Validation of the Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage: A random cross-sectional study in adult Nigerians

The Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage makes it possible for the body fat content of individuals and populations to be determined without the use of costly equipment. However, because the equations were derived using data from a young-adult (18-29 years old) Nigerian population, it is important to validate the equations in a wider spectrum of adults. This study is an attempt at such validation. A total of 365 adult Nigerians aged 18 to 80 years (52.9% females) participated in this random cross-sectional study. Standard internationally accepted protocols were followed for all determinations and calculations. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyse the data generated. The mean age of the subjects was 44±16 years. The differences between the mean ages of both sexes was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Using BMI as a diagnostic, obesity was found in 12.3% of the population (17.1% in females and 7.0% in males). On the other hand, using percent fat mass (PFM), 16.4% (25.4% females and 6.4% males) were found to be obese. Measured PFM correlated positively and significantly (r=+0.635; P<0.001) with the PFM-II in the general population. The correlations were stronger in males (r=+0.736) compared to females (r=+0.563). The Ejike-Ijeh equations appear valid for use in adult Nigerians.Keywords: Body fat, obesity, prediction equations, validatio

Validation of the Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage: A random cross-sectional study in adult Nigerians

The Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage makes it possible for the body fat content of individuals and populations to be determined without the use of costly equipment. However, because the equations were derived using data from a young-adult (18-29 years old) Nigerian population, it is important to validate the equations in a wider spectrum of adults. This study is an attempt at such validation. A total of 365 adult Nigerians aged 18 to 80 years (52.9% females) participated in this random cross-sectional study. Standard internationally accepted protocols were followed for all determinations and calculations. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyse the data generated. The mean age of the subjects was 44\ub116 years. The differences between the mean ages of both sexes was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Using BMI as a diagnostic, obesity was found in 12.3% of the population (17.1% in females and 7.0% in males). On the other hand, using percent fat mass (PFM), 16.4% (25.4% females and 6.4% males) were found to be obese. Measured PFM correlated positively and significantly (r=+0.635; P<0.001) with the PFM-II in the general population. The correlations were stronger in males (r=+0.736) compared to females (r=+0.563). The Ejike-Ijeh equations appear valid for use in adult Nigerians

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase as a sustainable and promising plant source of bioactive peptides for food applications

Background Plant proteins are well-known precursors of bioactive peptides. In translating the peptides into functional foods, the protein sources need to be sustainable and readily available. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the major enzyme in photosynthesis and photorespiration in plants and some other organisms, and is known to be the most abundant protein on earth. Therefore, RuBisCO is an attractive and sustainable source of bioactive peptides. Scope and approach This review discusses the structure, function, composition and technology for plant RuBisCO extraction, as well as the fractionation and known bioactivities of its enzymatic hydrolysate and peptides. Feasibility of industrial scale up and practical application of the RuBisCO peptides in food were also considered. Key findings and conclusions Several processes are available for extraction of the RuBisCO subunits and some are simple, fast and adaptable for industrial scale production. Work is however needed on recovery of high protein yields with high purity. Most studies reported that peptides, mostly from the large subunit, from enzymatic hydrolysis of spinach or alfalfa RuBisCO possess antihypertensive, opioid-like, secretagogue and food intake stimulating, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These properties demonstrate that RuBisCO can be utilized as a sustainable source of peptides with multiple bioactivities for formulation of functional foods

A Review on the Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products in Preventing Bone Diseases

The drugs used for treating bone diseases (BDs), at present, elicit hazardous side effects that include certain types of cancers and strokes, hence the ongoing quest for the discovery of alternatives with little or no side effects. Natural products (NPs), mainly of plant origin, have shown compelling promise in the treatments of BDs, with little or no side effects. However, the paucity in knowledge of the mechanisms behind their activities on bone remodeling has remained a hindrance to NPs’ adoption. This review discusses the pathological development of some BDs, the NP-targeted components, and the actions exerted on bone remodeling signaling pathways (e.g., Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κ B-ligand (RANKL)/monocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)/osteoprotegerin (OPG), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)s/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2)-Wnt/β-catenin, PhosphatidylInositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK3β), and other signaling pathways). Although majority of the studies on the osteoprotective properties of NPs against BDs were conducted ex vivo and mostly on animals, the use of NPs for treating human BDs and the prospects for future development remain promising