1.
Analysis of four toxic metals in a single rice seed by matrix solid phase dispersion -inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
He, X, Chen, L, Chen, X, Yu, H, Peng, L, Han, B
Scientific reports. 2016;:38472
Abstract
Toxic metals in rice pose great risks to human health. Metal bioaccumulation in rice grains is a criterion of breeding. Rice breeding requires a sensitive method to determine metal content in single rice grains to assist the variety selection. In the present study, four toxic metals of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in a single rice grain were determined by a simple and rapid method. The developed method is based on matrix solid phase dispersion using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as dispersing agent and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The experimental parameters were systematically investigated. The limits of detection (LOD) were 5.0, 0.6, 10 and 2.1 ng g-1 for As, Cd, Cr, and Pb, respectively, with relative standard deviations (n = 6) of <7.7%, demonstrating the good sensitivity and precision of the method. The results of 30 real world rice samples analyzed by this method agreed well with those obtained by the standard microwave digestion. The amount of sample required was reduced approximately 100 fold in comparison with the microwave digestion. The method has a high application potential for other sample matrices and elements with high sensitivity and sample throughput.
2.
Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement on C-reactive protein, IL-6 and retinol-binding protein 4 in type 2 diabetic patients.
Pan, A, Demark-Wahnefried, W, Ye, X, Yu, Z, Li, H, Qi, Q, Sun, J, Chen, Y, Chen, X, Liu, Y, et al
The British journal of nutrition. 2009;(8):1145-9
Abstract
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Phytoestrogens (including lignans and isoflavones) may enhance the management of diabetes and are hypothesized to act through inflammation pathways. The present study explored the effects of flaxseed-derived lignan on inflammatory factors and RBP4 concentrations in type 2 diabetics, who have higher levels of these biomarkers. Seventy community-dwelling diabetic patients (twenty-six men and forty-four post-menopausal women) with mild hypercholesterolaemia completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of supplementation with flaxseed-derived lignan capsules (360 mg/d) or placebo for 12 weeks, separated by an 8-week wash-out period. The participants maintained their habitual diets and levels of physical activity. Baseline to follow-up concentrations of CRP increased significantly within the placebo group (1.42 (sem 0.19) v. 1.96 (sem 0.22) mg/l, P < 0.001), but were comparatively unchanged in the lignan-supplemented group (1.67 (sem 0.19) v. 1.90 (sem 0.26) mg/l, P = 0.94); a significant difference was observed between treatments ( - 0.45 (95 % CI - 0.76, - 0.08) mg/l, P = 0.021). This effect was confined to women (P = 0.016), but not observed in men (P = 0.49). No between-treatment differences were found with regard to IL-6 or RBP4; though IL-6 concentrations increased significantly from baseline to follow-up in both groups (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001 following lignan and placebo treatments, respectively). The study suggests that lignan might modulate CRP levels in type 2 diabetics. These results need to be confirmed by further large clinical trials of longer duration.
3.
Acyltransferase action in the modification of seed oil biosynthesis.
Snyder, CL, Yurchenko, OP, Siloto, RM, Chen, X, Liu, Q, Mietkiewska, E, Weselake, RJ
New biotechnology. 2009;(1-2):11-6
Abstract
Seed oils represent a major source of dietary lipid and an increasingly valuable feedstock for industrial applications. There have been several attempts to modify seed oil content and composition through biotechnological approaches, resulting in the identification of several 'bottlenecks' limiting the accumulation of unusual fatty acids in storage lipids of oilseed crops. It has been suggested that the substrate preferences of endogenous acyltransferases play an important role in the utilization of unusual fatty acids in transgenic oilseeds, and there is increasing evidence that mechanisms of 'acyl-editing' via phospholipids are also involved in substrate trafficking and utilization. In this review, we will examine acyltransferase substrate specificity and selectivity in the context of designing strategies to maximize the accumulation of unusual fatty acids using biotechnological approaches.