Kaposi of the penis: about a case

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric angioproliferative disorder of endothelial origin. It predominantly affects mucocutaneous sites but may also affect visceral organs. We are reporting a case of KS with unusual presentation. A 45-year-old male presented violaceous macules on the glans which appeared 3 weeks ago. Otherwise he reported fever and loss weight. Histological examination detected the presence of spindle cells and the positivity for Kaposi-associated Herpes virus-8 confirmed the lesions as Kaposi's sarcoma. Visceral sarcoma lesions were also present in the oesophagus and gastric fundus. HIV viral serology was positive. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy and bleomycine was initiated. Sarcomas of the penis are very uncommon, representing less than 5% of malignant tumors in this area. KS is the most common sarcoma of the penis and the second most common is leiomyosarcoma. Primary presentation of KS on the penis is not common but more often observed in patients with AIDs, whose lesions are the aggressive form, and only approximately 2-3% cases have shown penile KS lesions as first manifestation of disease as our patient. This case is important as it illustrates that disseminated KS was not to be predicted by the number or the external lesions

Cutaneous tuberculosis with an unusual appearance and location

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its cutaneous form accounts for 2% of all extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We report a case of 30-year-old woman with nodules evolving for two years. Examination showed gums of genital and inguinocrural location, and scrofulous scars. Several diagnoses were discussed including tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis, or cutaneous lymphoma. Skin biopsy revealed an epithelial giganto-cellular granuloma with caseating necrosis; the culture of a cutaneous fragment was positive for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Our case is original and unusual due to the uncommon clinical appearance and location of the nodules grouped in the inguinocrural region. The multiplicity of the clinical forms of cutaneous tuberculosis sometimes makes the diagnosis difficult. Gums and scrofulodermas remain the most frequent forms of cutaneous tuberculosis in Morocco. According to the immuno-anatomo-clinical classification, tuberculous gum is part of the multi-bacillary forms and is seen mostly in immunocompromised patients

Argan Oil-Mediated Attenuation of Organelle Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress and Cell Death Induced by 7-Ketocholesterol in Murine Oligodendrocytes 158N

Argan oil is widely used in Morocco in traditional medicine. Its ability to treat cardiovascular diseases is well-established. However, nothing is known about its effects on neurodegenerative diseases, which are often associated with increased oxidative stress leading to lipid peroxidation and the formation of 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) resulting from cholesterol auto-oxidation. As 7KC induces oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death, it is important to identify compounds able to impair its harmful effects. These compounds may be either natural or synthetic molecules or mixtures of molecules such as oils. In this context: (i) the lipid profiles of dietary argan oils from Berkane and Agadir (Morocco) in fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols and polyphenols were determined by different chromatographic techniques; and (ii) their anti-oxidant and cytoprotective effects in 158N murine oligodendrocytes cultured with 7KC (25–50 µM; 24 h) without and with argan oil (0.1% v/v) or α-tocopherol (400 µM, positive control) were evaluated with complementary techniques of cellular and molecular biology. Among the unsaturated fatty acids present in argan oils, oleate (C18:1 n-9) and linoleate (C18:1 n-6) were the most abundant; the highest quantities of saturated fatty acids were palmitate (C16:0) and stearate (C18:0). Several phytosterols were found, mainly schottenol and spinasterol (specific to argan oil), cycloartenol, β-amyrin and citrostadienol. α- and γ-tocopherols were also present. Tyrosol and protocatechic acid were the only polyphenols detected. Argan and extra virgin olive oils have many compounds in common, principally oleate and linoleate, and tocopherols. Kit Radicaux Libres (KRL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests showed that argan and extra virgin olive oils have anti-oxidant properties. Argan oils were able to attenuate the cytotoxic effects of 7KC on 158N cells: loss of cell adhesion, cell growth inhibition, increased plasma membrane permeability, mitochondrial, peroxisomal and lysosomal dysfunction, and the induction of oxiapoptophagy (OXIdation + APOPTOsis + autoPHAGY). Altogether, our data obtained in 158N oligodendrocytes provide evidence that argan oil is able to counteract the toxic effects of 7KC on nerve cells, thus suggesting that some of its compounds could prevent or mitigate neurodegenerative diseases to the extent that they are able to cross the blood‐brain barrier

Préparation et caractérisation d'extraits d'Argania spinosa et d'huile d'argan et évaluation de leurs effets neuroprotecteurs in vivo et in vitro

من بين الزيوت الطبيعية أثار زيت أركان الكثير من الاهتمام. فقد استخدم زيت الأركان في الطب التقليدي، من قبل نساء البربرللعناية بالجسم و الشعر، و لمنع بعض الأمراض القلب و الأوعية الدموية . يتميز زيت الأركان بوظائفه التي تخص خفض الكوليسترول، مكافحة داء السكري ومكافحة التكاثر في خطوط الخلايا السرطانية البشرية للبروستات. يعتبر زيت اركان غنيا بالأحماض الدهنية غير المشبعة، البوليفينول، التوكوفيرول و الستيرول .هذه المواد تجعله مادة مضادة للأكسدة.يتركز دور مضادات الأكسدة الغذائية في وظيفة الجهاز العصبي وبعض الأمراض المرتبطة بالعمر على فيتامين E الذي يعتبر المكون الرئيسي لزيت أركان . الهدف من هذا العمل هو أولا دراسة كيميائية لنبتة اركان وتقييم القوة المضادة للأكسدة لمقتطفات هذه النبتة مع توصيف شامل لتركيبة زيت أركان المستخدم في دراستنا.وثانيا تقييم للآثار الوقائية لهذا الزيت ولبعض مركباته الرئيسية في المختبر على الخلايا العصبيةN158 وعلى فئران من فئة وينستار. وقد تم تحديد فوائد زيت اركان في بيئة سامة بواسطة KC7 و AlCl3 النتائج المحصل عليها تكمن في تأثيرات مختلفة على الميتوكوندريا، الأمر الذي يؤدي إلى تمزق في توازن الأكسدة , استحثاث موت الخلايا المبرمج والالتهام الذاتي وفقدان الإلتصاق. يؤثر KC7 أيضا على الناقلات البيروكسيزومية (ABCD1,ABCD3,ACOX1) على المستوى الخلوي PARaP. الدراسة المجراة على الفئران بجرعة 100 ملغم/كغم من AlCl3 أظهرت أن AlCl3 يؤدي الى تمزق التوازن الأكسدة عن طريق الحد من أنشطة الإنزيمات المضادة للأكسدة (الكاتلاز,الجلوتاثيون،سيبيروكسيد) على مستوى المادة الرمادية بالمخ وضعف الادراك الذي ارتبط ارتباطا وثيقا بالأمراض العصبية والتغيرات في معالم البلازما. وبشكل عام، تشير الدراسة ان زيت أركان أو البعض من مكوناته قادرون على مكافحة الأكسدة الناجمة عن KC7 و AlCl3 .Argan oil has lot of interest for human health. It has been used in traditional medicine for several centuries. The rich composition of argan oil in term of tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acid makes it a very interesting oil regarding its potential actions on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Argan oil is also used for skin infections. Previous studies have shown the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cell lines. The role of dietary antioxidants in neurological function and in some aged related diseases is centered on vitamin E which is a major molecule of argan oil. The objective of this work was 1) to do a phytochemical study and to evalutate the argan extracts antioxidant properties of argan oils from two Moroccan regions, and 2) to characterize the biochemical composition of argan oils used in this study. Third, we evaluated the protective effects of argan oil and of some of its major compounds in vitro on 158N murine oligodendrocytes, and in vivo in the rat. The effects have been specified in a pro-oxidant environment and cytotoxic mimicked by the 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) and AlCl3. Different methodologies were used: phase contrast microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, histochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, and several biochemical methods. Furthermore, 7KC affect the expression of peroxisomal markers (ABCD1, ABCD3, ACOX1) as well as expression of PPARα at the cellular level. The results show that argan oil has cytoprotective and antioxidant effects on 158N murine oligodendrocytes. Argan oil is able to attenuate the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions, loss of cell adhesion and decreased proliferation, cell death by apoptosis and autophagy. We investigate also the effect of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on brain function and neuronal oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats received daily AlCl3 100 mg/kg for 42 days. AlCl3 exposed group showed a significant reduction in spatial memory performance. Moreover, AlCl3 – treated rats exhibited a marked deterioration of oxidative markers; SOD, CAT, GSH, and changes in the plasma parameters. AlCl3 slightly affects the body weight of rat. Argan oils (or some of their compounds) have cytoprotective and antioxidant effects on 158N murine oligodendrocytes. These different molecules attenuate oxidative stress and could be potentially useful for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Argan oil could exert cytoprotective and antioxidant effects which allows to consider new fields of application for this oil. It is possible to envisage that a controlled diet or functional foods with argan oil could help to prevent some forms of neurodegeneration.Parmi les huiles naturelles, l'huile d'argan suscite beaucoup d’intérêt. Elle a été utilisée en médecine traditionnelle, en usage externe par les femmes berbères pour les soins corporels et capillaires, et en usage interne pour prévenir certaines maladies cardiovasculaires. L’huile d’argan se caractérise par ses fonctions hypocholestérolémiantes, anti-diabètique et antiproliférative sur des lignées cancéreuses humaines de prostate. Riche en acides gras insaturés, l’huile d’argan est caractérisée également par ses composés mineurs : polyphénols, tocophérols et stérols qui lui confèrent des propriétés antioxydantes. Le rôle des antioxydants alimentaires dans la fonction neurologique et dans certaines maladies liès à l’âge est centrée sur la vitamine E qui est une molécule majoritaire de l’huile d’argan dotée. L’objectif de ce travail a consisté dans un premier temps en une étude phytochimique et en une évalutation du pouvoir antioxydant des extraits d’arganier de deux régions marocaines. Une caractérisation biochimique de la composition de l’huile d’argan a aussi été réalisée. Dans un second temps, une évaluation des effets protecteurs de l’huile d’argan ou certains de ces composés majoritaires a été réalisée in vitro sur des oligodendrocytes murins 158N et in vivo sur des rats. ces effets ont été spécifiés dans un environnement pro-oxydant et cytotoxique mimé par le 7-cétocholestérol (7KC) et l’AlCl3. La cytotoxicité du 7KC induit divers effets au niveau de la mitochondrie (modification fonctionnelle), ce qui conduit à une rupture de l’équilibre RedOx (surproduction d’espèces radicalaires de l’oxygène), à une induction d’apoptose et d’autophagie, à une perte d’adhésion, à une diminution de la prolifération et à des dysfonctions du lysosome. Le 7KC affecte aussi l’expression des marqueurs peroxysomaux (ABCD1, ABCD2, ACOX1) ainsi que l’expression de facteur de transcription PPARα au niveau cellulaire. L’étude in vivo réalisée sur des rats Wistar traités à 100 mg/kg d’AlCl3, a montré qu’AlCl3 induit une rupture de l’équilibre RedOx en diminuant les activités des enzymes anti-oxydantes (catalase, superoxyde dismutase, les glutathions) au niveau du cortex, une altération des fonctions cognitives qui ont été étroitement liées aux maladies neurodégénératives, et des modifications des paramètres plasmatiques. AlCl3 induit une légère perte du poids corporel des rats tout au long de la période de traitement. Dans son ensemble, le travail réalisé montre que l’huile d’argan est capable de s’opposer au stress oxydatif induit par 7KC et AlCl3. L’huile d’argan pourrait être potentiellement être intéressante pour traiter les maladies neurodégénératives. Elle pourrait exercer des effets cytoprotecteurs et antioxydants ce qui permet d’envisager de nouveaux domaines d’applications pour cette huile

Preparation and characterization of extracts argania spinosa and argan oil and evaluation of their neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro

Parmi les huiles naturelles, l'huile d'argan suscite beaucoup d’intérêt. Elle a été utilisée en médecine traditionnelle, en usage externe par les femmes berbères pour les soins corporels et capillaires, et en usage interne pour prévenir certaines maladies cardiovasculaires. L’huile d’argan se caractérise par ses fonctions hypocholestérolémiantes, anti-diabètique et antiproliférative sur des lignées cancéreuses humaines de prostate. Riche en acides gras insaturés, l’huile d’argan est caractérisée également par ses composés mineurs : polyphénols, tocophérols et stérols qui lui confèrent des propriétés antioxydantes. Le rôle des antioxydants alimentaires dans la fonction neurologique et dans certaines maladies liès à l’âge est centrée sur la vitamine E qui est une molécule majoritaire de l’huile d’argan dotée. L’objectif de ce travail a consisté dans un premier temps en une étude phytochimique et en une évalutation du pouvoir antioxydant des extraits d’arganier de deux régions marocaines. Une caractérisation biochimique de la composition de l’huile d’argan a aussi été réalisée. Dans un second temps, une évaluation des effets protecteurs de l’huile d’argan ou certains de ces composés majoritaires a été réalisée in vitro sur des oligodendrocytes murins 158N et in vivo sur des rats. ces effets ont été spécifiés dans un environnement pro-oxydant et cytotoxique mimé par le 7-cétocholestérol (7KC) et l’AlCl3. La cytotoxicité du 7KC induit divers effets au niveau de la mitochondrie (modification fonctionnelle), ce qui conduit à une rupture de l’équilibre RedOx (surproduction d’espèces radicalaires de l’oxygène), à une induction d’apoptose et d’autophagie, à une perte d’adhésion, à une diminution de la prolifération et à des dysfonctions du lysosome. Le 7KC affecte aussi l’expression des marqueurs peroxysomaux (ABCD1, ABCD2, ACOX1) ainsi que l’expression de facteur de transcription PPARα au niveau cellulaire. L’étude in vivo réalisée sur des rats Wistar traités à 100 mg/kg d’AlCl3, a montré qu’AlCl3 induit une rupture de l’équilibre RedOx en diminuant les activités des enzymes anti-oxydantes (catalase, superoxyde dismutase, les glutathions) au niveau du cortex, une altération des fonctions cognitives qui ont été étroitement liées aux maladies neurodégénératives, et des modifications des paramètres plasmatiques. AlCl3 induit une légère perte du poids corporel des rats tout au long de la période de traitement. Dans son ensemble, le travail réalisé montre que l’huile d’argan est capable de s’opposer au stress oxydatif induit par 7KC et AlCl3. L’huile d’argan pourrait être potentiellement être intéressante pour traiter les maladies neurodégénératives. Elle pourrait exercer des effets cytoprotecteurs et antioxydants ce qui permet d’envisager de nouveaux domaines d’applications pour cette huile.Argan oil has lot of interest for human health. It has been used in traditional medicine for several centuries. The rich composition of argan oil in term of tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acid makes it a very interesting oil regarding its potential actions on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Argan oil is also used for skin infections. Previous studies have shown the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cell lines. The role of dietary antioxidants in neurological function and in some aged related diseases is centered on vitamin E which is a major molecule of argan oil. The objective of this work was 1) to do a phytochemical study and to evalutate the argan extracts antioxidant properties of argan oils from two Moroccan regions, and 2) to characterize the biochemical composition of argan oils used in this study. Third, we evaluated the protective effects of argan oil and of some of its major compounds in vitro on 158N murine oligodendrocytes, and in vivo in the rat. The effects have been specified in a pro-oxidant environment and cytotoxic mimicked by the 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) and AlCl3. Different methodologies were used: phase contrast microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, histochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, and several biochemical methods. Furthermore, 7KC affect the expression of peroxisomal markers (ABCD1, ABCD3, ACOX1) as well as expression of PPARα at the cellular level. The results show that argan oil has cytoprotective and antioxidant effects on 158N murine oligodendrocytes. Argan oil is able to attenuate the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions, loss of cell adhesion and decreased proliferation, cell death by apoptosis and autophagy. We investigate also the effect of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on brain function and neuronal oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats received daily AlCl3 100 mg/kg for 42 days. AlCl3 exposed group showed a significant reduction in spatial memory performance. Moreover, AlCl3 – treated rats exhibited a marked deterioration of oxidative markers; SOD, CAT, GSH, and changes in the plasma parameters. AlCl3 slightly affects the body weight of rat. Argan oils (or some of their compounds) have cytoprotective and antioxidant effects on 158N murine oligodendrocytes. These different molecules attenuate oxidative stress and could be potentially useful for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Argan oil could exert cytoprotective and antioxidant effects which allows to consider new fields of application for this oil. It is possible to envisage that a controlled diet or functional foods with argan oil could help to prevent some forms of neurodegeneration.من بين الزيوت الطبيعية أثار زيت أركان الكثير من الاهتمام. فقد استخدم زيت الأركان في الطب التقليدي، من قبل نساء البربرللعناية بالجسم و الشعر، و لمنع بعض الأمراض القلب و الأوعية الدموية . يتميز زيت الأركان بوظائفه التي تخص خفض الكوليسترول، مكافحة داء السكري ومكافحة التكاثر في خطوط الخلايا السرطانية البشرية للبروستات. يعتبر زيت اركان غنيا بالأحماض الدهنية غير المشبعة، البوليفينول، التوكوفيرول و الستيرول .هذه المواد تجعله مادة مضادة للأكسدة.يتركز دور مضادات الأكسدة الغذائية في وظيفة الجهاز العصبي وبعض الأمراض المرتبطة بالعمر على فيتامين E الذي يعتبر المكون الرئيسي لزيت أركان . الهدف من هذا العمل هو أولا دراسة كيميائية لنبتة اركان وتقييم القوة المضادة للأكسدة لمقتطفات هذه النبتة مع توصيف شامل لتركيبة زيت أركان المستخدم في دراستنا.وثانيا تقييم للآثار الوقائية لهذا الزيت ولبعض مركباته الرئيسية في المختبر على الخلايا العصبيةN158 وعلى فئران من فئة وينستار. وقد تم تحديد فوائد زيت اركان في بيئة سامة بواسطة KC7 و AlCl3 النتائج المحصل عليها تكمن في تأثيرات مختلفة على الميتوكوندريا، الأمر الذي يؤدي إلى تمزق في توازن الأكسدة , استحثاث موت الخلايا المبرمج والالتهام الذاتي وفقدان الإلتصاق. يؤثر KC7 أيضا على الناقلات البيروكسيزومية (ABCD1,ABCD3,ACOX1) على المستوى الخلوي PARaP. الدراسة المجراة على الفئران بجرعة 100 ملغم/كغم من AlCl3 أظهرت أن AlCl3 يؤدي الى تمزق التوازن الأكسدة عن طريق الحد من أنشطة الإنزيمات المضادة للأكسدة (الكاتلاز,الجلوتاثيون،سيبيروكسيد) على مستوى المادة الرمادية بالمخ وضعف الادراك الذي ارتبط ارتباطا وثيقا بالأمراض العصبية والتغيرات في معالم البلازما. وبشكل عام، تشير الدراسة ان زيت أركان أو البعض من مكوناته قادرون على مكافحة الأكسدة الناجمة عن KC7 و AlCl3

An expeditious synthesis of spinasterol and schottenol, two phytosterols present in argan oil and in cactus pear seed oil, and evaluation of their biological activities on cells of the central nervous system

International audienceSpinasterol and schottenol, two phytosterols present in argan oil and in cactus pear seed oil, were synthesized from commercially available stigmasterol by a four steps reactions. In addition, the effects of these phytosterols on cell growth and mitochondrial activity were evaluated on 158N murine oligodendrocytes, C6 rat glioma cells, and SK-N-BE human neuronal cells with the crystal violet test and the MTT test, respectively. The effects of spinasterol and schottenol were compared with 7-ketocholesterol (71CC) and ferulic acid, which is also present in argan and cactus pear seed oil. Whatever the cells considered, dose dependent cytotoxic effects of 71CC were observed whereas no or slight effects of ferulic acid were found. With spinasterol and schottenol, no or slight effects on cell growth were detected. With spinasterol, reduced mitochondrial activities (30-50%) were found on 158N and C6 cells; no effect was found on SK-N-BE. With schottenol, reduced mitochondrial activity were revealed on 158N (50%) and C6 (10-20%) cells; no effect was found on SK-N-BE. Altogether, these data suggest that spinasterol and schottenol can modulate mitochondrial activity and might therefore influence cell metabolism

Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition, Health and Disease

Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly referred to as prickly pear or nopal cactus, is a dicotyledonous angiosperm plant. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and is characterized by its remarkable adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. In the last decade, compelling evidence for the nutritional and health benefit potential of this cactus has been provided by academic scientists and private companies. Notably, its rich composition in polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids has been highlighted through the use of a large panel of extraction methods. The identified natural cactus compounds and derivatives were shown to be endowed with biologically relevant activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties. The present review is aimed at stressing the major classes of cactus components and their medical interest through emphasis on some of their biological effects, particularly those having the most promising expected health benefit and therapeutic impacts

Lipid Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease

International audienceBACKGROUND:There are now significant evidences that lipid metabolism is affected in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. These dysfunctions lead to abnormal levels of certain lipids in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. It is consequently of interest to establish lipid profiles in neurodegenerative diseases. This approach, which can contribute to identify lipid biomarkers of Alzheimers' disease, can also permit to identify new therapeutic targets. It was therefore of interest to focus on central and peripheral biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.METHODS:A review of the literature on 148 papers was conducted. Based on this literature, the involvement of lipids (cholesterol and oxysterols, fatty acids, phospholipids) in Alzheimer's disease has been proposed.RESULTS:Of the 148 references cited for lipid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, 65 refer to cholesterol and oxysterols, 35 to fatty acids and 40 to phospholipids. Among these lipids, some of them such as 24S-hydroxyckolesterol, open up new therapeutic perspectives in gene therapy, in particular. The results on the very long-chain fatty acids suggest the potential of peroxisomal dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease. As for the phospholipids, they could constitute interesting biomarkers for detecting the disease at the prodromal stage.CONCLUSION:There are now several lines of evidence that lipids play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of AD and that some of them have a prognostic and diagnosis value. This may pave the way for the identification of new therapeutic targets, new effective drugs and / or new treatments

Profile of fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols and polyphenols in mediterranean oils (argan oils, olive oils, milk thistle seed oils and nigella seed oil) and evaluation of their antioxidant and cytoprotective activities

International audienceBackground: The effects of vegetable oils on human health depends on their components. Therefore, their profiles of lipid nutrients were determined. Objective: To establish and compare the fatty acid, tocopherol, phytosterol and polyphenol profiles of Mediterranean oils: cosmetic and dietary argan oils (AO; Morocco: Agadir, Berkane); olive oils (OO; Morocco, Spain, Tunisia); milk thistle seed oils (MTSO; Tunisia: Bizerte, Sousse, Zaghouane); nigella seed oil (NSO). Method: The biochemical profiles were determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry as required. The antioxidant and cytoprotective activities were evaluated with the KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres) and the fluorescein diacetate tests on nerve cells treated with 7-ketocholesterol (7KC). Results: The fatty acid profile revealed high linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) content in AO, OO, MTSO and NSO. The highest levels of oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) were found in AO and OO. The tocopherol profile showed that Agadir AO contained the highest amount of α-tocopherol, also present at high level in MTSO and Tunisian OO; Berkane AO was rich in γ-tocopherol. The phytosterol profile indicated that β-sitosterol was predominant in the oils, except AO; spinasterol was only present in AO. Polyphenol profiles underlined that OO was the richest in polyphenols; hydroxytyrosol was only in OO; few polyphenols were detected in AO. The oils studied have antioxidant activities, and all of them, except NSO, prevented 7KC-induced cell death. The antioxidant characteristics of AO were positively correlated with procatechic acid and compestanol levels. Conclusion: Based on their biochemical profiles, antioxidant and cytoprotective characteristics, AO, OO, and MTSO are potentially beneficial to human health

Comparison of the effects of major fatty acids present in the Mediterranean diet (oleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and in hydrogenated oils (elaidic acid) on 7-ketocholesterol-induced oxiapoptophagy in microglial BV-2 cells

International audienceIncreased levels of 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), which results mainly from cholesterol auto-oxidation, are often found in the plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and might contribute to activation of microglial cells involved in neurodegeneration. As major cellular dysfunctions are induced by 7KC, it is important to identify molecules able to impair its side effects. Since consumption of olive and argan oils, and fish is important in the Mediterranean diet, the aim of the study was to determine the ability of oleic acid (OA), a major compound of olive and argan oil, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) present in fatty fishes, such as sardines, to attenuate 7KC-induced cytotoxic effects. Since elaidic acid (EA), the trans isomer of OA, can be found in hydrogenated cooking oils and fried foods, its effects on 7KC-induced cytotoxicity were also determined. In murine microglial BV-2 cells, 7KC induces cell growth inhibition, mitochondrial dysfunctions, reactive oxygen species overproduction and lipid peroxidation, increased plasma membrane permeability and fluidity, nuclei condensation and/or fragmentation and caspase-3 activation, which are apoptotic characteristics, and an increased LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, which is a criterion of autophagy. 7KC is therefore a potent inducer of oxiapoptophagy (OXIdation + APOPTOsis + autoPHAGY) on BV-2 cells. OA and EA, but not DHA, also favor the accumulation of lipid droplets revealed with Masson's trichrome, Oil Red O, and Nile Red staining. The cytotoxicity of 7KC was strongly attenuated by OA and DHA. Protective effects were also observed with EA. However, 7KC-induced caspase-3 activation was less attenuated with EA. Different effects of OA and EA on autophagy were also observed. In addition, EA (but not OA) increased plasma membrane fluidity, and only OA (but not EA) was able to prevent the 7KC-induced increase in plasma membrane fluidity. Thus, in BV-2 microglial cells, the principal fatty acids of the Mediterranean diet (OA, DHA) were able to attenuate the major toxic effects of 7KC, thus reinforcing the interest of natural compounds present in the Mediterranean diet to prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases