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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine... Oct 2023To observe the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and explore the effects on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and explore the effects on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles.
METHODS
Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group (Con), CFS model group (Mod, established by multiple chronic stress for 35 d), MoxA group (CFS model with moxibustion Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4), 10 min/d, 28 d) and MoxB group (CFS model with moxibustion Zusanli (ST36), 10 min/d, 28 d). Open-field test (OFT) and Morris-water-maze test (MWMT) were determined for assessment the CFS model and the therapeutic effects of moxibustion.16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis based gut microbiota integrated untargeted liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) based fecal metabolomics were executed, as well as Spearman correlation analysis, was utilized to uncover the functional relevance between the potential metabolites and gut microbiota.
RESULTS
The results of our behavioral tests showed that moxibustion improved the performance of CFS rats in the OFT and the MWMT. Microbiome profiling analysis revealed that the gut microbiomes of CFS rats were less diverse with altered composition, including increases in pro-inflammatory species (such as Proteobacteria) and decreases in anti-inflammatory species (such as Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella). Moxibustion partially normalized these changes in the gut microbiota. Furthermore, CFS was associated with metabolic disorders, which were effectively ameliorated by moxibustion. This was demonstrated by the normalization of 33 microbiota-related metabolites, including mannose ( 0.001), aspartic acid ( 0.009), alanine ( 0.007), serine ( 0.000), threonine ( 0.027), methionine ( 0.023), 5-hydroxytryptamine ( 0.008), alpha-linolenic acid ( 0.003), eicosapentaenoic acid ( 0.006), hypoxanthine ( 0.000), vitamin B6 ( 0.000), cholic acid ( 0.013), and taurocholate ( 0.002). Correlation analysis showed a significant association between the perturbed fecal microbiota and metabolite levels, with a notable negative relationship between LCA and Bacteroides.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we demonstrated that moxibustion has an antifatigue-like effect. The results from the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analysis suggest that the therapeutic effects of moxibustion on CFS are related to the regulation of gut microorganisms and their metabolites. The increase in Bacteroides and decrease in LCA may be key targets for the moxibustion treatment of CFS.
Topics: Rats; Male; Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Moxibustion; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Metabolomics
PubMed: 37946480
DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20231018.004 -
Nutrients Dec 2023Oral cancer ranks sixth among Taiwan's top 10 cancers and most patients with poor prognosis acquire metastases. The essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has...
Oral cancer ranks sixth among Taiwan's top 10 cancers and most patients with poor prognosis acquire metastases. The essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has been found to diminish many cancer properties. However, the anti-cancer activity of ALA in oral cancer has yet to be determined. We examined the mechanisms underlying ALA inhibition of metastasis and induction of apoptotic cell death in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Migration and invasion assays confirmed the cancer cells' EMT capabilities, whereas flow cytometry and Western blotting identified molecular pathways in OSCC. ALA dramatically reduced cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner according to the findings. Low concentrations of ALA (100 or 200 μM) inhibit colony formation, the expression of Twist and EMT-related proteins, the expression of MMP2/-9 proteins, and enzyme activity, as well as cell migration and invasion. Treatment with high concentrations of ALA (200 or 400 μM) greatly increases JNK phosphorylation and c-jun nuclear accumulation and then upregulates the FasL/caspase8/caspase3 and Bid/cytochrome c/caspase9/caspase3 pathways, leading to cell death. Low concentrations of ALA inhibit SAS and GNM cell migration and invasion by suppressing Twist and downregulating EMT-related proteins or by decreasing the protein expression and enzyme activity of MMP-2/-9, whereas high concentrations of ALA promote apoptosis by activating the JNK/FasL/caspase 8/caspase 3-extrinsic pathway and the Bid/cytochrome c/caspase 9 pathway. ALA demonstrates potential as a treatment for OSCC patients.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Mouth Neoplasms; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Cytochromes c; Cell Line, Tumor; Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Cell Movement; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
PubMed: 38068849
DOI: 10.3390/nu15234992 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023This study aimed to investigate the plasma metabolic profile of patients with extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Plasma samples were collected from 32 AVM...
This study aimed to investigate the plasma metabolic profile of patients with extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Plasma samples were collected from 32 AVM patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was employed to analyze the metabolic profiles of both groups. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and MetaboAnalyst. Additionally, machine learning algorithms such as Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF) were conducted to screen characteristic metabolites. The effectiveness of the serum biomarkers for AVM was evaluated using a receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve. In total, 184 differential metabolites were screened in this study, with 110 metabolites in positive ion mode and 74 metabolites in negative mode. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the predominant metabolites detected in both positive and negative ion modes. Several significant metabolic pathways were enriched in AVMs, including lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein translation. Through machine learning algorithms, nine metabolites were identify as characteristic metabolites, including hydroxy-proline, L-2-Amino-4-methylenepentanedioic acid, piperettine, 20-hydroxy-PGF2a, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-6-(1-oxobutyl)-1,3,5-cyclohexanetrione, DL-tryptophan, 9-oxoODE, alpha-Linolenic acid, and dihydrojasmonic acid. Patients with extracranial AVMs exhibited significantly altered metabolic patterns compared to healthy controls, which could be identified using plasma metabolomics. These findings suggest that metabolomic profiling can aid in the understanding of AVM pathophysiology and potentially inform clinical diagnosis and treatment.
PubMed: 37727659
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1207390 -
Air-ventilated normothermic machine perfusion alleviates hepatic injury from DCD rat through CYP1A2.Heliyon Aug 2023Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) could provide protection to organs from donation after circulatory death (DCD) before transplantation, and its molecular mechanism...
BACKGROUND
Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) could provide protection to organs from donation after circulatory death (DCD) before transplantation, and its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our previous study discovered that the air-ventilated NMP confers a better DCD liver recovery than oxygen-ventilated NMP. The purpose in the current study was to investigate the protective mechanism of air-ventilated NMP in a rat model of DCD liver by , and to select biomarker to predict liver function recovery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-α (PPARα) agonist or antagonist was administered via the perfusion circuit in the air-ventilated NMP. Perfusate samples were taken for measurements of aminotransferases using standard biochemical methods, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Liver biopsies were allocated for detection of , PPARα and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2).
RESULTS
M analysis revealed the significant increased γ-linolenic acid and decreased adrenic acid during the air-ventilated NMP, indicating linoleic acid metabolism pathway was associated with a better DCD liver recovery; as a major enzyme involved in linolenic acid metabolism, CYP1A2 was found correlated with a less inflammation and better liver function with the air-ventilated NMP; PPARα agonist could increase CYP1A2 expression and activity, decrease inflammation response, and improve liver function with the air-ventilated NMP, while PPARα antagonist played the opposite.
CONCLUSION
Air-ventilated NMP confers a better liver recovery from DCD rats through the activated linoleic acid metabolism and CYP1A2 upregulation; CYP1A2 expression and activity might function as biomarker to predict DCD liver function recovery with NMP.
PubMed: 37654459
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19150 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Oct 2023Observational studies suggest a link between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, n-3 PUFA status, and depression in adults, but studies in adolescents are...
BACKGROUND
Observational studies suggest a link between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, n-3 PUFA status, and depression in adults, but studies in adolescents are scarce. This study aimed to determine associations of n-3 PUFA status and intake with paediatric major depressive disorder (pMDD) in Swiss adolescents.
METHODS
We conducted a matched case-control study in 95 adolescents diagnosed with pMDD and 95 healthy controls aged 13 to <18 years. We analysed red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) composition (% of total FA). n-3 PUFA intake was assessed using a focused food frequency questionnaire and depression severity was assessed by the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R).
RESULTS
Mean RBC eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were lower in cases than controls (EPA: 0.41 ± 0.11 vs 0.46 ± 0.12, p < 0.001; DHA: 4.07 ± 1.04 vs 4.73 ± 1.04, p < 0.001). Subsequently, the mean RBC n-3 index was lower (4.51 ± 1.10 vs 5.20 ± 1.11, p < 0.001) and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio higher (5.51 ± 1.25 vs 4.96 ± 1.08, p < 0.001) in cases than controls. Adolescents with a higher n-3 index had lower odds for depression (OR = 0.49 [95% CI: 0.32-0.71]). In contrast, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was associated with higher odds for depression (OR = 1.58 [95% CI: 1.14-2.25]). Intake of alpha-linolenic acid, EPA and DHA did not differ between cases and controls.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that a higher RBC n-3 PUFA status during adolescence is associated with a lower risk for pMDD, whereas a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio is associated with a higher risk for pMDD. Differences in n-3 PUFA intake did not explain the observed differences in n-3 PUFA status.
PubMed: 37437731
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.046 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023The GC-MS profiling of the endogenous oxylipins (Me/TMS) from cucumber ( L.) leaves, flowers, and fruit peels revealed a remarkable abundance of...
The GC-MS profiling of the endogenous oxylipins (Me/TMS) from cucumber ( L.) leaves, flowers, and fruit peels revealed a remarkable abundance of 16-hydroxy-9,12,14-octadecatrienoic acid (16-HOT). Incubations of homogenates from these organs with α-linolenic acid yielded 16()-hydroperoxide (16-HPOT) as a predominant product. Targeted proteomic analyses of these tissues revealed the presence of several highly homologous isoforms of the putative "9-lipoxygenase type 6". One of these isoenzymes (CsLOX3, an 877 amino acid polypeptide) was prepared by heterologous expression in and exhibited 16()- and 13()-lipoxygenase activity toward α-linolenic and linoleic acids, respectively. Furthermore, α-linolenate was a preferred substrate. The molecular structures of 16()-HOT and 16()-HPOT (Me or Me/TMS) were unequivocally confirmed by the mass spectral data, H-NMR, 2D H-H-COSY, TOCSY, HMBC, and HSQC spectra, as well as enantiomeric HPLC analyses. Thus, the vegetative CsLOX3, biosynthesizing 16()-HPOT, is the first 16()-LOX and ω3-LOX ever discovered. Eicosapentaenoic and hexadecatrienoic acids were also specifically transformed to the corresponding ω3()-hydroperoxides by CsLOX3.
Topics: Cucumis sativus; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Escherichia coli; Proteomics; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Hydrogen Peroxide; Lipoxygenases
PubMed: 37629162
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612977 -
Journal of Atherosclerosis and... Aug 2023Epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between fish and fatty acid intake and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been limited and inconsistent. The...
AIM
Epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between fish and fatty acid intake and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been limited and inconsistent. The current cross-sectional study investigated this issue using baseline data from the Aidai Cohort Study.
METHODS
Study subjects were 2024 Japanese men and women aged 34-88 years. Right and left CIMT were measured at the common carotid artery using an automated carotid ultrasonography device. Maximum CIMT was defined as the largest CIMT value in either the left or right common carotid artery. Carotid wall thickening was defined as a maximum CIMT value >1.0 mm.
RESULTS
The prevalence of carotid wall thickening was 13.0%. In men, intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was independently positively related to the prevalence of carotid wall thickening, while no associations were found between intake of fish and the other fatty acids and carotid wall thickening or maximum CIMT. In women, intake levels of fish, n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid were independently inversely associated with carotid wall thickening and intake levels of fish, n-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid, n-6 PUFA, and linoleic acid were independently inversely associated with the maximum CIMT. No significant relationships were found between intake of total fat, saturated fatty acids, or monounsaturated fatty acids and carotid wall thickening or maximum CIMT regardless of sex.
CONCLUSIONS
In women, higher intake of fish and n-3 and n-6 PUFA may be associated with a lower prevalence of carotid wall thickening and a decrease in maximum CIMT.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Japan; Risk Factors; Fishes
PubMed: 36184555
DOI: 10.5551/jat.63781 -
Heliyon Apr 2024This study aimed to assess the effect of increased omega-3 consumption on fertilization rates and the probability of women getting pregnant. This study is needed because... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the effect of increased omega-3 consumption on fertilization rates and the probability of women getting pregnant. This study is needed because different perspectives exist regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids in enhancing fertility among women with reproductive issues, and information for those planning a spontaneous pregnancy is limited.
METHODS
PubMed, Clinical Trials, CINAHL/EBSCO, Medline Complete, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published until April 2021, and the search was limited to articles in English language. The search strategy included the following key words: " fertilization (IVF)," "intracytoplasmic sperm injection techniques (ICSI)," "pregnancy," "omega-3 fatty acid," "alpha-linolenic acid," "eicosapentaenoic acid," "docosahexaenoic acid," "n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid," and "fish oil and seafood." Studies reporting female fertility occurring naturally or IVF/ICSI concurrent with omega-3 intake were included. Retrospective studies, studies including postmenopausal women, and unevenly matched control and study groups were excluded. To assess bias, we used the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, version 5.1.0. To synthesize the findings from the studies included in this review, a meta-analysis was conducted using calculated or extracted odds ratios (OR) of clinical pregnancies and fertilization rates for each group in each study.
RESULTS
We included six trials involving 1789 women who received fertility treatment, four trials involving 2607 women who conceived naturally, and three trials involving 1725 oocytes for fertility rates. Aggregated ORs for the effects of omega-3 on pregnancies were 1.74, 1.36, and 2.14 for women who received fertility treatment, those who conceived naturally, and fertilization rate, respectively. All these results were significant ( ≤ 0.01), although they had high heterogeneity I>68 %.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that omega-3 intake significantly improves women's pregnancy and fertilization rates; however, the high heterogeneity in this review somewhat limits its interpretation. Therefore, further prospective randomized studies are necessary to better understand this relationship.
PubMed: 38628754
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29324 -
Nutrients Jan 2024Omega-3 fatty acids (-3 FAs) are associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Antithrombotic mechanisms may in part explain...
Omega-3 fatty acids (-3 FAs) are associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Antithrombotic mechanisms may in part explain this observation. Therefore, we examined the association of -3 FAs with D-dimer and beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. The -3 FAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were determined via gas chromatography in the whole blood of 2373 patients with AF from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02105844). In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association of total -3 FAs (EPA + DHA + DPA + ALA) and the association of individual fatty acids with D-dimer in patients with detectable D-dimer values ( = 1096) as well as with BTG ( = 2371) using multiple linear regression models adjusted for confounders. Median D-dimer and BTG levels were 0.340 ug/mL and 448 ng/mL, respectively. Higher total -3 FAs correlated with lower D-dimer levels (coefficient 0.94, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.90-0.98, = 0.004) and lower BTG levels (coefficient 0.97, Cl 0.95-0.99, = 0.003). Likewise, the individual -3 FAs EPA, DHA, DPA and ALA showed an inverse association with D-dimer. Higher levels of DHA, DPA and ALA correlated with lower BTG levels, whereas EPA showed a positive association with BTG. In patients with AF, higher levels of -3 FAs were associated with lower levels of D-dimer and BTG, markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. These findings suggest that FAs may exert antithrombotic properties in patients with AF.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fibrinolytic Agents; Thrombosis; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid
PubMed: 38257071
DOI: 10.3390/nu16020178 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Nov 2023The association between the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum...
The association between the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unclear. This association was studied in 17 children with ASD and seven age-matched controls regarding autistic behaviors. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). To compensate for the small sample size, adaptive Lasso was used to increase the likelihood of accurate prediction, and a coefficient of variation was calculated for suitable variable selection. Plasma MDA-LDL levels were significantly increased, and plasma SOD levels were significantly decreased in addition to significantly increased plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and significantly decreased plasma arachidonic acid (ARA) levels in the 17 subjects with ASD as compared with those of the seven healthy controls. The total ABC scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. The results of multiple linear regression and adaptive Lasso analyses revealed an association between increased plasma DHA levels and decreased plasma ARA levels, which were significantly associated with total ABC score and increased plasma MDA-LDL levels. Therefore, an imbalance between plasma DHA and ARA levels induces ferroptosis via lipid peroxidation. Decreased levels of α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid may be connected to the total ABC scores with regard to lipid peroxidation.
PubMed: 37998751
DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110574