Analysis of combinatory effects of free weight resistance training and a high-protein diet on body composition and strength capacity in postmenopausal women - A 12-week randomized controlled trial.

Background: Menopause has a significant impact on the endocrine system of middle-aged women, resulting in a loss of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), changes in fat mass (FM) and a reduction in strength capacity. Resistance training (RT) and a high-protein diet (HPD) are effective methods for maintaining or increasing SMM. This study aims to determine the effects of HPD and RT on body composition, muscle thickness and strength capacity in postmenopausal women.

Controversy on health-based guidance values for bisphenol A-the need of criteria for studies that serve as a basis for risk assessment.

Since 2006, the responsible regulatory bodies have proposed five health-based guidance values (HBGV) for bisphenol A (BPA) that differ by a factor of 250,000. This range of HBGVs covers a considerable part of the range from highly toxic to relatively non-toxic substances. As such heterogeneity of regulatory opinions is a challenge not only for scientific risk assessment but also for all stakeholders, the Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) analyzed the reasons for the current discrepancy and used this example to suggest improvements for the process of HBGV recommendations.

Commentary of the SKLM to the EFSA opinion on risk assessment of N-nitrosamines in food.

Dietary exposure to N-nitrosamines has recently been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to result in margins of exposure that are conceived to indicate concern with respect to human health risk. However, evidence from more than half a century of international research shows that N-nitroso compounds (NOC) can also be formed endogenously. In this commentary of the Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (DFG), the complex metabolic and physiological biokinetics network of nitrate, nitrite and reactive nitrogen species is discussed with emphasis on its influence on endogenous NOC formation.

Acetaldehyde as a Food Flavoring Substance: Aspects of Risk Assessment.

The Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) has reviewed the currently available data in order to assess the health risks associated with the use of acetaldehyde as a flavoring substance in foods. Acetaldehyde is genotoxic in vitro. Following oral intake of ethanol or inhalation exposure to acetaldehyde, systemic genotoxic effects of acetaldehyde in vivo cannot be ruled out (induction of DNA adducts and micronuclei).

Association between vitamin D status and eryptosis-results from the German National Cohort Study.

Vitamin D, besides its classical effect on mineral homeostasis and bone remodeling, can also modulate apoptosis. A special form of apoptosis termed eryptosis appears in erythrocytes. Eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and cell membrane phospholipid disorganization and associated with diseases such as sepsis, malaria or iron deficiency, and impaired microcirculation.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of acrylamide: Arguments for the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI value).

This opinion of the Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) presents arguments for an updated risk assessment of diet-related exposure to acrylamide (AA), based on a critical review of scientific evidence relevant to low dose exposure. The SKLM arrives at the conclusion that as long as an appropriate exposure limit for AA is not exceeded, genotoxic effects resulting in carcinogenicity are unlikely to occur. Based on the totality of the evidence, the SKLM considers it scientifically justified to derive a tolerable daily intake (TDI) as a health-based guidance value.

Salivary nitrate/nitrite and acetaldehyde in humans: potential combination effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract and possible consequences for the in vivo formation of N-nitroso compounds-a hypothesis.

Subsequent to the dietary uptake of nitrate/nitrite in combination with acetaldehyde/ethanol, combination effects resulting from the sustained endogenous exposure to nitrite and acetaldehyde may be expected. This may imply locoregional effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as systemic effects, such as a potential influence on endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOC). Salivary concentrations of the individual components nitrate and nitrite and acetaldehyde are known to rise after ingestion, absorption and systemic distribution, thereby reflecting their respective plasma kinetics and parallel secretion through the salivary glands as well as the microbial/enzymatic metabolism in the oral cavity.

Safety Assessment of Vitamin D and Its Photo-Isomers in UV-Irradiated Baker's Yeast.

Vitamin D deficiency due to, e.g., nutritional and life style reasons is a health concern that is gaining increasing attention over the last two decades.

The mycotoxin beauvericin impairs development, fertility and life span in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans accompanied by increased germ cell apoptosis and lipofuscin accumulation.

Beauvericin is an ubiquitous mycotoxin with relevant occurrence in food and feed. It causes a high toxicity in several cell lines, but its general mechanism of action is not fully understood and only limited in vivo studies have been performed. We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to investigate effects of beauvericin.

Insects for Food and Feed-Safety Aspects Related to Mycotoxins and Metals.

Edible insects as an alternative source of protein are discussed as an important contribution to future feed and food security. However, it has to be ensured that the consumption is non-hazardous. This systematic review summarizes findings concerning contaminations of insects with mycotoxins and heavy metal ions (SciFinder, Pubmed, until 26 June 2019).

Occurrence of Nine Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in L. Depending on Developmental Stage and Season.

The contamination of phytopharmaceuticals and herbal teas with toxic plants is an increasing problem. L. is a particularly noxious weed in agricultural and horticultural crops due to its content of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).

Abyssinone V, a prenylated flavonoid isolated from the stem bark of Erythrina melanacantha increases oxidative stress and decreases stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Objectives: Recent studies showed that distinct extracts of Erythrina species used in the traditional medicine of sub-Saharan Africa are protective against stress conditions. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms as well as relevant compounds remain unclear.

Methods: We used the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate compounds isolated from the stem bark of Erythrina melanacantha (abyssinone V (1), abyssinon-4'O-methylether (2), sigmoidin B-4'O-methylether (3), glabranin (4), 8-prenylnaringenin (5), citflavanone (6), exiguaflavanone (7) and homoeriodictyol (8)).

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract prolongs lifespan and protects against amyloid-β toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans: involvement of the FoxO and Nrf2 orthologues DAF-16 and SKN-1.

Purpose: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is commonly used as an ingredient for herbal teas and food supplements. Several studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

Wallr. Extract Increases Stress Resistance and Prolongs Life Span in via Transcription Factor DAF-16 (FoxO Orthologue).

is a pharmacologically interesting plant which is proposed to protect against various diseases due to its high amount of phytochemicals, e.g., polyphenols.

Extract Exerts Antioxidative Effects and Increases Life Span and Stress Resistance in the Model Organism via DAF-16 and SIR-2.1.

Extracts of the Chinese plant (PME) are used for medicinal purposes as well as food supplement due to anti-aging effects. Despite of the common use of these food supplements, experimental data on physiological effects of PME and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo are limited. We used the model organism to analyze anti-aging-effects of PME in vivo (life span, lipofuscin accumulation, oxidative stress resistance, thermal stress resistance) as well as the molecular signaling pathways involved.

Bioactive pyrrole alkaloids isolated from the Red Sea: marine sponge Stylissa carteri.

Fifteen pyrrole alkaloids were isolated from the Red Sea marine sponge Stylissa carteri and investigated for their biological activities. Four of them were dibrominated [(+) dibromophakelline, Z-3-bromohymenialdisine, (±) ageliferin and 3,4-dibromo-1H-pyrrole-2-carbamide], nine compounds were monobrominated [(-) clathramide C, agelongine, (+) manzacidin A, (-) 3-bromomanzacidin D, Z-spongiacidin D, Z-hymenialdisine, 2-debromostevensine, 2-bromoaldisine and 4-bromo-1H-pyrrole-2-carbamide)] and finally, two compounds were non-brominated derivatives viz., E-debromohymenialdisine and aldisine.

The resveratrol derivatives trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-fluoro-4'-hydroxystilbene and trans-2,4',5-trihydroxystilbene decrease oxidative stress and prolong lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Objectives: Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene (1)) was previously shown to extend the lifespan of different model organisms. However, its pharmacological efficiency is controversially discussed. Therefore, the bioactivity of four newly synthesized stilbenes (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4-fluoro-4'-hydroxystilbene (3), trans-4'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trifluorostilbene (4), trans-2,5-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene (5), trans-2,4',5-trihydroxystilbene (6)) was compared to (1) and pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene (2)) in the established model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cytotoxic effects of the anthraquinone derivatives 1'-deoxyrhodoptilometrin and (S)-(-)-rhodoptilometrin isolated from the marine echinoderm Comanthus sp.

We investigated cytotoxic effects of the anthraquinone derivatives 1'-deoxyrhodoptilometrin (SE11) and (S)-(-)-rhodoptilometrin (SE16) isolated from the marine echinoderm Comanthus sp. in two tumor cell lines (C6 glioma, Hct116 colon carcinoma). Both compounds showed cytotoxic effects, with SE11 [IC-value (MTT assay): 13.

Baicalein modulates stress-resistance and life span in C. elegans via SKN-1 but not DAF-16.

The flavonoid baicalein has been demonstrated to be an activator of the transcription factor Nrf2 in mammalian cell lines. We show that it further modulates the Nrf2 homolog SKN-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans and by this pathway mediates beneficial effects in the nematode: baicalein enhances the resistance of C. elegans against lethal thermal and sodium arsenite stress and dose-dependently prolongs the life span of the nematode.

Modulation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway in Hct116 colon carcinoma cells by baicalein and its methylated derivative negletein.

Context: Baicalein is a major compound in extracts derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) which are used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and gastrointestinal diseases. This flavonoid is an activator of the Nrf2 signalling pathway but the molecular mechanism is not clearly established.

Objective: We investigated the molecular mode of baicalein-mediated Nrf2-activation in Hct116 cells by the analysis of proteasomal activity, radical-scavenging activity and the comparison with baicalein derivatives.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits adhesion and migration of neural progenitor cells in vitro.

Food supplements based on herbal products are widely used during pregnancy as part of a self-care approach. The idea that such supplements are safe and healthy is deeply seated in the general population, although they do not underlie the same strict safety regulations than medical drugs. We aimed to characterize the neurodevelopmental effects of the green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is now commercialized as high-dose food supplement.

The Brassica-derived phytochemical indolo[3,2-b]carbazole protects against oxidative DNA damage by aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation.

Epidemiological studies suggest that a high intake of Brassica vegetables protects against colon carcinogenesis. Brassica vegetables are rich in glucosinolates which are hydrolysed during digestion to various products including indole-3-carbinol. In animal studies, a protective effect of indole-3-carbinol has been demonstrated in colon carcinogenesis.

Prenylated flavanone derivatives isolated from Erythrina addisoniae are potent inducers of apoptotic cell death.

Extracts of Erythrina addisoniae are frequently used in the traditional medicine of Western Africa, but insufficient information about active compounds is available. From the stem bark of E. addisoniae, three (1, 2, 4) and three known (3, 5, 6) flavanones were isolated: addisoniaflavanones I and II, containing either a 2″,3″-epoxyprenyl moiety (1) or a 2″,3″-dihydroxyprenyl moiety (2) were shown to be highly toxic (MTT assay: EC50 values of 5.