Effects of different doses of glucose and fructose on central metabolic pathways and intercellular wireless communication networks in humans

Fructose and glucose are often widely used in food processing and may contribute to many metabolic diseases.To observe the effects of different doses of glucose and fructose on human metabolism and cellular communication,volunteers were given low,medium,and high doses of glucose and fructose.Serum cytokines,glucose,lactate,nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NADH)and metabolic enzymes were assayed,and central carbon metabolic pathway networks and cytokine communication networks were constructed.The results showed that the glucose and fructose groups basically maintained the trend of decreasing catabolism and increasing anabolism with increasing dose.Compared with glucose,low-dose fructose decreased catabolism and increased anabolism,significantly enhanced the expression of the inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ(IFN-γ),macrophage-derived chemokine(MDC),induced protein-10(IP-10),and eotaxin,and significantly reduced the activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase(ICDH)and pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes(PDHC).Both medium and high doses of fructose increase catabolism and anabolism,and there are more cytokines and enzymes with significant changes.Furthermore,multiple cytokines and enzymes show strong relevance to metabolic regulation by altering the transcription and expression of enzymes in central carbon metabolic pathways.Therefore,excessive intake of fructose should be reduced to avoid excessive inflammatory responses,allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.

Biodegradation of Crystalline Chitin:A Review of Recent Advancement,Challenges,and Future Study Directions

Chitin is the second most abundant renewable polysaccharide on Earth.The degradation of chitin into soluble and bioactive N-acetyl chitooligosaccharides(NCOSs)and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine(GlcNAc)has emerged as a pivotal step in the efficient and sustainable utilization of chitin resources.However,because of its dense structure,high crystallinity,and poor solubility,chitin typically needs pretreatment via chemical,physical,and other methods before enzymatic conversion to enhance the accessibility between substrates and enzyme molecules.Consequently,there has been considerable interest in exploring the direct biological degradation of crystalline chitin as a cost-effective and environment-friendly technology.This review endeavors to present several biological methods for the direct degradation of chitin.We primarily focused on the importance of chitinase containing chitin-binding domain(CBD).Additionally,various modification strategies for increasing the degradation efficiency of crystalline chitin were introduced.Subsequently,the review systematically elucidated critical components of multi-enzyme catalytic systems,highlighting their potential for chitin degradation.Furthermore,the application of microorganisms in the degradation of crystalline chitin was also discussed.The insights in this review contribute to the explorations and investigations of enzymatic and microbial approaches for the direct degradation of crystalline chitin,thereby fostering advancements in biomass conversion.

Effects of ZrO_2 on the Performance of CuO-ZnO-Al_2O_3/HZSM-5 Catalyst for Dimethyl Ether Synthesis from CO_2 Hydrogenation

A series of composite catalysts were prepared by the wet mixing method, and the mass ratio of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-ZrO2 component to HZSM-5 zeolite （molar ratio of SiO2 to Al2O3 being 25） was 2：1. The CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-ZrO2 （CuO/ZnO/Al2O3=3/6/1 by weight） component was prepared by a modified ＇two-step＇ co-precipitation method. The effects of ZrO2 on the performance of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3/HZSMo5 catalyst for dimethyl ether synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation were investigated. It was found that ZrO2 improved the properties of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3/HZSM-5 as a structural promoter.

Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells to treat a rat model of traumatic brain injury

In the present study, human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were injected into a rat model of traumatic brain injury via the tail vein. Results showed that 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells aggregated around the injury site, surviving up to 4 weeks post-transplantation. In addition, transplantation-related death did not occur, and neurological functions significantly improved. Histological detection revealed attenuated pathological injury in rat brain tissues following human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, along with increased microvessel density in surrounding areas of brain injury. Results demonstrated migration of transplanted human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into the lesioned boundary zone of rats, as well as increased angiogenesis and expression of related neurotrophic factors in the lesioned boundary zone.

How functional foods play critical roles in human health

How do functional foods affect human health?To answer this question it is important to understand what happens when food is digested and taken up by the gastrointestinal(GI)tract.The gut is a selective nutrient absorption system and the most important signal transduction and information exchange system within the body.It acts as a signal transducer,a neuroendocrine sensor,and an immunological recognition and presentation system.It is also a complex information exchange system comprising a number of signaling networks involving GI cells and cells immobilized in organs or transported in blood.The bioactivity of functional foods in vivo may be due to their effects on such networks,but this raises the question of what signaling pathways are used by non-nutrients that cannot be absorbed by the gut.The purpose of this review is to describe intestinal nutrient transportation,identify a number of widely expressed receptors and signal transduction pathways,and outline our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in health and disease.At the end of the review,a method for developing a cell communication network is described.This network is convenient for investigating the effects of oral administration of experimental medicines,drugs,or functional foods on cytokines of interest.Because cytokines and chemokines are transported via the circulatory system,a simple 2–3 mL blood sample from a volunteer is a rich source of information.This method may become the gold standard for evaluating the effects of functional foods or medicines in vivo.©2012 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.on behalf of Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of water extracts from Pu-erh tea on rats with high-fat diet

Reducing oxidative stress and hepatoprotective effect of Pu-erh tea water extracts on rats fed with high-fat diet were researched for explaining health care of Pu-erh tea.Fifty SD rats were divided into five groups.The body weight was measured once a day.The malondialdehyde(MDA)and glucose(Glu)levels and the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),nitric oxide synthase(NOS),and pyruvate kinase(PK)in serum were determined.Furthermore,the hepatic glycogen level(HGL)and the activities of hepatic total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were also measured after continuous administration for 12 weeks.The result demonstrated that Pu-erh extract caused the decreases in body weight,fat index,MDA and NOS levels,and the increases in hepatic T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px activities,indicating that the extract may be due to inhibiting the increases of body weight and fat index,reducing oxidant stress state and inhibiting lipid peroxidation,thus decreasing the activities of ALT and AST,and protecting the liver in rat.Meanwhile,the extracts could increase the production of hepatic glycogen and the activity of PK,and reduce glucose level,protecting the liver from the diseases associated with type II diabetes.

Effect of casein glycomacropeptide on subunit p65 of nuclear transcription factor-B in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human colorectal tumor HT-29 cells

Objective:The effect of casein glycomacropeptide(CGMP)on the expression of NF-B subunit p65 in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was investigated to explore the therapeutic efficacy of CGMP for human colorectal cancer.Methods:HT-29 cells cultured in 96-well plates were stimulated with LPS for 30 min at the concentrations of 0,0.001,0.01,0.1,1 and 10g/mL.After stimulation,the expression of p65 in HT-29 cells was evaluated by immunofluorescence method.Similarly,HT-29 cells were incubated with 0,0.001,0.01,0.1,1,10 and 100g/mL CGMP for 24 h at the optimal LPS concentration.After treatment with CGMP under the incubation with optimal LPS concentration for 30 min,the protein expression of p65 was analyzed by Western blotting.The optimum culture time was evaluated by incubating HT-29 cells with the optimal CGMP concentration for 6,12,24,48 and 72 h.Results:NF-B-p65 revealed that the highest protein expression was achieved with 1g/mL LPS treatment.Meanwhile,CGMP could inhibit the protein expression of NF-B-p65 in LPS-stimulated HT-29 cells,and the optimal inhibitory effect was observed at a CGMP concentration of 0.01g/mL with 48 h incubation.Conclusion:CGMP can regulate NF-B signaling pathway through inhibiting the expression of its subunit p65,which is beneficial for the further improvement of human colorectal cancer treatment.

Metabolic fate of tea polyphenols and their crosstalk with gut microbiota

Tea represents an abundant source of naturally occurring polyphenols.Tea polyphenols(TPs)have received growing attentions for its wide consumption in the world,and more importantly its pleiotropic bioeffects for human health.After ingestion,TPs may undergo absorption and phase II reaction in the small intestine,and most undigested proportion would be submitted to the colon to interact with gut microbiota.Interactions between gut microbiota and TPs are bidirectional,including not only bacteria-mediated TPs metabolism,e.g.,removal of gallic acid moiety and ring fission to release phenolic acid catabolites,but also TPs-based modification of bacterial profiles.Crosstalk between TPs and gut microbes may benefit for gut barrier function,for example,improvement of the intestinal permeability to alleviate inflammation.Moreover,by reshaping microbial composition and associated metabolites,TPs may exert a systemic protection on host metabolism,which contributes to improve certain chronic metabolic disorders.Given that,further understanding of the metabolic fate of TPs and interplay with gut microbiota as well as potential health-promoting effects are of great significance to development and application of tea and their polyphenolic components in the future as dietary supplements and/or functional ingredients in medical foods.

Isolation, identification, and cytotoxicity of a new isobenzofuran derivative from marine Streptomyces sp. W007

A new isobenzofuran derivative( 1) was isolated from the marine Streptomyces sp. W007 and its structure was determined through extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and ESI-MS. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by a combination of experimental analyses and comparison with reported data, including biogenetic reasoning, J-coupling analysis, NOESY, and 1 H- 1 HCOSY. Compound 1 exhibited no cytotoxicity against human cells of gastric cancer BGC-823, lung cancer A549, and breast cancer MCF7.

Effects of casein glycomacropeptide on the early development of primary colorectal cancer in rats

In this paper,we utilized dimethylhydrazine(DMH)-induced colorectal cancer(CC)model rats to explore the effects of casein glycomacropeptide(CGMP)on colorectal cancer.Rats with CC were orally administrated with 10,50,or 100 mg/kg bw d CGMP,or the same volume of phosphatebuffered saline for 15 weeks.The total numbers of aberrant crypt foci(ACF)and crypts per focus in colon were scored using a light microscope at low magnification after the colon was stained with methylene blue solutions.The methylation level of DNA extracted from colon was detected using methylation-specific PCR.The expression of p16 and mucin 2(MUC2)proteins were measured by immunohistochemistry.The results showed that although ACF were found in rats treated with CGMP,their number was significantly decreased compared to that of model rats.In addition,methylation and expression levels of p16 and MUC2 were also inhibited by CGMP,which were more obvious in rats treated with 50 mg/kg bw d CGMP.In conclusion,CGMP has potential application as nutritional therapy for preventing colorectal cancer.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Effects of Siraitia grosvenorii extracts on high fat diet-induced obese mice:a comparison with artificial sweetener aspartame

Long-term artificial sweetener intake is linked to increased risk of obesity. In the present study, supplement of natural sweetener from Siraitia grosvenorii(SG)(or Momordica grosvenorii) fruit, compared with the artificial sweetener aspartame(ASM), was evaluated for anti-obesity effects on mice fed with high fat diet(HFD). We found that, in contrary to ASM, SG extracts prevented body weight gain, the insulin resistance and fat mass accumulation in HFD mice. SG extracts treatment inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and lowered the levels of the fat inflammatory cytokines(leptin, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)) in adipose tissues. In addition, SG extracts supplement counteracted the remodeling of gut microbiota resulted from HFD. However, ASM supplement aggravated the HFD-induced obese performances, fat inflammation and dysregulation of gut microbiota. Taken together, our results indicate that supplement of SG extracts may represent a promising alternation of artificial sweeteners in preventing metabolic diseases.

Folate Enrichment of <i>Ogi</i>(a Fermented Cereal Gruel) Using Folate Producing Starter Cultures

This study was aimed at selecting starter cultures for bio-enriching ogi (fermented cereal gruel) using folate-producing microorganisms. The folate-producing microorganisms were isolated by incorporating folate analogue, methotrexate in the isolation medium and further screened for folate production by growth in Folic Acid Casei Medium. Folate production was quantified using 3-aminophenol spectrophotometric method. Folate-producing lactic acid bacteria from fermenting maize slurry were species of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc while yeast isolates were mainly species of Candida and Saccharomyces. However, Lactobacillus plantarum X13, Pediococcus pentosaceus L73, Candida parapsilosis Y77 and Candida tropicalis Y74 were used as starter cultures singly and in combination for the fermentation and production of ogi. The highest folate concentration, 30.97 ± 0.37 μg/ml, was observed after 24 h of the co-fermentation of maize slurry with Lactobacillus plantarum X13 and Candida tropicalis Y74. This represents a triple fold of the folate concentration observed in unfermented maize slurry. The pH of the fermenting maize slurry was observed to decrease from 6.12 to 3.60, while the reducing sugars and the titratable acidities were observed to increase as fermentation progressed. Sensory evaluation of the ogi samples after fermentation showed high general acceptability comparable to the naturally fermented ogi as regards to colour, taste, flavour, aroma and texture. The data made available in this study suggest the possibility of folate enrichment of ogi and its use as a vehicle for increasing folate availability to consumers thereby preventing folate deficiency diseases prevalent in many African countries.

Evaluation of Health Risks Related to the Consumption of Fish from the Guéssabo River

Fish is rich in essential nutrients but can remain a potential source of food poisoning. A study was, therefore, carried out with the general objective of highlighting the probable biological and chemical dangers associated with the consumption of fish and freshwater fruits from the Guéssabo river. The present study was conducted on 50 carp fish, 50 mackerel fish, 50 frogs and 50 mollusks caught in the Guéssabo River. Microorganisms were enumerated by conventional tests and heavy metals were investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The enumeration showed high levels of thermotolerant Coliforms (2.5 × 104), Enterobacteriaceae (3.4 × 104), S. aureus (2.3 × 103) and Yeast/Molds (2.1 × 104), in all samples the standards were not in conformity with the required standards. High levels of Al (7230 μg/kg) and Cd (21.57 μg/kg) were observed in carp fish and these values are above the standard. In conclusion, the fish caught in the Guéssabo River could be a health risk factor for the consumer.

一种双层多糖水凝胶用于增强益生菌肠道靶向口服递送

Transplantation of probiotics to the intestine can positively regulate the gut microbiota,thereby promoting the immune system and treating various diseases.However,the harsh gastrointestinal environment and short retention time in the gastrointestinal tract significantly limit the bioavailability and intestinal colonization of probiotics.Herein,we present a double-layer polysaccharide hydrogel(DPH)in the form of a double-layer structure composed of a carboxymethyl cellulose(CMCL)supramolecular inner layer and a dialdehyde alginate(DAA)cross-linked carboxymethyl chitosan(CMCS)outer layer.This doublelayer structure allows DPH to encapsulate and deliver probiotics in a targeted manner within the body.In the stomach,the cage structure of the DPH is closed,and the outer layer absorbs surrounding liquids to form a barrier to protect the probiotics from gastric fluids.In the intestine,the cage structure opens and disintegrates,releasing the probiotics.Thus,DPH endows probiotics with excellent intestine-targeted delivery,improved oral bioavailability,enhanced gastrointestinal tract tolerance,and robust mucoadhesion capacity.The encapsulated probiotics exhibit almost unchanged bioactivity in the gastrointestinal tract before release,as well as improved oral delivery.In particular,probiotics encapsulated by DPH exhibit 100.1 times higher bioavailability and 10.6 times higher mucoadhesion than free probiotics in an animal model 48 h post-treatment.In addition,with a remarkable ability to survive and be retained in the intestine,probiotics encapsulated by DPH show excellent in vitro and in vivo competition with pathogens.Notably,DAA-mediated dynamic crosslinking not only maintains the overall integrity of the hydrogels but also controls the release timing of the probiotics.Thus,it is expected that encapsulated substances(probiotics,proteins,etc.)can be delivered to specific sites of the intestinal tract by means of DPH,by controlling the dynamic covalent crosslinking.

Aptasensing biosynthesized phosphatidylserine with a AuNPs nanozyme-based colorimetric aptasensor

Sensitive monitoring of the target products during the biosynthesis process is crucial,and facile analytical approaches are urgently needed.Herein,phosphatidylserine(PS)was chosen as the model target,a colorimetric aptasensor was developed for the rapid quantitation in biosynthesis samples.A chimeric aptamer was constructed with two homogeneous original PS aptamers.Specific recognition between the chimeric aptamer and PS results in the desorption of aptamer from the surface of the AuNPs nanozyme,and the peroxidase-like enzymatic activity of the AuNPs nanozyme was weakened in a relationship with the different concentrations.The developed aptasensor performed well when applied for analyzing PS in biosynthesis samples.The aptasensor offers good sensitivity and selectivity,under optimal conditions,achieving monitoring and quantitation of PS in the range of 2.5-80.0μmol/L,with a limit of detection at 536.2 nmol/L.Moreover,the aptasensor provides good accuracy,with comparison rates of 98.17%-106.40%,when compared with the HPLC-ELSD.This study provides a good reference for monitoring other biosynthesized products and promoting the development of aptamers and aptasensors in real-world applications.

Energy intake,metabolic homeostasis,and human health

The energy substances(mainly carbohydrates and fats)are the basis and guarantee of life activity,especially the oxidative phosphorylation for energy supply.However,excessive absorption and accumulation of these substances can lead to metabolic diseases such as obesity,hyperlipidemia,diabetes,and cancers.A large amount of studies demonstrate that G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)play a key role in identification and absorption of energy substances,and the signaling network of nerves,immune,and endocrine regulates their storage and utilization.The gastrointestinal mucus layer not only identifies these substances through identification in diet components but also transfers immune,metabolic,and endocrine signals of hormones,cytokines,and chemokines by promoting interactions between receptors and ligands.These signaling molecules are transferred to corresponding organs,tissues,and cells by the circulatory system,and cell activity is regulated by amplifying of cell signals that constitute the wireless communication network among cells in the body.Absorption,accumulation,and utilization of energy substances in the body obey the law of energy conservation.Energy is stored in the form of fat,and meets the demand of body via two coupled mechanisms:catabolism and oxidative phosphorylation.Under normal physiological conditions,fat consumption involves ketone body metabolism through the circulatory system and glucose consumption requires blood lactic acid cycle.Accumulation of excessive energy leads to the abnormal activation of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),thus promoting the excretion of glucose or glycogen in the form of blood glucose and urine glucose.Alternatively,the body cancels the intercellular contact inhibition and promotes cell proliferation to induce carcinogenesis,which can induce the consumption of large amounts of glucose.Intercellular communication is performed by signaling molecules via sensing,absorption,accumulation,and utilization of energy substances,and anabolism and catabolism are controlled by the central metabolic pathway.Therefore,slower catabolism will result in longer life expectancy,whereas faster catabolism results in shorter life expectancy.Energy substances in diet influence the balance between energy and metabolism in the body through the sensing function of the gastrointestinal system at two levels:cellular communication network and metabolic network.The present review of studies aims to strengthen our knowledge on cellular communication and metabolic networks to offer a dietary guidance on the metabolism and communication role of various foods.

Tea and depression

The available evidence,which derives from studies investigating mechanistic effects of tea,research on animal models as well as epidemiological studies and intervention trials in humans,suggests that compounds contained in tea may have the potential to aid in the prevention of depression or in its treatment as an addition to established therapies.A wide range of potentially antidepressive biological activities of tea components have been reported.However,the mechanisms of tea phytochemicals possibly capable of decreasing the risk of depressive symptoms are complex,multifaceted and not well understood.Potent pharmacological effects on circumscribed neurobiological systems may be produced not by individual tea components but rather by the synergistic action of various compounds on multiple pathophysiological mechanisms involved in depression.While epidemiological studies have generally demonstrated beneficial effects of tea consumption on mood and depressive symptoms,cross-sectional studies are unable to prove a cause-effect relationship.If positive effects on mood could be firmly established,tea drinking could support mental health.However,the moderate antidepressive effects observed in healthy people are not necessarily indicative of possible clinical effects in major depressive disorder.Randomized controlled intervention studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between bioactive compounds in tea and depression.

How does the tea L-theanine buffer stress and anxiety

Tea(Camellia sinensis)is widely considered to promote feelings of calming and soothing.This effect is attributed to L-theanine(L-γ-glutamylethylamide)in tea,a non-protein amino acid mainly derived from tea leaves.As a naturally occurring structural analogue of glutamate,L-theanine competes for the receptors with glutamate and is able to pass the blood-brain barrier to exert its relaxation effect.This review focuses on the relaxation effect of L-theanine,including animal models and the latest human trials as well as the potential molecular mechanisms regarding neuron stem cells.The biological efficacy of dietary L-theanine in the food matrix has been further discussed in this review in relation to the physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract and bindings of L-theanine with other food components.

Formulated citrus peel extract gold lotion improves cognitive and functional recovery from traumatic brain injury(TBI)in rats

Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is closely related to neuro-inflammatory response and causes a complex pathological process and serious consequence.In this study,we explored whether the formatted citrus peel extract gold lotion(GL)could have a therapeutic effect on rats suffered TBI.TBI rat model was prepared by the electric Cortical Contusion Impactor(eCCI)device.Prevention against TBI by GL was assessed by the behavioral,organizational of rats and the molecular markers in the brain injury area.The results showed that GL could reduce nerve damage and neurological dysfunction.The mechanisms probably due to that GL could not only reduce the associated damage markers including GFAP,OX-42,TNF-α,COX-2,NF-κB and TLR4 but also promote the expression of VEGF which is responsible for protecting neuronal cells in the injury area.These findings revealed that GL could be a promising preparation for TBI prevention.

How does the addition of mushrooms and their dietary fibre affect starchy foods

Mushrooms contain multiple bioactive compounds of which dietary fibre is a representative type.Fortification of extracted or naturally derived dietary fibre in staple starchy foods constitutes a strategy to increase fibre intake in terms of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic diseases.Food matrix is viewed as a physical domain containing nutrients in which interactions and behaviours are different from those in isolation or free state.The nutritional effect of mushrooms'addition in the starchy food matrix is reviewed together with the alterations of cooking properties.Prospective studies include nutrients bioaccessibility due to the interfere of dietary fibres in consideration of their types and quality.The future approach to shaping microbial colonisation in the digestive tract through metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids from dietary fibres is required to sustain host physiology and health.