Remi De Schrijver

Bio: Remi De Schrijver is an academic researcher from Catholic University of Leuven. The author has contributed to research in topics: Polyunsaturated fatty acid & Fish oil. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 6 publications receiving 668 citations.

Glucosinolates in Brassica Vegetables - the Influence of the Food Supply Chain on Intake, Bioavailability and Human Health

Abstract: Glucosinolates (GLSs) are found in Brassica vegetables. Examples of these sources include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and various root vegetables (e.g. radish and turnip). A number of epidemiological studies have identified an inverse association between consumption of these vegetables and the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Animal studies have shown changes in enzyme activities and DNA damage resulting from consumption of Brassica vegetables or isothiocyanates, the breakdown products (BDP) of GLSs in the body. Mechanistic studies have begun to identify the ways in which the compounds may exert their protective action but the relevance of these studies to protective effects in the human alimentary tract is as yet unproven. In vitro studies with a number of specific isothiocyanates have suggested mechanisms that might be the basis of their chemoprotective effects. The concentration and composition of the GLSs in different plants, but also within a plant (e.g. in the seeds, roots or leaves), can vary greatly and also changes during plant development. Furthermore, the effects of various factors in the supply chain of Brassica vegetables including breeding, cultivation, storage and processing on intake and bioavailability of GLSs are extensively discussed in this paper.

Separation and quantitation of phospholipids in animal tissues by latroscan TLC/FID

Abstract: A procedure has been developed to separate and quantitate phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine, from animal tissues by means of the Iatroscan TLC/FID technique. The method is based on the use of 0.01 M oxalic acid impregnated Chromarods-SII and stepwise resolution of the phospholipids in the presence of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho (N,N-dimethylethanolamine) as internal standard. To remove the neutral lipids, the rods are initially developed in a nonpolar solvent mixture followed by partial scanning. Next, the rods are impregnated with oxalic acid, developed twice in CHCl3/CH3OH/CH3COOH/HCOOH/H2O (80∶35∶2∶1∶3, v/v/v/v/v) and partially scanned for measuring lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine. The subsequent step involves double development in CHCl3/CH3OH/30% NH4OH (60∶35∶0.9, v/v/v) to resolve cardiolipin, internal standard, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid. For each phospholipid a linear calibration curve with a highly significant correlation coefficient was obtained. However, the calibration lines extrapolated to negative intercepts on the ordinate, indicating declining sensitivity at low phospholipid loads.

Lipid Metabolism Responses in Rats Fed Beef Tallow, Native or Randomized Fish Oil and Native or Randomized Peanut Oil

Abstract: In experiments with male Wistar rats, we measured the effects of nonpurined diets containing 9.1% added fat (beef tallow, native or randomized fish oil, native or randomized peanut oil) on apparent digesti bility of total fat and individual fatty acids. We also investigated the effects of the diets on plasma contents of triglycA©ride, cholesterolesters and free and total cho lesterol as well as on the fatty acid profites of plasma and liver phospholipids. Randomization of fish oil or peanut oil had no significant effect on any of the lipid measurements. Fat digestibility was significantly lower in the rats fed beef tallow. Apparent absorption of 18: l(n-9) and polyunsaturated fatty acids was not de pendent on the fatty acid profile of the dietary fat. Ap parent absorption of 16:1(n-7) and saturated fatty acids was generally highest in the rats fed fish oil. Intake of fish oil or peanut oil significantly decreased plasma tri glycA©ride content. Intake of fish oil resulted in substan tially decreased contents of total cholesterol and cholesterolesters in plasma, but intake of peanut oil did not. Efficiency of conversion of 18:2(n-6) into 20: 4(n-6) was inhibited by long-chain (n-3) fatty acids. J. Mutr. 121: 948-955, 1991.

Cholesterol-lowering effects and utilization of protein, lipid, fiber and energy in rats fed unprocessed and baked oat bran.

Abstract: The effects of the addition of 15% or 30% non-heated oat bran or 30% baked oat bran to a purified diet on apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipid and fiber were measured in balance experiments with male Wistar rats. The effects of oat bran on dietary metabolizable energy, fecal bulking capacity and transit time of the ingested food were also studied. Heat processing of oat bran occurred in conditions of moisture and temperature similar to those of bread baking. Compared with the unprocessed oat bran, the baked product had a higher content of insoluble fiber, mainly due to higher Klason lignin content and a shift from soluble to insoluble beta-glucans. Relative to the fiber-free control diet, feeding the oat bran diets increased wet and dry fecal weight and decreased the transit time of the food. Fecal bulking capacity increased proportionally with oat fiber intake. Metabolizable energy of the diets, as well as apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein decreased with oat bran supplementation; on the other hand, lipid digestibility was not significantly changed. Baking of oat brain resulted in no statistically significant effects on dietary metabolizable energy or apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipid and fiber. The measured metabolizable energy of oat bran ranged between 12.7 and 13.2 MJ/kg. Total plasma cholesterol concentration diminished with oat brain intake; non-heated and baked oat bran had comparable effects on plasma cholesterol. An inverse linear relationship (r = -0.80, P less than 0.1) was found between plasma cholesterol concentration and fecal excretion of bile acids.

Digestion and absorption of free and esterified fish oil fatty-acids in rats

Abstract: This study was designed to test the hypotheses that digestibility and post-absorption metabolism of fish oil are influenced by impaired lipolysis and by the stereospecific composition of its triacylglycerols. Male Wistar rats were fed nonpurified diets containing one of the following fat sources: 9% native fish oil (NFO), 9% autorandomized fish oil (RFO), 8.1% fish oil-derived free fatty acids (FO-FFA) plus 0.9% glycerol, or 9% soybean oil (SO) as a reference fat. In a 24-day balance study, apparent digestibility of total dietary fat averaged 93.1% in the SO, NFO and RFO groups, and 90.9% in the FO-FFA group. Randomization of fish oil had no effect on apparent digestibility of individual fatty acids. In rats fed FO-FFA, apparent absorption of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids was lower when compared to the NFO and RFO groups. Feeding the FO-FFA diet tended to increase plasma triglyceride content. The hypocholesterolemic effect of polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids was not influenced by the dietary source. Similar effects on fatty acid profiles of plasma and liver phospholipids were caused by the NFO, RFO and the FO-FFA diets. We conclude that once polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids are absorbed, their effect on lipid metabolism is not determined by the dietary source.

Role of cardiolipin alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction and disease

Abstract: Cardiolipin (CL) is a structurally unique dimeric phospholipid localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it is required for optimal mitochondrial function. In addition to its role in maintaining membrane potential and architecture, CL is known to provide essential structural and functional support to several proteins involved in mitochondrial bioenergetics. A loss of CL content, alterations in its acyl chain composition, and/or CL peroxidation have been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in multiple tissues in a variety of pathological conditions, including ischemia, hypothyroidism, aging, and heart failure. Recently, aberrations in CL metabolism have been implicated as a primary causative factor in the cardioskeletal myopathy known as Barth syndrome, underscoring an important role of CL in human health and disease. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of evidence that has linked changes in the CL profile to mitochondrial dysfunction in various pathological conditions. In addition, a brief overview of CL function and biosynthesis, and a discussion of methods used to examine CL in biological tissues are provided.

Oat: unique among the cereals

Abstract: This review is intended to focus on the composition of oat and its therapeutic potential in the pharmacology that supports its use to cure various maladies. Oat (Avena sativa) is distinct among the cereals due to its multifunctional characteristics and nutritional profile. Recent advancement in food and nutrition has revealed the importance of its various components. It is a good source of dietary fiber especially β-glucan, minerals and other nutrients. Oat and oat by products have been proven to be helpful in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Oat bran in particular, is good source of B complex vitamins, protein, fat, minerals besides heart healthy soluble fiber β-glucan. The β-glucan has outstanding functional properties and is of immense importance in human nutrition. Different physiological effects of β-glucan are related to its viscosity, attenuation of postprandial plasma glucose and insulin responses, high transport of bile acids towards lower parts of the intestinal tract and high excretion of bile acids thereby lowering of serum cholesterol levels. Moreover, it is helpful against coeliac disease. The incorporation of oat grains and oat bran in the food products improves not only the nutrition but also a therapy against various maladies.

The genome sequence of allopolyploid Brassica juncea and analysis of differential homoeolog gene expression influencing selection

Abstract: Mingfang Zhang, Sally Mackenzie and colleagues report the genome sequence of allopolyploid Brassica juncea and through comparative analysis suggest that A-subgenome evolution contributes to differences in agricultural subvarieties. They find that differential homoeolog gene expression from the subgenomes helps to shape the selection that distinguishes vegetable- and oil-use Brassica.