Proteomics analysis revealed the presence of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the plasma of migraine patients during the pain period.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that some biomarkers are implicated in migraine pathogenesis. This study looks at plasma proteome in migraine patients for potential protein biomarkers. METHODS: This case-control study has two phases. In phase I, plasma samples were collected from three groups, including twenty-three episodic migraineurs, thirty-five chronic migraineurs, and twenty-nine healthy subjects. In phase II, plasma samples were prepared from two groups, including five episodic and five chronic migraine cases, during the pain and 24 h after the pain-free periods. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed on plasma proteins. The possible corresponding proteins for the differentially expressed spots between groups investigated by the Melanie software were predicted by 2-DE gels of the EXPASY database. LC-MS/MS additionally analyzed phase II data. RESULTS: Expression levels of haptoglobin, clusterin, fibrinogen alpha chain, fibrinogen beta chain, complement c3, transthyretin, α1-microglobulin, and retinol-binding protein 4 were shown considerable changes in migraine patients compared to controls or their pain-free period. CONCLUSION: Differences in expression levels for several proteins were observed across groups. Most of these are associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuroprotection, which can be considered potential disease biomarkers. However, further research is necessary for this respect.

Effects of betalains on atherogenic risk factors in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

This study evaluated the potential impacts of supplementation with betalain-rich extracts of foods on some atherosclerotic risk factors in coronary artery disease patients. During an acute phase, 48 male patients received about 50 mg betalain/betacyanin, and their blood and urine samples were collected at 3, 8, and 24 hours after supplementations. Also, in a pilot randomized crossover trial, these participants were allocated to two-week interventions (a betacyanin-rich supplement of Opuntia stricta, a betalain-rich supplement of red beetroot and a placebo) with two-week washout periods. Then, their plasma samples were collected at the baseline after a two-week period. The concentrations of betanin in plasma and urine samples were determined using HPLC. Also, homocysteine and glucose levels, lipid profile, and blood pressure were analyzed. Additionally, quality of life and dietary intake were assessed. After these interventions, minimal amounts of betanin were found in plasma and about 0.13-0.93% in urine. Also, both supplements significantly decreased the concentration of homocysteine, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL. Also, betalain-rich supplements lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Nevertheless, the clinically meaningful changes were only found in the case of Hcy, LDL, and non-HDL-c concentrations. It seems that food sources of betalains can be considered as functional foods because they improve the lipid profile and levels of homocysteine, glucose, blood pressure, and quality of life to some extent.

Betalains, the nature-inspired pigments, in health and diseases.

Betalains are unique nitrogen-containing pigments found exclusively in families of the Caryophyllales order and some higher order fungi, where they replace anthocyanin pigments. Betalains, consisting of betacyanins and betaxanthins are generally used as color additives in food. This review discusses on the favorable effects of acute and chronic consumption of betalains, whose edible sources consist primarily of red beetroots (Beta vulgaris) and prickly pears (fruit of the Opuntia genus of cacti). Moreover, it encompasses in vivo and in vitro studies about the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of betanin and indicaxanthin. It seems that treatment with betalains and betalain-rich diets is not only nontoxic but could also prove to be a promising alternative to supplement therapies in oxidative stress-, inflammation-, and dyslipidemia-related diseases such as stenosis of the arteries, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cancer, among others. Due to its toxicological safety, accessibility, low price, biodegradability, and potentially advantageous biological effects on health, the incorporation of betalains in food manufacturing and related industries could pave the way to overcome current concerns over the health risks of artificial colors. Nevertheless, further studies using pure betalains are required to gain a deeper understanding of their precise biological functions.