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Food Chemistry Jun 2024This study comprehensively characterised a protected designation of origin mussel 'Cozza di Scardovari' (Mytilus galloprovincialis) by examining how it is affected by...
This study comprehensively characterised a protected designation of origin mussel 'Cozza di Scardovari' (Mytilus galloprovincialis) by examining how it is affected by the farming site (outer vs. inner area of the lagoon) and harvest time (21 April vs. 18 May vs. 16 June). Harvest time affected the marketable traits and fatty acid profile of mussels, whereas farming site scarcely affected marketable traits and mussel yields. Mussels from the inner area of the lagoon displayed a superior nutritional profile, including higher contents of proteins (7.8% vs. 7.4%; P < 0.05), lipids (1.2% vs. 1.0%; P < 0.001) and essential amino acids such as tryptophan (+24%; P < 0.05) and valine (+8%; P < 0.05), with a more favourable n-3/n-6 ratio (7.7 vs. 7.0; P < 0.001) than those from the close-to-sea area. Volatile organic compounds, mainly octanoic acid, dimethyl sulphide and 1-penten-3-ol, differed between farming sites within the same lagoon.
PubMed: 38878550
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140078 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Jun 2024The management of male infertility continues to encounter an array of challenges and constraints, necessitating an in-depth exploration of novel therapeutic targets to...
BACKGROUND
The management of male infertility continues to encounter an array of challenges and constraints, necessitating an in-depth exploration of novel therapeutic targets to enhance its efficacy. As an eight-carbon medium-chain fatty acid, octanoic acid (OCA) shows promise for improving health, yet its impact on spermatogenesis remains inadequately researched.
METHODS
Mass spectrometry was performed to determine the fatty acid content and screen for a pivotal lipid component in the serum of patients with severe spermatogenesis disorders. The sperm quality was examined, and histopathological analysis and biotin tracer tests were performed to assess spermatogenesis function and the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in vivo. Cell-based in vitro experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of OCA administration on Sertoli cell dysfunction. This research aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which OCA may influence the function of Sertoli cells.
RESULTS
A pronounced reduction in OCA content was observed in the serum of patients with severe spermatogenesis disorders, indicating that OCA deficiency is related to spermatogenic disorders. The protective effect of OCA on reproduction was tested in a mouse model of spermatogenic disorder induced by busulfan at a dose 30 mg/kg body weight (BW). The mice in the study were separated into distinct groups and administered varying amounts of OCA, specifically at doses of 32, 64, 128, and 256 mg/kg BW. After evaluating sperm parameters, the most effective dose was determined to be 32 mg/kg BW. In vivo experiments showed that treatment with OCA significantly improved sperm quality, testicular histopathology and BTB integrity, which were damaged by busulfan. Moreover, OCA intervention reduced busulfan-induced oxidative stress and autophagy in mouse testes. In vitro, OCA pretreatment (100 µM) significantly ameliorated Sertoli cell dysfunction by alleviating busulfan (800 µM)-induced oxidative stress and autophagy. Moreover, rapamycin (5 µM)-induced autophagy led to Sertoli cell barrier dysfunction, while OCA administration exerted a protective effect by alleviating autophagy.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that OCA administration suppressed oxidative stress and autophagy to alleviate busulfan-induced BTB damage. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the toxicology of busulfan and a promising avenue for the development of novel OCA-based therapies for male infertility.
Topics: Male; Animals; Blood-Testis Barrier; Busulfan; Caprylates; Oxidative Stress; Mice; Sertoli Cells; Humans; Spermatogenesis; Autophagy; Infertility, Male; Testis; Spermatozoa; Adult
PubMed: 38862993
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02157-2 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Jul 2024Therapeutic drug monitoring of treatment with therapeutic antibodies is hampered by the application of a wide range of different methods in the quantification of serum...
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic drug monitoring of treatment with therapeutic antibodies is hampered by the application of a wide range of different methods in the quantification of serum levels. LC-MS based methods could significantly improve comparability of results from different laboratories, but such methods are often considered complicated and costly. We developed a method for LC-MS/MS based quantification of 11 therapeutic antibodies concomitantly measured in a single run, with emphasis on simplicity in sample preparation and low cost.
RESULTS
After a single-step sample purification using caprylic acid precipitation to remove interfering proteins, the sample underwent proteolysis followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Infliximab is used as internal standard for sample preparation while isotope-labeled signature peptides identified for each analyte are internal standards for the LC-MS/MS normalization. The method was validated according to recognized guidelines, and pipetting steps can be performed by automated liquid handling systems. The total precision of the method ranged between 2.7 and 7.3 % (5.1 % average) across the quantification range of 4-256 μg/ml for all 11 drugs, with an average accuracy of 96.3 %. Matrix effects were xamined in 55 individual patient samples instead of the recommended 6, and 147 individual patient samples were screened for interfering compounds.
SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY
Our method for simultaneous quantification of 11 t-mAb in human serum allows an unprecedented integration of robustness, speed and reduced complexity, which could pave the way for uniform use in research projects and clinical settings alike. In addition, the first LC-MS protocol for signature peptide-based quantification of durvalumab is described. This high throughput method can be readily adapted to a drug panel of choice.
Topics: Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Caprylates; Chemical Precipitation; Chromatography, Liquid; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38862206
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342789 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Ghrelin is a peptide hormone with various important physiological functions. The unique feature of ghrelin is its serine 3 acyl-modification, which is essential for...
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone with various important physiological functions. The unique feature of ghrelin is its serine 3 acyl-modification, which is essential for ghrelin activity. The major form of ghrelin is modified with n-octanoic acid (C8:0) by ghrelin O-acyltransferase. Various acyl modifications have been reported in different species. However, the underlying mechanism by which ghrelin is modified with various fatty acids remains to be elucidated. Herein, we report the purification of bovine, porcine, and equine ghrelins. The major active form of bovine ghrelin was a 27-amino acid peptide with an n-octanoyl (C8:0) modification at Ser3. The major active form of porcine and equine ghrelin was a 28-amino acid peptide. However, porcine ghrelin was modified with n-octanol (C8:0), whereas equine ghrelin was modified with n-butanol (C4:0) at Ser3. This study indicates the existence of structural divergence in ghrelin and suggests that it is necessary to measure the minor and major forms of ghrelin to fully understand its physiology.
Topics: Animals; Ghrelin; Horses; Cattle; Swine; Amino Acid Sequence; Acylation; Caprylates
PubMed: 38828411
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1411483 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acids, are easily oxidized by exposure to temperature and light in the presence of air to form unsaturated fatty acid... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acids, are easily oxidized by exposure to temperature and light in the presence of air to form unsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides as primary oxidation products. However, the catabolic rates of unsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides in the human body remain unknown. In this study, ethyl esters of C-labeled linoleic acid (*C18:2-EE) and oleic acid (*C18:1-EE) and their hydroperoxides (*C18:2-EE-OOH and *C18:1-EE-OOH, respectively) prepared by the photo-oxidation of *C18:2-EE and *C18:1-EE, respectively, were administered to mice and their catabolic rates were determined by measuring the expired CO levels. *C18:2-EE-OOH and *C18:1-EE-OOH were β-oxidized faster than *C18:2-EE and *C18:1-EE, respectively. Notably, rapid β-oxidation of *C18:2-EE-OOH and *C18:1-EE-OOH was similar to that of medium-chain fatty acids, such as octanoic acid. Then, degradation products of C18:2-EE-OOH and C18:1-EE-OOH were analyzed under gastric conditions by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Major decomposition products of C18:2-EE-OOH and C18:1-EE-OOH were medium-chain compounds, such as octanoic acid ethyl ester, 9-oxo-nonanoic acid ethyl ester, and 10-oxo-8-decenoic acid ethyl esters, indicating that C18:2-EE-OOH and C18:1-EE-OOH isomers formed during photo-oxidation were decomposed under acidic conditions. These findings support previous reports that dietary lipid hydroperoxides are not absorbed into the intestine as lipid hydroperoxides but as degradation products. This is the first study to suggest that dietary lipid hydroperoxides decompose during gastric digestion to form medium-chain compounds that are directly absorbed into the liver via the portal vein and rapidly catabolized via β-oxidation.
Topics: Animals; Oxidation-Reduction; Oleic Acid; Linoleic Acid; Carbon Dioxide; Carbon Isotopes; Mice; Male; Hydrogen Peroxide
PubMed: 38825538
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23236 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024In this study, Cannabidiol crystals (CBD) were used as a BCS class II model drug to generate a novel therapeutic deep eutectic solvent (THEDES) with easy preparation...
In this study, Cannabidiol crystals (CBD) were used as a BCS class II model drug to generate a novel therapeutic deep eutectic solvent (THEDES) with easy preparation using caprylic acid (CA). The hydrogen bonding interaction was confirmed by different techniques such as FT-IR and NMR, resulting in a hydrophobic system suitable for liquid formulations. The CBD-based THEDES, combined with a specific mixture of surfactants and co-surfactants, successfully formed a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) that generated uniform nano-sized droplets once dispersed in water. Hence, the THEDES showed compatibility with the self-emulsifying approach, offering an alternative method to load drugs at their therapeutic dosage. Physical stability concerns regarding the unconventional oily phase were addressed through stress tests using multiple and dynamic light scattering, demonstrating the robustness of the system. In addition, the formulated SEDDS proved effective in protecting CBD from the harsh acidic gastric environment for up to 2 h at pH 1.2. Furthermore, in vitro studies have confirmed the safety of the formulation and the ability of CBD to permeate Caco-2 cells when formulated. This investigation highlights the potential incorporation of THEDES in lipid-based formulations like SEDDS, expanding the avenues for innovative oral drug delivery approaches.
Topics: Caco-2 Cells; Humans; Emulsions; Solvents; Drug Delivery Systems; Cannabidiol; Caprylates; Surface-Active Agents; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Drug Stability; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Emulsifying Agents
PubMed: 38797251
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124267 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This research presents a new, eco-friendly, and swift method combining solid-phase extraction and hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) with high-performance liquid...
This research presents a new, eco-friendly, and swift method combining solid-phase extraction and hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) with high-performance liquid chromatography (SPE-DES-HPLC) for extracting and quantifying catechin and epicatechin in Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV). The parameters, such as the elution solvent type, the XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage, the DES ratio, the DES volume, the adsorption time, and the desorption time, were optimized via a one-way experiment. A central composite design using the Box-Behnken methodology was employed to investigate the effects of various factors, including 17 experimental runs and the construction of three-dimensional response surface plots to identify the optimal conditions. The results show that the optimal conditions were an HDES (tetraethylammonium chloride and octanoic acid) ratio of 1:3, an XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage of 188 mg, and an adsorption time of 11 min. Under these optimal conditions, the coefficients of determination of the method were greater than or equal to 0.9917, the precision was less than 5%, and the recoveries ranged from 98.8% to 118.8%. The environmentally friendly nature of the analytical process and sample preparation was assessed via the Analytical Eco-Scale and AGREE, demonstrating that this method is a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional determination techniques. In summary, this innovative approach offers a solid foundation for the assessment of flavanol compounds present in SAV samples.
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Solid Phase Extraction; Acetic Acid; Catechin; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Adsorption
PubMed: 38792205
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102344 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond...
Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond donors, were characterized and tested as reaction media for liquid-liquid extraction purposes. Due to their high hydrophobicity, they seem to be promising alternatives to conventional (nonpolar and toxic) solvents, since they possess relatively less toxic, less volatile, and consequently, more environmentally friendly characteristics. Assuming that the equilibrium is established between solvent and analyte during a ligandless procedure, it can be concluded that those nonpolar solvents can efficiently extract nonpolar analytes from the aqueous environment. Previous investigations showed a wide range of applications, including their use as solvents in extractions of metal cations, small molecules, and bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical applications. In this work, hydrophobic solvents based on natural terpenes, which showed chemical stability and desirable physicochemical and thermal properties, were chosen as potential reaction media in the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Low viscosities and high hydrophobicities of prepared solvents were confirmed as desirable properties for their application. Extraction parameters were optimized, and chosen solvents were applied. The results showed satisfactory extraction efficiencies in simple and fast procedures, followed by low solvent consumption. The best results (98%) were obtained by the thymol-based solvent, thymol-decanoic acid (Thy-DecA) 1:1, followed by L-menthol-based solvents: menthol-octanoic acid (Men-OctA) 1:1 with 97% and menthol-decanoic acid (Men-DecA) 1:1 with 94.3% efficiency.
PubMed: 38731611
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092122 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024We aimed to obtain the optimal formula for human milk fat substitute (HMFS) through a combination of software and an evaluation model and further verify its...
We aimed to obtain the optimal formula for human milk fat substitute (HMFS) through a combination of software and an evaluation model and further verify its practicability through an animal experiment. The results showed that a total of 33 fatty acid (FA) and 63 triglyceride (TAG) molecular species were detected in vegetable oils. Palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, 18:1/16:0/18:1, 18:2/16:0/18:2, 18:1/18:1/18:1 and 18:1/18:2/18:1, were the main molecular species among the FAs and TAGs in the vegetable oils. Based on the HMFS evaluation model, the optimal mixed vegetable oil formula was blended with 21.3% palm oil, 2.8% linseed oil, 2.6% soybean oil, 29.9% rapeseed oil and 43.4% maize oil, with the highest score of 83.146. Moreover, there was no difference in the weight, blood routine indices or calcium and magnesium concentrations in the feces of the mice between the homemade mixed vegetable oil (HMVO) group and the commercial mixed vegetable oil (CMVO) group, while nervonic acid (C24:1) and octanoic acid (C8:0) were absorbed easily in the HMVO group. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the mixing of the different vegetable oils was feasible via a combination of computer software and an evaluation model and provided a new way to produce HMFS.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Software; Plant Oils; Fatty Acids; Milk, Human; Mice; Triglycerides; Fat Substitutes; Palm Oil; Soybean Oil; Linseed Oil; Rapeseed Oil; Corn Oil; Caprylates; Palmitic Acid; Oleic Acid
PubMed: 38731587
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092096 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) has garnered significant attention as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solvent for the effective extraction and...
The supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) has garnered significant attention as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solvent for the effective extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from natural resources. However, research on the use of a SUPRAS for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plants, which are highly valued in food products due to their exceptional antioxidant properties, remains scarce. The present study developed a green, ultra-sound-assisted SUPRAS method for the simultaneous determination of three phenolic acids in using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental parameters were meticulously optimized. The efficiency and antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds obtained using different extraction methods were also compared. Under optimal conditions, the extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS, prepared with octanoic acid reverse micelles dispersed in ethanol-water, significantly exceeded that of conventional organic solvents. Moreover, the SUPRAS method demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images revealed the spherical droplet structure of the SUPRAS, characterized by a well-defined circular fluorescence position, which coincided with the position of the phenolic acids. The phenolic acids were encapsulated within the SUPRAS droplets, indicating their efficient extraction capacity. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations combined with CLSM supported the proposed method's mechanism and theoretically demonstrated the superior extraction performance of the SUPRAS. In contrast to conventional methods, the higher extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS can be attributed to the larger solvent contact surface area, the formation of more types of hydrogen bonds between the extractants and the supramolecular solvents, and stronger, more stable interaction forces. The results of the theoretical studies corroborate the experimental outcomes.
Topics: Solvents; Phenols; Antioxidants; Plant Extracts; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Green Chemistry Technology; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Hydroxybenzoates
PubMed: 38731557
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092067