The effect of fat content and flavor enhancers on the perceived saltiness of cooked ‘bologna-type’ sausages

The objective of this study was to evaluate the saltiness perception of cooked sausage changes the fat content of sausages was varied. The effect of varying fat content (8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28%) on sausage perceived saltiness was studied using two different formulations, each with 1.2 and 2.0% NaCl. The formulations were made either by varying the proportions of lean pork and pork fat (Series 1) or by replacing water with pork fat on an equal weight basis (Series 2). The replacement of lean pork with pork fat increased the perceived saltiness of the sausages. When water was replaced with pork fat on an equal weight basis the perceived saltiness of the sausage, however, did not change. There was a strong negative correlation (p<0.01) between perceived saltiness and protein content thus suggesting a causative link between these factors. The flavor-enhancing properties of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and Ribotide (monosodium glutamate and 5’-ribonucleotides IMP and GMP) were also studied. MSG only slightly improved the sensory properties of the cooked sausages. In addition, the effect weakened during storage

ACE inhibition attenuates uremia-induced aortic valve thickening in a novel mouse model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We examined whether impaired renal function causes thickening of the aortic valve leaflets in hyperlipidemic apoE-knockout (apoE^-/-) mice, and whether the putative effect on the aortic valves could be prevented by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with enalapril.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thickening of the aortic valve leaflets in apoE^-/-mice was induced by producing mild or moderate chronic renal failure resulting from unilateral nephrectomy (1/2 NX, n = 18) or subtotal nephrectomy (5/6 NX, n = 22), respectively. Additionally, the 5/6 NX mice were randomized to no treatment (n = 8) or enalapril treatment (n = 13). The maximal thickness of each leaflet was measured from histological sections of the aortic roots.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Leaflet thickness was significantly greater in the 5/6 NX mice than in the 1/2 NX mice (P = 0.030) or the unoperated mice (P = 0.003). The 5/6 NX mice treated with enalapril had significantly thinner leaflets than did the untreated 5/6 NX mice (P = 0.014).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Moderate uremia causes thickening of the aortic valves in apoE^-/-mice, which can be attenuated by ACE inhibition. The nephrectomized apoE^-/-mouse constitutes a new model for investigating the mechanisms of uremia-induced aortic valve disease, and also provides an opportunity to study its pharmacologic prevention.</p

Metabolomic changes in fatty liver can be modified by dietary protein and calcium during energy restriction

AIM: To characterise the effect of energy restriction (ER) on liver lipid and primary metabolite profile by using metabolomic approach. We also investigated whether the effect of energy restriction can be further enhanced by modification of dietary protein source and calcium. METHODS: Liver metabolomic profile of lean and obese C57Bl/6J mice (n = 10/group) were compared with two groups of weight-reduced mice. ER was performed on control diet and whey protein-based high-calcium diet (whey + Ca). The metabolomic analyses were performed using the UPLC/MS based lipidomic platform and the HPLC/MS/MS based primary metabolite platform. RESULTS: ER on both diets significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid droplet size, while only whey + Ca diet significantly decreased blood glucose (P &lt; 0.001) and serum insulin (P &lt; 0.01). In hepatic lipid species the biggest reduction was in the level of triacylglycerols and ceramides while the level of cholesterol esters was significantly increased during ER. Interestingly, diacylglycerol to phospholipid ratio, an indicator of relative amount of diabetogenic diglyceride species, was increased in the control ER group, but decreased in the whey + Ca ER group (P &lt; 0.001, vs obese). ER on whey + Ca diet also totally reversed the obesity induced increase in the relative level of lipotoxic ceramides (P &lt; 0.001, vs obese; P &gt; 0.05, vs lean). These changes were accompanied with up-regulated TCA cycle and pentose phosphate pathway metabolites. CONCLUSION: ER-induced changes on hepatic metabolomic profile can be significantly affected by dietary protein source. The therapeutic potential of whey protein and calcium should be further studied.</p