Coffee Bioactives Regulate Lipid Metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans

Coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes. Although the mechanisms of action are not yet elucidated, the effects of coffee and its bioactive components on lipid metabolism may account for the overall coffee effects on human health. Therefore, this study investigated the molecular mechanisms of coffee and its bioactive components on lipid metabolism using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Green coffee bean extract (GCBE), the chlorogenic acid 5-O-caffeyolquinic acid (5-CQA), and the coffee diterpenes cafestol and kahweol reduced fat accumulation via distinct lipid metabolism pathways and/or behavior changes in C. elegans. The fat-lowering effects of GCBE and 5-CQA were similarly dependent on sterol regulatory element binding protein (sbp-1) and forkhead box O (daf-16), both involved in lipogenesis, while cafestol reduced fat accumulation dependent on the FXR homolog, daf-12, in C. elegans. Moreover, cafestol increased worm’s moving speed, an indicator of energy expenditure. The effects of cafestol on energy expenditure was also dependent on tub-1 (homolog of the human TUBBY proteins), which it is likely to be a downstream target for DAF-12 in C. elegans. The other coffee diterpene, kahweol, also reduced fat accumulation, but instead kahweol’s fat-lowering effects were related to a reduced food intake in C. elegans. The effects of kahweol on lipid metabolism involved the downregulation of the insulin-like receptor daf-2, known to be regulated by food intake. Therefore, the suggested mechanisms of the effects of coffee bioactives on lipid metabolism may be applied for human health corroborating with the fact that consumption of coffee is associated with lower risk of obesity

Biochemical, nutritional and functional characterization of elite genotypes of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

O melhoramento genÃtico convencional de feijÃo-caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] tem como proposta aperfeiÃoar suas propriedades agronÃmicas. Entretanto, a partir de uma preocupaÃÃo mundial, considerando alÃm das necessidades dos agricultores, empresÃrios e exportadores, tambÃm se busca desenvolver cultivares com maior qualidade nutricional para os consumidores. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi analisar o efeito do melhoramento genÃtico convencional do feijÃo-caupi sobre os atributos nutricionais e propriedades funcionais de importÃncia industrial. Os atributos nutricionais foram avaliados inicialmente por meio da determinaÃÃo da composiÃÃo proximal e de minerais. As mÃdias (% base seca) dos valores de proteÃnas totais, lipÃdios, cinzas, fibra alimentar total e carboidratos digerÃveis foram 22,95; 1,60; 3,84; 17,80 e 53,87, respectivamente. Jà os teores de ferro e zinco foram em mÃdia 4,62 e 3,21 mg/100g de semente, respectivamente. Os genÃtipos com teor proteico acima de 25% apresentaram uma boa digestibilidade in vitro (cerca de 70%) e perfil de aminoÃcidos, inclusive os sulfurados, estando todos presentes em nÃveis acima do recomendado para crianÃas de 3 a 10 anos. Em comparaÃÃo com a soja, foram encontrados nÃveis baixos ou moderados de fatores tÃxicos e/ou antinutricionais nos genÃtipos com destaque em teor de proteÃna, ferro e zinco. Houve uma variaÃÃo no teor dos Ãcidos fenÃlicos (11,18 a 94,60 mg/g de semente), taninos (1,33 a 3,05 mg/g de semente), inibidores de tripsina (30,15 a 40,47 UI/mg de proteÃna), inibidores de quimotripsina (14,21 a 26,43 UI/mg de proteÃna) e lectinas (20.000 a 80.000 UH/Kg de semente). Ao se construir Ãndices de qualidade nutricional dos genÃtipos de feijÃo-caupi, verificou-se que os teores dos antinutrientes estudados podem modificar a classificaÃÃo dos mesmos. No entanto, quando os genÃtipos de feijÃo-caupi sÃo comparados com a soja, uma leguminosa amplamente consumida, percebe-se que esses fatores nÃo sÃo de grande relevÃncia, pois hà mÃtodos de inativaÃÃo e/ou remoÃÃo dos componentes indesejados. Propriedades funcionais promissoras foram encontradas para os genÃtipos avaliados, tais como capacidade de absorÃÃo de Ãgua e Ãleo, geleificaÃÃo e espumabilidade, as quais apontam para uma possÃvel aplicaÃÃo da farinha de feijÃo-caupi na indÃstria alimentÃcia. Baseando-se nos Ãndices de qualidade nutricional por meio das caracterÃsticas nutricionais e bioquÃmicas, os trÃs genÃtipos sugeridos para serem usados como parentais em programas de melhoramento genÃtico e produÃÃo de sementes sÃo: G17 (MNC02-682F-2-6), G03 (BRS ARACÃ) e G01 (BRS- JURUÃ).Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] conventional breeding aims to improve its agricultural characteristics. However, there is a global concern that besides considering the needs of farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters, it is also necessary to develop cultivars with higher nutritional quality for consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of conventional breeding of cowpeas upon their nutritional attributes and functional properties of industrial significance. The nutritional attributes were initially evaluated by determination of proximate and minerals composition. The means (% dry basis) of total proteins, lipids, ashes, total dietary fiber and digestible carbohydrates content were 22.95; 1.60; 3.84; 17.80 and 53.87, respectively. Mean values for iron and zinc contents were 4.62 and 3.21 mg/100g of seeds, respectively. Genotypes with protein content over 25% showed good in vitro digestibility (ca. 70%) and amino acid profile, including sulfur amino acids, all being in higher levels than the requirements for 3-10 years old children. The levels of toxic and/or antinutritional factors in the genotypes with better contents of protein, iron and zinc were low to moderate compared to those of soybeans. There were reasonable variations in phenolic acid contents (11.18 to 94.60 mg/g of seeds), tannin (1.33 to 3.05 mg/g of seeds), trypsin inhibitor (30.15 to 40.47 UI/mg protein), chymotrypsin inhibitor (14.21 to 26.43 UI/mg protein) and lectin (20,000 to 80,000UH/kg seeds). By using nutritional quality indexes of cowpea genotypes it was observed that the contents of antinutrients may change the ranking position. Nevertheless, when cowpea genotypes are compared to soybeans, it is observed that these factors are not so relevant considering that this legume seed is safely consumed by animals and humans since there are methods to inactivate or remove them. Promising functional properties were detected in the analyzed genotypes, such as water and oil absorption capacity, gelation and foaming properties. These properties point to a possible utilization of cowpea flour in the food industry. Based upon the nutritional quality indexes, we conclude that the top three genotypes suggested to be used as parentals in cowpea breeding programs are G17 (MNC02-682F-2-6), G03 (BRS-ARACÃ) and G01 (BRS-JURUÃ)

Impact of Lipid Metabolism on Macrophage Polarization: Implications for Inflammation and Tumor Immunity

Macrophage polarization is influenced by lipids, which also exert significant control over macrophage functions. Lipids and their metabolites are players in intricate signaling pathways that modulate macrophages’ responses to pathogens, phagocytosis, ferroptosis, and inflammation. This review focuses on lipid metabolism and macrophage functions and addresses potential molecular targets for the treatment of macrophage-related diseases. While lipogenesis is crucial for lipid accumulation and phagocytosis in M1 macrophages, M2 macrophages likely rely on fatty acid β-oxidation to utilize fatty acids as their primary energy source. Cholesterol metabolism, regulated by factors such as SREBPs, PPARs, and LXRs, is associated with the cholesterol efflux capacity and the formation of foam cells (M2-like macrophages). Foam cells, which are targets for atherosclerosis, are associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines. Lipolysis and fatty acid uptake markers, such as CD36, also contribute to the production of cytokines. Enhancing the immune system through the inhibition of lipid-metabolism-related factors can potentially serve as a targeted approach against tumor cells. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, which block the conversion of arachidonic acid into various inflammatory mediators, influence macrophage polarization and have generated attention in cancer research

Moringa isothiocyanate-1 inhibits LPS-induced inflammation in mouse myoblasts and skeletal muscle.

This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of moringa isothiocyanate-1 (MIC-1) extracted from seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation models. MIC-1 decreased nitric oxide production and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α, Ifn-α, IL-1β, IL-6) in C2C12 myoblasts. The daily oral treatment of MIC-1 (80 mg/kg) for three days significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of LPS-treated C57BL/6 male mice. Transcriptomic analysis provided further insights into the inhibitory effects of MIC-1 on the LPS-induced inflammation, which suggested that MIC-1 affects inflammation and immunity-related genes in myoblasts and skeletal muscle tissue. MIC-1 inhibited the nuclear accumulation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in the LPS-treated myoblasts. Our data support the hypothesis that the MIC-1's effects in the muscle cells are mediated through the inhibition of the NF-κB translocation in the nucleus, which, in turn, results in immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory responses at the gene expression levels