Hanna Moussa

Eicosapentaenoic acid regulates brown adipose tissue metabolism in high-fat-fed mice and in clonal brown adipocytes

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a key role in energy expenditure through its specialized thermogenic function. Therefore, BAT activation may help prevent and/or treat obesity. Interestingly, subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) also has the ability to differentiate into brown-like adipocytes and may potentially contribute to increased thermogenesis. We have previously reported that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces high-fat (HF)-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. Whether BAT mediates some of these beneficial effects of EPA has not been determined. We hypothesized that EPA activates BAT thermogenic program, contributing to its antiobesity effects. BAT and WAT were harvested from B6 male mice fed HF diets supplemented with or without EPA. HIB 1B clonal brown adipocytes treated with or without EPA were also used. Gene and protein expressions were measured in adipose tissues and H1B 1B cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Our results show that BAT from EPA-supplemented mice expressed significantly higher levels of thermogenic genes such as PRDM16 and PGC1α and higher levels of uncoupling protein 1 compared to HF-fed mice. By contrast, both WATs (subcutaneous and visceral) had undetectable levels of these markers with no up regulation by EPA. HIB 1B cells treated with EPA showed significantly higher mRNA expression of PGC1α and SIRT2. EPA treatment significantly increased maximum oxidative and peak glycolytic metabolism in H1B 1B cells. Our results demonstrate a novel and promising role for EPA in preventing obesity via activation of BAT, adding to its known beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.

Preparation, Characterization, and Cationic Functionalization of Cellulose-Based Aerogels for Wastewater Clarification

Aerogels are a series of materials with porous structure and light weight which can be applied to many industrial divisions as insulators, sensors, absorbents, and cushions. In this study, cellulose-based aerogels (aerocelluloses) were prepared from cellulosic material (microcrystalline cellulose) in sodium hydroxide/water solvent system followed by supercritical drying operation. The average specific surface area of aerocelluloses was 124 m2/g. The nitrogen gas (N2) adsorption/desorption isotherms revealed type H1 hysteresis loops for aerocelluloses, suggesting that aerocelluloses may possess a porous structure with cylindrically shaped pores open on both ends. FTIR and XRD analyses showed that the crystallinity of aerocelluloses was significantly decreased as compared to microcrystalline cellulose and that aerocelluloses exhibited a crystalline structure of cellulose II as compared to microcrystalline cellulose (cellulose I). To perform cationic functionalization, a cationic agent, (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride, was used to introduce positively charged sites on aerocelluloses. The cationized aerocelluloses exhibited a strong ability to remove anionic dyes from wastewater. Highly porous and low cost aerocelluloses prepared in this study would be also promising as a fast absorbent for environmental pollutants.

Protective properties of n-3 fatty acids and implications in obesity-associated breast cancer

Obesity is well documented as a risk factor for developing breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. Adipose tissue in the breast under obese conditions induces inflammation by increasing macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines that in turn up-regulates genes and signaling pathways, resulting in increased inflammation, cell proliferation and tumor growth in the breast. Due to their potent anti-inflammatory effects, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are a promising and safe dietary intervention in reducing breast cancer risk. Here, we briefly review current status of breast cancer and its relationship with obesity. We then review in depth, current research and knowledge on the role of n-3 PUFA in reducing/preventing breast cancer cell growth in vitro, in vivo and in human studies, and how n-3 PUFA may modulate signaling pathways mitigating their effects on breast cancer development.

Maternal and Postnatal Supplementation of Fish Oil Improves Metabolic Health of Mouse Male Offspring: Benefits of Early Life Supplementation with FO

Over half of American women of childbearing age have either obesity or overweight. Hence, maternal programming through diet is critical for prevention of diseases in the offspring. Clinical trials with fish oil (FO) report various health benefits; however, it remains unclear whether maternal and postnatal consumption of FO protects offspring from adverse effects of consuming a high‐fat (HF) diet.

Low dose radiation, inflammation, cancer and chemoprevention

Abstract Purpose: Recently, new studies have brought to light the potential risks of low dose radiation (LDR) in cancer. In this review, we discuss in detail the detrimental effects of LDR in some model organisms and animal models, as well as potential risks to human beings from some routine medical screening procedures. Furthermore, cellular mechanisms by which LDR exerts its negative effects like endoplasmic reticulum stress, epigenetic changes and microRNAs are also reviewed. A few studies are discussed that have reported some benefits of LDR through changes in energy metabolism. Lastly, we focus on breast cancer, one of the predominant forms of cancer potentially affected by LDR and some of the benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as dietary compounds that offer protection against radiation effects on cancer cells and cancer progression. Conclusions: Overall, LDR exerts mainly damaging effects through diverse cell and molecular mechanisms, with a few beneficial effects reported. In some cancers, surrounding adipose tissue of the breast may contribute to obesity-related cancer. Further, preclinical data suggest that anti-inflammatory dietary compounds such as PUFA and other dietary interventions may protect against radiation effects on cancer cells and cancer progression.