Enzymatically derived sunflower protein hydrolysate and peptides inhibit NFκB and promote monocyte differentiation to a dendritic cell phenotype.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins produces bioactive peptides that have the potential to provide health benefits. This study examined the inflammatory- and immune-modulating properties of a flavourzyme-derived sunflower protein hydrolysate (SPH) and peptides. The SPH was fractionated into <1, 1-3, 3-5, and >5 kDa peptides by membrane ultrafiltration.

Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation Containing Phytonutrients Scavenges Reactive Oxygen Species in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Phytonutrients and vitamin and mineral supplementation have been reported to provide increased antioxidant capacity in humans; however, there is still controversy. In the current clinical trial, we examined the antioxidant and DNA protection capacity of a plant-based, multi-vitamin/mineral, and phytonutrient (PMP) supplementation in healthy adults who were habitually low in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. This study was an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial.

Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) root extract protects against glycation and related inflammatory and oxidative stress while offering UV absorption capability.

Glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGE) damage skin which is compounded by AGE-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Lip and facial skin could be susceptible to glycation damage as they are chronically stressed. As Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) root (GR) has an extensive traditional medicine history that includes providing multiple skin benefits, our objective was to determine whether GR extract and its base naphthoquinone, shikonin, might protect skin by inhibiting glycation, increasing oxidative defenses, suppressing inflammatory responses and offering ultraviolet (UV) absorptive potential in lip and facial cosmetic matrices.

Lithospermum erythrorhizon Root and its Naphthoquinones Repress SREBP1c and Activate PGC1α Through AMPKα.

Objective: To examine specific molecular mechanisms involved in modulating hepatic lipogenesis and mitochondria biogenesis signals by Lithospermum erythrorhizon (gromwell) root extract.

Methods: Stable cell lines with luciferase reporter constructs were generated to examine sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 (PGC1) α promoter activity and estrogen-related receptor (ERR) α response element activity. Gene expression of SREBP1c, stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1, and PGC1α was measured by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

A novel botanical formula prevents diabetes by improving insulin resistance.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the prevalence has increased significantly in recent decades to epidemic proportions in China. Individually, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seed, mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) root can improve glycemia in various animal models and humans with impaired glucose metabolism and T2DM.

Identification of a botanical inhibitor of intestinal diacylglyceride acyltransferase 1 activity via in vitro screening and a parallel, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Diacylglyceride acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is the enzyme that adds the final fatty acid on to a diacylglyceride during triglyceride (TG) synthesis. DGAT1 plays a key role in the repackaging of dietary TG into circulating TG rich chylomicrons. A growing amount of research has indicated that an exaggerated postprandial circulating TG level is a risk indicator for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

Identification of evodiamine as the bioactive compound in evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa Benth.) fruit extract that activates human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

The dried unripe fruit from Evodia rutaecarpa Benth., known as Wu zhu yu in China, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this research, we provide evidence that evodia fruit extract activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and, as identified through HPLC fractionation and mass spectroscopy, the activating phytochemical is evodiamine.

Regulation of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase by omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: Implications for the dietary management of elevated serum triglycerides.

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids lower serum triglycerides by a mechanism that may involve the inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD).

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effects of serum fatty acids on 1) the SCD index in a controlled clinical setting, and 2) SCD regulation in Hep G2 cells.

Methods: The SCD index was determined in 23 subjects randomly sequenced through 3 diets for 6 weeks in a crossover study.

Phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha increases BACE1 levels and promotes amyloidogenesis.

beta-site APP cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1), the rate-limiting enzyme for beta-amyloid (Abeta) production, is elevated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we show that energy deprivation induces phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha (eIF2alpha-P), which increases the translation of BACE1. Salubrinal, an inhibitor of eIF2alpha-P phosphatase PP1c, directly increases BACE1 and elevates Abeta production in primary neurons.

Lipid-lowering actions of imidazoline antihypertensive agents in metabolic syndrome X.

Agonists active at I1-imidazoline receptors (I1R) not only lower blood pressure but also ameliorate glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia with long-term treatment. We sought to determine the possible mechanism for the lipid-lowering actions of imidazolines in a model of metabolic Syndrome X, the spontaneously-hypertensive obese (SHROB) rat. The acute actions of moxonidine and rilmenidine, selective I1R agonists, were compared to a specific alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, guanabenz, with and without selective receptor blockers.

Energy inhibition elevates beta-secretase levels and activity and is potentially amyloidogenic in APP transgenic mice: possible early events in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Beta-secretase [beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1)] is the key rate-limiting enzyme for the production of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). BACE1 levels and activity are increased in AD brain and are likely to drive Abeta overproduction, but the cause of BACE1 elevation in AD is unknown. Interestingly, cerebral glucose metabolism and blood flow are both reduced in preclinical AD, suggesting that impaired energy production may be an early pathologic event in AD.

Therapeutic actions of an insulin receptor activator and a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist in the spontaneously hypertensive obese rat model of metabolic syndrome X.

Insulin resistance clusters with hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension as metabolic syndrome X. We tested a low molecular weight insulin receptor activator, demethylasterriquinone B-1 (DMAQ-B1), and a novel indole peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, 2-(2-(4-phenoxy-2-propylphenoxy)ethyl)indole-5-acetic acid (PPEIA), in spontaneously hypertensive obese rats (SHROB), a genetic model of syndrome X. Agents were given orally for 19 days.

The role of I(1)-imidazoline receptors and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in the modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in the SHROB model of metabolic syndrome X.

Hypertension is commonly accompanied by obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance in humans, a cluster of abnormalities known as metabolic syndrome X. With the notable exception of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system, which have mildly beneficial effects on insulin resistance, most antihypertensive agents worsen one or more components of metabolic syndrome X. Second-generation centrally acting antihypertensive agents such as rilmenidine and moxonidine have mixed effects on components of metabolic syndrome X, which might reflect in part actions on two different receptors: I(1)-imidazoline and alpha(2)-adrenergic.

Contrasting metabolic effects of antihypertensive agents.

Hypertension often coexists with hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance, a comorbidity known as metabolic syndrome X. Different antihypertensives have mixed effects on these associated abnormalities. We compared three antihypertensives in the spontaneously hypertensive obese rat model of syndrome X.

The role of I(1)-imidazoline and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in the modulation of glucose metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive obese rat model of metabolic syndrome X.

We examined glucose metabolism after I1-imidazoline (I1R) and alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2AR) activation in an animal model of metabolic syndrome X. Fasted spontaneously hypertensive obese rats (SHROB) were given the I1R/alpha2AR agonists moxonidine and rilmenidine or the alpha2AR agonist guanabenz. Because of the dual specificity of moxonidine, its actions were split into adrenergic and nonadrenergic components by using selective antagonists: rauwolscine (alpha2AR) efaroxan (I1R/alpha2AR), or 2-endo-amino-3-exo-isopropylbicyclo[2.

Plasma glucagon and free fatty acid responses to a glucose load in the obese spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHROB) model of metabolic syndrome X.

Metabolic Syndrome X is a cluster of abnormalities including insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. We sought to determine if excess plasma glucagon and free fatty acids (FFA) might contribute to the insulin resistance in the obese spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHROB), a unique animal model of leptin resistance and metabolic Syndrome X. SHROB were extremely hyperinsulinemic and mildly glucose intolerant compared with lean SHR.