Article

The effect of modified citrus pectin on urinary excretion of toxic elements

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Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the urinary excretion of toxic elements in healthy individuals. MCP is a reduced molecular weight pectin (weight-average molar mass = 15,400) that is mostly linear homogalacturonan with a 3.8% degree of esterification and approximately 10% rhamnogalacturonan II based on the presence of 2-keto-3-deoxy-octonic acid. Subjects ingested 15 g of MCP (PectaSol, EcoNugenics Inc., Santa Rosa, California 95407) each day for 5 days and 20 g on day 6. Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected on day 1 and day 6 for comparison with baseline. The urine samples were analysed for toxic and essential elements. In the first 24 h of MCP administration the urinary excretion of arsenic increased significantly (130%, p < 0.05). On day 6, urinary excretion was increased significantly for cadmium (150%, p < 0.05). In addition, lead showed a dramatic increase in excretion (560%, p < 0.08). This pilot trial provides the first evidence that oral administration of MCP increases significantly the urinary excretion of toxic metals in subjects with a 'normal' body load of metals. It is suggested that systemic chelation of toxic metals by MCP may in part be attributable to the presence of rhamnogalacturonan II, which has been shown previously to chelate metals.

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... Significantly, cadmium urinary excretion has been shown to increase following oral administration of MCP in a small clinical trial of healthy humans (Eliaz et al., 2006). The present study assesses the ability of MCP to ameliorate or counter the toxic effects of CdCl 2 on conserved cancer-related pathways in C. elegans. ...
... The MCP chelating effects on CdCl 2 may have also played a role on the attenuation effects observed in this study (Eliaz et al., 2006;Z. Y. Zhao et al., 2008). ...
... Y. Zhao et al., 2008). MCP is known to increase the excretion of cadmium in adult humans by 150 % after 6 days of oral administration and the secretion of other toxic metals (Eliaz et al., 2006). The effects shown in our study might be due to the MCP + CdCl 2 -treated worms being exposed to less Cd 2+ from the chelation by MCP. ...
... Pectin rich in galacturonic acid (GalA) are effective at chelating heavy metals (13). Pectin's ability to chelate metals in the digestive system and inhibit absorption while aiding their removal in the faces, toxic metal absorption and bioaccumulation were reduced with its administration (14). Oral administration of pectin resulted in decrease lead absorption (15). ...
... Lead can bind to essential minerals in the body, producing a variety of physiological problems in addition to affecting protein production and inhibiting hemoglobin formation (37). The protective effect of pectin as demonstrated in the current study was consistent with previous findings (18) which recorded the pectin's ability to chelate metals in the digestive system and inhibit absorption while aiding their removal in the faces (14). RBCs, Hb, PCV %, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were all lower in microcytic hypochromic anemia (39). ...
... This could explains the increased iron release from reticuloendothelial cells and Hepcidin participation in anemic conditions is revealed by increased iron absorption in these settings and iron transfer from endosomes to the cytoplasm has also been found to be inhibited by lead. Subgroup 3B showed significant elevation in hepcidin expression gene (P ≤ 0.05) which attributed to Pectin's ability that chelate metals in the digestive system and inhibit absorption while aiding their removal in the faces (14). In present study, subgroup 3A showed that, serum ferritin (iron store) and iron levels decreased significantly, in despite of increment of TIBC levels compared to the control. ...
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Publications concerning the protective effect of pectin against lead induced toxicity in rats are not available. In order to study such effect, 40 male rats were divided into 3 groups. The first group was contained 10 rats that kept as control group. The second group was contained 10 rats that received pectin at dose of 100 mg/kg BW during experimental period (8 weeks). The third group was contained 20 rats that received 400mg/kg BW of lead acetate daily for 4 weeks then divided into two subgroups (3A and 3B). Subgroup 3A contained 10 rats that still receive lead acetate in the same dosage whereas, subgroup B co-treated with lead acetate and pectin daily for another 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected after 2, 4 and 8 weeks from the start of the experiment. Liver, kidney and bone marrows were collected only at the end of the experiment. Lead acetate induced anemia only after 4 weeks of administration as reflected on decreased values of Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC. These indices remained at lower levels in lead acetate treated groups until the end of the experiment. Concentrations of serum ferritin, iron, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the expression of hepatic hepcidin gene were decreased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated rats compared to control. Activities of ALT and AST and concentrations of urea, creatinine, Nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-6, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and lead were increased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated group compared to control. Hepatic degeneration and hemorrhage, renal lytic necrosis and apoptosis of myeloid cells were most prominent changes in lead intoxicated rats. Lead acetated related changes were improved by co-treatment with pectin however; normal control values have not been achieved. Conclusively, pectin is recommended to protect against lead acetate toxicity in rats. Key words: lead acetate; toxicity; pectin; hepcidin; oxidative stress biomarkers; histopathology
... The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Services pectin scientists attributed 10% rhamnogalacturonan II content found in the MCP to the selective binding to toxic metals. 9 The toxin-binding properties of polyuronides are also dependent on their degree of esterification and the type and pattern of the molecules that comprise the pectin or alginate chains. The highest binding affinities are found in pectin with a low degree of esterification and alginates that are rich in guluronic acid blocks. ...
... The urinary excretion of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead significantly increased within 1 and 6 days of MCP treatment. 9 The urinary excretion of essential elements such as zinc, calcium, and magnesium, was not affected in concordance with the higher binding affinity that pectin has for toxic metals over essential minerals. 9 A non-controlled clinical study in children (ages 5-12) hospitalized for lead toxicity demonstrated that oral administration of MCP resulted in dramatic increase in 24-hour urine lead levels at day 14 and day 21 with no adverse effects reported. ...
... 9 The urinary excretion of essential elements such as zinc, calcium, and magnesium, was not affected in concordance with the higher binding affinity that pectin has for toxic metals over essential minerals. 9 A non-controlled clinical study in children (ages 5-12) hospitalized for lead toxicity demonstrated that oral administration of MCP resulted in dramatic increase in 24-hour urine lead levels at day 14 and day 21 with no adverse effects reported. 11 This study is not without a caveat of being a non-controlled study and the children are hospitalized outside their normal environment, so the conclusions must be considered in this regard. ...
Article
Context: Uranium is found in geological deposits around the world. Toxicology of uranium includes nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, diminished bone growth, and developmental defects. Mining and agricultural practices have escalated the regional exposure. Objective: A family of six living in the Phoenix, AZ area had concerns about uranium exposure. For intervention, a dietary supplement of modified citrus pectin: sodium alginate (2:1) was recommended based on research supporting abilities to lower heavy metal toxicity. Methods: Baseline urine and fecal samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The supplement was self-administered at 3 capsules (750 mg/capsule) twice daily. Samples were taken at baseline, 6-days, and 6-weeks, additional fecal samples before stopping supplement and then after a 6-week washout period. Home water system was tested as well for heavy metals. Results: Urine showed no detectable uranium whereas feces had significant change at 6-days, which persisted at 6-weeks. After a post-treatment period of 6-weeks, a decrease in excretion was seen in 5 of the 6 subjects. Home water showed cautionary levels of uranium. Conclusion: The supplement promoted fecal excretion of what is likely ongoing low-level exposure via ingestion. This is the first report of a supplement promoting uranium excretion suggesting it may reduce negative health effects in regions where chronic uranium exposure is known.
... Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a treated form of citrus pectin [11] that has a low molecular weight [12]. MCP fragments are rich in galactans that, theoretically, are absorbed in the small intestine [11][12][13][14][15]. Courts suggested that the short chain galactan and arabinogalactan can be absorbed via the paracellular pores in the small intestine following oral consumption of MCP [16]. ...
... Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a treated form of citrus pectin [11] that has a low molecular weight [12]. MCP fragments are rich in galactans that, theoretically, are absorbed in the small intestine [11][12][13][14][15]. Courts suggested that the short chain galactan and arabinogalactan can be absorbed via the paracellular pores in the small intestine following oral consumption of MCP [16]. ...
... Pectasol-C, a form of MCP, is prepared by enzymatic treatment and has a molecular weight between 5 and 10 kD. Pectasol-C is marketed as a natural health supplement and several studies report its ability to inhibit cancer progression, inflammation and fibrosis [12]. Different studies investigated the immunomodulatory effect of different forms of pectin [18]. ...
Article
Pectin is present in the cell wall of different vegetables and fruits. Beside its importance in the plant cell wall, pectin has enticed great attention for its beneficial effects on human health. It was shown to decrease cholesterol levels, to possess anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. The immunomodulatory activity of pectin and its mechanism of action is recently being investigated. In this study, the differential immunomodulatory activities of both CP (citrus pectin) and MCP (modified citrus pectin) were investigated. Females BALB/c mice (20-25 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups and different concentrations of CP and MCP (0%, 1.5%, 3% and 5%) were added to their drinking water for 21 days. Then, the splenic level of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α were evaluated using ELISA. Both CP and MCP exhibited immunomodulatory activities by increasing the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α levels. This tendency seems to be regulated by the up-regulation of IL-4 levels but with no major effect on those of IL-10. Therefore, CP and especially MCP have potential immunomodulatory effects which might be highly beneficial in immunotherapy.
... Modified citrus pectin has been found to significantly increase urinary lead excretion in adults [13] and is especially recommended for children as a safe and harmless chelator [14]. The main therapeutic effect of pectin is associated with the peculiarities of its chemical structure. ...
... To carry out enzymatic extraction, the Pectinase from Aspergillus niger enzyme preparation in an amount of 2 % was used. The total pectin content in the pumpkin pomace extract ranged from 0.85 to 1.05 %, soluble solids 13 Based on the results, it can be concluded that the safe storage period for pectin-containing concentrates of Karina pumpkin extracts at a temperature of 25 °C is 7 months, at 8 °C -10 months and more. The research results meet the standard requirements for these products. ...
Article
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The problem of removing heavy and radioactive metals from the human body is relevant all over the world. Recent research has shown that it is more effective to use substances contained in natural food products, including pectin. Pectin has a favorable effect not only under acute exposure to metals, but also with their prolonged entry into the body, which is typical for an environmental load of residents of industrial regions and modern megalopolis. The use of pectin substances as natural detoxicants requires research to preserve these substances in products and further use. Therefore, an important condition for using pectin concentrates is to determine the shelf life for safe consumption. Based on this, studies were conducted to determine optimal storage parameters and terms for pumpkin concentrate. The sequence and parameters of pectin concentrate production from Karina pumpkin pomace are justified. As a result of the study, it was found that during storage of pectin concentrate from Karina pumpkin pomace at a temperature of 8 °C for 10 months, the pectin content in the concentrate decreased by 0–12. 45 %, at 25 °C – by 0–63 %, compared to the control sample. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the safe storage period of pectin-containing concentrates from Karina pumpkin extracts at a temperature of 25 °C is 7 months, at 8 °C – 10 months. As a result of mathematical processing of experimental data, equations for the relationship of pectin amount with storage temperature, pH and time are obtained.
... On the one hand, the binding of essential minerals such as Fe 2+ and Zn 2+ is hypothesized to reduce their bioaccessibility, as the bound ions may not be released during digestion, and are thus not available for absorption in the small intestine (Raes, Knockaert, Struijs, & Van Camp, 2014). On the other hand, pectin is widely used for complexing toxic minerals such as Pb 2+ or Cd 2+ leading to their urinary excretion from the human body, when it is fermented in the colon (Eliaz, Hotchkiss, Fishman, & Rode, 2006). Based on its potential fermentation in the colon, pectin has also been proposed to be suitable as a colon-specific drug-delivery vehicle (Wicker et al., 2014). ...
... Role of pectin in excretion of toxic minerals. Despite the impaired mineral bioaccessibility as a consequence of pectin-cation interactions in the gastro-intestinal tract, the divalent cationbinding capacity of pectin can be beneficial as it is used for urinary excretion of toxic minerals such as lead, cadmium, strontium, or arsenic (Braudo et al., 1996;Eliaz et al., 2006;Zhao et al., 2008). In this type of application, modified citrus pectin with shorterchain molecules is commonly used, as it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream (Zhao et al., 2008). ...
Article
Pectin is an anionic cell wall polysaccharide which is known to interact with divalent cations via its nonmethylesterified galacturonic acid units. Due to its cation‐binding capacity, extracted pectin is frequently used for several purposes, such as a gelling agent in food products or as a biosorbent to remove toxic metals from waste water. Pectin can, however, possess a large variability in molecular structure, which influences its cation‐binding capacity. Besides the pectin structure, several extrinsic factors, such as cation type or pH, have been shown to define the cation binding of pectin. This review paper focuses on the research progress in the field of pectin‐divalent cation interactions and associated functional properties. In addition, it addresses the main research gaps and challenges in order to clearly understand the influence of pectin structural properties on its divalent cation‐binding capacity and associated functionalities. This review reveals that many factors, including pectin molecular structure and extrinsic factors, influence pectin–cation interactions and its associated functionalities, which makes it difficult to predict the pectin–cation‐binding capacity. Despite the limited information available, determination of the cation‐binding capacity of pectins with distinct structural properties using equilibrium adsorption experiments or isothermal titration calorimetry is a promising tool to gain fundamental insights into pectin–cation interactions. These insights can then be used in targeted pectin structural modification, in order to optimize the cation‐binding capacity and to promote pectin–cation interactions, for instance for a structure build‐up in food products without compromising the mineral nutrition value.
... The combination of PectoSol-C and alginates was also shown to significantly decrease the urinary excretion of arsenic, lead, and cadmium in healthy individuals [11]. In children aged 5 to 12, a substantial decrease in blood lead levels was found, as well as an increase in lead excreted through their urine. ...
... As expected,dithiol DMSA was more active than thiol NAC. There have been a large number of studies supporting the usage of pectin for heavy metal detoxification [10][11][12]. 1mg of PectoSol (Figure 4a & 4b) removed approximately 50 % of 2µg Hg (II) from the solution. In comparison, Bio char ( Figure 5) was more potent at lower concentrations. ...
... The effects of modified pectins on the excretion of toxic metals in humans have been studied. Eliaz et al. [159] evaluated the oral administration of pectins with low degree of esterification (3.8%) and low molecular weight in humans with normal levels of metals, obtaining promising results increasing significantly the urinary excretion of toxic metal after six days of administration. These authors infer that the presence of rhamnoglactoturonan II rich in free carboxyl groups in pectin contribute to the chelation of metals. ...
... Entrapment of toxic metals in the call "egg box" structure formed by pectate or alginate. The positively charged metals are bound to the fiber chains and eliminated from the body[159]. ...
Article
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Pectins are plant cell wall natural heteropolysaccharides composed mainly of α-1-4 d-galacturonic acid units, which may or may not be methyl esterified, possesses neutral sugars branching that harbor functional moieties. Physicochemical features as pH, temperature, ions concentration, and cosolute presence, affect directly the extraction yield and gelling capacity of pectins. The chemical and structural features of this polysaccharide enables its interaction with a wide range of molecules, a property that scientists profit from to form new composite matrices for target/controlled delivery of therapeutic molecules, genes or cells. Considered a prebiotic dietary fiber, pectins meetmany regulations easily, regarding health applications within the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material and as an agent for the prevention of cancer. Thus, this review lists many emergent pectin-based composite materials which will probably palliate the impact of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, aid to forestall actual epidemics, expand the ken of food additives and food products design.
... Like gums and mucilages, pectin are substances that are soluble in water and are easily fermentable in the large intestine [68]. Pectin has the ability to bind metals in the digestive tract, limiting their absorption from light, thus removing heavy metals from the body in urine, reducing the absorption of lead into the blood and lowering the level of strontium in bones and blood, which may be of great importance in people living in industrial or post-industrial areas [109,110]. ...
... Different polysaccharidic samples, either isolated or in food products, have been reported to have positive effects in human health. Slower glucose absorption and insulin secretion, chelating power of heavy metals and other toxic compounds, cholesterol and (secundairy) bill acids carry over to excretion, dysbiosis reversion and healthymicrobiota proliferation, anticancer and antioxidant effects, are only a part of what has been studied regarding the biological activities of those macromolecules (Chandel et al., 2022;Cui et al., 2022;Eliaz et al., 2006;Ren et al., 2023). However, all of those can be somehow linked to a similar background: reducing or preventing inflammation. ...
Article
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Reducing inflammation by diet is a major goal for prevention or lowering symptoms of a variety of diseases, such as auto-immune reactions and cancers. Natural polysaccharides are increasingly gaining attention due to their potential immunomodulating capacity. Structures of those molecules are highly important for their effects on the innate immune system, cytokine production and secretion, and enzymes in immune cells. Such polysaccharides include β-glucans, pectins, fucoidans, and fructans. To better understand the potential of these immunomodulatory molecules, it is crucial to enhance dedicated research in the area. A bibliometric analysis was performed to set a starting observation point. Major pillars of inflammation, such as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), enzymatic production of inflammatory molecules, and involvement in specific pathways such as Nuclear-factor kappa-B (NF-kB), involved in cell transcription, survival, and cytokine production, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a regulator of genetic expression, mitosis, and cell differentiation. Therefore, the outcomes from polysaccharide applications in those scenarios are discussed.
... The administration of modified citrus pectin showed a significant (130%) increase in the urinary excretion of As [115]. Polyphenol-rich apple (Malus domestica) peel extract attenuates arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in h9c2 cells via its antioxidant activity [116]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) compounds leads to its accumulation in the body, with skin lesions and cancer being the most typical outcomes. Treating As-induced diseases continues to be challenging as there is no specific, safe, and efficacious therapeutic management. Therapeutic and preventive measures available to combat As toxicity refer to chelation therapy, antioxidant therapy, and the intake of natural dietary compounds. Although chelation therapy is the most commonly used method for detoxifying As, it has several side effects resulting in various toxicities such as hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and other adverse consequences. Drugs of plant origin and natural dietary compounds show efficient and progressive relief from As-mediated toxicity without any particular side effects. These natural compounds have also been found to aid the elimination of As from the body and, therefore, can be more effective than conventional therapeutic agents in ameliorating As toxicity. This review provides an overview of the recently updated knowledge on treating As poisoning through natural dietary compounds. This updated information may serve as a basis for defining novel prophylactic and therapeutic formulations.
... This specific MCP has been characterized in an earlier in vitro study by one of the same authors as having a smaller size than 15 kDa, under 5% DE, and a content of approximately 10% RG-II. According to the authors of the study, modification is believed to enable preferential transport of short-chain galactans and AG from the small intestinal epithelium into the circulation [98][99][100][101]. ...
Article
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Pectin, a plant-derived polysaccharide, possesses immense technological and biological application value. Several variables influence pectin's physicochemical aspects, resulting in different fermentations, interactions with receptors, and other functional properties. Some of those variables are molecular weight, degree of methylation and blockiness, and monosaccharide composition. Cancer cell cytotoxicity, important fermentation-related byproducts, immunomodulation, and technological application were found in cell culture, animal models, and preclinical and clinical assessments. One of the greater extents of recent pectin technological usage involves nanoencapsulation methods for many different compounds, ranging from chemotherapy and immunotherapy to natural extracts from fruits and other sources. Structural modification (modified pectin) is also utilized to enhance the use of dietary fiber. Although pectin is already recognized as a component of significant importance, there is still a need for a comprehensive review that delves into its intricate relationships with biological effects, which depend on the source and structure of pectin. This review covers all levels of clinical research, including cell culture, animal studies, and clinical trials, to understand how the plant source and pectin structures influence the biological effects in humans and some technological applications of pectin regarding human health.
... La pectina extraída de la piel de cítricos y de la pulpa de manzana se utiliza principalmente como agente gelificante y, en segundo lugar, como agente espesante, mientras que la pulpa de remolacha azucarera se utiliza para la emulsificación de aceite en agua en diferentes formulaciones alimentarias y no alimentarias (Yapo et al., 2007b). Más recientemente, se ha informado que la pectina cítrica modificada (PCM), forma de pectina cítrica de bajo peso molecular que ha sido modificada estructuralmente a un peso molecular específico, posee propiedades beneficiosas para la salud, especialmente propiedades anti-metastásicas (Eliaz y Fritz, 2012;Eliaz et al., 2006), aunque las características estructurales de estas macromoléculas bioactivas siguen siendo muy controvertidas (Glinsky y Raz, 2009). ...
Book
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Las sustancias pécticas son el tipo de heteropolisacáridos, de origen exclusivamente vegetal, estructuralmente más complejo de la naturaleza. Están constituidas por una mezcla de polímeros ácidos y neutros muy ramificados. Constituyen el principal componente de la lámina media de la pared celular y representan el 30 % del peso seco de la pared celular primaria de células vegetales. Con el presente trabajo, titulado Química y aplicaciones de las sustancias y enzimas pécticas, los autores, profesores del área de Química Agrícola de la Universidad de Murcia, realizan una revisión de la situación actual de estos compuestos en lo referente a su estructura, química y aplicaciones alimentarias y farmacéuticas, que pretende aportar, tanto a docentes como a estudiantes, los últimos conocimientos adquiridos. El trabajo se estructura en tres partes diferenciadas relativas a las sustancias pécticas, enzimas pécticas y a sus aplicaciones industriales. La primera parte está destinada a conocer la estructura de las pectinas y de los componentes que la integran. Se expone la ubicación en la célula vegetal, mostrando las posibles vías que conducen a su biosíntesis en el aparato de Golgi. Acaba el capítulo con una revisión de las principales propiedades de estas sustancias y de sus formas de degradación. La segunda parte del trabajo se centra en la descripción del conjunto de enzimas, las pectinasas, que participan en la degradación de las sustancias pécticas, tanto en el desarrollo de la planta como en sus aplicaciones industriales. Se tratan así los enzimas desesterificantes y los depolimerizantes que hacen que las pectinas evolucionen en la planta, principalmente en los frutos, contribuyendo al mantenimiento de su textura. Finalmente, la tercera parte está dedicada a exponer los principales campos de la industria que utilizan las pectinas. Se tratan las materias primas usadas y la obtención industrial. En la industria alimentaria, la pectina, es un producto que se caracteriza por ser soluble en agua. Es empleada como agente gelificante, estabilizante, espesante o emulgente en la elaboración de mermeladas, jaleas y confituras, frutas en conserva, productos de panadería y pastelería, bebidas y otros alimentos, porque les confiere las características, deseadas por el fabricante y el consumidor. En el apartado farmaceútico, las pectinas tienen efecto positivo como inmuno-regulador del sistema digestivo y para la prevención del cáncer, sobre todo colorrectal; bloquean la adherencia de microorganismos patogénicos en la mucosa estomacal; han sido empleadas en la síntesis de biopelículas, adhesivos, sustitutos de papel y productos médicos para implantes o transportadores de fármacos; contribuyen a la disminución del colesterol y de los niveles de glucosa sanguínea; disminuyen la tasa de absorción de glucosa en el suero de pacientes obesos y diabéticos; y también se utilizan como substitutivo de grasas o azúcares en productos bajos en calorías.
... However, there has been a number of tried-and-true strategies proposed to account for this particular kind of binding [4]. Several studies have hypothesized that pectin may be used in anti-constipation and anti-diarrhea preparations because of its superior moisturizing properties compared to other types of fiber [5]. ...
Article
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Pectin is an acidic heteropolysaccharide found in the cell walls and the primary and middle lamella of land plants. To be authorized as a food additive, industrial pectins must meet strict guidelines set forth by the Food and Agricultural Organization and must contain at least 65% polygalacturonic acid to achieve the E440 level. Fruit pectin derived from oranges or apples is commonly used in the food industry to gel or thicken foods and to stabilize acid‐based milk beverages. It is a naturally occurring component and can be ingested by dietary consumption of fruit and vegetables. Preventing long‐term chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease is an important role of dietary carbohydrates. Colon and breast cancer are among the diseases for which data suggest that modified pectin (MP), specifically modified citrus pectin (MCP), has beneficial effects on the development and spread of malignancies, in addition to its benefits as a soluble dietary fiber. Cellular and animal studies and human clinical trials have provided corroborating data. Although pectin has many diverse functional qualities, this review focuses on various modifications used to develop MP and its benefits for cancer prevention, bioavailability, clinical trials, and toxicity studies. This review concludes that pectin has anti-cancer characteristics that have been found to inhibit tumor development and proliferation in a wide variety of cancer cells. Nevertheless, further clinical and basic research is required to confirm the chemopreventive or therapeutic role of specific dietary carbohydrate molecules.
... Finally, dietary fiber increases the synthesis of vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆, PP, folic acid by intestinal bacteria. The physiological need for dietary fiber for an adult is 20 g/day, for children over 3 years old 10 -20 g/day [5], [6]. ...
Article
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Currently, the main task of food manufacturers is to continuously improve quality while complying with legal regulations primarily related to ensuring product safety for consumers. In this regard, using pectin substances as natural detoxifiers and wholemeal flour in the production of hardtacks will solve the problem of meeting the population's needs for safe food products with high nutritional and biological value. The article substantiates the sequence and parameters of technological operations for producing pectin concentrate from ‘Ardan’ sugar beet. The effectiveness of the use of beet pectin concentrate and whole-ground corn flour in the production of hardtacks has been substantiated experimentally based on a study of their qualitative characteristics, chemical composition and safety. The optimal dosage of pectin concentrate was determined at 10% and whole-ground corn flour at 15% in the production of hardtacks from first-grade wheat flour, where the properties of the gluten and the quality of finished products were similar to the control samples. The use of ‘Ardan’ sugar beet pectin concentrate made it possible to alter the dough's properties to increase its firmness and elasticity. It was found that the food and biological value of the developed hardtacks was higher than that of the control samples. The products obtained complied with the safety requirements of TR CU 021/2011 Technical Regulations of the Customs Union ‘On Food Safety’.
... The administration of modified citrus pectin showed a significant (130%) increase in the urinary excretion of As [115]. Polyphenol-rich apple (Malus domestica) peel extract attenuates arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in h9c2 cells via its antioxidant activity [116]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) compounds leads to its accumulation in the body, with skin lesions and cancer being the most typical outcomes. Treating As-induced diseases continues to be challenging as there is no specific, safe, and efficacious therapeutic management. Therapeutic and preventive measures available to combat As toxicity refer to chelation therapy, antioxidant therapy, and the intake of natural dietary compounds. Although chelation therapy is the most commonly used method for detoxifying As, it has several side effects resulting in various toxicities such as hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and other adverse consequences. Drugs of plant origin and natural dietary compounds show efficient and progressive relief from As-mediated toxicity without any particular side effects. These natural compounds have also been found to aid the elimination of As from the body and, therefore, can be more effective than conventional therapeutic agents in ameliorating As toxicity. This review provides an overview of the recently updated knowledge on treating As poisoning through natural dietary compounds. This updated information may serve as a basis for defining novel prophylactic and therapeutic formulations.
... Being degraded by pectinase enzymes present in the colon, pectin is used for colon drug delivery [3]. In addition, due to the metal binding capacity, pectin is largely used as biosorbent for waste waters treatment [4] or for the excretion of toxic metal ions from the human body [5]. ...
Article
Calcium-pectin beads are largely used for biomedical applications, however, the main drawback is their rapid disintegration in the presence of chelating and non-chelating ions from body fluids. Therefore, the principal goal of this work is to produce stable pectin beads by successive ionic and covalent cross-linking and to test their stability in simulated physiological conditions. For this purpose, native pectin was first de-esterified (DEP) to result a maximum amount of carboxylic groups, then a fraction of the DEP was oxidized with NaIO4 (OXP) to introduce aldehyde groups susceptible to covalent cross-linking. Finally, the de-methylated and de-methylated/oxidized pectin were mixed and transformed into beads by double cross-linking: ionic with calcium ions and covalent with adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH). The gelling properties, sphericity and shape as well as the morphology and the stability of the beads in different media were investigated. Finally, beads were tested for their capacity to encapsulate and release drug molecule. Therefore, microcapsules were loaded with FITC-dextran, a standard high molecular weight model drug molecule, with high encapsulation efficiency. A remarkable delay in FITC-dextran release was observed for DEP/OXP beads compared to DEP particles. The transport mechanism of solvent and FITC-dextran in/from the DEP/OXP beads was determined as a Fickian diffusion-driven. The viability tests proved that both simple and double cross-linked microcapsules are cytocompatible for the HEK-293 cells at pectin concentrations up to 5.5 mg/mL.
... Pectin's application has spread to water treatment where it is used as a biosorbent to remove heavy metals [47] and in urinary excretion of toxic minerals such as lead, cadmium, strontium, or arsenic [56][57][58]. In cosmetics, it is used as a plasticizer, texturizer and adhesive [59], and in biomedical applications, where it is used as a biomaterial ink to fabricate patient-specific scaffolds when cross-linked with 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) [60]. ...
Chapter
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Pectin, a natural ionic polysaccharide found in the cell wall of terrestrial plants undergoes chain–chain association to form hydrogels upon addition of divalent cations. Based on its degree of esterification, pectin has been classified into two main types. The high methoxyl pectin with a degree of esterification greater than 50%, which is mainly used for its thickening and gelling properties and the low methoxyl pectin, which is widely used for its low sugar-content in jams, both applications being in the food industry. Pectin is mostly derived from citrus fruit peels, but can also be found in other plants such as waterleaf leaves, cocoa husk, and potato pulps. Pectin has been used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations for various functions. This chapter will focus on the various applications to which pectin has been used in the pharmaceutical industry.
... Pectin administration was shown to increase the urinary excretion of toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium. However, the mechanism remains unknown as pectin is not soluble in the GI tract and does not adsorb in blood (Eliaz et al., 2006). Naturally occurring materials may be promising components for the development of adsorbents with detoxification properties. ...
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Chronic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid may cause a number of adverse effects and chronic conditions. Intestinal adsorbents based on natural materials are used to prevent or treat various intoxications. In this study, it was described detoxification and protective effect of composite pectin/montmorillonite intestinal adsorbents in rats receiving high doses of acetylsalicylic acid. 60 Wistar rats received 100 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid without or together with composite intestinal adsorbents based on montmorillonite and 5%, 10%, and 20% pectin. After 16 days of the experiment, blood samples were collected to measure blood biochemistry profiles, including levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol and liver enzymes. It was observed significant changes in blood biochemistry profile as well as in liver enzyme levels in rats receiving acetylsalicylic acid for 16 days. Concomitant administration of acetylsalicylic acid and composite intestinal adsorbents based on montmorillonite and 5%, 10%, and 20% pectin provided a protective effect as judged by recovery of blood biochemistry and liver enzyme profiles to control levels. The composite adsorbent with 20% pectin had maximum effect. Therefore, pectin/montmorillonite intestinal adsorbents can be used to decrease gastrointestinal irritation and adverse effects of drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid.
... LCP is rich in galactose, and it can be readily absorbed. It is absorbed by the small intestine [33][34][35][36][37]. LCP also counters the binding protein galectin-3 (Gal-3), thereby inhibiting cancer metastasis [38][39][40][41]. LCP has demonstrated antitumor properties in many experimental studies. ...
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Background Low-molecular citrus pectin (LCP) is a pectin polysaccharide with low molecular weight, low degree of crux, and no branching. It is obtained by degrading natural citrus pectin (CP) through physical, chemical and enzymatic methods. LCP has received considerable attention in recent years due to its potential applications in the medical and biological fields. Methods In our previous study, LCP was prepared from CP by using recombinant Bacillus subtilis pectate lyase B. Monosaccharide comparative analysis revealed that the galacturonic acid content of LCP was higher than that of CP. The cell viability effect of LCP was elucidated by using HepG2 cells and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and flow cytometer propidium iodide staining were performed to detect the effects of LCP on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was observed through 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine assay. Results & discussion The Mw of the prepared LCP was 7.6 kDa, which was significantly lower than that of CP (140 kDa). Cell viability decreased with the increase in the concentration of LCP. The half-inhibitory concentration of 1.46 ± 0.02 mg/mL was determined. Treatment with 1.6 mg/mL LCP induced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells with the inhibition rate of 83.10% ± 4.72%, and the cell cycle was arrested in the S phase. Furthermore, the MMP of HepG2 cells decreased with the increase in LCP concentration. Conclusion The enzymatically prepared LCP could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells. This study provided a partial experimental basis and reference for LCP to become a potential functional food for anti-liver cancer.
... It has been shown that modified citrus pectin, a linear polysaccharide with 10% rhamnogalacturonan II has improved the As removal through urination by chelation for the reduction of the As in the body (Eliaz et al. 2006). Mehrandish et al. (2019) also reported medicinal plants including Ginkgo biloba (gingko), Coriandrum sativum (cilantro), Allium sativum (garlic), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and Chlorophyta (green algae) containing phytochelatins, herbal fibers, triphala and other compounds, which chelates the metals and could be a suitable potent treatment method for heavy metal poisoning. ...
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Rapid industrial development is responsible for severe problems related to environmental pollution. Many human and industrial activities require different metals and, as a result, great amounts of metals/heavy metals are discharged into the water and soil making them dangerous for both human and ecosystems and this is being aggravated by intensive demand and utilization. In addition, compounds with metal binding capacities are needed to be used for several purposes including in activities related to the removal and/or recovery of metals from effluents and soils, as metals’ corrosion inhibitors, in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and as metal related pharmaceuticals, preferably a with minimum risks associated to the environment. Plants are able to synthesize an uncountable number of compounds with numerous functions, including compounds with metal binding capabilities. In fact, some of the plants’ secondary metabolites can bind to various metals through different mechanisms, as such they are excellent sources of such compounds due to their high availability and vast diversity. In addition, the use of plant-based compounds is desirable from an environmental and economical point of view, thus being potential candidates for utilization in different industrial activities, replacing conventional physiochemical methods. This review focuses on the ability of some classes of compounds that can be found in relatively high concentrations in plants, having good metal binding capacities and thus with potential utilization in metal based industrial activities and that can be involved in the progressive development of new environmentally friendly strategies.
... Also, pectins show the potential for water treatment as biopolymer-based nanomaterials (Nasrollahzadeh et al., 2021). To date, it has been confirmed that MCP could significantly promote the excretion of lead, arsenic, cadmium and uranium in clinical studies without any side effects (Eliaz et al., 2006;Eliaz et al., 2019). Moreover, pectins have found usage as an edible coating in the field of food preservation (Idrovo Encalada et al., 2020). ...
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Pectic substances, one of the cell wall polysaccharides, exist widespread in vegetables and fruits. A surge of recent research has revealed that pectic substances can inhibit gut inflammation and relieve inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. However, physiological functions of pectins are strongly structure dependent. Pectic substances are essentially heteropolysaccharides composed of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan backbones substituted by various neutral sugar sidechains. Subtle changes in the architecture of pectic substances may remarkably influence the nutritional function of gut microbiota and the host homeostasis of immune system. In this context, developing a structure–function understanding of how pectic substances have an impact on an inflammatory bowel is of primary importance for diet therapy and new drugs. Therefore, the present review has summarized the polycomponent nature of pectic substances, the activities of different pectic polymers, the effects of molecular characteristics and the underlying mechanisms of pectic substances. The immunomodulated property of pectic substances depends on not only the chemical composition but also the physical structure characteristics, such as molecular weight (Mw) and chain conformation. The potential mechanisms by which pectic substances exert their protective effects are mainly reversing the disordered gut microbiota, regulating immune cells, enhancing barrier function, and inhibiting pathogen adhesion. The manipulation of pectic substances on gut health is sophisticated, and the link between structural specificity of pectins and selective regulation needs further exploration.
... The effects of LCP on lipid metabolism in different models provide the possibility of its effect against the excessive lipid accumulation in NAFL. What is more, pilot trails showed no side effects of LCP in healthy volunteers [14], which helps to the further clinical application of LCP. ...
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Inhibition of lipid accumulation is the key step to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We aimed to study the effect of low-molecular-weight citrus pectin (LCP) against lipid accumulation and the underlying mechanism. Oleic acid (OA)-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells was applied to mimic in vitro model of lipid accumulation. Oil Red O (ORO) stain result showed lipid accumulation was significantly reduced, and levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), involved in triacylglycerol catabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation, detected by RT-qPCR were increased after OA-stimulated HepG2 cells treated with LCP. RNA sequencing analysis identified 740 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in OA-stimulated HepG2 cells treated with the LCP group (OA+LCP group), and bioinformatics analysis indicated that some DEGs were enriched in lipid metabolism-related processes and pathways. The expression of the top 8 known DEGs in the OA+LCP group was then verified by RT-qPCR, which showed that fold change (abs) of METTL7B was the highest among the 8 candidates. In addition, overexpression of METTL7B in HepG2 cells significantly inhibited the lipid accumulation and enhanced levels of ATGL and CPT-1. In conclusion, LCP inhibited lipid accumulation through the upregulation of METTL7B, and further enhancement of ATGL and CPT-1 levels. LCP is expected to develop as a promising agent to ameliorate fat accumulation in NAFL.
... Pectin is found in the cell wall of many citrus fruits [19]. While pectin is normally too large to work at the cellular level, PectaSol-C® was developed using a unique proprietary process which allows for the correct low molecular weight and structure necessary to chelate toxic metals [9,20]. ...
... To date, MCP has been used in four clinical studies of detoxification. Treatment with MCP increased urinary excretion of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in healthy volunteers, without side effects or depletion of essential elements [42]. In a case study of five patients, there was an average of 74% reduction in lead or mercury without side effects with the use of MCP alone or with a MCP/alginates combination [41]. ...
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Modified citrus pectin (MCP) has a low-molecular-weight degree of esterification to allow absorption from the small intestinal epithelium into the circulation. MCP produces pleiotropic effects, including but not limited to its antagonism of galectin-3, which have shown benefit in preclinical and clinical models. Regarding cancer, MCP modulates several rate-limiting steps of the metastatic cascade. MCP can also affect cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. Regarding fibrotic diseases, MCP modulates many of the steps involved in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis. MCP also reduces fibrosis to the kidney, liver, and adipose tissue. Other benefits of MCP include detoxification and improved immune function. This review summarizes the pleiotropic effects of MCP.
... The flavolignan, silibinin found in Silybum marianum, has been shown to exert beneficial effects in arsenic-exposed animals that was attributed to a combination of its anti-oxidant as well as metal chelating ability [77]. Modified citrus pectin, a linear polysaccharide with 10% rhamnogalacturonan II and a molecular weight of 15.4 kDa derived from citrus plants has been demonstrated to improve the urinary elimination of arsenic through chelation thereby reducing the arsenic load in the body [78]. Interest in the use of plant-derived molecules and plant extracts for metal chelation has increased in the past decade and a new field known as 'natural chelation therapy' has emerged. ...
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The industrial and technological advancements in the world have also contributed to the rapid deterioration in the environment quality through introduction of obnoxious pollutants that threaten to destroy the subtle balance in the ecosystem. The environment contaminants cause severe adverse effects to humans, flora and fauna that are mostly irreversible. Chief among these toxicants is arsenic, a metalloid, which is considered among the most dangerous environmental toxins that leads to various diseases which affect the quality of life even when present in small quantities. Treatment of arsenic-mediated disorders still remains a challenge due to lack of effective options. Chelation therapy has been the most widely used method to detoxify arsenic. But this method is associated with deleterious effects leading various toxicities such as hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity and other adverse effects. It has been discovered that indigenous drugs of plant origin display effective and progressive relief from arsenic-mediated toxicity without any side-effects. Further, these phytochemicals have also been found to aid the elimination of arsenic from the biological system and therefore can be more effective than conventional therapeutic agents in ameliorating arsenic-mediated toxicity. This review presents an overview of the toxic effects of arsenic and the therapeutic strategies that are available to mitigate the toxic effects with emphasis on chelation as well as protective and detoxifying activities of different phytochemicals and herbal drugs against arsenic. This information may serve as a primer in identifying novel prophylactic as well as therapeutic formulations against arsenic-induced toxicity.
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As negative drug tests are frequently a condition for employment, some people who use drugs will try to subvert the testing. In this study, systematic web monitoring was used to investigate how drug test subversion is discussed online. Posts pertaining to drug test subversion were obtained from public websites and the dark web ( n = 634, July–December 2021). Most information from public websites came from Twitter (65%), and 94% of dark web posts were from Reddit. The posts were manually coded to extract quantitative and qualitative information about drug test subversion tactics. Most posts discussed urine drug tests (85%), followed by hair (11%) and oral fluid (2%), and the most discussed drugs were marijuana (72%) and cocaine (7.3%). Urine drug test subversion mainly pertained to specimen substitution, with synthetic urine or urine from another person. Another strategy was to mask diluted urine by ingesting creatine. Urine adulteration was rarely discussed. Hair test subversion involved harsh treatments with products such as bleach, baking soda, and/or detergent. Hair removal was also discussed. Oral fluid test subversion focused on removing drugs from the oral cavity through vigorous brushing of teeth and tongue as well as the use of mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, gum, and commercial detox products. This study highlights subversion strategies used by donors. Although little evidence was provided as to the effectiveness of these strategies, this information may help guide future studies and development of specimen validity testing to minimize the impact of drug test subversion attempts.
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Харчування – один з найважливіших факторів, що впливає на здоров'я. Раціональне та здорове харчування є важливою складовою здорового способу життя. Воно запобігає хворобам, продовжує життя і створює умови для належної адаптації людини до навколишнього середовища, яке має значущий вплив на здоров’я людей. Питання забруднення навколишнього середовища важкими металами було проблемою не одне десятиліття, а з початком повномасштабних військових дій на території нашої країни воно стало більш гострим. Під час вибуху і згоряння вибухових речовин і вибухових пристроїв утворюються азот, сажа, вуглеводні, діоксид свинцю, а також виділяється значна кількість газів. Крім того, під час бойових дій використовуються бойові машини з двигунами, що працюють переважно на дизельному паливі, при згорянні якого викидається значна кількість різних забруднюючих речовин. На основі аналізу забруднювачів довкілля під час бойових дій можна зробити висновок, що одними з найпоширеніших забруднювачів є сполуки свинцю, які потрапляють у навколишнє середовище в результаті стрільби з вогнепальної зброї та використання самохідних машин. Основний шлях, яким сполуки свинцю потрапляють в організм з навколишнього середовища – інгаляційний. Залежно від вмісту свинцю в повітрі, розміру і форми частинок в аерозолі та стану легеневої вентиляції, 35–60% від загальної кількості затримується в легенях і лише 5–10% потрапляє в організм через шлунково-кишковий тракт. З метою профілактики негативного впливу важких металів, що виділяються під час проведення бойових дій, на організм військовослужбовців пропонується здійснити удосконалення продуктів харчування. Удосконалення проводиться на прикладі борошняного кондитерського виробу «Галети». На основі аналізу літературних джерел, присвячених теоретичним та практичним підходам до удосконалення технології борошняних кондитерських виробів з метою надання детоксикуючих властивостей, встановлено, що актуальним є використання цитрусового пектину. Проаналізовано вплив пектину на якість готового виробу, встановлено зміну органолептичних показників. Описано вплив доданого компоненту на кислотність готового виробу та показники окисно-відновного потенціалу.
Thesis
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding lectin, which acts as a pleiotropic mediator with numerous functions exerted intra and extracellularly, among other functions such as those related to the inflammatory response, tumorigenesis, and innate and acquired immunity. Different experimental models of hepatotoxicity show an essential role for Gal-3 in oxidative stress, injury, and liver fibrosis, and in this sense, compounds capable of inhibiting Gal-3 expression have been used as a possible tool in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Thus, we evaluated the effect of Gal-3 inhibition by modified citrus pectin (MCP) in an experimental model of cisplatin-induced liver toxicity. Male Wistar rats were distributed into four experimental groups with n = 6 animals/group. The animals were treated orally (gavage) with saline (SHAM and CIS groups) or MCP (100 mg/kg/day) (MCP and MCP+CIS groups) for 7 days. After this period, the animals received cisplatin (10 mg/kg/day) or saline by intraperitoneal injection for 3 days. Six hours after the last cisplatin dose, the animals were euthanized for blood and liver collection. Animals in the CIS and MCP+CIS groups showed significant weight loss, an effect corroborated by the marked reduction in glycogen storage in hepatocytes, compared to the SHAM and MCP groups. Cisplatin also produced a marked increase in the influx of leukocytes into the liver, hepatic degeneration with an increase in apoptotic bodies, ROS levels and STAT3 activation in hepatocytes. Systemically, the CIS and MCP+CIS groups showed increased plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, and liver toxicity biomarkers (ARG1, GSTα, SDH). Reduced levels of Gal-3 in the liver of the MCP+CIS group were associated with increased levels of MDA and expression of the mitochondrial respiratory complex I. In addition, the MCP+CIS group showed increased plasma levels of IL-1β, TNF- α and GOT1. MCP therapy efficiently antagonized Gal-9 in the liver, but not Gal-1, which showed increased levels. In conclusion, the reduction of endogenous Gal-3 levels in hepatocytes favors the process of cell death and increased oxidative stress in the acute model of cisplatin-induced toxicity.
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For the potential health benefits and nutritional value, polyphenols are one of the secondary metabolites of plants that have received extensive research. It has anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity-reducing properties in addition to a high antioxidant content. Macromolecular polyphenols and polysaccharides are biologically active natural polymers with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Arsenic is an ecologically toxic metalloid. Arsenic in drinking water is the most common way people come into contact with this metalloid. While arsenic is known to cause cancer, it is also used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The treatment's effectiveness is hampered by the adverse effects it can cause on the body. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and the inability to regulate cell death cause the most adverse effects. Polyphenols and other macromolecules like polysaccharides act as neuroprotectants by mitigating free radical damage, inhibiting NO production, lowering A42 fibril formation, boosting antioxidant levels, and controlling apoptosis and inflammation. To prevent the harmful effects of toxins, polyphenols and pectin lower oxidative stress, boost antioxidant levels, improve mitochondrial function, control apoptosis, and suppress inflammation. Therefore, it prevents damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system. This review aims to identify the effects of the polyphenols in conjugation with polysaccharides as an ameliorative strategy for arsenic-induced toxicity in various organs.
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Heavy metals (HMs) are metallic substances. They enter biotic and abiotic systems through natural and human activities. These HMs have an impact on the atmosphere, soil, and groundwater, and they also affect all living things, especially humans, when they enter the food chain. Therefore, monitoring and removing HMs from the environment and humans are crucial for maintaining HMs-based toxicity. The detection of HMs from environmental and human samples has been performed by techniques such as atomic adsorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). With the advancement of AI-based technology, HMs are now detected and removed from the environment and human systems. This review discusses the impact of HMs on the environment and human health, their detection and removal techniques, and the integration of recent advancements in AI-based technology for the detection and removal of HMs from environmental and human samples.
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Pectin is a polysaccharide extracted from various plants, such as apples, oranges, lemons, and it possesses some beneficial effects on human health, including being hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic. Therefore, pectin is used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Meanwhile, its low mechanical strength and fast degradation rate limit its usage as drug delivery devices and tissue engineering scaffolds. To enhance these properties, it can be modified or combined with other organic molecules or polymers and/or inorganic compounds. These materials can be prepared as nano sized drug carriers in the form of spheres, capsules, hydrogels, self assamled micelles, etc. for treatment purposes (mostly cancer). Different composites or blends of pectin can also be produced as membranes, sponges, hydrogels, or 3D printed matrices for tissue regeneration applications. This review is concentrated on the properties of pectin based materials and focus especially on the utilization of these materials as drug carriers and tissue engineering scaffolds, including 3D printed and 3D bioprinted systems covering the studies in the last decade and especially in the last 5 years.
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Since the thyroid gland is one of the organs most affected by autoimmune processes, many patients with thyroiditis of Hashimoto (TH) seek medical advice on lifestyle variance and dietary modifications to improve and maintain their hyroid function. In this review, we aim to present and discuss some challenges associated with the nutritional management of TH, focusing on environmental and dietary deficits, inflammatory and toxic nutrients, cyanotoxins, etc. We discuss the relationships among different diets, chronic inflammation, and microbiota, and their impact on the development and exacerbation of TH in detail. We share some novel insights into the role of vitamin D and melatonin for preserving thyroid function during chronic inflammation in autoimmune predisposed subjects. A comprehensive overview is provided on anti-inflammatory nutrients and ecological diets, including foods for cleansing and detoxification, which represent strategies to prevent relapses and achieve overall improvement of life quality. In conclusion, data from biomedical and clinical studies provide evidence that an appropriate dietary and lighting regimen could significantly improve the function of the thyroid gland and reduce the reactivity of autoantibodies in TH. Compliance with nutritional guidelines may help TH patients to reduce the need for medicines.
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Enterosorption is a cost-effective and efficient approach to reducing the impact of chronic exposure to heavy metals and radionuclides. As an auxiliary method to medical treatment, it can protect population chronically exposed to the intake of heavy metals or radioactivity due to industrial activities or in the aftermath of technogenic or natural accidents. This paper assesses the current state of the art in the treatment of acute and chronic heavy metal poisoning.
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129 Shenzhen residents’ hair samples were collected and the metal/metalloid concentrations of Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe and Ni were detected. Meanwhile, the relationships between metal/metalloid contents in human hair and gender, age, seafood diet habit, smoking habit, as well as the housing type (dwelling environment) were analyzed. Results showed that the average content of Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe and Ni in human hair of Shenzhen residents was 0.76 ± 0.96, 0.10 ± 0.04, 5.25 ± 4.88, 0.25 ± 0.33, 0.60 ± 0.31, 13.84 ± 3.67, 2.82 ± 2.01, 196.90 ± 145.01, 12.20 ± 5.10 and 0.34 ± 0.32 μg/g, respectively. Compared with other regions at home and abroad, most metal/metalloids in Shenzhen residents were at a moderate level, and the highly toxic elements (i.e. Pb, Cd, As and Hg) didn’t exceed the upper limit of normal values in China. Statistical analysis showed that the young male people contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) level of Pb (in age group of 20–30 years old) and Fe (in age group of 20–40 years old) in hair than the female people. Smokers had significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of Cd (0.35 μg/g) but lower level of Zn (101.24 µg/g) than non-smokers (Cd: 0.17 μg/g; Zn: 252.63 µg/g). Hg and Pb contents in hair of Shenzhen people were positively related with the frequencies of seafood consumption and the age, respectively. Moreover, residents lived in private buildings (well decorated house) accumulated significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of Pb, Cr, Fe and Ni as compared with those lived in public rental house and village house (no decoration or simple decoration), suggesting that decoration material was also an important way for human exposure to heavy metals.
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Significant concerns have been raised about the potential harmful impact of radio frequencies (RF) transmitted from these devices, especially with the excessive usage of mobile telecommunication systems. A faraday cage was constructed to house cell culture plates in between a radio transmitter and its receiver. Three different cell lines were cultured on 10μg/mL of collagen and fibronectin and exposed to RF using an 8-bit encrypted pulse signal at 433 MHz, 1.02 (Amps) for 3 hours to determine the cell proliferation effects. The results demonstrated that HFF-1 on fibronectin with RF exposure compared to no exposure significantly increased the proliferation rate by 1.55-folds on days 3 and 1.53-folds on day 7, respectively. HFF-1 on collagen with radio transmission compared to no transmission, the proliferation rate significantly increased on 2.34-folds on day 3 and 2.18-folds on day 7 respectively. In contrast, the SKBR3 on fibronectin with radio transmission compared to no transmission the proliferation rate significantly increased by 2.63-folds on day 3 and significantly decreased by 1.68-folds on day 7. Likewise, SKBR3 on collagen with radio transmission unveiled the proliferation rate significantly increased by 1.11-folds on day 3 and significantly decreased by 6.49-folds on day 7. Moreover, L6 on fibronectin with RF exposure compared to no exposure, the proliferation rate significantly decreased by 1.54-folds on day 7. L6 on collagen with radio transmission, revealed the proliferation rate significantly increased by 1.69-folds on day 3 and significantly decreased by 1.64-folds on day 7. In conclusion, radio transmission exposure significantly increases the proliferation rate of HFF-1 cell-lines and significantly decreases the cell proliferation of both the SKBR3 and L6 cell lines overall.
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A pectin-rich dietary fiber from sisal waste (P-SF), containing 11.8% pectin, was produced by a sequential enzymatic-ultrasonic process. P-SF was effective in adsorbing Pb²⁺ from aqueous solution with the maximum adsorption amount of 184 mg g⁻¹. Adsorption isotherms were well fitted by the Langmuir equation, and the adsorption kinetics can be described by a pseudo-second order model. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy suggested that Pb²⁺ was adsorbed by P-SF via the ion exchange, complexation and mineral precipitation. Dietary supplement of 10% (w/w) P-SF in basal feed led to a significant decrease of Pb²⁺ in brain, liver and kidney. P-SF has a greater in vivo efficacy of Pb²⁺ removal than commercial soybean dietary fiber. The reduction of brain Pb²⁺ level by P-SF was as effective as a Pb²⁺ excretion drug. These findings suggested that P-SF has a great potential to be used as a dietary supplement to cope with Pb²⁺ poisoning.
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The review outlines the main aspects of the use of pectin polysaccharides in medicine, both as independent medicinal substances and as a material for creating systems for targeted delivery of drugs, as well as for regenerative medicine and biomedical engineering. A number of studies demonstrate that pectin polysaccharides are physiologically active substances with immunomodulating properties, including anti-inflammatory activity, they lower cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood serum, normalize glucose metabolism, bind and remove toxins and radionuclides from the body, regulate work and provide protection of the gastrointestinal tract, have anticarcinogenic and antimetastatic effects.
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Background Over the past decades, the growing industrialization caused continuously increased release of heavy metal into environment. Through the food chain, heavy metals can be enriched in the body, causing serious harm. The removal and recycling of heavy metals are of great significance to environment protection, health concern as well as resource reuse. Pectic materials are available from a variety of natural sources and can be used as versatile adsorbents for heavy metal. Scope and approach This paper reviews the current state of research on the adsorption capacity, internal (i.e. molecular structure) and external factors (i.e. pH, ionic strength, equilibrium time, temperature, and initial concentration) that influence adsorption properties, as well as adsorption mechanism of pectin and its modified forms (hydrogels and chemical modified pectin) for the removal of heavy metals. Besides, the corresponding key problems that need further studies are emphasized. Some novel trends in this field have also been discussed. Key findings and conclusions Pectin possesses good capacities for adsorption of heavy metals, but drawbacks such as low mechanical strength and difficulty in separation limit it's application. Therefore, development of pectin derivatives such as hydrogels and chemical modified pectins were encouraged. The adsorption properties were affected by kinds of external factors and were related to molecular structure of pectin. The adsorption mechanisms of pectin-based adsorbents were mostly described to “egg-box” model, ionic exchange, complexation, and/or physical restraint.
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Pectin-containing substances extracted from flax fiber and commercial preparations of apple and citrus pectins have been modified to obtain model samples of pectic acid, pectinate and pectate. The IR-spectroscopy method has been used to estimate the ratio of galacturonate units with the unsubstituted carboxyl group and those in the methoxylated and calcium pectate forms in the polymer. Correlation ratios have been obtained for describing the dependence between the changes in the state of pectin functional groups, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of lead cation sorption within the temperature range of 298–318 K. The adsorption process and the equilibrium have been adequately described by the Weber-Morris diffusion model, the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption model. It has been confirmed and quantitatively characterized that lead binding is driven by the mechanisms of ion exchange with COOH groups, cation substitution with COOCa 1/2 groups and coordination bonding with OH groups of methoxylated units.
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The rhamnogalacturonan-II dimer (dRG-II) forms strong complexes in vitro with lead (Pb) and other selected cations. We examined the in vivo bioavailability of Pb complexed with dRG-II and the effect of unleaded dRG-II on the intestinal absorption and tissue retention of Pb in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Each group consumed a purified control diet for 3 wk or the same diet supplemented with: i) 3 mg of Pb/kg, ii) 0.5 g of leaded dRG-II/kg, or iii) 0.5 g of leaded dRG-II/kg and 4.5 g of unleaded dRG-II/kg. The leaded dRG-II provided ;3 mg of Pb/kg of diet. A chemical balance study was conducted during the las t5do f the3-wk study, and blood and organs were sampled for Pb and mineral analyses. The apparent intestinal absorptions of Pb were 62.3, 15.2, 11.8 and -0.1%, and Pb balances were 1.9, 9.6, 5.6 and -0.2 mg/d for the control and the three experimental groups, respectively. The Pb complexed with dRG-II was less available than Pb acetate, as reflected by significantly lower blood and tissue Pb levels. The addition of unleaded dRG-II decreased the intestinal absorption and the tissue retention of Pb significantly. We further found that the apparent absorption and status of magnesium, zinc and iron were unaffected by Pb treatment or dRG-II addition. We conclude that dRG-II may be useful in decreasing toxicity related to chronic Pb exposure. Human studies will be necessary however, to further evaluate the clinical utility of this beneficial effect. J. Nutr. 130: 249 -253, 2000.
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Underivatized oligogalacturonic acids with a degree of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 50 have been separated for the first time on a high-performance CarboPac PA1 pellicular anion-exchange stationary phase column. Baseline separation of these pectic fragments was accomplished using a nonlinear gradient of pH 6 potassium oxalate buffer as the mobile phase. Acetate buffer linear gradients were also useful as mobile phases, but only for separations of oligogalacturonic acids that were soluble in this solvent (DP less than 20). Additionally, oligogalacturonic acid separations were accomplished on a lower capacity AS4A stationary phase column. Triple pulse amperometric detection was selective, sensitive, and reproducible, nevertheless, oligogalacturonic acid response factors were affected by DP and compositional changes in the mobile phase.
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The structural organization of alkaline soluble peach pectin was investigated over size ranges extending from micrometers to tenths of nanometers. Analysis was by electron microscopy and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). Superimposed and individual circular microgels in the micrometer size range were isolated from mesocarp tissue of cell walls and visualized by rotary shadowing. Dilute NaCl and 50% aqueous glycerol disaggregated these microgels into rods, segmented rods, and kinked rods, which collectively comprised the internal gel network of the microgels. Image analysis of the shadowed specimens before and after disaggregation followed by curve fitting of the smoothed distributions revealed a multimodal distribution of lengths. HPAEC revealed that the multimodal aggregates were stable for the most part to further dissociation by increasing ionic strength.
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Rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) is a structurally complex pectic polysaccharide present in the walls of growing plant cells. We now report that RG-II, released by endopolygalacturonase treatment of the walls of suspension-cultured sycamore cells and etiolated pea stems, exists mainly as a dimer that is cross-linked by a borate ester. The borate ester is completely hydrolyzed at room temperature within 30 min at pH 1, partially hydrolyzed between pH 2 and 4, and stable above pH 4. The dimer is formed in vitro between pH 2.4 and 6. 2 by treating monomeric RG-II (0.5 mM) with boric acid (1.2 mM); the dimer formed after 24 h at pH 3.4 and 5.0 accounts for approximately 30 and approximately 5%, respectively, of the RG-II. In contrast, the dimer accounts for approximately 80 and approximately 54% of the RG-II when the monomer is treated for 24 h at pH 3.4 and 5.0, respectively, with boric acid and 0.5 m Sr2+, Pb2+, or Ba2+. The amount of dimer formed at pH 3.4 or 5.0 is not increased by addition of 0.5 mM Ca2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. Steric considerations appear to regulate dimer formation since those divalent cations that enhance dimer formation have an ionic radius >1.1 A. Our data suggest that the borate ester is located on C-2 and C-3 of two of the four 3'-linked apiosyl residues of dimeric RG-II. Our results, taken together with the results of two previous studies (Kobayashi, M., Matoh, T., and Azuma, J.-I. (1996) Plant Physiol. 110, 1017-1020; Ishii, T., and Matsunaga, T. (1996) Carbohydr. Res. 284, 1-9) provide substantial evidence that this plant cell wall pectic polysaccharide is covalently cross-linked.
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Several metals have toxic actions on nerve cells and neurobehavorial functioning. These toxic actions can be expressed either as developmental effects or as an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases in old age. The major metals causing neurobehavioral effects after developmental exposure are lead and methylmercury. Lead exposure in young children results in a permanent loss of IQ of approximately 5 to 7 IQ points, and also results in a shortened attention span and expression of anti-social behaviors. There is a critical time period (<2 years of age) for development of these effects, after which the effects do not appear to be reversible even if blood lead levels are lowered with chelation. Methylmercury has also been found to have effects on cognition at low doses, and prenatal exposure at higher levels can disrupt brain development. Metals have also been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, although it is unlikely that they are the sole cause for any of them. Elevated aluminum levels in blood, usually resulting from kidney dialysis at home with well water containing high aluminum, result in dementia that is similar to but probably different from that of Alzheimer's disease. However, there is some epidemiological evidence for elevated risk of Alzheimer's in areas where there is high concentration of aluminum in drinking water. Other metals, especially lead, mercury, manganese and copper, have been implicated in amvotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
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Despite dramatic declines in children's blood lead concentrations and a lowering of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's level of concern to 10 microg per deciliter (0.483 micromol per liter), little is known about children's neurobehavioral functioning at lead concentrations below this level. We measured blood lead concentrations in 172 children at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age and administered the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale at the ages of 3 and 5 years. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated with the use of linear and nonlinear mixed models, with adjustment for maternal IQ, quality of the home environment, and other potential confounders. The blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ. In the linear model, each increase of 10 microg per deciliter in the lifetime average blood lead concentration was associated with a 4.6-point decrease in IQ (P=0.004), whereas for the subsample of 101 children whose maximal lead concentrations remained below 10 microg per deciliter, the change in IQ associated with a given change in lead concentration was greater. When estimated in a nonlinear model with the full sample, IQ declined by 7.4 points as lifetime average blood lead concentrations increased from 1 to 10 microg per deciliter. Blood lead concentrations, even those below 10 microg per deciliter, are inversely associated with children's IQ scores at three and five years of age, and associated declines in IQ are greater at these concentrations than at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that more U.S. children may be adversely affected by environmental lead than previously estimated.
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This trial investigated the tolerability and effect of modified citrus pectin (Pecta-Sol) in 13 men with prostate cancer and biochemical prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after localized treatment, that is, radical prostatectomy, radiation, or cryosurgery. A total of 13 men were evaluated for tolerability and 10 for efficacy. Changes in the prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) of the 10 men were the primary end point in the study. We found that the PSADT increased (P-value<0.05) in seven (70%) of 10 men after taking MCP for 12 months compared to before taking MCP. This study suggests that MCP may lengthen the PSADT in men with recurrent prostate cancer.
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Successful in vivo chelation treatment of metal intoxication requires that a significant fraction of the administered chelator in fact chelate the toxic metal. This depends on metal, chelator, and organism-related factors (e.g., ionic diameter, ring size and deformability, hardness/softness of electron donors and acceptors, route of administration, bioavailability, metabolism, organ and intra/extracellular compartmentalization, and excretion). In vivo chelation is not necessarily an equilibrium reaction, determined by the standard stability constant, because rate effects and ligand exchange reactions considerably influence complex formation. Hydrophilic chelators most effectively promote renal metal excretion, but they complex intracellular metal deposits inefficiently. Lipophilic chelators can decrease intracellular stores but may redistribute toxic metals to, for example, the brain. In chronic metal-induced disease, where life-long chelation may be necessary, possible toxicity or side effects of the administered chelator may be limiting. The metal selectivity of chelators is important because of the risk of depletion of the patient's stores of essential metals. Dimercaptosuccinic acid and dimercaptopropionic sulfonate have gained more general acceptance among clinicians, undoubtedly improving the management of many human metal intoxications, including lead, arsenic, and mercury compounds. Still, development of new safer chelators suited for long-term oral administration for chelation of metal deposits (mainly iron), is an important research challenge for the future.
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Fermentation properties of oligosaccharides derived from orange peel pectin were assessed in mixed fecal bacterial culture. The orange peel oligosaccharide fraction contained glucose in addition to rhamnogalacturonan and xylogalacturonan pectic oligosaccharides. Twenty-four-hour, temperature- and pH-controlled, stirred anaerobic fecal batch cultures were used to determine the effects that oligosaccharides derived from orange products had on the composition of the fecal microbiota. The effects were measured through fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine changes in bacterial populations, fermentation end products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography to assess short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and subsequently, a prebiotic index (PI) was determined. Pectic oligosaccharides (POS) were able to increase the bifidobacterial and Eubacterium rectale numbers, albeit resulting in a lower prebiotic index than that from fructo-oligosaccharide metabolism. Orange albedo maintained the growth of most bacterial populations and gave a PI similar to that of soluble starch. Fermentation of POS resulted in an increase in the Eubacterium rectale numbers and concomitantly increased butyrate production. In conclusion, this study has shown that POS can have a beneficial effect on the fecal microflora; however, a classical prebiotic effect was not found. An increase in the Eubacterium rectale population was found, and butyrate levels increased, which is of potential benefit to the host.
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Pectins have been shown to possess a variety of pharmacological activities such as several immunostimulating activity, anti-metastasis activity, anti-ulcer activity, anti-nephrosis activity, cholesterol decreasing effect and so on. Pectins are also applicable for drug delivery and as the vaccine for typhoid fever. Pharmacological activities which were observed in pectins and pectic polysaccharides seem to be dependent on the fine carbohydrate structures. Many pharmacological activities have been appeared in the ramified region, but some high molecular weight rhamnogalacturonan II like region also showed Fc-receptor up-regulation for macrophages. Even if natural pectin had no activity, chemical and enzymic modifications may provide useful product for health care. Present observations suggest that application of pectin, on health care brings many possibilities of benefits for human being.
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A procedure is described to determine 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) present in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria. The method involves the treatment of LPS with 0.2 n H2SO4 at 100°C for 30 min to release KDO, followed by its reaction with periodic acid, sodium arsenite, and thiobarbituric acid. The red chromophore thus formed is kept in solution at room temperature by adding dimethylsulfoxide to the reaction mixture. The final color is stable for days at room temperature and facilitates accurate determination of KDO in microgram quantities. KDO contents of cell surface antigens and glycolipids from gram-negative bacteria are presented as illustrations of the accuracy and sensitivity of the assay.
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The naturally occurring polyelectrolyte, pectate, was studied for its ability to bind divalent metal cations, with specific reference to lead and calcium. Studies were carried out in vitro by ultrafiltration and in vivo by the ligated intestinal loop technique using rats. By means of the efficiency of ion-exchange reactions with divalent cations, the order of preferential binding was established for pectate. This polyelectrolyte had the greatest affinity for lead with relatively little binding of calcium. Studies in vivo demonstrate up to an 87% reduction in the amount of lead absorbed by the rat when using pectate. It was concluded that this naturally occurring nontoxic polyelectrolyte is a suitable binding agent for lead and that the insignificant binding of calcium is an important criteria for biological and clinical application. The high biological activity of this compound depends on position and availability of functional groups for the ion-exchange process, and viscosity of the solution.
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The whole-body retention of mercury after exposure of BALB/c mice to methylmercury was measured in animals fed fibre-free, 5% pectin, 5% cellulose or 5, 15 or 30% wheat bran diets. The rate of elimination of mercury was dependent on the diet fed, with dietary bran increasing the rate of elimination. The incorporation of 15 or 30% bran in the diet of the mice decreased the total mercury concentration in the brain, blood and small intestine, although the effects were significant only in those animals on 30% bran diet. The fibres had little effect on mercury levels in other tissues. The proportion of mercury found in the mercuric form was significantly greater in liver, kidneys and gut of mice fed bran. The results suggest that dietary bran may reduce the levels of mercury in the brain after methylmercury exposure and may therefore reduce the neurotoxic effects of the organomercurial. We suggest that wheat bran exerts its effects on mercury retention and brain level via a modification of the metabolic activity of the gut microflora.
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After its successful application to the treatment of acute Pb poisoning, Ca disodium EDTA came into routine clinical use for diagnosis and treatment of subacute and chronic Pb poisoning. Despite widespread use, few definitive conclusions have emerged about the sources of Pb mobilized by Ca disodium EDTA. Furthermore, the possibility that mobilized Pb may be redistributed has been suggested. The current studies indicate that the standard therapeutic protocol for Ca disodium EDTA has little impact on critical organs such as brain and liver and moreover, that diagnostic Ca disodium EDTA chelation may even increase the concentration of Pb in these tissues. After a 3 to 4 month exposure to Pb acetate in drinking water, different groups of rats received daily i.p. injections of saline (control), 75 or 150 mg/kg of Ca disodium EDTA for either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days and were then sacrificed 24 hr after the final injection. Tissue analyses indicated that Pb was mobilized from bone and kidney and redistributed initially to both brain and liver. Levels in both brain and liver declined with subsequent Ca disodium EDTA injections, but no net loss from either tissue occurred over the 5-day treatment period despite a decline in blood Pb levels and a marked enhancement of urinary Pb excretion. These findings stress the need for further investigation of Ca disodium EDTAs effects and for parallel evaluation of alternate chelating agents, and suggest that a re-evaluation of both the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of Ca disodium EDTA may be advisable.
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STRONTIUM-90 from the fall-out of atomic explosions, and from accidental release by industrial plant, presents a hazard to health. Although some biological discrimination against strontium seems to exist, it is absorbed and deposited in skeletal tissue in much the same way as calcium. Strontium-90 accreted in the bone causes dysfunction of bone marrow and its formed elements, interferes with normal growth and has been shown to initiate malignant tumours1. Many attempts to remove deposits of strontium from skeletal tissue by means of chelating agents have been unsuccessful, most probably for the reasons discussed by Schubert2.
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Anti-sera against the "ramified" region (PG-1) of an anti-ulcer polysaccharide (bupleuran 2IIc), which was purified from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum L, were obtained by immunization of rabbits, and a polyclonal anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-antibody of the IgG class was purified by Protein G and "ramified" region (PG-1) immobilized affinity chromatographies. The antigenic specificity of anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG was examined by a two-site sandwich ELISA which was developed as an improved method for microanalysis of bupleuran 2IIc using a biotinylated antibody. Another pectin from B. falcatum and anti-complementary pectins from Angelica acutilaba and Glycyrrhiza uralensis also showed significant reactivity to anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG, although these reactivities were lower than that of bupleuran 2IIc. Other polysaccharides tested such as apple pectin, araban, yeast mannan, pullulan, etc., had negligible reactivity. The KDO-containing region and oligogalacturonides, which were obtained by endo-alpha-(1-->4)-polygalacturonase digestion of bupleuran 2IIc, were also not significantly recognized by anti-bupleuran 2IIc/PG-1-IgG. When bupleuran 2IIc was administered to the mice i.v., the polysaccharide disappeared from the circulation within 24 h and was mainly detected in the liver by the two-site sandwich ELISA. However the clearance of bupleuran 2IIc from the circulation was delayed by pretreatment with iota-carrageenan. When the crude polysaccharide fraction (BR-2), containing mainly bupleurans 2IIb and 2IIc from B.falcatum, was administrated orally to the mice, the polysaccharides were detected in the liver and Peyer's patch.
Article
An approach to the analysis of isotherms of cooperative binding is developed that allows to calculate approximately affinity profiles, i.e. dependencies of binding constants on binding densities. The comparison of the affinity profiles of the interactions of Ca2+ and Sr2+ ions with sodium pectate as well as sodium alginates with the different content of the blocks of alpha-L-guluronic acid residues (GG-blocks) and blocks of mixed composition showed that (1) pectate has higher affinity to both ions as compared with alginates; (2) the affinity of pectate to Ca2+ ions is comparable to its affinity to Sr2+ ions but in the case of Ca2+ ions the maximum of the affinity profile falls on the substantially lesser value of the binding density in comparison to Sr2+ ions that seems to be unfavorable from the standpoint of the use of this polyuronide in preventive or medicinal nutrition; (3) the affinity of both alginates to Sr2+ ions at relatively low binding densities exceeds their affinity to Ca2+ ions; (4) the affinity of alginates to Sr2+ ions increases with the increase in the content of GG-blocks, whereas the affinity to Ca2+ ions practically does not depend on the composition of the alginate; (5) the maximum binding density of Sr2+ ions to the alginates approximately corresponds to the content of GG-blocks. These results corroborate the practice of the use of alginates rich in residues of alpha-L-guluronic acid for the removal of radioactive strontium from the digestive tract. The binding constants of Pb2+ ions to pectate over a wide range of binding densities are more than an order of magnitude greater than those of alkali-earth metal ions.
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The pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), which accounts for approximately 20% of the ethanol-precipitable polysaccharides in red wine, has been isolated from wine polysaccharides by anion-exchange chromatography. Four fractions enriched with RG-II were obtained and the RG-II then purified to homogeneity by Concanavalin A affinity and size-exclusion chromatographies. The glycosyl-residue compositions of the four RG-IIs are similar; all the RG-IIs contain the monosaccharides (apiose, 2-O-methyl-L-fucose, 2-O-methyl-D-xylose, Kdo, Dha, and aceric acid) that are diagnostic of RG-II. The glycosyl-linkages of the neutral and acidic sugars, including aceric acid, were determined simultaneously by GC-EIMS analysis of the methylated alditol acetates generated from per-O-methylated and carboxyl-reduced RG-II. Two of the RG-IIs contain boron, most likely as a borate di-ester that cross-links two molecules of RG-II together to form a dimer. The dimer contains 3'- and 2,3,3'-linked apiosyl residues whereas the monomer contains only 3'-linked apiosyl residues which suggests that the borate di-ester is located on at least one of the apiosyl residues of RG-II. Although the wine RG-IIs all have similar structures they are not identical since they differ in the length and degree of methyl-esterification of the RG-II backbone and in the presence or absence of borate di-esters. Nevertheless, these studies show that the major structural features of wine and primary cell wall RG-II are conserved.
Article
Evaluation of adsorption performance of several industrially manufactured pectins towards some toxic heavy metals was carried out. Adsorption isotherms for divalent cations in simulant aqueous solutions were measured and corresponding distribution coefficients were calculated. The following selectivity sequences we found for pectins: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+. It was shown that a beet pectin exhibits a high affinity for Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions, an apple pectin for Co2+ ion and a citrus pectin for Ni2+ ion. The binding properties of all pectins towards Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions are extremely poor. The quantitative data on adsorption performance of pectins suggest their applicability as food additives or remedies for efficient removal of Pb2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ ions from different biological systems, including human and animal organisms.
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Male albino rats were fed diets contained 6.85% mineral salts for 2 weeks (adaptation condition). Then they were fed the dietary pectin administered diet for 6 weeks to evaluate the effect of administration of pectin on the absorption of some monovalent, bivalent and heavy metals in the serum of rats. The experimental parameters included, monovalent minerals (K, Na), bivalent minerals (Zn, Cu, Ca, Fe), heavy metals (Pb, Cd), serum uric acid and serum creatinine. The obtained results indicated that the serum contents of monovalent minerals were negatively affected by pectin administration. The low degree of esterification of pectin was more effective on the absorption of bivalent minerals. Also, the rat serum levels of lead and cadmium were reduced by pectin administration. Serum total proteins were reduced by pectin administration. The level of rat serum of uric acid and creatinine fed different sources of pectin were within normal levels and were insignificantly lower than that recorded for control samples.
Article
Pectin is a family of complex polysaccharides present in all plant primary cell walls. The complicated structure of the pectic polysaccharides, and the retention by plants of the large number of genes required to synthesize pectin, suggests that pectins have multiple functions in plant growth and development. In this review we summarize the current level of understanding of pectin primary and tertiary structure, and describe new methods that may be useful to study localized pectin structure in the plant cell wall. We also discuss progress in our understanding of how pectin is biosynthesized and review the biological activities and possible modes of action of pectic oligosaccharides referred to as oligogalacturonides. We present our view of critical questions regarding pectin structure, biosynthesis, and function that need to be addressed in the coming decade. As the plant community works towards understanding the functions of the tens of thousands of genes expressed by plants, a large number of those genes are likely to be involved in the synthesis, turnover, biological activity, and restructuring of pectin. A combination of genetic, molecular, biochemical and chemical approaches will be necessary to fully understand the function and biosynthesis of pectin.
Article
Measurements revealed that LiAc/HAc buffer, when compared with other solvents, gave relatively low values of turbidity for five commercial pectins with various apparent molar masses and degrees of methyl esterification (DE). Therefore, HPSEC with on-line light scattering and viscosity detection was employed to compare LiAc/HAc buffer against NaNO(3) solution, a commonly used mobile phase for measuring the molecular properties of these pectins and an additional pectin prepared by microwave extraction. Microwave-extracted pectin was included in the study for its higher molar mass and DE compared with commercial pectins. Most commercial samples were more soluble and had a higher molar mass when dissolved in NaNO(3) than in LiAc/HAc buffer, whereas the microwave-extracted pectin was more soluble in LiAc/HAc buffer and had about the same molar mass. Furthermore, association fragments of pectin contained in samples were more dissociated by LiAc/HAc buffer than by NaNO(3). For the samples studied, weight-average molar masses ranged from about 41000 to 307000, weight-average intrinsic viscosities from about 0.86 to 9.76 dL/g, z-average radii of gyration from about 13 to 45 nm, and Mark-Houwink constants from about 0.62 to 0.94.
Article
Diseases of the gastrointestinal system are often related with irritations or pathological changes of mucous membranes. In an ex vivo system based on porcine colonic tissue various neutral and acidic polysaccharides were tested concerning their bioadhesive potential in order to form artificial mucin layers on colon epithelial membranes. Rhamnogalacturonans with a low degree of esterification and linear oligogalacturonids derived from pectin showed significant bioadhesion against colonic mucous membranes. In contrast highly esterified pectins and neutral polysaccharides were ineffective. Within a structure-activity relationship linear, strongly acidic homogalacturonides were shown to be most adhesive agents. Esterification, branching or non-linear backbone structures will reduce the adhesive properties. The bioadhesive effects were concentration-dependent. Polysaccharide layers, located exclusively on the apical membrane surface of colonic tissue, were visualized by fluorescent microscopy. The adhesion of the exogenous galacturonides on the tissue surface was mediated by interaction with the endogenous mucin, for the release of the endogenous mucines with a mucolytic agent resulted in a decreased bioadhesion of exogenous galacturonides. Additionally, mucin-galacturonide synergism was shown by rheological methods. The artificial mucin layers provide protective effects on colonic mucous membranes against toxic agents as shown by incubation of the tissue with TritonX-100.
Article
Pectin was acid extracted from orange albedo by steam injection heating under pressure. Extraction times ranged from 2 to 6 min at a pressure of about 15 psi. Solubilized pectin was characterized by HPSEC with online light scattering and viscosity detection. Molar mass (M), radius of gyration (R(g)), and intrinsic viscosity ([eta]) all decreased with increasing extraction time when heating temperature was 120 degrees C. At heating times of 3 min, M(w) ranged from 4.9 to 4.5 x 10(5), R(gz) was about 44 nm, and [eta](w) ranged from 8.4 to 7.9 dL/g. Chromatography revealed that solubilized pectin distributions were bimodal in nature at 3 min extraction time and trimodal when the extraction time was 6 min. Scaling law exponents obtained for the highest molar mass fractions were consistent with a very compact spherical structure. For the intermediate fraction, scaling law exponents were consistent with a less compact spherical structure comparable to a random coil. In the case of the low molar mass fractions, scaling law exponents were consistent with a structure more asymmetric in shape. These results are consistent with earlier results which indicated that pectin distributions were mixtures of two or more of the following due to disaggregation during extraction: spherical aggregates, hydrogen bonded network structures, and partially or fully disaggregated components of network structures which could include branched structures, rods, segmented rods, and kinked rods.
Article
Pectin gels were induced by monovalent salts (0.2 M) concurrently with deesterification of high methoxy pectin using a salt-independent orange pectin methylesterase (PME). Constant pH was maintained during deesterification and gelation. If salt or PME was absent, the pectin did not form a gel. The gel strength was influenced by both pH and species of monovalent cation. At pH 5.0, the pectin gel induced by KCl was significantly stronger than the NaCl-induced gel. In contrast, a much stronger gel was produced in the presence of NaCl as compared to KCl at pH 7.0. LiCl did not induce pectin gelation at either pH. Molecular weights of pectins increased from 1.38 x 10(5) to 2.26 x 10(5) during NaCl-induced gelation at pH 7. One proposal to explain these pectin molecular weight changes is a hypothetical PME transacylation mechanism. However, these pectin molecular weight changes can also be explained by metastable aggregation of the enzymatically deesterified low methoxy pectin. We postulate that gelation was induced by a slow deesterification of pectin under conditions that would normally salt out (precipitate) low methoxy pectin in the absence of PME.
Article
Pectins of low and high degrees of esterification, as well as pectin derivatives carrying primary amines, were investigate for gel forming ability with mucosal tissues. The combination of scanning electronic microscopy and small deformation dynamic mechanical studies revealed that pectins with higher net electrical charges are more bioadhesive than the less charged ones. Both the negatively charged pectin formulation, P-25, and the positively charged formulation, P-N, were able to synergize with the mucus to produce rheologically strengthened gels. The highly esterified pectin, P-94, also synergized with the mucosal glycoproteins to form a gel structure via coil entanglements. The ex vivo studies further confirmed the microstructures of mucus gel networks with adsorbed pectins. When incubated with porcine intestinal mucus membrane, P-94 gels were found generally bound to the lumen area, P-25 gels were able to penetrate deeply near the wall area, P-N gels interacted with mucins via electrostatic bonding and dispersed into the whole area from the lumen to the wall. Hence, both P-N and P-94, by enhancing the protective barrier properties of mucus systems, may be useful alternatives for the treatment of mucus related irritation and infection. In drug-delivery systems, P-N and P-25 would deliver incorporated drugs mainly by pectin dissolution, while a diffusion mechanism would release drugs from P-94 gels.
Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer American Chemical Society Meeting, Philadelphia, PA AGFD abstract 142 Mineral absorption by albino rats as affected by some types of dietary pectins with different degrees of esterification
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Eliaz I. 2004. Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer. American Chemical Society Meeting, Philadelphia, PA AGFD abstract 142. el-Zoghbi M, Sitohy MZ. 2001. Mineral absorption by albino rats as affected by some types of dietary pectins with different degrees of esterification. Nahrung 45: 114–117
Binding of toxic cations to pectin, its oligomeric fragment and plant tissues Determination of methyl alcohol in wine by gas chromatography
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Kohn R. 1982. Binding of toxic cations to pectin, its oligomeric fragment and plant tissues. Carbohydr Polym 2: 273. Lee CY, Acree TE, Butts RM. 1975. Determination of methyl alcohol in wine by gas chromatography. Anal Chem 47: 747–748.
Rhamnogalacturonan-II , a pectic polysaccharide in the walls of growing plant cell, forms a dimer that is covalently cross-linked by a borate ester. In vitro conditions for the formation and hydrolysis of the dimer
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O'Neill MA, Warrenfeltz D, Kates K et al. 1996. Rhamnogalacturonan-II, a pectic polysaccharide in the walls of growing plant cell, forms a dimer that is covalently cross-linked by a borate ester. In vitro conditions for the formation and hydrolysis of the dimer. J Biol Chem 271: 22923– 22930.
Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer AGFD abstract 142. el-Zoghbi M, Sitohy MZ Mineral absorption by albino rats as affected by some types of dietary pectins with different degrees of esterification
  • I Eliaz
Eliaz I. 2004. Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer. American Chemical Society Meeting, Philadelphia, PA AGFD abstract 142. el-Zoghbi M, Sitohy MZ. 2001. Mineral absorption by albino rats as affected by some types of dietary pectins with different degrees of esterification. Nahrung 45: 114–117.
Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer
  • Eliazi
Eliaz I. 2004. Modified citrus pectin in the treatment of cancer. American Chemical Society Meeting, Philadelphia, PA AGFD abstract 142.