Phenolic metabolites of anthocyanins modulate mechanisms of endothelial function

Anthocyanins are reported to have vascular bioactivity, however their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Evidence suggests that anthocyanins modulate endothelial function, potentially by increasing nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, or enhancing NO bioavailability. This study compared the activity of cyanidin-3-glucoside, its degradation product protocatechuic acid, and phase II metabolite, vanillic acid. Production of NO and superoxide and expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), NADPH oxidase (NOX), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were established in human vascular cell models. Nitric oxide levels were not modulated by the treatments, although eNOS was upregulated by cyanidin-3-glucoside, and superoxide production was decreased by both phenolic acids. Vanillic acid upregulated p22phox mRNA but did not alter NOX protein expression, although trends were observed for p47phox downregulation and HO-1 upregulation. Anthocyanin metabolites may therefore modulate vascular reactivity by inducing HO-1 and modulating NOX activity, resulting in reduced superoxide production and improved NO bioavailability

Measurement of eta_c(1S), eta_c(2S) and non-resonant eta' pi+ pi- production via two-photon collisions

We report the measurement of gamma gamma to eta_c(1S), eta_c(2S) to eta' pi+ pi- with eta' decays to gamma rho and eta pi+ pi- using 941 fb^{-1} of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. The eta_c(1S) mass and width are measured to be M = [2984.6\pm0.7 (stat.)\pm2.2 (syst.)] MeV/c^{2} and \Gamma = [30.8^{+2.3}_{-2.2}~(stat.) \pm 2.5~(syst.)] MeV, respectively. First observation of eta_c(2S) to eta' pi+ pi- with a significance of 5.5sigma including systematic error is obtained, and the eta_c(2S) mass is measured to be M = [3635.1\pm3.7~(stat.)\pm2.9~(syst.)] MeV/c^{2}. The products of the two-photon decay width and branching fraction (B) of decays to eta'pi+ pi- are determined to be \Gamma_{gamma gamma}B = [65.4\pm2.6~(stat.)\pm6.9~(syst.)] eV for eta_c(1S) and [5.6^{+1.2}_{-1.1}~(stat.)\pm1.1~(syst.)] eV for eta_c(2S). A new decay mode for the eta_c(1S) to eta'f_0(2080) with f_0(2080) to pi+ pi- is observed with a statistical significance of 20sigma. The f_0(2080) mass and width are determined to be M = [2083^{+63}_{-66}~(stat.)\pm 32~(syst.)] MeV/c^{2} and \Gamma = [178^{+60}_{-178}~(stat.) \pm 55~(syst.)] MeV. The cross sections for gamma gamma to eta' pi+ pi- and eta'f_{2}(1270) are measured for the first time.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figure

Measurement of the τ\tau lepton polarization and R(D∗)R(D^*) in the decay Bˉ→D∗τ−νˉτ\bar{B} \rightarrow D^* \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau with one-prong hadronic τ\tau decays at Belle

With the full data sample of $772 \times 10^6$ $B{\bar B}$ pairs recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB electron-positron collider, the decay $\bar{B} \rightarrow D^* \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau$ is studied with the hadronic $\tau$ decays $\tau^- \rightarrow \pi^- \nu_\tau$ and $\tau^- \rightarrow \rho^- \nu_\tau$. The $\tau$ polarization $P_\tau(D^*)$ in two-body hadronic $\tau$ decays is measured, as well as the ratio of the branching fractions $R(D^{*}) = \mathcal{B}(\bar {B} \rightarrow D^* \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau) / \mathcal{B}(\bar{B} \rightarrow D^* \ell^- \bar{\nu}_\ell)$, where $\ell^-$ denotes an electron or a muon. Our results, $P_\tau(D^*) = -0.38 \pm 0.51 {\rm (stat)} ^{+0.21}_{-0.16} {\rm (syst)}$ and $R(D^*) = 0.270 \pm 0.035{\rm (stat)} ^{+0.028}_{-0.025}{\rm (syst)}$, are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the Standard Model. The polarization values of $P_\tau(D^*) > +0.5$ are excluded at the 90\% confidence level.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Measurement of Branching Fractions of Hadronic Decays of the Ωc0\Omega_c^0 Baryon

Using a data sample of 980 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$ of $e^+e^-$ annihilation data taken with the Belle detector operating at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider, we report the results of a study of the decays of the $\Omega_c^0$ charmed baryon into hadronic final states. We report the most precise measurements to date of the relative branching fractions of the $\Omega_c^0$ into $\Omega^-\pi^+\pi^0$, $\Omega^-\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+$, $\Xi^-K^-\pi^+\pi^+$, and $\Xi^0K^-\pi^+$, as well as the first measurements of the branching fractions of the $\Omega_c^0$ into $\Xi^-\bar{K}^0\pi^+$, $\Xi^0\bar{K}^0$, and $\Lambda \bar{K}^0\bar{K}^0$, all with respect to the $\Omega^-\pi^+$ decay. In addition, we investigate the resonant substructure of these modes. Finally, we present a limit on the branching fraction for the decay $\Omega_c^0\to\Sigma^+K^-K^-\pi^+$

New insights into the bioavailability of red raspberry anthocyanins and ellagitannins

Red raspberries, containing ellagitannins and cyanidin-based anthocyanins, were fed to volunteers and metabolites appearing in plasma and urine were analysed by UHPLC-MS. Anthocyanins were not absorbed to any extent with sub nmol/L concentrations of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and a cyanidin-O-glucuronide appearing transiently in plasma. Anthocyanins excreted in urine corresponded to 0.007% of intake. More substantial amounts of phase II metabolites of ferulic acid and isoferulic acid, along with 4′-hydroxyhippuric acid, potentially originating from pH-mediated degradation of cyanidin in the proximal gastrointestinal tract, appeared in urine and also plasma where peak concentrations were attained 1–1.5 h after raspberry intake. Excretion of 18 anthocyanin-derived metabolites corresponded to 15.0% of intake, a figure substantially higher than obtained in other anthocyanin feeding studies. Ellagitannins pass from the small to the large intestine where the colonic microbiota mediate their conversion to urolithins A and B which appeared in plasma and were excreted almost exclusively as sulfate and glucuronide metabolites. The urolithin metabolites persisted in the circulatory system and were excreted in urine for much longer periods of time than the anthocyanin metabolites although their overall urinary recovery was lower at 7.0% of intake. It is events originating in the proximal and distal gastrointestinal tract, and subsequent phase II metabolism, that play an important role in the bioavailability of both anthocyanins and ellagitannins and it is their metabolites which appear in the circulatory system, that are key to elucidating the mode of action(s) underlying the protective effects of these compounds on human health

Measurement of the tau Michel parameters (eta)over-bar and xi kappa in the radiative leptonic decay tau(-) -> l(-)nu(tau)(nu)over-bar(l)gamma

We present a measurement of the Michel parameters of the tau lepton, (eta) over bar and xi kappa, in the radiative leptonic decay tau(-) -> l(-)nu(tau)(nu) over bar (l)gamma using 711 fb(-1) of collision data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. The Michel parameters are measured in an unbinned maximum likelihood fit to the kinematic distribution of e(+)e(-) -> tau(+)tau(-) -> (pi(+)pi(0)(nu) over bar (tau))(l(-)nu(tau)(nu) over bar (l)gamma) (l = e or mu). The measured values of the Michel parameters are (eta) over bar = - 1.3 +/- 1.5 +/- 0.8 and xi kappa = 0.5 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.2, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first measurement of these parameters. These results are consistent with the Standard Model predictions within their uncertainties, and constrain the coupling constants of the generalized weak interaction

The structure of denisovite, a fibrous nanocrystalline polytypic disordered 'very complex' silicate, studied by a synergistic multi-disciplinary approach employing methods of electron crystallography and X-ray powder diffraction

Denisovite is a rare mineral occurring as aggregates of fibres typically 200-500 14;nm diameter. It was confirmed as a new mineral in 1984, but important facts about its chemical formula, lattice parameters, symmetry and structure have remained incompletely known since then. Recently obtained results from studies using microprobe analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), electron crystallography, modelling and Rietveld refinement will be reported. The electron crystallography methods include transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-Area electron diffraction (SAED), high-Angle annular dark-field imaging (HAADF), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), precession electron diffraction (PED) and electron diffraction tomography (EDT). A structural model of denisovite was developed from HAADF images and later completed on the basis of quasi-kinematic EDT data by ab initio structure solution using direct methods and least-squares refinement. The model was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The lattice parameters are a = 31.024 14;(1), b = 19.554 14;(1) and c = 7.1441 14;(5) 14;Å, β = 95.99 14;(3)°, V = 4310.1 14;(5) 14;Å3and space group P12/a1. The structure consists of three topologically distinct dreier silicate chains, viz.Two xonotlite-like dreier double chains, [Si6O17]10-, and a tubular loop-branched dreier triple chain, [Si12O30]12-. The silicate chains occur between three walls of edge-sharing (Ca,Na) octahedra. The chains of silicate tetrahedra and the octahedra walls extend parallel to the z axis and form a layer parallel to (100). Water molecules and K+cations are located at the centre of the tubular silicate chain. The latter also occupy positions close to the centres of eight-membered rings in the silicate chains. The silicate chains are geometrically constrained by neighbouring octahedra walls and present an ambiguity with respect to their z position along these walls, with displacements between neighbouring layers being either Δz = c/4 or-c/4. Such behaviour is typical for polytypic sequences and leads to disorder along [100]. In fact, the diffraction pattern does not show any sharp reflections with l odd, but continuous diffuse streaks parallel to ainstead. Only reflections with l even are sharp. The diffuse scattering is caused by (100) nano lamellae separated by stacking faults and twin boundaries. The structure can be described according to the order-disorder (OD) theory as a stacking of layers parallel to (100)

The structure of denisovite, a fibrous nanocrystalline polytypic disordered 'very complex' silicate, studied by a synergistic multi-disciplinary approach employing methods of electron crystallography and X-ray powder diffraction

Denisovite is a rare mineral occurring as aggregates of fibres typically 200-500 14;nm diameter. It was confirmed as a new mineral in 1984, but important facts about its chemical formula, lattice parameters, symmetry and structure have remained incompletely known since then. Recently obtained results from studies using microprobe analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), electron crystallography, modelling and Rietveld refinement will be reported. The electron crystallography methods include transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-Area electron diffraction (SAED), high-Angle annular dark-field imaging (HAADF), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), precession electron diffraction (PED) and electron diffraction tomography (EDT). A structural model of denisovite was developed from HAADF images and later completed on the basis of quasi-kinematic EDT data by ab initio structure solution using direct methods and least-squares refinement. The model was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The lattice parameters are a = 31.024 14;(1), b = 19.554 14;(1) and c = 7.1441 14;(5) 14;Å, β = 95.99 14;(3)°, V = 4310.1 14;(5) 14;Å3and space group P12/a1. The structure consists of three topologically distinct dreier silicate chains, viz.Two xonotlite-like dreier double chains, [Si6O17]10-, and a tubular loop-branched dreier triple chain, [Si12O30]12-. The silicate chains occur between three walls of edge-sharing (Ca,Na) octahedra. The chains of silicate tetrahedra and the octahedra walls extend parallel to the z axis and form a layer parallel to (100). Water molecules and K+cations are located at the centre of the tubular silicate chain. The latter also occupy positions close to the centres of eight-membered rings in the silicate chains. The silicate chains are geometrically constrained by neighbouring octahedra walls and present an ambiguity with respect to their z position along these walls, with displacements between neighbouring layers being either Δz = c/4 or-c/4. Such behaviour is typical for polytypic sequences and leads to disorder along [100]. In fact, the diffraction pattern does not show any sharp reflections with l odd, but continuous diffuse streaks parallel to ainstead. Only reflections with l even are sharp. The diffuse scattering is caused by (100) nano lamellae separated by stacking faults and twin boundaries. The structure can be described according to the order-disorder (OD) theory as a stacking of layers parallel to (100)

Phenolic Metabolites of Anthocyanins Modulate Mechanisms of Endothelial Function

Anthocyanins are reported to have vascular bioactivity, however their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Evidence suggests that anthocyanins modulate endothelial function, potentially by increasing nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, or enhancing NO bioavailability. This study compared the activity of cyanidin-3-glucoside, its degradation product protocatechuic acid, and phase II metabolite, vanillic acid. Production of NO and superoxide and expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), NADPH oxidase (NOX), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were established in human vascular cell models. Nitric oxide levels were not modulated by the treatments, although eNOS was upregulated by cyanidin-3-glucoside, and superoxide production was decreased by both phenolic acids. Vanillic acid upregulated p22^phox mRNA but did not alter NOX protein expression, although trends were observed for p47^phox downregulation and HO-1 upregulation. Anthocyanin metabolites may therefore modulate vascular reactivity by inducing HO-1 and modulating NOX activity, resulting in reduced superoxide production and improved NO bioavailability

Orange juice (poly)phenols are highly bioavailable in humans

Background: We assessed the bioavailability of orange juice (poly)phenols by monitoring urinary flavanone metabolites and ring fission catabolites produced by the action of the colonic microbiota.<p></p> Objective: Our objective was to identify and quantify metabolites and catabolites excreted in urine 0–24 h after the acute ingestion of a (poly)phenol-rich orange juice by 12 volunteers.<p></p> Design: Twelve volunteers [6 men and 6 women; body mass index (in kg/m2): 23.9–37.2] consumed a low (poly)phenol diet for 2 d before first drinking 250 mL pulp-enriched orange juice, which contained 584 μmol (poly)phenols of which 537 μmol were flavanones, and after a 2-wk washout, the procedure was repeated, and a placebo drink was consumed. Urine collected for a 24-h period was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS).<p></p> Results: A total of 14 metabolites were identified and quantified in urine by using HPLC-MS after orange juice intake. Hesperetin-O-glucuronides, naringenin-O-glucuronides, and hesperetin-3′-O-sulfate were the main metabolites. The overall urinary excretion of flavanone metabolites corresponded to 16% of the intake of 584 μmol (poly)phenols. The GC-MS analysis revealed that 8 urinary catabolites were also excreted in significantly higher quantities after orange juice consumption. These catabolites were 3-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, 3-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid, 3-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)hydracrylic acid, 3-(3′-hydroxyphenyl)hydracrylic acid, 3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, hippuric acid, 3′-hydroxyhippuric acid, and 4′-hydroxyhippuric acid. These aromatic acids originated from the colonic microbiota-mediated breakdown of orange juice (poly)phenols and were excreted in amounts equivalent to 88% of (poly)phenol intake. When combined with the 16% excretion of metabolites, this percentage raised the overall urinary excretion to ∼100% of intake.<p></p> Conclusions: When colon-derived phenolic catabolites are included with flavanone glucuronide and sulfate metabolites, orange juice (poly)phenols are much-more bioavailable than previously envisaged. In vitro and ex vivo studies on mechanisms underlying the potential protective effects of orange juice consumption should use in vivo metabolites and catabolites detected in this investigation at physiologic concentrations. The trial was registered at BioMed Central Ltd (www.controlledtrials.com) as ISRCTN04271658