Abomasal infusion of branched-chain amino acids or branched-chain keto-acids alter lactation performance and liver triglycerides in fresh cows

Background Dairy cows are at high risk of fatty liver disease in early lactation,but current preventative measures are not always effective.Cows with fatty liver have lower circulating branched-chain amino acid(BCAA)concentra-tions whereas cows with high circulating BCAA levels have low liver triglyceride(TG).Our objective was to determine the impact of BCAA and their corresponding ketoacids(branched-chain ketoacids,BCKA)on production performance and liver TG accumulation in Holstein cows in the first 3 weeks postpartum.Methods Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design experiment.Cows were abomasally infused for the first 21 d postpartum with solutions of 1)saline(CON,n=12);2)BCA(67 g valine,50 g leu-cine,and 34 g isoleucine,n=12);and 3)BCK(77 g 2-ketovaline calcium salt,57 g 2-ketoleucine calcium salt,and 39 g 2-ketoisoleucine calcium salt,n=12).All cows received the same diet.Treatment effects were determined using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS.Results No differences were detected for body weight,body condition score,or dry matter intake averaged over the first 21 d postpartum.Cows receiving BCK had significantly lower liver TG concentrations compared to CON(6.60%vs.4.77%,standard error of the mean(SEM)0.49)during the first 3 weeks of lactation.Infusion of BCA increased milk yield(39.5 vs.35.3 kg/d,SEM 1.8),milk fat yield(2.10 vs.1.69 kg/d,SEM 0.08),and lactose yield(2.11 vs.1.67 kg/d,SEM 0.07)compared with CON.Compared to CON,cows receiving BCA had lower plasma glucose(55.0 vs.59.2 mg/dL,SEM 0.86)but higherβ-hydroxybutyrate(9.17 vs.6.00 mg/dL,SEM 0.80).Conclusions Overall,BCAA supplementation in this study improved milk production,whereas BCKA supplementa-tion reduced TG accumulation in the liver of fresh cows.

Heterogeneously elevated branched-chain/aromatic amino acids among new-onset type-2 diabetes mellitus patients are potentially skewed diabetes predictors

BACKGROUND The lack of specific predictors for type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)severely impacts early intervention/prevention efforts.Elevated branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs:Isoleucine,leucine,valine)and aromatic amino acids(AAAs:Tyrosine,tryptophan,phenylalanine)show high sensitivity and specificity in predicting diabetes in animals and predict T2DM 10-19 years before T2DM onset in clinical studies.However,improvement is needed to support its clinical utility.AIM To evaluate the effects of body mass index(BMI)and sex on BCAAs/AAAs in new-onset T2DM individuals with varying body weight.METHODS Ninety-seven new-onset T2DM patients(<12 mo)differing in BMI[normal weight(NW),n=33,BMI=22.23±1.60;overweight,n=42,BMI=25.9±1.07;obesity(OB),n=22,BMI=31.23±2.31]from the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province,Kunming,China,were studied.One-way and 2-way ANOVAs were conducted to determine the effects of BMI and sex on BCAAs/AAAs.RESULTS Fasting serum AAAs,BCAAs,glutamate,and alanine were greater and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)was lower(P<0.05,each)in OB-T2DM patients than in NW-T2DM patients,especially in male OB-T2DM patients.Arginine,histidine,leucine,methionine,and lysine were greater in male patients than in female patients.Moreover,histidine,alanine,glutamate,lysine,valine,methionine,leucine,isoleucine,tyrosine,phenylalanine,and tryptophan were significantly correlated with abdominal adiposity,body weight and BMI,whereas isoleucine,leucine and phenylalanine were negatively correlated with HDL.CONCLUSION Heterogeneously elevated amino acids,especially BCAAs/AAAs,across new-onset T2DM patients in differing BMI categories revealed a potentially skewed prediction of T2DM development.The higher BCAA/AAA levels in obese T2DM patients would support T2DM prediction in obese individuals,whereas the lower levels of BCAAs/AAAs in NW-T2DM individuals may underestimate T2DM risk in NW individuals.This potentially skewed T2DM prediction should be considered when BCAAs/AAAs are to be used as the T2DM predictor.

Effects of Branched-chain Amino Acids on Nutritional Metabolism and Pharmacoeconomics in Patients with Severe Abdominal Trauma

Objective:To observe the influences of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)on nutrition metabolism and prognosis of patients with severe abdominal trauma;at the same time,to analyze and evaluate the pharmacoeconomics of it.Methods:A total of 75 severe abdominal trauma patients were recruited from June 2016 to December 2017 and randomly divided into control group and observation group.After surgery and basic treatment,parenteral nutrition support therapy with iso-nitrogen and iso-calorie of both groups was administered.Meanwhile,an equivalent of 8.5%(18AA-Ⅱ)and 10%(20AA)compound AA injection was administrated to the control and observation groups,respectively.The nitrogen balance,serum protein level and plasma amino spectrum of the patients were observed before and after treatment.Besides,the hospital stay,survival rate,complications,adverse reactions and hospitalization costs were also compared.Results:After a 7-day course treatment,the nitrogen balance level of the two groups was significantly improved,but no significant difference was found between them.In addition,the serum protein level and plasma amino spectrum of the two groups was generally improved when compared to before treatment.Compared with the control group,the level of albumin and transferrin in the observation group was improved significantly after treatment,while no difference in plasma amino spectrum was found between the two groups.Moreover,the cost analysis showed remarkably reduced hospitalization costs in the observation group.Conclusion:To a certain degree,BCAAs could improve the nutritional metabolism and prognosis of patients with severe abdominal trauma,and have good cost-effectiveness.

Dietary branched-chain amino acids modulate the dynamics of calcium absorption and reabsorption in proteinrestricted pigs

Background:Very low-protein(VLP)diets negatively impact calcium(Ca)metabolism and absorption.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental branched-chain amino acids(BCAA)and limiting amino acids(LAA)on Ca digestibility,absorption and reabsorption in pigs fed with VLP diets.Forty-eight piglets were assigned to six treatments:positive control(PC),negative control(NC),and NC containing LAA 25%,LAA 50%,LAA+BCAA 25%(LB25)and LAA+BCAA 50%(LB50)more than recommendations.Results:Relative to PC or NC,LB25 and LB50 had higher digestibility of Ca and plasma Ca and phosphorus(P),but lower plasma vitamin D3.LB50 tended to increase vitamin D receptor transcript and protein in the gut,but decreased mRNA or protein abundance of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor(PTH1R),calbindin 1(CALB1),cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1 and occludin in small intestine.LB50 increased the transcript of cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 and PTH1R but decreased the transcript of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5,CALB1 and solute carrier family 17 member 4 in kidney.Conclusion:Overall,BCAA increased Ca digestibility through regulating the transcellular and paracellular Ca absorption in the gut and reabsorption in kidney during protein restriction.

Synergistic renoprotective effect of a compiled branched-chain amino acids and Cymbopogon schoenanthus extract against experimentally induced oxido-nitrosative renal insult

Objective: To better investigate the protective role of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)and Cymbopogon schoenanthus(CS) extract against the potassium dichromate(PDC)-induced oxido-nitrosative nephrotoxic insult in the experimental rat model. Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: The 1 st group served as control; the 2^(nd)was injected with a single dose of PDC(15 mg/kg b.w i.p.);the 3^(rd), 4^(th), and 5^(th) groups were respectively treated with BCAAs, CS, and their combination for 15 d prior to induction of renal insult via PDC single dose(15 mg/kg b.w s.c.). The experimental period was terminated in all groups 2 d after induction of renal insult. The harvested kdney samples were divided for biochemical assays and histological examination. Results: The PDC-induced nephrotoxic effect caused a depletion of renal oxidative scavengers glutathione, superoxide dismutase with consequent lipo-oxidative cellular membrane deterioration manifested by a rise in malonaldehyde, oxidized glutathione, myeloperoxidase and the concomitant increase in inflammatory response elements tumor necrosis factor α, nitric oxide, and interleukin 1 β.Moreover, the comet assay and increased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine proved an accelerated apoptotic DNA fragmentation. These local renal changes were met with global altered blood biochemistry. The BCAAs and CS or their compiled administration showed an ameliorative effect against PDC-induced nephrotoxic in a synergistic pattern. Conclusions: Both BCAAs and CS or their combined administration afford potential competitors against renal insult induced by polyvalent anion pollutants in experimentally studied animals model. As a route for novel drug discovery, further investigation should be attempted to optimize their augmenting reno-protecting potential.

Functional microbiomics reveals branched-chain amino acids depletion for alleviation of insulin resistance by berberine

Increased circulating branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)have been involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance.However,evidence relating berberine(BBR),gut microbiota,BCAAs,and insulin resis⁃tance is limited.Here,we showed that BBR could effectively rectify steatohepatitis and glucose intolerance in high-fat diet(HFD)-fed mice.BBR reorganized gut microbiota populations under both the normal chow diet(NCD)and HFD.Particu⁃larly,BBR noticeably decreased the relative abundance of BCAA-producing bacteria,including order Clostridiales;fami⁃lies Streptococcaceae,Clostridiaceae,and Prevotellaceae;and genera Streptococcus and Prevotella.Compared with the HFD group,predictive metagenomics indicated a reduction in the proportion of gut microbiota genes involved in BCAA biosynthesis but the enrichment genes for BCAA degradation and transport by BBR treatment.Accordingly,the elevated serum BCAAs of HFD group were significantly decreased by BBR.Furthermore,the Western blotting results implied that BBR could promote the BCAA catabolism in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice by acti⁃vation of the multienzyme branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex,whereas by inhibition of the phosphoryla⁃tion state of BCKDHA(E1α subunit)and branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase.The ex vivo assay further confirmed that BBR could increase BCAA catabolism in both AML12 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Finally,data from healthy subjects and diabetics confirmed that BBR could improve glycemic control and modulate circulating BCAAs.Besides,functional microbiomics integrated high-throughput microbial genomics,metabolomics and molecular biotechnology has also been successfully applied to reveal the anti-obesity mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A.

Effect of different drying methods on the amino acids,α-dicarbonyls and volatile compounds of rape bee pollen

The significant demand for high quality food has motivated us to adopt appropriate processing methods to improve the food nutritional quality and flavors.In this study,the effects of five drying methods,namely,pulsed vacuum drying(PVD),freeze drying(FD),infrared drying(IRD),hot-air drying(HAD)and sun drying(SD)on free amino acids(FAAs),α-dicarbonyl compounds(α-DCs)and volatile compounds(VOCs)in rape bee pollen(RBP)were determined.The results showed that FD significantly released the essential amino acids(EAAs)compared with fresh samples while SD caused the highest loss.Glucosone was the dominantα-DCs in RBP and the highest loss was observed after PVD.Aldehydes were the dominant volatiles of RBP and SD samples contained more new volatile substances(especially aldehydes)than the other four drying methods.Comprehensively,FD and PVD would be potential methods to effectively reduce the quality deterioration of RBP in the drying process.

Impairment of innate immune responses in cirrhotic patients and treatment by branched-chain amino acids

It has been reported that host defense responses,such as phagocytic function of neutrophils and natural killer(NK)cell activity of lymphocytes,are impaired in cirrhotic patients.This review will concentrate on the impairment of innate immune responses in decompensated cirrhotic patients and the effect of the treatment by branched-chain amino acids(BCAA)on innate immune responses.We already reported that phagocytic function of neutrophils was significantly improved by3-mo BCAA supplementation.In addition,the changes of NK activity were also significant at 3 mo of supplementation compared with before supplementation.Also,Fisher’s ratios were reported to be significantly increased at 3 mo of BCAA supplementation compared with those before oral supplementation.Therefore,administration of BCAA could reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis by restoring impaired innate immune responses of the host.In addition,it was also revealed that BCAA oral supplementation could reduce the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients.The mechanisms of the effects will also be discussed in this review article.

Effect of branched-chain amino acids in patients receiving intervention for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the usefulness of branched-chain amino acids(BCAA)before transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)or radiofrequency ablation(RFA).METHODS:We investigated the usefulness of preintervention with BCAAs by comparing patients treated with BCAAs at 12.45 g/d orally for at least 2 wk before TACE or RFA and those not receiving such pretreatment.A total of 270 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by cirrhosis were included in the study.Mean changes from baseline(Δ)in serum albumin(Alb),C-reactive protein(CRP),and transaminase levels,as well as peak body temperature were also determined and compared at days 2,5,and 10 after the start of TACE or RFA.RESULTS:In patients who underwent TACE or RFA,BCAA pre-intervention significantly suppressed the development of post-intervention hypoalbuminemia and reduced inflammatory reactions during the subsequent clinical course.After TACE,theΔAlb peaked on day 2,remained constantly lower in BCAA-treated patients,compared to the control group,and was-0.13±0.42g/dL in BCAA-treated patients and-0.33±0.51 g/dL in untreated patients on day 10.TheΔCRP was also significantly lower in BCAA-treated patients on days2,5 and 10 after TACE.Like the trends noted after TACE,a similar tendency was noted as to theΔAlb andΔCRP after RFA.The changes in serum Alb level were inversely correlated with CRP changes;therefore,a possible involvement of the anti-inflammatory effect of BCAAs was inferred as a factor contributory to the suppression of decrease in serum Alb level.CONCLUSION:Pre-intervention with BCAAs may hasten the recovery of serum Alb level and mitigate postoperative complications in patients undergoing TACE or RFA.

Herbicide-Resistant Mutations in Acetolactate Synthase Can Reduce Feedback Inhibition and Lead to Accumulation of Branched-Chain Amino Acids

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) valine, leucine and isoleucine are essential amino acids that are critical for animal growth and development. Animals need to obtain BCAAs from their diet because they cannot synthesize them. Plants are the ultimate source of these amino acids. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is the first common enzyme in the biosynthesis of BCAAs. The metabolic control of BCAA biosynthesis involves allosteric regulation of ALS by the end-products of the pathway, i.e., valine, leucine and isoleucine. ALS holoenzyme seems to consist of two large catalytic subunits and two small regulatory subunits. In a previous study, using homologous recombination dependent gene targeting we created rice plants in which W548Land S627I mutations were induced into the endogenous gene encoding the ALS catalytic subunit. These two amino acid substitutions conferred hypertolerance to the ALS-inhibiting herbicide bispyripac-sodium. In this study, we revealed that feedback regulation by valine and leucine was reduced by these two amino acid substitutions. Furthermore, in leaves and seeds of ALS mutants with W548Land/or S627I substitution, a 2- to 3-fold increase in BCAAs was detected. Our results suggest that the ALS catalytic subunit is also involved in feedback regulation of ALS, and that judicious modification of the regulatory and catalytic subunits of ALS-coding genes by gene targeting can lead to the efficient accumulation of BCAA in plants.

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in soybean meal fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows

Background Two studies were designed to determine standard ileal crude protein(CP)and amino acid(AA)digestibility of soybean meal(SBM)from different origins fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows.Seven solvent-extracted SBMs from soybeans produced in the USA,Brazil,and China were selected.In Exp.1,eight different diets were created:a nitrogen(N)-free diet and 7 experimental diets containing SBM from different origins as the only N source.Eight non-pregnant,multiparous sows were arranged in an 8×8 Latin square design(8 periods and 8 diets).In Exp.2,the diet formula was the same as in Exp.1.Eight gestating sows(parity 3)were assigned to 4 different diets in a replicated 4×3 Youden square design(three periods and four diets)in mid-gestation and again in late-gestation stages.Results When fed to non-pregnant and late-gestating sows,the standardized ileal digestibility(SID)of CP and most AAs from different SBM were not significantly different(P>0.05).When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for Arg,His,Lys,Phe,Cys,Gly,Ser,and Tyr in SBM 1 were lower than in SBM 4 and 5(P<0.05),whereas SID for Leu from SBM 5 was higher than in SBM 1 and 4(P<0.05).SID values for Ile,Ala,and Asp from SBM 4 were lower than in SBM 1 and 5(P<0.05).Sows had significantly greater SID values for Lys,Ala,and Asp during mid-gestation when compared with late-gestation stages(P<0.05).Mid-gestating sows had greater SID value for Val and lower SID value for Tyr when compared with non-pregnant and late-gestating sows(P<0.01),whereas non-pregnant sows had significantly greater SID value for Met when compared with gestating sows(P<0.01).Conclusions When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for most AAs varied among SBM samples.The SID values for Lys,Met,Val,Ala,Asp,and Tyr in SBM were affected by sow gestation stages.Our findings provide a cornerstone for accurate SBM use in sow diets.

Effects of L-carnitine and Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Energy Metabolism,Body Composition,and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness after Exercise in Healthy Subjects

Background Specific nutrients combined with exercise may prevent a loss of lean body mass and consequently prevent sarcopenia.We examined the effects of 2 weeks of supplementation with L-carnitine and a single dose of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)on energy metabolism and body composition before and after exercise and on post-exercise muscle soreness in healthy subjects.Methods A total of 12 young,untrained,healthy women were randomly assigned to two groups who received either 2 weeks of supplementation with L-carnitine(1000 mg/day)and a single dose of BCAAs plus 200 kcal energy(LCAR+BCAA group,n=6)or 200 kcal energy alone(control group,n=6)before 60 min of exercise.Energy substrate metabolism and body composition by bio-impedance were examined before and after exercise.Delayed-onset muscle soreness(DOMS)was evaluated by using a visual analogue scale for 3 days after exercise.Results Serum concentrations of free and acyl-L-carnitine in the LCAR+BCAA group were not significantly different from those in the control group.There were no significant differences in body composition before or after exercise between the two groups.Although serum free fatty acid levels 120 min after the oral ingestion of BCAAs were significantly lower in the LCAR+BCAA group than in the control group,there were no significant differences in serum free fatty acid levels immediately after and 60 min after exercise.DOMS for 3 days after exercise was lower in the LCAR+BCAA group than in the control group,but this difference was not significant.Conclusion Continuous supplementation with L-carnitine combined with a dose of BCAAs in young,untrained,healthy subjects caused a blunted response of stimulated lipolysis after exercise.

Gut microbiota induced abnormal amino acids and their correlation with diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To explore the correlation of gut microbiota and the metabolites with the progression of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and provide a novel strategy to elucidate the pathological mechanism of DR.METHODS:The fecal samples from 32 type 2 diabetes patients with proliferative retinopathy(PDR),23 with nonproliferative retinopathy(NPDR),27 without retinopathy(DM),and 29 from the sex-,age-and BMI-matched healthy controls(29 HC)were analyzed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing.Sixty fecal samples from PDR,DM,and HC groups were assayed by untargeted metabolomics.Fecal metabolites were measured using liquid chromatographymass spectrometry(LC-MS)analysis.Associations between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites were analyzed.RESULTS:A cluster of 2 microbiome and 12 metabolites accompanied with the severity of DR,and the close correlation of the disease progression with PDR-related microbiome and metabolites were found.To be specific,the structure of gut microbiota differed in four groups.Diversity and richness of gut microbiota were significantly lower in PDR and NPDR groups,than those in DM and HC groups.A cluster of microbiome enriched in PDR group,including Pseudomonas,Ruminococcaceae-UCG-002,Ruminococcaceae-UCG-005,Christensenellaceae-R-7,was observed.Functional analysis showed that the glucose and nicotinate degradations were significantly higher in PDR group than those in HC group.Arginine,serine,ornithine,and arachidonic acid were significantly enriched in PDR group,while proline was enriched in HC group.Functional analysis illustrated that arginine biosynthesis,lysine degradation,histidine catabolism,central carbon catabolism in cancer,D-arginine and D-ornithine catabolism were elevated in PDR group.Correlation analysis revealed that Ruminococcaceae-UCG-002 and Christensenellaceae-R-7 were positively associated with L-arginine,ornithine levels in fecal samples.CONCLUSION:This study elaborates the different microbiota structure in the gut from four groups.The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae-UCG-002 and Parabacteroides are associated with the severity of DR.Amino acid and fatty acid catabolism is especially disordered in PDR group.This may help provide a novel diagnostic parameter for DR,especially PDR.

Branched chain amino acids in hepatic encephalopathy and sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis:Evidence and uncertainties

Liver cirrhosis is commonly associated with nutritional alterations,reported in 20% of patients with compensated disease and over 60% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.Nutritional disturbances are associated with a worse prognosis and increased risk of complication.Serum levels of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)are decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis.The imbalance of amino acids levels has been suggested to be associated with the development of complications,such as hepatic encephalopathy and sarcopenia,and to affect the clinical presentation and prognosis of these patients.Several studies investigated the efficacy of BCAAs supplementation as a therapeutic option in liver cirrhosis,but uncertainties remain about the real efficacy,the best route of administration,and dosage.

Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd-and branched-chain fatty acids in feces

Background:The transition period is a challenging period for high-producing dairy cattle.Cows in early lactation are considered as a group at risk of subacute ruminal acidosis(SARA).Variability in SARA susceptibility in early lactation is hypothesized to be reflected in fecal characteristics such as fecal pH,dry matter content,volatile and odd-and branched-chain fatty acids(VFA and OBCFA,respectively),as well as fecal microbiota.This was investigated with 38 periparturient dairy cows,which were classified into four groups differing in median and mean time of reticular pH below 6 as well as area under the curve of pH below 6.Furthermore,we investigated whether fecal differences were already obvious during a period prior to the SARA risk(prepartum).Results:Variation in reticular pH during a 3-week postpartum period was not associated with differences in fecal pH and VFA concentration.In the postpartum period,the copy number of fecal bacteria and methanogens of unsusceptible(UN)cows was higher than moderately susceptible(MS)or susceptible(SU)cows,while the genera Ruminococcus and Prevotellacea_UCG-001 were proportionally less abundant in UN compared with SU cows.Nevertheless,only a minor reduction was observed in iso-BCFA proportions in fecal fatty acids of SU cows,particularly iso-C15:0and iso-C16:0,compared with UN cows.Consistent with the bacterial changes postpartum,the lower abundance of Ruminococcus was already observed in the prepartum fecal bacterial communities of UN cows,whereas Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 was increased.Nevertheless,no differences were observed in the prepartum fecal VFA or OBCFA profiles among the groups.Prepartum fecal bacterial communities of cows were clustered into two distinct clusters with 70%of the SU cows belonging to cluster 1,in which they represented 60%of the animals.Conclusions:Inter-animal variation in postpartum SARA susceptibility was reflected in post-and prepartum fecal bacterial communities.Differences in prepartum fecal bacterial communities could alert for susceptibility to develop SARA postpartum.Our results generated knowledge on the association between fecal bacteria and SARA development which could be further explored in a prevention strategy.

Sources and degradation of organic matter in the surface sediments of the Chukchi Sea:insights from amino acids

In the context of global warming and rapid environment change in the Arctic,the supply of organic matter(OM)has increased significantly and a large amount of OM are buried on the Arctic shelf.Studying the fate of OM in Arctic shelf sediments is crucial to understanding the global carbon sink.As a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean,the Chukchi Sea is one of the most critical areas where OM is buried.Based on the surface sediment samples collected during the sixth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in the summer of 2014 and the SinoRussian joint Arctic Research Expedition in the summer of 2016,this study takes amino acids(AAs)as the primary tool to explore the source and degradation of OM in the surface sediments of the Chukchi Sea.This study shows that total hydrolyzable amino acid(THAA)concentrations(dry weight)are high,with a mean value of(32.7±15.8)μmol/g.Their spatial distribution is related to primary productivity,hydrodynamic conditions,sediment properties and other factors.The source of OM in the surface sediments of the Chukchi Sea is dominated by diatom-dominated marine productivity,with some input from terrestrial sources.Bacteria,as the main source of the D-enantiomer of AA(D-AA),not only have transforming effect on OM,but their cell walls and remnants likewise supply the OM pool.Based on a series of diagenetic indicators,we conclude that the OM in the surface sediments of the Chukchi Sea has undergone extensive degradation[DI(degradation index)=-0.59±0.44],and the degradation degree in the slope is higher than that in the shelf.This study uses AA to explore the sources and degradation of OM in the sediments of the Chukchi Sea,which facilitates our understanding of OM transport and transformation on the Arctic shelf.

A chiral metal-organic framework{(HQA)(ZnCl_(2))(2.5H_(2)O)}n for the enantioseparation of chiral amino acids and drugs

Chiral metal-organic frameworks(CMOFs)with enantiomeric subunits have been employed in chiral chemistry.In this study,a CMOF formed from 6-methoxyl-(8S,9R)-cinchonan-9-ol-3-carboxylic acid(HQA)and ZnCl_(2),{(HQA)(ZnCl_(2))(2.5H_(2)O)}n,was constructed as a chiral stationary phase(CSP)via an in situ fabrication approach and used for chiral amino acid and drug analyses for the first time.The{(HQA)(ZnCl_(2))(2.5H_(2)O)}n nanocrystal and the corresponding chiral stationary phase were systematically characterised using a series of analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,circular dichroism,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements.In opentubular capillary electrochromatography(CEC),the novel chiral column exhibited strong and broad enantioselectivity toward a variety of chiral analytes,including 19 racemic dansyl amino acids and several model chiral drugs(both acidic and basic).The chiral CEC conditions were optimised,and the enantioseparation mechanisms are discussed.This study not only introduces a new high-efficiency member of the MOF-type CSP family but also demonstrates the potential of improving the enantioselectivities of traditional chiral recognition reagents by fully using the inherent characteristics of porous organic frameworks.

Branched-chain amino acids supplementation has beneficial effects on the progression of liver cirrhosis:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis(LC)is currently the 11^(th) most common cause of death and 15^(th) cause of morbidity globally.The treatment of LC is mainly aimed at etiological intervention,lifestyle intervention,prevention and treatment of complications and nutritional treatment.Nutritional treatment of LC mainly includes increasing dietary intake,food intake time and branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs).Despite the recommendation of BCAAs in some guidelines,adverse effects have been reported in studies so the efficacy and safety of BCAAs remain controversial.Currently,BCAAs have been widely used in chronic liver disease,while the summary of the effect of BCAAs on long-term prognosis is rare.AIM To determine the effects of BCAAs in patients with LC.METHODS The PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase and Web of Science databases were searched.The retrieval deadline was 1 October 2021 and there were no language restrictions set in the retrieval.The study was performed in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Nine studies were finally included.The primary outcome was complications of LC.The secondary outcomes were nutritional status and liver function.This meta-analysis used the Review Manager,version 5 statistical package(Cochrane Collaboration,Oxford,England)for analysis.RESULTS The analysis included nine studies that consisted of 1080 patients(554 in the BCAA groups and526 in the control groups).The nine studies were randomized control trials(RCTs).The quality of the studies was assessed using the risk of bias method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.BCAAs reduced the rate of complications in LC patients[Risk ratio:0.70,95%confidence interval(CI):0.56-0.88,P=0.002]and improved patients’albumin levels[std mean difference SMD:0.26,95%CI:0.12-0.40,P=0.0002].Meanwhile,BCAAs significantly ameliorated the levels of alanine transaminase(SMD:-2.03,95%CI:-2.52 to-1.53,P<0.00001)and aspartate aminotransferase(SMD:-1.8,95%CI:-2.14 to-1.46,P<0.00001).Meanwhile,glucose in the LC was significantly increased in BCAA-treated patients(MD:13.04,95%CI:6.81-19.89,P=0.0002).CONCLUSION BCAAs reduce the incidence of complications in patients with LC and ameliorate nutritional status.

Effect of perioperative branched chain amino acids supplementationin liver cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention: Asystematic review

performed independently by authors(Yap KY,Chi H,Ng S)identified 50 studies for full-text evaluation.Finally,12 prospective RCTs and 4 non-randomised studies(1 non-randomised trial and 3 observational studies)were included.A detailed PRISMA diagram is shown in Figure 1.The studies included were assessed for risk of bias,with a summary of the assessment shown in Figure 2 and Table 1 for trials and non-interventional studies,respectively.The PRISMA checklist is appended in Supplementary Figure 1.

Flavonoids and Amino Acids Analysis of the Fruits of Cornus mas L. Introduced in Uzbekistan

Cornelian cherry is used in the food and pharmaceutical industry as an ornament, in traditional medicine, and in the manufacture of household items. It is widely used in medicine for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Therefore, it is important to research the chemical composition of these species. In the article, based on our research, the analysis of the quantitative calculation of flavonoids and amino acids of the fruits of the “Elegant” and “Svetlyachok” cherry varieties was carried out. It was found that the amount of amino acids in the fruits of Cornus mas L., introduced in Uzbekistan, is higher in the variety “Svetlyachok” 2.643235 mg/g. In “Elegant” variety it was 1.794235 mg/g. The amount of 4 different flavonoids in the fruit was also determined. It has been established that the Elegant variety has a high concentration of lutein and rutin, and the svetlyachok has a high concentration of apigenin and quercetin.