Omega 3 fatty acids: biological activity and effects on human health.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have an important role in human diet, both for the prevention and the therapy of different pathologies. In this review, a critical evaluation of PUFAs dietary sources and biological functions in human organism has been done. In particular, the efficacy of ω-3 fatty acids in the improvement of the lipidic pattern and in the excitability of myocardium has been analyzed, and therefore their usefulness in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and post-infarction arrhythmias. As PUFAs are precursors of prostaglandins and leucotriens, which are involved in phlogosis and immune response, a diet rich in fish oil reduces the production of PGE2 involved in many…

Testosterone and aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness is an ancestral behavior common to all animal species. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are similar in all vertebrates. Males are generally more aggressive than females. In this review, aggressive behavior in rodents, monkeys, and man and the role of testosterone and brain serotonin levels have been considered. Interspecifi c aggressiveness in rats has been studied considering the mouse-killing behavior; the neonatal androgenization of females increases adult mousekilling as does the administration of testosterone in adults. Intraspecifi c aggressiveness was studied by putting two or more male rats (or mice) in the same cage; the condition of subjection or dominance is infl …

Amino acid profile of four varieties of durum wheat grown in Sicily

The major use of durum wheat is for pasta products, particularly in the European and North American countries, whereas in other areas (Middle East and North Africa) also it is used as couscous and for various types of bread. The durum wheat is therefore a staple food in the Mediterranean and is one of the commodities that characterize the dietary pattern of the Mediterranean diet. During the year 2012 were made in Ciminna (Palermo) in Sicily, four fields of experimental cultivation using four different varieties of durum wheat cultivated in Sicily: Simeto, Iride, Duilio and Saragolla. For each variety were set up two different kinds of cultivation tecniques, in order to verify the influence…

Plasma membrane redox system in the erythrocytes of rowers: Pilot study

The oxidative stress results from a change in the physiological balance between oxidant and antioxidant species. This type of stress is a chemical change in the redox state of cells. The increased production of reactive species is related to an excessive metabolic activation, for example, from an intense physical exercise or an excessive caloric intake (1). In physiological conditions, muscle fibers are provided with an antioxidant system able to keep under control the excessive production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

PLASMA MEMBRANE REDOX SYSTEM IN THE ERYTHROCYTES OF ROWERS: PILOT STUDY

Background: The oxidative stress results from a change in the physiological balance between oxidant and antioxidant species. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to investigate the effects of long-term training in sports with high energy requirements on the redox balance which exists between the plasma vs. the erythrocytes; second, to study the activity of the PMRS (Plasma Membrane Redox System), which is a compensatory mechanism of cellular redox homeostasis, in the rowers’ erythrocytes in order to determine the rowers’ counteraction to oxidative stress. Methods: Venous blood samples was collected from rowers and control group; then FRAP (Ferric Reducing Activity Power) method has …

Evaluation of plasma antioxidant status after red wine intake

Several studies report that the plasma antioxidant capacity (PAC) increases after a single ingestion of red wine. However, data on the different behaviour of PAC after food intake in subjects of the same sex are still lacking. On the basis of these observations some investigations were undertaken in order to evaluate the effects of red wine intake on PAC in a homogeneous groups of healthy female volunteers (n=18). Additionally, the possible correlation between increase of PAC values and increase in uric acid levels was also assessed. PAC and uric acid concentrations were determined before wine intake and 50, 120 and 240 minutes thereafter. The results obtained following these studied highli…

Influence of quercetin and luteolin on the activity of the catalase: study ex vivo about erythrocytes in smokers and non-smokers

Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds with different chemical structure and properties. These compounds may scavenge free radical species and other oxidants. In previous studies, we have observed that some polyphenols are able to cross the erythrocyte’smembrane and this process is influenced by the plasmatic albumin; in fact quercetin intracellular concentrations is albumin dose depending. The influence of flavonoids on catalase activity has been reported in some papers but the results are contradictory. Some authors have found an increase of catalase activity in cell in the presence of flavonoids. Others have observed any effect or even a decrease of catalase activity.The presen…

Caratteristiche nutrizionali dell’olio di Moringa oleifera

Tutte le specie di Moringa sono originarie delle regioni Sub-Himalaiane e la più diffusa risulta essere la Moringa oleifera v. Lamarck attualmente coltivata in diversi paesi dell’Africa, dell’Asia e Sud-America. Dalla fine degli anni ottanta si è registrato un crescendo di lavori centrati sulla possibile applicazione in campo alimentare, farmaceutico,cosmetico nonché agricolo delle radici, delle foglie, dei semi oppure dell’olio di moringa. Sono apparse una miriade di pubblicazioni che, spesso attingendo dalla tradizione e/o medicina popolare, evocano per i vari derivati di moringa proprietà iperboliche, miracolistiche se non magiche.Di fatto pochi lavori esaminano rigorosamente la chimica …

Could a wrong consumption of cereals influence preteens obesity in Sicily?

Nutritional quality of extra virgin olive oil determined by the application of a new functional matematic index

The extra virgin olive oil is very important in the Mediterranean diet. From the nutritional point of view, the high energy content and an optimal ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, together with the presence of minor compounds such as phenols and tocopherols and the related antioxidant capacity, confer to this product a high healthy value.The extra-virgin oil’s nutritional properties depend on the pedoclimatic conditions, cultivar and the production process. In the last years many studies have been performed to remark and describe the safety and nutritional quality of the extra-virgin olive oils but it is difficult to compare different parameters representative of oil’s n…