The Investigation of the Effects of Pistacia terebinthus L. Upon Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Rabbits
Abstract
The possible pharmacological and toxicological effects of Pistada terebinthus L. in experimentally hypercholesterolemic rabbits were investigated in this study. A total of 28 rabbits were divided into four groups, and these groups were fed diets containing standard pellets (Group 1), cholesterol (2%) (Group II), P. terebinthus L. (1 g/kg body weight) and cholesterol (2%) (Group III) and P. terebinthus L. (1 g/kg body weight) (Group IV) for 14 weeks. When the data were statistically evaluated over the weeks, body weight gains, showed no marked difference among the groups although liver weight was 58% higher in the cholesterol control group (P < 0.01) and 20.3% higher in P. terebinthus L. and cholesterol group than in the control group. In the comparison of the cholesterol-fed groups, Group III exhibited a marked decrease (P < 0.01) in total cholesterol and triglyceride evels and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by the 14th week and a 1.3-times higher (P < 0.001) high density lipoprotein (HDL) value. In the group fed cholesterol and P. terebinthus L., clotting and bleeding times increased by 13% and 12%, respectively, compored to the cholesterol control group. On account of the histopathological findings, it was confirmed that P. terebinthus L. restrained the progression of the atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic artery and of hydropic degeneration and fatty changes in the liver. No toxic effect could be attributed to P. terebinthus L. from an investigation of the biochemical data. The results of this study show that P. terebinthus L. has a hypolipidemic effect in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
Supplementary resource (1)
... Terebinth has recently been reported to be a plant rich in antioxidant properties, phenolic content, fat content, fatty acid components, and tocopherol content (Couladis et al., 2003;Topçu et al., 2007;Özcan et al., 2009;Dalgıç et al., 2011). In addition, some studies focused on the chemical properties of terebinth in terms of medicine have highlighted and supported the use of this plant in folk medicine (Özcan et al., 2009;Bakirel et al., 2003;Giner-Larza et al., 2001). Pistacia terebinthus L., commonly known as terebinth, is an oleiferous fruit with a specific flavor and high aroma value and is collected from trees or shrubs found in forested areas in August-October in the Mediterranean region, and is traded in markets, herbalists, and in spice stores. ...
... In Turkey, the terebinth tree is not culturally cultivated, but its fruit is traditionally processed and consumed in unroasted or roasted form in various ways from beverages to pastes (Karakaş & Certel, 2004). It has been shown that the dry fruit extracts of P. terebinthus L. have some hypolipidemic effects without causing toxic effects in rabbits (Bakirel et al., 2003). It has been found that the fruits of P. terebinthus L. improved the lipid profile and caused reductions in atherosclerosis (Edwards et al., 1999). ...
The study aimed to access the effects of roasted and unroasted terebinth (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) added to cookies to improve their physical, chemical, functional, and textural characteristics. The addition of terebinth to the cookie formulation significantly increased the ash, protein, fat, total dietary fiber, total phenolic matter, and antioxidant content and decreased the phytic acid content of the cookie samples. With the addition of roasted and unroasted terebinth, it was determined that L*, b* values of cookies decreased, a* value increased, and all color values were lower than control group. In addition, it was found that the diameter and thickness values of cookies with terebinth addition decreased, and the spread ratio increased. The hardness of cookies produced in the study decreased after terebinth addition. The data obtained in this study showed that using terebinth has potential applications in baked goods without adverse effects on the physical and chemical quality or the functional quality of the product.
... For several thousand years in southern Turkey, terebinth fruits have been utilized as a traditional ingredient in baking, serving as a raw material for the production of specialty village bread and coffee [16]. Studies have demonstrated the bioactive properties of terebinth, including its hypolipidemic effects, potential for atherosclerosis prevention [17], anti-diabetic properties [18], its ability to combat oxidative stress [19], and protective effects against diseases such as cancer [20] and Alzheimer's disease [21]. Due to its significance, the potential distribution area of terebinth in Turkey has been investigated. ...
The present research aimed to incorporate terebinth seed protein into gluten-free cakes in order to increase their protein content and improve their technological properties. The terebinth protein replaced the rice flour–corn starch mixture used in control cakes at varying levels (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%). The rheological properties of the cake batters were evaluated, along with the physicochemical attributes, textural properties, sensory attributes, and oxidative stability of the baked cakes. As the protein concentration increased, the consistency index of the cake batters also increased. All batters showed shear-thinning behavior, indicating pseudoplastic fluid behavior, and showed a viscoelastic nature reflected by the storage modulus (G′) exceeding the loss modulus (G″). Both G′ and G″ values increase with increasing protein content. The softest texture was observed in the control cake produced with wheat flour, followed by the cakes with 3% and 6% protein addition, while higher protein levels (9% and 12%) resulted in firmer cakes. Furthermore, oxidative stability improved with a higher level of protein. The addition of protein did not negatively affect sensory quality across all measured parameters. This study demonstrates the potential of terebinth protein to enhance the protein content and oxidative stability of gluten-free cakes that maintain their sensory attributes.
... Güzel kokulu reçinesi parfümlerde sıklıkla kullanılmaktadır [6]. Menengiçin antioksidan özellikleri, sabit yağ miktarı ve yağ asidi bileşenleri, fenolik maddeleri, uçucu yağ miktarı ve bileşenleri ile tokoferol içeriğinin yanı sıra çeşitli hastalıklara etkileri birçok çalışma ile ele alınmıştır [7][8][9][10][11]. Antik çağlardan beri bitkilerden yapılan ilaçlar terapötik ajanlar olarak diyabetten kansere kadar birçok hastalığın tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. ...
Çağımızın en yüksek ölüm oranına sahip sağlık sorunlarından biri olan kanser vakalarının önlenmesi için yeni ve etkili tedavi stratejileri geliştirmeye yönelik araştırmalar son yıllarda önem kazanmıştır. Doğal kaynaklardan elde edilen özütler, uçucu yağlar ve biyoaktif bileşenler daha az yan etki ile etkin tedavi sunma potansiyelindedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, menengiç meyvesinin ekstraktının hepatoselüler karsinom hücrelerinde (HepG2) oksidatif stres, sitotoksik ve apoptotik etkilerini incelemektir. Sağlıklı karaciğer epitel hücreleri (ZFL) ile elde edilen sonuçlar karşılaştırılarak bu ekstraktın kanser hücrelerine spesifik olup olmadığı değerlendirilmiştir. Literatürde ilk kez yapılan çalışmamızda, soxhlet yöntemi ile menengiç meyvelerinden elde edilen ekstraktın IC50 dozunu ve süresini belirlemek için iCELLigence sistemi, sitotoksisiteyi belirlemek amacıyla MTT yöntemi, apoptoz profilini belirlemek için Anneksin V yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Menengiç ekstraktının oluşturabileceği oksidatif hasarın belirlenmesinde; TAS, TOS, GSH ve lipid peroksidasyon seviyeleri ile NADP-IDH, katalaz, alkalen fosfataz ve asit fosfataz enzim aktivitesi analizleri spektrofotometrik yöntemlerle yapılmıştır. iCELLigence sistemi ile yapılan analiz sonucunda menengiç ekstraktının HepG2 hücrelerindeki 48 saatlik IC50 dozu 419 µg/mL olarak bulunmuştur. Sitotoksisite analizi ile menengiç ekstraktının HepG2 hücrelerinde ZFL hücrelerine kıyasla daha öldürücü olduğu gözlenmiştir. Aynı şekilde HepG2 hücrelerinde 6 saatte gözlenen apoptotik ve ölü hücre sayısı ZFL hücrelerine göre daha fazla olduğu gözlenmiştir. Oksidatif hasarı belirlemek için yapılan analizlerde ZFL hücrelerinde gözlenen sonuçlar istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmazken, HepG2 hücrelerinde hem kontrol grubuyla hem de ZFL hücrelerine kıyasla belirgin oksidatif hasar gözlenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, kanser tedavisinde yeni ajanlar geliştirilmesi yönündeki çalışmalara kaynak oluşturabilecektir.
... Turpentine tree oils have phytochemical properties as they are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, polyphenols and carotenoids (Durmaz and Gokmen, 2011). It has been determined that extracts obtained from dried fruits of the turpentine tree have a hypolipidemic effect on rabbits (Bakirel et al., 2003), and their antioxidant properties have a cholesterol reduction (about 1%) effect (Riemersma et al., 1991). This species has shown potential effects for obesity and diabetes prevention and phytotherapy (Foddai et al., 2015). ...
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental factors on the essential oil yields (EOYs) and major essential oil components in the ripe fruits of Pistacia terebinthus L. (turpentine tree), which is a medicinal and aromatic plant. Fruit samples were collected from 34 different locations of the turpentine tree growing wild in the Lake District in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. EOYs (%, v/w) and essential oil component ratios (%) were determined in fruit samples by hydrodistillation and GC-MS methods, respectively. The effect of environmental factors on these variables were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Principal Component Analysis.
Results
The essential oil yield of fruits collected from different localities ranged from 0.05% (v/w) to 0.19% (v/w). In terms of average values, α-pinene with 41.01% and limonene with 14.28% were the major components in the essential oils of ripe fruits. Among the environmental variables, longitude and sand % in 10-30 cm were the variables that made a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in fruit essential oil yield. According to the results of principal components analysis (PCA), α-pinene and Ocimene components were most affected by silt (%, 10-30 cm) and pH (%, 30-50 cm) ratios. The longitude and total annual precipitation (mm) were the most determining variables in the sabinene and limonene components, respectively. It was seen that the total lime ratios at different depth levels of the soils taken from the localities were the most effective variables for Myrcene and p-Cymene components.
Conclusion
The study findings showed that EOYs and intended volatile component ratios in ripe fruits of turpentine trees grown under appropriate environmental conditions can be increased.
Keywords:
Essential oil; limonene; locations; ripe fruits; turpentine tree
... Five species of this genus grow in Iran, including Pistacia lentiscus L., P. Atlantica, P.terebinthus L., P. vera L., and P. khinjuk Stocks [1][2][3], which contain the most significant active ingredients of different phytochemical groups such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and sterols. Moreover, discoveries claimed the beneficial impacts of every part of these species on many health problems due to their antiviral [4], anti-inflammatory [5][6][7], antimicrobial [8,9], antinociceptive [7], antioxidant [10][11][12], antitumor [13][14][15], anticholinesterase [8,16], antidiabetic [17][18][19], antihyperlipidemic [20], and anti-atherosclerotic qualities [21,22], as well as potential advantages for gastrointestinal disorders [23]. Next to its traditional applications for the treatment of many disorders such as gastroenteritis, liver, respiratory tract, and urinary management tract, Pistacia sp. ...
SARS-COV-2 stands as the source of the most catastrophic pandemic of this century, known as COVID-19. In this regard, we explored the effects of five Pistacia sp. active ingredients on the most crucial targets of SARS-COV-2, including 3CLpro, PLpro, RdRp, helicase, NSP15, and E protein. The results of molecular docking determined 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl glucose (PG) as the most effective compound of Pistacia sp, which also confirmed its excellent binding affinities and stable interactions with helicase (−10.76 kcal/mol), RdRp (−10.19 kcal/mol), E protein (−9.51 kcal/mol), and 3CLpro (−9.47 kcal/mol). Furthermore, MD simulation was conducted to investigate the stability of all complexes throughout a 100 ns. In contrast to PLpro and NSP15, the analyses of Lennard-Jones potential, RMSDas, PCA, and SASA verified the ability of PG in forming stable and adequate interactions with RdRp, helicase, 3CLpro, and E protein due to standing as an effective inhibitor among the six targets, these data proposed the capability of PG, the most important compound of Pistacia sp., in inducing antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant impacts on RdRp, helicase, 3CLpro, and E protein. Therefore, the possibility of inhibiting the replication and transcription processes and viral pathogenesis of SARS-COV-2 may be facilitated through the application of PG.
... In a study, it was confirmed that the terebinth plant had strong bioactive and antimicrobial effects, as well as the fatty acids and essential oils in its content [21]. Another study demonstrated that it was effective in lowering cholesterol [22]. In another study conducted on mice, it was reported that it showed an antidiabetic activity by reducing the harmful effects on serum enzyme levels and lipid oxidation due to its antioxidative effect [23]. ...
... There are many studies on the volatile components of Pistacia terebinthus L. obtained from its fruits, flowers or leaves and branches. Dried fruit extracts of P. terebinthus L. have been shown to have some hypolipidemic effects on rabbits without toxic effects (Bakirel et al., 2003). P. terebinthus L. fruits have been found to improve lipid profile and leads to atherosclerosis decrease (Edwards et al., 1999). ...
This study aims to investigate the possible usages of terebinth as a functional additive in noodle formulation. For this purpose, raw terebinth and roasted terebinth in different temperatures (100 °C, 125 °C, 150 °C, 175 °C and 200 °C) were added to the formulation at rates of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% to produce noodles. According to the results of this study, the use of terebinth in the noodle formulation decreased the amount of phytic acid in the noodles while it significantly increased the amount of ash, protein, fat, total dietary fiber, total phenolic content and antioxidant (p < 0.05). In the sensory analysis, the highest score in the context of general acceptances was obtained from the sample B1 which 10% terebinth roasted at 100 °C while the lowest score belonged to the sample F3 which 30% terebinth roasted at 200 °C was added.
... P. terebinthus fruits have been reported to be composed of approximately 40% of an oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids [5]. Recent investigations showed some hypolipidemic effect of the fruit extract in hypercholesterolemic rabbits [6]. Also, the fruit extract is described as a con-trol agent for atherosclerosis and a correction agent of the lipid profile [7]. ...
Pistacia terebinthus L. is used as an edible food plant and in folk medicine due to its medicinal properties. Its fruits contain an oil with important therapeutic and interesting nutritional properties due to the high content in oleic and linoleic acids. A valid extraction technique, using supercritical CO2, was tested to obtain a high-quality oil from Pistacia terebinthus from different geographical regions. This oil could be used both in food and pharmaceutical preparations because the recovery took place without using any organic solvent. It has been demonstrated that yield, fatty acid contents as well as antifungal activity depend on the origin of the plant. The antifungal activity of the extracts was evaluated by means of the microdilution method against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains. The extract from the Italian sample showed a moderate activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale and Epidermophyton floccosum.
In this study, it was aimed to produce a new functional cake with high nutritional value by addition of terebinth (Pistacia Terebinthus L.) into cake formulation. Wheat flour and raw/roasted terebinth mixtures (100:00, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50) were prepared and used in production of sponge cakes. It was determined that, with terebinth addition, ash, fat, total dietary fiber, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of cakes increased, while their moisture and protein values decreased. Increasing terebinth addition ratio in cake samples caused a significant reduction in the cake volume, volume index and symmetry index values and an increase in baking loss. Terebinth addition caused a decrease in the L* and b* values of the cakes and their textural characteristic values. As a result of the sensory analyses, in terms of overall acceptability, cake containing 50% roasted terebinth paste received the most likes, while the control sample received the least.
Background:
Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder that is caused by high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in blood. Using of plants for the treatment of various ailments is a traditional practice in developing countries. The main objective of the study is to analyse the nutritional composition of Pistacia khinjuk and to assess its anti-hyperlipidemic activity.
Materials and methods:
In the present study, the ethanolic extract of Pistacia khinjuk leaves was evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity. 40 adult albino rats were divided into five groups. Hyperlipidemia was induced using high fat diet for 60days. Pistacia khinjuk extract of 150mg/kg body weight and 300mg/kg of body weight was administered to the rats for 28days. Proximate analysis of Pistacia khinjuk was also performed.
Results:
Proximate analysis of Pistacia khinjuk leaves showed 6.8% ash content, 12.8% crude fiber and only 6.85% fat content. Findings of present study revealed that both doses of Pistacia khinjuk extract improved the serum lipid profile in albino rats by reducing total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein, and increasing high density lipoprotein levels in Pistacia khinjuk treated groups. Body weight findings showed significant increase in body weight of all groups from zero day to 60th day. But before sacrifice, there was a decrease in hyperlipidemic and high dose Pistacia khinjuk while increase in control and low dose Pistacia khinjuk group respectively.
Conclusion:
From the results of the present study, it is concluded that Pistacia khinjuk extract has curative effect against hyperlipidemia.
Dietary saturated fats are implicated as a major risk factor in hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease. Palm oil is a major source of the world's supply of oils and fats, but because of its relatively high content of saturated fatty acids (principally palmitic acid), its consumption has come under intense scrutiny over the last decade owing to potential health implications. Based on studies carried out more than thirty years ago, the hypothesis was developed that lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid were the three principal cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acids. Since palmitic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in the diet, the cholesterol-raising effect of all saturated fatty acids was accordingly assigned to it. However, recent studies from both humans and experimental animals suggest that not all saturated fatty acids are cholesterol-raising. When all dietary fatty acids are equalized, with the exception of the two being tested, palmitic acid appears to have no impact on the plasma cholesterol in normocholesterolaemic subjects when dietary cholesterol intake is below a certain critical level (400 mg per day). Only when cholesterol consumption exceeds this level, or when hypercholesterolaemic subjects are studied, does palmitic acid appear to increase the plasma cholesterol. These differential effects of palmitic acid on plasma cholesterol are thought to reflect differences in LDL-receptor status. Collectively these data imply that, for most of the world's population, palm oil would be an inexpensive and readily metabolized source of dietary energy with minimal impact on cholesterol metabolism.
The ability of a natural product Monascus purpureus (red yeast) rice (cholestin3™) preparation to regulate serum lipids was assessed in a multicenter, single-masked clinical trial. A total of 446 patients with hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to two groups: a group of 324 patients received a M purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation, and a positive control group of 122 patients received another Chinese herbal medicine, Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphylla). After 8 weeks, serum total cholesterol decreased significantly by 22.7% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 30.9% in the patients treated with a M purpureus rice preparation, and patients in the positive control group showed 7.0% and 8.3% reductions, respectively. M purpureus treatment also significantly increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 19.9%, which was a significantly larger increase than the 8.4% increase observed in the positive control group. Notably M purpureus rice preparation significantly lowered serum triglycerides by 34.1% after 8 weeks, which was a significantly greater decrease than the reduction of 12.8% observed in the positive control group. When the overall therapeutic effects of M purpureus rice were scored, with one or more lipid risk factors being reduced and HDL cholesterol being increased, according to criteria established by the Ministry of Public Health of China, 93.2% of patients in the treatment group benefited from M purpureus. This total efficacy rate was significantly better than the rate of 50.8% in the positive control group. Therefore, use of M purpureus rice preparation in conjunction with a proper diet produced a favorable lipid-lowering effect in hyperlipidemic patients. The patients experienced a few mild side effects (heartburn, flatulence, and dizziness) during the 8-week treatment with M purpureus rice preparation. We concluded that this traditional Chinese rice preparation used as a dietary supplement is extremely effective and well tolerated in reducing elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides.
We have conducted a study to compare the effects of aspirin and garlic powder supplementation on some clotting parameters in rabbits receiving a cholesterol-rich diet. The plasma cholesterol level of the animals given aspirin did not differ from those fed the cholesterol-rich diet alone, whereas plasma cholesterol in the group given garlic powder was significantly lower than in the groups given the cholesterol-rich diet alone (P < 0.05). The bleeding, clotting and thrombin times of rabbits fed the diet with 1% cholesterol powder declined significantly (P < 0.05) as compared with control rabbits. The fibrinolytic activity and platelet count in the rabbits fed cholesterol did not differ from those of the controls. The bleeding, clotting and thrombin times and fibrinolytic activity in the groups supplemented with aspirin and garlic powder were significantly higher than in the group fed the cholesterol-rich diet alone (P < 0.05). In conclusion, garlic powder supplementation to the cholesterol-rich diet seemed more advantageous than aspirin because it had beneficial effects on both blood clotting and plasma cholesterol level.
Several cardiovascular risk factors including, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension, lead to diseased blood vessels due to endothelial cell dysfunction. Recent studies also indicate that such alterations in blood vessel function may involve free radical related mechanism(s). Therefore, in the present study, two different preparations of palm oils with variable antioxidant profiles, as well as a purified antioxidant fraction extracted from unprocessed palm oil (tocotrienol-rich-factor; TRF), were tested for their ability to influence blood vessel dysfunction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Adult SHRs were fed a synthetic diet supplemented (5% w/w) with either physically refined palm oil (PO), golden palm cooking oil (Nutrolein; GPO) or olive oil (OO; control diet). Antioxidant rich diet (TRF diet) was prepared by supplementing the OO diet with 0.2% (w/w) TRF. After 12 weeks of pre-feeding, segments of thoracic aorta were used to evaluate vascular function. Compared to the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats, aortic rings from the SHR showed impaired endothelium dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) which was restored by dietary TRF (p<0.05, ANOVA and Tukey's test). In addition, the paradoxical increase in tension in control hypertensive vessels observed at higher doses of ACh was prevented by TRF and also by the PO and GPO diets. Although the development of thromboxane-like constrictor response, after the inhibition of nitric oxide in hypertensive vessels, was unaffected by test diets, both TRF and GPO feeding prevented the amplification of this unwanted constriction by a threshold dose (7.2×10-10 M) of noradrenaline. Results suggest a modulatory role for minor constituents of edible oils and are in agreement with the recently reported benefits of natural antioxidants against cardiovascular diseases.
Effect of ethanolic extract (50% v/v) of Plumbago zeylanica (root) alone and combined with vitamin E (an antioxidant) was studied in experimentally induced hyperlipidaemic rabbits. There was significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Marked reduction was observed with the formulation of P. zeylanica and vitamin E. The total cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios were found significantly decreased (P < 0.05). P. zeylanica showed good margin of safety as determined by acute toxicity studies in albino rats and albino rabbits, as well as by the absence of adverse effects on haematological and biochemical parameters in albino rabbit upto 60 days of administration.
Several cardiovascular risk factors including, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension, lead to diseased blood vessels due to endothelial cell dysfunction. Recent studies also indicate that such alterations in blood vessel function may involve free radical related mechanism(s). Therefore, in the present study, two different preparations of palm oils with variable antioxidant profiles, as well as a purified antioxidant fraction extracted from unprocessed palm oil (tocotrienol-rich-factor; TRF), were tested for their ability to influence blood vessel dysfunction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Adult SHRs were fed a synthetic diet supplemented (5% w/w) with either physically refined palm oil (PO), golden palm cooking oil (Nutrolein; GPO) or olive oil (OO; control diet). Antioxidant rich diet (TRF diet) was prepared by supplementing the OO diet with 0.2% (w/w) TRF. After 12 weeks of pre-feeding, segments of thoracic aorta were used to evaluate vascular function. Compared to the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats, aortic rings from the SHR showed impaired endothelium dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) which was restored by dietary TRF (p<0.05, ANOVA and Tukey's test). In addition, the paradoxical increase in tension in control hypertensive vessels observed at higher doses of ACh was prevented by TRF and also by the PO and GPO diets. Although the development of thromboxane-like constrictor response, after the inhibition of nitric oxide in hypertensive vessels, was unaffected by test diets, both TRF and GPO feeding prevented the amplification of this unwanted constriction by a threshold dose (7.2x10-10 M) of noradrenaline. Results suggest a modulatory role for minor constituents of edible oils and are in agreement with the recently reported benefits of natural antioxidants against cardiovascular diseases.
Kombucha is a refreshing beverage obtained by the fermentation of sugared tea with a symbiotic culture of acetic bacteria and fungi, consumed for its beneficial effects on human health. Research conducted in Russia at the beginning of the century and testimony indicate that Kombucha can improve resistance against cancer, prevent cardiovascular diseases, promote digestive functions, stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammatory problems, and can have many other benefits. In this paper, we report on studies that shed more light on the properties of some constituents of Kombucha. The intensive research about the effects of tea on health provide a good starting point and are summarized to get a better understanding of the complex mechanisms that could be implicated in the physiological activity of both beverages.
At low levels of dietary cholesterol intake (500 mg/day), the plasma cholesterol response is no longer described accurately by dietary 14:0 and 18:2 alone. In such situations 16:0 appears to contribute to plasma cholesterol elevation. The hypercholesterolemic potential of 16:0, possibly reflecting a synergism between dietary cholesterol and 16:0, is thought to reside, in part, in the ability of 16:0 to increase the transport of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) apoB. Increased production of VLDL, coupled with impaired LDL receptor activity, results in an expansion of the LDL pool when the ability to clear VLDL remnants is impaired. Evidence is also available to suggest that the position of saturated fatty acids on the TG molecule affects its hypercholesterolemic ability. An argument is made for selecting animal models for investigation of the fat saturation effect based initially on the total plasma cholesterol (TC) response, with subsequent emphasis being placed on lipoproteins and the actual control mechanism(s) once the generic similarity in the TC response with that in humans has been established.