The results obtained indicate a positive impact of the consumption of pomegranate juice on lipid peroxidation and fatty acid status in subjects with metabolic syndrome and suggest potential anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective effects. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

The treatment of mood and anxiety disorders by nutraceuticals is gaining growing awareness. Berries of Aronia melanocarpa (Black chokeberry) and their extracts, exceptionally abundant in diverse phenolic compounds, have become famous for the highest in vitro antioxidant activity among fruits and notable health benefits (e.g. anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective). This study was designed to investigate the behavioral effects of month-long unlimited consumption of Aronia master juice (AJ) and/or juice reconstruct without polyphenols (RJ), in young male rats. AJ was initially evaluated for its content of phenolic compounds by spectrophotometric assays and HPLC-DAD. Rats that were supplied with three various water concentrations of AJ and RJ, respectively: 20% + 0% (ARO group), 5% + 15% (RAJ) and 0 + 20% (PLC), were compared with those which consumed only water (CTL). Daily drinking of AJ solution was significantly elevated from the second or third week onward, which was most expressed in the ARO group. Only this group displayed behavioral variations, manifested by certain hyperactivity in open field tests and prominent reductions of anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze. The ARO rats also expressed an alleviation of depression-like behavior in forced swimming tests. These findings demonstrate the beneficial behavioral effects of the one-month-long free drinking of phenolic-rich AJ in rats (>20 ml per kg b. mass daily) that may be recognized as stimulating, anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like. The in vitro assays suggested that MAO-A/MAO-B inhibitions by the phenolic compounds of AJ might be the possible in vivo mechanisms for such behavioral actions.

The relationship between plasma levels of total phospholipids (PL) and/or PL fractions and neoplastic diseases are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze concentrations and distribution of plasma phospholipids in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) related to the Gleason score, clinical stage and pathologic grade of prostate cancer. We analyzed plasma phospholipids in 57 newly diagnosed, untreated PCa patients and in 43 age-matched healthy male subjects. Significantly lower (P < 0.01) levels of total plasma PL and all PL classes were found in PCa patients when compared with healthy subjects. The relative concentrations of PL fractions were also changed. Further decrease of total PL and PL fractions was found related to an increase of clinical stadium, pathologic grade, and Gleason score, with phosphatidylethanolamine as the most sensitive plasma PL, the level of which significantly decreased even at the first stage of PCa. Our results showed an altered plasma PL profile in PCa patients, which may contribute to monitoring of the disease progression.