fatty acids Archives

The role of gut microflora in mucosal immunity

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Dr Gary Huffnagle has identified a number of intestinal microflora members which can regulate mucosal immunity in the gut microbiome

The microbiome is of recent interest in mucosal immunity. Dr Gary Huffnagle and colleagues at the University of Michigan have identified a variety of intestinal microflora members which can metabolically communicate with host cells and regulate mucosal immunity. Accumulating evidence suggests that various metabolites produced by hosts and microbiome members and their crosstalk are more important than previously thought. Understanding […]

Heart health, fat consumption and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

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Dr Erik Froyen studiees the impact of fat consumption on lipoprotein cholesterol particle size

Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to deaths globally. One of the most prominent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Special focus has been placed on looking at the effects of fat consumption on LDL particle size in healthy individuals as a way to increase awareness among people in terms of diet and lifestyle. Dr […]

Myocardial lipid metabolism: Targeting CD36 to treat cardiac disease

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Jan Glatz researches a transmembrane protein, CD36, which regulates cellular lipid metabolism and can lead to treatments to improve healthy heart contraction and treat cardiac disease.

Jan Glatz, Emeritus Professor of Cardiac Metabolism at Maastricht University, conducts research into the transmembrane protein CD36, which regulates cellular lipid metabolism. CD36 facilitates the uptake of long-chain fatty acids in cardiac muscles while the recycling of CD36 between endosomes and the sarcolemma regulates this uptake. Heart diseases are commonly associated with changes in the uptake and use of its […]

Improved formulations of nicotinamide riboside: A promising treatment for age-related disorders

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an array of samples of nicotinamide riboside

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a co-enzyme involved in fundamental metabolic roles. Its levels decrease with aging, causing the development of age-related pathologies. NAD+ levels can be replenished by the intake of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 analogue, which is naturally converted to NAD+. Regular use of NR supplementation is associated with improved outcomes in several cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and […]

High performing monomers and polymers from plant oils

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We often think of fossils fuels as a source of energy, but one of the key uses of fossil fuels is as a starting point for the synthesis of new chemical compounds. These range from plastics to pharmaceutical products. In recent years, there has been a push to move to more sustainable chemical feedstocks. Professor Andriy Voronov at North Dakota […]

Novel mouse models shed light on role of omega-6/omega-3 imbalance in chronic disease

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Dr Kang's research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 and low in omega-6 helps prevent many chronic diseases.

The link between two classes of essential fatty acids – omega-3 and omega-6 – and health has, until now, been unclear. This is partly because it has been difficult for researchers to define exactly what each does in the body. To address this problem, Dr Jing X. Kang of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA, developed novel strains […]