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International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by diffuse hepatocellular steatosis due to fatty deposits in hepatocytes,...
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by diffuse hepatocellular steatosis due to fatty deposits in hepatocytes, excluding alcohol and other known liver injury factors. However, there are no specific drugs for the clinical treatment of NAFLD. Therefore, research on the pathogenesis of NAFLD at the cellular and molecular levels is a promising approach to finding therapeutic targets and developing targeted drugs for NAFLD. Pin1 is highly expressed during adipogenesis and contributes to adipose differentiation, but its specific mechanism of action in NAFLD is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Pin1 in promoting the development of NAFLD and its potential mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. First, Pin1 was verified in the NAFLD model in vitro using MCD diet-fed mice by Western Blot, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. In the in vitro study, we used the oleic acid (OA) stimulation-induced lipid accumulation model and examined the lipid accumulation in each group of cells by oil red O staining as well as BODIPY staining. The results showed that knockdown of Pin1 inhibited lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in an in vitro lipid accumulation model and improved lipid indices and liver injury levels. Moreover, in vivo, WT and Pin1-KO mice were fed a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to induce the NAFLD model. The effects of Pin1 on lipid accumulation, hepatic fibrosis, and oxidative stress were evaluated by biochemical analysis, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, histological analysis, IHC, RT-qPCR and Western blot assays. The results indicate that Pin1 knockdown significantly alleviated hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation in MCD-induced NAFLD mice, improved glucose tolerance and alleviated insulin resistance in mice. Further studies showed that the AMPK/ACC1 signalling pathway might take part in the process by which Pin1 regulates NAFLD, as evidenced by the inhibition of the AMPK/ACC1 pathway. In addition, immunofluorescence (IF), coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and GST pull-down experiments also showed that Pin1 interacts directly with ACC1 and inhibits ACC1 phosphorylation levels. Our study suggests that Pin1 promotes NAFLD progression by inhibiting the activation of the AMPK/ACC1 signalling pathway, and it is possible that this effect is achieved by Pin1 interacting with ACC1 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of ACC1.
Topics: Animals; NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Mice; Male; Mice, Knockout; Hepatocytes; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Disease Models, Animal; Protein Binding; Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase
PubMed: 38892011
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115822 -
Cells Jun 2024Precise control of neuronal activity is crucial for the proper functioning of neurons. How lipid homeostasis contributes to neuronal activity and how much of it is...
Precise control of neuronal activity is crucial for the proper functioning of neurons. How lipid homeostasis contributes to neuronal activity and how much of it is regulated by cells autonomously is unclear. In this study, we discovered that absence of the lipid regulator , a functional ortholog of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) in , resulted in defective pathogen avoidance behavior against (PA14). Functional NHR-49 was required in the neurons, and more specifically, in a set of oxygen-sensing body cavity neurons, URX, AQR, and PQR. We found that lowering the neuronal activity of the body cavity neurons improved avoidance in mutants. Calcium imaging in URX neurons showed that mutants displayed longer-lasting calcium transients in response to an O upshift, suggesting that excess neuronal activity leads to avoidance defects. Cell-specific rescue of NHR-49 in the body cavity neurons was sufficient to improve pathogen avoidance, as well as URX neuron calcium kinetics. Supplementation with oleic acid also improved avoidance behavior and URX calcium kinetics, suggesting that the defective calcium response in the neuron is due to lipid dysfunction. These findings highlight the role of cell-autonomous lipid regulation in neuronal physiology and immune behavior.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Lipid Metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Neurons; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Calcium; Mutation; Avoidance Learning; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
PubMed: 38891110
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110978 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Palm oil has a bad reputation due to the exploitation of farmers and the destruction of endangered animal habitats. Therefore, many consumers wish to avoid the use of...
Palm oil has a bad reputation due to the exploitation of farmers and the destruction of endangered animal habitats. Therefore, many consumers wish to avoid the use of palm oil. Decorative sugar contains a small amount of palm oil to prevent the sugar from melting on hot bakery products. High-oleic sunflower oil used as a substitute for palm oil was analyzed in this study via multispectral imaging and an electronic nose, two methods suitable for potential large-batch analysis of sugar/oil coatings. Multispectral imaging is a nondestructive method for comparing the wavelength reflections of the surface of a sample. Reference samples enabled the estimation of the quality of unknown samples, which were confirmed via acid value measurements. Additionally, for quality determination, volatile compounds from decorative sugars were measured with an electronic nose. Both applications provide comparable data that provide information about the quality of decorative sugars.
PubMed: 38890921
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111693 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the results obtained in the intensification and integration of (sc-CO) under different pressure conditions...
Intensification of the SFE Using Ethanol as a Cosolvent and Integration of the SFE Process with sc-CO Followed by PLE Using Pressurized Ethanol of Black Soldier Fly ( L.) Larvae Meal-Extract Yields and Characterization.
The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the results obtained in the intensification and integration of (sc-CO) under different pressure conditions (25 and 30 MPa) at 60 °C. When intensifying the process, ethanol (10%) was used as a co-solvent (sc-CO + EtOH). In the process integration, black soldier fly larvae flour, defatted via supercritical extraction (SFE), was the raw material for pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using ethanol as solvent. The extract yields, fatty acid profile, free fatty acids, triacylglycerols (TAGs), oxidative stability, and nutritional quality of the oil obtained using sc-CO + EtOH were evaluated. The composition of bioactive compounds (carotenoids, acidity, antioxidant compounds, tocopherols, and phospholipids) was determined in both extracts. The yields of the extracts were different by 32.5 to 53.9%. In the extracts obtained with sc-CO + EtOH (10%), the predominant fatty acids were oleic, palmitic, and linoleic, with considerable levels of desirable fatty acids (DFA), tocopherols, and phospholipids. The nutritional indices showed good values for polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids (PUFAs/SFAs), above 0.45%. Extracts from larvae meal defatted with SFE showed carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. HPTLC and HPLC analyses indicated the presence of amino acids, sugars, phenolics, and organic acids in their composition. This study revealed that the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process, or its conditions, can modify the fatty acid composition and the presence of minor bioactive compounds in the obtained extracts.
PubMed: 38890848
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111620 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The excessive accumulation of sodium chloride (NaCl) in soil can result in soil salinity, which poses a significant challenge to plant growth and crop production due to...
The excessive accumulation of sodium chloride (NaCl) in soil can result in soil salinity, which poses a significant challenge to plant growth and crop production due to impaired water and nutrient uptake. On the other hand, hydropriming (WP) and low level of NaCl priming can improve the germination of seeds, chlorophyll contents, oil and seed yield in plants. That's why this study investigates the impact of hydro and different levels of NaCl (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) priming, as pre-treatment techniques on canola seeds germination, growth and yield of two varieties Punjab and Faisal Canola. Results showed that, WP performed significant best for increase in germination (~ 20 and ~ 22%) and shoot length (~ 6 and ~ 10%) over non-priming (NP) in Punjab Canola and Faisal Canola respectively. A significant increase in plant height (~ 6 and ~ 7%), root length (~ 1 and ~ 7%), shoot fresh weight (~ 5 and ~ 7%), root fresh weight (~ 6 and ~ 7%) in Punjab Canola and Faisal Canola respectively. It was also observed that plants under WP and 0.5%NaCl priming were also better in production of seed yield per plant, oil contents, silique per plant, seeds per silique, and branches per plant chlorophyll contents and leaf relative water contents over NP. In conclusion, WP and 0.5%NaCl has potential to improve the germination, growth, yield and oil attributes of canola compared to non-priming, 1.0%NaCl priming, 1.5%NaCl priming and 2.0%NaCl priming.
Topics: Germination; Brassica napus; Sodium Chloride; Seeds; Chlorophyll; Water; Salinity; Soil
PubMed: 38890414
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63948-2 -
Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry 2024Tandem Diels-Alder reactions are often used for the straightforward formation of complex natural compounds and the fused polycyclic systems contained in their...
Tandem Diels-Alder reactions are often used for the straightforward formation of complex natural compounds and the fused polycyclic systems contained in their precursors. In the second step of this reaction, regio- and stereochemically controlled intramolecular cyclization leads to the formation of versatile nitrogen-containing tricyclic systems. However, these useful organic transformations are usually carried out in highly toxic organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, chloroform, etc. Despite recent efforts by 'green chemists', synthetic chemists still use these traditional toxic organic solvents in many of their reactions, even though safer alternatives are available. However, in addition to the harmful effects of these petrochemical solvents on the environment, the prediction that their resources will run out in the near future has led 'green chemists' to explore solvents that can be derived from renewable resources and used effectively in various organic transformations. In this context, we have shown for the first time that the 100% atom-economical tandem Diels-Alder reaction between aminofuranes and maleic anhydride can be carried out successfully in vegetable oils and waxes. The reaction was successfully carried out in sunflower seed oil, olive oil, oleic acid and lauryl myristate under mild reaction conditions. A series of epoxyisoindole-7-carboxylic acid and bisepoxyisoindole-7-carboxylic acids were obtained in good yields after a practical isolation procedure. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the potential of vegetable oils and their renewable materials to provide a reaction medium that is more sustainable than conventional organic solvents in cascade Diels-Alder reactions and can be used repeatedly without significant degradation. These materials also allow the reaction to be completed in less time, with less energy consumption and higher yields.
PubMed: 38887569
DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.20.114 -
Metabolomics : Official Journal of the... Jun 2024The coral holobiont is underpinned by complex metabolic exchanges between different symbiotic partners, which are impacted by environmental stressors. The chemical...
The coral holobiont is underpinned by complex metabolic exchanges between different symbiotic partners, which are impacted by environmental stressors. The chemical diversity of the compounds produced by the holobiont is high and includes primary and secondary metabolites, as well as volatiles. However, metabolites and volatiles have only been characterised in isolation so far. Here, we applied a paired metabolomic-volatilomic approach to characterise holistically the chemical response of the holobiont under stress. Montipora mollis fragments were subjected to high-light stress (8-fold higher than the controls) for 30 min. Photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency values were 7-fold higher in control versus treatment corals immediately following high-light exposure, but returned to pre-stress levels after 30 min of recovery. Under high-light stress, we identified an increase in carbohydrates (> 5-fold increase in arabinose and fructose) and saturated fatty acids (7-fold increase in myristic and oleic acid), together with a decrease in fatty acid derivatives in both metabolites and volatiles (e.g., 80% decrease in oleamide and nonanal), and other antioxidants (~ 85% decrease in sorbitol and galactitol). These changes suggest short-term light stress induces oxidative stress. Correlation analysis between volatiles and metabolites identified positive links between sorbitol, galactitol, six other metabolites and 11 volatiles, with four of these compounds previously identified as antioxidants. This suggests that these 19 compounds may be related and share similar functions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate how paired metabolomics-volatilomics may illuminate broader metabolic shifts occurring under stress and identify linkages between uncharacterised compounds to putatively determine their functions.
Topics: Animals; Anthozoa; Metabolomics; Light; Stress, Physiological; Volatile Organic Compounds; Photosystem II Protein Complex
PubMed: 38886248
DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02136-9 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences Apr 2024The scientific validity of contemporary and alternative medicinal practices, such as Ayurveda and Siddha, holds significant importance in today's context.
BACKGROUND
The scientific validity of contemporary and alternative medicinal practices, such as Ayurveda and Siddha, holds significant importance in today's context.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE
The present study employs gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to investigate a pain-relieving Ayurvedic oil, Dhanwantharam Thailam, aiming to establish correlations between its medicinal activity and the biomolecules it contains.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Procured sample from a reputable Ayurvedic vendor in Chennai, Dhanwantharam Thailam underwent GC-MS analysis using standard procedures.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The resulting profile revealed the presence of crucial molecules like oleic acid, dodecanoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester, ethenyl ester, and 9,12-octadecadienoyl chloride (Z, Z), aligning with the medicinal properties attributed to Dhanwantharam Thailam.
CONCLUSION
The identification of these biomolecules supports the role of Dhanwantharam Thailamas an effective pain-relieving oil.
PubMed: 38882853
DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_14_24 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Erucic acid, more than 2 %, in mustard seed oil is considered unhealthy as edible oil, and also anti-nutritional for human consumption. The existing mustard varieties...
Erucic acid, more than 2 %, in mustard seed oil is considered unhealthy as edible oil, and also anti-nutritional for human consumption. The existing mustard varieties of Bangladesh contain 40-48 % erucic acid, which is a big concern for the country's nutritional, and food security and safety. Hence, to improve the seed oil quality of the existing variety, six popular cultivars of mustard were crossed with a canola-grade line in 7 × 7 half diallel fashion, and the developed 21 F hybrids were assessed for yield contributing traits, and fatty acids composition. Variables with significant variations were found, while days to siliquae maturity, plant height, days to first flowering, and seeds per siliquae have moderate narrow sense heritability. The estimated gene action indicated that dominant or over-dominant gene action was more prominent in governing the traits. The parents, P, P, and P were discovered the best general combiners for early maturity and short phenology, whereas P and P were found to be the best general combiners for yield-attributing traits. Moreover, the hybrids P × P, P × P P × P, P × P and P × P were chosen as the promising hybrids due to their best specific combining ability, and desired heterotic effects on yield contributing traits. In addition, a significant decrease, on average 30-40 %, in erucic acid, but an approximately 20-25 % increase of oleic acid was found among the hybrids, in which the hybrids P × P-S1, P × P-S2 and P × P-S4 demonstrated a better stability index. Overall, the obtained findings suggested that the hybrids, viz. P × P, P × P, P × P, P × P, P × P, P × P, and P × P were promising based on their early maturity, high-yielding, reduced erucic acid, and high oleic acid contents.
PubMed: 38882389
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31977 -
Nitric Oxide : Biology and Chemistry Jun 2024Obesity is commonly linked with adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, setting off inflammation and oxidative stress, both key contributors to the cardiometabolic...
Obesity is commonly linked with adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, setting off inflammation and oxidative stress, both key contributors to the cardiometabolic complications associated with obesity. To improve metabolic and cardiovascular health, countering these inflammatory and oxidative signaling processes is crucial. Offering potential in this context, the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by nitro-fatty acids (NO-FA) promote diverse anti-inflammatory signaling and counteract oxidative stress. Additionally, we previously highlighted that nitro-oleic acid (NO-OA) preferentially accumulates in white adipose tissue (AT) and provides protection against already established high fat diet (HFD)-mediated impaired glucose tolerance. The precise mechanism accounting for these protective effects remained largely unexplored until now. Herein, we reveal that protective effects of improved glucose tolerance by NO-OA is absent when Nrf2 is specifically ablated in adipocytes (ANKO mice). NO-OA treatment did not alter body weight between ANKO and littermate controls (Nrf2) mice on both the HFD and low-fat diet (LFD). As expected, at day 76 (before NO-OA treatment) and notably at day 125 (daily treatment of 15 mg/kg NO-OA for 48 days), both HFD-fed Nrf2 and ANKO mice exhibited increased fat mass and reduced lean mass compared to LFD controls. However, throughout the NO-OA treatment, no distinction was observed between Nrf2 and ANKO in the HFD-fed mice as well as in the Nrf2 mice fed a LFD. Glucose tolerance tests revealed impaired glucose tolerance in HFD-fed Nrf2 and ANKO compared to LFD-fed Nrf2 mice. Notably, NO-OA treatment improved glucose tolerance in HFD-fed Nrf2 but did not yield the same improvement in ANKO mice at days 15, 30, and 55 of treatment. Unraveling the pathways linked to NO-OA's protective effects in obesity-mediated impairment in glucose tolerance is pivotal within the realm of precision medicine, crucially propelling future applications and refining novel drug-based strategies.
PubMed: 38879114
DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2024.06.002