Nutritional Biochemistry

Dr. Iryna Sorokulova, Professor of Microbiology, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA. She received her MS degree in Microbiology from Taras Shevchenko Kiev State University (Ukraine) and Ph.D. and D.Sc. Degrees in Microbiology from Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.rnDr. Sorokulova is the author of 93 refereed scientific publications, 4 books, and 23 patents (1- US, 1-France; 6-Ukraine, 15-Russia). Six patents are now licensed and commercialized. She created several biotechnological products; some of them are commercially available.rn

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance in pathogens was identified as a serious health threat, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. The total economic cost of antibiotic resistance to the US and EU healthcare systems was calculated as $20-35 and EUR 1.5 billion a year correspondingly. The emergence of multiresistant pathogens requires the development of new approaches to their control. Probiotic prophylaxes and therapies are gaining wider acceptance as more scientific data emerge regarding the interaction between pathogen and beneficial microbes in the human intestinal tract and molecular mechanisms of probiotics’ action. Probiotic bacteria which confer beneficial effect for the host and have pronounced antagonistic activity against pathogens is expected to present a clear alternative for control of drug-resistant infections. Bacteria of the Bacillus genus are known as potent producers of a wide variety of antimicrobial compounds. These bacteria are also reputed to promote health benefits on the host. We believe that Bacillus bacteria with high activity against pathogens can be a valuable alternative strategy to control multi-resistant infections. rnOur study showed high activity of B. subtilis probiotic strain against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including multiresistant S. aureus, Salmonella, Candida. We also found an inhibitory effect of this strain on influenza virus in vitro and in vivo studies. New peptide P18, produced by B. subtilis strain was isolated and characterized. Peptide P18 was not toxic and completely inhibited influenza virus at concentration 12.5 µg/mL. In animal studies the antiviral effect of P18 was comparable with Tamiflu. In conclusion, our results showed that Bacillus probiotic can be used as a valuable new approach for treatment of bacterial and viral infections. rnrnKeywords: Antimicrobials, Bacillus subtilis, multi-resistant pathogens, probioticsrn

Dr. Hala Salah Abdel Fatah has completed his PhD in May 2012 from Ain Shams University and postdoctoral studies from Ain Shams University School of Science. She is a lecturer of biochemistry and nutrition. She has published more than ten papers in international journals and her research interest on the study of the effectiveness of some medicinal plant extracts in green synthesis of various nanocomposites as anti-diabetic,anti-obesity and antioxidant as well as also studies their impact in protecting cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage. Moreover, studying biochemical parameters and histochemical investigation.

Berberine (BBR), from Rhizoma Coptidis, is an oral hypoglycemic agent possess anti-dyslipidemia and anti-obesity activities. Germinated brown rice (GBR), an innovative functional food, enriched of fiber and bioactive compounds, Characterized by promising health features.rnThis study has been concerned with investigate the therapeutic effects of BBR as dietary supplement and GBR as a whole food on diet -induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly classified into four groups, which were fed either a normal control diet (NC), a high fat diet (HFD), HFD+BBR orally administered (200 mg/kg body weight), HFD+GBR (35%) for 8 weeks. The results demonstrated that, relative to HFD rats, BBR reduced weight gain and adipose tissue weight aside from serum glucose, triacylglyceride (TAG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in rats from HFD+BBR group were significantly reduced than those of the HFD group as were the levels of serum insulin and leptin. Beside GBR administration significantly decreased body weight gain, lipid accumulation in the live, and epididymal adipose tissue as compared to the HFD control group. As well, serum TAG, TC and glucose level were significantly decreased by following GBR administration compared to HFD group. Whereas the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level increased. Furthermore, the administration of GBR had reduced adiposity by showing deviation in white adipose tissue mass, adipocytes extent and leptin level accompanying with a great proportion of fat excretion into stools. In conclusion, our finding suggest that BBR and GBR showed similarity effects in ameliorative obesity by suppressing body weight gain and lipid accumulation in liver , beneficent lipid profiles and reducing leptin level also white adipose tissue mass in obese rats fed on HFD .rnKeywords—Berberine, Germinated brown rice, High fat diet, Obesity.rn