Soluble Klotho protein suppresses THP-1-derived foam cell formation

AIMTo investigate the role of soluble Klotho protein in THP-1-derived foam cell formation. METHODSTHP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages by treatment with 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate for 48 h, and then were divided into 6 groups: negative control group (THP-1-derived macrophages), positive control group [THP-1-derived foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h], and 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L soluble Klotho protein groups (THP-1-derived macrophages pretreated with soluble Klotho protein at the indicat?ed concentraions for 2 h and then induced by ox-LDL for 48 h). Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The cholesterol outflow rate was detected by scintillation counting technique. The content of intracellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester was detected by enzyme fluorescence analysis. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） and ATP-binding cassette transport?er A1 (ABCA1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTSOil red O staining and lipid mass quantification showed that THP-1-derived foam cell formation was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble Klotho protein. The cholesterol efflux rate of THP-1-derived foam cells was increased by soluble Klotho protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, soluble Klotho protein decreased the expression of ACAT1 and increased the expression of ABCA1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The soluble Klotho protein inhibits THP-1-derived foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of ACAT1 and up-regulating the expression of ABCA1.     

Toward the Identification of Novel Antimicrobial Agents: One-Pot Synthesis of Lipophilic Conjugates of N-Alkyl d- and l-Iminosugars

In the effort to improve the antimicrobial activity of iminosugars, we report the synthesis of lipophilic iminosugars 10a–b and 11a–b based on the one-pot conjugation of both enantiomeric forms of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ) and N-nonyloxypentyldeoxynojirimycin (NPDNJ) with cholesterol and a succinic acid model linker. The conjugation reaction was tuned using the established PS-TPP/I₂/ImH activating system, which provided the desired compounds in high yields (94–96%) by a one-pot procedure. The substantial increase in the lipophilicity of 10a–b and 11a–b is supposed to improve internalization within the bacterial cell, thereby potentially leading to enhanced antimicrobial properties. However, assays are currently hampered by solubility problems; therefore, alternative administration strategies will need to be devised.     

中药复方对保育阶段仔猪血清中胆固醇与脂蛋白的影响

[目的]在基础日粮的水平上添加中药复方,纯中药全程饲喂,对保育阶段仔猪血清中胆固醇和脂蛋白含量进行测定,为该中药复方对保育阶段仔猪增强机体抵抗力,降低抗生素在畜牧业的应用,形成质量可靠的“无抗”猪肉提供帮助。[方法]试验选用80头（28±2）日龄、体重相近的“杜×长×大”三元杂交断奶仔猪,随机分为4个处理,每个处理2个重复,每个重复10头仔猪。第1组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,第2、3、4组在饲喂基础日粮的基础上分别添加1.5%、1.0%和0.5%的中药复方,试验期4周。试验结束第2天上午9：00空腹,前腔静脉采血,进行全血血常规指标测定。[结果]与对照组相比,饲料中添加中药复方组保育仔猪血清中脂蛋白脂肪酶含量均有升高,其中,添加0.5%中药复方组与对照组相比差异显著（P<0.05）;与对照组相比,饲料中添加中药复方组保育仔猪血清中高密度脂蛋白含量均有升高,其含量随中药复方添加量的减少而逐渐降低,各中药复方添加组与对照组相比差异均不显著（P>0.05）;与对照组相比,饲料中添加中药复方组保育仔猪血清中低密度脂蛋白含量均有所下降,其含量随中药复方添加量的减少而逐渐降低,其中,添加0.5%中药复方组与对照组相比差异极显著（P<0.01）;与对照组相比,饲料中添加中药复方组保育仔猪血清中三酰甘油含量均有下降,其含量随中药复方添加量的减少而逐渐降低,各中药复方添加组与对照组相比差异均不显著（P>0.05）。[结论]在基础日粮中添加中药复方组保育仔猪血清中脂蛋白脂肪酶含量、高密度脂蛋白含量均有升高;保育仔猪血清中低密度脂蛋白含量、三酰甘油含量均有降低。     

Ostrich meat: Production,quality parameters,and nutritional comparison to other types of meats

The poultry industry is considered one of the most efficient industries in producing animal protein. Poultry production consists of several main segments: broilers, commercial eggs, turkeys, ducks, and other poultry, including geese, guinea-fowl, pheasants, quail, and ratites. Currently, ostrich meat is marketed as a healthy red meat because it is characterized by high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, low saturated fatty acid content, and low cholesterol level compared with red meats, such as beef, while tasting similar to lean beef. Ostrich meat contains lower sodium and higher iron contents than other kinds of meat, making it preferable to hypertensive people and those with anemia. Taken together, ostrich meat is considered as an ideal red meat for individuals seeking healthier lifestyle. Moreover, many different ostrich products, such as leather and feathers, are used by people. The current review paper considers the quality characteristics of ostrich meat, including physical traits, and compares it to other types of meats, such as bovine and other poultry meats.     

Effect of dietary Schizochytrium microalga oil and fish oil on plasma cholesterol level in rats

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that the dietary oils with different content of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect plasma lipid level in rats in a different degree. The diets with 6% of fish oil (FO) and Schizochytrium microalga oil (SchO; EPA+DHA content in the diets 9.5 + 12.3 and 2.6 + 29.5% of the sum of total fatty acids, respectively) were used; the diet with 6% of safflower oil (high content of n‐6 PUFA linoleic acid, 65.5%; EPA+DHA content 0.7 + 0.9%) was used as a control. The difference between FO and SchO was established only in the case of plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) level: plasma TAG of the FO‐fed rats did not differ from the control rats (p > 0.05), while SchO decreased (p < 0.05) plasma TAG to 46% of the control. On the other hand, FO and SchO decreased (p < 0.05) total plasma cholesterol (TC) in rats in the same extent, to 73% of the control. Regarding the underlying mechanisms for the TC decrease, both SchO and FO up‐regulated hepatic Insig‐1 gene (181 and 133% of the control; p < 0.05), which tended (p = 0.15 and p = 0.19 respectively) to decrease the amount of hepatic nSREBP‐2 protein (61 and 66% of the control). However, neither SchO nor FO influenced hepatic 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA reductase gene expression (p > 0.05); SchO (but not FO) increased (p < 0.05) low‐density lipoprotein receptor mRNA in the liver. It was concluded that the decrease of total plasma cholesterol might be caused by an increased cholesterol uptake from plasma into the cells (in the case of SchO), but also by other (in the present study not tested) mechanisms.     

产胆盐水解酶植物乳杆菌降胆固醇作用的研究

采用茚三酮显色法测定了5株具有潜在益生特性的植物乳杆菌的胆盐水解酶(BSH)活性,采用邻苯二甲醛法测定了发酵上清液、菌体洗涤液和菌体破碎液中胆固醇含量,并对二者进行了相关性分析。结果表明,5株菌的BSH比活力为0.0149~0.0299U/mg总蛋白,去除胆固醇能力为37.64~47.88μg/mL。5株乳杆菌BSH活性与菌体洗涤液中胆固醇含量呈显著正相关,推断是菌株BSH水解结合胆盐生成游离胆酸,后者与胆固醇共沉淀,从而达到降胆固醇的效果。上述研究结果为利用益生菌生产具有降胆固醇功效的产品提供了理论依据。     

Effect of Alfalfa Flavonoids on Growth Performance and Serum Indexes of Sheep

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of alfalfa flavonoids (Medicago sativa) on growth performance and serum indexes of sheep.This experiment was performed with hybrid F1 sheep of Suffolk sheep×Small-tailed Han sheep.Twenty-eight sheep with the body weight of (27.02±3.03) kg were randomly divided into 4 groups with 7 replicates in each group and 1 sheep per replicate.Sheep in different groups were fed diets with 0 (group Ⅰ), 0.1% (group Ⅱ), 0.2%(group Ⅲ) and 0.4% (group Ⅳ) alfalfa flavonoids, respectively.The experiment was cosisted of 7-day-preliminary trial and 41-day-formal trial.The results showed as follows:① Dietary supplementation of alfalfa flavonoids had no significant effects on growth performance of sheep(P>0.05).② Dietary supplementation of alfalfa flavonoids had significant effects on the contents of GLB, ASP, BUN, HDL and P in serum (P<0.05).Serum GLB content at the 1st day in group Ⅲ was significantly lower than that in groupsⅠand Ⅱ(P<0.05), serum ASP contents at the 1st and 21th days in group Ⅳ were significantly lower than those in group Ⅰ(P<0.05), serum BUN content at the 1st day in group Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ(P<0.05), serum HDL content at the 21th day in group Ⅱ was significantly lower than that in groups Ⅰ and Ⅲ (P<0.05), serum P content in group Ⅳ at the 21th day was significantly lower than that in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P<0.05).In conclusion, dietary supplementation of alfalfa flavonoids might modulate lipid metabolism, improve nitrogen utilization, maintain energy metabolic and balance Ca and P contents, and have the potential function for promoting growth and no adverse effect on liver.The results suggested that the appropriate supplemental level of alfalfa flavonoids for sheep was 0.2%.     

低胆固醇发酵鹅肉香肠工艺参数优化

以鹅肉为原料制成鹅肉香肠,确定了以植物乳杆菌、戊糖片球菌、木糖葡萄球菌为复合菌种的最佳条件,并在单因素试验的基础上选择了菌种配比、接种量、发酵温度和时间4个因素进行正交试验。结果表明,制作鹅肉香肠的最佳的条件为:发酵时间为24h,接种量1.5%,发酵温度为30℃。