Svitlana Shinkaruk, Charlotte Carreau, Gilles Flouriot, Catherine Bennetau-Pelissero and Mylène Potier
Communication: Comparative Effects of R- and S-equol and Implication of Transactivation Functions (AF-1 and AF-2) in Estrogen Receptor-Induced Transcriptional Activity
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 340-354; doi:10.3390/nu2030340 - published online 15 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: Equol, one of the main metabolites of daidzein, is a chiral compound with pleiotropic effects on cellular signaling. This property may induce activation/inhibition of the estrogen receptors (ER) a or b, and therefore, explain the beneficial/deleterious effects of equol on estrogen-dependent diseases. With its asymmetric centre at position C-3, equol can exist in two enantiomeric forms (R- and S-equol). To elucidate the yet unclear mechanisms of ER activation/inhibition by equol, we performed a comprehensive analysis of ERa and ERb transactivation by racemic equol, as well as by enantiomerically pure forms. Racemic equol was prepared by catalytic hydrogenation from daidzein and separated into enantiomers by chiral HPLC. The configuration assignment was performed by optical rotatory power measurements. The ER-induced transactivation by R- and S-equol (0.1–10 µM) and 17b-estradiol (E2, 10 nM) was studied using transient transfections of ERa and ERb in CHO, HepG2 and HeLa cell lines. R- and S-equol induce ER transactivation in an opposite fashion according to the cellular context. R-equol and S-equol are more potent in inducing ERa in an AF-2 and AF-1 permissive cell line, respectively. Involvement of ERa transactivation functions (AF-1 and AF-2) in these effects has been examined. Both AF-1 and AF-2 are involved in racemic equol, R-equol and S-equol induced ERa transcriptional activity. These results could be of interest to find a specific ligand modulating ER transactivation and could contribute to explaining the diversity of equol actions in vivo.

Michele Savini, Cinzia Cecchini, Maria Cristina Verdenelli, Stefania Silvi, Carla Orpianesi and Alberto Cresci
Article: Pilot-scale Production and Viability Analysis of Freeze-Dried Probiotic Bacteria Using Different Protective Agents
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 330-339; doi:10.3390/nu2030330 - published online 11 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: The functional food industry requires an improvement of probiotic strain stability during storage, especially when they are stored at room temperature. In this study, the viability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501^® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502^® using different protective agents (i.e., glycerine, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, dextrin, Crystalean^®) was determined and compared with semi skimmed milk (SSM) control. No significant differences were observed between the tested protectants and the control (SSM) during storage at refrigerated conditions. During storage at room temperature, only glycerine was found to stabilize viability better than other tested substances.

John Mach, Adrian W. Midgley, Steve Dank, Ross S. Grant and David J. Bentley
Article: The Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Fatigue during Exercise: Potential Role for NAD⁺(H)
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 319-329; doi:10.3390/nu2030319 - published online 10 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: This study compared serum pyridine levels (NAD⁺ /NADH) in trained (n = 6) and untrained (n = 7) subjects after continuous progressive exercise at 50%, 70% then 95% of physical work capacity until fatigue (TTF) after consuming a placebo or antioxidant (AO) cocktail (Lactaway^©). An increase of 17% in TTF was observed in AO as compared to placebo (p = 0.032). This was accompanied by a significant increase in serum NAD⁺ levels (p = 0.037) in the AO supplemented group post exercise. The increases in NAD⁺ and improved endurance reflect lower oxidative stress-induced suppression of aerobic respiration.

Michelle M. Farnfield, Kate A. Carey, Petra Gran, Marissa K. Trenerry and David Cameron-Smith
Correction: Correction: Farnfield, M.M., et al. Whey Protein Ingestion Activates mTOR-dependent Signalling after Resistance Exercise in Young Men: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2009, 1, 263-275.
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 317-318; doi:10.3390/nu2030317 - published online 8 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: We found an error in our paper recently published in Nutrients [1].

Fiona O’Leary and Samir Samman
Review: Vitamin B₁₂ in Health and Disease
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 299-316; doi:10.3390/nu2030299 - published online 5 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: Vitamin B₁₂ is essential for DNA synthesis and for cellular energy production. This review aims to outline the metabolism of vitamin B₁₂, and to evaluate the causes and consequences of sub-clinical vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is common, mainly due to limited dietary intake of animal foods or malabsorption of the vitamin. Vegetarians are at risk of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency as are other groups with low intakes of animal foods or those with restrictive dietary patterns. Malabsorption of vitamin B₁₂ is most commonly seen in the elderly, secondary to gastric achlorhydria. The symptoms of sub-clinical deficiency are subtle and often not recognized. The long-term consequences of sub-clinical deficiency are not fully known but may include adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes, vascular, cognitive, bone and eye health.

Sofia D. Forssten, Marika Björklund and Arthur C. Ouwehand
Review: Streptococcus mutans, Caries and Simulation Models
Nutrients 2010, 2(3), 290-298; doi:10.3390/nu2030290 - published online 2 March 2010
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: Dental caries and dental plaque are among the most common diseases worldwide, and are caused by a mixture of microorganisms and food debris. Specific types of acid-producing bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, colonize the dental surface and cause damage to the hard tooth structure in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates e.g., sucrose and fructose. This paper reviews the link between S. mutans and caries, as well as different simulation models that are available for studying caries. These models offer a valuable approach to study cariogenicity of different substrates as well as colonization of S. mutans.