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Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a predominant neurotransmitter from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, which are widely distributed in the gastrointestinal system. These sensory nerves are reported to be involved in the protection of gastric mucosa against damage by various stimuli, and CGRP is a potential mediator in this process. In addition to increase in gastric mucosal blood flow, the beneficial effects of CGRP on gastric mucosa include inhibition of gastric acid secretion, prevention of cellular apoptosis and oxidative injury. The synthesis and release of CGRP is regulated by the capsaicin receptor which is known as transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) and the agonists of TRPV1 have the potential for gastric mucosal protection. So far, multiple TRPV1 agonists, including capsaicin, capsiate, anandamide and rutaecarpine are reported to exert beneficial effects on gastric mucosal injury induced by various stimuli. Therefore, the TRPV1/CGRP pathway represents a novel target for therapeutic intervention in human gastric mucosal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsiate has a structure similar to capsaicin but no oral pungency. Furthermore, capsiate displayed antioxidant activity and inhibited angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and therefore, showed potential as a medicine and food supplement. Capsaicin is now commercially available, however capsiate is scarcely present in natural foods. We investigated the direct enzymatic conversion of a capsaicinoid to a capsinoid. It was observed that the rate of lipase-catalyzed acylation of vanillyl alcohol with nonanoic acid was faster than that of hydrolysis of N-vanillylnonanamide to vanillyl amide and nonanoic acid in n-hexane at 70°C. As a result, we performed a one-procedure synthesis of capsiate from capsaicin via lipase-catalyzed transacylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The involvement of skeletal muscle mitochondrial uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) in the control of energy expenditure in skeletal muscle and at the whole-body level is still a matter of debate. We previously reported that UCP3 downregulation is linked to an enhanced mitochondrial energy metabolism in rat skeletal muscle as a result of acute capsiate treatment. Here, we aimed at investigating noninvasively the effects of chronic capsiate ingestion on metabolic changes occurring in exercising gastrocnemius muscle and at the whole-body level.Methods:We used an original experimental setup allowing a complete noninvasive investigation of gastrocnemius muscle function in situ using 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Whole-body fat composition was determined using magnetic resonance imaging and UCP3 gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis.Results:We found that a 14-day daily administration of capsiate (100 mg kg−1 body weight) reduced UCP3 gene expression and increased phosphocreatine level at baseline and during the stimulation period in gastrocnemius muscle. During muscle stimulation, pHi showed a larger alkalosis in the capsiate group suggesting a lower glycolysis and a compensatory higher aerobic contribution to ATP production. Although the capsiate-treated rats were hyperphagic as compared to control animals, they showed a lower weight gain coupled to a decreased abdominal fat content.Conclusion:Overall, our data indicated that capsiate administration contributes to the enhancement of aerobic ATP production and the reduction of body fat content coupled to a UCP3 gene downregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]