stimulus applied to the tail, is resented. Four local anesthetics were testel and the duration of anesthesia for a given dose was determined. A linear relationship was shown to exist between concentration and duration of anesthesia with procaine, Metycaine, and Nuercaine, but cocaine did not exhigit this same pattern.

John W. Nelson

Papers

Anti‐metrazol® efficacy of combinations of meparfynol and anticonvulsant drugs

Pharmacological Activity of Thalicarpine

Blood nitrite and nitrate concentration after oral and intravenous administration of glyceryl trinitrate in rabbits

A Method of Evaluating Local Anesthetics

Effect of glyceryl trinitrate on extracellular fluid space of aortic strips.