Pterostilbene antagonizes homocysteine-induced oxidative stress,apoptosis and lipid deposition in vascular endothelial cells

Hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy)causes oxidative stress, induces apoptosis, and leads to damage to the vascular endothelium is the starting point of atherosclerosis. Pterostilbene(Pte)has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects under various pathological conditions. The purpose of this study was to explore whether Pte can inhibit the oxidative stress and apoptosis of vascular endothelium induced by homocysteine(Hcy)and to explain the possible mechanism by which it occurs. The results showed that 20 μmol/L Pte significantly reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and lipids in cells induced by Hcy and promoted the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The Hoechst 33342/PI staining assay showed that Pte antagonized Hcy-induced apoptosis. Pte inhibited Hcy-induced Akt dephosphorylation, increased p53, and decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase-9/caspase-3 activation in a dose-dependent manner. LY294002 pretreatment partially reversed the protective effect of Pte by blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, Pte reduced lipid deposition in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). This study proposes that Pte can inhibit Hcy-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of HUVECs, and the PI3K/Akt/p53 signaling pathway of apoptosis was revealed. These results suggest that Pte exhibits significant potential for dealing with HHcy-induced vascular endothelial injury, such as atherosclerosis.

Sexual spores in edible mushroom: bioactive components, discharge mechanisms and effects on fruiting bodies quality

Edible mushroom sexual spores have been gaining more interest due to their bioactive components and functions.Spore discharge(SD)is an important factor affecting the quality of edible mushrooms.In this review,the bioactive nutrients of sexual spores of edible mushrooms were summarized,the SD mechanism was described,and the relationship between postharvest SD and the quality of edible mushrooms was analyzed.Spores contain various bioactive nutrients that are benefi cial to the human body.Mature mushrooms can actively discharge spores in a process affected by light,relative humidity,and temperature.During storage,the physiological metabolism of spore-bearing gill tissue is vigorous,promoting the release of postharvest spores and changing the nutritional value of fruiting bodies.The flavor of the fruiting bodies also varied signifi cantly during SD.Edible mushroom sexual spores have the potential to become new raw materials for functional food and medical resources.Research on the effect of the mechanism of SD on the quality of edible mushrooms and the development of SD regulation technology may be a new trend in the quality control of edible mushrooms,which will promote the development of the edible mushroom industry.

Potato protease inhibitors,a functional food material with antioxidant and anticancer potential

Potato protease inhibitors(PPIs),as the main component of potato protein isolate,have good safety,nutrition and great market potential.The antioxidant and anticancer properties of PPIs were evaluated with cellbased biological assays.The results showed that when the concentration of PPIs was 5 mg/mL,the peroxyl radical scavenging value was(2119±204)mg VCE/100 g,and the cellular antioxidant activity values were(45.83±3.5)(no PBS wash)and(33.25±4.4)μmol QE/100 g(PBS wash).Cells pretreated with PPIs could significantly prevent the oxidative damage induced by H_(2)O_(2),inhibit the morphological changes of cells and maintain the integrity.Furthermore,PPIs had selective anti-proliferative effects on GIST882 cells(IC50=(10.53±3.87)mg/mL)and demonstrated potent inhibition of the growth,migration and invasion of cancer cells.These findings provide a scientific basis for PPIs as promising candidates for functional foods to aid in the prevention of oxidative damage and cancer.

Chemometric analysis on concentrations and ratios of terpanes and steranes and implications for oils from the cratonic region of the Tarim Basin,NW China

More than 2×10^(9)tonnes of proved oils have been found in the cratonic region of the Tarim Basin.The source rocks for these oils remain unresolved although the source rocks are marine facies within the Cambrian and Ordovician strata with total thickness over 5 km.So far,there is no systematic classifi-cation of these oils on the basis of source facies.In this study,a practical approach was presented to select effective and sensitive biomarker parameters for source facies and maturity assessments for the studied oils on the basis of biomarker classification by hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA).Twenty-one terpanes and steranes in oils from both the Tabei(Northern Tarim)and Tazhong(Central Tarim)uplifts were classified into three groups using HCA on the basis of terpane and sterane concentrations.The result of biomarker grouping mainly reflects the differences in thermal stabilities among biomarkers for the 45 Tabei oils,providing a general thermal stability sequence for terpanes and steranes that helps the se-lection of effective maturity parameters.However,biomarker grouping suggests that both source facies and thermal stability have major influences on relative biomarker concentrations for the 75 Tazhong oils.The Tabei oils are mainly derived from a single source with relatively homogeneous facies while the Tazhong oils are derived from multiple sources or a single source with more heterogeneous facies.Based on the HCA results,twelve terpane and sterane ratios were selected as source facies parameters for the Tabei and Tazhong oils.These studied oils were consequently classified into four families by HCA and principle component analysis(PCA)integrating the twelve selected facies parameters of terpanes and steranes along with Pr/n-C 17 and Ph/n-C 18 ratios.Family 1 and 2 oils are mainly in the Tabei uplift while Family 3 and 4 oils are almost in the Tazhong uplift.Family 1 and 2 oils are derived from source rocks located at the northern,central and southern areas of the Northern Depression and the Tabei Uplift with marine mudstone facies.Family 3 and 4 oils are derived from source rocks located mainly at the southern area of the Northern Depression and the Tazhong Uplift with carbonate and evaporite facies.This study provides a practical approach to trace oil origins for oil and condensate reservoirs in the Tarim Basin and elsewhere.