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Journal of Agricultural and Food... Jul 2023The potential of probiotics to benefit digestion has been widely reported, while its utilization in high-risk patients and potential adverse reactions have focused...
The potential of probiotics to benefit digestion has been widely reported, while its utilization in high-risk patients and potential adverse reactions have focused interest on postbiotics. A variable data-independent acquisition (vDIA)-based spatial-omics strategy integrated with unsupervised variational autoencoders was applied to profile the functional mechanism underlying the action of -derived postbiotic supplementation in goat milk digestion in an infant digestive system, from a metabolomics-peptidomics-proteomics perspective. Amide and olefin derivatives were proved to elevate the activities of pepsin and trypsin through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic forces based on allosteric effects, and recognition of nine endopeptidases and their cleavage to serine, proline, and aspartate were introduced by postbiotics, thereby promoting the generation of hydrophilic peptides and elevating the bioaccessibility of goat milk protein. The peptides originating from αs1-casein, β-casein, β-lactoglobulin, Ig-like domain-containing protein, κ-casein, and serum amyloid A protein, with multiple bioactivities including angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory, osteoanabolic, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory, antimicrobial, bradykinin-potentiating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, were significantly increased in the postbiotic supplementation group, which was also considered to potentially prevent necrotizing enterocolitis through inhibiting the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and blocking signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells inflammatory pathways. This research deepened the understanding of the mechanism underlying the postbiotics affecting goat milk digestion, which established a critical groundwork for the clinical application of postbiotics in infant complementary foods.
Topics: Animals; Pepsin A; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Trypsin; Allosteric Regulation; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Peptides; Caseins; Goats
PubMed: 37410960
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02125 -
Chemosphere Feb 2024The use of the herbicide paraquat (PQ) has raised concerns about potential environmental consequences due to its toxicity and persistence in the environment. Considering...
The use of the herbicide paraquat (PQ) has raised concerns about potential environmental consequences due to its toxicity and persistence in the environment. Considering the affinity of dangerous compounds to biological molecules, it is necessary to know their binding properties. This article focuses on the behavior of the pepsin enzyme following its contact with paraquat poison, and the interaction between paraquat and pepsin has been investigated in laboratory conditions and simulated physiological conditions using multispectral techniques. Fluorescence experiments showed that PQ uses a static method to quench pepsin's intrinsic fluorescence. By causing structural damage to pepsin, PQ may be detrimental as it alters its conformational function based on FT-IR spectroscopy. The coupling reaction is a spontaneous process caused by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces according to the analysis of the thermodynamic parameters of each system at three different temperatures. The molecular structure of pepsin changes when it binds to PQ. Also, the results showed that PQ is a pepsin inhibitor that changes the function of the enzyme.
Topics: Binding Sites; Pepsin A; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Paraquat; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 38006922
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140714 -
Journal of Food Science Jan 2024The main objective of this work was to characterize the acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) from the body wall of the sea cucumber...
The main objective of this work was to characterize the acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) from the body wall of the sea cucumber scientifically called, Stichopus hermanni. For the extraction of ASC and PSC, the pre-treated sea cucumber body walls were subjected to 0.5 M acetic acid and 5 g L pepsin, respectively. The yield of ASC (7.30% ± 0.30%) was found to be lower than the PSC (23.66% ± 0.15%), despite both ASC and PSC having similar chemical compositions except for the quantity of protein. The collagens produced from ASC and PSC show maximum peaks on ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic profiles at wavelengths of 230 and 235 nm, respectively, with no significant difference in the maximum temperature (T ) of the extracted ASC and PSC. The ASC's coloration was whiter than that of the PSC. As a result, the collagen obtained from the body wall of the sea cucumber showed promise for usage as a substitute for collagen derived from marine sources. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The two most popular methods of collagen extraction were acid hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. To determine whether the extracted collagen is a suitable substitute for animal collagen in different industries, it is required to characterize its physicochemical qualities. This study discovered a new application for marine collagen in the food industry: The sea cucumber has collagen with a greater yield in pepsin extraction with good physicochemical qualities.
Topics: Animals; Stichopus; Pepsin A; Sea Cucumbers; Collagen; Acids
PubMed: 38051010
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16858 -
Proteins Jul 2023In this perspective, we propose that the folding energy landscapes of model proteases including pepsin and alpha-lytic protease (αLP), which lack thermodynamic...
In this perspective, we propose that the folding energy landscapes of model proteases including pepsin and alpha-lytic protease (αLP), which lack thermodynamic stability and fold on the order of months to millennia, respectively, should be viewed as not evolved and fundamentally distinct from their extended zymogen forms. These proteases have evolved to fold with prosegment domains and robustly self-assemble as expected. In this manner, general protein folding principles are strengthened. In support of our view, αLP and pepsin exhibit hallmarks of frustration associated with unevolved folding landscapes, such as non-cooperativity, memory effects, and substantial kinetic trapping. The evolutionary implications of this folding strategy are considered in detail. Direct applications of this folding strategy on enzyme design, finding new drug targets, and constructing tunable folding landscapes are also discussed. Together with certain proteases, growing examples of other folding "exceptions"-including protein fold switching, functional misfolding, and prevalent inability to refold-suggests a paradigm shift in which proteins may evolve to exist in a wide range of energy landscapes and structures traditionally thought to be avoided in nature.
Topics: Pepsin A; Protein Folding; Kinetics
PubMed: 36811550
DOI: 10.1002/prot.26480 -
Biomedical Engineering Online Jul 2023Tube misplacement into the tracheobronchial tract is associated with pneumothorax in 0.5% of cases. NGT verification only detects the position of the tube at the end of...
Preclinical trial of the effectiveness of a safety nasogastric tube to detect the tube position based on tidal volume and pepsin assay results in the gastrointestinal tract of Macaca fascicularis.
BACKGROUND
Tube misplacement into the tracheobronchial tract is associated with pneumothorax in 0.5% of cases. NGT verification only detects the position of the tube at the end of the procedure. Therefore, a safe nasogastric tube (SNGT) was created to detect the NGT position in real time in a simple and inexpensive way. This study aimed to prove the effectiveness of the SNGT prototype in Macaca fascicularis.
RESULT
An SNGT producing 50% of the TV had 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting the position of the tube at 100% of the TV, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 87.5%. There was a significant difference between the movement of the SNGT 50% TV and SNGT 100% TV airbags (p ≤ 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the accuracy of placement of the 50% TV SNGT, 100% TV SNGT, and conventional NGT (p > 0.05). The pepsin enzyme had better sensitivity (100%) than pH paper (91.66%) in detecting the end-of-procedure tube position. This research has the potential to advance into human clinical trials.
CONCLUSION
SNGTs are highly effective in detecting the NGT position inside the respiratory and digestive tracts to prevent misplacement.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Tract; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Macaca fascicularis; Pepsin A; Tidal Volume; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37443035
DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01128-5 -
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety... Dec 2023The food enzyme rennet containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats and lambs by GENENCOR...
The food enzyme rennet containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats and lambs by GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL B.V. The food enzyme is intended to be used in milk processing for cheese production. As no concerns arise from the animal source of the food enzyme or from its manufacture and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considered that toxicological data and the estimation of dietary exposure were not required. On the basis of literature data, the Panel considered that the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure could not be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.
PubMed: 38107376
DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8396 -
Cornea Mar 2024Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are common gastrointestinal disorders with extraesophageal manifestations (EGERD). Studies... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are common gastrointestinal disorders with extraesophageal manifestations (EGERD). Studies showed a correlation between GERD/LPR and ocular discomfort. Our aim was to report the prevalence of ocular involvement in patients with GERD/LPR, describe clinical and biomolecular manifestations, and provide a treatment strategy for this novel EGERD comorbidity.
METHODS
Fifty-three patients with LPR and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in this masked randomized controlled study. Fifteen naive patients with LPR were treated with magnesium alginate eye drops and oral therapy (magnesium alginate and simethicone tablets) with a 1-month follow-up. Clinical ocular surface evaluation, Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, tear sampling, and conjunctival imprints were performed. Tear pepsin levels were quantified by ELISA. Imprints were processed for human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR) immunodetection and for HLA-DR, IL8, mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) transcript expression (PCR).
RESULTS
Patients with LPR had significantly increased Ocular Surface Disease Index ( P < 0.05), reduced T-BUT ( P < 0.05), and higher meibomian gland dysfunction ( P < 0.001) compared with controls. After treatment, tear break-up time (T-BUT) and meibomian gland dysfunction scores improved to normal values. Pepsin concentration increased in patients with EGERD ( P = 0.01) and decreased with topical treatment ( P = 0.0025), significantly. HLA-DR, IL8, and NADPH transcripts were significantly increased in the untreated versus controls and comparable significant values were obtained after treatment ( P < 0.05). MUC5AC expression significantly increased with treatment ( P = 0.005). VIP transcripts were significantly higher in EGERD than in controls and decreased with the topical treatment ( P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in NPY.
CONCLUSIONS
We report an increase in prevalence of ocular discomfort in patients with GERD/LPR. The observations of VIP and NPY transcripts demonstrate the potential neurogenic nature of the inflammatory state. Restoration of the ocular surface parameters suggests the potential usefulness of topical alginate therapy.
Topics: Humans; Interleukin-8; Magnesium; Meibomian Gland Dysfunction; NADP; Pepsin A; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Eye Diseases; HLA-DR Antigens; Alginates
PubMed: 37404100
DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003329 -
Cytokine Jun 2024Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is one of the most common disorders in otorhinolaryngology, affecting up to 10% of outpatients visiting otolaryngology departments. In...
BACKGROUND
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is one of the most common disorders in otorhinolaryngology, affecting up to 10% of outpatients visiting otolaryngology departments. In addition, 50% of hoarseness cases are related to LPR. Pepsin reflux-induced aseptic inflammation is a major trigger of LPR; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has become an important bridge between stimulation and sterile inflammation and is activated by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to danger signals, leading to an inflammatory cascade. In this study, we aimed to determine whether pepsin causes LPR-associated inflammatory injury via mediating inflammasome activation and explore the potential mechanism.
METHODS
We evaluated NLRP3 inflammasome expression and ROS in the laryngeal mucosa using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Laryngeal epithelial cells were exposed to pepsin and analyzed using flow cytometry, western blotting, and real-time quantitative PCR to determine ROS, NLRP3, and pro-inflammatorycytokine levels.
RESULTS
Pepsin expression was positively correlated with ROS as well as caspase-1 and IL-1β levels in laryngeal tissues. Intracellular ROS levels were elevated by increased pepsin concentrations, which were attenuated by apocynin (APO)-a ROS inhibitor-in vitro. Furthermore, pepsin significantly induced the mRNA and protein expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein, NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. APO and the NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome formation and suppressed laryngeal epithelial cell damage.
CONCLUSION
Our findings verified that pepsin could regulate the NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway through ROS activation and further induce inflammatory injury in LPR. Targeting the ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway may help treat patients with LPR disease.
Topics: Humans; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Inflammasomes; Reactive Oxygen Species; Pepsin A; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Signal Transduction; Inflammation; Caspase 1; Interleukin-1beta
PubMed: 38471420
DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156568 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2024Heartburn is a common symptom shared by both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional heartburn (FHB), which can make it challenging to differentiate...
Heartburn is a common symptom shared by both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional heartburn (FHB), which can make it challenging to differentiate between the two conditions. However, examining oral manifestations of GERD can be a cost-effective and readily available method to aid in this differentiation process. It may serve as a valuable tool in distinguishing GERD from FHB.
Topics: Humans; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Saliva; Heartburn; Pepsin A; Diagnosis, Differential; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38817654
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i19.2612 -
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology... Jan 2024This study aimed to investigate the presence of autoantigens in the gastric juices of children.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the presence of autoantigens in the gastric juices of children.
METHODS
Gastric juice and serum samples were obtained from 53 children <15 years of age who underwent gastric endoscopy. Among these, 8, 22, and 23 participants were in the age groups 0-5, 6-10, and 11-15 years, respectively. These samples were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), immunoblot analysis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we reviewed the histopathological findings and urease test results and compared them with the results of 2-DE and immunoblot analysis.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in urease test positivity, grades of chronic gastritis, active gastritis, or infiltration of the antrum and body among the three age groups. Three distinct patterns of gastric juice were observed on 2-DE. Pattern I was the most common, and pattern III was not observed below the age of 5 years. Histopathological findings were significantly different among active gastritis (=0.037) and infiltration (=0.060) in the gastric body. The immunoblots showed large spots at an approximate pH of 3-4 and molecular weights of 31-45 kDa. These distinct, large positive spots were identified as gastric lipase and pepsin A and C.
CONCLUSION
Three enzymes, which are normally secreted under acidic conditions were identified as autoantigens. Further investigation of the pathophysiology and function of autoantigens in the stomach is required.
PubMed: 38249638
DOI: 10.5223/pghn.2024.27.1.15