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Envisioning Utilization of Super Grains for Healthcare
Published in Megh R. Goyal, Preeti Birwal, Santosh K. Mishra, Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants in Food Design, 2022
Oxalates are harmful substances and potential risk for the human body. It is not metabolized in human body and excrete through urine. The higher consumption of the oxalates results in the reduced availability of the certain elements, which can lead to hyperoxaluria. This can cause a risk of calcium oxalate stone formation in the kidneys since oxalate and divalent ions are capable of forming insoluble complex in the gut [87, 107, 159]. Moreover, the presence of the oxalic acid in the human diet leads to various harmful effects such as gastrointestinal irritation, reduced minerals availability, impaired blood clotting, and contraction of muscles mainly attributed to the higher amounts of crystalline calcium contents deposits in the cells (Table 10.6). The recommended levels of oxalates in the human diet are estimated to be 50–200 mg per day [107].
Rhubarb
Published in Mahendra Rai, Shandesh Bhattarai, Chistiane M. Feitosa, Ethnopharmacology of Wild Plants, 2021
Gan B. Bajracharya, Richa K. Gupta
Organic acids play an important role in the plant’s growth, such as structure of cell wall, phosphates store as well as building blocks for the formation of lignin. The content of organic acid in rhubarb determines the color, appearance and smell of the food prepared. Rhubarb species comprises several organic acids (Maeda 1964). Malic acid (267) is predominant in all the varieties of rhubarb, while citric acid (263) and oxalic acid (268) are present in smaller quantities (Salunkhe et al. 1991). Large quantities of oxalic acid (268) are present in the plants of Polygonaceae family making them inedible. The content of oxalic acid (268) present in rhubarb is approximately 40–50 mg/100 g (Bennet-clark 1937). Oxalic acid (268) content in Indian rhubarb was found to be 1.34% (Chopra et al. 1978).
Back to the Future – The Prospects of African Indigenous Crops as Future Foods
Published in David R. Katerere, Wendy Applequist, Oluwaseyi M. Aboyade, Chamunorwa Togo, Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge for the Modern Era, 2019
Callistus Bvenura, Estonce T. Gwata, Felix D. Dakora
Quinoa contains tannins, saponins, phytate, and protease inhibitors, as well as phenol derivatives, alkaloids, ecdysteroids, and monoterpenoids (Vega-Gálvez et al. 2010). In quinoa, phytate is found in the external layers and the endosperm of the seed (Filho et al. 2017). Saponins are found in appreciable amounts in this crop, and these give the grains a bitter taste. Washing of quinoa before cooking is customarily done to remove much of the saponin. In the presence of trypsin inhibitor in the intestinal tract, there can be elevated pancreatic enzyme production resulting in hypertrophy of this organ and growth reduction (Filho et al. 2017). However, in quinoa trypsin inhibitor is less than 0.05 mg/g, concentrations that are too low to be a cause for concern (Vega-Gálvez et al. 2010). Oxalates are abundant in plants from the families Amaranthaceae and Polygonaceae, including quinoa. However, this antinutrient is most abundant in the stems and leaves. In humans, oxalic acid cannot be metabolized and is therefore excreted through urine. Gastrointestinal irritation, decreased ability of blood to clot, excretory organ injury, and decreased bioavailability of some minerals are some of the negative effects potentially posed by high oxalic acid foods (Lopes et al. 2009). However, some popular foods (e.g., spinach) are high in oxalic acid but cause no harm to people who are not unusually susceptible.
Changes in ionized calcium in ethylene glycol poisoning
Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2022
Roberts Stašinskis, Katrīna Stašinska, Maksims Mukāns, Andis Graudiņš, Viesturs Liguts, Aivars Lejnieks
EG is a toxic alcohol widely used as a radiator coolant/antifreeze and as an additive in many common household chemicals. It is sweet to taste and may result in accidental exposures in children or be used for intentional ingestion as an ethanol replacement by alcohol-dependent individuals, as well as for deliberate self-poisoning. As little as one mouthful of concentrated EG can result in significant toxicity. Oxalic acid is one of the primary metabolites of EG metabolism that contributes to the development of high AG MA. It binds to iCa in the blood to form calcium oxalate, which precipitates as crystals in various organs in the body, with resultant hypocalcemia and end-organ tissue damage. In particular, AKI with deposition of COC in the renal tubules and parenchyma is a common feature of EG poisoning with established MA.
Exogenous LL-37 but not homogenates of desquamated oral epithelial cells shows activity against Streptococcus mutans
Published in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2021
Alexandra Aidoukovitch, Elisabeth Bankell, Julia R. Davies, Bengt-Olof Nilsson
The concentration of hCAP18/LL-37 protein in cell homogenates and supernatants was determined using an ELISA assay (The HK321 LL-37 ELISA, Hycult Biotech, Uden, The Netherlands) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples were incubated in wells coated with LL-37 antibody, and a biotinylated tracer antibody was then added to bind to the captured LL-37. A streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate which binds to the biotinylated tracer antibody and reacts with its substrate tetramethylbenzidine was then included. This reaction was stopped by oxalic acid. The absorbance at 450 nm was read using a Multiscan Go Microplate Spectophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Each sample was analyzed in duplicate or triplicate. The HK321 LL-37 ELISA that we use here cannot discriminate between human LL-37 and hCAP18.
Single versus continued dosing of fomepizole during hemodialysis in ethylene glycol toxicity
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2021
Alexander M. Sidlak, Ryan T. Marino, James P. Van Meerbeke, Anthony F. Pizon
Ethylene glycol (EG) ingestions continue to be a source of poisoning in the US with 6411 poison center calls in 2018, about a third of which were for hospitalized patients [1]. Toxicity is characterized by encephalopathy, progressive metabolic acidosis, and renal failure. In order to prevent end organ damage, inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase by fomepizole or ethanol (used historically or in resource poor settings) is needed [2,3]. These agents block the conversion of ethylene glycol into glycolic acid and oxalic acid, the primary causes of metabolic acidosis and renal failure with toxicity [4]. With fomepizole, extended treatment is possible and may obviate the need for hemodialysis [2,5]. However, hemodialysis (HD) is required in order to remove ethylene glycol’s toxic metabolites, treat metabolic acidosis, and clear EG in the setting of renal dysfunction. During hemodialysis, recommendations are to continue fomepizole, but at an increased dosing frequency of every 4 h as opposed to every 12 h in order to compensate for increased fomepizole clearance [3]. Hemodialysis removes toxic metabolites efficiently, and therefore although recommended it is unclear if continued dosing of fomepizole is needed.