1,721,026 research outputs found
A comparative study of phytochemical composition of genetically and non genetically modified soybean (Glycine max L.) and evaluation of antitumoractivity
No full textColon cancer is one of the major causes of cancer mortality worldwide. The analysed feeds, containing non-genetically modified (GM) soybean and Roundup Ready soybean, showed a different polyphenolic content and lipophilic composition. Non-GM soybean extract possessed twice the polyphenolic content of GM soybean and the highest number of sterols. Among them, -sitosterol was found to be the major constituent. Methanolic extract of non-GM soybean extract was more potent than GM soybean extract against colon carcinoma cell line LoVo using MTT assay, while the second one showed a slightly higher anti-inflammatory activity. The findings add to epidemiological evidence for the therapeutic effects of soy foods in colorectal carcinoma
Radical scavenging, antioxidant and metal chelating activities of Annona cherimola Mill. (cherimoya) peel and pulp in relation to their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid content, radical scavenging activity (by DPPH and ABTS tests) and antioxidant capacity (by β-carotene bleaching test) of Annona cherimola (cherimoya) fruits cultivated in Italy for human consumption. The metal chelating activity and ferric reducing power were also determined. A. cherimola peel and pulp were characterized by a total phenolic content of 14.6 and 12.6mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/100g fresh weight, respectively. A similar trend was observed with flavonoid content. Both extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity through different mechanisms of action. In particular, peel extract demonstrated the strongest free radical scavenging activity with an IC 50 value of 57.7μg/mL. The same extract was more effective in preventing β-carotene oxidation (IC 50 value of 63.5μg/mL after 60min) and showed higher chelating ability (IC 50 value of 79.6μg/mL) than pulp extract. This work demonstrated the high quality of cherimoya fruits cultivated in Italy, and recommends the peel of this fruit product that may be of interest from a functional point of view as a major source of natural antioxidants. © 2011 Elsevier Inc
Serotonin transporter gene deficiency is associated with sudden death of newborn mice through activation of TGF-β1 signalling
No full textThe serotonin transporter (SERT) gene has been proposed as a candidate gene responsible for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In this study, for the first time we obtained a SERT-knockout (KO) mouse model which reproduces SIDS phenotype. SERT-KO mice were generated by mating SERT(Cre/+) heterozygous mice. The SERT-KO mouse embryos at the pre-natal stage E18.5 were lacking of SERT mRNA and protein expression in the heart. A premature death of 75% of SERT-KO mice occurred in the first week after birth. LacZ staining of whole mounts and tissue sections of the heart from SERT(Cre/+);ROSA26R adult mice and E18.5 embryos demonstrated a marked localized expression of SERT in the right ventricle, the conal region, the vasculature, the atrial septum, the ventricular valves, and the sinoatrial node of the conduction system. These data suggest a cardiac phenotype for the sudden death of SERT-KO mice. Histological analysis of heart sections showed that SERT-KO mice develop cardiac fibrosis. Increased collagen accumulation in the myocardium and the valvular and perivascular regions, and enhanced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin were detected in the heart of SERT-KO mice versus wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, higher expression levels of the 5-HT2A receptor and increased levels of phospho-SMAD2/3 and phospho-ERK1/2 were detected in SERT-KO mouse heart versus WT mice. Overall, our findings provide i) new insights into the role of SERT gene in SIDS, and ii) the first in vivo validation of the molecular mechanism involving the activation of TGF-beta1 signalling in the cardiac fibrosis
Citrus medica L. cv Diamante (Rutaceae) peel extract improves glycaemic status of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and protects against oxidative stress
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic, antilipidaemic and antioxidant activities of Citrus medica cv Diamante (Rutaceae) hydroalcoholic (CD) peel extract in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. The ability of CD to protect against oxidative stress was investigated by using different in vitro assays and in vivo by using the reactive oxygen metabolites-derived compounds (d-ROMs) test and the biological antioxidant potential test (BAP). Two different doses of CD extract (300 and 600 mg/kg/die) were administered at ZDF rats for 4 weeks. CD reduced cholesterol and triglycerides levels. A dose-dependent effect on body weight and serum glucose levels was observed. A decrease of d-ROMs and an increase of BAP were recorded by using the dose of 600 mg/kg. The extract inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50 value of 0.23 mg/ml). These findings suggest as an efficient phytotherapeutic approach in combating hyperlipidaemic and hyperglycaemic disorders
Comparative study on the antioxidant capacity and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of citrus aurantifolia swingle, c. aurantium l., and c. bergamia risso and poit. peel essential oils
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Passive transfer status and growth performance in newborn buffalo calves allowed to nurse the dam
No full textThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of passive transfer status, determined by measuring serum IgG concentration 24 hours after parturition, on growth performance in buffalo calves fed milk replacer or allowed to nurse the dam during the first month of life. Experiment consisted of 24 healthy buffalo calves from birth to 30 days old. Significant quadratic associations were detected between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and day-30 weight (P < 0.05; R-2 = 0.62) and between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and the mean daily gain from birth to day 30 (P < 0.01; R-2 = 0.74) in buffalo calves allowed to nurse the dam. No significant association was detected between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and measures of growth performance in buffalo calves fed milk replacer. Results indicated that passive transfer status, determined as serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth, was a significant source of variation in growth performance when buffalo calves nursed the dam. Maximizing passive transfer of immunity by allowing buffalo calves to nurse the dam increased the growth performance during the first month of life
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