Protective Role of S-Adenosylmethionine Against Fructose-Induced Oxidative Damage in Obesity

Introduction. It has been shown that S-adenosylmethionine (S-AMe) stimulates glutathione synthesis and increases cell resistance to the cytotoxic action of free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of S-adenosylmethionine on the oxidative stress in adipose tissue in a model of fructose-induced obesity. Methods. The study was performed on male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: control, fructose fed (HFD) (35%, 16 weeks), and HFD + S-AMe (20 mg/kg). We examined the changes in the ratio of retroperitoneal adipose tissue weight / body weight; levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and serum levels of GSH and TNF-α. Results. Significant increases in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue, MDA, and serum TNF-α were identified, as well as decreased tissue and serum levels of GSH in rats fed with a high-fructose diet as compared with the control group. In the group fed with HFD and S-AMe, we found significant reduction in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue and decreased levels of MDA and serum TNF-α, as well as increased tissue and serum levels of GSH as compared with the group only on HFD. In conclusion, our results show that fructose-induced obesity causes oxidative stress in hypertrophic visceral adipose tissue. The administration of S-AMe improves the antioxidative protection of adipocytes, and reduces oxidative damage and excessive accumulation of lipids and inflammation

Black Sea Shad and Red Mullet as sources of omega 3 Fatty Acids

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to study the seasonal changes of the quantity of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in two commonly consumed Black Sea fish species shad (Alosa pontica) and red mullet (Mullus barbatus ponticus). These fish species appear as one of the best sources of omega- 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.Materialand methods: The total lipids were extracted by the method of Blight and Dyer.The fatty acid composition was analysed by GC/MS.Results: Very-Long Chain n-3PUFA (VLCPUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) were presented in the highest concentration in shad in both season, whereas red mullet show an increased n-3 VLCPUFA levels in autumn. The spring shad total content of n-3 FA was significantly higher than the total content of omega 6 (n-6) PUFA, whereas red mullet showed opposite trend. The n-6/n-3 FA ratio was within the recommended range for the analyzed Black Sea fish species.Conclusion: Shad and red mullet can be classified as fatty fish species. A 100 g portion of fillet delivers between 350 and 2690 mg of sum of EPA and DHA, depending on the season. This is over than 100% of daily recommended amounts of these FAs. Obtained results for omega-3 PUFA content and n-6/n-3 ratio indicates that these Black Sea fish species are an excellent source of these PUFA and would be recommended as part of a healthy or therapeutic diet for adults in Bulgaria during all year

Assessment of Proximate and Bioactive Lipid Composition of Black Sea Mussels (M. galloprovincialis) from Bulgaria

Farmed marine mussels from genera Mytilus are important for the human diet by providing high levels of proteins, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), fat soluble vitamins and carbohydrates. Recently, black mussels are commercially important species from the Bulgarian Black Sea. The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal changes in proximate composition and to focus on the lipid bioactive components such as fatty acids, cholesterol, fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and D3), and carotenoids (astaxanthin, beta-carotene) in farmed mussels (M. galloprovincialis) from the northern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. All analyzed samples presented high protein and low lipid content. The fatty acids (FA) profile was characterized by the highest amount of PUFA, as 22:6 omega-3 (n-3) dominated, regardless of the seasons. In all seasons, the content of n-3 was significantly higher than the omega-6 PUFA. The amounts of cholesterol were in the range 62.3 (summer) to 78 (autumn) mg 100−1 g ww. The highest amounts of vitamin D3 (3.1 μg 100−1 g ww), vitamin E (2525 μg 100−1 g ww), astaxanthin (0.470 mg 100−1 g ww), and beta-carotene (0.445 mg 100−1 g ww) were found in the summer season. The studied mussel aquaculture from Bulgaria presented a high beneficial potential in all seasons in terms of human health protection

Effect of frozen storage on fat soluble vitamins content in fish fillets

Fat-soluble vitamins content (all-trans-retinol, alpha-tocopherol and cholecalciferol) in edible tissue of Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), a typical Black sea pelagic fish, and in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a typical farmed freshwater fish, were determined and compared on raw state and after frozen storage. The sample preparation procedure includes saponification and consequent extraction of fat-soluble vitamins with n-hexane.The extract was dried under nitrogen flow and redissolved in methanol. HPLC analysis of methanolic samples was performed on ODS2 Hypersil (250x4,6, 5um) column with a mobile phase of methanol:water = 97:3. The quantification of fat-soluble vitamins was by the method of standard addition. Retinol and cholecalciferol were monitored by UV detection and alpha-tocopherol was detected by fluorescence.The retinol and cholecalciferol contents in fresh edible tissue of Black sea Bluefish (38.5±2.4 μg.100g-1ww and 11.2±1.2 μg.100g-1ww, respectively) were close to values in the freshwater fish Rainbow trout (58.9±2.6 μg.100g-1ww and 14.9±1.1 μg.100g-1ww, respectively). Alpha-tocopherol content was several fold higher in Rainbow trout (1648.9±68.8 μg.100g-1ww) than in Black sea Bluefish (427.1±37.1 μg.100g-1ww).Long period of storage affected mostly retinol and alpha-tocopherol contents in two fish species. While cholecalciferol content remained almost unchanged

Phenolic compounds in edible plants

През последните години значително нараства интересът към изследването на химичния състав на ядливи растения, особено на съдържанието им на биологично активни съединения с лечебно-протективен потенциал. Такива растения традиционно се използват както в европейската, така и в азиатската култура за подобряване на аромата и вкуса, както и за обогатяване на хранителната стойност на ястията. Ядливите растения се консумират както в сурово състояние като салати, добавки, подправки, гарнитури, така и след термична обработка. Важна характеристика на ядивните растения е голямото разнообразие на естествени биологично активни вещества - включително флавоноиди и фенолни киселини, антоцианини и др., които се съдържат в листата или други техни части. Полифенолите са голяма група вторични растителни метаболити. Най-често срещаните фенолни съединения в растителната храна са фенолните киселини и флавоноидите. Известно е, че приемът на фенолни съединения влияе позитивно върху човешкото здраве. Тази група вещества се характеризира с доказани противовъзпалителни, противоалергични и противовирусни свойства, както и с потенциал за превенция на някои сърдечно-съдови заболявания, хипертония, диабет и др. Тези свойства се дължат на двойната роля на фенолните съединения - като антиоксиданти и като субстрати. В България има сравнително малко и ограничена информация за състава на полифенолни киселини и флавоноиди в ядливи растения. Разширяване обхвата на подобна информация би предоставило възможност за информиран избор храна от страна на консуматора, както и употребата им във фармацията (фитотерапия, лечебна козметика), включване в лечебни хранителни режими - като хранителни добавки и компоненти на функционални храни и др.In recent years, the scientific interest about chemical composition of edible plants, especially their content of biologically active compounds with health protection potential, has grown considerably. Such plants are traditionally used in both European and Asian cultures - to improve flavor and taste and to enrich the nutritional value of the dishes. Edible plants are consumed in both states - raw (e.g. in salads), additives (e.g. spices, seasoning), and after thermal treatment. An important characteristic of the edible plants is the wide variety of natural biologically active ingredients - including flavonoids and phenolic acids, anthocyanin, etc. contained in the leaves or other parts. Polyphenols are a large group of secondary plant metabolites. The most common phenolic compounds in plant food are phenolic acids and flavonoids. It is known that the phenolic compounds uptake affects human health positively. This substance group is characterized by proven anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiviral properties, as well as potential for the certain cardiovascular diseases prevention, hypertension, diabetes and others. These properties are due to the phenolic compounds` dual role - as antioxidants and as substrates. In Bulgaria there is limited information on the polyphenolic acids` and flavonoids` composition of the edible plants. Expanding the range of such information would provide consumers with an informed choice for healthy life. This would give the opportunity for plant uses in pharmacy (phytotherapy, medicinal cosmetics), inclusion in balanced and healthy diet, as nutritional supplements and functional foods, etc

Lipophilic Marine Biotoxins in Mussels from Bulgarian coast and Dietary Intake of Different Population Groups

AbstractIntroductionLipophilic phycotoxins, produced by toxic phytoplankton species, accumulate in digestive glands of mussels. If contaminated mussels containing marine biotoxins over regulatory levels are consumed, it is assumed that this could result in e.g. gastrointestinal disorders.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to report contamination level of lipophilic marine biotoxins and to assess the potential health risk based on dietary intake for regular consumers and recreational harvesters from Bulgaria.Method/DesignWild and cultivated mussels were sampled in spring seasons of 2017 and 2018 from the North Black Sea coast. Positive phycotoxins concentrations determined via LC-MS/MS in extracts from digestive glands of the mussels were converted in phycotoxin levels for whole mussel meat (mm) by applying a factor of 5 proposed by EFSA. Dietary intakes were calculated by multiplying the mean positive phycotoxin levels (mg /kg mm) by the food consumption data for an average body weight (bw) of the investigated population group.Results and discussionIn total 20 farmed and 15 wild mussel samples were investigated. Yessotoxins and pectenotoxin-2 were detected. The mean YTX levels in cultivated mussels were measured about two times higher in spring 2018 (1.64 mg/kg) than in 2017 (0.70 mg/kg). The mean YTX level in wild mussels was found much lower - 0.46 mg/kg (spring 2017). In this regard, estimation of mean dietary YTX intake show that exposure of both population groups by consumption of cultivated mussels from spring 2018 is highest. Nevertheless, the regulatory threshold – acute reference dose of 25 μg/kg bw, is much above the highest calculated dietary intake (0.006 μg/kg female consumers). The mean PTX2 level in wild mussel samples from spring 2017 (0.71 mg/kg) was found about six times higher than in farmed mussels.The calculation of mean dietary PTX2 intake indicate that most exposed are females if wild mussels from spring 2017 were consumed. Still, the calculated value – 0.003 μg/kg bw were much lower than the ARfD - 0.8 μg/kg bw. All wild mussel samples from spring 2018 were negative. Lowest exposure to detected toxins were established for recreational harvesters.ConclusionThis study showed in general low contamination level with YTX and PTX2 of investigated mussel samples. Thereon, the estimated dietary intake of selected population groups is also much lower than the regulatory thresholds.</jats:sec