Application of the dynamic gastrointestinal simulator (simgi®) to assess the impact of probiotic supplementation in the metabolism of grape polyphenols.

In this paper, the Dynamic Gastrointestinal Simulator (simgi®) is used as a model to the study the metabolic activity of probiotics at the intestinal level, and in particular, to assess the impact of probiotic supplementation in the microbial metabolism of grape polyphenols. Two independent simulations using fecal samples from two healthy volunteers were carried out. Changes in microbiota composition and in metabolic activity were assessed by qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing and by analyses of phenolic metabolites and ammonium ions (NH).

Hormones and diet, but not body weight, control hypothalamic microglial activity.

The arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus plays a key role in sensing metabolic feedback and regulating energy homeostasis. Recent studies revealed activation of microglia in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity (DIO), suggesting a potential pathophysiological role for inflammatory processes within the hypothalamus. To further investigate the metabolic causes and molecular underpinnings of such glial activation, we analyzed the microglial activity in wild-type (WT), monogenic obese ob/ob (leptin deficient), db/db (leptin-receptor mutation), and Type-4 melanocortin receptor knockout (MC4R KO) mice on either a HFD or on standardized chow (SC) diet.

Protective effect of a pomace olive oil concentrated in triterpenic acids in alterations related to hypertension in rats: mechanisms involved.

Scope: Despite the amount of information and research on the effects of virgin olive oil and its components in cardiovascular disease, little attention has been paid to the effects of pomace olive oil, an olive oil subproduct traditionally used in Spain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of a pomace olive oil concentrated in triterpenic acids (POCTA) on blood pressure, cardiac hemodynamics, and functional and molecular vascular alterations associated with hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods And Results: The study showed that POCTA attenuated the increase of blood pressure in SHR.

Solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) in the early detection of potentially active volatile compounds from organic wastes used for the management of soil-borne pathogens.

The complex molecular assemblages were analysed in the soil gas phase after applying pine forest wastes (PFW) or sugarbeet vinasses (SBV) for soil-borne crop pests' management. For this purpose, solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography (GC) were used coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). The organic wastes were applied either to Calcic Entisol or Haplic Arenosol moistened at field capacity and soil was covered with polyethylene sheet for 28-30 days to retain the volatiles.

Characterization of Spanish unifloral honeys by solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Volatile compounds have been investigated in unifloral honeys of the most popular types in Spain. A total of 21 eucalyptus samples, 35 rosemary samples, 33 heather samples, and 15 citrus samples were collected in the course of 3 years in different Spanish regions. Samples were analyzed by SPME followed by GC-MS.