Nutrition & Food Science
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Item Induction of apoptosis in HeLa cells by chloroform fraction of seed extracts of Nigella sativa(Springer Nature, 2009-11-27) Shafi, Gowhar; Munshi, Anjana; Hasan, Tarique N; Alshatwi, Ali A; Jyothy, A; Lei, David KYCancer remains one of the most dreaded diseases causing an astonishingly high death rate, second only to cardiac arrest. The fact that conventional and newly emerging treatment procedures like chemotherapy, catalytic therapy, photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy have not succeeded in reverting the outcome of the disease to any drastic extent, has made researchers investigate alternative treatment options. The extensive repertoire of traditional medicinal knowledge systems from various parts of the world are being re-investigated for their healing properties. This study progresses in the direction of identifying component(s) from Nigella sativa with anti cancer acitivity. In the present study we investigated the efficacy of Organic extracts of Nigella sativa seed powder for its clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in HeLa cancer cell. Methanolic, n-Hexane and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa seedz effectively killed HeLa cells. The IC50 values of methanolic, n-hexane, and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa were 2.28 μg/ml, 2.20 μg/ml and 0.41 ng/ml, respectively. All three extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, western blot and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Western Blot and TUNEL results suggested that Nigella sativa seed extracts regulated the expression of pro- and anti- apoptotic genes, indicating its possible development as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer upon further investigation.Item Feasibility of Soluble Leaf Proteins as a Carrier for Vitamin D(2009) Cherian, Ansu Elizabeth; Lo, Y. Martin; Food Science; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Resurgence of vitamin D deficiencies in recent years has ascribed the need for expansion of fortification strategies in food. Alluding to the fat soluble and sensitive chemical nature of vitamin D, existing fortification strategies invariably require using a substantial amount of fat as carriers for vitamin D. Though milk proteins have demonstrated good binding properties with vitamin D; allergen issues, lactose intolerance, and the need to cater to vegan population deter its extensive use. In this study, soluble leaf proteins extracted from low-alkaloid tobacco leaves were investigated as a possible carrier. Crude tobacco leaf proteins were extracted by a high-throughput mechanistic process, followed by a freeze-drying process to encapsulate vitamin D. Up to 84.68% (w/w) of vitamin D was successfully retained by tobacco leaf proteins using the process developed, indicating that crude leaf protein recovered from tobacco could be employed as an effective carrier for vitamin D.Item EFFECT OF CHITOSAN ON THE INDUCTION OF DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE BY SELENIUM COMPOUNDS.(2009) Zhang, Shu; Cheng, Wen-Hsing; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Selenium (Se), a nutrient trace mineral, plays important roles in optimizing human health. Chitosan is an effective, natural-oriented material for synthesizing nanopolymers, with preferable properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradation and resistance to certain enzymes. In this study, encapsulated Na2SeO3 and methylseleninic acid (MSeA) with low and medium molecular weight chitosan were used to determine the efficacy of Se in mitigating tumorigenesis. We applied Se compounds, which is from sub-lethal to lethal dose, to colon cancer cell line HCT-116 and normal fibroblasts cell line MRC-5. Analysis of cellular selenium content demonstrated that: 1) Na2SeO3, but not MSeA, treatment resulted in a greater Se retention in HCT-116 than in MRC-5 cells, 2) chitosan encapsulation enhanced Se contents in cells treated with the various Se preparations. Cell survival analysis showed that chitosan encapsulation protected HCT-116 and MRC-5 cells from Na2SeO3 or MSeA induced toxicity. Moreover, this beneficial effect was greater in MRC-5 cells. MSeA encapsulated with chitosan induced phosphorylated ATM Ser-1981 formation in MRC-5 and HCT-116 cells to a less extent as compared to MSeA alone treatment. Taken together, the results suggest that, when encapsulated with chitosan, cells are less susceptible to Se treatment, possibly through a mechanism by which the presence of chitosan attenuates Se-induced activation of ATM and corresponding DNA damage response pathway.Item HOW SELENIUM MODIFIES CROSS-TALK BETWEEN THE PIKK FAMILY AND INSIGHTS ON THE REGULATION OF DNA-PKcs(2009) Rocourt, Caroline; Cheng, Wen-Hsing; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)We recently found that ATM is required for a selenium-induced senescence response in non-cancerous cells. We hypothesize the selenium-induced DNA damage response modifies ATM and DNA-PKcs cross-talk. Phospho-specific antibodies against ATM and DNA-PKcs were used to follow the phosphorylation events after selenium treatment in normal human cells and two human cancer cell lines. Results from immunofluorescence analysis showed that selenium treatment induces hyperphosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at T2647 and S2056 in non-cancerous MRC-5 cells but not in U-2 OS cancer cells. Further studies in MRC-5 cells treated with an ATM kinase inhibitor, KU 55933, showed attenuation of the selenium-induced DNA-PKcs phosphorylation at both foci, whereas pre-treatment with a DNA-PKcs kinase inhibitor, NU 7026, does not prevent ATM phosphorylation at S1981, an event leading to ATM pathway activation. These results give evidence that DNA-PKcs and ATM have a cooperative role in the DNA damage response pathway.Item High Sucrose, Fructose, and Glucose Diets and Glucocorticoid Dysregulation in Rats(2009) London, Edra; Castonguay, Thomas W; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and the prevalence of overweight in children has tripled since 1980. Intake of added sugars has also increased. The etiology of obesity remains unclear and the role of glucocorticoids in obesity is one area of ambiguity. The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11beta-HSD-1) interconverts active and inactive glucocorticoid, thereby regulating intracellular glucocorticoids. Dysregulation of 11beta-HSD-1 in liver and adipose is characteristic of human and animal models of obesity. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) is colocalized with 11beta-HSD-1 and determines the set point for 11beta-HSD-1 oxidoreductase activity. In a long-term (10 wk) study, rats given ad libitum access to 16% sucrose solution, chow, and water were fatter than controls, had increased 11beta-HSD-1 mRNA in adipose, suppressed 11beta-HSD-1 mRNA in liver, and increased H6PDH mRNA in both tissues. The primary research questions were as follows: Can high sugar diets induce glucocorticoid dysregulation in the absence of excess adiposity? Does sugar type matter? Energy intake, weight gain, and parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were measured. Rats were randomly assigned to either ad libitum access to chow and water only (control), or in addition to ad libitum access to either 16% sucrose, fructose, or glucose solution (n=16/gp). After 24h and 1 wk, eight rats per group were randomly selected for sacrifice. Daily caloric intakes among sugar-fed groups did not differ and were higher than the mean intake of the control group. Within 24h, fructose induced increased 11beta-HSD-1 message in mesenteric adipose and liver. Plasma TG and insulin were acutely increased in groups with fructose-containing diets only. All high sugar diets induced suppressed hepatic 11beta-HSD-1 mRNA and protein after 1 wk. Upregulation of H6PDH mRNA observed in response to long-term high sucrose diets may result from increased adiposity and not solely diet. High sugar diets, irrespective of sugar type, initiate glucocorticoid dysregulation in the absence of phenotypic changes associated with obesity. Sucrose, fructose, and glucose have distinct metabolic and endocrine responses. Fructose has the unique ability to induce glucocorticoid dysregulation in liver and adipose in 24h.Item Appropriate Waist Circumference Cutoff Values for the Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican American Adults(2009) Sarafrazi, Neda; Jackson, Robert T; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recently proposed new criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, which requires the presence of central obesity as measured by ethnic specific waist circumference (WC) cutoff values. Currently, no specific WC thresholds for diagnosis of central obesity in Hispanics are available. The objectives were to determine the appropriate gender specific WC thresholds for diagnosis of central obesity in Mexican American adults and to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using IDF definition with and without the modified WC in this population. Data from 3265 Mexican American adults aged 20-80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 were used. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was compared using IDF criteria with and without the modified waist circumference. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that yielding at least 80% sensitivity, the WC value of 90 cm in both genders was more appropriate in predicting the presence of two or more metabolic syndrome risk factors in this population. Based on this cutoff, there was 34% reduction in the prevalence of central obesity in women (82.5% to 54.2%). The age adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 58.4 to 48.2%. The metabolic syndrome was more common among Mexican American men than women (55.8% in men versus 37.8% in women, P =0.0003). Our findings provided a practical guidance in the assessment and screening of central obesity and metabolic syndrome in Mexican Americans.Item THE FUNCTION OF MRN (MRE11-RAD50-NBS1) COMPLEX DURING WRN (WERNER) FACILITATED ATM (ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA MUTATED) ACTIVATION(2009) Ma, Junhao; Cheng, Wen-Hsing; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)WRN (Werner) protein is a member of the RecQ family showing helicase and exonuclease activity. WRN protein may lose function upon mutation and causes Werner syndrome (WS) which is an autosomal recessive, cancer-prone and premature aging disease. ATM (Ataxia-Telangiectasia mutated) protein initiates a signaling pathway in response to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Genomic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is associated with defective ATM. WRN protein is involved in ATM pathway activation when cells are exposed to DSBs associated with replication fork collapse. Because the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, a sensor of DSBs, is known to interact with WRN and ATM, we investigated whether the MRN complex mediates the WRN-dependent ATM pathway activation. In this study, we employed short-hairpin RNA to generate WRN- and Nbs1-deficient U-2 OS (osteosarcoma) cells. Cells were treated with clastogens which induce collapsed replication forks, thus provided proof for whether WRN facilitates ATM activation via MRN complex. This study serves as a basis for future investigation on the correlation between ATM, MRN complex and WRN, which will ultimately help understand the mechanism of aging and cancer.Item CHARACTERIZATION OF ALGAL BIOMEAL FOR APPLICATIONS IN FOOD(2009) Sanghvi, Avani Mukesh; Lo, Martin; Food Science; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Conventionally used as animal feeds, microalgae are now cultivated for products such as omega-3 fatty acids, resulting in a high amount of biomass as by-product. The biomass obtained after the extraction of DHA from Crypthecodinium cohnii is called `algal biomeal'. Being nutritionally rich, the biomeal has potential to be used as a value-added ingredient in human food and animal feeds. Evaluation of the biomeal properties resulted in the development of a water-based sauce formulation which was analyzed for its proximate composition, textural attributes and microbial stability. The sauce was rich in carbohydrate and protein with low fat and ash content. It was microbiologically and texturally stable under refrigeration. This research shows that development of a shelf-stable palatability enhancer using algal biomeal offers a new ingredient for the food and feed industries, whereas the ability to produce a value-added ingredient also offers a viable option for algal biomeal.Item Depression and Hardiness and their Association with Appetite in Older Adults(2009) Engel, Julia; Sahyoun, Nadine; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Poor appetite is common among older adults, and is influenced by factors including chronic disease and depression. The aim of this research is to examine the associations of hardiness (defined as the ability to manage stress), depression, and emotional well-being with appetite in older adults. A survey evaluating hardiness, depression and appetite was administered to 292 adults (60 years and older), at assisted-living facilities or senior centers in the Washington D.C. area. In univariate models, depression, hardiness, and emotional well-being are associated with appetite. In multivariate models, fair/poor emotional well-being increases risk for poor appetite (OR=5.60, 95% CI= 2.60-12.07) and commitment (a dimension of hardiness - which indicates an individual's involvement in life) is associated with appetite (OR=1.35, 95% CI= 1.13-1.61). These variables maintained the strongest associations with appetite in multivariate models. These associations further elucidate the components of mental health which contribute to poor appetite in this population.Item Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative properties of selected grape seed extracts(2009) Bloom, Raquel Zorah; Yu, Liangli; Nutrition; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This study examined chardonnay, muscadine, concord, and ruby red grape seed oil and flour extracts for antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties. The extracts were tested for total phenolic content, DPPH* · and ABTS*+ ·radical scavenging capacity and effect against HT-29 cancer cell proliferation. All of the grape seed extracts exhibited ABTS*+ · and DPPH*· radical quenching activity. The flour extracts from chardonnay demonstrated the highest ABTS*+· radical quenching capacity of 186 μμmoles trolox equivalents/g and DPPH* · radical quenching activity of 30 μμmoles trolox equivalents/g. All of the grape seed oil and flour extracts contained significant levels of phenolics. Chardonnay grape seed flour extract displayed the most prominent dose dependent anti-proliferative effect. Muscadine and ruby red, but not concord grape seed flour extracts, also exhibited anti-proliferative activities. The collected data advocate for the potential of grape seed extracts as dietary sources of anti-proliferative and antioxidant components.