內(nèi)容: Intestinal microbiota imbalance may worsen the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LS8 (LR) has the potential ability to regulate microbiota through producing a novel antibacterial substance, cyclic opine: cycloalanopine. This study aimed to investigate whether LR could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC in mice via modulating intestinal microbiota using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment. The results showed that both LR and FMT attenuated UC as evidenced by 1) alleviating disease activity index and colonic pathology; 2) up-regulating MUCs and tight junction proteins; 3) increasing oxidative mediators and decreasing antioxidant mediators; 4) down-regulating proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. These results were mainly attributable to the microbiota-regulating effect of LR, including increasing beneficial bacteria (like Akkermansia) and its related SCFAs, while decreasing harmful bacteria (like Proteobacteria) and its related LPS, thereby suppressing the hyperactivation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Consequently, LR can alleviate UC and is a potential dietary supplement to attenuate UC.

內(nèi)容: Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a well-known pseudocereal for its health and economic value. However, abundant antinutritional factors (ANFs) reduces its health benefits. As reported, germination can improve the nutritional profile of grains. In this study, we systematically evaluate the safety of Tartary buckwheat seeds (TB) and Tartary buckwheat sprouts (TBS) used as high active ingredients. After evaluating nutrition levels, bioactive compounds and ANFs in TBS during germinating, 5th-day TBS were selected as the raw material. C57BL/6J mice were gavaged daily with distilled water, TB, or TBS for 6 weeks. The physiological indices related to ANFs were determined. Results showed that the TB intake tends to generate negative effects on the gut microbiota, and organs. Additionally, upon TB intake, the Fe3+ content in serum, trypsin activity in pancreas and jejunum decreased, while the cytokine, IgE, and histamine levels in serum, water content in faeces, cytokine levels in liver and jejunum increased. Conversely, TBS did not induce any obvious negative effects on the above relevant indices and showed better lipid-lowering effect. Altogether, TBS are safer and more effective as a raw material to produce the functional food for long-term consumption with the intention of preventing and treating hyperlipidaemia.

內(nèi)容: Glucosinolates are important phytochemicals in Brassicaceae. We investigated the effect of CaCl2-HCl electrolyzed water (CHEW) on glucosinolates biosynthesis in broccoli sprouts. The results showed that CHEW treatment significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in broccoli sprouts. On the the 8th day, compared to tap water treatment, the the total glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts with CHEW treatment increased by 10.6% and calcium content was dramatically enhanced from 14.4 mg/g DW to 22.7 mg/g DW. Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that CHEW treatment activated ROS and calcium signaling transduction pathways in broccoli sprouts and they interacted through MAPK cascades. Besides, CHEW treatment not only promoted the biosynthesis of amino acids, but also enhanced the expression of structural genes in glucosinolate synthesis through transcription factors (MYBs, bHLHs, WRKYs, etc.). The results of this study provided new insights into the regulatory network of glucosinolates biosynthesis in broccoli sprouts under CHEW treatment.

內(nèi)容: This study aimed to explore the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 on the improvement of atherosclerotic inflammation. Arteriosclerosis model ApoE-/- mice were orally administered with B. animalis F1-7 for 12 weeks. The probiotic intervention reduced the plaque areas in aorta and the accumulation of macrophages, and downregulated the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway to reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. The widely-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in the intestine of atherosclerotic mice was significantly increased after B. animalis F1-7 intervention. Correlation analysis proved that ALC was associated with atherosclerotic inflammatory response. By using oxidized low density lipoprotein induced macrophage foam cells, we further verified that ALC could reduce lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in foam cells by downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Finally, our results revealed that B. animalis F1-7 upregulated the metabolite ALC to downregulate the inflammatory responses, leading to the reduction of plaque accumulation of atherosclerosis.

內(nèi)容: 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 2.5–80.0 μmol/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.

內(nèi)容: Many studies have revealed that gut microbes modulate host metabolism. In this study, we characterized the therapeutic effects of a novel gut commensal Luoshenia tenuis against host metabolic disorders. First, by in silico analysis, we demonstrated that the L. tenuis was prevalent in the gut microbiomes of healthy humans but were depleted specifically in obesity cohorts. Further in vitro cultivation revealed that L. tenuis produced short chain fatty acids that were verified to modulate host metabolism and some other volatile metabolites to benefit hosts by anti-inflammation and anti-tumor. Second, gavage of the L. tenuis significantly decreased the body weight gain and food intake of high-fat diet-feeding C57BL/6J mice, which was in parallel with the changed expression level of genes related to satiety and feeding behavior. We then performed the gavage trial using diet induced obese mice, and it revealed that the administration of L. tenuis alleviated significantly the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolisms and reduced the inflammatory response. In summary, this study revealed a previously-unknown human gut commensal microbe that benefited host metabolism, and set the stage for the development of novel next-generation probiotic applicable for treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

內(nèi)容: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease threatening human health. We investigated the effects of Tegillarca granosa polysaccharide (TGP) and determined its potential mechanisms in a mouse model of T2DM established through a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. TGP (5.1 × 103 Da) was composed of mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galactosamine, glucose, galactose, xylose, and fucose. It could significantly alleviate weight loss, reduce fasting blood glucose levels, reverse dyslipidemia, reduce liver damage from oxidative stress, and improve insulin sensitivity. RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that TGP could activate the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway to regulate disorders in glucolipid metabolism and improve insulin resistance. TGP increased the abundance of Allobaculum, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium, restored the microbiota abundance in the intestinal tracts of mice with T2DM, and promoted short-chain fatty acid production. This study provides new insights into the antidiabetic effects of TGP and highlights its potential as a natural hypoglycemic nutraceutical.

內(nèi)容: With the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance in recent years, it is urgent to explore effective interventions to prevent the progression of obesity-related metabolic syndrome. Palmitoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is available from dietary sources, mainly derived from marine products. Palmitoleic acid plays a positive role in maintaining glucose homeostasis and reducing inflammation. However, it is still unknow the mechanism of palmitoleic acid in ameliorating insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the effects of palmitoleic acid on chow diet (CD)-fed and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, which were fed CD or HFD for 12 weeks before administration. We administrated mice with BSA (control), oleic acid, or palmitoleic acid for 6 weeks on top of CD or HFD feeding. We found that palmitoleic acid only improved glucose homeostasis in HFD-fed obese mice by increasing glucose clearance and reducing HOMA-IR. Further study explored that palmitoleic acid changed the composition of gut microbiota by decreasing Firmicutes population and increasing Bacteroidetes population. In colon, palmitoleic acid increased intestinal tight junction integrity and reduced inflammation. Moreover, palmitoleic acid decreased macrophage infiltration in liver and adipose tissue and increase glucose uptake in adipose tissue. Diacylglycerol (DAG) in tissue (for example, liver) is found to positively correlated with HOMA-IR. HFD enhanced the levels of DAGs in liver but not in adipose tissue in this study. Palmitoleic acid did not reverse the high DAG levels induced by HFD in liver. Therefore, in HFD-fed mice, palmitoleic acid reduced insulin resistance by an independent-manner of DAGs. It might be associated with the beneficial effects of palmitoleic acid on altering the gut microbiota composition, improving of intestinal barrier function, and downregulating the inflammation in colon, liver, and adipose tissue.

內(nèi)容: Edible plant derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have been shown to have multiple nutraceutical functions. However, the diversity of plant materials makes the plant derived ELN study challenging. More efforts are still needed to explore the feasible isolation methods of edible plant derived ELNs and the possible roles of food-derived ELNs in improving human health. In this study, a size exclusion chromatography based method was compared with the traditional ultracentrifugation method to isolate blueberry derived ELNs (B-ELNs), and the miRNA profile of B-ELNs was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 36 miRNAs were found to be enriched in B-ELNs compared with berry tissue, and their potential cross-kingdom human gene targets were further predicted. Results showed that size exclusion chromatography was effective for B-ELN isolation. The most abundant miRNAs in B-ELNs mainly belonged to the miR166 family and miR396 family. Target gene prediction indicated that B-ELNs could potentially regulate pathways related to the human digestive system, immune system and infectious diseases.

內(nèi)容: A ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypoxanthine (Hx) detection was established based on the mimic enzyme and fluorescence characteristics of cobalt-doped graphite-phase carbon nitride (Co doped g-C3N4). In addition to emitting strong fluorescence, the peroxidase activity of Co doped g-C3N4 can catalyze the reaction of O-phenylenediamine and H2O2 to produce diallyl phthalate which can emit yellow fluorescence at 570 nm. Through the decomposition of Hx by xanthine oxidase, Hx can be indirectly detected by the generating hydrogen peroxide based on the measurement of fluorescent ratio I (F570/F370). The linear range was 1.7–272.2 mg/kg (R2 = 0.997), and the detection limit was 1.52 mg/kg (3σ/K, n = 9). The established method was applied to Hx detection in bass, grass carp, and shrimp, and the data were verified by HPLC. The result shows that the established probe is sensitive, accurate, and reliable, and can be used for Hx detection in aquatic products.