Antioxidant Effects of Sheep Whey Protein on Endothelial Cells

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause endothelial dysfunction and consequently vascular disease. In the present study, the possible protective effects of sheep whey protein (SWP) from tert-butyl hydroperoxide- (tBHP-) induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells (EA.hy926) were assessed using oxidative stress biomarkers. These oxidative stress biomarkers were glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (CARB), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were determined spectrophotometrically. The results showed that SWP at 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, and 6.24 mg of protein mL−1 increased GSH up to 141%, while it decreased GSSG to 46.7%, ROS to 58.5%, TBARS to 52.5%, and CARB to 49.0%. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time that SWP protected endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Thus, SWP may be used for developing food supplements or biofunctional foods to attenuate vascular disturbances associated with oxidative stress

Effect of pomegranate juice consumption on biochemical parameters and complete blood count

Pomegranate has been used therapeutically for centuries. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) supplementation on complete blood count (CBC), glucose, blood lipids and C‑reactive protein (CRP) in healthy subjects. A total of 5 males and 5 females (aged 31.8±6.6 years, weighing 66.2±12.9 kg) were randomly assigned into one of two groups and either consumed 500 ml PJ/day or no PJ for 14 days. Blood samples were obtained from participants prior to and following the experimental period. PJ consumption resulted in a significant increase in red blood cell count (P<0.05), hemoglobin levels (P<0.001) and hematocrit levels (P<0.05). Other CBC parameters, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high‑density lipoprotein, low‑density lipoprotein and CRP levels did not significantly change following PJ consumption. These results indicate that PJ intake for a short period of time may result in increased erythropoiesis or decreased degradation without any significant alterations in factors associated with metabolic health and inflammation in healthy individuals

The form and content of the Greek crisis legislation

This paper offers a dialectical analysis of the law relating to the Greek crisis. The form and content of the measures introduced in the Greek legal system to deal with the debt crisis is examined under the concept of ‘necessity’. It is argued that this concept, used by the Greek Council of State to justify the constitutionality of these measures, opens a path for a more comprehensive analysis of the measures implemented through the mechanism of the Greek Memoranda of Understanding. The measures are seen as ‘necessary’: on the one hand in their accordance and basis on principles of the European Union; on the other hand in their class orientation and reflecting of specific social (class) interests. But despite their necessity, neither their content, nor the form of implementation of these measures is fixed; it is rather contingent, i.e. dependent on the level of intensification of social (class and intra-class) and economic antagonisms

Extracts from the Mediterranean Food Plants Carthamus lanatus, Cichorium intybus, and Cichorium spinosum Enhanced GSH Levels and Increased Nrf2 Expression in Human Endothelial Cells

The Mediterranean diet is considered to prevent several diseases. In the present study, the antioxidant properties of six extracts from Mediterranean plant foods were assessed. The extracts’ chemical composition analysis showed that the total polyphenolic content ranged from 56 to 408 GAE mg/g dw of extract. The major polyphenols identified in the extracts were quercetin,luteolin, caftaric acid, caffeoylquinic acid isomers, and cichoric acid. The extracts showed in vitro high scavenging potencyagainst ABTS•+and O2•−radicals and reducing power activity. Also, the extracts inhibited peroxyl radical-induced cleavage ofDNA plasmids. The three most potent extracts, Cichorium intybus, Carthamus lanatus, and Cichorium spinosum, inhibited OH•-induced mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 cells. Moreover, C. intybus ,C. lanatus, and C. spinosum extracts increased the antioxidant molecule glutathione (GSH) by 33.4, 21.5, and 10.5% at 50μg/ml, respectively, in human endothelialEA.hy926 cells.C. intybusextract was also shown to induce in endothelial cells the transcriptional expression of Nrf2 (the majortranscription factor of antioxidant genes), as well as of antioxidant genes GCLC, GSR, NQO1, and HMOX1. In conclusion, theresults suggested that extracts from edible plants may prevent diseases associated especially with endothelium damag

STUDY OF RIBONUCLEASES IN THE SERUM OF HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND CANCER PATIENTS AS WELL AS OF ONE PROTEIN WHICH INTERFERES WITH THEIR ACTION

FIVE RIBONUCLEASES WERE PURIFIED FROM THE SERUM OF NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECTS. THE PROPERTIES OF FOUR OF THEM WERE IDENTICAL TO THOSE OF THE SECRETORY TYPE RIBONUCLEASES (OPTIMUM PH 8 AND FASTER HYDROLYSIS OF POLY-C COMPARED TO POLY-K). THE FIFTH ENZYME, WITH THE LOWER MOL. SIZE, HYDROLYZED FASTER POLY-K WITH AN OPTIMUMPH 7, AND THUS CAN BE CLASSIFIED TO THE NON-SECRETORY TYPE RIBONUCLEASES. THE SERUM RIBONUCLEASES OF PATIENTS WITH CANCER WERE IN GENERAL IDENTICAL WITH THOSE OF HEALTHY SUBJECTS EXCEPT FOR HEPATOMA PATIENTS WHERE THE FIFTH ENZYME WAS ALSO OF SECRETORY TYPE. A PROTEIN NAMED PRP 150 WITH MOL. SIZE 150 KD WAS PURIFIED TO HOMOGENEITY FROM HUMAN SERUM. PRP 150 IN THE PRESENCE OF RIBONUCLEASE PROTECTS RNA AGAINST ACID PRECIPITATION WITH TCA. THE PROTECTIVE ACTIVITY WAS MEASURED WITH POLY-U AS SUBSTRATE IN THE SERA OF HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND CANCER PATIENTS. A 2-5 FOLD INCREASE WAS OBSERVED IN THE LATTER. THE RESULTS OBTAINED, SHOWED THAT PRP 150 COULD BE A TRUSTWORTHY MARKER FOR THE DETECTION OF CANCER ANDTHE DIFFERENTIATION OF CANCER PATIENTS AND PATIENTS WITH NON-NEOPLASMIC DISEASES.ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΟΡΟ ΑΙΜΑΤΟΣ ΥΓΙΩΝ ΑΤΟΜΩΝ ΚΑΘΟΡΙΣΤΗΚΑΝ ΠΕΝΤΕ ΡΙΒΟΝΟΥΚΛΕΑΣΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ ΟΠΟΙΕΣ ΟΙ ΤΕΣΣΕΡΙΣ ΛΟΓΩ ΤΩΝ ΙΔΙΟΤΗΤΩΝ ΤΟΥΣ (ΒΕΛΤΙΣΤΟ PH 8, ΥΔΡΟΛΥΣΗ ΤΟΥ POLY-C ΤΑΧΥΤΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ POLY-K) ΑΝΗΚΟΥΝ ΣΤΙΣ ΕΚΚΡΙΤΙΚΟΥ ΤΥΠΟΥ, ΕΝΩ Η ΠΕΜΠΤΗ ΚΑΙ ΜΙΚΡΟΤΕΡΗ ΣΕΜ.Β. ΠΟΥ ΥΔΡΟΛΥΕΙ ΤΑΧΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΟ POLY-K ΚΑΙ ΕΧΕΙ ΒΕΛΤΙΣΤΟ PH 7 ΑΝΗΚΕΙ ΣΤΙΣ ΜΗ ΕΚΚΡΙΤΙΚΟΥ ΤΥΠΟΥ. ΣΤΟΥΣ ΑΣΘΕΝΕΙΣ ΜΕ ΚΑΡΚΙΝΟ ΕΝΤΟΠΙΣΤΗΚΑΝ ΓΕΝΙΚΑ ΤΑ ΙΔΙΑ ΕΝΖΥΜΑ. ΜΟΝΟ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΑΡΚΙΝΟ ΤΟΥ ΗΠΑΤΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΑ ΣΤΗ ΘΕΣΗ ΤΟΥΠΕΜΠΤΟΥ ΕΝΖΥΜΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΟΡΟΥ ΥΓΙΩΝ, ΥΠΗΡΧΕ ΜΙΑ ΡΙΒΟΝΟΥΚΛΕΑΣΗ ΠΟΥ ΕΜΟΙΑΖΕ ΩΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΣ ΙΔΙΟΤΗΤΕΣ ΣΤΑ ΕΝΖΥΜΑ ΕΚΚΡΙΤΙΚΟΥ ΤΥΠΟΥ. Η ΡΙΒΟΝΟΥΚΛΕΑΣΗ ΑΥΤΗ ΕΛΕΙΠΕ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΟΡΟ ΥΓΙΩΝ. ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΟΡΟ ΕΠΙΣΗΣ ΚΑΘΑΡΙΣΤΗΚΕ ΜΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗ ΜΟΡΙΑΚΟΥ ΒΑΡΟΥΣ 150 KD ΗΟΠΟΙΑ ΣΕ ΣΥΝΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ ΜΕ ΤΗ ΡΙΒΟΝΟΥΚΛΕΑΣΗ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΤΕΥΕ ΤΑ ΡΙΒΟΝΟΥΚΛΕΙΝΙΚΑ ΟΞΕΑ ΑΠΟΟΞΙΝΗ ΚΑΤΑΒΥΘΙΣΗ ΣΕ ΔΙΑΛΥΜΑ TCA. Η ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗ ΑΥΤΗ ΜΕΤΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΣΕ ΠΟΛΛΟΥΣ ΟΡΟΥΣ ΑΣΘΕΝΩΝ ΜΕ ΚΑΡΚΙΝΟ ΚΑΘΩΣ ΚΑΙ ΥΓΙΩΝ (ΜΕ ΥΠΟΣΤΡΩΜΑ POLY-K) ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑΠΙΣΤΩΘΗΚΕ ΟΤΙ ΑΥΞΑΝΕΤΑΙ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΟΡΟ ΤΩΝ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΩΝ ΑΣΘΕΝΩΝ ΜΕ ΚΑΡΚΙΝΟ. ΤΑ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ ΠΟΥ ΣΥΛΛΕΧΘΗΚΑΝ ΔΕΙΧΝΟΥΝ ΟΤΙ Η ΠΡΩΤΕΙΝΗ ΑΥΤΗ ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΕ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΕΙ ΑΞΙΟΠΙΣΤΟ ΔΕΙΚΤΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΔΙΑΚΡΙΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΡΚΙΝΟΠΑΘΩΝ ΟΧΙ ΜΟΝΟ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΥΣ ΥΓΙΕΙΣ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΣΘΕΝΕΙΣ ΜΕ ΜΗ ΝΕΟΠΛΑΣΤΙΚΕΣ ΝΟΣΟΥΣ

The Significance of Redox Biomarkers in the Evaluation of the Antioxidant Profile In Vitro and In Vivo

The present Special Issue of Antioxidants, entitled The Significance of Redox Biomarkers in the Evaluation of the Antioxidant Profile In Vitro and In Vivo, ten research articles emphasize the significance of adopting reliable redox biomarkers to determine the antioxidant activities of bioactive compounds in vitro and to assess blood and tissue redox status in vivo [...

Development and Validation of a Kit to Measure Drink Antioxidant Capacity Using a Novel Colorimeter

Measuring the antioxidant capacity of foods is essential, as a means of quality control to ensure that the final product reaching the consumer will be of high standards. Despite the already existing assays with which the antioxidant activity is estimated, new, faster and low cost methods are always sought. Therefore, we have developed a novel colorimeter and combined it with a slightly modified DPPH assay, thus creating a kit that can assess the antioxidant capacity of liquids (e.g., different types of coffee, beer, wine, juices) in a quite fast and low cost manner. The accuracy of the colorimeter was ensured by comparing it to a fully validated Hitachi U-1900 spectrophotometer, and a coefficient was calculated to eliminate the observed differences. In addition, a new, user friendly software was developed, in order to render the procedure as easy as possible, while allowing a central monitoring of the obtained results. Overall, a novel kit was developed, with which the antioxidant activity of liquids can be measured, firstly to ensure their quality and secondly to assess the amount of antioxidants consumed with the respective food

The Strong Antioxidant Sheep/Goat Whey Protein Protects Against mTOR Overactivation in Rats: A Mode of Action Mimicking Fasting

Whey protein, a by-product of the cheese industry, can be putatively used as a functional food due to its beneficial health properties. The main objective of the present study was to assess in vivo the effect of a sheep/goat whey protein on the plasma amino acid profile and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a regulator of skeletal myogenesis. A control group was fed with a standard commercial diet while the experimental group received a standard commercial diet plus sheep/goat whey protein for 28 days. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was conducted to determine plasma amino acid levels while the expression of p70-S6 Kinase 1 (p70-S6K1) in liver and quadriceps muscles was quantified and used as a biomarker of mTOR activity. The results obtained showed a decrease in the levels of essential and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the experimental group. Furthermore, p70-S6K1 expression was decreased in the liver of rats consumed whey protein. In conclusion, the reduction of amino acid levels and the concomitant inactivation of mTOR imply that whey could potentially act protectively against disorders induced by mTOR overactivation. Intriguingly, this mode of action mimics fasting, an approach with established advantageous health effects