Triterpenic compounds from "orujo" olive oil elicit vasorelaxation in aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats

There is currently a considerable amount of interest in the benefits of certain dietary elements, and in particular of olive oil, in endothelial function and thus in hypertension. "Orujo" or pomace olive oil is obtained from the residues of the olive by a novel centrifugation process, and it is a good dietary source of triterpenic compounds such as oleanolic and maslinic acid, erythrodiol, and uvaol. Until now, there was no information available regarding the properties of these triterpenoids on the vasculature of hypertensive animals. However, in this in vitro study, we have analyzed the vasorelaxation induced by these triterpenoids in isolated aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The triterpenoids tested induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, mostly involving nitric oxide (NO). Indeed, the responses were attenuated by removal of the endothelium or following pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Furthermore, the differences that were observed in the potency of relaxation, the selectivity, and the dependence on the endothelium were attributed to structural features of the triterpenoids. In conclusion, triterpenic components in pomace olive oil induce vasorelaxation of the aorta from SHR, and this effect generally involves endothelial NO.     

Epigallocatechin gallate promotes the vasorelaxation power of the antiatherosclerotic dipeptide trp-his in contracted rat aorta

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the enhancement of the vasorelaxation power of the antiatherosclerotic voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channel (VDCC)-blocking peptide Trp-His by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). We found that 300 μM EGCg dramatically enhanced the magnitude of Trp-His-induced vasorelaxation by a factor of >6 (EC(50) of Trp-His: EGCg(-), 2.80 ± 0.05 mM; EGCg(+), 0.45 ± 0.04 mM) in phenylephrine-contracted rat aorta. The enhancing effect of EGCg was completely abolished in endothelium-removed aorta and high K(+)-contracted aorta. The enhancement of Trp-His-induced vasorelaxation by EGCg was significantly diminished by either N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine acetate (NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor) or 1-H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3]quinoxalin-1-one (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), together with the enhancement of NOS activity by EGCg. These results indicate that the enhancing effect of EGCg in Trp-His-induced vasorelaxation may be involved in the activation of NO/cGMP pathway.     

NO-AMPK通路对牛肉宰后成熟过程中蛋白特性与肉品质的影响

为研究宰后NO-AMPK通路对牛肉蛋白特性及肉品质的影响,以一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)抑制剂L-NAME、一磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)抑制剂Compound C处理的牛臀股四头肌为研究对象,生理盐水处理作为对照,将肉样与处理液在4℃条件下1:1(g:mL)混合浸泡12 h后,在成熟0、6、12、24、48、72、120 h测定肉样的蛋白功能特性、保水性、嫩度以及肌肉组织结构等相关指标。结果显示,L-NAME组中一氧化氮NO含量在6~72 h显著低于对照组(P<0.05);3组中AMPK活性先增大后减小,L-NAME组和Compound C组中AMPK活性在6 h分别比对照组降低14.78%和26.75%;L-NAME组中总蛋白溶解性在6、24 h低于Compound C组,高于对照组(P<0.05),表面疏水性在12、48 h显著低于对照组(P<0.05)并高于Compound C组;L-NAME组中剪切力仅在48 h显著高于对照组并低于Compound C组(P<0.05);对照组中肉样蒸煮损失最大,Compound C组中肉样蒸煮损失最小。以上结果表明,牛肉宰后成熟过程中,NO能够通过AMPK通路改善牛肉嫩度,但对其保水性产生了不利影响。本研究结果可为牛肉宰后能量代谢及肉品质控制相关研究提供一定的理论基础。     

Hypotensive and physiological effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from soy protein on spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides prepared from soy protein by the action of alcalase enzyme was tested for its hypotensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Captopril, an ACE inhibitor used widely for hypertension treatment, was also applied in comparison. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in systolic blood pressure of SHR was observed when soy ACE inhibitory peptides were orally administrated at three different dose levels (100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of body weight/day), whereas little change occurred in the blood pressure of normotensive rats even at the highest dose. After a month-long feeding, blood pressure readings of SHR fell by approximately 38 mmHg from the original level at the lowest dose; a steadily and progressively hypotensive effect existed for these soy ACE inhibitory peptides administration groups. An obvious fluctuation was observed at the third week, although Captopril had a stronger hypotensive effect. The ACE activity of serum, aorta and lung, and lipid content of serum of SHR upon administration of soy ACE inhibitory peptides did not show a significant difference from that of the control group, whereas the serum ACE activity increased and the aorta ACE activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05) for the Captopril group. Serum Na(+) concentration decreased significantly in both the peptides-treated groups and the Captopril-treated group in comparison with the control group, whereas no lowering effect was observed for serum K(+) and serum Ca(2+) concentrations. These results suggested that the hypotensive effect of ACE inhibitory peptides derived from soy protein could be at least partly attributed to the action on salt/water balance.     

Effects of Chinese and North American Wild Rice on Blood Lipids,Oxidative Stress,and Inflammation Factors in Hyperlipidemic Rats

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of replacing processed rice and wheat starch with Chinese and North American wild rice as the chief source of dietary carbohydrates in rats fed high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. The study consisted of five groups: low‐fat diet, high fat/cholesterol diet, city diet, North American wild rice diet, and Chinese wild rice diet. At the end of eight weeks of the diet regimen, the North American and Chinese wild rice diets suppressed the increase in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol but also decreased the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level. In addition, rats fed either the North American or Chinese wild rice diet suppressed the build‐up of oxidative stress by improving total antioxidant capacity, increasing superoxide dismutase activity, and reducing malondialdehyde concentration. In contrast, rats fed with the high fat/cholesterol diet and city diet had increased concentrations of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) compared with the low‐fat diet; rats fed with the Chinese wild rice diet had a significantly decreased serum hs‐CRP protein and TNF‐α concentration. Higher serum hs‐CRP levels were verified in the city diet group compared with North American wild rice diet group. These findings illustrate that both North American wild rice and Chinese wild rice are effective in suppressing hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rats even when the diet consumed is high in fat and cholesterol.     

硼砂对绵羊氮代谢及营养物质消化的影响

本文研究了硼砂对绵羊营养物质消化率及氮代谢的影响。选择绵羊4只,采用4×4拉丁方设计,预饲期10d,试验期7d。在处理组的日粮中分别添加1g硼砂/kg、2g硼砂/kg和25mg乙酰氧肟酸/kg,结果表明,添加硼砂对日粮干物质、有机物和粗蛋白质消化率及对氮和尿素代谢均未产生影响。1g/kg日粮的硼砂添加量促进了瘤胃微生物氮合成。试验结果提示绵羊对脲酶抑制剂硼砂也存在适应性。     

Vasomodulating potential of mediterranean wild plant extracts

The incidence of cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction is low in the Mediterranean area, where the major proportion of daily calories comes from plant food, high in antioxidant polyphenols. It has been shown that a reduced production or enhanced inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the onset of endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the effects of Mediterranean wild plant, that is, wild artichoke and thyme, phenolic-rich extracts on NO release by porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs; by using indirect methods) and by cerebral cell membrane homogenates (by using direct NO detection). NO release by PAECs was significantly potentiated by 234% and 135% by wild artichoke and thyme extracts (10(-6) mol/L), respectively. Direct detection of NO release by brain membranes also showed significantly increased NO production after wild artichoke addition (+35.4%). Further, the release of another vasorelaxant factor by PAECs, that is, prostacyclin, was significantly increased by wild artichoke and thyme (10(-6) mol/L) (+269% and +190%, respectively). Investigation of the mechanism(s) of action of wild artichoke and thyme suggests maintenance of an intracellular reduced environment, as previously shown for ascorbate. Even though these data require in vivo confirmation, they suggest that regular intake of bioactive compounds from Mediterranean wild plants contributes to maintenance of proper vasomotion and to the low incidence of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction recorded in the Mediterranean area.     

一氧化氮对小鼠卵母细胞自发成熟的影响及作用机制

为研究一氧化氮（NO）供体硝普钠（nitroprusside sodium，SNP）对小鼠卵母细胞体外自发成熟的作用，并进一步探讨NO影响卵母细胞体外自发成熟的可能机制，我们采用了体外细胞培养方法和放射免疫分析法（RIA）。细胞培养研究结果显示，NO供体SNP（1mM）能够延迟卵丘卵母细胞复合体(cumulus-oocyte complexes, COCs) 自发成熟过程中GVBD的发生，抑制PB1的释放。放射免疫分析（RIA）实验结果表明，1mM SNP能够显著的升高COCs内cGMP的水平，而可溶性鸟苷酸环化酶（sGC）抑制剂ODQ（10μM）能够消除SNP对cGMP水平升高的促进作用。同时10μM ODQ还能够逆转SNP对卵母细胞自发成熟的抑制作用，而PKG抑制剂KT5823（1μM）却不能够逆转SNP对COCs自发成熟的抑制作用。以上结果说明NO是通过激活sGC，提高细胞内cGMP水平来发挥其作用的，但cGMP下游的PKG信号通路并不参与NO调控的COCs自发成熟过程。     

NO处理对采后映霜红桃果实冷害及呼吸作用的影响

为探究一氧化氮(NO)处理对桃果实冷藏期间冷害及呼吸作用的影响,本研究以映霜红桃果实为试验材料,采用不同浓度NO(0、5、10、15 μL·L^-1)处理,检测桃在4℃贮藏期间冷害症状、冷害指数、硬度、呼吸速率、呼吸途径关键酶的变化。结果表明,10 μL·L^-1NO处理延缓了桃冷害的发生,显著降低了冷害指数、呼吸速率(P<0.05),维持了桃果实的硬度,使果实正常软化后熟。同时,10 μL·L^-1NO处理通过抑制桃果实糖酵解、三羧酸(TCA)循环、细胞色素氧化酶途径关键酶—葡萄糖磷酸异构酶(GPI)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)和细胞色素氧化酶(COX)的活性(P<0.05),抑制了果实呼吸速率,延缓了果实衰老。10 μL·L^-1 NO处理通过提高磷酸戊糖途径关键酶—葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PDH)和6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶(6-PGDH)的联合活性及抗氰呼吸途径关键酶—交替氧化酶(AOX)的活性,增强了桃果实的抗冷性,减轻了桃果实的冷害。本研究结果为NO在桃果实贮藏保鲜中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Wild artichoke prevents the age-associated loss of vasomotor function

Endothelial dysfunction, which is more often observed in conduit arteries such as the aorta, carotid, femoral, and brachial arteries, is largely due to alterations in cellular signal transduction initiated by an escalating cycle of damage triggered by oxidative stress. This phenomenon is exacerbated in the elderly, where a progressive loss of vascular endothelial function and concurrent loss of vasomotor control is frequent. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the wild artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is able to increase the production of the vasorelaxant factor nitric oxide by cultured aortic endothelial cells. We now extended that study to verify (1) the vasorelaxant potential of C. cardunculus on isolated rat aortic rings and (2) whether the vasomodulating properties of C. cardunculus are maintained in vivo, after administration to aged rats. The results demonstrate that the wild artichoke and its main components, namely, luteolin and apigenin, improve aortic relaxation when added to the incubation bath. Moreover, the feeding of wild artichoke [10 mg (kg of polyphenols)(-1) day(-1)] to aged rats significantly restores proper vasomotion, to a degree similar to that observed in young animals. This study provides further justification to the advice to consume wild greens as part of a balanced diet and suggests that close attention should be paid to the diet of the elderly, because it can effectively modulate important parameters of cardiovascular risk.     

ACC对不同氮效率油菜生长后期硝态氮再利用的调控机理

【目的】研究了进一步解析乙烯对油菜生长后期硝态氮 (NO₃–) 再利用的影响,揭示植株生长后期氮素再利用的生理机制。【方法】以氮高效油菜品种湘油15 (27号) 与氮低效油菜品种814 (6号) 为试验材料,在15 mmol/L氮水平下,每7天浇灌一次50 mL 100 μmol/L 1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸 (1-am-inocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid,简称ACC),研究ACC对植物生长后期 (花期、收获期) 氮素再利用的影响及其与氮素利用效率 (NUE) 的关系。并用拟南芥野生型 (col.0) 和突变体 (nrt1.5) 材料作为验证,分别于玻璃顶网室和22℃恒温培养室进行砂培试验。【结果】ACC处理显著抑制了油菜BnNRT1.5的表达,且植株的衰老可以显著诱导BnNRT1.5的表达。相对于对照处理,ACC处理植株韧皮部汁液NO₃– 的再转运能力显著降低,导致下部叶NO₃– 含量显著升高,中部叶NO₃– 含量显著下降,上部叶NO₃– 含量无显著变化,进而导致植株含氮量和籽粒含氮量显著提高,以及以生物量和籽粒产量为基础的氮素利用效率 (NUE) 显著降低。由此推测,油菜生长后期氮素的再利用能力受到NRT1.5基因的显著调控。拟南芥野生型和突变体材料的验证结果表明,相对于拟南芥野生型 (col.0) 材料,拟南芥nrt1.5植株生长后期相对于col.0有更多的NO₃– 累积在植株衰老叶片中,更少的NO₃– 通过韧皮部转运到生长旺盛的新叶,植物生长后期氮素从老叶向新叶转运的再利用能力显著降低。【结论】油菜生长后期氮素的再利用能力受到ACC的显著调控,油菜和拟南芥NRT1.5基因表达量分别受到抑制或者发生基因突变时,会导致植株韧皮部汁液NO₃– 再转运量减少,更多NO₃– 累积在衰老叶片中而不能得以高效的再利用。因此,调控油菜生长后期NRT1.5的表达,提高油菜生长后期氮素的再转运和利用可以作为提高氮素利用效率的有效手段。     

包被铜对西门塔尔牛日粮养分消化代谢和血液指标的影响

16头中国西门塔尔阉牛采用随机区组设计被分为4组,以混合精料和风干玉米秸秆为基础日粮,以包被铜为铜源,在基础日粮中分别添加铜0、8、16和24mg/kg,研究包被铜对西门塔尔牛营养物质消化代谢和血液指标的影响。结果表明:8和16mg/kg组有机物质表观消化率显著高于24mg/kg和对照组(P<0.05);粗蛋白、粗脂肪、无氮浸出物、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率均比对照显著增加(P<0.05);各组可消化氮、沉积氮和可消化氮/沉积氮也较对照显著增加(P<0.05),16和24mg/kg组显著高于8mg/kg组(P<0.05)。矿物质存留率、血清甘油三酯、葡萄糖、总胆固醇、白蛋白和总蛋白含量显著增加(P<0.05)。尿素氮则呈现下降趋势,且16和24mg/kg组显著低于对照组和8mg/kg组(P<0.05);对照组和处理组之间血清谷草转氨酶(GOT)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、乳酸脱氢酶(CDH)差异均不显著(P>0.05);血清铜蓝蛋白(CP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-px)活性显著提高(P<0.05);丙二醛显著下降(P<0.05)。血清铜、铁和锌含量显著高于对照(P<0.05),但处理组间差异不显著;血清锰含量呈上升趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。根据试验结果,包被铜添加量以8~16mg/kg干物质为宜。     

Nitric oxide reduces the stress effects of aluminum on the process of germination and early root growth of rice

The present study examined the action of nitric oxide (NO) on the germination process of rice seeds and early root growth under aluminum (Al) stress. Seeds and seedlings of two rice genotypes, with different levels of sensitivity to aluminum stress, were examined after treatment with Al and NO or only with Al. Further, the histochemical localization of Al and NO was performed on the root tissues. In both genotypes, NO was able to neutralize the inhibitory Al effects on germination. In the roots of seedlings, a reduction of Al toxicity as mediated by NO was indicated by an increased root elongation and a reduction of Al accumulation on the root surface in the Al hematoxylin complexation, irrespective of the genotype. The histolocalization of NO in roots using diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF‐2DA) and confocal microscopy revealed endogenous Al‐induced levels of NO. It is concluded that NO can alleviate Al stress in the seedlings of the studied rice genotypes by improving germination and early root growth and is likely to play a role in a specific stress‐signaling pathway.     

Ankaflavin and monascin regulate endothelial adhesion molecules and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

Previous studies have established that red mold rice can regulate blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and that Monascus -fermented products, including monacolin K, ankaflavin (AF), and monascin (MS), can inhibit expression of adhesion factors such as E-selectin and endothelin-1 to prevent human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 monocytes from adhering to human aortic endothelial cells. However, it remains unknown whether AF and MS act directly on human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) to enhance nitric oxide (NO) synthesis through the stimulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated whether AF and MS directly regulate NO synthesis and attenuate adhesion factor expression induced by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HUVECs. The results revealed that both AF and MS (20 μM) treatments promoted increases in eNOS expression and decreases in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and endothelin-1 mRNA and protein expression resulting from 12 h of TNF-α treatment. These effects are attributed to the ability of AF and MS to inhibit extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, thereby exerting antihypertensive activity.     

Walkley–Black analysis of forest soil organic carbon: recovery, limitations and uncertainty

Organic carbon levels of 542 soil samples from temperate lowland forest were determined by the original and modified Walkley–Black (WB) dichromate methods and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The performance and the lower and upper quantification limits of the WB method were assessed. Variable recovery rates were related to laboratory and field conditions and to the sample composition. The percentage carbon recovered by the original WB method was found to be systematically lower than commonly accepted, and the correction factor was estimated at 1.58 instead of 1.30–1.35. However, a good linear relationship with TOC enabled acceptable prediction of soil organic carbon which was most precise when using the original WB method. Texture class and pedogenetic horizon showed significant differences in recovery. Depending on the modifications of the WB method, recoveries varied significantly between laboratories, explaining up to 29% of the total variation of the topsoil carbon assessment of a site. Low recovery from samples was partly attributed to charcoal and resistant elementary carbon particles. No interference was found to be caused by iron or manganese compounds. In order to use WB carbon data of forest soils, laboratory‐ and method‐specific determination of the recovery rate using a total analyser is strongly recommended. The original WB method was unable to predict reliably forest soil carbon contents higher than 8% TOC.     

Effects of oleic acid rich oils on aorta lipids and lipoprotein lipase activity of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension development in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) leads to vascular wall widening by smooth muscle cell proliferation. In these cells, triglycerides (TG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) can accumulate until they become foam cells. We administrated two oleic rich oils, virgin olive (VOO) and high oleic sunflower oils (HOSO), to Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR because these oils have been reported to reduce the risk for coronary heart disease in hypertensive patients and SHR. After 12 weeks of feeding, we analyzed the TG and CE composition and the lipolytic (lipoprotein lipase, LPL, and non-LPL) activity in aortas of these animals. HOSO increased the content of linoleic acid in CE and TG of aortas from both WKY and SHR as compared with animals fed VOO by proportionally decreasing the content of oleic acid. Conversely, VOO reduced the LPL and non-LPL lipolytic activities, hence limiting the free fatty acids available for the synthesis of TG and CE in the vascular wall.     

REVIEW: Wild Rice: Both an Ancient Grain and a Whole Grain

Wild rice (Zizania spp.) grows in shallow waters of North America and is distinct from brown and white rice (Oryza spp.). The recent trends toward gluten‐free foods and ancient grains present an opportunity for increased interest in the health benefits of wild rice. Wild rice is classified as a whole grain and typically contains 75% carbohydrate, 6.2% dietary fiber, 14.7% protein, and 1.1% lipids. Wild rice is a good source of dietary fiber and has nearly double the amount of protein of white rice. The lipid content is low; however, most of the lipids are essential omega‐6 (35.0–37.8%) and omega‐3 (20.0–31.5%) fatty acids. In addition to macronutrient content, wild rice contains phytosterol levels several times higher than white rice. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of wild rice is 10–15 times higher than white rice. A series of rat studies in which wild rice was added to a high fat, high cholesterol diet found significant attenuation of serum free fatty acids, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while maintaining higher high‐density lipoprotein levels compared with a control diet. The exact explanation of the protective mechanism of wild rice is uncertain, but the dietary fiber, phytosterol, or antioxidant capacity of wild rice may be the reason for it. Current interest in whole grains and gluten‐free diets, as well as antioxidants and phytochemicals, makes wild rice an attractive grain addition to the diet.     

Modulation of Uptake and Translocation of Iron and Copper from Root to Shoot in Common Bean by Siderophore-Producing Microorganisms

Microbes have developed high-affinity uptake mechanisms to assimilate iron (Fe) and other metals such as aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu). Siderophores, which are metal chelating compounds, and membrane receptor proteins are involved in these specialized mechanisms. A few siderophore-producing microorganisms associated with plant roots also influence the uptake of some metals. In this study, the potential microbial-assisted Cu and Fe uptake by Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) plants was evaluated. Seedlings of cultivated common bean varieties Bayo-INIFAP (B) and Negro-150 (N) and wild types yellowish (WY) and black (WB) were developed in the presence of a Cu and Fe solution and associated with the siderophore-producing microorganisms R. leguminosarumbv. Phaseoli (strains 19, 44, and 46); Pseudomonas fluorescens(strain Avm), and Azospirillum brasilense (strain 154). Seedlings of cultivated variety N and black wild type WB inoculated with the strain CPMex.44 accumulated 71% and 30% more Fe than the un-inoculated plants, respectively; however, the wild black bean accumulated the highest absolute amount of Fe (221.56 mg/kg of dry matter) as compared with the cultivated black variety N (126.16 mg/kg of dry matter) (P < 0.05). In the wild type WY seedlings, the highest Fe accumulation was observed when the seeds were inoculated with the Pseudomonas strain Avm (206 mg/kg of dry matter) (P < 0.05). The interaction of Pseudomonas strain Avm with seedlings of the cultivated B variety and the wild type WB promoted the highest accumulation of Cu (51 and 54 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively), 7 and 14 mg more than in the respective non-inoculated seedlings. No promotion of Fe accumulation was observed in the seedlings of the cultivated B variety and in roots; instead, less Fe was accumulated. The wild type WY did not show any improvement in Cu accumulation. In this study, Rhizobiumstrains promoted Fe but not Cu uptake in P. vulgaris seedlings while Pseudomonas strains promoted the uptake of both Cu and Fe.     

Antihypertensive Effect of Protein Hydrolysate from Azufrado Beans in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive potential of common bean protein hydrolysate. Protein concentrates were obtained, followed by Alcalase enzymatic hydrolysis, and then ultrafiltrated (3,000 molecular weight cutoff); the lyophilized product was named BP3. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was determined as IC₅₀ (3.68 ± 0.07 μg/mL). The antihypertensive effect was evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by two assays; Captopril ACE inhibitor was used as a reference compound and water as a control. A short‐term assay showed a maximum decrease in mean arterial pressure of –41 ± 5 mmHg in SHR, 3 h after oral administration of 500 mg of BP3/kg of body weight (bw). In a long‐term assay, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure of –24 ± 5 mmHg was observed in SHR, after 45 days of oral administration of 500 mg of BP3/kg of bw/12 h. In both assays, BP3 treatment showed antihypertensive effect over SHR, similar to Captopril treatment. The sequences of the most abundant peptides present in BP3, determined by mass spectrometry, were identified as KFPWVK, GADFRKK, and PQSPCKRVNRHS. These peptides are reported for the first time in Azufrado Higuera common beans, and they are most likely responsible for the antihypertensive effect of BP3.     

Antioxidant characterization of some Sicilian edible wild greens

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that many antioxidants and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet may protect against cancers and cardiovascular disease. Common fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, although in some Mediterranean areas traditional wild greens are responsible for a significant percentage of total dietary antioxidant intake. In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort of Ragusa (Sicily), a high number of subjects were found to frequently eat wild greens, including Sinapis incana and Sinapis nigra, Diplotaxis erucoides, Cichorium intybus, Asparagus acutifolius, and Borrago officinalis. On the basis of these observations, detailed characterization of single antioxidant components (i.e., polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and ascorbic acid) and the TAC of these edible wild traditional plants was performed. The wild plants examined were found to be very rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, with high TAC values, suggesting that the importance of these vegetables, not only in the traditional but even in the contemporary diet, needs to be emphasized.