Phenolics over Zeolites and Related Materials-Biomedical and Environmental Applications.

This work analyzes the following two aspects of zeolite applications: their application as carriers in delivery systems for phenolics applied as antioxidants or anticancer agents and the efficient removal of phenolic compounds from aqueous environments. The dual role of zeolites in increasing antioxidant bioavailability and environmental remediation is summarized, and perspectives on progress in zeolite adaptable applications are given. Special attention is given to theoretical methods that will guide future advanced delivery systems for biomedical applications, as well as serve as a focal point in designing multipurpose materials for comprehensive environmental solutions.

LC-HRMS Lipidomic Fingerprints in Serbian Cohort of Schizophrenia Patients.

Schizophrenia (SCH) is a major mental illness that causes impaired cognitive function and long-term disability, so the requirements for reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapy of SCH are essential. The objective of this work was an untargeted lipidomic study of serum samples from a Serbian cohort including 30 schizophrenia (SCH) patients and 31 non-psychiatric control (C) individuals by applying liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and chemometric analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) of all samples indicated no clear separation between SCH and C groups but indicated clear gender separation in the C group.

The Potential Benefits of Acute Aronia Juice Supplementation on Physical Activity Induced Alterations of the Serum Protein Profiles in Recreational Runners: A Pilot Study.

Intensive physical activity (PA) can lead to proteinuria and, consequently, serum protein profiles in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aronia juice consumption before a simulated half-marathon race on serum protein profiles in recreational runners. The pilot study was designed as a single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, with 10 male participants who consumed aronia juice (containing 1.

Current Insights into the Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Focusing on Alterations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles in Metabolic Syndrome.

The plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential n-3 acid highly susceptible to oxidation, present in oils of flaxseeds, walnuts, canola, perilla, soy, and chia. After ingestion, it can be incorporated in to body lipid pools (particularly triglycerides and phospholipid membranes), and then endogenously metabolized through desaturation, elongation, and peroxisome oxidation to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with a very limited efficiency (particularly for DHA), beta-oxidized as an energy source, or directly metabolized to C18-oxilipins. At this moment, data in the literature about the effects of ALA supplementation on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in humans are inconsistent, indicating no effects or some positive effects on all MetS components (abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired insulin sensitivity and glucoregulation, blood pressure, and liver steatosis).

The Thiol Group Reactivity and the Antioxidant Property of Human Serum Albumin Are Controlled by the Joint Action of Fatty Acids and Glucose Binding.

The binding of ubiquitous serum ligands (free fatty acids) to human serum albumin (HSA) or its glycation can affect thiol group reactivity, thus influencing its antioxidant activity. The effects of stearic acid (SA) and glucose binding on HSA structural changes and thiol group content and reactivity were monitored by fluoroscopy and the Ellman method during a 14-day incubation in molar ratios to HSA that mimic pathophysiological conditions. Upon incubation with 5 mM glucose, HSA glycation was the same as HSA without it, in three different HSA:SA molar ratios (HSA:SA-1:1-2-4).

Comparative assessment of erythrocyte sphingolipid levels as potential cardiovascular health markers in women from Libya and Serbia: a small-scale study.

: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide including Libya, where they account for 43% of all deaths. Sphingolipids are involved in the pathology of numerous diseases including cardiovascular diseases and are proposed as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular health that could be more effective compared to traditional clinical biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the sphingolipid content in the erythrocyte membrane of Libyan migrant and Serbian resident women.

Associations of fatty acids composition and estimated desaturase activities in erythrocyte phospholipids with biochemical and clinical indicators of cardiometabolic risk in non-diabetic Serbian women: the role of level of adiposity.

Introduction: Fatty acids (FAs) composition and desaturase activities can be altered in different metabolic conditions, but the adiposity-independent associations with clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations of FAs composition and estimated desaturase activities with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical cardiometabolic risk indicators in non-diabetic Serbian women, and to investigate if these associations were independent of the level of adiposity and other confounders.

Methods: In 76 non-diabetic, otherwise healthy Serbian women, aged 24-68 years, with or without metabolic syndrome or obesity (BMI=23.

Shortened Daily Photoperiod Alleviates Anxiety-like Behaviour by Antioxidant Effect and Changes Serum Fatty Acid Profile in Diabetic Rats.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a shortened daily photoperiod on anxiety-like behaviour, brain oxidative stress, lipid status and fatty acid composition of serum lipids in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of diabetes mellitus in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: first group-control group (C); second group-diabetic group (DM; 100 mg/kg STZ); third group-control group exposed to a light/dark cycle 6/18 h (C); fourth group-diabetic group exposed to a light/dark cycle 6/18 h (DM). Anxiety-like behaviour was tested three weeks following STZ injection by elevated plus maze (EPM) and open-field test (OFT).

EFFICACY OF A LIPID-LOWERING DIET ON KEY FATTY ACID RATIOS AND OMEGA-3 INDEX IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC SUBJECTS.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) dietary intake, status and serum key fatty acid (FA) ratios may aid in cardiovascular disease-related risk assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lipid-lowering diet on key FA ratios in serum phospholipids and omega-3 index in erythrocyte phospholipids in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects. The study included 41 subjects, mean age 56±6 years.

Evaluation of Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Status in 1-9-Year-Old Children Living in Serbia: National Food Consumption Survey according to the EU Menu Methodology.

The Serbian Food Consumption Survey among 1-9-year-old-children was conceptualized and conducted in compliance with the principles, established protocols, and guidelines of the EU Menu project between 2017 and 2021. Valid data were collected for 576 individuals (290 1-3-year-old toddlers and 276 3-9-year-old children). Regardless of age and gender category, the majority (68.

Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Treatment and the Efficiency of Its Conversion to Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in Obesity and Related Diseases.

The essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is present in high amounts in oils such as flaxseed, soy, hemp, rapeseed, chia, and perilla, while stearidonic acid is abundant in echium oil. ALA is metabolized to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by desaturases and elongases in humans. The conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is limited, and these long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are mainly provided from dietary sources (fish and seafood).

Trans fatty acids in frequently consumed products from Serbian and Slovenian market.

Objectives: Industrially produced trans fatty acid (iTFA) have adverse health effects and thus their consumption should be limited. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the iTFA content in frequently consumed food products by young adults from the Serbian and Slovenian market with supposedly elevated iTFA content in 2015. At the time of this study, there was no recommended limit of iTFA in both countries, and reduction of iTFA in foods was on voluntary basis.

Zinc Deficiency, Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Hemodialysis Patients: Is Supplementation Necessary?

Desaturation and elongation are critical processes in endogenous metabolic fatty acid pathways. Zinc (Zn) is a cofactor for desaturases and elongases enzymes. There is limited evidence regarding the relationships between biomarkers of Zn status, nutritional intake, plasma phospholipid fatty acid profile and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Influence of Higenamine on Exercise Performance of Recreational Female Athletes: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to determine the ergogenic effects and the safety profile of a one-component higenamine supplement in female recreational athletes. Twelve recreational female basketball players (age 29-41 years, oxygen consumption (VOmax) > 30 ml⋅kg⋅min, with training > 5 h wk) were randomized either to the higenamine group, or to the placebo group for 3 weeks. In order to determine ergogenic effects and safety profile of higenamine administration, we assessed the following variables before and after 3 weeks of supplementation: anthropometric parameters, resting metabolic rate (RMR), exercise testing variables, serum free fatty acids (FFAs), blood pressure, enzyme activity, urea, lipid profile, and complete blood count.

Fructose-rich diet and walnut supplementation differently regulate rat hypothalamic and hippocampal glucose transporters expression.

Background: Nutritional modulations may be considered a strategy to protect mental health. Neuronal homeostasis is highly dependent on the availability of glucose, which represents the primary energy source for the brain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of walnut intake and fructose-rich diet on the expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs) in two rat brain regions: hypothalamus and hippocampus.

Calorie-Restricted Mediterranean and Low-Fat Diets Affect Fatty Acid Status in Individuals with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Lifestyle modifications are the main support of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) therapy. Weight loss is one of the primary goals in NAFLD, but the effects of different calorie-restricted diets remain unclear. Thus, we evaluated the effects of two calorie-restricted diets-the Mediterranean diet (Med diet) and low-fat diet-on liver status, cardiometabolic markers, and fatty acid profiles in patients with NAFLD.

Walnut Consumption Induces Tissue-Specific Omega-6/Omega-3 Decrease in High-Fructose-Fed Wistar Rats.

Increased dietary, blood, and tissue n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Due to Westernized dietary patterns, the increasing n-6/n-3 ratio is of growing concern worldwide, and dietary strategies aimed at its lowering are of public health importance. Walnuts are rich in dietary fats, and their consumption promotes cardiometabolic health.

Metabolically healthy obesity: is there a link with polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and status?

The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake and status of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids metabolically healthy and unhealthy, and obese and nonobese persons. Metabolic health status in 171 participants was defined according to criteria for metabolic syndrome. Obese and nonobese metabolically unhealthy persons (MUHO and MUHNO) had higher energy intake of -6 PUFA (7.

The interplay between copper(II), human serum albumin, fatty acids, and carbonylating agent interferes with Cys 34 thiol reactivity and copper binding.

Cys34 thiol group of human serum albumin (HSA) represents major plasma antioxidant. Its reactivity is influenced by multiple factors. The influence of fatty acids (FA; saturated, mono, and poly unsaturated acids from fish oil) binding to HSA, on copper(II) binding affinity and Cys34 thiol group accessibility/reactivity, in the presence of carbonylation agent (methylglyoxal, MG) was examined.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine protects dental tissue stem cells against oxidative stress in vitro.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate whether N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) could protect stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) against oxidative damage, during in vitro cultivation, to preserve regenerative potential of these cells. Accordingly, we examined the potential of cell culture supplementation with NAC in prevention of lipid peroxidation, unfavorable changes of total lipids fatty acid composition, and the effects on the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Material And Methods: We analyzed the extent of oxidative damage in SHED after 48 h treatment with different NAC concentrations.

Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Plasma Adiponectin Levels and Some Metabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived plasma protein with insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties and is suggested to be a biomarker of metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on plasma adiponectin and some metabolic risk factors in patients with schizophrenia. The plasma adipokine levels (adiponectin and leptin), routine biochemical and anthropometric parameters, markers of oxidative stress, and the serum phospholipid fatty acid profile in eighteen schizophrenic patients at baseline, in the middle, and at the end of a 3-month long supplementation period with ALA (500 mg daily) were determined.

Quantification of total content of non-esterified fatty acids bound to human serum albumin.

Non-esterified fatty acids bound to the human serum albumin (HSA) contribute to several HSAs properties of special concern in pathologies, for instance to the reactivity of the free HSA-Cys34 thiol group (important antioxidative thiol pool in plasma), and to the affinity for binding of molecules and ions (for example cobalt as a prominent biomarker in heart ischemia). Therefore, the method for determination of FAs bound to HSA was developed. FAs were released from HSA (previously isolated from serum by ammonium sulfate precipitation) using acidic copper(II) sulfate in phosphoric acid, extracted by n-heptane-chloroform (4:1, v/v) mixture, spotted on TL silica-gel and then developed with n-heptane-chloroform-acetic acid (5:3:0.

Binding of enterolactone and enterodiol to human serum albumin: increase of cysteine-34 thiol group reactivity.

The interaction of polyphenolic molecules with human serum albumin (HSA) could lead to changes in the reactivity of the HSA Cys34 thiol group (HSA-SH). The influences of enterolactone (EL) and enterodiol (ED) binding on HSA-SH reactivity in fatty acid (FA)-free HSA, and in HSA with bound stearic acid (S) in S/HSA molar ratios of 1:1 and 4:1, were investigated by the determination of the pseudo first order rate constants (k') for the thiol reaction with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The binding affinities and binding sites of EL and ED were also determined, using fluorescence measurements of the intrinsic fluorescence of Trp214 and diazepam (binding site marker).

Establishment and advances in the online Serbian food and recipe data base harmonized with EuroFIR™ standards.

Within the European Food Information Resource Network of Excellence (EuroFIR NoE; FP6) and EuroFIR Nexus (FP7) project paucity in food composition databases (FCDB) in the Central Eastern Europe/Balkan (CEE/B) region was identified. As a member of EuroFIR NoE, the Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Serbia initiated creation of the 1st online Serbian FCDB employing EuroFIR quality framework and CEN Food Data Standard requirements, supporting capacity development and designing the web-based Food Composition Data Management (FCDM) software for FCDB building. The 1st online version of Serbian FCDB was launched in 2007, and then extended with food composition data from other Balkan countries (Balkan Food Platform-Regional FCDB).