Dietetics, Nutrition and Biological Sciences
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Item Pathogenic obesity and nutraceuticals(Cambridge University Press, 2011-08-22) Conroy, Kylie; Davidson, Isobel; Warnock, MaryOver a decade of intense research in the field of obesity has led to the knowledge that chronic, excessive adipose tissue expansion leads to an increase in the risk for CVD, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer. This is primarily thought to stem from the low-grade, systemic inflammatory response syndrome that characterises adipose tissue in obesity, and this itself is thought to arise from the complex interplay of factors including metabolic endotoxaemia, increased plasma NEFA, hypertrophic adipocytes and localised hypoxia. Plasma concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants are lower in obese individuals than in the non-obese, which is hypothesised to negatively affect the development of inflammation and disease in obesity. This paper provides a review of the current literature investigating the potential of nutraceuticals to ameliorate the development of oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity, thereby limiting the onset of obesity complications. Research has found nutraceuticals able to positively modulate the activity of adipocyte cell lines and further positive effects have been found in other aspects of pathogenic obesity. While their ability to affect weight loss is still controversial, it is clear that they have a great potential to reverse the development of overweight and obesity-related comorbidities; this, however, still requires much research especially that utilising well-structured randomised controlled trials. 2011 The Authors.Item Honey: A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin(2016-08-07) McLoone, Pauline; Oluwadun, Afolabi; Warnock, Mary; Fyfe, LornaProblems with conventional treatments for a range of dermatological disorders have led scientists to search for new compounds of therapeutic value. Efforts have included the evaluation of natural products such as honey. Manuka honey, for example, has been scientifically recognised for its anti-microbial and wound healing properties and is now used clinically as a topical treatment for wound infections. In this review, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of honey in the treatment of wounds and other skin conditions is evaluated. A plethora of in vitro studies have revealed that honeys from all over the world have potent anti-microbial activity against skin relevant microbes. Moreover, a number of in vitro studies suggest that honey is able to modulate the skin immune system. Clinical research has shown honey to be efficacious in promoting the healing of partial thickness burn wounds while its effectiveness in the treatment of non-burn acute wounds and chronic wounds is conflicted. Published research investigating the efficacy of honey in the treatment of other types of skin disorders is limited. Nevertheless, positive effects have been reported, for example, kanuka honey from New Zealand was shown to have therapeutic value in the treatment of rosacea. Anti-carcinogenic effects of honey have also been observed in vitro and in a murine model of melanoma. It can be concluded that honey is a biologically active and clinically interesting substance but more research is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of its medicinal value in dermatology.Item The life and death of breast cancer cells: proposing a role for the effects of oestrogen and phytoestrogens on potassium channels(Springer, 2011-07-15) Wallace, J.; Gow, Iain F.; Warnock, Mary; QMU BursaryChanges in the regulation of potassium channels are increasingly implicated in the altered activity of breast cancer cells. Increased or reduced expression of a number of K+ channels have been identified in numerous breast cancer cell lines and cancerous tissue biopsy samples, compared to normal tissue, and are associated with tumor formation and spread, enhanced levels of proliferation, and resistance to apoptotic stimuli. Through knockout or silencing of K+ channel genes, and use of specific or more broad pharmacologic K+ channel blockers, the growth of numerous cell lines, including breast cancer cells, has been modified. In this manner it has been proposed that in MCF7 breast cancer cells proliferation appears to be regulated by the activity of a number of K+ channels, including the Ca2+ activated K+ channels, and the voltage-gated K+ channels hEAG and Kv1.1. The effect of phytoestrogens on K+ channels has not been extensively studied but yields some interesting results. In a number of cell lines the phytoestrogen genistein inhibits K+ current through several channels including Kv1.3 and hERG. Where it has been used, structurally similar daidzein has little or no effect on K+ channel activity. Since many K+ channels have roles in proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer cells, the impact of K+ channel regulation by phytoestrogens is of potentially great relevance.Item Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders(2007-12) Warnock, Mary; McBean, Douglas; Suter, Andreas; Tan, Jen; Whittaker, PatriciaArthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) are the leading cause of disability, are associated with poor quality of life and incur considerable direct and indirect costs. It is considered that the instance of AORC will continue to increase. To assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Harpagophytum (Bioforce) in the treatment of AORC, a single group open study of 8 weeks duration (259 patients) was performed in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness was assessed by numeric rating scales, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and the Algofunctional Hand Osteoarthritis Index. Tolerance was measured by a numeric rating scale and safety by self-reporting, blood analysis and liver function tests. Quality of life was measured by SF-12 questionnaire. There were statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in patient assessment of global pain, stiffness and function. There were also statistically significant reductions in mean pain scores for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. Quality of life measurements (SF-12) were significantly increased from baseline and 60% patients either reduced or stopped concomitant pain medication. Harpagophytum is an effective and well-tolerated serious treatment option for mild to moderate degenerative rheumatic disorders providing improved quality of life measure. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Item Effects of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devils' Claw) on the Cyclooxygenase and Lipoxygenase Pathways of the Arachidonic Acid Cascade(Studium Press, 2009) Grant, L.; McBean, Douglas; Fyfe, Lorna; Warnock, MaryThe study was carried out to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Harpagophytum procumbens (Hp; Devil's Claw). The in vitro effects of two preparations of Hp on the arachidonic acid cascade were monitored using whole blood aggregation and enzyme immunoassays for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4(LTB4), indices of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Neither Hp preparation significantly altered plasma levels of PGE2 or serum levels of LTB4. Both preparations of Hp had no effect on the COX or 5-LOX arms of the AA cascade, as determined by whole blood aggregation and EIAs for PGE2 and LTB4. This would indicate that Hp does not share the same mechanism of action as standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and suggests that another mechanism is responsible for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Hp that have been observed in numerous animal and human clinical trials.Item Honey: an immunomodulatory agent for disorders of the skin(Taylor & Francis, 2015-10) McLoone, Pauline; Warnock, Mary; Fyfe, LornaStudies have shown that honeys from around the world can inhibit the growth of a range of dermatologically important microbes. In addition to reports of the antimicrobial properties of honey, a number of recent in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that honey is able to modulate immunological parameters related to the skin immune system. Paradoxically, both immune-stimulatory and antiinflammatory effects have been observed. In this review, scientific research investigating the immunomodulatory properties of honeys from around the world, in relation to disorders of the skin, is evaluated. While there is sufficient evidence to suggest that honey does indeed have immunomodulatory properties, which may at least partially explain the ability of honey to promote the healing of wounds, there are still gaps in the scientific knowledge and literature. More research is necessary for a more complete understanding of the immune-modulating properties of honey and to enable the utilisation of honey as an immune-modulating agent in dermatology.