This study aimed to evaluate the potential for lowering blood pressure and beneficial effects on mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) and conductance vessels (aorta) produced by dietary supplementation of an egg white hydrolysate (EWH) in... more
This study aimed to evaluate the potential for lowering blood pressure and beneficial effects on mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) and conductance vessels (aorta) produced by dietary supplementation of an egg white hydrolysate (EWH) in rats with severe hypertension induced by deoxycorticosterone plus salt treatment (DOCA-salt), as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. The DOCA-salt model presented higher blood pressure, which was significantly reduced by EWH. The impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation and eNOS expression observed in MRA and aorta from DOCA-salt rats was ameliorated by EWH. This effect on vessels (MRA and aorta) was related to the antioxidant effect of EWH, since hydrolysate intake prevented the NF-κB/TNFα inflammatory pathway and NADPH oxidase-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, as well as the mitochondrial source of ROS in MRA. At the plasma level, EWH blocked the higher ROS and MDA generation by DOCA-salt treatment, without altering the a...
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Datos técnicos: 3 minutos, color, español. Ficha técnica: Gabinete de Presidencia CSIC y Departamento de ComunicaciónInvestigadores del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) han patentado un nuevo producto derivado de la... more
Datos técnicos: 3 minutos, color, español. Ficha técnica: Gabinete de Presidencia CSIC y Departamento de ComunicaciónInvestigadores del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) han patentado un nuevo producto derivado de la clara de huevo que proporciona una espuma más esponjosa, brillante, ligera, uniforme y que además resulta más manejable para su aplicación en alta cocina. El ingrediente fue presentado ayer por el cocinero Mario Sandoval y el repostero Francisco Torreblanca en Madrid Fusión, el foro de difusión de las últimas tendencias en gastronomía. El nuevo producto tiene, según los investigadores, “propiedades tecnofuncionales novedosas y antihipertensivas”. Se obtiene tras tratar la clara de huevo pasteurizada con una enzima que rompe las proteínas en fragmentos de menor tamaño, un proceso denominado hidrólisis.N
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Research Interests: Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Identification, Bacteria, Dairy, and 10 moreClinical Sciences, Fermentation, Enterococcus faecalis, Food Sciences, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat, Biochemistry and cell biology, Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, and Fermented milk
En los ultimos anos, los alimentos funcionales han irrumpido con fuerza en el sector alimentarlo, debido a la mayor concienciacion de los consumidores de la relacion existente entre la dieta y la salud. Dentro de los ingredientes... more
En los ultimos anos, los alimentos funcionales han irrumpido con fuerza en el sector alimentarlo, debido a la mayor concienciacion de los consumidores de la relacion existente entre la dieta y la salud. Dentro de los ingredientes funcionales, es decir, componentes que, incorporados al alimento, proporcionan al mismo actividades biologicas especificas que van mas alla de la mera nutricion, ocupan un lugar destacado los peptidos bioactivos, por su diversidad y multifuncionalidad. La produccion de peptidos bioactivos a partir de las proteinas de la clara de huevo permitiria encontrar nuevos usos al huevo de gallina, mas alla de su valor alimenticio clasico. El presente trabajo maestra que el tratamiento de clara de bueno con diferentes enzimas da lugar a hidrolizados conteniendo peptidos bioactivos. Algunos de dichos peptidos fueron identificados y se demostro que poseen actividad inhibidora de la enzima convertidora de asgiotensina in vitro, actividad antioxidante in vitro y actividad...
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As a consequence of COVID-19, millions of households have suffered mobility restrictions and changes in their lifestyle over several months. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on the food habits,... more
As a consequence of COVID-19, millions of households have suffered mobility restrictions and changes in their lifestyle over several months. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on the food habits, lifestyle and emotional balance of the Spanish population. This cross-sectional study used data collected via an anonymous online questionnaire during the month before lockdown finished in Spain, with a total of 675 participants. 38.8% of the respondents experienced weight gain while 31.1% lost weight during confinement. The increase in body weight was positively correlated with age (Rs = 0.14, p < 0.05) and BMI (Rs = 0.20, p < 0.05). We also identified that 39.7% reported poorer quality sleep, positively correlated with BMI (Rs = −0.18, p < 0.05) and with age (Rs = −0.21, p < 0.05). 44.7% of the participants had not performed physical exercise during confinement with differences by sex (p < 0.05), by age (p < 0.05), by BMI (p <...
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Abstract Background: Structure and function of egg proteins have been widely studied and, probably because of its protein diversity and its different physiochemical properties, they have become an attractive source for the research of... more
Abstract Background: Structure and function of egg proteins have been widely studied and, probably because of its protein diversity and its different physiochemical properties, they have become an attractive source for the research of biologically active compounds. Scope and approach: This work reviews the scientific studies carried out on the production of bioactive peptides and/or protein hydrolysates from different egg structures and their potential for the treatment of several disorders mainly focus on cardiometabolic diseases. This review takes in consideration studies reporting peptides and hydrolysates that exert antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and/or anti-diabetic activities in vitro or in vivo, paying special attention on those showing several simultaneous activities. Special attention has been paid on studies in which the effect of egg derived peptides and hydrolysates are tested in humans, as the European legislation demands to evaluate the activity of these ingredients through intervention studies and clinical trial to ensure the effectiveness and safety before they reach market. Key findings and conclusions: In summary, egg and its component structures present a great potential to obtain bioactive peptides with multifunctional properties, and could be of great interest for multifactorial diseases treatment such as metabolic syndrome and its related pathologies. However, more research in this field is needed, like animal and human studies in order to go deeper into the pathways by which these molecules exert their biological activity.
Research Interests: Biology and Food Sciences
Antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, have therapeutic effects because of their anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antithrombotic and antiproliferative properties. They play important roles in protecting the cardiovascular and... more
Antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, have therapeutic effects because of their anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antithrombotic and antiproliferative properties. They play important roles in protecting the cardiovascular and neurological systems, by having preventive or protective effects against free radicals produced by either normal or pathological metabolism in such systems. For instance, resveratrol, a well-known potent antioxidant, has a counteracting effect on the excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has a number of therapeutic benefits, like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and cardioprotective activities. Based on previous work from our group, and on the most frequent OH substitutions of natural polyphenols, we designed two series of synthetically accessible bis-polyhydroxyphenyl derivatives, separated by amide or urea linkers. These compounds exhibit high antioxidant ability (oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay) and interesting radical scavengi...
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Aim: We investigated the antioxidant protective power of egg white hydrolysate (EWH) against the vascular damage induced by mercury chloride (HgCl2) exposure in resistance arteries.Methods: Male Wistar rats received for 60 days: (I)... more
Aim: We investigated the antioxidant protective power of egg white hydrolysate (EWH) against the vascular damage induced by mercury chloride (HgCl2) exposure in resistance arteries.Methods: Male Wistar rats received for 60 days: (I) intramuscular injections (i.m.) of saline and tap water by gavage – Untreated group; (II) 4.6 μg/kg of HgCl2 i.m. for the first dose and subsequent doses of 0.07 μg/kg/day and tap water by gavage – HgCl2 group; (III) saline i.m. and 1 g/kg/day of EWH by gavage – EWH group, or (IV) the combination of the HgCl2 i.m. and EWH by gavage – EWH + HgCl2 group. Blood pressure (BP) was indirectly measured and dose-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and noradrenaline (NE) were assessed in mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA), as in situ production of superoxide anion, nitric oxide (NO) release, vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant status.Results: Egg white hydrolysate prevented the elevation in...
Abstract The interest in the research about underexploited foods has increased in the last two decades. Pseudocereals have been consumed by the ancient populations for hundreds of years. These plants that do not belong to the family of... more
Abstract The interest in the research about underexploited foods has increased in the last two decades. Pseudocereals have been consumed by the ancient populations for hundreds of years. These plants that do not belong to the family of cereals, but that have properties and uses similar to them, stand out among underexploited foods. Some of the most representative species are quinoa, amaranth, chia and buckwheat. They do not contain gluten but high valued proteins and peptides can be obtained from them, as well as other nutritional and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and antihypertensive properties have been found and postulated for pseudocereals protein derived peptides. These interesting characteristics of pseudocereals are producing an increase of the relevance of these crops. The purpose of this work was to carry out an exhaustive revision of the scientific literature describing the biological activities of peptides and protein hydrolysates obtained from the most widely studied pseudocereals: quinoa, amaranth, chia and buckwheat.
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This research aimed to investigate the biological properties of different hydrolysates derived from industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran proteins. Industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran protein concentrates were hydrolyzed... more
This research aimed to investigate the biological properties of different hydrolysates derived from industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran proteins. Industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran protein concentrates were hydrolyzed with alcalase or flavorzyme. The degree of hydrolysis (DH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), reducing power, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, were determined in the hydrolysates and the molecular fractions lower than 3 kDa. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using the tail-cuff method before and after oral administration of 80 mg/kg of different rice bran protein hydrolysate (RBPH) fractions lower than 3 kDa in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. The highest values of in vitro antioxidant activity and TPC were observed in RBPH with alcalase defatted by industry (RBPH2A), and, in all cases, these bioactivities were higher in t...
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Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is related to increased risk of early death due to cardiovascular complications, among others. Dietary intervention has been suggested as the safest and most cost-effective alternative for treatment of those... more
Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is related to increased risk of early death due to cardiovascular complications, among others. Dietary intervention has been suggested as the safest and most cost-effective alternative for treatment of those alterations in patients with MS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different egg white hydrolysates (HEW1 and HEW2) in obese Zucker rats, focus on the development of cardiovascular complications. Blood pressure, heart rate, basal cardiac function and vascular reactivity in aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries were evaluated. Reactive oxygen species production by dihydroethidium-emitted fluorescence, NOX-1 mRNA levels by qRT-PCR, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity by fluorimetry and kidney histopathology were also analysed. Both hydrolysates improve the endothelial dysfunction occurring in resistance arteries. Additionally, HEW2 reduced vascular oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Egg white is a good source of bioactive peptides, some of them with high antioxidant activity. They may be used as functional foods ingredients and could serve as an alternative therapeutic option to decrease some Metabolic Syndrome-related complications. This study suggests that these hydrolysates could be an interesting non-pharmacological tool to control cardiovascular complications related to Metabolic Syndrome.
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INTRODUCTION The toxic effects of mercury (Hg) are involved in homeostasis of energy systems such as lipid and glucose metabolism, and white adipose tissue dysfunction is considered as a central mechanism leading to metabolic disorders.... more
INTRODUCTION The toxic effects of mercury (Hg) are involved in homeostasis of energy systems such as lipid and glucose metabolism, and white adipose tissue dysfunction is considered as a central mechanism leading to metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effects of chronic inorganic Hg exposure at low doses on the lipid and glycemic metabolism. METHODS Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and treated for 60 days with: saline solution, i.m. (Untreated) and mercury chloride, i.m. - 1st dose 4.6 μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07 μg/kg/day - (Mercury). Histological analyses, Hg levels measurement and GRP78, CHOP, PPARα, PPARγ, leptin, adiponectin and CD11 mRNA expressions were performed in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). Glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and insulin plasma levels were also measured. RESULTS Hg exposure reduced the absolute and relative eWAT weights, adipocyte size, plasma insulin levels, glucose tolerance, antioxidant defenses and increased plasma glucose and triglyceride levels. In addition, CHOP, GRP78, PPARα, PPARγ, leptin and adiponectin mRNA expressions were increased in Hg-treated animals. No differences in Hg concentration were found in eWAT between the untreated and Hg groups. These results suggest that the reduction in adipocyte size is related to the impaired antioxidant defenses, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, the disrupted PPARs and adipokines mRNA expression induced by the metal in eWAT. These disturbances possibly induced a decrease in circulating insulin levels, an imbalance between lipolysis and lipogenesis mechanisms in eWAT, with an increase in fatty acids mobilization, a reduction in glucose uptake and an activation of pro-apoptotic pathways, leading to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS Hg is a powerful environmental WAT disruptor that influences signaling events and impairs metabolic activity and hormonal balance of adipocytes.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a constellation of many metabolic disorders such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and obesity, being this last disorder a key factor in the etiology of the syndrome. The... more
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a constellation of many metabolic disorders such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and obesity, being this last disorder a key factor in the etiology of the syndrome. The widespread of MetS in actual society, mainly in developed countries, is becoming an important health problem and is increasing the need to develop new treatments against this pathology is increasing fast. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the MetS-associated alterations developed in a new glucose diet-induced-obesity (DIO) rodent model. These alterations were also compared to those alterations developed in a fructose-DIO rodent model. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), High-fat (HF), High-fat/high-fructose (HFF) and High-fat/high-glucose (HFG). The animals were fed ad libitum for 20 weeks. At the end of the study, HFG animals showed lower expression of energy expenditure genes when compared to the other DIO gr...
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The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a pepsin egg white hydrolysate (EWH) on metabolic complications using a high-fat/high-dextrose diet-induced Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) experimental model. Male Wistar rats were divided... more
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a pepsin egg white hydrolysate (EWH) on metabolic complications using a high-fat/high-dextrose diet-induced Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) experimental model. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups which received: standard diet and water (C), standard diet and a solution with 1 g kg day of EWH (CH), high-fat/high-dextrose diet and water (MS), and high-fat/high-dextrose diet and a solution with 1 g kg day of EWH (MSH). EWH consumption normalized body weight gain; abdominal obesity and peripheral neuropathy developed in MetS animals, and adipose tissue and liver weight, as well as plasma glucose were reduced. Oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers were normalized in MSH animals. In conclusion, the oral administration of EWH could be used as a functional food ingredient to improve some complications associated with MetS induced by unhealthy diets.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of two egg white hydrolysates on glucose metabolism complications related to Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in Zucker fatty rats (ZFR). ZFR were given 750 mg/kg/day of... more
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of two egg white hydrolysates on glucose metabolism complications related to Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in Zucker fatty rats (ZFR). ZFR were given 750 mg/kg/day of egg white hydrolyzed with pepsin (HEW1) or with aminopeptidase (HEW2) for 12 weeks in their drinking water or just water. Zucker lean rats (ZLR), which received water, were used as a control. The presence of tactile allodynia, which is a sign of peripheral neuropathy, was assessed. Blood samples and pancreas were collected to determine the effect of the hydrolysates on glucose metabolism. The intake of HEW1 significantly lowered plasma insulin levels and improved the quantitative indexes of insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic β-cell functionality (HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and QUICKI, respectively), but non-significant changes were observed in group treated with HEW2. Compared to ZLR, ZFR showed tactile allodynia, but the consumption of bot...
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The study aimed to investigate the effects of egg white hydrolysate (EWH) on vascular disorders induced by mercury (Hg). For this, male Wistar rats were treated for 60days: Untreated (saline, i.m.); Mercury (HgCl2, i.m., 1st dose... more
The study aimed to investigate the effects of egg white hydrolysate (EWH) on vascular disorders induced by mercury (Hg). For this, male Wistar rats were treated for 60days: Untreated (saline, i.m.); Mercury (HgCl2, i.m., 1st dose 4.6μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07μg/kg/day); Hydrolysate (EWH, gavage, 1g/kg/day); Hydrolysate-Mercury. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure measurement and vascular reactivity experiments in aorta were performed. We analyzed endothelial dependent and independent vasodilator responses and vasoconstrictor response to phenylephrine (Phe) in absence and presence of endothelium, a NOS inhibitor, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, the superoxide dismutase, a non-selective COX inhibitor, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, an AT-1 receptors blocker. In situ superoxide anion production, SOD-1, NOX-4, p22phox, COX-2 and AT-1 mRNA levels and NOX-1 protein expression were performed in aorta while the determination of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measu...
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Concerns about environmental aluminum (Al) and reproductive health have been raised. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at a human relevant dietary level and a high level exposure to Al. Experiment 1 (Lower level) rats were... more
Concerns about environmental aluminum (Al) and reproductive health have been raised. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at a human relevant dietary level and a high level exposure to Al. Experiment 1 (Lower level) rats were treated orally for 60 days: a) controls - ultrapure water; b) aluminum at 1.5mg/kg bw/day and c) aluminum at 8.3mg/kg bw/day. Experiment 2 (High level) rats were treated for 42 days: a) controls - ultrapure water; b) aluminum at 100mg/kg bw/day. Al decreased sperm count, daily sperm production, sperm motility, normal morphological sperm, impaired testis histology; increased oxidative stress in reproductive organs and inflammation in testis. Our study shows the specific presence of Al in the germinative cells and, that low concentrations of Al in testes (3.35μg/g) are sufficient to impair spermatogenesis and sperm quality. Our findings provide a better understanding of the reproductive health risk of Al.
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Aluminum (Al) is a neurotoxic associated with a number of chronic human diseases. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at doses similar to human dietary levels and at a high level exposure to Al on the peripheral nervous system.... more
Aluminum (Al) is a neurotoxic associated with a number of chronic human diseases. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at doses similar to human dietary levels and at a high level exposure to Al on the peripheral nervous system. Wistar male rats were divided into two major groups and received orally: 1) First group - Low level - rats were subdivided and treated for 60days: a) Control - received ultrapure water; b) AlCl3 - received Al at 8.3mg/kg body weight (bw) for 60days; and 2) Second group - High level - rats were subdivided and treated for 42days: C) Control - received ultrapure water through oral gavage; d) AlCl3 - received Al at 100mg/kg bw for 42days. Von Frey hair test, plantar test, the presence of catalepsy and the spontaneous motor activity were investigated. Reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity, immunohistochemistry to investigate the nerve inflammation and, the specific presence of Al in the sciatic nerve fibers were investig...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Animal Behavior, Locomotion, Oxidative Stress, and 15 moreMedicine, Aluminum, Reactive Oxygen Species, Animals, Peripheral Nervous System, Male, Lipid peroxidation, Optic Neuritis, Time Factors, Sciatic Nerve, Inorganic Biochemistry, Toxicokinetics, Hyperalgesia, Tissue distribution, and Catalepsy
Aluminum (Al) is a non-essential metal and a significant environmental contaminant and is associated with a number of human diseases including cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at doses similar to human... more
Aluminum (Al) is a non-essential metal and a significant environmental contaminant and is associated with a number of human diseases including cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at doses similar to human dietary levels on the cardiovascular system over a 60day period. Wistar male rats were divided into two major groups and received orally: 1) Low aluminum level - rats were subdivided and treated for 60days as follows: a) Untreated - ultrapure water; b) AlCl3 at a dose of 8.3mg/kg bw for 60 days, representing human Al exposure by diet; and 2) High aluminum level - rats were subdivided and treated for 42days as follows: C) Untreated - ultrapure water; d) AlCl3 at 100mg/kg bw for 42 days, representing a high level of human exposure to Al. Effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and vascular function of aortic and mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) were studied. Endothelium and smooth muscle integrity were evaluated by concentration-response curves to ...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Toxicology, Diet, Oxidative Stress, Risk assessment, and 15 moreMedicine, Signal Transduction, Humans, Hypertension, Blood Pressure, Nitric oxide, Animals, Male, Vasoconstriction, Superoxide Dismutase, Lipid peroxidation, Time Factors, Risk Assessment, Chlorides, and Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
Pepsin egg white hydrolysate favours lean-associated microbiota and microbial metabolism.
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Aluminum (Al) is a significant environmental contaminant. While a good deal of research has been conducted on the acute neurotoxic effects of Al, little is known about the effects of longer-term exposure at human dietary Al levels.... more
Aluminum (Al) is a significant environmental contaminant. While a good deal of research has been conducted on the acute neurotoxic effects of Al, little is known about the effects of longer-term exposure at human dietary Al levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 60-day Al exposure at low doses for comparison with a model of exposure known to produce neurotoxicity in rats. Three-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into two major groups: (1) low aluminum levels, and (2) a high aluminum level. Group 1 rats were treated orally by drinking water for 60 days as follows: (a) control-received ultrapure drinking water; (b) aluminum at 1.5 mg/kg b.w., and (c) aluminum at 8.3 mg/kg b.w. Group 2 rats were treated through oral gavages for 42 days as follows: (a) control-received ultrapure water; (b) aluminum at 100 mg/kg b.w. We analyzed cognitive parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in hippocampus and pre...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Diet, Medicine, Prefrontal Cortex, Antioxidants, and 15 moreAluminum, Hippocampus, Reactive Oxygen Species, Animals, Male, Drinking Water, Acetylcholinesterase, Neurotoxicity, Lipid peroxidation, Clinical Sciences, Memory Disorders, Maze Learning, Neurosciences, Biochemistry and cell biology, and Motor activity
The hydrolysis of crude egg white with pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin produced peptides with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties. These peptides were mainly derived from the proteolysis of ovalbumin. The most... more
The hydrolysis of crude egg white with pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin produced peptides with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties. These peptides were mainly derived from the proteolysis of ovalbumin. The most active hydrolysates were obtained after treatment with pepsin (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 55.3 microg/ml), with the fraction having a molecular mass lower than 3,000 Da giving the highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50, 34.5 microg/ml). Nine subfractions were collected from the fraction with a molecular mass lower than 3,000 Da using semipreparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Considerable ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 40 microg/ml) was found in three of them. These subfractions were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 14 peptides were identified. These sequences were synthesized, and their ACE inhibitory activities were measured. Among the identified peptides, two novel sequences with potent ACE inhibitory activity were found. The amino acid sequences of these inhibitors were identified as Arg-Ala-Asp-His-Pro-Phe-Leu and Tyr-Ala-Glu-Glu-Arg-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Leu and showed IC50 values of 6.2 and 4.7 microM, respectively.
Research Interests: Chemistry, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Animals, Trypsin, and 11 moreEgg Proteins, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Molecular weight, Amino Acid Sequence, Hydrolysis, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Chymotrypsin, Molecular Sequence Data, Antihypertensive agents, and Ovalbumin
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This study evaluates the antihypertensive effect of long-term intake of a soluble cocoa fiber product (SCFP). Different doses of SCFP were evaluated (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day) and a dose of 800 mg/kg/day of beta-glucan 0.75 (BETA-G)... more
This study evaluates the antihypertensive effect of long-term intake of a soluble cocoa fiber product (SCFP). Different doses of SCFP were evaluated (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day) and a dose of 800 mg/kg/day of beta-glucan 0.75 (BETA-G) was used as a standard fiber. Water, a neutral vehicle, was used as negative control, and 50 mg/kg/day captopril was used as positive control. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly by the tail cuff method. Body weight, food, and liquid intake were also registered weekly in the rats from 10 to 24 weeks of life. Glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; redox status; and the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity were also studied in the plasma samples of these animals. Throughout the 10 weeks of treatment, captopril and SCFP (400 mg/kg/day) demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (p<0.05; n=8). Paradoxically, neither the highest dose (800 mg/kg/day) of SCFP decreased SBP nor 800 mg/k...
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Zucker fatty rats are the best known animal model of genetic obesity. Obesity in these animals is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected rats have a mutation in the leptin receptor and show hyperphagia and other alterations... more
Zucker fatty rats are the best known animal model of genetic obesity. Obesity in these animals is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected rats have a mutation in the leptin receptor and show hyperphagia and other alterations similar to those that appear in human metabolic syndrome. These animals have hyperinsulinemia and can also be considered a model of insulin resistance. Nevertheless, the usefulness of Zucker fatty rats as a model of type 2 diabetes is questionable, since these animals have only mild glucose intolerance. The lipid profile in these animals is also altered. These rats show an increase in both very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) but no increase in LDL cholesterol and these animals cannot be used as a model for atherogenesis. Zucker obese rats are not a model for hypertension either, even though they show high systolic blood pressure values after 28 weeks of life.
Antihypertensive hydrolysates and peptides have been isolated from food proteins. Among them, there are of particular interest the antihypertensive casein hydrolysates, and some antihypertensive products obtained when milk was fermented... more
Antihypertensive hydrolysates and peptides have been isolated from food proteins. Among them, there are of particular interest the antihypertensive casein hydrolysates, and some antihypertensive products obtained when milk was fermented by Lactobacillus helveticus. The sequences Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) and Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP), with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, have been isolated from these fermented products. Selected Enterococcus faecalis strains can also produce milk derived peptides with ACE inhibitory and antihypertensive activities. The main of them is the sequence LHLPLP. Some studies also describe the production of antihypertensive hydrolysates and peptides from egg proteins. The sequences FRADHPFL (ovokinin) and RADHPFL (ovokinin 2-7), that have shown endothelium-dependent vasodilator activity, were obtained at first. Some egg white hydrolysates with ACE inhibitory activity have also been described. The idea of including the above-mentioned products as functional food ingredients is particularly attractive. Some of them have already proved their safety and effectiveness in hypertensive patients.
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Metabolic syndrome is described as a group of health problems whose fundamental pathogenic component is insulin resistance. Diagnosis involvesthe presence of 3 or more of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, high triglyceride... more
Metabolic syndrome is described as a group of health problems whose fundamental pathogenic component is insulin resistance. Diagnosis involvesthe presence of 3 or more of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, high triglyceride levels, low high-density ...
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Prostanoids modulate the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, in which inflammation has an important role. It is well known that inducible Ciclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is responsible for prostanoid production associated... more
Prostanoids modulate the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, in which inflammation has an important role. It is well known that inducible Ciclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is responsible for prostanoid production associated with inflammation. Angiotensin II may be implicated through the expression of COX-2 in the vascular wall. The purpose of this study was to examine in angiotensin II-stimulated adventitial fibroblasts the anti-inflammatory activity of different food peptides by inhibiting COX-2 expression, and the production of pro-inflammatory prostanoids. Fibroblasts from aorta of Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with different food derived peptides followed by incubation with Angiotensin II. COX-2 expression was determined by western blot, transcriptional activity by luciferase assays and prostaglandin E2 by enzyme immunoassay. COX-2 expression was inhibited in the presence of Val-Pro-Pro (bovine β-casein 84–86), Arg-Asp-Ile-Leu-Asn-Gln (ovalbumin 84&...
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This work reports the antioxidant activity of peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of crude egg white with pepsin. Four peptides included in the protein sequence of ovalbumin possessed radical scavenging activity higher than that of... more
This work reports the antioxidant activity of peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of crude egg white with pepsin. Four peptides included in the protein sequence of ovalbumin possessed radical scavenging activity higher than that of Trolox. The hydrolysate of egg white with pepsin for 3 h was previously found to exhibit a strong angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in vitro. The combined antioxidant and ACE inhibition properties make it a very useful multifunctional preparation for the control of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension. No correlation was found between antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities. However, the peptide Tyr-Ala-Glu-Glu-Arg-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Leu, which was a strong ACE inhibitor (50% inhibitory concentration, 4.7 microM) also exhibited a high radical scavenging activity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity-fluorescein value, 3.8 micromol of Trolox equivalent per micromol of peptide) and delayed the low-density lipoprotein lipid oxidation induced by Cu2+ at a concentration of approximately 0.16 mg/mg of low-density lipoprotein. Present results support that antioxidant peptides and amino acids not only act individually, but also cooperatively and synergistically.
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ABSTRACT
Zucker fatty rats are the best known animal model of genetic obesity. Obesity in these animals is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected rats have a mutation in the leptin receptor and show hyperphagia and other alterations... more
Zucker fatty rats are the best known animal model of genetic obesity. Obesity in these animals is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected rats have a mutation in the leptin receptor and show hyperphagia and other alterations similar to those that appear in human metabolic syndrome. These animals have hyperinsulinemia and can also be considered a model of insulin resistance. Nevertheless, the usefulness of Zucker fatty rats as a model of type 2 diabetes is questionable, since these animals have only mild glucose intolerance. The lipid profile in these animals is also altered. These rats show an increase in both very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) but no increase in LDL cholesterol and these animals cannot be used as a model for atherogenesis. Zucker obese rats are not a model for hypertension either, even though they show high systolic blood pressure values after 28 weeks of life.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of Gamalost cheese, its pH 4.6-soluble fraction, and Norvegia cheese was monitored before and after digestion with human gastric and duodenal juices. Both Gamalost and Norvegia... more
The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of Gamalost cheese, its pH 4.6-soluble fraction, and Norvegia cheese was monitored before and after digestion with human gastric and duodenal juices. Both Gamalost and Norvegia cheeses showed an increased ACE-inhibitory activity during gastrointestinal digestion. However, only Norvegia showed pronounced increased activity after duodenal digestion. More peptides were detected in digested Gamalost compared with digested Norvegia. Most of the peptides in Gamalost were derived from β-casein (CN), some originated from α(s1)-CN, and only a very few originated from α(s2)-CN and κ-CN. In general, the number of peptides increased during gastrointestinal digestion, whereas some peptides were further degraded and disappeared; however, surprisingly, a few peptides remained stable. The aromatic amino acids, such as Tyr, Phe, and Trp; the positively charged amino acids (Arg and Lys); and Leu increased after simulated gastrointestinal digestion of Gamalost and Norvegia. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, both Gamalost and Norvegia showed high ACE-inhibitory activity, which may contribute in lowering of mild hypertension.
Research Interests:
In recent years, a number of studies have endorsed the beneficial effects of polyphenols intake on health, especially on the cardiovascular system. This is important since cardiovascular diseases are the main death cause worldwide. The... more
In recent years, a number of studies have endorsed the beneficial effects of polyphenols intake on health, especially on the cardiovascular system. This is important since cardiovascular diseases are the main death cause worldwide. The effects of polyphenols are mainly due to their antioxidant properties. These compounds present vasodilating effects, and they can improve the lipid profile and lessen the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). They show clear antiinflammatory effects and they can modulate the apoptotic pathways in the vascular endothelium. This review defines from the structural viewpoint the different groups of polyphenols that may occur in vegetables, and updates the knowledge on their bioavailability. Some of the recent studies establishing their beneficial properties at a cardiovascular level are also included.
We have previously demonstrated that chronic exposure to low-dose of mercury induced endothelial dysfunction and increased vasoconstrictor responses. The aim of this work was to investigate if mercury exposure alters contractile... more
We have previously demonstrated that chronic exposure to low-dose of mercury induced endothelial dysfunction and increased vasoconstrictor responses. The aim of this work was to investigate if mercury exposure alters contractile prostanoids production from cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its contribution to phenylephrine responses. For this, aortic segments from 3-month old Wistar rats daily treated with HgCl(2) (1(st) dose 4.6 microg/kg, subsequent dose 0.07 microg/kg/day, i.m.) or vehicle for 30 days were used. Mercury treatment did not affect systolic blood pressure but increased phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. The non selective COX inhibitor, indomethacin (10 micromol/l) reduced the response to phenylephrine more in aortic segments from mercury-treated than control rats. The selective COX-2 inhibitor NS 398 (1 micromol/l), the thromboxane A(2)/prostaglandin H(2) receptor (TP) antagonist SQ 29,548 (1 micromol/l), the TXA(2) synthase inhibitor furegrelate (1 micromol/l), the ...