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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Amylase is an indispensable hydrolase in insect growth and development. Its varied enzymatic parameters cause insects to have strong stress resistance. Amylase gene... (Review)
Review
Amylase is an indispensable hydrolase in insect growth and development. Its varied enzymatic parameters cause insects to have strong stress resistance. Amylase gene replication is a very common phenomenon in insects, and different copies of amylase genes enable changes in its location and function. In addition, the classification, structure, and interaction between insect amylase inhibitors and amylases have also invoked the attention of researchers. Some plant-derived amylase inhibitors have inhibitory activities against insect amylases and even mammalian amylases. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have clarified the effects of pesticides on the amylase activity of target and non-target pests, which provides a theoretical basis for exploring safe and efficient pesticides, while the exact lethal mechanisms and safety in field applications remain unclear. Here, we summarize the most recent advances in insect amylase studies, including its sequence and characteristics and the regulation of amylase inhibitors (α-AIs). Importantly, the application of amylases as the nanocide trigger, RNAi, or other kinds of pesticide targets will be discussed. A comprehensive foundation will be provided for applying insect amylases to the development of new-generation insect management tools and improving the specificity, stability, and safety of pesticides.
Topics: Animals; alpha-Amylases; Amylases; Enzyme Inhibitors; Insecta; Pest Control; Pesticides
PubMed: 38067617
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237888 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023With regard to the CAZy database ( [...].
With regard to the CAZy database ( [...].
PubMed: 37959687
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217268 -
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023The use of saliva to monitor immune and hormonal responses in training, competitions, and during recovery is an easy and non-invasive alternative means of collecting... (Review)
Review
The use of saliva to monitor immune and hormonal responses in training, competitions, and during recovery is an easy and non-invasive alternative means of collecting samples compared to serum collection. Saliva can provide insight into a number of interesting biomarkers such as cortisol, testosterone, immunoglobulins, alpha-amylase, and melatonin, among others. High-intensity and exhaustive exercises, such as training or competition, provide variations in immune, protein and hormonal markers. An adequate recovery period, calming down, and recovery methods can contribute to a fast normalization of these markers, decreasing illness, as well as the likelihood of overtraining and injuries, but their effectiveness is still inconclusive. The aim of this review was to investigate the evidence of salivary markers in post-exhaustive exercise during the recovery period. This study is a systematic review from three electronic databases with studies from 2011 to 2021 within healthy humans. The search found 213 studies, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, while excluding duplicated studies, 14 studies were included in this review. The most cited salivary markers were cortisol and testosterone, as well as their ratio, alpha-amylase and IgA. Half of the studies applied a variety of recovery methods that showed controversial results over salivary markers' impact. However, they showed an impact on the markers from the exercise, which was still dependent on exercise intensity, methodology, and duration.
PubMed: 37505624
DOI: 10.3390/sports11070137 -
International Immunopharmacology Aug 2023Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation in its pathophysiology....
BACKGROUND
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation in its pathophysiology. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is an active triterpenoid with antioxidant activity. This article seeks to assess the impact of AKBA on AP and investigate its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS
AP was induced in wild-type, Lyz2 Nrf2 mice and Pdx1 Nrf2 mice by caerulein. Serum amylase and lipase levels, along with histological grading, were utilized to evaluate the severity of AP. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated, cultured, and polarized to the M1 subtype. Flow cytometry and ELISA were utilized to identify the macrophage phenotype. Alterations in oxidative stress damage and intracellular ROS were observed. Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways were also evaluated.
RESULTS
In a caerulein-induced mouse model of AP, treatment with AKBA reduced blood amylase and lipase activity and ameliorated pancreatic tissue histological and pathological features. Furthermore, AKBA significantly mitigated oxidative stress-induced damage and induced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein. Additionally, by using conditional knockout mice (Lyz2 Nrf2 and Pdx1 Nrf2 mice), we verified that Nrf2 primarily functions in macrophages rather than acinar cells. In vitro, AKBA inhibits pro-inflammatory M1-subtype macrophage polarization and reduces ROS generation through Nrf2/HO-1 oxidative stress pathway. Moreover, the protective effects of AKBA against AP were abolished in myeloid-specific Nrf2-deficient mice and BMDMs. Molecular docking results revealed interactions between AKBA and Nrf2.
CONCLUSION
Our results confirm that AKBA exerts protective effects against AP in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress in macrophages through the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Pancreatitis; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Reactive Oxygen Species; Ceruletide; Acute Disease; Molecular Docking Simulation; Oxidative Stress; Macrophages; Lipase; Amylases
PubMed: 37364326
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110501