Functional Foods in Health and Disease最新文献

{"title":"Red beetroot betalains as a novel source of colorent in ice-cream as compared with Red Dye 40 (E129)","authors":"Ruaa Tariq Mohamed Ali, Q. Y. Jameel","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1096","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Although there is an increasing need for eco-friendly and non-toxic food colorants, plant-based colors have shown to be a promising alternative to synthetic food colors. The natural pigment (betalain) was extracted from red beetroot utilizing a magnetic stirrer shaking apparatus in the current study. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of betalain (natural pigment) and red dye 40 (synthetic pigment), on the chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of ice cream. Materials and Methods: Betalain and red dye 40 were added into ice cream at variable concentrations of 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL, and 200 mg/mL. Specimens were stored for 70 days and evaluated every ten days. Results: The values of titratable acidity, PH, fat, protein, total count of microorganisms, and sensory characteristics were gave higher scores samples  than than in ice cream with red dye 40. Nevertheless, betalain doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL have been reported to have a significant 70-day storage activity in ice cream. When compared to mixtures containing 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL of red dye 40 after 70 days. According to the findings, betalain may be utilized as a natural pigment and food preservative to boost stability during storage.Keywords: Red beetroot,Betalain, Functional foods,  Red Dye 40 (E129),Antioxidants, synthetic colors, Storage stability","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48426102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antioxidant potential of gamma ray irradiated winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) seed protein hydrolysate","authors":"Anirut Hlosrichok, R. Aunpad","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1090","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Winged bean or Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (WB) seeds have high protein content and could be applied as a source of antioxidant proteins and peptides. The utilization of gamma rays in plant protein extraction provides consumers with a safe and harmless technology.Objective: To determine the efficiency of gamma rays in the protein extraction process of WB seeds and investigate the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, cytoprotective effect of the gamma ray irradiated WB (WB-G) seed protein hydrolysate.Methods: WB seeds were irradiated with gamma ray (WB-G) and total protein were extracted by acid-base extraction method. The total protein was further hydrolyzed with alcalase enzyme to obtain the protein hydrolysate. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assay. The cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effect were determined by MTT assay. The cellular reactive oxygen species was further analyzed by ACFDA assay.Results: The protein extracted from WB-G seeds showed higher protein yield and antioxidant activity than that of non-irradiated seeds. After hydrolysis with alcalase enzyme at 55°C for 6 hours, WB-G protein hydrolysate with degree of hydrolysis of 90.00±0.91% exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 10.30±0.02 µg/ml and 3.10±0.06 µg/ml as measured by DPPH and ABTS assay, respectively. Moreover, it showed no toxicity toward L929 mouse fibroblast cells and IPEC-J2 cell lines and can reduce the damage caused by H2O2. As determined in cellular reactive oxygen species by H2-DCFDA assay, the WB-G protein hydrolysate can reduce the level of ROS and subsequently the damage of cell by H2O2. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that gamma ray irradiation on the WB seeds can increase the protein yield and its protein hydrolysate exhibited promising antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effect on cells against H2O2 damage. It might be developed as an alternative food or feed supplement.Keywords:Psophocarpus tetragonolobus; Gamma rays; Protein hydrolysate; Antioxidant activity; Cytoprotective effect","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49145711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of dietary supplementation with fermented papaya on oxidative stress, symptoms, and microbiome in Parkinson's disease","authors":"A. Bolner, L. Bertoldi, G. Benvenuto, E. Sattin, O. Bosello, G. Nordera","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1092","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Oxidative stress, understood as the alteration of the physiological equilibrium between the production of oxygen and nitrogen free radicals and their metabolic neutralization (redox imbalance), is a typical condition of several pathologies, including neurodegenerative ones.In Parkinson's disease (PD), oxidative phenomena typically interest the dopaminergic neurons of mesencephalic substantia nigra. Although it is unlikely that the redox imbalance represents the primary event of neurodegeneration, it is certain that it participates in cellular damage progression.Objectives: Interventions to prevent or reduce the extent of the oxidative stress in PD and the consequent oxidative damage are of crucial importance. With this study, we have evaluated the effects of prolonged treatment with fermented papaya preparation (FPP) on redox imbalance, clinical parameters, and intestinal microbiome of PD patients. Methods: For six months, one group of PD subjects were treated with FPP (n=19, verum) and another with placebo (n=20, control); then, in the following six months, the treatments were exchanged.Several blood biochemical and hematological parameters were measured at the start and at the end of treatments. Among them are some components of antioxidant barriers, free radicals (total peroxides) and biomarkers of oxidative damage on DNA and proteins. To check the effects of FPP treatment on intestinal bacterial flora, we also evaluated the modification of microbiome with regards to the relative amounts of different phyla, families, genera, and species. Furthermore, accurate evaluations were performed on motor symptoms and cognitive functions of patients with validated survey scales to check the effects of FPP treatment on clinical parameters and quality life. Results: Unlike the control group, the level of free radicals in the patients treated with FPP was not increased; the antioxidant barrier was strengthened and oxidative damages on proteins and especially on DNA were decreased. Even clinical features and quality life parameters of these patients have improved. Instead, the results of microbiome were inconclusive as changes resulted seemingly independent Ofelia the treatments.Conclusions: The study demonstrates that FPP may be a valuable aid in counteracting oxidative stress and improve the motor symptoms and cognitive functions in PD. This effect does not seem to depend on increased growth of a particular bacterial phylum because the microbioma composition does not change significantly following the treatment; it cannot be excluded, however, that FPP works otherwise by modifying not the quantity but rather the metabolism of some specific bacterial group or that it has effects on the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Keywords: Papaya, oxidative stress, Parkinson’s disease, microbiome","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42189676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biofilm formation and auto-aggregation abilities of novel targeted aqua-probiotics","authors":"A. Manvelyan, M. Balayan, Sh. M. Miralimova, V. Chistyakov, A. Pepoyan","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i4.1093","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The probiotics’ auto-aggregation and biofilm formation abilities have a significant role in the development of biotechnological processes.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biofilm formation and auto-aggregation abilities of novel, targeted aqua-probiotics isolated from aquatic organisms.Methods: The biofilm formation abilities of Lactobacillus delbrueckii str. UZ-1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum str. R3, Lactococcus str. UZ-2, Enterococcus faecium str. R2, Pediococcus acidilactici str. N from the culture collection of the Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bacillus subtilis str. 1R, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 4R and from the culture collection of the Southern Federal University of Russa and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus str. 1A and Enterococcus str. 9-3 from the culture collection of the Armenian National Agrarian University were assessed.Results: According to the investigations, the biofilm formation abilities of Lactobacillus delbrueckii str. UZ-1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum str. R3, Lactococcus str. UZ-2, Enterococcus faecium str. R2, Pediococcus acidilactici str. N, Bacillus subtilis str. 1R, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 4R, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 5R, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus str. 1A and Enterococcus str. 9-3 were 0.119 ± 0.05D, 0.113 ± 0.065D, 0.196 ± 0.04D, 0.116 ± 0.01D, 0.152 ± 0.05D, 0.74 ± 0.15D, 2.621± 0.55D, 1.831 ± 0.45D, and 0.227 ± 0.04D and 0.483 ± 0.15D respectively. The highest rate of auto-aggregation was shown by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 5R, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 4R was the strain with the highest ability to form biofilm. These two Bacillus strains are also distinguished by the highest DNA protective properties and relatively low antioxidant activity. Despite the fact that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens str. 5R showed the highest rate of auto-aggregation after 2 hours, this strain showed the lowest level of auto-aggregation among the studied strains after 24 hours. The Enterococcus str. 9-3 strain with the highest antioxidant activity showed 0.483 ± 0.15D biofilm formation ability.Conclusion: The novel targeted aquaprobiotics have distinct biofilm formation and aggregation properties, which are important to consider when planning appropriate biotechnological processes, requiring specific membrane properties of probiotics.Graphical Abstract: Membrane properties of novel targeted aquaprobiotics.Keywords: Lactobacilli, aqua-probiotic, antioxidant activity, biofilm formation, aggregation, Enterococcus str. 9-3","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49602027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A “PAKU-PAKU KOUBO-KUN” containing yeast and mulberry extract postprandial glycemic control in healthy Japanese men and women: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study","authors":"Junyoo Takizawa, Asami Baba, T. Takara","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1046","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: This study’s purpose was to verify the PAKU-PAKU KOUBO-KUN (PPKK) containing yeast and mulberry extract concentrate’s effects on suppressing elevated postprandial blood glucose (PBG).Methods: Two randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies (TRIAL-1 and TRIAL-2) were conducted. Both studies included healthy Japanese adults with a maximum PBG concentration (Cmax) in the range of 140–199 mg/dL. Study subjects were randomly assigned to take PPKK or placebo food. Then subjects consumed 200 g of cooked rice within 10 minutes of test food consumption. Blood glucose (BG) levels were evaluated before intervention, and 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after consumption. The main endpoint was the incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of PBG.Results: The analysis included 36 subjects in TRIAL-1 and 41 subjects in TRIAL-2. A combined analysis (n = 71) was conducted. Both individual studies and combined analysis showed that PPKK significantly reduced the IAUC of PBG. In particular, BG levels were significantly lower at 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min after intervention. No adverse effects were identified. Conclusions:These results indicated that PPKK moderated the increase in PBG and enhanced glucose metabolism.Trial registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000042445 and UMIN000045341Foundation: Mainichiegao Co., Ltd.Keywords: postprandial blood glucose, yeast, mulberry, prediabetes, glycemic control","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48121672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo evaluation of holocellulose and cellulose isolated from kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis) powder on bowel movements in rats","authors":"H. Hara, R. Mifuru, Yoshiro Ishikura, Ryo Yokotani, N. Ishida, T. Hara, Shuji Ozaw","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1078","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehder) is a representative natural plant growing in Hokkaido, Japan, and has a history of being used in herbal medicine and as a health food option. Nishihira et. al. (2019) confirmed in a clinical trial that the kumaizasa dry powder had the effect of improving bowel movements of healthy volunteers. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the components of kumaizasa powder, like holocellulose (hemicellulose + cellulose) and cellulose, involved in the bowel movement of rats and tried to elucidate the role of each component.Methods: Male rats (Slc:SD, weight 79~93 g) were administered kumaizasa powder (3000 mg/kg/day) orally, holocellulose (1500 mg/kg/day), cellulose (900mg /kg/day) or water using a stomach tube twice a day for 14 days.Results: Among the intervention groups (kumaizasa powder, holocellulose, cellulose group) and control group (water), no significant differences were observed with changes in body weight and food consumption. All the feces were normal, with one exception of watery feces on day 2 in the cellulose group. Multigroup comparison by the Tukey-Kramer method showed that the dry weight of feces collected at day 14 in the kumaizasa powder group significantly increased as compared with that of the control group (p<0.01). This result confirmed that kumaizasa powder had the effect of increasing fecal amount. A paired t-test between each kumaizasa group and control group indicated that the cellulose increased the fecal dry weights and moisture content in feces, while the kumaizasa powder and the holocellulose increased only fecal dry weights.Conclusion: It is shown that the holocellulose and cellulose of kumaizasa powder have the effect of increasing the bowel movement of rats by oral administration. It is also suggested that the cellulose increases the moisture content in the feces by swelling, while hemicellulose in the holocellulose acts as a prebiotic to regulate the moisture content in feces.Keywords: Kumaizasa, Sasa senanensis Rehder, hemicellulose, cellulose, holocellulose, bowel movements","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42575416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combinations of vitamin A and D induced are synergistic in breast cancer cells and alter gene expression in the endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein and estrogen signaling canonical pathways","authors":"Pinal N. Kanabar, Nina S. Los, T. Lawal, S. Patel, Nisikant A. Raut, M. Maienschein-Cline, Z. Arbieva, G. Mahady","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1069","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Numerous studies over the past 30 years have shown that bioactive compounds present in functional foods, including vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals reduce cancer risk. For example, vitamins A and D derivatives found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, reduce the growth of breast, bladder, head, neck, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. However, the effects of these combined vitamins have not been previously reported for breast cancer.Aims: To investigate the activities of vitamin A (all-trans-retinoic acid; ATRA), as well as vitamins D2 and D3 in combination in the breast epithelial cancer cell lines T47D:A18, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 and perform whole genome analysis in MCF-7 cells using RNA-seq.Methods: Breast cancer cells were cultured in appropriate media and treated with ATRA, D2 or D3 alone in concentrations from 1-10 μg/ml, or in combination at 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml. The CellTiter-Glo® 2.0 assay, Caspase-Glo®3/7, Caspase®8, and ApoTox-Glo™ Triplex assays measured cell viability and apoptosis. The effect of treatment on autophagy in MCF-7 cells was measured with a CYTO-ID® Autophagy Detection Kit 2.0. The whole transcriptome analysis was assessed using mRNA-seq and qPCR.Results: Separately, ATRA, D2, and D3 all reduced the viability of all breast cancer cell lines tested, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) between 2.1 to 31.7 μg/ml. However, when breast cancer cells were treated with combinations of ATRA+D2+D3, the IC50 was reduced indicating synergism. In MCF-7 cells, 5-flurouracil (5-FLU) had an IC50 of 1.37 µg/ml, while the vitamin A and D combination had an IC50 of 1.5 µg/ml, indicating the combination was ~90% as effective as 5-FLU. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with ATRA+D2+D3 enhanced caspase 3/7 activity, as well as the expression of Bax, BAD, PTEN and p53 (apoptosis canonical pathway), as well as induced autophagy. Whole genome analysis of treated MCF-7 cells showed a significant upregulation in gene expression in the autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response apoptosis canonical pathways. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells treated with ATRA+D2+D3 demonstrated significant downregulation of gene expression in estrogen-mediated S phase entry and estrogen signaling canonical pathways suggesting antiestrogenic effects. Conclusions: Vitamins A and D combinations had synergistic effects in breast cancer cells and induced both apoptosis and autophagy. Transcriptional profiling showed significant alterations in gene expression patterns and upregulation of multiple cancer signaling pathways supporting the hypothesis that combining vitamins A and D is a more effective treatment than either vitamin alone. Keywords: all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), Vitamin D2, Vitamin D3, breast cancer cells, apoptosis, estrogen receptors","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45938927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of antioxidant potential, DNA damage and hepatoprotective properties of Lagenaria siceraria plant against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity","authors":"U. Singh, Pankaj Singh, Pradeep Kumar Singh, S. Shukla, R. Singh, Sukanta Mondal","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1072","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Lagenaria siceraria has various pharmacological effects like antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities and is used to treat various diseases like diabetes, jaundice, piles, ulcers, hypertension, colitis, insanity, and skin diseases.Context and purpose of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, DNA damage and hepatoprotective activities of Lagenaria siceraria (LS)plant’s parts to explore their nutraceutical value.Methods: Phytochemical content was measured by the estimation of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, protein and carbohydrates while antioxidant activities were investigated by assaying the parameters of free radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and DNA damage protection assay. Hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf was measured by assaying cell viability, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation.Results: Among the tested plant samples, LS leaves showed high contents of total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and protein contents whereas LS fruits have high carbohydrate contents. Evaluation of antioxidant activities in different parts of the LS plant showed that the LS leaf has high antioxidant properties as compared to other plant parts. The L. siceraria leaf also showed DNA protection activities against Fenton’s reagent as well as UV induced hydroxyl radical’s damage. To test the hepatoprotective activity of LS leaf against acetaminophen, induced hepatocellular toxicity and leaf extract concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μg/104 cells were administered to cultured hepatocytes before acetaminophen exposure. The experimental results showed that LS leaf extract restores superoxide dismutase activity and reduces malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation as compared to acetaminophen alone treated cultured cells.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that leaves of L. siceraria plants have high antioxidant potential and DNA damage-protective and hepatoprotective activities. Hence, the leaf part of this plant may be used in different food applications to provide nutritional and health benefits, as well as in various liver care herbal formulations.Keywords: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective activity, Hepatocytes, Lipid peroxidation, Total phenolics ","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46865043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The blockade of Artsakh causing long-term food, nutrition shortage and starvation: How functional food education can help resolve health related conditions","authors":"Kelly Williams, Lauren A. Fielding, Jessica Davis, D. Martirosyan","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i3.1081","url":null,"abstract":"Throughout history, regimes have utilized starvation as a form of genocide. Genocide is defined by Rafael Lempkin as an intentional effort to annihilate a national group. The purpose of this research is to analyze the physiological immediate and lasting effects of starvation in the human body. In the current conflict in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), ecologists from Azerbaijan are preventing fuel, medicine, and food from entering the Armenian border at the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor since December 12, 2022. Russian peacekeepers are simultaneously stationed at the Berdzor Corridor, which connects Artsakh and Armenia. In this article, observations are presented on the effects of starvation and recovery on the human body as they relate to historical genocides. Short and long-term effects of starvation can be severe, especially in minority populations and small territories. Although prolonged starvation has more profound impacts on the body, metabolic processes and increased stress levels can cause serious harm to someone who hasn’t consumed food for even only a few days. The predominant physiological shift during a short period of starvation is the transition from gluconeogenesis as a form of fuel production to lipid oxidation as fuel production, resulting in formation of ketone bodies. This switch ultimately leads to metabolic acidosis and the beginning of further complications if trends continue.A prolonged lack of food can lead to an altered mental state, cardiac dysrhythmia, loss of bone density and various other abnormal physiological processes. Many of these findings are potentially reversible via proposed treatments for recovery, although some are not. The blockade of Artsakh has the potential to cause both severe short and long-term physical and psychological damage as discussed below. The blockade began more than 80 days ago, thus certain damage has already occurred.We strongly urge the international community to act against this blockade and help prevent a future genocide.Keywords: food shortage, Starvation, genocide,Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), blockade, Berdzor (Lachin) corridor, bioactive compounds, functional foods ","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44753362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interim report from a 2-year double-blind rct testing fermented papaya preparation on immune enhancement, endothelial health and qol in elderly adults","authors":"A. Lorenzetti, Makiko Osato, Fang He, Cristiana Aperio, Antonio Ayala, S. Rasulova, M. Barbagallo","doi":"10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1050","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Agingis associated with alterations in oxi-inflammatory-immune profile, and endothelial cell dysfunction. Indeed, increased generation of free radicals as well as immunosenescence are hallmarks of the aging process and age-related diseases. In the past 12 years or so, data has been accumulated on fermented papaya preparation (FPP®)(Osato Research Institute, Gifu, Japan), a specific functional food with robust redox and immune regulator nutrigenomics effect. The aim of this 2-year ongoing study of which we report the first-year data, was to test FPP® in redox, endothelial, and immune markers.Methods: Study population. From a total of 106 subjects, we report the analyzed data referring to 78 clinically stable, healthy, community-dwelling males and females, aged 60 to 75 years. The study was conducted using a double-blind method with designated groups A and B to fulfill the two different treatments. The two treatments are as follows: Group A, also known as “FPP Group,” was given one sachet two times per day containing 4.5g FPP®, along with one placebo capsule provided in the morning. Group B, also known as “AA Group,” was given one papaya-flavored sachet two times per day, along with one antioxidant mixture capsule in the morning. Morning blood samples were collected and tested for: Ultra-sensitive c-reactive protein (a highly sensitive ELISA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (by Human Nitric Oxide Synthase kit), asymmetric dimethylarginine, or ADMA, (a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), apoptosis of PBMCs (by Annexin V staining) and MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) to assess quality of life. Screening and blood tests were carried out as follows: Visit I: Day 0 - Baseline, Visit II: Day 60, or 2 months, Visit III: 6 months, Visit IV: 11 months.Results: Plasma iNOS levels were comparable among both groups at the beginning of the study. FPP®-treated subjects showed a significant increased level at Visits II and III (P<0.05 vs baseline and vs AA). ADMA values were not affected by AA supplementation whereas FPP® treatment was associated with a significant decrease beginning with observation during Visit III (P<0.05 vs baseline and vs AA administration). The FPP® intervention was associated with improvements among several domains of quality of life such as physical function, general health, and mental components (P < 0.01 vs baseline and vs AA group). There was also at significant and comparable positive effect for time on vitality shown in both AA and FPP® groups.Conclusion: Unlike with the antioxidant treatment, the FPP® intervention yielded a transient decrease of ADMA, a decrease of iNOS and lower percentage in apoptotic PBMC. These results suggest that FPP®, by a more multifaceted, subcellular mechanism, as well as non-redox modulatory properties, was beneficially effective in regulating aging markers. These mechanisms are associated with a better SF-36 profile in support of FPP® as a candidate interventio","PeriodicalId":12623,"journal":{"name":"Functional Foods in Health and Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41760547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}