Study the Effect of Different Levels of Zucchini (<i>Cucurbita pepo</i>L.) on the Biological Indicators for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Rats Fed High-Fat Diets

The effects of fresh zucchini on nutritional status, and biological indicators for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in rats fed high-fat diets investigated in this study. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two main groups the first, negative control group Co (-) (n = 6), fed basal diet, The second group (n = 24) fed high-fat diet (containing basal diet + 5% tallow + 1% cholesterol + 0.02% bile salt). This group was divided into four subgroups each group 6 rats: group positive control co (+) fed high-fat diet only, group 1 (G (1)) fed high-fat diet plus 10% zucchini, group 2 (G (2) fed high-fat diet plus 15% zucchini and group 3 (G (3)) fed high-fat diet plus 20% zucchini. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured after eight wk. of experimental treatment. The pathologic changes of the heart, spleen and kidney were evaluated. SPSS, one way ANOVA was used to analyze the results. The results indicated that the mean values of body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency ratio (FIR) in G (2) and G (3) showed significant decrease compared to co (-), co (+) and G 1. The results showed that in groups (G1, G2 and G3) the relative weight of heart had significant increase when compared with control negative group. But liver and spleen weight had no significant difference when compared with control negative and positive group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in co (+) (P < 0.05) Compared to co (-), all groups fed on high fat diet containing different levels of zucchini (10%, 15% and 20%) had significant decrease in TC and LDL-C compared with co (+), also G2 and G3 had improve significant in HDL-C when compared with co. (+). The groups fed on zucchini give results similar to group co. (-). The best treatment was zucchini (15% and 20%) which had lowest values of total lipid cholesterol and LDL-C, and the best values of HDL-C, HDL-C/TC % for all groups fed on high fat diet and zucchini increased non significantly (p ≤ 0.05) the HDL-C/TC % index compared to group co. (+). while, G2 and G3 gave significant decrease in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio compared to group co. (+). Morphologic changes of heart, spleen and kidney revealed that groups G2 and G3 had a similar preventive effect against CHD in this experimental model. In conclusion, results showed that zucchini had similar potential to attenuate CHD-related parameters in a mild oxidative stress induced by high-fat diet in rats.

Voluntary wheel running ameliorated the deleterious effects of high-fat diet on glucose metabolism,gut microbiota and microbial-associated metabolites

Exercise training is critical for the early prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus.However,the mechanism with gut microbiota and fecal metabolites underlying the effects of voluntary wheel running on high-fat diet induced abnormal glucose metabolism has not been fully elaborated.C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups according to diets(fed with normal chow diet or high-fat diet)and running paradigm(housed in static cage or with voluntary running wheel).An integrative 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolites profiling was synchronously performed to characterize the effects of voluntary wheel running on gut microbiota and metabolites.It showed that voluntary wheel running prevented the detrimental effects of high-fat feeding on glucose metabolism 16S rDNA sequencing showed remarkable changes in Rikenella and Marvinbryantia genera.Metabolic profiling indicated multiple altered metabolites,which were enriched in secondary bile acid biosynthesis signaling.In conclusion,our study indicated that voluntary wheel running significantly improved glucose metabolism and counteracted the deleterious effects of high-fat feeding on body weight and glucose intolerance.We further found that voluntary wheel running could integratively program gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolites changes,and may regulate muricholic acid metabolism and secondary bile acid biosynthesis in high-fat fed mice.

Effects of forsythin extract in Forsythia leaves on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in rats fed a high-fat diet

Forsythia suspensa,belonging to the deciduous shrubs of the Luteaceae family,a traditional Chinese medicine,has effects of alleviating swelling,clearing heat,detoxification and promoting blood circulation.The leaves of F.suspensa contain multiple chemical components and have a long history of use in folk medicines and health foods.The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of forsythin extract from F.suspensa leaves on intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)content in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet.Forsythin extract in F.suspensa leaves increased the abundance of the intestinal microbiota,ameliorated intestinal microbiota disorders and inhibited the increase in total SCFA content in the intestinal tract in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet.These results suggested that forsythin extract in F.suspensa leaves may slow the development of obesity induced by a high-fat diet;thus,its active components and efficacy are worthy of further study.

Time-dependent impact of a high-fat diet on the intestinal barrier of male mice

BACKGROUND Excessive saturated fat intake compromises the integrity of the intestinal mucosa,leading to low-grade inflammation,impaired mucosal integrity,and increased intestinal permeability,resulting in the migration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to other tissues.AIM To evaluate the chronic effects(at 10 and 16 wk)of a high-fat diet(HFD)(with 50%energy as fat)on the phylogenetic gut microbiota distribution and intestinal barrier structure and protection in C57BL/6 mice.METHODS Forty adult male mice were divided into four nutritional groups,where the letters refer to the type of diet(control and HFD or HF)and the numbers refer to the period(in weeks)of diet administration:Control diet for 10 wk,HFD for 10 wk,control diet for 16 wk,and HFD for 16 wk.After sacrifice,biochemical,molecular,and stereological analyses were performed.RESULTS The HF groups were overweight,had gut dysbiosis,had a progressive decrease in occludin immunostaining,and had increased LPS concentrations.Dietary progression reduced the number of goblet cells per large intestine area and Mucin2 expression in the HF16 group,consistent with a completely disarranged intestinal ultrastructure after 16 wk of HFD intake.CONCLUSION Chronic HFD intake causes overweight,gut dysbiosis,and morphological and functional alterations of the intestinal barrier after 10 or 16 wk.Time-dependent reductions in goblet cell numerical density and mucus production have emerged as targets for countering obesity-driven intestinal damage.

Pro and anti-inflammatory diets as strong epigenetic factors in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is the consequence of a complex interplay between environmental factors,like dietary habits,that alter intestinal microbiota in response to luminal antigens in genetically susceptible individuals.Epigenetics represents an auspicious area for the discovery of how environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of inflammation,prognosis,and response to therapy.Consequently,it relates to gene expression control in response to environmental influences.The increasing number of patients with IBD globally is indicative of the negative effects of a food supply rich in trans and saturated fats,refined su-gars,starches and additives,as well as other environmental factors like seden-tarism and excess bodyweight,influencing the promotion of gene expression and increasing DNA hypomethylation in IBD.As many genetic variants are now associated with Crohn's disease(CD),new therapeutic strategies targeting modi-fiable environmental triggers,such as the implementation of an anti-inflammatory diet that involves the removal of potential food antigens,are of growing interest in the current literature.Diet,as a strong epigenetic factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders like IBD,provides novel insights into the pathophysio-logy of intestinal and extraintestinal inflammatory disorders.

Ameliorative effects of Lactobacillus fermentum isolated from individuals following vegan, omnivorous and high-meat diets on ulcerative colitis in mice

Lactobacillus spp.can be beneficial for the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).In this study,153 participants who followed vegan,omnivorous,or high-meat diet were recruited.Compositional analysis of the Lactobacillus community in feces revealed that Lactobacillus fermentum strains were significantly affected by diet.Administration of mixed L.fermentum strains from vegans significantly improved inflammation compared to that from omnivores and high-meat consumers,as evidenced by a significant reduction in colonic tissue damage,improvement in inflammatory cytokines,enhanced expression of ZO-1,occludin,and claudin-3,and a significant increase in short chain fatty acids concentration.The effect of a single strain of L.fermentum was similar to that of a mixed strains of L.fermentum group.Genomic analysis suggested that L.fermentum strains from the guts of vegans possessed a higher prevalence of genes involved in carbohydrate catabolism than those from the guts of omnivores and high-meat eaters.In particular,the ME2 gene is involved in the biosynthesis of acetate,a compound considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties.In conclusion,this study indicates strain-specific differences in the ability of L.fermentum strains to alleviate UC in mice,influenced by habitual diets。

Debaryomyces hansenii supplementation in low fish meal diets promotes growth,modulates microbiota and enhances intestinal condition in juvenile marine fish

Background The development of a sustainable business model with social acceptance,makes necessary to develop new strategies to guarantee the growth,health,and well-being of farmed animals.Debaryomyces hansenii is a yeast species that can be used as a probiotic in aquaculture due to its capacity to i)promote cell proliferation and differen-tiation,ii)have immunostimulatory effects,iii)modulate gut microbiota,and/or iv)enhance the digestive function.To provide inside into the effects of D.hansenii on juveniles of gilthead seabream(Sparus aurata)condition,we inte-grated the evaluation of the main key performance indicators coupled with the integrative analysis of the intestine condition,through histological and microbiota state,and its transcriptomic profiling.Results After 70 days of a nutritional trial in which a diet with low levels of fishmeal(7%)was supplemented with 1.1%of D.hansenii(17.2×10^(5) CFU),an increase of ca.12%in somatic growth was observed together with an improve-ment in feed conversion in fish fed a yeast-supplemented diet.In terms of intestinal condition,this probiotic modu-lated gut microbiota without affecting the intestine cell organization,whereas an increase in the staining intensity of mucins rich in carboxylated and weakly sulphated glycoconjugates coupled with changes in the affinity for certain lectins were noted in goblet cells.Changes in microbiota were characterized by the reduction in abundance of several groups of Proteobacteria,especially those characterized as opportunistic groups.The microarrays-based transcrip-tomic analysis found 232 differential expressed genes in the anterior-mid intestine of S.aurata,that were mostly related to metabolic,antioxidant,immune,and symbiotic processes.Conclusions Dietary administration of D.hansenii enhanced somatic growth and improved feed efficiency param-eters,results that were coupled to an improvement of intestinal condition as histochemical and transcriptomic tools indicated.This probiotic yeast stimulated host-microbiota interactions without altering the intestinal cell organization nor generating dysbiosis,which demonstrated its safety as a feed additive.At the transcriptomic level,D.hansenii pro-moted metabolic pathways,mainly protein-related,sphingolipid,and thymidylate pathways,in addition to enhance antioxidant-related intestinal mechanisms,and to regulate sentinel immune processes,potentiating the defensive capacity meanwhile maintaining the homeostatic status of the intestine.

Therapeutic effects of Lingguizhugan decoction in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance

BACKGROUND Lingguizhugan(LGZG)decoction is a widely used classic Chinese medicine formula that was recently shown to improve high-fat diet(HFD)-induced insulin resistance(IR)in animal studies.AIM To assess the therapeutic effect of LGZG decoction on HFD-induced IR and explore the potential underlying mechanism.METHODS To establish an IR rat model,a 12-wk HFD was administered,followed by a 4-wk treatment with LGZG.The determination of IR status was achieved through the use of biochemical tests and oral glucose tolerance tests.Using a targeted metabolomics platform to analyze changes in serum metabolites,quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to assess the gene expression of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta 1(S6K1).RESULTS In IR rats,LGZG decreased body weight and indices of hepatic steatosis.It effectively controlled blood glucose and food intake while protecting islet cells.Metabolite analysis revealed significant differences between the HFD and HFDLGZG groups.LGZG intervention reduced branched-chain amino acid levels.Levels of IR-related metabolites such as tryptophan,alanine,taurine,and asparagine decreased significantly.IR may be linked to amino acids due to the contemporaneous increase in S6K1 expression,as shown by qRT-PCR.CONCLUSIONS Our study strongly suggests that LGZG decoction reduces HFD-induced IR.LGZG may activate S6K1 via metabolic pathways.These findings lay the groundwork for the potential of LGZG as an IR treatment.

Impact of numerous larval diets on the biology of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella(Saunders)(Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae)under laboratory conditions

Background Pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella(Saunders)(Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae)has become a poten-tial pest of cotton by causing substantial yield losses around the world including Pakistan.Keeping in view the facts like limited research investigations,unavailability,and high cost of artificial diet’s constituents and their premixes,the present research investigations on the dietary aspect of P.gossypiella were conducted.The larvae of P.gossypiella were reared on different diets that were prepared using indigenous elements.The standard/laboratory diet com-prised of wheat germ meal 34.5 g,casein 30.0 g,agar–agar 20.0 g,sucrose 10.0 g,brewer’s yeast 5.0 g,α-cellulose 1.0 g,potassium-sorbate1.5 g,niplagin 0.5 g,decavitamin 0.01 g,choline-chloride 0.06 g,maize-oil 3.30 g,honey 2.0 g,and water 730.0 mL.Alternatives to cotton bolls and wheat germ meal were okra seed sprouts,okra fruit,cottonseed meal,and okra seed meals,which were included in the study to introduce an efficient and economic mass-rearing system.Results The larval development completed in 19.68d±0.05 d with a weight of 20.18mg±0.20 mg at the fourth instar fed on the cottonseed meal-based diet instead of wheat germ meal based diet.On the same diet,84.00%±4.00%,17.24 mg±0.03 mg,and 7.76d±0.06 d were recorded as pupae formation,pupal weight,and pupal duration,respectively.Adult emergence,76.00%±1.00%was recorded from pupae collected from larvae raised on cottonseed meal-based diet.These male and female moths lived for 40.25d±0.10 d,and 44.34d±0.11 d,respectively.Females deposited 21.28±0.04 eggs per day with the viability of 65.78%±0.14%.The larval mortal-ity at the fourth instar was 37.20%±1.36%and malformed pupation of 12.00%±1.41%was recorded.Replacement of wheat germ meal with that of local meals(cottonseed and okra seed)in the standard laboratory diet has saved 463.80 to 467.10 PKR with 1.62 to 1.63 cost economic returns,respectively.Conclusion This research is of novel nature as it provides a concise and workable system for the economic and suc-cessful rearing of P.gossypiella under laboratory conditions.

Polysaccharide-rich extract of Potentilla anserina ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cells and high-fat/sugar diet-fed mice

Potentilla anserina L.(PA)belongs to the Rosaceae family,is a common edible plant in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau areas of China.This study elucidates the mechanism upon which crude polysaccharide of PA(PAP)on fat accumulation in HepG2 cells stimulated by oleic acid(OA)and high fat high sugar induced mice.The result revealed that PAP inhibited lipid accumulation in obese mice and ameliorated the degree of damage in OA-induced HepG2 cells.Specifically,compared to the control group,the TG and TC levels were decreased in cells and mice serum,the aspartate transaminase and alamine aminotransferase contents were declined in liver of obese mice by PAP treatment.The expressions of adipogenic genes of SREBP-1c,C/EBPα,PPARγ,and FAS were inhibited after PAP treatment.Moreover,PAP increased the mRNA levels of CPT-1 and PPARα,which were involved in fatty acid oxidation.The present results indicated the PAP could alleviate the damage of liver associated with obesity and PAP treatment might provide a dietary therapeutic option for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

High-fat diet and oral infection induced type 2 diabetes and obesity development under different genetic backgrounds

Background:Type 2 diabetes(T2D)is an adult-onset and obese form of diabetes caused by an interplay between genetic,epigenetic,and environmental components.Here,we have assessed a cohort of 11 genetically different collaborative cross(CC)mouse lines comprised of both sexes for T2D and obesity developments in response to oral infection and high-fat diet(HFD)challenges.Methods:Mice were fed with either the HFD or the standard chow diet(control group)for 12 weeks starting at the age of 8 weeks.At week 5 of the experiment,half of the mice of each diet group were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria strains.Throughout the 12-week experimental period,body weight(BW)was recorded biweekly,and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed at weeks 6 and 12 of the experiment to evaluate the glucose tolerance status of mice.Results:Statistical analysis has shown the significance of phenotypic variations between the CC lines,which have different genetic backgrounds and sex effects in different experimental groups.The heritability of the studied phenotypes was estimated and ranged between 0.45 and 0.85.We applied machine learning methods to make an early call for T2D and its prognosis.The results showed that classification with random forest could reach the highest accuracy classification(ACC=0.91)when all the attributes were used.Conclusion:Using sex,diet,infection status,initial BW,and area under the curve(AUC)at week 6,we could classify the final phenotypes/outcomes at the end stage of the experiment(at 12 weeks).

Targeted microbiome metabolomics reveals flaxseed oil supplementation regulated the gut microbiota and farnesoid X receptor pathway in high-fat diet mice

Flaxseed oil(FSO)rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs)can protect against obesity and insulin resistance,but the underlying mechanism is unknown.An integrative multiomics of the microbiome and targeted metab olomics approach was performed to investigate the possible pathway for flaxseed oil supplementation on reducing serum total cholesterol,triglyceride and epididymal adipose in high-fat diet mice.FSO ameliorated the gut microbial dysbiosis by increasing the community diversity and the abundance of Clostridiales and Ruminococcaceae.These effects were associated with the regulation of bile acid(BAs)in the feces.FSO reduced the concentrations of conjugated BAs,such as cholic acid,tauro-α-murocholic acid,and tauro-ursodesoxycholic acid in feces,which in turn inhibit the intestinal farnesoid X receptor(FXR)-fibroblast growth factor(FGF)15 signaling pathway.Further analysis revealed that FSO activated FXR in the liver and regulated downstream gene expression(SHP,SREBP-1c,and CPT-1a),which promoted lipolysis and inhibited lipogenesis.The results of this study suggest that FSO modulates serum lipid concentrations by regulating the gut microbiota,FXR-FGF15 signaling and BA metabolism.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-induced Endothelial Dysfunction Promotes Neointima Formation after Arteriovenous Grafts in Mice on High-fat Diet

Objective Endothelial dysfunction is one candidate for triggering neointima formation after arteriovenous grafts(AVGs),but the factors mediating this process are unclear.The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-induced endothelial dysfunction in neointima formation following AVGs in high-fat diet(HFD)mice.Methods CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein(CHOP)knockout(KO)mice were created.Mice were fed with HFD to produce HFD model.AVGs model were applied in the groups of WT ND,WT HFD,and CHOP KO HFD.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured with oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)(40 mg/L)for the indicated time lengths(0,6,12,24 h).ERS inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA)was used to block ERS.Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the changes of ICAM1.Changes of ERS were detected by real-time RT-PCR.Protein expression levels and ERS activation were detected by Western blotting.Endothellial cell function was determined by endothelial permeability assay and transendothelial migration assay.Results HFD increased neointima formation in AVGs associated with endothelial dysfunction.At the same time,ERS was increased in endothelial cells(ECs)after AVGs in mice consuming the HFD.In vitro,ox-LDL was found to stimulate ERS,increase the permeability of the EC monolayer,and cause endothelial dysfunction.Blocking ERS with TUDCA or CHOP siRNA reversed the EC dysfunction caused by ox-LDL.In vivo,knockout of CHOP(CHOP KO)protected the function of ECs and decreased neointima formation after AVGs in HFD mice.Conclusion Inhibiting ERS in ECs could improve the function of AVGs.

SESN2 ablation weakens exercise benefits on resilience of gut microbiota following high-fat diet consumption in mice

Gut dysbiosis is associated with several pathological processes.Previous study showed that regular exercise can protect against dysmetabolism in high-fat diet(HFD)fed mice through butyrate-SESN2 pathway,and SESN2 ablation weakened the protective effects of exercise.Here,we investigated whether SESN2-defi ciency suppresses the exercise response to microbiota composition and subsequently reduces the benefi ts of exercise on dysmetabolism induced by HFD.Wild type(WT)and SESN2^(-/-)mice were assigned to fi ve-groups,fed with either normal chow or HFD and with or without exercise training for 15-week.Fecal microbiota composition and function were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing.The sequencing results showed that SESN2^(-/-)mice displayed differed microbiome profile from WT mice.Exercise enriched the microflora diversity and increased the benefi cial microbial species in WT mice,and SESN2 ablation weakened the benefi cial effects of exercise on microbial resilience following HFD consumption.Moreover,network analysis revealed that exercise increased correlation density and clustering of operational taxonomic units in WT mice only.KEGG demonstrated that some dominant metabolism-related enzymes and modules increased in SESN2^(-/-)mice.Our results indicated that the effects of exercise on metabolism are associated with the perturbations of gut microbiota composition and function,suggesting that SESN2 contributes to maintain metabolic homeostasis.

The prevention of high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by Fucoidan

Objective:To study the preventive effect of fucoidan on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high fat diet.Methods:The experimental mice were randomly divided into three groups:control group,high-fat diet group and fucoidan intervention group.The control group was fed a standard diet,and the other two groups were fed a high-fat diet.The control group and the high-fat diet group were given normal saline intragastric administration every day,and the intervention group was given intragastric administration of fucoidan polysaccharide solution at a dose of 100 mg∙kg^(-1)∙d^(-1) once a day for continuous intervention for 12 weeks.After the last intragastric administration for 12 h,the body weight and liver weight of each group of mice were measured,and the liver index was calculated.The contents of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)in liver tissues of mice in each group were detected by biochemical kit.Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was used to compare the pathological morphological changes of liver tissue in each group.The contents of inflammatory factor interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and oxidative stress index malondialdehyde(MDA),and the activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in liver tissues of mice in each group were determined.Results:Compared with the control group,the body weight and liver index of mice receiving high fat diet increased significantly(P<0.01).In addition,the contents of TG,TC,AST and ALT in liver tissue of high-fat diet group were significantly increased compared with that of control group(P<0.01).The liver tissue of mice in the high-fat diet group also showed significant pathological changes,accompanied by increased expression of inflammatory factors and a significant increase in oxidative stress response.However,compared with the mice in the high-fat diet group,the above indexes were significantly improved in the liver tissue of the mice treated with fucoidan(P<0.01).Conclusion:Fucoidan can inhibit liver lipid deposition,liver inflammation and oxidative stress induced by high fat diet.

Effects of Polygonatum odoratum Polysaccharide on Reproductive Hormones in Male Rats Fed a High-fat Diet

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)on organ relative weights and reproductive hormone levels in male rats fed a high-fat diet.[Methods]Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into two groups according to their body weight:10 in normal control group(Group NC,n=10)and 20 in experimental group(n=20).The rats in experimental group were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks before they were further randomly divided into two groups:high fat group(Group HF)and high fat+400 mg/(kg·d)POP group(Group HF+POP).In Group HF+POP,the rats were administered with POP for another six weeks,before their blood plasma was collected,and the relative weights of their testis and epididymis were calculated.The plasma levels of testosterone(T),estrogen(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),cortisol(C)and luteinizing hormone(LH)were measured by radioimmunoassay,and the plasma levels of sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG)and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.[Results]Compared with Group HF,POP could effectively inhibit rat obesity caused by high-fat diets,increase the relative weights of their testis and epididymis,plasma levels of LH,E2,FSH,T,SHBG and IGF-1,and reduce the plasma level of E2.[Conclusions]Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)is able to effectively regulate the level of reproductive hormones in high-fat diet fed rats,and helps to protect their reproductive function.

Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide on Antioxidant Capacity of the Liver in High-fat Diet Rats

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide(PSP)on antioxidant function in high-fat diet obese rats.[Methods]Thirty five healthy male SD rats were selected to establish an obesity model after feeding a high-fat for 8 weeks.They were then randomly divided into a normal group(NC),a high-fat diet group(HF),and an HF+P.sibiricum polysaccharide group[HF+PSP,300 mg/(kg·d)].After 6 weeks of PSP intervention,the serum and liver of rats were collected,and the activity of aspartate transaminase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)in serum,the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in liver tissue were measured.The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by HE staining.[Results]Compared with the HF group,PSP could effectively inhibit obesity caused by high-fat diet.It reduced body weight and serum AST and ALT levels,increased the contents of T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in the liver,and inhibited the accumulation of MDA content,thereby reducing damage to liver cells caused by a high-fat diet.It indicated that PSP could effectively inhibit obesity in high-fat diet rats and enhance their antioxidant capacity.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference for the study of the antioxidant capacity of PSP.

Effect of Mongolian Vinegar Soaked Licorice on Liver Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride Combined with High-fat Diet in Rats

[Objectives]To determine the improvement effect of vinegar soaked licorice on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))combined with high-fat diet in rats.[Methods]Subcutaneous injection of 40%-60%CCl_(4)olive oil solution(0.3 mL/100 g)combined with a high-fat diet was used for 5 weeks to establish the rat model with liver fibrosis.After the modeling,the rats were divided into a low dose(0.8 g/kg),a medium dose(2.5 g/kg),a high dose(5 g/kg)group,a colchicine(1.5 mg/kg)positive group,and a vinegar group(2 mL/kg).The serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels in the rats were measured automatically.The serum hyaluronic acid(HA)was detected by radioimmunoassay,and the serum laminin(LN)and procollagen type III peptide(PIIIP)levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Liver histopathological morphological changes were observed by HE and Masson staining,and expressions of cytochrome CYP2E1 and transcription factor Nrf2 were detected by immunohistochemistry.[Results]The rat liver fibrosis model was established successfully at the 6~(th)week.Compared with the model group,the levels of ALT,AST,HA,LA,PIIIP,CYP2E1 and Nrf2 of all the examined indexes in the dosing group were decreased(P<0.05).As shown in the pictures of liver pathological tissue sections,the liver fibrosis was significantly alleviated in the positive group and the 3 administration groups.[Conclusions]Vinegar soaked licorice can significantly improve the liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride combined with high-fat diet in rats,and the effect of the high-dose group was similar to that of the positive group.

Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide (PSP) on Inflammatory Factors in Rats Fed on High-fat Diet

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide(PSP)on chronic intestinal inflammation caused by high-fat diet.[Methods]Thirty five male healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(NC,normal diet,n=10)and a high-fat diet group(HF,high-fat diet,n=25).After 8 weeks,an obesity model was established.The HF group was randomly divided into an HF group and a PSP treatment group[PSP,300 mg/(kg·d)].After 6 weeks of intervention with PSP,rat serum was collected,and the spleen and thymus were stripped,and weighed.Serum IgG,IgM,LPS and IL-1βand IL-6 contents were detected by ELISA,and HE staining was adopted to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissue.[Results]PSP reduced the level of LPS caused by high-fat diet and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α,increased the indexes of the thymus and spleen serving as immune organs,increased IgG and IgM contents,and alleviated pathological damage to the colon tissue caused by high-fat diet.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis and experimental basis for the development of drugs for treating metabolic diseases such as obesity and inflammation.

The association of diet quality and physical activity with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 85,545 older Australians:A longitudinal study

Background:A quality diet and an active lifestyle are both important cornerstones of cardiovascular disease(CVD)prevention.However,despite their interlinked effects on metabolic health,the 2 behaviors are rarely considered jointly,particularly within the context of CVD prevention.We examined the independent,interactive,and joint associations of diet and physical activity with CVD hospitalization,CVD mortality,and all-cause mortality.Methods:CVD-free Australian participants aged 4574 years(n=85,545)reported physical activity,diet,sociodemographic,and lifestyle characteristics at baseline(20062009)and follow-up(20122015),and data were linked to hospitalization and death registries(03/31/2019 for CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality and 12/08/2017 for CVD mortality).Diet quality was categorized as low,medium,and high based on meeting dietary recommendations.Physical activity was operationalized as(a)total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)as per guidelines,and(b)the composition of MVPA as the ratio of vigorous-intensity physical activity(VPA)to total MVPA.We used a left-truncated cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model using time-varying covariates.Results:During a median of 10.7 years of follow-up,6576 participants were admitted to the hospital for CVD and 6581 died from all causes(876 from CVD during 9.3 years).A high-quality diet was associated with a 17%lower risk of all-cause mortality than a low-quality diet,and the highest MVPA category(compared with the lowest)was associated with a 44%and 48%lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality,respectively.Multiplicative interactions between diet and physical activity were non-significant.For all outcomes,the lowest risk combinations involved a high-quality diet and the highest MVPA categories.Accounting for total MVPA,some VPA was associated with further risk reduction of CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality.Conclusion:For CVD prevention and longevity,one should adhere to both a healthy diet and an active lifestyle and incorporate some VPA when possible.