ABSTRACT
Lemon is a healthy fruit with high medicinal value. This study found that lemon water soluble extract (LET) can reduce uric acid levels in mice with potassium oxonate induced hyperuricemia. Histopathological analysis suggested that LET caused little damage to the kidneys of mice. It affected mABCG2 and mGLUT9 mRNA expression only in hyperuricemic mice, but not in healthy mice. Our further results show that potassium citrate, rather than citric acid, is the main ingredient in LET with a hypouricemic effect. This study also indicates that lemon does have unique medicinal value for the treatment of hyperuricemia, and that potassium citrate has the potential to be developed as a drug for hyperuricemia. Lowering uric acid through LET and potassium citrate may directly promote the degradation of excessive uric acid in patients with hyperuricemia.
Subject(s)
Citrus/chemistry , Hyperuricemia/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/metabolism , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Fruit/chemistry , Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative/genetics , Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative/metabolism , Humans , Hyperuricemia/metabolism , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/analysis , Potassium Citrate/administration & dosage , Potassium Citrate/analysis , Uric Acid/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Bread is a staple of the Mediterranean diet but contributes substantially to its salt content (19 % in Spain). The objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of salt reduction in partially baked breads, partly replacing salt (NaCl) with a potassium salt, with subsequent follow-up. DESIGN: During 2013, nine breads already on the market (1·8 % NaCl flour basis) had 0·5 % of NaCl replaced with potassium citrate (27·7 % reduction in sodium) and were commercialized in Spain. Later, breads were baked in bake-off stores and sold ready-to-eat to consumers. This market test was evaluated by comparing the sales between standard- v. reduced-salt breads and the complaints related to flavour attributes. The wholesalers involved in the market test were then surveyed. SETTING: Spain. RESULTS: The market test confirmed good acceptance of the reduced-salt breads, as 2013 sales were 3678 tonnes v. 2012 sales of 3577 tonnes for the same standard breads. No complaints were received. The wholesaler survey showed, in general, little awareness of salt reduction. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible that potassium citrate can reduce the salt content of bread without negatively affecting sales or complaints. This shows potential for introducing this type of bread on a larger scale.
