A Compound From Olive Remains Produces Faster Growth In Trouts
Main Category: Cancer / Oncology News
Article Date: 07 Oct 2006 – 0:00am (PDT)
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* Biology / Biochemistry
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Mónica Fernández Navarro´s doctoral thesis, presented recently in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of Granada [http://www.ugr.es], arises as a result of the theorethical research works of Professor José Antonio Lupiáñez Cara on molecular aspects and the protein manipulation in living organisms.
Using such knowledge and maslinic acid isolation from olive remains by scientists of the Department of Organic Chemistry of the UGR [http://www.ugr.es], they started to do research into the growth possibilities of this compound, which works as a serin protease inhibitor, for fishes like rainbow trouts. Results are clear: fishes whose diets are complemented with maslinic acid grow bigger and sooner, and fewer of them die. It has been observed that these animals live better, that their scales and fins look better and that the normal death rate in fish farms, between 5 and 10%, reduces almost to zero.
Despite a lot of additives work as toxins in some species, maslinic acid has worked quite the opposite in rainbow trouts. Cells of these animals get better structured if they are supplied with this compound; its application in animal feeding is already waiting for its patent at international level.
Experiments have gone on for 225 days in 3 consecutive years to observe the growth process of fishes. In all, between three thousand and five hundred and four thousand animals have been studied, with an initial weight of 20 grams, especially brought from the fish farm for the study. Its growth and development is observed in five experimental groups, which are supplied with five types of doses: 1, 5, 25, 50, 100 and 250 miligrams for each kilogram of diet.
Fight against AIDS
Maslinic acid is a pentacyclic terpenic with antioxidant and anti-cancer effects which could have positive consequences in the fight against AIDS; they are being studied in the Institute Carlos III under the supervision of Professor Vallejo Nájera. Currently, the group of Professor Lupiáñez Cara is working on anti-cancer effects of maslinic acid. To this end, it is necessary to go deeply into pharmacodynamic research, and into the selective capacity of this compound to inhibit cell apoptosis, this is, interruption of the planned cell death that caused by cancer.
About the UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA – COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
The University of Granada (UGR) was founded in 1531, under the initiative of Emperor Charles V. In this way, Granada asserted its vocation as a university city, open to different cultures, peoples and beliefs, continuing the tradition of the Arab University of Yusuf I (Madrassa, 14th century). With 475 years of tradition, the University of Granada has been an exceptional witness to history, as its influence in the citys social and cultural environment grew until it was to become, over a period of almost five centuries, an intellectual and cultural nucleus in Southern Spain in its own right. The University of Granada has also made a strong commitment to its future by fostering the development of quality research, whose guiding criteria are to stress traditional lines of research, to support investigation which – although less developed – may prove useful to a changing society and to forge bonds with firms and institutions. As a result of its growth in scientific production, the UGR is among the top Spanish universities. More than 400 research groups are working in all different areas of knowledge, in collaboration with both national and international research groups. The University of Granada offers to 81,600 students – 10 per cent of which are foreign students – 75 degree courses distributed in 28 centres. The UGR is the leading European destination for Erasmus/Socrates students, the most important Spanish university in graduation prizes, the third in the number of doctoral courses with the Distinction of Quality granted by the Ministry of Education and Science and the sixth in scientific production.
UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA – COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Secretariado de Comunicación – Universidad de Granada
Hospital Real – Cuesta del Hospicio s/n
University Of Granada
University Of Granada
