Farmacia - Ciencias de la Salud

The aim of the study was to design new isotonic drinks with lemon juice and berries: maqui [Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz], açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.), following on from previous research. Quality parameters -including colour (CIELab parameters), minerals, phytochemical identification and quantification by highperformance liquid chromatography with diode array detector, total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the antioxidant capacity (ABTS þ , DPPH . and O . À 2 assays) and biological activities (in vitro alpha-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory effects) -were tested in the samples and compared to commercially available isotonic drinks. The new isotonic blends with lemon and anthocyanins-rich berries showed an attractive colour, especially in maqui samples, which is essential for consumer acceptance. Significantly higher antioxidant and biological effects were determined in the new blends, in comparison with the commercial isotonic beverages.

The condensation reaction between (+)-catechin and acetaldehyde was studied in model solutions in the presence and absence yeasts in order to evaluate its contribution to color changes in fermented drinks such as white wine. On the basis of the results, the yeasts retain the oligomers produced in the reaction, their retention ability increasing for higher polymerization degrees. As a result, the color of model solutions, measured as the absorbance at 420 nm, was found to decrease after the addition of yeasts. On the other hand, the yeasts exhibited no inhibitory effect on the condensation reaction, which took place at the same rate in their presence and absence. At acidity levels and reactant concentrations similar to those in wine, with acetaldehyde in high concentration as it is present in sherry wines, the reaction was found to occur very slowly. Taking into account that Yeasts are present during most of the winemaking process; consequently, they retain oligomers, and the studied reaction could mainly contribute to the alteration of the color of white wine after bottling.

The effects of polyphenol-rich foods on the iron status of athletes, as well as the effect of physical training on the hormone hepcidin, implicated in iron metabolism, are not clear. We investigated the influence on iron metabolism of a long-term training intervention of 120 days, measuring the hepcidin concentration in the plasma of 16 elite triathletes, and the effect of the ingestion of 200 mL of either aronia-citrus juice or a placebo drink for 45 days, in a crossover design. The highest plasma hepcidin concentrations were observed at the beginning of the study (116 ± 63 nM) and levels steadily decreased until the end of the intervention (final value 10 ± 7.5 nM). Long-term training might reduce inflammation and, hence, could be responsible for the decrease in hepcidin in triathletes. Polyphenols from aronia-citrus juice did not interfere in iron absorption, as we did not observe significant differences between the intake of the placebo drink or juice with regard to hepcidin levels. Further studies are required to ascertain the time and conditions necessary to restore hepcidin levels, which reflect the iron status of triathletes.

The present study established the pattern of isoprostanes (IsoPs) and prostaglandins metabolites (PGMs) in urine after triathlon training. Fifteen Caucasian triathletes-5 women and 10 men-performed 793 and 1603 Objective Load Scales, respectively. The optimization of urine hydrolysis conditions, concerning to the type of buffer, the units of hydrolytic enzyme added, and the pH, allowed precise quantification of these metabolites by UPLC-MS/MS, avoiding the underestimation of their concentrations that occurred in previous studies. Their rate of conjugation ranged between 36% and 100%. This implies significant importance since it supposes non-detection of some IsoPs and PGMs totally conjugated with glucuronic acid developed by other previous methodologies. Among the 13 compounds analyzed, this assay detected and characterized 4 IsoPs and 3 PGMs in the triathletes' urine. The PGMs tetranor-PGEM and 11␤-PGF 2␣ and the IsoP 8-iso-PGF 2␣ , showed lower concentrations after the training program, whereas the PGMs 6-keto-PGF 1␣ increased (vascular PGI 2 metabolite). In fact, their pattern in the triathletes' urine indicated that their variation may have been related with the physical activity. Due to its high variation, 6-keto PGF 1␣ stood out as a useful marker of the vasodilation and inhibition of the platelet aggregation of the PGI 2 linked to the physical exercise. The data obtained provided a global picture of changes in lipid peroxidation and vascular events as a consequence of chronic exercise.

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In this study, we explored the capacity of different tomato rootstocks to improve the nutritional value of tomatoes grown in a greenhouse during the winter-spring period under low temperature and light conditions. The results showed that relative to nongrafted plants, some grafted rootstocks either did not affect or had detrimental effects on the nutritional parameters measured. In addition, the amount of serotonin was significantly lower in tomatoes from all grafted rootstocks than in tomatoes from the nongrafted plants. Nevertheless, relative to the nongrafted plants, some grafted treatments increased total macroelements (by 1.16 times), total microelements (by 1.43 times), protein content (by 17%), free total and essential amino acids (by respectively 23% and 19%), total phenolic compounds (by 11%), vitamin C (by 13.8%), lycopene (by 48%), and also total hydrocinnamic acids (by 67%) and flavonoids (by 279%). As the grafted treatments did not increase the tomato yield, we hypothesize that these compounds accumulated in the tomatoes due to the lack of increased biomass, which prevented a dilution effect on the compounds of interest in the fruits.

Broccoli sprouts represent an interesting choice of healthy food product as they are rich in glucosinolates and their cognate bioactive metabolites, isothiocyanates able to counteract the negative effects of diverse pathologies. As obesity is linked to an inflammatory component, the aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of broccoli sprouts in overweight adult subjects. An in vivo controlled study was performed in 40 healthy overweight subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT 03390855). Treatment phase consisted on the consumption of broccoli sprouts (30 g/day) during 10 weeks and the follow-up phase of 10 weeks of normal diet without consumption of these broccoli sprouts. Anthropometric parameters as body fat mass, body weight, and BMI were determined. Inflammation status was assessed by measuring levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and C-reactive protein. IL-6 levels significantly decreased (mean values from 4.76 pg/mL to 2.11 pg/mL with 70 days of broccoli consumption,...

Citrus has been proposed as an interesting ingredient in the elaboration of food products as soft drinks due to its distinctive aroma and high nutritive value. It is a rich source of nutrients that contains higher amounts of vitamin C, citric acid, minerals, and flavonoids, especially flavanones and flavones (reaching values of 400-600 mg/L) and in lesser amounts flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Citrus flavonoids decrease capillary permeability and are beneficial in the treatment of vascular diseases. Scientific studies suggest that the ingestion of food products based on citrus fruits improves the blood lipid profile, reduces oxidative stress, prevents atherogenic modifications of LDL and platelet aggregation, as well as contributes to the improvement of HDL levels. Other benefits attributed to citrus are antiaging, anticancer, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic. The present revision tries to empathize the most relevant studies regarding citrus and health.

Broccoli sprouts rich in glucosinolates have shown interesting properties mitigating the inflammatory status linked to obesity. Studies performed in healthy lean subjects have shown that these compounds possess good bioavailability, however long-term studies in overweight populations are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of broccoli sprouts in overweight adults: men, non-menopausal women and postmenopausal women. An in vivo controlled parallel study was performed in 69 healthy overweight subjects that consumed broccoli sprouts (30 g/day) during 5 weeks, with a follow-up phase of 5 weeks of normal diet without broccoli sprouts. Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03390855. Metabolites from glutathione detoxification pathway increased in all groups after 5 weeks of broccoli consumption, especially in post-menopausal women (Sulphoraphane-N-Acetyl cysteine levels from 0.0656 nmol/mg creatinine to 1.8191 nmol/mg creatinine, p < 0.001) and similar behaviour was observed for Sulphoraphane and Sulphoraphane-Cysteine. Postmenopausal condition was associated with higher levels of metabolites.

Sugar intake abuse is directly related with the increase of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. Along this line, the development of new beverages using alternative sweeteners could help with combatting the pathophysiological disorders associated to the consumption of sugar. To provide evidence on this issue, in the present work, the bioavailability of anthocyanins was evaluated after the acute ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based functional beverage rich in polyphenols, and supplemented with a range of sweeteners including sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), and sucralose (artificial non-caloric), as an approach that would allow reducing the intake of sugars while providing bioactive phenolic compounds (anthocyanins). This approach allowed the evaluation of the maximum absorption and the diversity of metabolites excreted through urine. The beverages created were ingested by volunteers (n = 20) and the resulting anth...

Nowadays, society accepts the direct relationship between foods and health. In this sense, fruits and vegetables are the major components in balanced diets, particularly for their implications in the prevention of certain conditions and types of cancer and chronic diseases. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica), is a cruciferous food very rich in glucosinolates (GLS) and their bioactive hydrolysis products, the isothiocyanates (ITC), which may exert beneficial biological activities against different conditions through protection against inflammation and oxidative stress in the cells, slowing or preventing a number of cancers and other diseases, such as cardiovascular or neurodegenerative. Broccoli inflorescences and sprouts are the main dietary sources of glucoraphanin (GR), precursor GLS of sulphoraphane (SFN), widely studied in different pathological conditions. Current research includes multidisciplinary work integrating the food chain, such as the evaluation of the pre-and post-harvest factors affecting the phytochemical composition of foods, adding value to agro-waste by elaboration of new ingredients for culinary applications, and enriching natural foods in bioactive phytochemicals using sustainable practices. The evaluation of the bioavailability and metabolism of GLS/ITC is one of several challenges in the design of clinical studies to assess the potential health-benefits of crucifers related to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects. An in vivo study and randomized design was performed in 40 healthy overweight subjects consuming broccoli sprouts (20-25 g day-1) during 10 weeks. Anthropometric parameters as fat mass, weight, BMI and biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) were determined. Inflammation status was assessed by measuring levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and C-reactive protein. Total cholesterol, IL-6 and C-reactive protein significantly decreased. No significant differences were observed in TNF-α values. Obesity is considered a low-inflammatory condition and an early stage of pathologies with an inflammatory component. This study represents an advance in intervention studies because we include the broccoli sprouts in the daily dietary pattern in not excessive doses but quantities that reflect a real consumption. Higher changes on lipid profile and inflammation parameters may need longer periods of intake. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of this healthy rich and nutritious food, but these promising results support the current evidence on the healthy properties of Brassica varieties.

Brassica vegetables and their components, the glucosinolates, have been suggested as good candidates as dietary coadjutants to improve health in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Different preclinical and clinical studies have been performed in the last decade; however, some concerns have been posed on the lack of established and standardized protocols. The different concentration of bioactive compounds used, time of intervention or sample size, and the lack of blinding are some factors that may influence the studies’ outcomes. This review aims to analyze the critical points of the studies performed with Brassica-related biomolecules and propose some bases for future trials in order to avoid biases.

Background: Low-caloric sweeteners represent a good alternative to the extra boost of energy of sugar-sweetened beverages. However, their long-term effects have barely been assessed. In the present study, the influence of lowcaloric sweeteners added to a maqui/Citrus beverage on the glycemic profile has been evaluated. Methods: A parallel, randomized and triple blind clinical study was performed in overweight subjects (n = 138), who consumed 330 mL/day of a beverage added with Stevia, Sucralose or Sucrose, for 60 days. Results: BMI did not change significantly with any treatment. Fasting glucose increased after the short-term consumption of Sucrose added beverage (26%), as well as with the addition of the low-caloric sweeteners, but in a lesser extent: 11% for Stevia and 20% for Sucralose. Insulin concentrations did not change significantly with any drink, which resulted in a significant increase in HOMA-IR with Sucralose (p = 0.002) and Sucrose (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The results obtained link the consumption of sucrose sweetened beverages with a disbalance in glycaemic response, and a better response with Stevia addition, although it also produces certain negative effects on glycemic control.