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Metabolic and Anti-Inflammatory Protective Properties of Human Enriched Serum Following Artichoke Leaf Extract Absorption: Results from an Innovative Ex Vivo Clinical Trial.
Wauquier, F, Boutin-Wittrant, L, Viret, A, Guilhaudis, L, Oulyadi, H, Bourafai-Aziez, A, Charpentier, G, Rousselot, G, Cassin, E, Descamps, S, et al
Nutrients. 2021;(8)
Abstract
The aging of our population is accompanied by an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Among those, liver, joint and adipose tissue-related pathologies have a major socio-economic impact. They share common origins as they result from a dysregulation of the inflammatory and metabolic status. Plant-derived nutrients and especially polyphenols, exert a large range of beneficial effects in the prevention of chronic diseases but require clinically validated approaches for optimized care management. In this study, we designed an innovative clinical approach considering the metabolites produced by the digestive tract following the ingestion of an artichoke leaf extract. Human serum, enriched with metabolites deriving from the extract, was collected and incubated with human hepatocytes, human primary chondrocytes and adipocytes to determine the biological activity of the extract. Changes in cellular behavior demonstrated that the artichoke leaf extract protects hepatocytes from lipotoxic stress, prevents adipocytes differentiation and hyperplasia, and exerts chondroprotective properties in an inflammatory context. These data validate the beneficial health properties of an artichoke leaf extract at the clinical level and provide both insights and further evidence that plant-derived nutrients and especially polyphenols from artichoke may represent a relevant alternative for nutritional strategies addressing chronic disease issues.
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2.
Green tea catechins prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation via their accumulation in low-density lipoprotein particles in humans.
Suzuki-Sugihara, N, Kishimoto, Y, Saita, E, Taguchi, C, Kobayashi, M, Ichitani, M, Ukawa, Y, Sagesaka, YM, Suzuki, E, Kondo, K
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). 2016;(1):16-23
Abstract
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, including catechins which have antioxidant activities and are considered to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. In the present study, we investigated the effects of green tea catechins on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vitro and in human studies to test the hypothesis that catechins are incorporated into LDL particles and exert antioxidant properties. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, 19 healthy men ingested green tea extract (GTE) in the form of capsules at a dose of 1 g total catechin, of which most (>99%) was the gallated type. At 1 hour after ingestion, marked increases of the plasma concentrations of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate were observed. Accordingly, the plasma total antioxidant capacity was increased, and the LDL oxidizability was significantly reduced by the ingestion of GTE. We found that gallated catechins were incorporated into LDL particles in nonconjugated forms after the incubation of GTE with plasma in vitro. Moreover, the catechin-incorporated LDL was highly resistant to radical-induced oxidation in vitro. An additional human study with 5 healthy women confirmed that GTE intake sufficiently increased the concentration of gallated catechins, mainly in nonconjugated forms in LDL particles, and reduced the oxidizability of LDL. In conclusion, green tea catechins are rapidly incorporated into LDL particles and play a role in reducing LDL oxidation in humans, which suggests that taking green tea catechins is effective in reducing atherosclerosis risk associated with oxidative stress.
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3.
Consumption of Sutherlandia frutescens by HIV-Seropositive South African Adults: An Adaptive Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial.
Wilson, D, Goggin, K, Williams, K, Gerkovich, MM, Gqaleni, N, Syce, J, Bartman, P, Johnson, Q, Folk, WR
PloS one. 2015;(7):e0128522
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br. is widely used as an over the counter complementary medicine and in traditional medications by HIV seropositive adults living in South Africa; however the plant's safety has not been objectively studied. An adaptive two-stage randomized double-blind placebo controlled study was used to evaluate the safety of consuming dried S. frutescens by HIV seropositive adults with CD4 T-lymphocyte count of >350 cells/μL. METHODS In Stage 1 56 participants were randomized to S. frutescens 400, 800 or 1,200 mg twice daily or matching placebo for 24 weeks. In Stage 2 77 additional participants were randomized to either 1,200 mg S. frutescens or placebo. In the final analysis data from Stage 1 and Stage 2 were combined such that 107 participants were analysed (54 in the S. frutescens 1,200 mg arm and 53 in the placebo arm). RESULTS S. frutescens did not change HIV viral load, and CD4 T-lymphocyte count was similar in the two arms at 24 weeks; however, mean and total burden of infection (BOI; defined as days of infection-related events in each participant) was greater in the S. frutescens arm: mean (SD) 5.0 (5.5) vs. 9.0 (12.7) days (p = 0.045), attributed to two tuberculosis cases in subjects taking isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). CONCLUSION A possible interaction between S. frutescens and IPT needs further evaluation, and may presage antagonistic interactions with other herbs having similar biochemical (antioxidant) properties. No other safety issues relating to consumption of S. frutescens in this cohort were identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00549523.
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Folate bioavailability from foods rich in folates assessed in a short term human study using stable isotope dilution assays.
Mönch, S, Netzel, M, Netzel, G, Ott, U, Frank, T, Rychlik, M
Food & function. 2015;(1):242-8
Abstract
Different sources of folate may have different bioavailability and hence may impact the standard definition of folate equivalents. In order to examine this, a short term human study was undertaken to evaluate the relative native folate bioavailabilities from spinach, Camembert cheese and wheat germs compared to pteroylmonoglutamic acid as the reference dose. The study had a single-centre, randomised, four-treatment, four-period, four-sequence, cross-over design, i.e. the four (food) items to be tested (referred to as treatments) were administered in sequences according to the Latin square, so that each experimental treatment occurred only once within each sequence and once within each study period. Each of the 24 subjects received the four experimental items separated by a 14-day equilibrium phase and received a pteroylmonoglutamic acid supplement for 14 days before the first testing and between the testings for saturation of body pools. Folates in test foods, plasma and urine samples were determined by stable isotope dilution assays, and in urine and plasma, the concentrations of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate were evaluated. Standard non-compartmental methods were applied to determine the biokinetic parameters C(max), t(max) and AUC from baseline corrected 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations within the interval from 0 to 12 hours. The variability of AUC and C(max) was moderate for spinach and oral solution of pteroylmonoglutamic acid but high for Camembert cheese and very high for wheat germs. The median t(max) was lowest for spinach, though t(max) showed a high variability among all treatments. When comparing the ratio estimates of AUC and C(max) for the different test foods, highest bioavailability was found for spinach followed by that for wheat germs and Camembert cheese. The results underline the dependence of folate bioavailability on the type of food ingested. Therefore, the general assumption of 50% bioavailability as the rationale behind the definition of folate equivalents has to be questioned and requires further investigation.
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5.
[Clinical study on spanishneedles leaves in treatment of middle and severe xerophthalmia of menopausal females].
Shao, Y, Yu, Y, Huang, GD, Tan, G, Pei, CG, Liu, XH
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2012;(19):2985-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical effect of spanishneedles leaves on middle and severe xerophthalmia of menopausal females. METHOD This study was a prospective random controlled trial. Ninty-six menopausal females diagnosed with xerophthalmnia (aged from 40 to 50) were randomly divided into in two groups: group A' the spanishneedles leaves group (n=48) and group B' the control group (n=48). Both groups were treated with Forte eye drops. All patients were detected at 3, 7, 28 h before and after treatment to evaluate subjective symptoms, OSDI and four tear film indicators. Variance analysis and differential analysis on sample average or median were made on both groups before and after treatment. RESULT There were no significant difference in symptom and diction indicators between both groups before treatment. For 28 d after treatment, among middle and severe xerophthalmia samples of the spanishneedles leaves group, the mean differences showed significant improvement compared with that before treatment , OSDI and four tear film indicators also showed improvement to varying degrees. For 28 d after treatment, among middle and severe xerophthalmia samples of the vitamin C group, the mean differences showed no significant improvement compared with that before treatment , OSDI and four tear film indicators also showed no remarkable improvement. There were significant differences in OSDI, BUT, SIT, height of tear meniscus and FL between both groups. CONCLUSION Spanishneedles leaves can effectively improve symposiums and signs of middle and severe xerophthalmia among menopausal females and thus showing clinical significance to some extent.
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6.
Plasma-kinetic characteristics of purified and isolated green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) after 10 days repeated dosing in healthy volunteers.
Ullmann, U, Haller, J, Decourt, JD, Girault, J, Spitzer, V, Weber, P
International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition. 2004;(4):269-78
Abstract
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the safety, tolerability, and plasma-kinetic behavior of 94% pure crystalline epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) after ten days' repeated dosing in 36 healthy male volunteers. Each of the three treatment groups consisted of 12 subjects; nine of them received oral EGCG in one dose of 200, 400, or 800 mg daily, and three received a placebo. Blood samples for plasma-kinetic EGCG characterization were taken on day 1 and day 10. Kinetic parameters for rate and extent, elimination half-lives, and accumulation factor (R) were determined and compared between day 1 and day 10 for each dosage group. Orally administered EGCG is rapidly absorbed from the gut. Dose linearity was applied for single-dose application (day 1). After repeated dosing (day 10) dose linearity was applied between the 200 mg and 400 mg group. Dose escalation to 800 mg was more than dose-proportional in rate and extent, and statistically different from the 200 mg and 400 mg group. An increase in elimination half-life (t1/2.z) and in the accumulation factor (R) in the 800 mg dosage group indicates dose-dependent saturation of capacity-limited excretion routes or an increase of hepato-duodenal re-circulation. Ten days' repeated administration of oral doses of EGCG of up to 800 mg per day were found to be safe and very well tolerated.
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7.
Effect of Catha edulis (khat) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation.
Al-Zubairi, A, Al-Habori, M, Al-Geiry, A
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2003;(1):3-9
Abstract
The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing and the combination of khat chewing and smoking on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of oxidative stress and free radical activity (measured as plasma malondialdehyde, MDA), as well as on the lipid profiles were investigated. The fasting plasma levels of MDA were non-significantly higher in both groups (4% in khat chewers and 9.2% in khat chewers and smokers), whereas these levels were observed to be significantly increased at post meal and 2h through the khat session. Post meal increase of plasma MDA could be attributed partially to the meal-induced oxidative stress and the possible decrease in the overall antioxidant capacity. This increase in plasma levels of MDA in both tested groups were found to be higher in the control group suggesting the presence of other contributing factors beside the meal-induced oxidative stress. Plasma levels of MDA were observed to fall slightly 2h through the khat session over the post meal levels, suggesting a lack of additive effect of khat consumption. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were shown to be non-significantly affected in this study by khat chewing or by the combination of khat chewing and smoking.