Introduction to the International Symposium on Lipid Science and Health and research progress in lipid science and health

The International Symposium on Lipid Science and Health (ISLSH), which was organized annually by Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS) since 2016, has gained a strong reputation and attracted hundreds of delegates from around the world for discussion of lipid research trends and advances every year, to promote research and academic exchanges in the fields of lipid science and health. The 5th International Symposium on lipid Science and Health was successfully held in Wuhan, China, from October 23rd to 25th, 2020, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of OCRI-CAAS. The two-day symposium gathered well-known experts specialized in lipid science to share the current state of lipid research with emphasis on aspects covering: (1) lipid profiling and characterization, (2) lipid preparation and modification, (3) lipid improvement and regulation, and (4) lipid nutrition and health. The symposium was conducted by a combination of on-site and network meeting. More than 250 distinguished delegates from academia and industry participated in the on-site multidisciplinary meeting, and thousands of scholars attended the virtual event. This paper is as a record of the symposium proceedings and a brief summary of the advances and trends in 4 aspects of lipid science and health.     

Effect of tanshinone ⅡA on liver lipid deposition and ferroptosis-related protein expression in ApoE-/- mice

AIM To observe the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on liver lipid deposition and ferroptosis-related protein expression in ApoE^-/- mice. METHODS Thirty-two ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into model group, high-dose (60 mg/kg) tanshinone ⅡA group, low-dose (30 mg/kg) tanshinone ⅡA group and simvastatin group, and C57BL/6J mice (n=8) were used as normal control group. The mice in normal control group were given the basic feeding, while the others were given high-fat diet. The mice in tanshinone ⅡA groups and simvastatin group were given corresponding drugs. The mice in normal control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of saline. Eight weeks later, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were tested by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The liver tissues were stained with HE and oil red O. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues of the mice were measured by commercially available kits. The liver glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and p53 were detected by immunohistochemical method. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related factors GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11, p53 and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) were determined by Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system and RT-qPCR. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in model group were increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and HDL-C did not change significantly. The fat vacuoles were clearly visible in liver tissue. The content of ROS in liver tissue was increased significantly,and GSH was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of p53 were increased significantly, and GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11 and FTH1 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group, tanshinone ⅡA significantly decreased the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and HDL-C did not change significantly. High-dose and low-dose tanshinoneⅡA also significantly decreased the degree of steatosis, and the size of lipid droplets. The content of ROS in liver tissues was decreased significantly, and GSH was increased significantly (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of GPX4, xCT/SLC7A11 and FTH1 were increased significantly, and p53 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Tanshinone ⅡA reduces liver lipid deposition and lipid peroxidation damage in ApoE^-/- mice, which may be related to the intervention of ferroptosis-related proteins in the liver cells.     

Lipid analysis of three special nervonic acid resources in China

Nervonic acid plays an important role in nutrition and function of the human body. Malania oleifera, Acer truncatum and Xanthoceras sorbifolium are China’s unique woody plant rich in nervonic acid in seed oil. This study aims to investigate the lipid composition of these 3 special resources. Their fatty acids were detected by gas chromatography coupled with flame detector (GC-FID). Triglycerides (TAGs) and phospholipids (PLs) were detected by shotgun-mass spectrometry (shotgun-MS). Results showed that M. oleifera oil presented the highest level of nervonic acid (46.20 ​± ​0.22%) among the 3 oils. Seeds oil of A. truncatum and X. sorbifolium had 3.53 ​± ​0.20% and 1.83 ​± ​0.21% nervonic acid respectively. 53 species of TAGs and 15 species of PLs were identified in M. oleifera oil, with PLs content of 499.94 ​± ​22.34 ​μg/g. In A. truncatum oil, PL and TAG species were twice more than those in M. oleifera oil, and its’ content of PLs was 76.27 ​± ​3.21 ​μg/g. In X. sorbifolium oil, 75 TAGs and 34 ​PLs were detected, with the lowest PLs at 23.84 ​± ​0.17 ​μg/g. The results demonstrated that these 3 vegetable oils have great potential to become nervonic acid supplements for human health.     

Affecting Lipid Metabolism Salivary MicroRNAs Expressions in Arabian Racehorses Before and After the Race

The active roles of microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in gene regulation have made miRNAs a key point for the scientific world in the study of physiological processes. Although saliva includes the largest number of miRNAs, there is no miRNA study in saliva on horses has been found. Our study is the first study on miRNAs isolation from saliva in horses. In the present study, saliva was studied in Arabian racehorses to better understand the molecular mechanisms of expression levels that are effective in lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes during the race. Identification of lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes is an opportunity to provide information about biomarkers in Arabian racehorses on energy supply for race performance. Arabian racehorses have low glycogen content and high triglyceride storage capability, thanks to the high amount of oxidative type I fiber in their muscle tissue. Therefore, Arabian racehorses can provide higher levels of energy using more fat. The aim of this study is to determine the prerace and postrace expression levels of eight miRNAs in saliva that are known to affect lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses. The expression level of eca-miR-33a was found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Target genes of eca-miR-33a have been copredicted as ABCA1, CROT, ABHD2, and SATB2, with three validated databases and other analysis tools. In conclusion, these findings revealed that both eca-miR-33a and its target genes could be potential core genes that play important roles in lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses to provide energy during the race.     

Mechanisms associated with tiller suppression under stagnant flooding in rice

Stagnant flooding (SF) during vegetative growth triggers stem elongation usually at the cost of tiller production in rice, reducing grain yield. To explore physiological mechanisms associated with tillering suppression under SF, three contrasting genotypes (Swarna and Swarna‐Sub1, both sensitive and IRRI154, tolerant) were evaluated under standing water depths of 0, 5, 30 and 50 cm. SF significantly suppressed tiller formation but increased plant height, root biomass, shoot elongation (ratio of plant height before and after flooding), leaf emergency and non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration (in root–shoot junction) in all genotypes at the early stage of development. Chlorophyll concentration in the upper leaves (upper most fully expanded leaf at top) was higher than in lower leaves (lowest green leaf at base), but decreased under SF in both. SF increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at the early stage of treatment, with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production by stems and leaves. MDA concentration in root–shoot junction increased but delayed. Tiller number correlated negatively with plant height, shoot elongation, leaf emergency, MDA concentration in leaves and root–shoot junction, root biomass, and NSC concentration in the root–shoot junction. The results suggested existence of compensatory mechanisms between tiller growth and shoot elongation in rice for resilience under SF, where energy is mainly diverted for shoot elongation to escape flooding. The SF‐tolerant genotype produced less H₂O₂ and maintained energy balance for higher survival and better growth under stagnant flooding.     

土壤干旱与柿叶片膜脂及脂质过氧化的关系

在不同灌水条件下,对盆栽柿幼树叶片组织相对含水量,细胞透性,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,膜脂脂肪酸组分和脂质过氧化作用产物——丙二醛(MDA)含量进行测定,结果表明:当水势Ψ_S下降时,细胞透性(PERM)增大,SOD和CAT活性下降,脂质过氧化作用增强,膜脂中不饱和脂肪酸含量下降,饱和脂肪酸含量升高。试验证明:土壤水势(?)_S=-3.80±0.47bar,各指标变化最明显。本试验条件下,幼柿叶片SOD活性,CAT活性,MDA含量,PERM,不饱和脂肪酸指数(IUFA)与组织相对含水量(RWC)和土壤水势(Ψ_s)间具显著相关关系。     

遮荫下2种热带树苗叶片光合特性和抗氧化酶系统对自然降温的响应

选取 2种遮荫条件下 (8%、2 5 %全光照 )西双版纳地区热带雨林上层树种滇南红厚壳和中层树种玉蕊的幼苗 ,测定了雨季末自然降温过程中 2种植物叶片光合特性、抗氧化酶 (SOD、CAT、APX)活性、丙二醛 (MDA)含量的变化。研究结果表明 :低温使 2种植物单位面积叶绿素含量和净光合速率明显下降 ,生长在中等光强下的幼苗比低光强下的幼苗下降的比率大 ,滇南红厚壳比玉蕊下降的比率大。在降温初期 ,即从 10月到 12月初 ,2种光强下 2种植物SOD和APX活性上升 ,CAT活性出现波动 ,黎明光化学效率和MDA含量基本没有变化 ,光合机构没有受到氧化破坏。 12月末 ,中等光强下滇南红厚壳黎明光化学效率降低 ,SOD和APX活性有所下降 ,MDA含量显著上升 ;而低光强下的滇南红厚壳和 2种光强下玉蕊SOD和APX活性仍在上升 ,MDA含量变化较小。这表明 ,2种光强下 2种热带树苗是以不同的方式响应自然降温 ,低温对中等光强下的植物比低光强下的影响大 ,上层树种滇南红厚壳受到的影响比中层树种玉蕊大。同时 ,根据降温过程中抗氧化酶活性和MDA含量的变化 ,大致可将西双版纳热带雨林幼苗对低温的响应分为 2个阶段 ,即第 1阶段为低温适应阶段 ,抗氧化酶活性上升 ,光合机构没有受到明显的氧化破坏 ;第 2阶段 ,中等光强下滇南红厚壳抗氧化酶     

Biochemical and histopathological studies to assess chronic toxicity of triazophos in blood, liver and brain tissue of rats

Triazophos, O,O-diethyl-1-H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl phosphorothioate, (TZ) is an organophosphorus pesticide which is extensively used in agriculture for controlling insect pests. Except a FAO/WHO report no study has investigated its short-term toxicity with respect to its potential to cause biochemical and histopathological alterations. The present study was designed to identify the effect of TZ at different doses (1.64, 3.2 and 8.2 mg/kg) on the oxidative stress parameters in blood as well as organs involved in xenobiotic metabolism (liver and brain) following chronic exposure for 90 days. Moreover, the study also delineates the effect of TZ on the histo-architecture of these organs. The results indicated a dose dependent induction (p < 0.001) of oxidative stress, as evident by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and compromised antioxidant defense including glutathione S transferase (GST) activity, glutathione (GSH) content and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) in blood, and increased MDA level with concomitantly decreased GSH content in tissues, following chronic exposure to TZ. The ratio of MDA: FRAP in blood was found to be increased following chronic exposure to TZ and may serve as a suitable indicator of severity of oxidative damage. Onset of such biochemical alterations is one of the early adaptive responses to TZ exposure which leads to histopathological alterations in terms of diffuse fatty changes expanding from mid-zonal area to whole lobule in liver. However, increased oxidative stress did not bring any morphological alteration in brain. The present study concludes that induction of oxidative stress, leading to subsequent histopathological alterations in liver, is an important mechanism underlying the TZ induced chronic toxicity.     

Exogenously applied hexaconazole ameliorates salinity stress by inducing an antioxidant defense system in Brassica napus L. plants

The ability of hexaconazole (HEX) to ameliorate salinity stress was studied in canola plants (Brassica napus L.). Canola seedlings were subjected to sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment. A treatment with 200 mM NaCl reduced growth parameters, chlorophyll content and protein content as well as increased the proline (Pro) content in canola plants. In addition, NaCl stress increased the endogenous, nonenzymatic antioxidants and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6). When these plants were treated with a combination of NaCl and 50 mg L⁻¹ HEX, the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress were decreased by increasing the root growth, shoot growth, dry weight (DW), chlorophyll content, protein content and antioxidant enzyme activity by ameliorating the salinity injury. These results suggested that HEX has an important role in the enhancement of plant antioxidant systems and resistance to salinity in canola plants.     

Chemopreventive efficacy of lycopene on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

The chemopreventive efficacy of lycopene on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis was examined using lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) as biomarkers of chemoprevention. Twenty four male Syrian hamsters were divided into four groups of six animals each. The right buccal pouches of the animals in group 1 were painted with a 0.5% solution of DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week. The animals in group 2 were painted with DMBA as in group 1 and in addition received 2.5 mg/kg body weight lycopene orally three times a week on days alternate to DMBA application. Group 3 animals received lycopene as in group 2. Animals in group 4 received neither DMBA nor lycopene and served as control. The hamsters were killed after an experimental period of 14 weeks. Biochemical measurements were carried out in tumour and normal tissues. All hamsters painted with DMBA alone for 14 weeks developed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Diminished lipid peroxidation in the oral tumour tissue was accompanied by a significant increase in the levels of GSH, GPx, GST and GR. Administration of lycopene significantly suppressed DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis as revealed by the absence of carcinomas. The results of the present study suggest that lycopene may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activities of the enzymes in the glutathione redox cycle.