The effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on OPG and RANKL expression in a rat osteoarthritis model

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) against osteoarthritis (OA) and preliminarily discuss the osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and RANK expression in a rat OA model. Methods: Thirty-six 6-week-old Male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated group(CON), OA-induction group(OA), COS intervention group(n=12/group). At 4 weeks after the operation, COS (50 ul) intervention weekily for consecutive 5 weeks. The OA and CON groups received an injection of 50 ul physiological saline. At death, 11 weeks following surgery, cartilage was harvested and total RNA and protein were extracted. Both the morphological changes of the cartilage were observed and harvested the total RNA and protein. Meanwhile, the expression of OPG, RANKL and RANK in cartilage were determined. Results: The expression of OPG and RANKL were both enhanced in the cartilage of the OA model. Compared with the OA group, COS treatment improved the cartilage damage (both extent and grade). Furthermore, the COS group showed highly OPG and lower RANKL. Simultaneously, COS treatment upregulated the ratio of OPG/RANKL and downregulated the RANKL/RANK. Conclusion: Chitosan oligosaccharides may be used as a unique biological agent to prevent and treat osteoarthritis, and this effect is associated with modulation of the expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand.

Fructo-oligosaccharide effects on serum cholesterol levels. An overview

PURPOSE: To address the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) intake on serum cholesterol levels. METHODS: We performed a search for scientific articles in MEDLINE database from 1987 to 2014, using the following English keywords: fructooligosaccharides; fructooligosaccharides and cholesterol. A total of 493 articles were found. After careful selection and exclusion of duplicate articles 34 references were selected. Revised texts were divided into two topics: "FOS Metabolism" and "FOS effects on plasma cholesterol." RESULTS: The use of a FOS diet prevented some lipid disorders and lowered fatty acid synthase activity in the liver in insulin-resistant rats. There was also reduction in weight and total cholesterol in beagle dogs on a calorie-restricted diet enriched with short-chain FOS. Another study found that 2g FOS daily consumption increased significantly serum HDL cholesterol levels but did not ensure a significant reduction in levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides.. Patients with mild hypercholesterolemia receiving short-chain FOS 10.6g daily presented no statistically significant reduction in serum cholesterol levels. However, when FOS was offered to patients that changed their lifestyle, the reduction of LDL cholesterol and steatosis was higher. CONCLUSIONS: Fructooligosaccharides intake may have a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and regulation of serum cholesterol levels in individuals that change their lifestyle. FOS supplementation use in diets may therefore be a strategy for lowering cholesterol. .

Xylooligosaccharides: an economical prebiotic from agroresidues and their health benefits.

Oligosaccharides and dietary fibres are non-digestible food ingredients that preferentially stimulate the growth of prebiotic Bifidobacterium and other lactic acid bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) provide a plethora of health benefits and can be incorporated into several functional foods. In the recent times, there has been an over emphasis on the microbial conversion of agroresidues into various value added products. Xylan, the major hemicellulosic component of lignocellulosic materials (LCMs), represents an important structural component of plant biomass in agricultural residues and could be a potent bioresource for XOS. On an industrial scale, XOS can be produced by chemical, enzymatic or chemo-enzymatic hydrolysis of LCMs. Chemical methods generate XOS with a broad degree of polymerization (DP), while enzymatic processes will be beneficial for the manufacture of food grade and pharmaceutically important XOS. Xylooligomers exert several health benefits, and therefore, have been considered to provide relief from several ailments. This review provides a brief on production, purification and structural characterization of XOS and their health benefits.

Oxidative response of neutrophils to platelet-activating factor is altered during acute ruminal acidosis induced by oligofructose in heifers

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is one of the main mechanisms used to kill microbes during innate immune response. D-lactic acid, which is augmented during acute ruminal acidosis, reduces platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced ROS production and L-selectin shedding in bovine neutrophils in vitro. This study was conducted to investigate whether acute ruminal acidosis induced by acute oligofructose overload in heifers interferes with ROS production and L-selectin shedding in blood neutrophils. Blood neutrophils and plasma were obtained by jugular venipuncture, while ruminal samples were collected using rumenocentesis. Lactic acid from plasma and ruminal samples was measured by HPLC. PAF-induced ROS production and L-selectin shedding were measured in vitro in bovine neutrophils by a luminol chemiluminescence assay and flow cytometry, respectively. A significant increase in ruminal and plasma lactic acid was recorded in these animals. Specifically, a decrease in PAF-induced ROS production was observed 8 h after oligofructose overload, and this was sustained until 48 h post oligofructose overload. A reduction in PAF-induced L-selectin shedding was observed at 16 h and 32 h post oligofructose overload. Overall, the results indicated that neutrophil PAF responses were altered in heifers with ruminal acidosis, suggesting a potential dysfunction of the innate immune response.

Solubility effects on antibacterial activity of chemically modified chitooligosaccharides of fungal origin / Efectos de la solubilidad sobre la actividad antibacteriana de quitooligosacáridos modificados químicamente de origen fúngico

Chitin and chitosan are a class of metabolites that occurring in some fungi species that are associated with commercial and medicinal plants, this is in Mucor sp. for example with an ample number of biological activities, being antibacterial and antifungal one of the most important. Into our program of search of biopesticides and natural compounds with biological activities, we have studying chitosan that was obtained from the culture medium of the fungus Mucor ruoxii. Chitooligosaccharides were prepared by partial acid hydrolysis of native chitosan and an aminoglycosylated derivative was obtained by reductive amination of the chitooligosaccaride. The solubilities of these compounds were measured at different pHs and its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive). Chitosan and the derivatives tested exhibited a good antibacterial activity against S. aureus.

Quitina y quitosano son una clase de metabolitos que producen algunas especies de hongos que están asociados con plantas medicinales y comerciales, esto es por ejemplo en Mucor sp., con un amplio número de actividades biológicas, siendo la antibacteriana y antifúngica unas de las más importantes. En nuestro programa de investigación de biopesticidas y compuestos naturales, estamos estudiando quitosano obtenido de el medio de cultivo del hongo Mucor ruoxii. Quitooligosacáridos fueron preparados por hidrólisis parcial ácida de quitosano nativo y un derivado aminoglicosilado fue obtenido por aminación reductiva del quitooligosacárido. Las solubilidades de estos compuestos fueron medidas a diferentes pHs y su actividad antibacteriana frente a Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive). Quitosano y los derivados testeados exhiben una buena actividad antibacteriana frente a S. aureus.

Effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide supplementation upon trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid induced colitis in rats / Efeito da suplementação de fibra solúvel ou frutooligossacarídeo na colite induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenossulfônico em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation upon trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. METHODS: 64 Wistar rats were given water, soluble fiber or FOS intragastrically during 14 days prior to colitis induction with TNBS (n=48) or rectal enema with water (n=16; control group). On the 7th or 14th day following colitis induction the rats were weighed and euthanized in order to determine the colon weight/length ratio and macroscopic and microscopic scores. RESULTS: On the 7th day following colitis induction the body weight had decreased significantly, the colon weight/length ratio had increased and macroscopic and microscopic colon lesions were observed. On the 14th day following colitis induction no difference in body weight was observed, in spite of the persistence of macroscopic and microscopic lesions and increased colon weight/length ratio. Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS did not revert colon lesions or any of the study parameters. Supplementation with FOS, but not with fiber, was associated with increased colon weight/length ratio on the 14th day. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS produced no significant impact on TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a suplementação de fibra solúvel ou frutooligossacarídeos (FOS) na colite induzida por TNBS em ratos. MÉTODOS: Sessenta e quatro ratos Wistar receberam por gavagem água, fibra solúvel ou FOS. Após 14 dias, foram submetidos à indução de colite com TNBS. O grupo controle recebeu água por gavagem e por enema retal. Decorridos 7 ou 14 dias, após a avaliação do peso, os ratos foram sacrificados e o peso do colo, escores macroscópicos e microscópicos da lesão cólica foram aferidos. RESULTADOS: No 7° dia após indução da colite, houve uma significativa diminuição do peso dos ratos, um aumento do peso do cólon e lesão cólica macroscópica/microscópica. A suplementação com fibra ou FOS não reverteu nenhum destes parâmetros. No 14° dia após a indução da colite não foram observadas diferenças no peso dos ratos, entretanto houve uma persistência da lesão cólica macroscópica/microscópica e do aumento do peso do cólon. A suplementação com fibra ou FOS não reverteu à lesão cólica. A suplementação de FOS, mas não de fibra, aumentou o peso do colo comparado com o grupo colite no 14° dia. CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação com fibra solúvel ou com FOS não alterou a colite por TNBS em ratos.

Applications of inulin and oligofructose in health and nutrition.

Inulin and oligofructose belong to a class of carbohydrates known as fructans. The main sources of inulin and oligofructose that are used in the food industry are chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. Inulin and oligofructose are considered as functional food ingredients since they affect the physiological and biochemical processes in rats and human beings, resulting in better health and reduction in the risk of many diseases. Experimental studies have shown their use as bifidogenic agents, stimulating the immune system of the body, decreasing the pathogenic bacteria in the intestine, relieving constipation, decreasing the risk of osteoporosis by increasing mineral absorption, especially of calcium, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering the synthesis of triglycerides and fatty acids in the liver and decreasing their level in serum. These fructans modulate the hormonal level of insulin and glucagon, thereby regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism by lowering the blood glucose levels; they are also effective in lowering the blood urea and uric acid levels, thereby maintaining the nitrogen balance. Inulin and oligofructose also reduce the incidence of colon cancer. The biochemical basis of these beneficial effects of inulin and oligofructose have been discussed. Oligofructose are non cariogenic as they are not used by Streptococcus mutans to form acids and insoluble glucans that are the main culprits in dental caries. Because of the large number of health promoting functions of inulin and oligofructose, these have wide applications in various types of foods like confectionery, fruit preparations, milk desserts, yogurt and fresh cheese, baked goods, chocolate, ice cream and sauces. Inulin can also be used for the preparation of fructose syrups.

Some factors affecting the transformation of the yeast-like to the mycelial-like forms of Candida albicans.

Various carbohydrates tried as inducing agents for mycelia formation in Candida albicans in liquid medium have revealed that mycelia formation was very pronounced in the presence of any of the sugars like xylose, galactose, lactose and trehalose. Glucose and fructose favoured lavish yeast growth. Arabinose supported neither yeast nor mycelia growth to any appreciable extent. In a growth medium containing a mixture of glucose and galactose, a glucose concentration of 0.7% (w/v) and above was required to maintain the fungus completely in the yeast form. The possible reason as to why sufficient glucose maintained the yeast form while galactose favoured the mycelial form was discussed.