Ameliorative Effects of Peptides Derived from Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) on Immunomodulatory Function and Gut Microbiota Structure in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice

The intestinal flora is recognized as a significant contributor to the immune system. In this research, the protective effects of oyster peptides on immune regulation and intestinal microbiota were investigated in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. The results showed that oyster peptides restored the indexes of thymus, spleen and liver, stimulated cytokines secretion and promoted the relative mRNA levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10). The mRNA levels of Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and Mucin-2 were up-regulated, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was also activated after oyster peptides administration. Furthermore, oyster peptides treatment reduced the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, increased the relative abundance of Alistipes, Lactobacillus, Rikenell and the content of short-chain fatty acids, and reversed the composition of intestinal microflora similar to that of normal mice. In conclusion, oyster peptides effectively ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal damage and modified gut microbiota structure in mice, and might be utilized as a beneficial ingredient in functional foods for immune regulation.     

Ameliorative Effects of Oyster Protein Hydrolysates on Cadmium-Induced Hepatic Injury in Mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxicant that can cause severe hepatic injury. Oyster protein hydrolysates (OPs) have potential effects on preventing liver disease. In this study, thirty mice were randomly divided into five groups: the control, Cd, Cd + ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, 100 mg/kg), and low/high dose of OPs-treatment groups (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg). After continuous administration for 7 days, the ameliorative effect of OPs on Cd-induced acute hepatic injury in Cd-exposed mice was assessed. The results showed that OPs significantly improved the liver function profiles (serum ALT, AST, LDH, and ALP) in Cd-exposed mice. Histopathological analysis showed that OPs decreased apoptotic bodies, hemorrhage, lymphocyte accumulation, and inflammatory cell infiltration around central veins. OPs significantly retained the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, and decreased the elevated hepatic MDA content in Cd-exposed mice. In addition, OPs exhibited a reductive effect on the inflammatory responses (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and inhibitory effects on the expression of inflammation-related proteins (MIP-2 and COX-2) and the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway. OPs suppressed the development of hepatocyte apoptosis (Bax, caspase-3, and Blc-2) and the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in Cd-exposed mice. In conclusion, OPs ameliorated the Cd-induced hepatic injury by inhibiting oxidative damage and inflammatory responses, as well as the development of hepatocyte apoptosis via regulating the ERK/NF-κB and PI3K/AKT-related signaling pathways.     

Purification and Identification of Peptides from Oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) Protein Enzymatic Hydrolysates and Their Anti-Skin Photoaging Effects on UVB-Irradiated HaCaT Cells

This study aimed to purify and identify antiphotoaging peptides from oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) protein enzymatic hydrolysates (OPEH) and to investigate the possible mechanism underlying its antiphotoaging effect. Multiple methods (Ultrafiltration, G25 Chromatography, RP-HPLC, and LC/MS/MS) had been used for this purpose, and eventually, two peptides, including WNLNP and RKNEVLGK, were identified. Particularly, WNLNP exerted remarkable antiphotoaging effect on the UVB-irradiated HaCaT photoaged cell model in a dose-dependent manner. WNLNP exerted its protective effect mainly through inhibiting ROS production, decreasing MMP-1 expression, but increasing extracellular pro-collagen I content. Furthermore, WNLNP downregulated p38, JNK, ERK, and p65 phosphorylation in the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and attenuated bax over-expressions but reversed bcl-2 reduction in UVB- irradiated HaCaT cells. The molecular docking analysis showed that WNLNP forms five and seven hydrogen bonds with NF-κB (p65) and MMP-1, respectively. This study suggested that a pentapeptide WNLNP isolated from OPEH had great potential to prevent and regulate skin photoaging.     

Protective Effects of Ulva lactuca Polysaccharide Extract on Oxidative Stress and Kidney Injury Induced by D-Galactose in Mice

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the key factors that cause many diseases in the human body. Polysaccharides from seaweed have been shown to have significant antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro. The ameliorative effect of Ulva lactuca polysaccharide extract (UPE) on renal injury induced by oxidative stress was analyzed. As shown by hematoxylin–eosin staining results, UPE can significantly improve the kidney injury induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Additionally, the protective mechanism of UPE on the kidney was explored. The results showed that UPE could decrease the levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum cystatin C (Cys-C), lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA oxidative damage (8-OHdG) and improve kidney glutathione content. Moreover, UPE significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant activity in mice. UPE also decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Further investigation into the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3 showed that UPE decreased the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3. These results indicate that UPE has a potential therapeutic effect on renal injury caused by oxidative stress, providing a new theoretical basis for the treatment of oxidative damage diseases in the future.     

Cytoprotective Peptides from Blue Mussel Protein Hydrolysates: Identification and Mechanism Investigation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Injury

Cardiovascular disease represents a leading cause of mortality and is often characterized by the emergence of endothelial dysfunction (ED), a physiologic condition that takes place in the early progress of atherosclerosis. In this study, two cytoprotective peptides derived from blue mussel chymotrypsin hydrolysates with the sequence of EPTF and FTVN were purified and identified. Molecular mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress which lead to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injury were investigated. The results showed that pretreatment of EPTF, FTVN and their combination (1:1) in 0.1 mg/mL significantly reduced HUVEC death due to H₂O₂ exposure. The cytoprotective mechanism of these peptides involves an improvement in the cellular antioxidant defense system, as indicated by the suppression of the intracellular ROS generation through upregulation of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1. In addition, H₂O₂ exposure triggers HUVEC damage through the apoptosis process, as evidenced by increased cytochrome C release, Bax protein expression, and the elevated amount of activated caspase-3, however in HUVEC pretreated with peptides and their combination, the presence of those apoptotic stimuli was significantly decreased. Each peptide showed similar cytoprotective effect but no synergistic effect. Taken together, these peptides may be especially important in protecting against oxidative stress-mediated ED.     

EGCG对肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其作用机制的研究

探讨了表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。结果表明,与肾缺血再灌注损伤模型组相比,EGCG组肾功能改善,肾组织病理改变,Wnt3a、?-catenin、p53、p21、MDA、IL-6、IFN-?和TNF-?表达明显减少,而CAT,GPX和SOD表达明显增加。说明EGCG预处理减轻肾缺血再灌注损伤与抑制Wnt3a/?-catenin/p53信号通路介导的炎症反应和氧化应激相关。     

水分胁迫对大豆苗期叶片内源激素含量与保护酶活性的影响

在盆栽条件下,以大豆(Glycine max)绥农10号为材料,通过人为控制水分(干旱和水渍处理),比较叶片中几种内源激素含量变化的差异,研究水分胁迫对大豆幼苗保护酶活性的影响.结果表明:干旱处理提高了大豆苗期叶片内赤霉素(GA)、脱落酸(ABA)的含量但也降低了玉米素核苷(ZR)和生长素(IAA)的含量,同时干旱处理提高了丙二醛(MDA)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性;水渍处理降低了ABA含量和SOD活性,提高了IAA、GA以及MDA的含量.     

The Inhibition Effect of the Seaweed Polyphenol, 7-Phloro-Eckol from Ecklonia Cava on Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2/CYP2E1 Cells

The liver is vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced damage, which leads to many diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Liver disease endanger people’s health, and the incidence of ALD is increasing; therefore, prevention is very important. 7-phloro-eckol (7PE) is a seaweed polyphenol, which was isolated from Ecklonia cava in a previous study. In this study, the antioxidative stress effect of 7PE on HepG2/CYP2E1 cells was evaluated by alcohol-induced cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and expression of related inflammation and apoptosis proteins. The results showed that 7PE caused alcohol-induced cytotoxicity to abate, reduced the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and effectively inhibited DNA damage in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells. Additionally, the expression levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Akt increased, while γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), Bcl-2 related x (Bax), cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and JNK decreased. Finally, molecular docking proved that 7PE could bind to BCL-2 and GSH protein. These results indicate that 7PE can alleviate the alcohol-induced oxidative stress injury of HepG2 cells and that 7PE may have a potential application prospect in the future development of antioxidants.     

大豆水提物对四氯化碳诱导的肝损伤小鼠肝脏抗氧化活力的影响

为研究大豆水提物(SWEs)对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致急性肝损伤小鼠的保护作用以及对肝脏抗氧化活力的影响。将60只试验小鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、SWEs低(50 mg·kg-1),中(100 mg·kg-1),高(150 mg·kg-1)剂量组及阳性对照组(联苯双脂,100 mg·kg-1)。每天灌胃给药1次,连续7 d。末次给药1 h后,除正常对照组外的其余5组采用10%CCl42.0 m L·kg-1剂量一次性腹腔注射,建立小鼠急性肝损伤模型。6 h后摘眼球取血及肝脏,计算各组小鼠的肝指数,比色法测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活性,及总胆红素(TBIL)和白蛋白(ALB)水平,检测肝组织中丙二醛(MDA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平及一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性。结果表明:模型组小鼠肝重和肝指数、血清ALT和AST活性及TBIL水平、肝组织MDA水平及NOS活性均显著高于对照组;而血清ALB及肝组织GSH水平显著低于对照组。与模型组相比,中、高剂量的SWEs及联苯双脂显著降低CCl4所致急性肝损伤小鼠的肝重和肝指数、血清ALT和AST活性及TBIL水平、肝组织NOS活性和MDA水平,并显著提高血清ALB及肝组织GSH水平。大豆水提物对CCl4所致小鼠急性肝损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用有关。     

Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory and Anti-Hypertensive Effect of Protein Hydrolysate from Actinopyga lecanora (Sea Cucumber) in Rats

Food protein hydrolysates are known to exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties and can be used as a novel functional food for prevention of hypertension. This study evaluated the ACE inhibitory potentials of Actinopyga lecanora proteolysate (ALP) in vivo. The pre-fed rats with ALP at various doses (200, 400, 800 mg/kg body weight) exhibited a significant (p ≤ 0.05) suppression effect after inducing hypertension. To determine the optimum effective dose that will produce maximal reduction in blood pressure, ALP at three doses was fed to the rats after inducing hypertension. The results showed that the 800 mg/kg body weight dose significantly reduced blood pressure without noticeable negative physiological effect. In addition, there were no observable changes in the rats’ heart rate after oral administration of the ALP. It was concluded that Actinopyga lecanora proteolysate could potentially be used for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals for prevention and treatment of hypertension.     

Ca~(2 )对高温强光胁迫下小麦叶片光合机构的保护作用

为了研究Ca2 对高温强光胁迫下小麦光合机构的保护机理,分别用清水和10 mmol/L的CaCl2水溶液预处理灌浆期的小麦叶片,然后进行不同的温度和照光处理,探讨了Ca2 对高温强光胁迫下小麦叶片D1蛋白和PSⅡ功能的影响。结果表明,叶面喷施Ca2 有效地调节了高温强光下抗氧化酶SOD、APX的活性,降低了叶片MDA的含量和相对电导率;Ca2 处理维持了较高的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和较低的原初荧光(Fo),减轻了逆境对光合机构的破坏。Western Blotting分析结果也显示,Ca2 减轻了高温强光对小麦叶片PSⅡ反应中心D1蛋白的破坏。     

Effects of Low-Phosphorus Stress on Membrane Lipid Peroxidation and Protective Enzyme Activities in Leaves of Different Rice （Oryza sativa） Cultivars

Membrane lipid peroxidation and protective enzyme activity in leaves of low-phosphorus-tolerant rice cultivars Dalidao and Liantangzao 3, and low-phosphorus-sensitive cultivars Huzhanqi and Xinsanbaili were studied under low phosphorus stress with sandy culture. Results indicated that low-phosphorus stress aggravated the membrane lipid peroxidation in rice leaves, and it was more severe in low-phosphorus-sensitive cultivars than that in low-phosphorus-tolerant cultivars. During the period of low-phosphorus stress, the activities of SOD, CAT and POD maintained relatively stable in low-phosphorus-tolerant cultivars, whereas those increased obviously at early stage and subsequently decreased rapidly in the low-phosphorus-sensitive cultivars, suggesting that the absolute activities of protective enzymes had no relation with the low-phosphorus stress, while the changing trend was reverse.     

Stimulating the Hematopoietic Effect of Simulated Digestive Product of Fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hematopoietic Damage in Mice and Its Protective Mechanisms Based on Serum Lipidomics

Hematopoietic damage is a serious side effect of cytotoxic drugs, and agents promoting hematopoiesis are quite important for decreasing the death rate in cancer patients. In our previous work, we prepared the simulated digestive product of fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme, DSFF, and found that DSFF could activate macrophages. However, more investigations are needed to further evaluate whether DSFF could promote hematopoiesis in the chemotherapy process. In this study, the protective effect of DSFF (1.8–7.2 mg/kg, i.p.) on cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic damage in mice and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Our results show that DSFF could restore the numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils, and platelets in the peripheral blood, and could also retard bone marrow cell decrease in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic damage. UPLC/Q-Extraction Orbitrap/MS/MS-based lipidomics results reveal 16 potential lipid biomarkers in a serum that responded to hematopoietic damage in mice. Among them, PC (20:1/14:0) and SM (18:0/22:0) were the key lipid molecules through which DSFF exerted protective actions. In a validation experiment, DSFF (6.25–100 μg/mL) could also promote K562 cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. The current findings indicated that DSFF could affect the blood cells and bone marrow cells in vivo and thus showed good potential and application value in alleviating the hematopoietic damage caused by cyclophosphamide.     

不同植物激素对油菜角果生长和结实的影响

利用不同植物激素溶液在结角期间处理油菜角果,结果对油菜角果生长和结实均有较好影响,其中1.5mg/L 激动素 1mg/L萘乙酸混合液处理1次,对角果增长增粗和每角粒数增加作用较大,1.5mg/L激动素处理2次和3次对粒重增长作用较大,1mg/L萘乙酸处理2～3次对提高种子含油量作用较大.     

Damage Potential,Effect on Germination,and Development of Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Wheat Grains in Northwestern Himalayas

The present investigation was carried out to study the biological parameters and orientation of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) toward wheat cultivar HPW-236 and mixed grains of different cultivars (HPW-155, HPW-236, HPW-249, HPW-349, HPW-360, HS-490, and VL-892). The incubation period, larval period, pupal period, and total life cycle period of S. oryzae was longer when fed on mixed grains as compared to HPW-236. Also, the weevils were more oriented toward HPW-236 and lower germination rates were observed from HPW-236 than mixed cultivars when exposed to S. oryzae. We also evaluated quantitative losses caused by S. oryzae in different cultivars of wheat recommended in the northwestern Himalayas under free-choice conditions. The weevil inflicted greater damage and weight loss in grains of HPW-236 while it was negligible in the case of HPW-360 and HPW-249. HPW-236 which is the most cultivated variety of wheat in northwestern Himalayas proved to be highly susceptible to the weevil and provided a more suitable environment for weevil’s development. Therefore, this particular cultivar can be avoided for prolong storage and the farmers should prefer cultivars such as HPW-360 and HPW-249, which proved to be least affected the weevil.     

茶树新梢生育的内源激素水平及其调控机理*(第四报)外源激素对茶树内源激素的影响及其与新梢生长的关系

以外源NAA、GA3和催发素溶液喷布茶树，研究其对新梢内源激素含量水平的影响及其与新梢生长的关系。结果表明：NAA处理显著提高新梢生育初期内源ABA和IAA的含量，新梢生长一度受抑，但随后zeatin含量上升，生长加速；GA3处理后新梢内源ABA含量下降，IAA含量减少，GA3和zeatin含量提高，新梢生长量加大，生长速率加快；催发素处理后新梢内源IAA含量下降，促进新梢萌发与生长，提高鲜叶产量。     

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of a Lipid Extract from Hard-Shelled Mussel (Mytilus Coruscus) on Chronic Arthritis in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of a lipid extract from hard-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) on adjuvant-induced (AIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. AIA and CIA rats that received hard-shelled mussel lipid extract (HMLE group) at a dose of 100 mg/kg demonstrated significantly lower paw swelling and arthritic index, but higher body weight gain than those which received olive oil (control group). Similar results were found in arthritic rats that received New Zealand green-lipped mussel lipid extract (GMLE) at the same dosage. The levels of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) in the serum, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ankle joint synovial fluids of HMLE group rats were significantly lower than those of control group. However, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in HMLE group rats were significantly higher than those in the control group. Decreased mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and MMP13, but increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) were observed in the knee joint synovium tissues of HMLE group rats when compared with the control group. No hepatotoxicity was observed in both HMLE and GMLE group rats. The present results indicated that HMLE had a similarly strong anti-inflammatory activity as GMLE. Such a strong efficacy could result from the suppression of inflammatory mediators (LTB₄, PGE₂, TXB₂), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α) and MMPs (MMP1, MMP13), and the promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and TIMPs (TIMP1) productions.     

Effect of Fucoidan on the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm) of Leukocytes from Patients with Active COVID-19 and Subjects That Recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide obtained from marine brown algae, with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune-enhancing properties, thus, fucoidan may be used as an alternative treatment (complementary to prescribed medical therapy) for COVID-19 recovery. This work aimed to determine the ex-vivo effects of treatment with fucoidan (20 µg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm, using a cationic cyanine dye, 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC₆(3)) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC) isolated from healthy control (HC) subjects, COVID-19 patients (C-19), and subjects that recently recovered from COVID-19 (R1, 40 ± 13 days after infection). In addition, ex-vivo treatment with fucoidan (20 and 50 µg/mL) was evaluated on ΔΨm loss induced by carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP, 150 µM) in HPBMC isolated from healthy subjects (H) and recovered subjects at 11 months post-COVID-19 (R2, 335 ± 20 days after infection). Data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces HPBMC loss of ΔΨm, even 11 months after infection, however, fucoidan promotes recovery of ΔΨm in PBMCs from COVID-19 recovered subjects. Therefore, fucoidan may be a potential treatment to diminish long-term sequelae from COVID-19, using mitochondria as a therapeutic target for the recovery of cellular homeostasis.     

Effect of Quorum Sensing Inducers and Inhibitors on Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Induced by Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in American Serpentine Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae): Potential Tool for the Incompatible Insect Technique

Agricultural crops around the world are attacked by approximately 3,000–10,000 species of pest insect. There is increasing interest in resolving this problem using environmentally friendly approaches. Wolbachia (Hertig), an insect endosymbiont, can modulate host reproduction and offspring sex through cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). The incompatible insect technique (IIT) based on CI-Wolbachia is a promising biological control method. Previous studies have reported an association between CI and Wolbachia density, which may involve a quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. In this study, we investigated the effect of manipulating QS in Wolbachia using several chemicals including 3O-C12-HSL; C2HSL; spermidine (QS inducers), 4-phenylbutanoyl; and 4-NPO (QS inhibitors) on American serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii [Burgess]), an agricultural pest. The results showed that inducing QS with 3O-C12-HSL decreased the proportion of hatched eggs and increased Wolbachia density, whereas QS inhibition with 4-phenylbutanoyl had the opposite effects. Thus, manipulating QS in Wolbachia can alter cell density and the proportion of hatched eggs in the host L. trifolii, thereby reducing the number of insect progeny. These findings provide evidence supporting the potential efficacy of the IIT based on CI-Wolbachia for the environmentally friendly control of insect pest populations.