Carole C. Tranchant

Bone Metabolic Abnormalities Associated with Well-Controlled Type 1 Diabetes (IDDM) in Young Adult Women: A Disease Complication Often Ignored or Neglected

Objectives: This investigation on a homogenous cohort of young adult Caucasian type 1 diabetic (IDDM) patients (1) aimed at studying the occurrence of low bone mineral density (BMD) at an early stage prior to menopause (i.e., during the first decade after peak bone mass) and (2) elucidating the possible mechanisms underlying IDDM-induced bone complication. Methods: Twenty-seven female patients with insulin-treated and well-controlled diabetes, without renal complications, and 32 well-matched healthy controls, aged between 30 and 40 years and fulfilling rigorous inclusion criteria to minimize bone-confounding factors, were enrolled. Areal BMD was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at axial (lumbar spine) and appendicular (femur) sites, using diagnostic WHO reference (T-scores). Osteoblast functions, bone metabolism, related key minerals, and 2 osteoclast-stimulating calciotropic hormones regulating their serum levels were assessed biochemically. Results: The number of cases with low BMD (T-score below −1.1 SD) was almost 2-fold greater (p < 0.01) in the IDDM group. BMD was significantly lower in this group for 3 lumbar sites (p < 0.01) and femur Wards triangle (p < 0.05). Bone formation was reduced, as evidenced by the suppressions of osteocalcin (OC; p < 0.01) and IGF-I (p < 0.001). However, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) was induced (p < 0.01), in contrast to what is usually observed in cases of reduced bone formation. Correlated total ALP activity was also significantly increased. There was no change in the specific marker of bone resorption (urinary deoxypyridinoline). Serum calcium was significantly elevated, particularly after adjustment for albumin (p < 0.001), despite lower 1,25(OH)2D3 (p < 0.001) and no elevation of PTH. All significant bone-related biochemical changes were significantly correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin, a clinical indicator of long-term glycemic control, indicating a direct effect of the disease. Conclusions: Bone loss in the IDDM group results from a decrease in bone formation rather than an increase of bone resorption. The induction of bALP is indicative of impaired osteoblast differentiation and maturation, which delayed (down-regulated) later stages of matrix mineralization, as evidenced by lower OC and BMD.

Different coagulation behaviour of bacteriologically acidified and renneted milk: the importance of fine-tuning acid production and rennet action

The phenomenon of milk gel formation by combined continuous acidification and renneting was examined using small deformation dynamic rheometry. A clear gradation in coagulation behaviour was demonstrated based on systematic rheo-kinetic analyses of gel development from milks that were cultured and renneted to varying degrees. Three basic (homologous) patterns of coagulation were distinguished, which were related to different degrees of renneting and distinct mechanisms of coagulation. The different behaviours identified have a direct bearing on cheese technology but they were not clearly recognised in the past. Their relatedness was not established either. A unifying conceptual scheme is put forward, which emphasises the importance of fine-tuning acid production and rennet action in relation to gelation mechanisms and gel viscoelastic properties. The proposed framework facilitates an understanding of experimental observations. The premise is that different patterns of gel development stem (mainly) from different patterns of succession of continuous acidification vs. renneting.

Coexistence of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease risk factors in apparently healthy, untreated postmenopausal women

This study aimed to determine whether apparently healthy, untreated postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis relative to nonmenopausal women are concomitantly at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in terms of various aspects of lifestyle, personality, body shape and composition, and blood chemistry. Two homogeneous groups of 30 women having reached menopause for 3-5 years and 30 nonmenopausal controls, all non-estrogen users without apparent CVD risk factors, were compared in a cross-sectional design. Data related to physical activity, dietary intakes, personality type, anthropometry, and skinfold-thickness were collected. Plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and serum lipids were measured and used as biochemical predictors of osteoporosis and CVD, respectively. Compared to nonmenopausal controls, postmenopausal women were at greater risk of bone loss given their lower plasma IGF-1, lower physical activity level, and even given their higher serum lipids, as recent literature suggests. Moreover, their dietary calcium intake fulfilled only 70% of the current recommendation, which may reduce protection against osteoporosis and CVD (particularly hypertension) as well. The two groups did not differ regarding energy intake, body weight and frame size, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio (WHR). However, postmenopausal subjects had more adipose tissue and differed in terms of lifestyle factors (lower dietary lipids and greater alcohol consumption). While neither group was at particular risk of CVD according to waist circumference, WHR, and serum triglycerides, postmenopausal women were at risk according to percent body adiposity and serum cholesterol. This study shows that several risk factors for osteoporosis and CVD can coexist in apparently healthy postmenopausal women after a few years of natural menopause. It emphasizes the need for a timely screening that would stress both heart and bone risk factors.

Enhancement of calcium/vitamin d supplement efficacy by administering concomitantly three key nutrients essential to bone collagen matrix for the treatment of osteopenia in middle-aged women: a one-year follow-up.

Two vitamins and proline (CB6Pro), three nutrients essential for bone collagen, were used in combination to a 1000 mg calcium/250 IU vitamin D (Ca/D) daily supplement to treat osteopenia as a preventive measure against osteoporosis later in life. Middle-aged women not using estrogen were screened for osteopenia using the WHO criteria and divided into three groups (n = 20 each): 1) placebo healthy controls with normal bone mineral density (BMD); 2) control Ca/D-treated osteopenic patients; and 3) Ca/D + CB6Pro-treated osteopenic patients. The three groups were comparable at baseline except for BMD. After one-year treatment, cortical diaphyseal BMD remained constant in each group, but trabecular bone loss persisted (at 5 lumbar sites) in osteopenic group 2. No further bone loss was detected in osteopenic group 3. A loss of 2% was evidenced in the placebo group at one lumbar site. Markers of bone formation (which increase in coupling to resorption) decreased significantly in both osteopenic groups. Although biomarkers of resorption did not change, hormone (PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3)-induced osteoclastic activity was significantly reduced. No decline in BMD occurred at any bone site in osteopenic group 3, highlighting the importance of improving the quality of bone matrix concomitantly to mineral replacement.

Influence of Extraction Conditions on Ultrasound-Assisted Recovery of Bioactive Phenolics from Blueberry Pomace and Their Antioxidant Activity

The increase in diet-related chronic diseases has prompted the search for health-promoting compounds and methods to ensure their quality. Blueberry pomace is a rich yet underutilized source of bioactive polyphenols. For these high-value bioactive molecules, ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) is an attractive and green alternative to conventional extraction techniques for improving purity and yields. This study aimed to assess the impact of USAE parameters (sonication time, solvent composition, solid/liquid ratio, pH and temperature) on the recovery of phenolic compounds from blueberry pomace and antioxidant activity of the extracts. Total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents (TPC, TFC and TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity were analysed. USAE in 50% ethanol/water was the most efficient, yielding the highest TPC (22.33 mg/g dry matter (DM)), TFC (19.41 mg/g DM), TAC (31.32 mg/g DM) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (41.79 mg Trolox/g DM). USAE in water showed the lowest values even at low (1/40) solid/liquid ratio (7.85 mg/g DM, 3.49 mg/g DM, and 18.96 mg/g DM for TPC, TFC and TAC, respectively). Decreasing the solid/liquid ratio in water or 50% ethanol significantly increased TPC, TFC, TAC and DPPH radical scavenging. With ethanol, increasing the temperature in the range 20–40 °C decreased TPC but increased TFC and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Anthocyanin profiles of water and ethanolic extracts were qualitatively similar, consisting of malvidin, delphinidin, petunidin and cyanidin. These findings indicate that USAE is a method of choice for extracting high-value bioactive phenolics from blueberry pomace. Selective enrichment of different phenolic fractions is possible under select extraction conditions.

Occurrence, types, properties and interactions of phenolic compounds with other food constituents in oil-bearing plants

ABSTRACT Phenolic phytochemicals have become of interest due to their therapeutic potential, particularly with regards to their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. An evolving area of research involving phenolics in foods and their products pertains to the functional, biological, and nutritional consequences resulting from the binding between certain phenolic compounds and the macronutrient and micronutrient constituents of foods. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of studies investigating endogenous phenolic interactions with major components in food systems, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins, with a focus on the phenolic compounds and nutrients in oil-bearing plants. Another major objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical nature of phenolic interactions with food constituents that could affect the quality, nutritional and functional properties of foods. Such information can assist in the discovery and optimization of specific phenolic complexes in plant-based foods that could be utilized towards various applications in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of sumac spice, Turkish coffee and yerba mate tea on the postprandial glycemic response to Lebanese mankoucheh

Purpose – The aim of this study was to evaluate the individual effect of sumac (S), Turkish coffee (C) and yerba mate tea (Y) on the postprandial glycemic response to Lebanese mankoucheh, a common breakfast item in the Lebanese culture, and to determine the glycemic index (GI) of this food. S, C and Y are typical constituents of Lebanese meals. They may influence the postprandial glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich foods, but this has not been studied to date. Design/methodology/approach – Twelve healthy normoglycemic adults consumed on separate days the following test meals: mankoucheh without S (M) with water (control meal); M prepared with single or double doses of S (S1 and S2) with water; M with 60 or 120 mL of unsweetened C; or M with 100 or 200 mL of unsweetened Y. Meals were prepared according to standardized recipes containing 50 g of available carbohydrates. Capillary blood glucose measures were taken at fast and six times after meal ingestion over a two hour period. The GI of mankoucheh was ...

Cardiovascular disease-risk factors in middle-aged osteopaenic women treated with calcium alone or combined to three nutrients essential to artery and bone collagen.

BACKGROUND Recent research suggests that cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone loss are functionally interwoven. This study examined the concomitant effects of a nutritional treatment of osteopaenia on CVD-risk factors. METHODS A 1-year placebo-controlled trial was conducted on middle-aged women with normal (group A) or low (groups B and C) bone mineral density. Subjects (n = 20 per group) took daily either a placebo, calcium carbonate alone or combined to a vitamin (C and B(6))-proline capsule, respectively. Urinary pyridoxic acid (used to assess treatment compliance), plasma homocysteine, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured before and after nutritional intervention. RESULTS Groups were comparable at baseline in most parameters of interest. No changes occurred in groups A and B. The 4%, 7% and 25% reductions of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and 14% elevation of HDL were all significant in group C. A trend toward reduction was observed for homocysteine in this group. CONCLUSIONS Vitamins C (500 mg) and B(6) (75 mg) combined with proline had consistent beneficial effects on CVD-risk factors, whereas calcium alone did not. This study also underlined the importance of considering vitamin B(6) status as a potential CVD risk factor.

Fermented Food-Derived Bioactive Compounds with Anticarcinogenic Properties: Fermented Royal Jelly As a Novel Source for Compounds with Health Benefits

Fermented foods and their components have received extensive attention for their potential health benefits. Phenolics and other food related bioactive phytochemical and zoochemical compounds generated by fermentation have attracted particular attention for their putative roles in reducing the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In this regard, the royal jelly produced by honey bees is a rich source of nutrients and bioactives for the development of functional foods because of its established pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. Royal jelly contains several essential nutrients and a number of bioactive compounds including peptides, flavonoid phenolics, and fatty acids such as 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid. The natural variation in bioactive peptides and phenolics in royal jelly depends on the floral sources and biodiversity of the wild plant species present in various environments. Royal jelly proteins and protein hydrolysates possess anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties. The present chapter comprehensively covers the potential anticarcinogenic benefits of fermented foods, including the possible anticancer properties of fermented royal jelly and its constituents.

Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Properties of Selected Wild Medicinal Plants: Thyme, Spearmint, and Rosemary

Abstract Historically, edible wild plants have been used as medical components throughout different regions of the world (e.g., China, Jordan, Egypt, Greece). Over the past decade, their possible applications in the food and drug industries have been extensively researched, due to renewed interest in novel bioactive phytochemicals with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. The main bioactive compounds currently recognized in medicinal wild plants are phenolic compounds, volatile, and essential oil components, and small chain peptides. Unique chemical features of phenolics from wild medicinal plants have a broad range of applications in the health sector as functional food ingredients, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and drugs. Numerous studies have shown phenolic extracts to have anticancer, antiviral, antiinflammatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and hypoglycemic effects in vivo, due to the ability of phenolics to interact with biological molecules such as DNA, hormones, and enzymes (e.g., angiotensin-I converting enzyme [ACE], α-glucosidase, and α-amylase), and to modulate cell-signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications. This chapter will cover the chemical, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical properties of selected wild medicinal herbs (thyme, spearmint, and rosemary) and their phenolic constituents.