Protection against indomethacin-induced loss of intestinal epithelial barrier function by a quercetin oxidation metabolite present in onion peel: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Oxidative stress is directly implicated in the loss of intestinal epithelial barrier function (IEBF) induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Previous studies by our research team demonstrated that 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone (BZF), a quercetin oxidation metabolite that naturally occurs in onion peels, exhibits an antioxidant potency notably higher than quercetin. Thus, we assessed the potential of BZF and a BZF-rich onion peel aqueous extract (OAE) to protect against the loss of IEBF in Caco-2 cell monolayers and in rats exposed to indomethacin.

[Advances in the knowledge about human milk proteins].

The mammary gland and maternal milk are the product of millions of years of evolution that resul ted in an optimal composition that sustains the growth and development of newborns and infants. Maternal milk supports the growth, adaptation and survival of this immature organism. Recent studies have detected 1606 different proteins in human milk, most of them synthesized in the acini of the glandular tissue while others originate from distant organs such as the lymphoid tissue and the digestive tract.

[Probiotics: innocuousness, prevention and risks].

Probiotics have been defined as live microorganisms which, when ingested in adequate numbers, confer health benefits to the host. They are currently consumed without any age restrictions and adverse effects such as sepsis, a marker of the risk of invasion of the bloodstream, are extremely infrequent. However, some health professionals express doubts about probiotics being truly innocuous.

Probiotic screening and safety evaluation of Lactobacillus strains from plants, artisanal goat cheese, human stools, and breast milk.

The aim of this study was to select autochthonous strains of Lactobacillus from stools of healthy infants and adults, human milk, artisanal goat cheese, and fruits and vegetables according to their probiotic properties and safety. From 421 strains of Lactobacillus isolated, 102 (24.2%) were shown to be tolerant to gastric pH and bile salts; they were used to determine their anti-Helicobacter pylori (agar diffusion assay), antioxidant (oxygen radical absorption capacity), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of interleukin-8 release by tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated HT-29 cells) activities as well as their ability to adhere to intestinal (Caco-2) and gastric (AGS) epithelial cells.

Increase of plasma fatty acids without changes in n-6/n-3-PUFA ratio in asymptomatic obese subjects.

Obesity is associated with a low grade inflammation which contributes to the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the total saturated (SFAs), monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in plasma from asymptomatic obese subjects and to determine the arachidonic/eicosapentanoic acid ratio [ARA/EPA] as a marker of inflammation, and its eventual association with ultrasensitive CRP. Fourteen obese (34.