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The Journal of Toxicological Sciences 2024To examine the effects of decreased food consumption on toxicological parameters in juvenile rats, rats on postnatal day 21 were fed 40%, 50% (only four weeks), and 60%...
To examine the effects of decreased food consumption on toxicological parameters in juvenile rats, rats on postnatal day 21 were fed 40%, 50% (only four weeks), and 60% less food, compared to that of controls for four or eight weeks, and clinical observations, measurement of body and organ weights, morphological differentiation analysis, clinical pathology, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations were conducted. The body weight decreased depending on the degree of food restriction (FR). Cleavage of the balano-preputial skinfold was delayed, and cell debris in the epididymal lumen was noted as a related finding after four-week FR. Vaginal opening was also delayed, and some histopathological findings, such as absence of corpus luteum in the ovary, mucinous degeneration in the vagina, and immature uterus, were noted after eight-week FR. Erythrocyte count increased after four-week FR, but slightly decreased in males only after eight-week FR, and decreased leukocyte and/or reticulocyte counts, accompanied by related histopathological findings were noted after four- and eight-week FR. In blood chemistry, the levels of total protein including globulin, glucose, triglyceride, and calcium decreased, and sodium and chloride increased after four- and eight-week FR. Increases in activities of aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin levels were noted after four-week FR, which were attenuated after eight-week FR. The effects of FR seemed to be more remarkable after four weeks. In drug safety evaluation, findings caused by malnutrition should be considered in juvenile toxicity studies when decreased food consumption is observed.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Body Weight; Organ Size; Rats; Caloric Restriction; Time Factors; Food Deprivation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Wistar
PubMed: 38945843
DOI: 10.2131/jts.49.321 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Cooked sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere (MAP: 20% CO 70% N, <0.2% O) with evident yellow stains were analyzed. The aims of this work were to study the...
Cooked sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere (MAP: 20% CO 70% N, <0.2% O) with evident yellow stains were analyzed. The aims of this work were to study the microbial cause of the spoilage and to evaluate different antimicrobial compounds to prevent it. was identified as the primary cause of the yellow coating in spoiled cooked sausage, as confirmed by its intentional inoculation on slices of unspoiled sausage. was the main bacteria responsible for the yellow coating in spoiled cooked sausage, as confirmed by its intentional inoculation on slices of unspoiled sausage. The yellow color was also evident during growth in the model system containing cooked sausage extract, but the colonies on MRS agar appeared white, demonstrating that the food substrate stimulated the production of the yellow pigment. The spoilage was also characterized by different volatile compounds, including ketones, ethanol, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate, found in the spoiled cooked sausage packages. These compounds explained the activity of because they are typical of heterofermentative LAB, cultivated either on food substrates or in artificial broths. also produced slight swelling in the spoiled packages. The efficacy of different antimicrobials was assessed in model systems composed of cooked sausage extract with the antimicrobials added at food product concentrations. The data showed that sodium lactate, sodium acetate, and a combination of sodium lactate and sodium diacetate could only slow the growth of the spoiler-they could not stop it from occurring. Conversely, hop extract inhibited , showing a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of approximately 0.008 mg CAE/mL in synthetic broth and 4 mg CAE/kg in cooked sausage slices. Adding hop extract at the MIC did not allow growth and did not change the sensorial characteristics of the cooked sausages. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the antimicrobial activities of hop extracts against either in vitro or in vivo.
PubMed: 38930557
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061175 -
Microorganisms May 2024The aim of this study was to identify the most effective protectants for enhancing the viability of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains ( subsp. CICC 6097,...
Screening the Protective Agents Able to Improve the Survival of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains Subjected to Spray Drying Using Several Key Enzymes Responsible for Carbohydrate Utilization.
The aim of this study was to identify the most effective protectants for enhancing the viability of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains ( subsp. CICC 6097, CICC 21839, NCFM) by assessing their enzymatic activity when exposed to spray drying (inlet/outlet temperature: 135 °C/90 °C). Firstly, it was found that the live cell counts of the selected LAB cells from the 10% (/) recovered skim milk (RSM) group remained above 10 CFU/g after spray drying. Among all the three groups (1% / RSM group, 10% / RSM group, and control group), the two enzymes pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were more sensitive to spray drying than hexokinase (HK) and β-galactosidase (β-GAL). Next, transcriptome data of NCFM showed that 10% (/) RSM improved the down-regulated expressions of genes encoding PK () and LDH () after spray drying compared to 1% (/) RSM. Finally, four composite protectants were created, each consisting of 10% (/) RSM plus a different additive-sodium glutamate (CP-A group), sucrose (CP-B group), trehalose (CP-C group), or a combination of sodium glutamate, sucrose, and trehalose (CP-D group)-to encapsulate NCFM. It was observed that the viable counts of strain NCFM (8.56 log CFU/g) and enzymatic activity of PK and LDH in the CP-D group were best preserved compared to the other three groups. Therefore, our study suggested that measuring the LDH and PK activity could be used as a promising tool to screen the effective spray-dried protective agent for LAB cells.
PubMed: 38930476
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061094 -
BMC Microbiology Jun 2024Rhizoctonia solani is an important plant pathogen worldwide, and causes serious tobacco target spot in tobacco in the last five years. This research studied the...
BACKGROUND
Rhizoctonia solani is an important plant pathogen worldwide, and causes serious tobacco target spot in tobacco in the last five years. This research studied the biological characteristics of four different anastomosis groups strains (AG-3, AG-5, AG-6, AG-1-IB) of R. solani from tobacco. Using metabolic phenotype technology analyzed the metabolic phenotype differences of these strains.
RESULTS
The results showed that the suitable temperature for mycelial growth of four anastomosis group strains were from 20 to 30C, and for sclerotia formation were from 20 to 25C. Under different lighting conditions, R. solani AG-6 strains produced the most sclerotium, followed by R. solani AG-3, R. solani AG-5 and R. solani AG-1-IB. All strains had strong oligotrophic survivability, and can grow on water agar medium without any nitrutions. They exhibited three types of sclerotia distribution form, including dispersed type (R. solani AG-5 and AG-6), peripheral type (R. solani AG-1-IB), and central type (R. solani AG-3). They all presented different pathogenicities in tobacco leaves, with the most virulent was noted by R. solani AG-6, followed by R. solani AG-5 and AG-1-IB, finally was R. solani AG-3. R. solani AG-1-IB strains firstly present symptom after inoculation. Metabolic fingerprints of four anastomosis groups were different to each other. R. solani AG-3, AG-6, AG-5 and AG-1-IB strains efficiently metabolized 88, 94, 71 and 92 carbon substrates, respectively. Nitrogen substrates of amino acids and peptides were the significant utilization patterns for R. solani AG-3. R. solani AG-3 and AG-6 showed a large range of adaptabilities and were still able to metabolize substrates in the presence of the osmolytes, including up to 8% sodium lactate. Four anastomosis groups all showed active metabolism in environments with pH values from 4 to 6 and exhibited decarboxylase activities.
CONCLUSIONS
The biological characteristics of different anastomosis group strains varies, and there were significant differences in the metabolic phenotype characteristics of different anastomosis group strains towards carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, and osmotic pressure.
Topics: Rhizoctonia; Phenotype; Nicotiana; Plant Diseases; Temperature; Mycelium; Plant Leaves; Virulence
PubMed: 38902632
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03363-9 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024To improve the bioavailability of resveratrol (-Res), it is commonly co-delivered with antioxidant bioactives using a complex synthetic intestinal targeted carrier,...
INTRODUCTION
To improve the bioavailability of resveratrol (-Res), it is commonly co-delivered with antioxidant bioactives using a complex synthetic intestinal targeted carrier, however, which makes practical application challenging.
METHODS
A nanogel (Ngel), as broad-spectrum autonomous ROS scavenger, was prepared using selenized thiolated sodium alginate (TSA-Se) and crosslinked with calcium lactate (CL) for loading Res to obtain Ngel@Res, which maintained spherical morphology in the upper digestive tract but broke down in the lower digestive tract, resulting in -Res release.
RESULTS
Under protection of Ngel, Res showed enhanced stability and broad-spectrum ROS scavenging activity. The synergistic mucoadhesion of Ngel prolonged the retention time of Res in the intestine. Ngel and Ngel@Res increased the lifespan of to 26.00 ± 2.17 and 26.00 ± 4.27 days by enhancing the activity of antioxidases, upregulating the expression of and , while downregulating the expression of and .
CONCLUSION
This readily available, intestinal targeted selenized alginate-based nanogel effectively improves the bioactivity of Res.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Resveratrol; Reactive Oxygen Species; Alginates; Nanogels; Antioxidants; Polyethylene Glycols; Polyethyleneimine; Free Radical Scavengers; Intestinal Mucosa; Drug Carriers
PubMed: 38895150
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S464849 -
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences Aug 2024Elevation of the homocysteine concentration in the plasma called hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY) during pregnancy causes a number of pre- and postnatal developmental...
Elevation of the homocysteine concentration in the plasma called hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCY) during pregnancy causes a number of pre- and postnatal developmental disorders. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of HS donors -NaHS and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in rats with prenatal hHCY. In rats with mild hHCY BBB permeability assessed by Evans Blue extravasation in brain increased markedly throughout life. Administration of NaHS or NAC during pregnancy attenuated hHCY-associated damage and increased endogenous concentrations of sulfides in brain tissues. Acute application of dl-homocysteine thiolactone induced BBB leakage, which was prevented by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or HS donors. Rats with hHCY demonstrated high levels of NO metabolite - nitrites and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) in brain. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the serum was higher in rats with hHCY. Mitochondrial complex-I activity was lower in brain of hHCY rats. NaHS treatment during pregnancy restored levels of proinflammatory cytokines, nitrites and activity of the respiratory chain complex in brain as well as the LDH activity in serum. Our data suggest that HS has neuroprotective effects against prenatal hHCY-associated BBB disturbance providing a potential strategy for the prevention of developmental impairments in newborns.
Topics: Animals; Blood-Brain Barrier; Pregnancy; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Female; Hydrogen Sulfide; Neuroprotective Agents; Acetylcysteine; Cytokines; Homocysteine; Rats, Wistar; Sulfides; Rats; Male; Pregnancy Complications; Brain; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Permeability; Nitrites
PubMed: 38880547
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2024.05.001 -
Molecular Medicine Reports Aug 2024Macrophage pyroptosis mediates vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis (AS). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exerts a protective role in preventing inflammation and AS....
Macrophage pyroptosis mediates vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis (AS). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exerts a protective role in preventing inflammation and AS. However, its molecular mechanisms of regulating the pyroptosis signaling pathway and inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis remain unexplored. The present study aimed to determine whether H2S mitigates macrophage pyroptosis by downregulating the pyroptosis signaling pathway and S‑sulfhydrating caspase‑1 under the stimulation of oxidized low‑density lipoprotein (ox‑LDL), a pro‑atherosclerotic factor. Macrophages derived from THP‑1 monocytes were pre‑treated using exogenous HS donors sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and D,L‑propargylglycine (PAG), a pharmacological inhibitor of endogenous HS‑producing enzymes, alone or in combination. Subsequently, cells were stimulated with ox‑LDL or the desulfhydration reagent dithiothreitol (DTT) in the presence or absence of NaHS and/or PAG. Following treatment, the levels of HS in THP‑1 derived macrophages were measured by a methylene blue colorimetric assay. The pyroptotic phenotype of THP‑1 cells was observed and evaluated by light microscopy, Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide fluorescent staining and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Caspase‑1 activity in THP‑1 cells was assayed by caspase‑1 activity assay kit. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the accumulation of active caspase‑1. Western blotting and ELISA were performed to determine the expression of pyroptosis‑specific markers (NLRP3, pro‑caspase‑1, caspase‑1, GSDMD and GSDMD‑N) in cells and the secretion of pyroptosis‑related cytokines [interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑18] in the cell‑free media, respectively. The S‑sulfhydration of pro‑caspase‑1 in cells was assessed using a biotin switch assay. ox‑LDL significantly induced macrophage pyroptosis by activating the pyroptosis signaling pathway. Inhibition of endogenous HS synthesis by PAG augmented the pro‑pyroptotic effects of ox‑LDL. Conversely, exogenous HS (NaHS) ameliorated ox‑LDL‑and ox‑LDL + PAG‑induced macrophage pyroptosis by suppressing the activation of the pyroptosis signaling pathway. Mechanistically, ox‑LDL and the DTT increased caspase‑1 activity and downstream events (IL‑1β and IL‑18 secretion) of the caspase‑1‑dependent pyroptosis pathway by reducing S‑sulfhydration of pro‑caspase‑1. Conversely, NaHS increased S‑sulfhydration of pro‑caspase‑1, reducing caspase‑1 activity and caspase‑1‑dependent macrophage pyroptosis. The present study demonstrated the molecular mechanism by which H2S ameliorates macrophage pyroptosis by suppressing the pyroptosis signaling pathway and S‑sulfhydration of pro‑caspase‑1, thereby suppressing the generation of active caspase-1 and activity of caspase-1.
Topics: Hydrogen Sulfide; Pyroptosis; Humans; Caspase 1; Macrophages; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Lipoproteins, LDL; Phosphate-Binding Proteins; THP-1 Cells; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Signal Transduction; Gasdermins; Alkynes; Glycine; Sulfides
PubMed: 38873985
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13259 -
Chinese Medicine Jun 2024Low immunity and sleep disorders are prevalent suboptimal health conditions in contemporary populations, which render them susceptible to the infiltration of pathogenic...
BACKGROUND
Low immunity and sleep disorders are prevalent suboptimal health conditions in contemporary populations, which render them susceptible to the infiltration of pathogenic factors. LJC, which has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for nourishing the Yin and blood and calming the mind, is obtained by modifying Qiyuan paste. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo has been shown to improve the immune function in sleep-deprived mice. In this study, based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory, LJC was prepared by adding D. officinale Kimura et Migo to Qiyuan paste decoction.
METHODS
Indicators of Yin deficiency syndrome, such as back temperature and grip strength, were measured in each group of mice; furthermore, behavioral tests and pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep tests were performed. An automatic biochemical analyzer, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and other methods were used to determine routine blood parameters, serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM), cont (C3, C4), acid phosphatase (ACP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the spleen, serum hemolysin, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) levels. In addition, serum levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to assess the histological alterations in the hypothalamus tissue. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of the GABA pathway proteins GABRA1, GAD, GAT1, and GABAT1 and those of CD and CD proteins in the thymus and spleen tissues.
RESULTS
The findings indicated that LJC prolonged the sleep duration, improved the pathological changes in the hippocampus, effectively upregulated the GABA content in the serum of mice, downregulated the Glu content and Glu/GABA ratio, enhanced the expressions of GABRA1, GAT1, and GAD, and decreased the expression of GABAT1 to assuage sleep disorders. Importantly, LJC alleviated the damage to the thymus and spleen tissues in the model mice and enhanced the activities of ACP and LDH in the spleen of the immunocompromised mice. Moreover, serum hemolysin levels and serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels increased after LJC administration, which manifested as increased CD content, decreased CD content, and enhanced DTH response. In addition, LJC significantly increased the levels of complement C3 and C4, increased the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes, and decreased the percentage of neutrophils in the blood.
CONCLUSIONS
LJC can lead to improvements in immunocompromised mice models with insufficient sleep. The underlying mechanism may involve regulation of the GABA/Glu content and the expression levels of GABA metabolism pathway-related proteins in the brain of mice, enhancing their specific and nonspecific immune functions.
PubMed: 38867320
DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00939-5 -
Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Jun 2024To investigate the serum lactate level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship with disease activity, and to analyze the effect of sodium lactate...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the serum lactate level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship with disease activity, and to analyze the effect of sodium lactate on the activation of CD4 T cells, the ability of secreting cytokines and CD4T cell subsets in peripheral blood of the RA patients.
METHODS
The peripheral blood of healthy controls (HC) and RA patients was collected, and the content of lactate in the supernatant was detected by lactate detection kit, the correlation between the content of lactate and the disease score of the RA patients was analyzed; the activation level of CD4 T cells, the proportion of CD4 T cell subsets and the cytokines secreted by CD4 T cells in peripheral blood of all the RA patients were detected by flow cytometry after being stimulated with sodium lactate.
RESULTS
The serum lactate level in the RA patients (=66) was significantly higher than that in the HC (=60, < 0.001), and there was a certain correlation with disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) (=0.273, =0.029), The levels of rheumatoid factor [RF, 197.50 (26.03, 783.00) IU/mL 29.30 (0.00, 102.60) IU/mL, < 0.01], CRP [37.40 (11.30, 72.60) mg/L 5.83 (2.36, 12.45) mg/L, < 0.001], were increased in patients with the lactate concentration greater than 5 mmol/L were significantly higher than those in patients with the lactate concentration less than or equal 5 mmol/L, however, there was no significant difference in the expression of erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR, 42.00 (19.00, 77.00) mm/h 25.00 (12.50, 45.50) mm/h, >0.05] and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptied (CCP) antibody [82.35 (17.70, 137.00) RU/mL 68.60 (25.95, 119.70) RU/mL, >0.05]. Compared with the control group, the expression of PD-1 (46.15%±8.54% 41.67%±9.98%, < 0.001), inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS, 5.77%±8.60% 18.65%±7.94%, < 0.01) and CD25 (25.89%±5.80% 22.25%±4.59%, < 0.01) on the surface of CD4 T cells in the RA patients treated with sodium lactate was significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the proportion of Th17 (4.62%±1.74% 2.93%±1.92%, < 0.05) and Tph (28.02%±6.28% 20.32%±5.82%, < 0.01) cells in CD4T cells of the RA patients in the sodium lactate treatment group increased. Compared with the control group, the expression of IL-21 (5.73%±1.59% 4.75%±1.71%, < 0.05) in CD4T cells was up-regulated in the RA patients treated with sodium lactate.
CONCLUSION
The level of serum lactate in RA patients is increased, which promotes the activation of CD4T cells and the secretion of IL-21, and up-regulates the proportion of Th17 and Tph cells in the RA patients.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Lactic Acid; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; C-Reactive Protein; Rheumatoid Factor; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Male; Female; Cytokines; Middle Aged; Interferon-gamma
PubMed: 38864139
DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2024.03.020 -
International Journal of Exercise... 2024This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic β-alanine (βA) plus acute sodium bicarbonate (SB) co-supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue during...
This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic β-alanine (βA) plus acute sodium bicarbonate (SB) co-supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue during high-intensity intermittent efforts in swimming. Eleven regional and national competitive-level young swimmers performed a neuromuscular fatigue assessment before and immediately after two 20 × 25-m front crawl maximal efforts every 90 s, performed at pre- and post-4-week co-supplementation. Neuromuscular fatigue was evaluated by percutaneous electrical stimuli through the twitch interpolation technique on the and . Performance was defined by the mean time of the 20 efforts and blood samples to lactate concentrations were collected every four efforts. Participants supplemented 3.2-6.4 g·day of chronic βA or placebo (PL) during four weeks, and acute 0.3 g·kg of SB or PL 60 min before the second assessment (allowing βA+SB and PL+PL groups). No statistical changes were found in neuromuscular fatigue of . In the , a main effect of time was found in potentiated twitch delta values in pooled groups, showing a statistical increase of 19.01% after four weeks (Δ = 13.05 [0.35-25.75] N; = 0.044), without time × group interactions. No statistical difference was found in the swimming performance. Blood lactate increased by 25.06% only in the βA+SB group (Δ = 6.40 [4.62-8.18] mM; < 0.001) after the supplementation period. In conclusion, 4-week βA and SB co-supplementation were not able to reduce neuromuscular fatigue levels and improve performance in highintensity intermittent efforts, but statistically increased blood lactate levels.
PubMed: 38864027
DOI: No ID Found