-
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Herein, we evaluated friction dynamics of human skin treated with polyacrylic acid aqueous solutions or gel creams using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system...
Herein, we evaluated friction dynamics of human skin treated with polyacrylic acid aqueous solutions or gel creams using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system to demonstrate the effect of treatment with polymer aqueous solutions on human skin. A polymer aqueous solution or gel cream was applied to the inner forearms of 10 subjects to evaluate temporal changes in friction force under sinusoidal motion. Water content, skin viscoelasticity, and transepidermal water loss were also simultaneously measured to determine the effects on skin conditions. When human skin was treated with the polymer aqueous solution, the friction coefficient immediately after treatment was 0.69-0.99 and the delay time δ, a normalized parameter of the time difference in the delayed response of friction to the movement of the contact probe divided by the friction time T for one round trip, was 0.171-0.179, which was greater than that of untreated skin. This increase was caused by the swelling and softening of the stratum corneum caused by the penetration of water in the polymer aqueous solution, which increased true contact area between the skin and contact probe. A significant difference was observed in the friction coefficient of the skin immediately after treatment with different polymer aqueous solutions. Among polymers (P1-P4), P4, which has a low-salt resistance and low yield stress, had the lowest friction coefficient because of collapsing of the polymer network structures by shearing and reduced viscosity owing to salts on human skin. The skin treated with a gel cream also exhibited a greater friction coefficient than the untreated skin immediately after treatment and 90 min later. This phenomenon can be caused by the occlusive effect of the oil in the gel cream.
Topics: Humans; Friction; Water; Viscosity; Solutions; Acrylic Resins; Skin; Elasticity; Adult; Female; Male; Polymers; Skin Cream; Gels; Water Loss, Insensible
PubMed: 38945920
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess24036 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2024Excessive immune response and inflammation are associated with an increased risk of various diseases. In particular, excessive myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Excessive immune response and inflammation are associated with an increased risk of various diseases. In particular, excessive myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in neutrophils causes inflammatory reactions and lifestyle-related diseases. Adlay has a long history of being used as a traditional Chinese medicine. Polyphenols present in adlay seeds are expected to have the effect of suppressing excessive immune and inflammatory responses. Here, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the suppressing effects of adlay seeds extract on excessive immune responses. One hundred and twenty adults participated in the study and they were equally divided into an adlay tea intake group and a placebo group. MPO activity was significantly elevated in the placebo group after 8-wk ingestion, while no significant change was observed in the adlay group. Vascular endothelial functions improved in the adlay group, especially in subjects over 40 y old. These results indicate that adlay tea intake may suppress an excessive immune and inflammatory responses, and improve arterial stiffness. Since caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid detected in adlay tea are known to inhibit MPO activity, these polyphenols may be the major functional molecules. Collectively, adlay tea is considered to have a preventative effect against lifestyle-related diseases through improving vascular endothelial function by effects to maintain immune homeostasis of the contained polyphenols. This trial was registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000032263).
Topics: Humans; Double-Blind Method; Male; Female; Adult; Tea; Homeostasis; Middle Aged; Endothelium, Vascular; Polyphenols; Peroxidase; Seeds; Plant Extracts; Inflammation; Caffeic Acids; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 38945894
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.70.280 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2024Pyridoxamine (PM) is one of the natural vitamins B6 (VB6) and functions as an endogenous inhibitor for the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products). The AGEs...
Pyridoxamine (PM) is one of the natural vitamins B6 (VB6) and functions as an endogenous inhibitor for the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products). The AGEs are implicated in aging, diabetes, and various neuropsychiatric disease, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. However, it is unclear whether the absence of PM per se accumulates AGEs in vivo and causes behavioral dysfunctions. To address these points, we raised PM-deficient fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, with the sterilized defined medium. Flies reared in a PM-deficient medium accumulated AGEs and reduced lifespan, impaired gustatory response, sleep, courtship behavior, and olfactory learning. These results suggest that PM suppresses AGE accumulation in vivo and is required for regulating innate and empirical behaviors.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila melanogaster; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Pyridoxamine; Behavior, Animal; Longevity; Male; Sleep; Female; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Learning
PubMed: 38945891
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.70.252 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2024Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone secreted by osteocytes in response to dietary phosphate intake. An increase in FGF23 level is an indicator... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone secreted by osteocytes in response to dietary phosphate intake. An increase in FGF23 level is an indicator of excess phosphate intake relative to the residual nephron number. Therefore, avoiding excessive phosphate intake and inhibiting the elevation of serum FGF23 levels are important to preserve the number of functional nephrons. This randomized crossover trial aimed to determine the potential differences in the impacts on serum FGF23 levels between plant protein and animal protein-based meals in individuals with normal renal function. Nine young men were administered plant (no animal protein) or animal protein-based meals (70% of their protein was from animal sources) with the same phosphate content. The test meals consisted of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Blood samples were collected in the morning, after overnight fasting, and before and after eating the test meals (for two consecutive days at the same hour each day). Furthermore, a 24-h urine sample was obtained on the day the test meal was consumed. No significant interactions were found among serum phosphate, calcium, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. However, after eating plant protein-based meals, serum FGF23 levels decreased and serum intact parathyroid hormone levels increased (interaction, p<0.05). Additionally, urine 24-h phosphate excretion tended to be lower in individuals consuming plant protein-based meals than in those consuming animal protein-based meals (p=0.06). In individuals with normal renal function, plant protein-based meals may prevent an increase in serum FGF23 levels and kidney damage caused by phosphate loading.
Topics: Humans; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Young Adult; Parathyroid Hormone; Phosphates; Adult; Meals; Dietary Proteins; Calcium; Vitamin D
PubMed: 38945889
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.70.237 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2024D-Allulose has blood glucose suppression effects in both animal and clinical studies. The mechanism mediating glucose suppression in animals is controlled by several... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
D-Allulose has blood glucose suppression effects in both animal and clinical studies. The mechanism mediating glucose suppression in animals is controlled by several actions including the inhibition of sucrase. To investigate the dose-response effects of D-allulose with a sucrose beverage on glucose tolerance and insulin levels using Thai volunteers. This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, crossover study. Subjects had five oral sucrose tolerance tests (OSTT) with escalating doses of D-allulose (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 or 10 g) with a 50 g sucrose beverage in a random order once a week for five consecutive weeks. The five drinks were consumed in a random order; the order being blinded for both subjects and investigators. Blood samples were drawn immediately before consumption and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after consumption of the study product for measurement of plasma glucose and insulin levels. Thirty healthy subjects (11 men and 19 women) completed the study. The peak postprandial glucose (PePPG) and insulin levels (PePPI) were lower when D-allulose was added in a dose-dependent manner. The lowest plasma glucose and insulin levels occurred at 120 min after OSTT in all five products and they were raised when D-allulose was added in a dose-dependent manner. D-Allulose has a suppression response on glucose and insulin shown by the decrease in postprandial plasma glucose and insulin levels following the addition of D-allulose to sucrose in a dose-dependent manner. The more D-allulose added, the less marked the glucose and insulin response occurred.
Topics: Humans; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Insulin; Blood Glucose; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Young Adult; Postprandial Period; Thailand; Sucrose; Fructose; Glucose Tolerance Test; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Prospective Studies; Beverages; Healthy Volunteers; Sugar-Sweetened Beverages; Southeast Asian People
PubMed: 38945885
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.70.203 -
The Journal of Toxicological Sciences 2024Dihydropyrazines (DHPs) are formed by non-enzymatic glycation reactions in vivo and in food. We recently reported that 3-hydro-2,2,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine (DHP-3), which...
Dihydropyrazines (DHPs) are formed by non-enzymatic glycation reactions in vivo and in food. We recently reported that 3-hydro-2,2,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine (DHP-3), which is a methyl-substituted DHP, caused severe oxidative stress and cytotoxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic pathways of the DHP response remain elusive. Because oxidative stress induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy, we investigated the ability of DHP-3 to modulate the ER stress and autophagy pathways. DHP-3 activated the ER stress pathway by increasing inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) phosphorylation and transcription factor 6 (ATF6) expression. Moreover, DHP-3 increased the expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are downstream targets of PERK. In addition, DHP-3 inhibited the autophagy pathway by increasing the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) and p62/sequestosome 1 (p62), while decreasing autophagic flux. Taken together, these results indicate that DHP-3 activates the ER stress pathway and inhibits the autophagy pathway, suggesting that the resulting removal of damaged organelles is inadequate.
Topics: Humans; Autophagy; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Pyrazines; Hep G2 Cells; Activating Transcription Factor 4; eIF-2 Kinase; Activating Transcription Factor 6; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transcription Factor CHOP; Endoribonucleases; Phosphorylation; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Oxidative Stress; Sequestosome-1 Protein; Signal Transduction; Microtubule-Associated Proteins
PubMed: 38945842
DOI: 10.2131/jts.49.313 -
Brain and Behavior Jul 2024Pregnant women may need to undergo non-obstetric surgery under general anesthesia owing to medical needs, and pregnant women frequently experience sleep disturbances...
Subsequent maternal sleep deprivation aggravates cognitive impairment by modulating hippocampal neuroinflammatory responses and synaptic function in maternal isoflurane-exposed offspring mice.
INTRODUCTION
Pregnant women may need to undergo non-obstetric surgery under general anesthesia owing to medical needs, and pregnant women frequently experience sleep disturbances during late gestation. Preclinical studies demonstrated that maternal isoflurane exposure (MISO) or maternal sleep deprivation (MSD) contributed to cognitive impairments in offspring. Research studies in mice have revealed that SD can aggravate isoflurane-induced cognitive deficits. However, it remains unclear whether MSD aggravates MISO-induced cognitive deficits in offspring. The purpose of this research was to explore the combined effects of MSD and MISO on offspring cognitive function and the role of neuroinflammation and synaptic function in the process of MSD + MISO.
METHODS
Pregnant mice were exposed to 1.4% isoflurane by inhalation for 4 h on gestational day (GD) 14. Dams were then subjected to SD for 6 h (12:00-18:00 h) during GD15-21. At 3 months of age, the offspring mice were subjected to the Morris water maze test to assess cognitive function. Then the levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and synaptic function-related proteins were assessed using molecular biology methods.
RESULTS
The results of this study demonstrated that MISO led to cognitive dysfunction, an effect that was aggravated by MSD. In addition, MSD exacerbated the maternal isoflurane inhalation, leading to an enhancement in the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and a reduction in the hippocampal levels of IL-10, synaptophysin, post-synaptic density-95, growth-associated protein-43, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
CONCLUSION
Our findings revealed that MSD aggravated the cognitive deficits induced by MISO in male offspring mice, and these results were associated with neuroinflammation and alternations in synaptic function.
Topics: Animals; Isoflurane; Female; Cognitive Dysfunction; Pregnancy; Sleep Deprivation; Mice; Hippocampus; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Synapses; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Maternal Deprivation; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
PubMed: 38945806
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3610 -
Physiologia Plantarum 2024Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop with a wide range of uses in both industry and agriculture. Drought stress during its growth cycle can greatly reduce maize...
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop with a wide range of uses in both industry and agriculture. Drought stress during its growth cycle can greatly reduce maize crop yield and quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying maize responses to drought stress remain unclear. In this work, a WRKY transcription factor-encoding gene, ZmWRKY30, from drought-treated maize leaves was screened out and characterized. ZmWRKY30 gene expression was induced by dehydration treatments. The ZmWRKY30 protein localized to the nucleus and displayed transactivation activity in yeast. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, Arabidopsis lines overexpressing ZmWRKY30 exhibited a significantly enhanced drought stress tolerance, as evidenced by the improved survival rate, increased antioxidant enzyme activity by superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), elevated proline content, and reduced lipid peroxidation recorded after drought stress treatment. In contrast, the mutator (Mu)-interrupted ZmWRKY30 homozygous mutant (zmwrky30) was more sensitive to drought stress than its null segregant (NS), characterized by the decreased survival rate, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, POD, and CAT) and proline content, as well as increased malondialdehyde accumulation. RNA-Seq analysis further revealed that, under drought conditions, the knockout of the ZmWRKY30 gene in maize affected the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS), proline, and myo-inositol metabolism. Meanwhile, the zmwrky30 mutant exhibited significant downregulation of myo-inositol content in leaves under drought stress. Combined, our results suggest that ZmWRKY30 positively regulates maize responses to water scarcity. This work provides potential target genes for the breeding of drought-tolerant maize.
Topics: Zea mays; Reactive Oxygen Species; Droughts; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Homeostasis; Inositol; Transcription Factors; Arabidopsis; Plants, Genetically Modified; Stress, Physiological; Antioxidants; Plant Leaves; Drought Resistance
PubMed: 38945803
DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14423 -
Clinica E Investigacion En... Jun 2024Comprehensive assessment of pharmacotherapy effects on atherogenic parameters (AP) that influence the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is challenging due to...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Comprehensive assessment of pharmacotherapy effects on atherogenic parameters (AP) that influence the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is challenging due to interactions among a large number of parameters that modulate CVD risk.
METHODS
We developed an illustrative tool, athero-contour (AC), which incorporates weighted key lipid, lipo- and glycoprotein parameters, to readily illustrate their overall changes following pharmacotherapy. We demonstrate the applicability of AC to assess changes in AP in response to saroglitazar treatment in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in the EVIDENCES IV study.
RESULTS
The baseline AC of saroglitazar and placebo groups was worse than the mean of the general population. After 16-week treatment, AC improved significantly in the saroglitazar group due to alterations in very low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and glycoproteins.
CONCLUSION
Using AC, we could readily and globally evaluate and visualize changes in AP. AC improved in patients with MAFLD following saroglitazar therapy.
PubMed: 38945785
DOI: 10.1016/j.arteri.2024.04.004 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Aug 2024Some amino acids are known to mediate immune responses through gut microbiota metabolism in both humans and monogastric animals. However, through the diet, most free...
Some amino acids are known to mediate immune responses through gut microbiota metabolism in both humans and monogastric animals. However, through the diet, most free amino acids are absorbed in the small intestine and only a small quantity reaches the microbiota-rich colon. To enhance microbial metabolism of amino acids and their potential health benefits, encapsulation strategies are developed for their protection and delivery to the colon. So far, the main encapsulation systems for amino acids are based on solid lipid particles, but their fate within the digestive tract has never been fully clarified. In this study, we investigated the release of various amino acids (branched-chain amino acid mixture, or lysine, or tryptophan) loaded in solid lipid particles during in vitro oro-gastrointestinal digestion mimicking the piglet. The loaded solid lipid particles were fully characterized for their composition, thermal behavior, molecular structure, crystalline state, surface morphology, and particle size distribution. Moreover, we investigated the effect of particle size by sieving solid lipid particles into two non-overlapping size fractions. We found that amino acid release was high during the gastric phase of digestion, mainly controlled by physical parameters, namely particle size and crystalline state including surface morphology. Large particle size and/or smooth ordered particle indeed led to slower and lower release. Although lipid hydrolysis was significant during the intestinal phase of digestion, the impact of the crystalline state and surface morphology was also observed in the absence of enzymes, pointing to a dominant water/solute diffusion mechanism through these porous solid lipid particles.
Topics: Digestion; Particle Size; Lipids; Amino Acids; Animals; Lysine; Swine; Gastrointestinal Tract; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Tryptophan
PubMed: 38945573
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114605