Role of food-derived antioxidants against cisplatin induced-nephrotoxicity.

Cancer is a relevant public health problem that represents the second leading cause of global death. In this regard, cisplatin is a highly effective antineoplastic drug used in treatment of several types of cancer, such as head and neck, testicular, ovarian, gastric, lung and breast cancer. Nevertheless, treatment with this compound leads to nephrotoxicity, which limits its use.

Chemical and nutritional composition of tejate, a traditional maize and cacao beverage from the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Foam-topped cacao and maize beverages have a long history in Mesoamerica. Tejate is such a beverage found primarily in the Zapotec region of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico. Historically tejate has been ceremonially important but also as an essential staple, especially during periods of hard fieldwork.

Role of oxate, phytate, tannins and cooking on iron bioavailability from foods commonly consumed in Mexico.

The objectives of this research were to assess the bioavailability of iron in foodstuffs found in the Mexican diet, to provide data on the content of iron absorption inhibitors present in plant origin products and to assess the inhibitory effect of these compounds and of cooking on iron bioavailability; therefore, total content and bioavailable iron, tannins, phytic and oxalic acid were determined in vegetables, cereals, legumes and animal products, before and after cooking. Vegetables, although rich in iron, have poor iron bioavailability and a high content of inhibitory factors; cooking reduced the content of iron and inhibitory factors, whereas in animal products the treatment of cooking did not significantly reduce it. Iron bioavailability, phytate content and the phytate to iron molar ratio predicted poor iron bioavailability and, therefore, a negative impact on the nutritional status of people who rely on them as staple foods could be expected.