-
Journal of Biomaterials Science.... Jul 2024In this study, to address the defects of sodium alginate (SA), such as its susceptibility to disintegration, silica was coated on the outer layer of sodium alginate...
In this study, to address the defects of sodium alginate (SA), such as its susceptibility to disintegration, silica was coated on the outer layer of sodium alginate hydrogel beads in order to improve its swelling and slow-release properties. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the hydrolyzed precursor, and the solution of silica precursor was prepared by sol-gel reaction under acidic conditions. Then SA-silica hydrogel beads prepared by ionic crosslinking method were immersed into the SiO precursor solution to prepare SA-silica hydrogel beads. The chemical structure and morphology of the hydrogel beads were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM, and the results showed that the surface of SA-silica beads was successfully encapsulated with the outer layer of SiO, and the surface was smooth and dense. The swelling experiments showed that the swelling performance effectively decreased with the increase of TEOS molar concentration, and the maximum swelling ratio of the hydrogel beads decreased from 41.07 to 14.3, and the time to reach the maximum swelling ratio was prolonged from 4 h to 8 h. The sustained-release experiments showed that the SA-silica hydrogel beads possessed a good pH sensitivity, and the time of sustained-release was significantly prolonged in vitro. Hemolysis and cytotoxicity experiments showed that the SA-silica hydrogel beads were biocompatible when the TEOS molar concentration was lower than 0.375 M. The SA-silica-2 hydrogel beads had good biocompatibility, swelling properties, and slow-release properties at the same time.
PubMed: 38953307
DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2024.2368957 -
Drug and Chemical Toxicology Jul 2024The increase in the incidence of gastric ulcer (GU) has posed major threat on public health. This research aimed to evaluate gastroprotective properties of the aqueous...
The increase in the incidence of gastric ulcer (GU) has posed major threat on public health. This research aimed to evaluate gastroprotective properties of the aqueous leaf extract of (AETT) in ethanol-induced gastric ulceration. GU was induced oral administration of single dose of 5 mLkg of 90% ethanol in rats and protection of 200 mgkg bw of AETT and 20 mgkg bw of omeprazole was investigated for 14 d oral treatment. Influence of AETT on anti-inflammatory, redox assays, ulcer index (UI), and gastric mucosa histological alterations were evaluated. Significant increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels compared to untreated group established gastric inflammation in rats induced by ethanol. Gastric ulcerated group exhibited heightened oxidative stress with concurrent decline in activities of antioxidant enzymes. Ethanol exposure to rats resulted in induction of lipid peroxidation, prominently elevating gastric malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Nevertheless, treatment with AETT or omeprazole exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory effects within gastric mucosa by attenuating expression of markers associated with inflammation. AETT demonstrated reduction in concentrations of MDA and HO, thereby alleviating progression of lipid peroxidation cascades. Also, AETT exhibited mitigating effect on ethanol-induced oxidative harm by enhancing the functionality of protective enzymes and elevating glutathione (GSH) concentration. Overall, AETT exhibited enhancements in activities of cytoprotective antioxidant enzymes, mitigated impact of oxidative stress and inflammation, inhibited lipid peroxidation, and decreased UI score. These beneficial effects could be attributed to phytochemicals present in AETT including 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone and Phytol. Outcome of this study established the traditional herbal claims of AETT.
PubMed: 38953232
DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2024.2365435 -
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal =... Jul 2024Objective To explore the influence of Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LGZGD) on high glucose induced podocyte autophagy Methods LGZGD containing serum were prepared by...
Objective To explore the influence of Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LGZGD) on high glucose induced podocyte autophagy Methods LGZGD containing serum were prepared by intragastric administation of 4.2 g·kglow dose, 8.4 g·kg (medium dose), and 12.6 g·kg (high dose) LGZGD into SD rats respectively. MPC5 and AB8/13 cells were treated with 60 mmol/L glucose to establish diabetic nephropathy podocyte model in vitro. Podocytes, MPC5 and AB8.13, were divided into control group, high glucose group, low dose LGZGD group, medium dose LGZGD group, and high dose LGZGD group, respectively. For the three LGZGD groups, before LGZGD intervention, podocytes were treated with 60 mmol/L glucose for 3 days. After treated with LGZGD containing serum, cells were collected to analyze cell migration using Transwell assay, proliferation using CCK8, apoptosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry,, autophagosome formation using transmission electron microscopy, and expression levels of Beclin-1, Atg5, LC3II/I, and P62 proteins using western blot.Results Compared with the control group, the proliferation and migration of MPC5 and AB8.13 cells in high glucose group showed slightly decreased, whereas these parameters restored after intervention with low and medium concentrations of LGZGD, with the medium dose LGZGD having the best effect. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the medium dose LGZGD group had a lower apoptosis rate (P < 0.05) and higher survival rate (P > 0.05) compared to the high dose group. High glucose arrested podocytes in G1 phase, whereas LGZGD shifted podocytes from being predominant in G1 phase to increasing into G2. High dose LGZGD significanly reduced increased autophagosome formation due to high glucose in both podocytes (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that Beclin-1, Atg5, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, and P62 expressions were increased in MPC5 cells treated with high glucose, and reversed after adminstration of low and medium doses of LGZGD (P < 0.05). Conclusion LGZGD reduced apoptosis and enhanced autophagy in high glucose treated podocytes via regulating Beclin-1/LC3II/I/Atg5 expression.
PubMed: 38953223
DOI: 10.24920/004330 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Diabetic retinopathy is a secondary microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. This disease progresses from two stages, non-proliferative and proliferative...
Diabetic retinopathy is a secondary microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. This disease progresses from two stages, non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the latter characterized by retinal abnormal angiogenesis. Pharmacological management of retinal angiogenesis employs expensive and invasive intravitreal injections of biologic drugs (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents). To search small molecules able to act as anti-angiogenic agents, we focused our study on axitinib, which is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and represents the second line treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Axitinib is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, and among the others tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib and sorafenib) is the most selective towards vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2. Besides the well-known anti-angiogenic and immune-modulatory functions, we hereby explored the polypharmacological profile of axitinib, through a bioinformatic/molecular modeling approach and models of diabetic retinopathy. We showed the anti-angiogenic activity of axitinib in two different models of diabetic retinopathy, by challenging retinal endothelial cells with high glucose concentration (fluctuating and non-fluctuating). We found that axitinib, along with inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 (1.82 ± 0.10; 0.54 ± 0.13, phosphorylated protein levels in fluctuating high glucose axitinib 1 µM, respectively) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 2 (2.38 ± 0.21; 0.98 ± 0.20, phosphorylated protein levels in fluctuating high glucose axitinib 1 µM, respectively), was able to significantly reduce ( < 0.05) the expression of Nrf2 (1.43 ± 0.04; 0.85 ± 0.01, protein levels in fluctuating high glucose axitinib 1 µM, respectively) in retinal endothelial cells exposed to high glucose, through predicted Keap1 interaction and activation of melanocortin receptor 1. Furthermore, axitinib treatment significantly ( < 0.05) decreased reactive oxygen species production (0.90 ± 0.10; 0.44 ± 0.06, fluorescence units in high glucose axitinib 1 µM, respectively) and inhibited ERK pathway (1.64 ± 0.09; 0.73 ± 0.06, phosphorylated protein levels in fluctuating high glucose axitinib 1 µM, respectively) in HRECs exposed to high glucose. The obtained results about the emerging polypharmacological profile support the hypothesis that axitinib could be a valid candidate to handle diabetic retinopathy, with ancillary mechanisms of action.
PubMed: 38953109
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1415846 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024The objective of this study was to assess the global burden of disease for developmental and intellectual disabilities caused by iodine deficiency from 1990 to 2019.
The global burden, trends, and inequalities of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities attributable to iodine deficiency from 1990 to 2019 and its prediction up to 2030.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the global burden of disease for developmental and intellectual disabilities caused by iodine deficiency from 1990 to 2019.
METHODS
Using data from the global burden of disease (GBD) 2019, we conducted a cross-country inequity analysis to examine the worldwide burden of developmental and intellectual disabilities caused by the issue of iodine deficiency from 1990 to 2019. Absolute and relative inequality were assessed by the slope index of inequality and the concentration index, respectively. After summarising the latest evidence, we also projected the age-standardized prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) rates up to 2030 using the BAPC and INLA packages in R statistical software.
RESULTS
In 2019, the global age-standardized prevalence and YLD rates for developmental and intellectual disabilities due to iodine deficiency were 22.54 per 100,000 population (95% UI 14.47 to 29.23) and 4.12 per 100,000 population (95% UI 2.25 to 6.4), respectively. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized prevalence and YLD rates of developmental and intellectual disabilities due to iodine deficiency decreased significantly. Geographic distribution showed that areas with lower socio-demographic indices (SDI) were the most affected. The correlation between higher SDI and lower prevalence highlights the role of economic and social factors in the prevalence of the disease. Cross-national inequity analysis shows that disparities persist despite improvements in health inequalities. In addition, projections suggest that the disease burden may decline until 2030.
CONCLUSION
This research underscores the necessity for targeted interventions, such as enhancing iodine supplementation and nutritional education, especially in areas with lower SDI. We aim to provide a foundation for policymakers further to research effective preventative and potential alternative treatment strategies.
PubMed: 38953045
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1366525 -
Biology of Sport Jul 2024This systematic review aims to provide a summary of the results from individual studies that specifically focused on overweight or obese populations, regardless of age... (Review)
Review
This systematic review aims to provide a summary of the results from individual studies that specifically focused on overweight or obese populations, regardless of age or sex. The goal is to determine the effects of structured recreational team sports interventions (TSG) on metabolic health, body composition and physical fitness parameters when compared to passive or active control groups. This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines for reporting a systematic review. A thorough examination of relevant literature was conducted on November 06, 2023, using three prominent databases: PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science. Inclusion criteria considered overweight (e.g., BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m) and obese (e.g., BMI > 30 kg/m) populations exposed to training interventions using recreational team sports, while the comparator group consisted of the same populations not exposed to exercise (passive controls) or exposed to alternative training methods. The primary outcomes of interest were metabolic health parameters (glucose, waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides), body composition (e.g., fat mass, lean mass), as well as physical fitness parameters (e.g., aerobic fitness, muscular fitness). Only studies with two- or multi-arm designs, whether randomized or not, were eligible for inclusion. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological bias of the included studies. Out of the initial 275 titles retrieved, we deemed ten eligible for our study. In terms of body composition, TSG demonstrated a significant decrease in body mass index across three studies (-2.3 to -5.1%) and a significant reduction in waist circumference in four studies (-4.6% to -8.4%). Regarding blood pressure, TSG exhibited a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in two studies (-3.9% to -8.3%), while diastolic blood pressure showed a significant decrease in only one study (-7.3%). Cholesterol levels saw a significant decrease in TSG in three studies (-7.0% to -9.7%), and triglyceride levels showed a significant reduction in four studies (-16.4% to -20.1%). In terms of aerobic fitness, TSG demonstrated within-group improvements in the field-based tests in three studies (8.1% to 79.0%), and within-group improvements in maximal oxygen uptake in four studies (6.5% to 31.0%), with significant favoring of TSG in most studies. Overall, TSG demonstrated significant benefits for overweight and obese populations compared to the control group, particularly in terms of improvements in body mass index, systolic blood pressures, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and aerobic fitness. Future research ought to concentrate on tailoring responses to varying training volumes on an individualized basis.
PubMed: 38952914
DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.134762 -
Biology of Sport Jul 2024K1-format kickboxing is a widely followed combat sport that requires intense physical exercise. However, research into the body's response to this type of combat is...
K1-format kickboxing is a widely followed combat sport that requires intense physical exercise. However, research into the body's response to this type of combat is sparse. This study aims to assess the alterations in hormone levels and brain activity in elite kickboxers following an actual K1 bout and compare these changes with those observed in a control group engaged in a simulated fight exercise with a punchbag. The study included 100 male professional kickboxers, randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (K1 fight) and a control group (simulated fight with a punchbag). Blood samples were obtained before and after exercise to evaluate testosterone (T) and cortisol concentrations (C). Concurrently, brain activity was recorded using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). After the activity in the experimental group mean testosterone level slightly, non-significantly decreased from 13.7 nmol/l to 12.4 nmol/l, while mean cortisol significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 313 to 570 nmol/l. In the control group after the exertion against a punchbag mean cortisol significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 334 to 452 nmol/l and testosterone increased non-significantly, from 15.1 to 16.3 nmol/l. In both groups, the testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C ratio) showed significantly lower levels after the intervention (p < 0.001 and p < 0.032) in the experimental and control group respectively. The comparison of groups after exercise revealed significantly higher cortisol levels (experimental group x = 570 nmol/l; control group x = 452 nmol/l) and a significantly lower T/C ratio (experimental group x = 2.7; control group x = 3.9), (p = 0.001) in the experimental group. Significantly higher brain activity was found in selected leads after a bout (experimental group). Furthermore, in the experimental group, significant associations of weak to moderate strength were found between hormone fluctuations and selected areas of brain activity (p < 0.05). K1-format kickboxing induces a stress response, evident in the sharp changes in cortisol and testosterone levels. A notable observation was the inverse direction of changes in both hormones. Brain activity analysis indicated the potential influence of raised cortisol concentrations on specific brain areas. This study augments our understanding of the physiological responses during K1 kickboxing bouts and may inform the future evolution of this sport.
PubMed: 38952906
DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.133662 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024It has been well documented that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can alleviate inflammation caused by () lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the etiologic agents that...
It has been well documented that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can alleviate inflammation caused by () lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the etiologic agents that causing yellow or white dysentery in young pigs. However, it remains unclear whether the increase in n-3 PUFA availability could enhance the ability of nursery pigs to resist invasion by . LPS. Twenty-four 21-day-old female piglets, each two of them from the same sow fed the beef tallow (BT) or fish oil (FO) diets, were allocated into four treatment groups: BT-CON, piglets from the BT-fed sows and intraperitoneally injected with saline (9 g/L); BT-LPS, piglets from the BT-fed sows and injected with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight); FO-CON, piglets from the FO-fed sows and injected with saline; FO-LPS, piglets from the FO-fed sows and injected with LPS. Following 2 h of LPS challenge, the magnitudes of increase in body temperature approached to a marked ( 0.01) difference between the BT-CON and BT-LPS piglets, whereas the dramatic ( 0.01) difference between the FO-CON and FO-LPS piglets was only observed at 4 h post LPS challenge. The body temperature averaged across the time points evaluated was about 0.2°C lower ( 0.05) in the FO group than in the BT group. The FO group had lower ( 0.05) mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, lower increase in serum interleukin (IL)-1β ( < 0.10) and IL-8 ( 0.05) levels, higher ( 0.01) serum albumin concentration, and higher ( = 0.10) ratios of jejunum villus height to crypt depth than the BT group. The FO group had much higher ( 0.0001) ileal content of C20:5n3, C24:0, and C22:6n3, which were 2-4 times the content of the BT group. LPS challenge resulted in decreased ( 0.05) intestinal C20:1 and C20:5n3 content, and the decrease ( 0.05) in intestinal C20:3n6 and C24:1 content was observed in the BT-LPS piglets rather than in the FO-LPS piglets. Taken together, this study indicated that maternal consumption of fish oil protected breast-fed piglets against LPS-induced damage through reshaping of intestinal fatty acids profile, which sheds new light on the development of nutritional strategies to enhance the ability of young pigs to resist invasion.
PubMed: 38952807
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1417078 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024The immunometabolic mechanisms underlying variable responses to oral immunotherapy (OIT) in patients with IgE-mediated food allergy are unknown.
BACKGROUND
The immunometabolic mechanisms underlying variable responses to oral immunotherapy (OIT) in patients with IgE-mediated food allergy are unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To identify novel pathways associated with tolerance in food allergy, we used metabolomic profiling to find pathways important for food allergy in multi-ethnic cohorts and responses to OIT.
METHODS
Untargeted plasma metabolomics data were generated from the VDAART healthy infant cohort (N=384), a Costa Rican cohort of children with asthma (N=1040), and a peanut OIT trial (N=20) evaluating sustained unresponsiveness (SU, protection that lasts after therapy) versus transient desensitization (TD, protection that ends immediately afterwards). Generalized linear regression modeling and pathway enrichment analysis identified metabolites associated with food allergy and OIT outcomes.
RESULTS
Compared with unaffected children, those with food allergy were more likely to have metabolomic profiles with altered histidines and increased bile acids. Eicosanoids (e.g., arachidonic acid derivatives) (q=2.4×10 ) and linoleic acid derivatives (q=3.8×10 ) pathways decreased over time on OIT. Comparing SU versus TD revealed differing concentrations of bile acids (q=4.1×10 ), eicosanoids (q=7.9×10 ), and histidine pathways (q=0.015). In particular, the bile acid lithocholate (4.97[1.93,16.14], p=0.0027), the eicosanoid leukotriene B4 (3.21[1.38,8.38], p=0.01), and the histidine metabolite urocanic acid (22.13[3.98,194.67], p=0.0015) were higher in SU.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed distinct profiles of bile acids, histidines, and eicosanoids that vary among patients with food allergy, over time on OIT and between SU and TD. Participants with SU had higher levels of metabolites such as lithocholate and urocanic acid, which have immunomodulatory roles in key T-cell subsets, suggesting potential mechanisms of tolerance in immunotherapy.
KEY MESSAGES
- Compared with unaffected controls, children with food allergy demonstrated higher levels of bile acids and distinct histidine/urocanic acid profiles, suggesting a potential role of these metabolites in food allergy. - In participants receiving oral immunotherapy for food allergy, those who were able to maintain tolerance-even after stopping therapyhad lower overall levels of bile acid and histidine metabolites, with the exception of lithocholic acid and urocanic acid, two metabolites that have roles in T cell differentiation that may increase the likelihood of remission in immunotherapy.
CAPSULE SUMMARY
This is the first study of plasma metabolomic profiles of responses to OIT in individuals with IgE-mediated food allergy. Identification of immunomodulatory metabolites in allergic tolerance may help identify mechanisms of tolerance and guide future therapeutic development.
PubMed: 38952781
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.24308233 -
Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine 2024Influenza complications are mild to serious, and can cause death in some cases. A great deal of attention has been paid in recent years to the development and use of new...
OBJECTIVE
Influenza complications are mild to serious, and can cause death in some cases. A great deal of attention has been paid in recent years to the development and use of new antiviral compounds to overcome drug resistance in certain strains of the influenza virus and treat the clinical implications. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral effect of punicalagin and its associated mechanism against influenza A (H1N1) virus .
MATERIALS AND METHODS
the ant-influenza activity of punicalagin was studied in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells using influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) (PR8) using Hemagglutinin assay (HA) and 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID). Then, the inhibition of haemagglutination, virucidal activity, inhibitory effect at different times, replication of viral RNA and expression of viral genes were investigated.
RESULTS
Punicalagin could inhibit influenza virus infection with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC) of 3.98 μg/ml and selectivity index (SI) value of 6.1. Punicalagin decreased virus titers with an inhibitory effect on virus hemagglutination (p<0.05). Punicalagin also inhibited viral adsorption. The results of virus RNA replication and viral mRNA (NS1 and HA) expression after treatment with punicalagin showed significant suppression of viral mRNA expression but no effect on replication of viral RNA.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study indicated that punicalagin was effective against influenza infection most probably via inhibition of haemagglutination activity and virus binding.
PubMed: 38952775
DOI: 10.22038/AJP.2023.23389