Preparation of High-Purity Linolenic Acid from Oil of Lithospermum Erythrorhizon by Urea Inclusion and Column Chromatography

Aim To separate high purity linolenic acid from the oil of Lithospermumerythrorhizon growing in the Northeast of China. Methods Urea inclusion and column chromatographywere used. Results Unsaturated fatty acid was separated, with a purity of 99.30 wt% of linolenicacid. Conclusion The experiment shows excellent reproducibility and high feasibility for industrialproduction.

Landscape of Sequence Variations in Homologous Copies of FAD2 and FAD3 in Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)Germplasm with High/Low Linolenic Acid Trait

Genetic manipulation(either restraint or enhancement)of the biosynthesis pathway ofα-linolenic acid(ALA)in seed oil is an important goal in Brassica napus breeding.B.napus is a tetraploid plant whose genome often har-bors four and six homologous copies,respectively,of the two fatty acid desaturases FAD2 and FAD3,which con-trol the last two steps of ALA biosynthesis during seed oil accumulation.In this study,we compared their promoters,coding sequences,and expression levels in three high-ALA inbred lines 2006L,R8Q10,and YH25005,a low-ALA line A28,a low-ALA/high-oleic-acid accession SW,and the wildtype ZS11.The expression levels of most FAD2 and FAD3 homologs in the three high-ALA accessions were higher than those in ZS11 and much higher than those in A28 and SW.The three high-ALA accessions shared similar sequences with the pro-moters and CDSs of BnFAD3.C4 and BnFAD3.A3.In A28 and SW,substitution of three amino acid residues in BnFAD2.A5 and BnFAD2.C5,an absence of BnFAD2.C1 locus,and a 549 bp long deletion on the BnFAD3.A3 promoter were detected.The profile of BnFAD2 mutation in the two low-ALA accessions A28 and SW is different from that reported in previous studies.The mutations in BnFAD3 in the high-ALA accessions are reported for thefirst time.In identifying the sites of these mutations,we provide detailed information to aid the design of mole-cular markers for accelerated breeding schemes.

Preparation and Charaterization of Self-assembled Nanoparticles Based on Linolenic-acid Modified Chitosan

Chitosan was modified by conjugating coupling with linolenic acid through the 1-ethyl-3-（3-dimethylami- nopropyyl） carbodiimide （EDC）-mediated reaction. The degree of substitution 1.8% （ i.e. 1.8 linolenic acid group per 100 anhydroglucose units） was measured by ^1H NMR. The critical aggregation concentration （CAC） of the self-aggregate of hydrophobically modified chitosan was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity of the pyrene as a fluorescent probe. The CAC value in phosphate-buffered saline （PBS） solution （pH 7.4） was 5 × 10^-2 mg mL^-1. The average particle size of selfaggregates of hydrophobically modified chitosan in PBS solution （pH7.4） was 210.8 nm with a unimodal size distribution ranging from 100 to 500 nm. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） study showed that the formation of near spherical shape nanoparticles has enough structural integrity. The loading ability of hydrophibically modified chitosan （LA-chitosan） was investigated by using bovine serum albumin （BSA） as the model. The loading capacity of self-aggregated nanoparticles increases （ 19.85 % ± 0.04 % to 37.57 % ± 0.25 % ） with the concentration of BSA （0.1-0.5 mg mL^-1 ）.

Evaluation of anti-tubercular activity of linolenic acid and conjugatedlinoleic acid as effective inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Objective: To evaluate a new pharmacological activity/effect of linolenic acid(α- and γ-form) and conjugated-linoleic acid(CLA) causing antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb). Methods: The anti-Mtb activity/effect of linolenic acid and CLA were determined using different anti-Mtb indicator methods such as resazurin microtiter assay(REMA) and MGIT 960 system assay. The Mtb was incubated with various concentrations(12.5–200) μg/m L of the compounds and anti-Mtb first-line drugs for 5 d in the REMA, and for 3 wk in MGIT 960 system assay. Results: Linolenic acid and CLA obviously indicated their anti-Mtb activity/effect by strongly inhibiting the growth/proliferation of Mtb in a dosedependent manner in the REMA and the MGIT 960 system assay. Interestingly, linolenic acid and CLA consistently induced anti-Mtb activity/effect by effectively inhibiting the growth/proliferation of Mtb in MGIT 960 system for 21 d with a single-treatment, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were measured as 200 μg/m L respectively. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that linolenic acid and CLA not only have effective anti-Mtb activity/properties, but also induce the selective-anti-Mtb effects by strongly inhibiting and blocking the growth/proliferation of Mtb through a new pharmacological activity/action. Therefore, this study provides novel perspectives for the effective use of them and the potential that can be used as potent anti-Mtb candidate drugs, as well as suggests the advantage of reducing the cost and/or time for developing a new/substantive drug by effectively repurposing the existing drugs or compounds as one of new strategies for the global challenge of tuberculosis.

Formulation ofα-linolenic acid microemulsion free of co-surfactant

A novel class ofα-linolenic acid-in-water microemulsion free of co-surfactant was investigated as potential food delivery systems.Rough demarcation within the transparent region was deduced from the results of conductivity and polarizing optical microscopy.The microemulsion mean hydrodynamic diameter and characterization were determined by dynamic light scattering and negative-staining TEM.The location of ALA molecules in the microemulsion formulations was determined by ~1H NMR spectroscopy.

Effects of Ce^(3+) on improvement of spectral characteristics and function of chloroplasts damaged by linolenic acid in spinach

Linolenic acid has great effects on the structure and function of chloroplast. We studied the effects of Ce3＋ on the improvement of chloroplast spectral characteristics and oxygen evolution damaged by linolenic acid in spinach. Results showed that Ce3＋ could decrease the light absorption increased by linolenic acid and promote the distribution of excitation energy to PS II and alleviate the decrease of PS Ⅱ fluo- rescence yield caused by linolenic acid. The linolenic acid treatments in various concentrations reduced the oxygen-evolving rate of chloroplasts, but the rate was accelerated since adding Ce3＋.

Effect of Altering Linoleic Acid and Linolenic Acid Dietary Ratios on the Performance and Tissue Fatty Acid Profiles of Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii （de Man 1879） Post Larvae

A 90-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary linoleic acid （LA; 18：2n-6） and linolenic acid ratios （LNA; 18：3n-3） on growth induces, feed utilization and tissue fatty acid profile of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae （PL）. The experiment was conducted in cubic indoor fiberglass tanks, each holding 700 L in triplicate. Post-larvae with an average weight of 20.8 ± 0.20 mg were stocked at 80 PL m2. Five experimental isocaloric （15.06 MJ kgl digestible energy）, and isonitrogenous （30.45% digestible protein） diets were formulated by blending of soybean oil and linseed oil to containing five dietary LA/LNA ratios （7.80, 2.75, 1.28, 0.65 and 0.30）. The highest survival values were recorded for prawn PL fed diet containing 0.65 LA/LAN ratios. Growth indices of PL significantly increased （P 〈 0.05） with decreased dietary LA/LAN ratios to 0.65. The same trend was observed for the highest （P ≤ 0.05） protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, fat retention, energy retention and best feed conversion ratio. The total whole tissue polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of M. rosenbergii PL was dominated by LA followed by LAN. Post larvae fed the diets containing higher LA/LNA ratios showed a higher tissue LA/LNA ratio. The obtained findings revealed that fatty acid patterns ofM. rosenbergii PL were influenced by fatty acid profiles of diets. The diet containing 0.65 LA/LNA ratio is recommended to obtaining optimum growth performance and feed utilization for M. rosenbergii PL.

α-亚麻酸通过TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路抑制脂多糖诱导的巨噬细胞炎症

ω-3脂肪酸具有自然的抗炎属性,而α-亚麻酸(ALA)是一种人体必需的ω-3脂肪酸,为了阐明其体外抗炎机制,本实验采用脂多糖(LPS)刺激巨噬细胞构建炎症模型,通过测定单核细胞趋化蛋白(MCP-1)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)、白细胞介素13(IL-13)等炎症因子的水平、活性氧(ROS)生成量和炎症信号通路相关蛋白表达情况探讨α-亚麻酸减轻脂多糖诱导的炎症反应的机制。结果表明,α-亚麻酸能显著抑制MCP-1的释放,提高抗炎细胞因子IL-13的分泌水平;同时,α-亚麻酸还可以降低ROS生成量,缓解ROS介导的炎性损伤。此外,α-亚麻酸可以通过增加抗氧化酶SOD的表达,减少MDA的堆积,从而减轻炎症反应中氧化应激的伴随性危害。蛋白印迹分析进一步证实,α-亚麻酸可抑制TLR4、MyD88的表达以及下游p65和IκBα的磷酸化水平。以上结果表明,α-亚麻酸可明显抑制LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞炎症反应,其机制可能与抑制TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路激活有关。

Alleviation effects of Ce^(3+) on inhibition of photochemical activity caused by linolenic acid in spinach chloroplast

Linolenic acid has great effects on the structure and function of chloroplast. The function of Ce^3＋ on the improvement of chloroplast photoreduction activity and oxygen evolution damaged by linolenic acid in spinach by in vitro investigation was studied. Results showed that adding Ce^3＋ to the linolenic acid treated chloroplast could greatly decrease the reduction linolenic acid exerted on the whole chain electron transport rate and the photoreduction activity of photosystem Ⅱ （PSII） and photosystem Ⅰ （PSI） as well as the oxygen evolution rate of chloroplast. It indicated that Ce^3＋ had the ability to relieve the inhibition of the photochemical reaction of chloroplast caused by linolenic acid to some extent.

Increase of β -1, 3-Glucanase and Chitinase Activities in Cotton Callus Cells Treated by Salicylic Acid and Toxin of Verticillium dahliae

The different resistance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars to crude toxin of Verticillium dah/iae(VD) was correlated with the activities of chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase in callus cells. The activities of chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase in the callus cells treated with the VD-toxin were increased to the higher level at earlier time point in resistant cultivars than these in the susceptible cultivars. Exogenous salicylic acid (SA) induced the accumulation of chitinase and β -1,3-glucanase, which resulted in the resistance of callus cells to the VD. toxin. Western blot using a polyclonal antibody against β -1,3-glucanase identified 28 kD protein that was induced by VD-toxin, SA, or VD-toxin plus SA.

2-氯酮与Meldrum’s acid的反应研究

探讨了2-氯(?)酮与Meldrum’s acid在不同条件下的反应结果,合成了化合物2-氧代-3-羧基-1-氧杂薁。并用1HN- MR,13CNMR和IR表征了其结构。

γ-亚麻酸通过下调氧化应激反应抑制NLRP3介导的焦亡并改善脑梗塞小鼠认知障碍

目的:探究γ-亚麻酸(GLA)对脑梗塞小鼠认知障碍的影响及机制。方法:选取18只雄性小鼠,分为对照组6只、模型组6只和GLA组6只,对模型组以及GLA组以大脑中动脉闭塞术进行脑栓塞小鼠认知障碍模型制作,对照组进行假手术,即手术过程相同但不插入线栓。对照组和模型组每日以1mg/kg生理盐水灌胃,GLA组每日以1mg/kg GLA灌胃14d。以Morris水迷宫评估小鼠的认知障碍情况。处死小鼠并取小鼠大脑组织,以HE染色观察小鼠脑梗死面积,以TUNEL染色观察小鼠神经元凋亡情况,以Western Blot实验检测小鼠海马体中P22、P47、NLRP3、IL-1β、GSDMD以及Caspase-1蛋白表达水平。结果:模型组小鼠的逃逸潜伏期短于GLA组以及对照组,GLA组则短于对照组,模型组的穿越环次数最多,GLA组次之,对照组最少;模型组大脑梗死面积以及神经元凋亡数目最多,GLA组次之,对照组大脑无梗死且无神经元凋亡;模型组P22、P47、NLRP3、IL-1β、GSDMD以及Caspase-1蛋白表达高于GLA组和对照组,GLA组的蛋白表达水平则高于对照组。结论:GLA通过下调氧化应激反应抑制NLRP3介导的焦亡并改善脑梗塞导致的小鼠认知障碍。

γ-亚麻酸对血管性认知障碍的作用及其机制

目的:探究γ-亚麻酸(GLA)对血管性认知障碍(VCI)的作用及机制。方法:将30只雄性C57BL6J小鼠平均分为对照组、VCI组以及GLA组,对VCI组和GLA组行双侧颈动脉结扎建立VCI小鼠模型,对照组进行假手术。VCI组和假手术组每日以1 mg/kg生理盐水灌胃,GLA组每日以1 mg/kg GLA灌胃。14 d后,以Morris水迷宫检测小鼠认知障碍水平,H-E染色观察小鼠脑组织情况,以透射电镜观察海马体组织神经元情况,以免疫印迹检测小鼠PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路相关蛋白、细胞自噬相关蛋白以及神经元凋亡相关蛋白表达水平。结果:VCI组小鼠的逃逸潜伏期较GLA组和对照组长,穿越平台次数和目标象限停留时间短于其余2组;GLA组脑组织神经元形态优于VCI组,但较对照组差;VCI组PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路相关蛋白、细胞自噬相关蛋白以及神经元凋亡相关蛋白表达水平高于对照组和GLA组,GLA组高于对照组。结论:GLA可通过抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR通路介导自噬以降低神经元凋亡,以对VCI进行治疗。

γ-亚麻酸对糖尿病小鼠记忆衰退的影响及机制

目的 探究γ-亚麻酸(GLA)对糖尿病小鼠记忆衰退的影响及机制。方法 选取16只8周龄野生型小鼠,雌雄各半,分成GLA组及对照组,对所有小鼠使用1 g/kg D-果糖加10%饮用水饮食(持续40 d)诱导糖尿病小鼠记忆衰退模型。对照组小鼠给予每日1 mg/kg生理盐水灌胃,GLA组小鼠给予每日1 mg/kg GLA灌胃。干预7 d后,以Morris水迷宫评估小鼠的学习和记忆障碍情况,处死小鼠取大脑皮层及海马组织,以HE染色检查二者病理改变,以透射电镜观察小鼠海马神经元超微结构变化,以Western Blot实验检测小鼠海马组织中GRP78、GRP94、NOX2和NOX4蛋白表达水平。结果 GLA组小鼠的逃逸潜伏期短于对照组,穿越环次数高于对照组(P<0.05)。GLA组小鼠大脑皮层和海马组织病理变化以及海马神经元超微结构损伤程度均较对照组轻。GLA组小鼠海马组织GRP78、GRP94、NOX2和NOX4蛋白表达水平低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 GLA能通过抑制海马神经元内质网应激反应,进而改善糖尿病小鼠记忆衰退。

6种富含α-亚麻酸食用油脂的主要组成成分及消化特征研究进展

α-亚麻酸(ALA)是人体必需脂肪酸,在维持人体正常生理活动中具有多重作用。旨在确定ALA在食用油脂中的物质基础与其功能的构效关系,实现精准的膳食脂质营养,对6种富含ALA食用油脂的总脂肪酸组成、甘油三酯中脂肪酸的位置分布情况、甘油三酯分子构成、脂质伴随物和消化特性等研究内容进行了总结和分析。6种富含ALA食用油脂主要脂肪酸组成为棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸、ALA,其中:紫苏籽油、亚麻籽油和牡丹籽油的ALA含量较高;不同富含ALA食用油脂甘油三酯中脂肪酸的位置分布存在显著差异,蚕蛹油的ALA主要分布在sn-2位,牡丹籽油和火麻仁油的ALA主要分布在sn-1,3位;不同富含ALA食用油脂甘油三酯的分子结构类型存在显著差异;富含ALA食用油脂的脂质伴随物主要为维生素E和甾醇,其中沙棘籽油的维生素E和甾醇含量均高于其余5种食用油脂;富含ALA食用油脂的消化程度和消化速率均低于非富含ALA食用油脂。

Δ4-3-oxosteroid-5β-reductase deficiency: Responses to oral bile acid therapy and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND Disorders of primary bile acid synthesis may be life-threatening if undiagnosed,or not treated with primary bile acid replacement therapy. To date, there are few reports on the management and follow-up of patients with Δ4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase(AKR1 D1) deficiency. We hypothesized that a retrospective analysis of the responses to oral bile acid replacement therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA) in patients with this bile acid synthesis disorder will increase our understanding of the disease progression and permit evaluation of this treatment regimen as an alternative to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved drug cholic acid, which is currently unavailable in China.AIM To evaluate the therapeutic responses of patients with AKR1 D1 deficiency to oral bile acid therapy, specifically CDCA.METHODS Twelve patients with AKR1 D1 deficiency, confirmed by fast atom bombardment ionization-mass spectrometry analysis of urine and by gene sequencing for mutations in AKR1 D1, were treated with differing doses of CDCA or ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA). The clinical and biochemical responses to therapy were monitored over a period ranging 0.5-6.4 years. Dose adjustment, to optimize the therapeutic dose, was based on changes in serum biochemistry parameters,notably liver function tests, and suppression of the urinary levels of atypical hepatotoxic 3-oxo-Δ4-bile acids measured by mass spectrometry.RESULTS Physical examination, serum biochemistry parameters, and sonographic findings improved in all 12 patients during bile acid therapy, except one who underwent liver transplantation. Urine bile acid analysis confirmed a significant reduction in atypical hepatotoxic 3-oxo-Δ4 bile acids concomitant with clinical and biochemical improvements in those patients treated with CDCA. UDCA was ineffective in down-regulating endogenous bile acid synthesis as evidenced from the inability to suppress the urinary excretion of atypical 3-oxo-Δ4-bile acids. The dose of CDCA required for optimal clinical and biochemical responses varied from 5.5-10 mg/kg per day among patients based on maximum suppression of the atypical bile acids and improvement in serum biochemistry parameters, and careful titration of the dose was necessary to avoid side effects from CDCA.CONCLUSION The primary bile acid CDCA is effective in treating AKR1 D1 deficiency but the therapeutic dose requires individualized optimization. UDCA is not recommended for long-term management.

Biocatalytic synthesis of (R)-(-)-mandelic acid from racemic mandelonitrile by a newly isolated nitrilase-producer Alcaligenes sp. ECU0401

By using acetonitrile as the sole nitrogen source, a microbial strain with high nitrilase activity, named as Alcaligenes sp. ECU0401, was newly isolated from soil, which could enantioselectively transform racemic mandelonitrile into (R)-(?)-mandelic acid, with an enantiomeric excess of >99.9%.

Identification and Mutagenesis of a New Isolated Strain Bacillus sp.B26 for Producing （R）-α-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid

A bacterium strain B26 capable of producing(R)-α-hydroxyphenylacetic acid [(R)-HPA](yield,47.5%;enantiomeric excess,99.1%) from phenylglyoxylic acid(PGA) with high optical purity was isolated and identified as Bacillus sp.B26 by 16S rDNA(ribosomal DNA) sequencing.Phylogenic analysis showed that the strain was most similar to Bacillus sp.enrichment culture clone SYW5(FJ601635.1) and Bacillus cereus strain FM-4(EU794727.1).Efforts were made to further improve HPA-production and PGA-tolerance by UV irradiation and UV-LiCl cooperative mutagenesis.Among viable mutants,B.sp.UV-38 and B.sp.ULi-11 exhibited better productivities than the wild type.Comparisons of HPA production and time course among wild strain and two mutants showed that B.sp.ULi-11 was more competent than B.sp.UV-38.HPA production was increased by 39.1% with B.sp.ULi-11(yield,65.4%) compared to that with B.sp.B26(yield,47.0%) when cultured in fermentation broth(pH 7.2) at 32℃ with an agitation speed of 180 r·min-1 and PGA final concentration of 15 mmol·L-1 for 25 h.

Transgenic Pigs Carrying a Synthesized Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene Yield High Level of ω-3 PUFAs

Polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs） are essential for normal growth in mammals, especially the ω-3 PUFAs, which play important roles in preventing several life-threatening diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the sFat-1 gene from Caenorhabditis briggsae could be functionally expressed in transgenic pigs, and whether the transgenic could synthesize high quality ω-3 PUFAs endogenously. In this study, a gene construct consisting of CMV promoter and 1.9 kb cDNA of ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene （sFat-1） from C. briggsae was injected into the male pronucleus of pig embryos by microinjection. The piglets were screened for the transgene by PCR, Southern blot and reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Pigs that give positive results were mated with wild-type pigs to produce the next generation and the transmission of transgene was examined by PCR analysis. Fatty acids compositions of various tissues in the transgenic pigs were then analyzed by gas chromatograph. A total of 878 embryos were transferred into 42 recipients, among which 29 successfully got pregnant and gave birth to a total of 162 piglets, and 8 of them were identified to be transgenic. Fatty acid compositions in the transgenic pigs were altered, and the levels of ω-6：ω-3 ratios were decreased from 14.53 in the control to 2.62 in Fat-1 transgenic pigs. A number of primary sFat-1-transgenic pigs were bred in this study, which lays the foundation for cultivation of new varieties of transgenic pigs.