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This study evaluates the impact of two plant sterol (PS) enriched fruit beverages (0.6 g /100 ml), without (MfB) or with GOS (MfB-G) (1.2 g/100 ml) on the resistance against oxidative stress induced by non-conventional (cholesterol oxidation products (COPs)) and conventional (H2O2) oxidant compounds, as well as their impact on C. elegans longevity. Nematodes fed with both beverages (0.005–0.25%, v/v) showed similar improved oxidative stress resistance against COPs and H2O2. This effect was dependent on daf-16 transcription factor, although GOS showed an additional beneficial effect independent to daf-16. In addition, both beverages extended nematode lifespan, independently of the presence of GOS. Longevity assays using daf-16 and daf-2 mutant strains revealed that the observed effect was potentially linked to the insulin-IGF-1 pathway. These results provide new in vivo evidence for the potential use of PS enriched fruit beverages in the prevention of oxidative stress underlying many diseases.

To evaluate the ability of the heat-killed probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (Ba8145) to ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), four groups of male Wistar rats were fed either standard chow (ST) or the obesogenic cafeteria diet (CAF) and were orally supplemented with either heat-killed Ba8145 (1010 CFU/day) (ST-Ba8145 and CAF-Ba8145 groups) or vehicle (ST-veh and CAF-veh groups) for 84 days. Both ST-Ba8145 and CAF-Ba8145 rats displayed increased energy expenditure (EE) and a decrease of relative mesenteric white adipose tissue (MWAT%). CAF-BA8145 animals showed decreased cumulative energy intake, increased relative lean mass, higher insulin sensitivity, elevated gene expression of adipose triacylglycerol lipase and fatty acid transporter 1 in MWAT and lower circulating levels of non-esterified free fatty acids, LDL/VLDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols than CAF-veh rats. In conclusion, heat-killed Ba8145 intake ameliorates mesenteric adiposity and dyslipidaemia, increases EE and lean mass and improves insulin sensitivity in rats induced to MetS.

The present research aimed to add value to coffee silverskin by looking for new innovative applications. Formulation of novel beverages based on coffee silverskin for body fat reduction and body weight control was proposed. Conditions for beverage preparation were optimised. Data on chemical composition and sensorial quality of the new drink were acquired. Health benefits were evaluated in vitro and in vivo employing as animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. An antioxidant beverage containing physiological active concentrations of caffeine and chlorogenic acid for prevention body fat accumulation and possessing acceptable sensorial properties was obtained. Our findings support that the use of coffee silverskin for obtaining bioactive extract is an innovative way for revalorisation of coffee by-product. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., This work has been funded by Naturage (AGL2010-17779) and CONSOLIDER Ingenio 2010 (FUN-C-FOOD: CSD 2007-00063) projects. Nuria Martínez-Sáez thanks U.A.M. for her research fellowship.