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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024To achieve a krill meal of high quality, a two-stage drying involving hot-air drying and vacuum drying was investigated. Five experimental groups were established...
To achieve a krill meal of high quality, a two-stage drying involving hot-air drying and vacuum drying was investigated. Five experimental groups were established according to the different drying conditions in the second stage, including 95 °C and 101 kPa, 95 °C and 60 kPa, 75 °C and 101 kPa, 75 °C and 60 kPa, and 75 °C and 20 kPa. The results showed that reducing the drying temperature and vacuum pressure in the second stage had a significant impact on the drying characteristics, sensory quality, and bioactive compounds of krill meal. Among all five groups, the drying condition of 75 °C and 60 kPa maintained a high drying rate while preserving a phospholipid content of 30.01 mg/kg and an astaxanthin content of 37.41 mg/kg. It also effectively reduced the isomerization of astaxanthin and the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. These results suggested that the two-stage drying method may contribute to the production of high-quality krill meal.
PubMed: 38890934
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111706 -
Biotechnology For Biofuels and... Jun 2024To increase the production of biomass and astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis to meet the high market demand for astaxanthin, this study recruited two typical and...
To increase the production of biomass and astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis to meet the high market demand for astaxanthin, this study recruited two typical and negligible phytohormones (namely resveratrol and catechol) for the stepwise treatments of H. pluvialis. It was found that the hybrid and sequential treatments of resveratrol (200 μmol) and catechol (100 μmol) had achieved the maximum astaxanthin content at 33.96 mg/L and 42.99 mg/L, respectively. Compared with the hybrid treatment, the physiological data of H. pluvialis using the sequential strategy revealed that the enhanced photosynthetic performance via the Calvin cycle by RuBisCO improved the biomass accumulation during the macrozooid stage; meanwhile, the excessive ROS production had occurred to enhance astaxanthin production with the help of NADPH overproduction during the hematocyst stage. Overall, this study provides improved knowledge of the impacts of phytohormones in improving biomass and astaxanthin of H. pluvialis, which shed valuable insights for advancing microalgae-based biorefinery.
PubMed: 38877488
DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02527-z -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has been widely employed for the study of gene expression in fish, and accurate normalization is crucial. In this study, we aimed to...
Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has been widely employed for the study of gene expression in fish, and accurate normalization is crucial. In this study, we aimed to identify the most stably expressed genes in various tissues, different developmental stages, and within astaxanthin treatment groups in Lutjanus erythropterus. Twelve candidate genes (EEF1A, CYB5R3, DLD, IDH3A, MRPL17, MRPL43, NDUFS7, PABPC1, PAGR1, PFDN2, PSMC3, and RAB10) were examined via qRT-PCR. We employed geNorm and NormFinder to assess their stability. The results revealed that RAB10 and PFDN2 exhibited relatively stable expression patterns across different tissue and astaxanthin treatment groups, while NDUFS7 and MRPL17 proved to be the most reliable reference gene combinations across various developmental stages. The stability of these selected genes was further validated by assessing the expression of two target genes, CRADD and CAPNS1, across developmental stages, reinforcing the reliability of NDUFS7 as it closely aligned with transcriptome-wide expression patterns at these stages. The present results will help researchers to obtain more accurate results in future qRT-PCR analysis in L. erythropterus.
Topics: Animals; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Gene Expression Profiling; Reference Standards; Fish Proteins; Transcriptome; Cyprinidae
PubMed: 38858385
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63335-x -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jul 2024Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread chronic pain and is often accompanied by comorbidities such as sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Because it is often...
Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread chronic pain and is often accompanied by comorbidities such as sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Because it is often accompanied by many adverse symptoms and lack of effective treatment, it is important to search for the pathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia. Astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has demonstrated effective analgesic effects in neuropathic pain. However, its impact on fibromyalgia remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we constructed a mouse model of fibromyalgia and investigated the effect of astaxanthin on chronic pain and associated symptoms through multiple intragastrical injections. We conducted behavioural assessments to detect pain and depression-like states in mice, recorded electroencephalograms to monitor sleep stages, examined c-Fos activation in the anterior cingulate cortex, measured activation of spinal glial cells, and assessed levels of inflammatory factors in the brain and spinal cord, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor- α(TNF-α).Additionally, we analysed the expression levels of IL-6, IL-10, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD, and Caspase-1 proteins. The findings revealed that astaxanthin significantly ameliorated mechanical and thermal pain in mice with fibromyalgia and mitigated sleep disorders and depressive-like symptoms induced by pain. A potential mechanism underlying these effects is the anti-inflammatory action of astaxanthin, likely mediated through the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which could be one of the pathways through which astaxanthin alleviates fibromyalgia. In conclusion, our study suggests that astaxanthin holds promise as a potential analgesic medication for managing fibromyalgia and its associated symptoms.
Topics: Animals; Xanthophylls; Fibromyalgia; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Inflammasomes; Depression; Mice; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Disease Models, Animal; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chronic Pain; Cytokines; Spinal Cord; Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 38852510
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116856 -
Heliyon May 2024In the 21st century, cancer remains a serious threat to people's health and has become a prominent public health problem. NFKBIA is involved in the pathological process...
In the 21st century, cancer remains a serious threat to people's health and has become a prominent public health problem. NFKBIA is involved in the pathological process of many diseases including cancer, but its specific role in pan-cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to deepen the understanding of cancer pathology by analyzing the potential functions of NFKBIA in pan-cancer. We used TCGA data to analyze differences of expression of NFKBIA in pan-cancer. We explored the prognostic value, clinical relevance, immune relevance, potential biological function, and diagnosis and treatment value of NFKBIA in pan-cancer through bioinformatics analysis. This study found that in pan-cancer, NFKBIA exhibits differences in expression, which correlate with the prognosis, diagnosis, treatment value and clinical and immune parameters. We have identified that Aspirin, Astaxanthin and Bardoxolone methyl are expected to play a potential therapeutic role in pan-cancer. The results of this study will help to improve our understanding of the role and potential mechanism of NFKBIA in cancer pathology, which may provide guidance for cancer-related research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.
PubMed: 38813139
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31204 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2024A feeding trial was conducted to assess the impacts of dietary astaxanthin from wall-broken (WBHPA) on the growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and...
A feeding trial was conducted to assess the impacts of dietary astaxanthin from wall-broken (WBHPA) on the growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and intestinal health of rainbow trout (). Six experimental diets were formulated with various concentrations of WBHPA, ranging from 0 to 8.4 g/kg (containing 0 to 125 mg/kg astaxanthin). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of rainbow trout (mean initial weight of 561 g) twice daily for 9 consecutive weeks. The survival rate and feed intake of fish exhibited no significant differences among the dietary groups ( > 0.05). Similarly, dietary inclusion of 25 to 100 mg/kg astaxanthin did not significantly affect the weight gain and daily growth coefficient ( > 0.05), but excessive inclusion of astaxanthin (125 mg/kg) slightly depressed these parameters ( < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of 25 to 50 mg/kg astaxanthin increased the activities of intestinal digestion and absorption enzymes (lipase, creatine kinase, and alkaline phosphatase), while the inclusion of 25 to 75 mg/kg astaxanthin improved the immune response of fish. Furthermore, regardless of inclusion level (25 to 125 mg/kg), dietary astaxanthin supplementation strengthened the intestinal mucosal barrier function and improved antioxidant activity, thereby promoting intestinal development. Conclusively, 25 to 75 mg/kg astaxanthin from WBHPA was recommended to be included in diets for rainbow trout.
PubMed: 38812497
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.03.010 -
Physiological Reports Jun 2024To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to...
To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to a control (CON; n = 6) or supplemented (ASTX; 75 mg ASTX daily orally; n = 6) group. All horses underwent a 16-week deconditioning period, with no forced exercise, followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where physical activity gradually increased. Fecal samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after deconditioning (PostDecon), after reconditioning (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after the cessation of ASTX supplementation (Washout). Following DNA extraction from fecal samples, v4 of 16S was amplified and sequenced to determine operational taxonomic unit tables and α-diversity and β-diversity indices. The total number of observed species was greater at Baseline than PostDecon, PostRecon, and Washout (p ≤ 0.02). A main effect of ASTX (p = 0.01) and timepoint (p = 0.01) was observed on β-diversity, yet the variability of timepoint was greater (13%) than ASTX (6%), indicating a greater effect of timepoint than ASTX. Deconditioning and reconditioning periods affected the abundance of the Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres phyla. Physical activity and ASTX supplementation affect the equine gut microbiome, yet conditioning status may have a greater impact.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Xanthophylls; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Dietary Supplements; Male; Feces; Female
PubMed: 38811348
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16051 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Jul 2024Particulate matter 2.5 (PM) imposes a heavy burden on the skin and respiratory system of human beings, causing side effects such as aging, inflammation and cancer....
Particulate matter 2.5 (PM) imposes a heavy burden on the skin and respiratory system of human beings, causing side effects such as aging, inflammation and cancer. Astaxanthin (ATX) is a well-known antioxidant widely used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. However, few studies have investigated the protective effects of ATX against PM-induced senescence in HaCaT cells. In the present study, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes were measured after treatment with PM. The results revealed that PM generated excessive ROS and reduced the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), subsequently reducing the expression of antioxidant enzymes. However, pretreatment with ATX reversed the ROS levels as well as the expression of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, ATX protected cells from PM-induced DNA damage and rescued PM-induced cell cycle arrest. The levels of senescence-associated phenotype markers, such as interleukin-1β, matrix metalloproteinases, and β-galactosidase, were increased by exposure to PM, however these effects were reversed by ATX. After interfering with NRF2 mRNA expression and exposing cells to PM, the levels of ROS and β-galactosidase were higher compared with siControl RNA cells exposed to PM. However, ATX inhibited ROS and β-galactosidase levels in both the siControl RNA and the siNRF2 RNA groups. Thus, ATX protects HaCaT keratinocytes from PM-induced senescence by partially inhibiting excessive ROS generation via the NRF2 signaling pathway.
PubMed: 38800049
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12563 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Carotenoids are valuable pigments naturally occurring in all photosynthetic plants and microalgae as well as in selected fungi, bacteria, and archaea. Green microalgae...
Carotenoids are valuable pigments naturally occurring in all photosynthetic plants and microalgae as well as in selected fungi, bacteria, and archaea. Green microalgae developed a complex carotenoid profile suitable for efficient light harvesting and light protection and harbor great capacity for carotenoid production through the substantial power of the endogenous 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Previous works established successful genome editing and induced significant changes in the cellular carotenoid content in . This study employs a tailored carotenoid pathway for engineered bioproduction of the valuable ketocarotenoid astaxanthin. Functional knockout of lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-based integration of donor DNA at the target site inhibit the accumulation of α-carotene and consequently lutein and loroxanthin, abundant carotenoids in without changes in cellular fitness. PCR-based screening indicated that 4 of 96 regenerated candidate lines carried (partial) integrations of donor DNA and increased ß-carotene as well as derived carotenoid contents. Iterative overexpression of BKT, crtB, and CHYB resulted in a 2.3-fold increase in astaxanthin accumulation in mutant ΔLCYE#3 (1.8 mg/L) compared to the parental strain UVM4, which demonstrates the potential of genome editing for the design of a green cell factory for astaxanthin bioproduction.
PubMed: 38794462
DOI: 10.3390/plants13101393 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024(1) Background: Oxygen has exerted a great effect in shaping the environment and driving biological diversity in Earth's history. Green lineage has evolved primary and...
(1) Background: Oxygen has exerted a great effect in shaping the environment and driving biological diversity in Earth's history. Green lineage has evolved primary and secondary carotenoid biosynthetic systems to adapt to Earth's oxygenation, e.g., , which accumulates the highest amount of secondary astaxanthin under stresses. The two systems are controlled by lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) and β-cyclase (LCYB), which leave an important trace in Earth's oxygenation. (2) Objectives: This work intends to disclose the underlying molecular evolutionary mechanism of Earth's oxygenation in shaping green algal carotenogensis with a special focus on lycopene cyclases. (3) Methods: The two kinds of cyclases were analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis, phylogeny, divergence time and functional divergence. (4) Results: Green lineage LCYEs appeared at ~1.5 Ga after the first significant appearance and accumulation of atmospheric oxygen, the so-called Great Oxygenation Event (GOE), from which LCYBs diverged by gene duplication. Bacterial β-bicyclases evolved from β-monocyclase. Enhanced catalytic activity accompanied evolutionary transformation from ε-/β-monocyclase to β-bicyclase. Strong positive selection occurred in green lineage LCYEs after the GOE and in algal LCYBs during the second oxidation, the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event (NOE). Positively selected sites in the catalytic cavities of the enzymes controlled the mono-/bicyclase activity, respectively. Carotenoid profiling revealed that oxidative adaptation has been wildly preserved in evolution. (5) Conclusions: the functionalization of the two enzymes is a result of primary to secondary adaptations to Earth's oxygenation.
PubMed: 38792597
DOI: 10.3390/life14050576