Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common adenoma in old men. Tomatoes are a rich source of bioactive compounds that, as well as selenium (Se), possess antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Se in combination with a tomato extract in aged rats with BPH. Aged male Wistar rats were divided in the following groups ( n = 10 rats/group): Control (C), BPH, BPH + Finasteride (BPH + F), BPH + Tomato Lipidic Extract (BPH + E), BPH + Selenium (BPH + S) and BPH plus E plus S (BPH + E + S). After 4 weeks of treatment, prostate weight, diuresis, antioxidants enzymes, prooxidants and inflammatory markers, growth factors and androgens were determined. BPH + E + S reduced prostate weight by 59.29% and inhibited growth by 99.35% compared to BPH + F which only decreased weight and inhibited growth by 15.31% and 57.54%, respectively. Prooxidant markers were higher with BPH + F (49.4% higher vs. BPH), but BPH + E + S decreased these markers (94.27% vs. BPH) and increased antioxidant activity. Finally, diuresis was higher with the BPH + E + S combination and markers of inflammation and growth factors were significantly lower with respect to BPH + F. Our findings provide a beneficial and protective therapeutic option of E + S directed against androgens, oxidative stress and inflammation that regulates cell proliferation in the prostate gland.

Background: Obesity represents a risk in the development of metabolic and oxidative stress (OS), as well as in male infertility. There is still no pharmacological treatment for obesity‐induced male infertility, but the use of natural antioxidants has been proposed as a treatment.Objective: The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of a whole tomato lipid extract on rats that decreased their fertility and spermatogenesis after being induced obese with a high carbohydrate diet.Materials and methods: One hundred fourteen male Wistar rats of 12 weeks of age were used. Two groups were randomly formed non‐obese control group (C, n = 54) and obese group (Ob, n = 54) that received 30% w/v sucrose solution for 3 months. Subsequently, the C and Ob group were divided into two groups: vehicle (C‐Vh and Ob‐Vh) that received corn oil as vehicle and tomato lipid extract (C‐Ex and Ob‐Ex) that received whole tomato lipid extract. The groups that received a hypercaloric diet had a gain in visceral and retroperitoneal adipose tissue, an increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, increased OS in the testis, and lesions in testicular histology, as well as a reduction in testicular size and sperm quality parameters (motility, viability, and concentration).Results: Treatment with whole tomato lipid extract significantly decreased the weight of gonadal adipose tissue and OS, maintained testicular size, showed a significant increase in sperm quality parameters and improved histology of seminiferous tubules.Conclusions: These results demonstrate a greater therapeutic and beneficial effect of the tomato lipid extract on sperm quality parameters in obese rats and therefore on fertility.

The effect of different light colors on the concentration of albumins and globulins during black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germination was evaluated with an RGB LED lighting system. This study aimed to determine how light of different spectral composition influences protein content across different germination stages. Black bean seeds were germinated under six different LED light sources (red, green, blue, white, violet, and cyan), and protein fractions were quantified by Bradford’s method. The results showed that blue and cyan light increased the concentration of albumins. Blue, white, and cyan light for globulins increased the concentration compared to germination under solar conditions for both fractions. The positive correlation between these protein fractions under specific wavelengths suggests a metabolic adaptation to light exposure. These findings highlight the potential of controlled lighting conditions to enhance the nutritional quality of germinated beans, supporting their application as functional food ingredients. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of photobiological modulation in seed germination, opening new possibilities for optimizing plant-based protein sources. Future research could explore the mechanisms behind these protein variations and their implications for food production and nutrition.

Obesity and menopausal hypoestrogenism interact in a way that worsens insulin resistance and increases the risk of metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of a diet composed of liquid chickpea sprouts (CS) on these problems. Sixty-four female Wistar rats were assigned to four experimental groups: a control group (Ctrl); a hypoestrogenic (HE) group, induced by ovariotomy; an obese (Ob) group, fed a high-sucrose diet; and a hypoestrogenic-obese (HE-Ob) group. Each group was subdivided into animals treated with chickpea sprouts (CS, 0.9 g/kg/day) or with a vehicle for four weeks. The results showed that CS significantly improved glucose tolerance and restored insulin sensitivity, normalizing the HOMA-IR index in both the Ob and HE-Ob groups. In addition, CS reduced serum triglycerides, reversed hepatic steatosis, and caused a favorable redistribution of adipose tissue, leading to decreased mesenteric fat accumulation. In conclusion, chickpea sprouts have protective metabolic effects by improving glucose homeostasis, reducing blood lipids, and mitigating liver damage in an estrogen-deficient model of obesity. These findings support the potential of chickpea sprouts as a dietary intervention to help prevent metabolic complications in obese postmenopausal women.