Conjugated linoleic acid-induced fatty liver can be attenuated by combination with docosahexaenoic acid in C57BL/6N mice

We investigated the effect of dietary combination of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to attenuate CLA-induced fatty liver in C57BL/6N mice. Mice were fed semisynthetic diets that contained either 6% high linoleic safflower oil (HL-SAF), 4% HL-SAF + 2% CLA, or 3.5% HL-SAF + 2% CLA + 0.5% DHA for 4 weeks. This 4 week feeding of CLA showed hepatic lipid accumulation concomitant with the decrease in adipose tissue weight in mice. However, 0.5% supplementation of DHA to the CLA diet could alleviate fatty liver without decreasing the antiobesity effect of CLA. The CLA diet promoted fatty acid synthesis in the liver, but DHA supplementation significantly attenuated the increase in enzyme activity induced by CLA. On the other hand, serum adipocytokines, leptin and adiponectin, were drastically decreased by CLA feeding, and DHA supplementation did not affect those levels. These results show that DHA supplementation to the CLA diet can attenuate CLA-induced fatty liver through the reduction of hepatic fatty acid synthesis without affecting adipocytokine production in C57BL/6N mice.     

Antiglycative effects of protocatechuic acid in the kidneys of diabetic mice

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) at 2 or 4% was supplied to diabetic mice for 12 weeks. PCA treatments increased its deposit in organs and significantly reduced the plasma HbA1c level, the urinary glycative albumin level, and renal production of carboxymethyllysine (CML), pentosidine, sorbitol, and fructose (p < 0.05). However, PCA treatments only at 4% significantly decreased brain content of CML, pentosidine, fructose, and sorbitol (p < 0.05). PCA treatments at 2 and 4% significantly lowered renal activity and mRNA expression of aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase (p < 0.05), and PCA treatments only at 4% significantly enhanced renal glyoxalase I mRNA expression (p < 0.05). PCA treatments also dose-dependently decreased the renal level of type-IV collagen, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-β1 (p < 0.05), as well as dose-dependently diminished renal protein kinase C (PKC) activity (p < 0.05); however, PCA treatments only at 4% suppressed renal mRNA expression of PKC-α and PKC-beta (p < 0.05). PCA treatments at 4% significantly restored renal mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-γ, as well as suppressed expression of the advanced glycation end-product receptor (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the supplement of PCA might be helpful for the prevention or alleviation of glycation-associated diabetic complications.     

Dietary combination of fucoxanthin and fish oil attenuates the weight gain of white adipose tissue and decreases blood glucose in obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice

Fucoxanthin is a marine carotenoid found in edible brown seaweeds. We previously reported that dietary fucoxanthin attenuates the weight gain of white adipose tissue (WAT) of diabetic/obese KK- A(y) mice. In this study, to evaluate the antiobesity and antidiabetic effects of fucoxanthin and fish oil, we investigated the effect on the WAT weight, blood glucose, and insulin levels of KK- A(y) mice. Furthermore, the expression level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and adipokine mRNA in WAT were measured. After 4 weeks of feeding, 0.2% fucoxanthin in the diet markedly attenuated the gain of WAT weight in KK- A(y) mice with increasing UCP1 expression compared with the control mice. The WAT weight of the mice fed 0.1% fucoxanthin and 6.9% fish oil was also significantly lower than that of the mice fed fucoxanthin alone. In addition, 0.2% fucoxanthin markedly decreased the blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations in KK- A(y) mice. The mice fed with the combination diet of 0.1% fucoxanthin and fish oil also showed improvements similar to that of 0.2% fucoxanthin. Leptin and tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) mRNA expression in WAT were significantly down-regulated by 0.2% fucoxanthin. These results suggest that dietary fucoxanthin decreases the blood glucose and plasma insulin concentration of KK- A(y) along with down-regulating TNFalpha mRNA. In addition, the combination of fucoxanthin and fish oil is more effective for attenuating the weight gain of WAT than feeding with fucoxanthin alone.     

Steam-dried ginseng berry fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum controls the increase of blood glucose and body weight in type 2 obese diabetic db/db mice

This study examined whether steam-dried ginseng berries fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum (FSGB) could improve the indices of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in obese db/db mice. FSGB was shown to have an effect on body weight and blood glucose/serum parameters when administered at a dose of 0.5 g/kg. In the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT), FSGB was clearly shown to improve insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance. Moreover, FSGB was shown to enhance immune activities by increasing the immune cell population, and glucose transpoter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA expression in L6 cells was up-regulated, suggesting that FSGB can increase glucose transport activity in target cells. These results indicate that steam- and dry-processed ginseng berries fermented with L. plantarum can be used to effectively control blood sugar metabolism via improving insulin and glucose tolerance and body weight gain in db/db mice.     

Effects of ingested turmeric oleoresin on glucose and lipid metabolisms in obese diabetic mice: a DNA microarray study

Turmeric, the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., has a wide range of effects on human health. Turmeric oleoresin, an extract of turmeric, is often used for flavoring and coloring. Curcuminoids and turmeric essential oil are both contained in turmeric oleoresin, and both of these fractions have hypoglycemic effects. In the present study, we comprehensively assessed the effect of turmeric oleoresin on hepatic gene expression in obese diabetic KK-Ay mice using DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Female KK-Ay mice aged 6 weeks (n = 6/group) were fed a high-fat diet containing turmeric oleoresin, curcuminoids, and essential oil for 5 weeks. The same diet without any of these fractions was used as a control diet. Ingestion of turmeric oleoresin and essential oil inhibited the development of increased blood glucose and abdominal fat mass, while curcuminoids only inhibited the increase in blood glucose. DNA microarray analysis indicated that turmeric oleoresin ingestion up-regulated the expression of genes related to glycolysis, beta-oxidation, and cholesterol metabolism in the liver of KK-Ay mice, while expression of gluconeogenesis-related genes was down-regulated. Real-time PCR analysis was conducted to assess the contribution of the curcuminoids and essential oil in turmeric oleoresin to the changes in expression of representative genes selected by DNA microarray analysis. This analysis suggested that curcuminoids regulated turmeric oleoresin ingestion-induced expression of glycolysis-related genes and also that curcuminoids and turmeric essential oil acted synergistically to regulate the peroxisomal beta-oxidation-related gene expression induced by turmeric oleoresin ingestion. These changes in gene expression were considered to be the mechanism by which the turmeric oleoresin affected the control of both blood glucose levels and abdominal adipose tissue masses. All of these results suggest that the use of whole turmeric oleoresin is more effective than the use of either curcuminoids or the essential oil alone.     

Characterization of fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol esters in the Chinese surf clam, Mactra chinensis

Fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol fatty acid esters in the clam, Mactra chinensis, were characterized on the basis of 1H NMR and FAB-MS spectra. 1H NMR revealed that the hydroxy group at C-3 in fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol was acylated. 3'-O-Acylated compounds such as fucoxanthinol 3'-ester or fucoxanthinol 3,3'-diester were not found in the clam. The fatty acids esterified with fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol were identified as C24:6, C22:5, C22:6, C20:5, C20:0, C20:1, C18:0, C18:1, C16:0, C16:1, and C14:0 by FAB-MS data.     

Ripened dairy products differentially affect hepatic lipid content and adipose tissue oxidative stress markers in obese and type 2 diabetic mice

Growing evidence suggests that the consumption of dairy products may contribute to a reduced incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. The fatty acid composition in milk fat, the duration of ripening, and the complexity of the food matrices are important factors that may interfere with the physiological impact. In this study, we treated genetic obese and type 2 diabetic mice (db/db) for 4 weeks with different dairy (cheese-based) products, differing by the duration of ripening (0, 15, or 35 days). We found that 35 days ripened product significantly improved glucose tolerance, an effect associated with a decreased adipose tissue lipid peroxide markers (TBARS and NAPDH-oxidase mRNA expression), without affecting body weight, food intake, and fat mass. Both fermented matrices significantly decreased the hepatic lipid content, without modifying plasma triglycerides or plasma total cholesterol. These data suggest that dairy products issued from longer ripening positively impact glucose tolerance, hepatic steatosis, and adipose tissue oxidative stress. Further investigations are warranted to decipher the interactions between milk products fermentation, lipids, and host metabolism.     

Anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of naringenin in diabetic mice

Renal protective effects of naringenin at 0.5, 1, and 2% of the diet in diabetic mice were examined. Naringenin supplemented at 1 and 2% increased its deposit in liver and kidney of diabetic mice. Compared with the diabetic control group, naringenin treatments at 1 and 2% lowered plasma levels of glucose and blood urea nitrogen, as well as increased insulin level and creatinine clearance (P < 0.05). Naringenin treatments dose-dependently reduced renal tumor necrosis factor-α level and expression (P < 0.05) but only at 1 and 2% significantly decreased production and expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (P < 0.05). Naringenin intake at 2% decreased renal formation and expression of type IV collagen, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-β1 (P < 0.05). This compound at 1 and 2% lowered protein kinase C activity and suppressed nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 activity, mRNA expression, and protein production in kidney. However, this agent only at 2% diminished NF-κB p50 activity, mRNA expression, and protein production (P < 0.05). These results indicate that naringenin could attenuate diabetic nephropathy via its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities.     

岩藻黄质对人红白血病HEL细胞的凋亡作用及其机制

为探讨岩藻黄质对人红白血病HEL细胞株增殖抑制作用及其诱导凋亡机制,以岩藻黄质处理人红白血病细胞(HEL细胞),采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率,分析细胞周期,测定细胞线粒体膜电位,并应用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和Western blot法检测凋亡相关基因及蛋白表达的变化。结果表明,岩藻黄质呈剂量依赖性抑制HEL细胞增殖(P<0.01)。流式细胞术检测显示,岩藻黄质作用24 h后,HEL细胞早期和晚期凋亡的比率极显著增高(P<0.01),G₀/G₁细胞比例增多,S期和G₂/M期细胞比例减少,线粒体膜电位降低;岩藻黄质通过上调促凋亡基因和下调抑凋亡基因的表达引起细胞的凋亡,Bcl-xL蛋白的表达变化不显著(P >0.05),Bcl-2蛋白的表达下调,Caspase-3和Bax蛋白的表达极显著上调(P<0.01)。由此可见,岩藻黄质能诱导HEL细胞凋亡,这为新型抗白血病功能食品的开发及白血病的治疗提供了理论依据。     

Hypoglycemic effects of a phenolic acid fraction of rice bran and ferulic acid in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

Rice bran contains many phenolic acids, the most abundant of which is the antioxidant, ferulic acid (FA). We evaluated the hypoglycemic effects of a phenolic acid fraction (the ethyl acetate fraction, EAE) of rice bran and of FA in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. Type 2 diabetic mice were allocated to a control group, an EAE group, or an FA group. Animals were fed a modified AIN-76 diet, and EAE or FA was administered orally for 17 days. There was no significant difference in body weight gain between groups. Administration of EAE and FA significantly decreased blood glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels. EAE or FA groups had significantly elevated hepatic glycogen synthesis and glucokinase activity compared with the control group. Plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased by EAE and FA administration. These findings suggest that EAE and FA may be beneficial for treatment of type 2 diabetes because they regulate blood glucose levels by elevating glucokinase activity and production of glycogen in the liver.     

Fermentation and lactic acid addition enhance iron bioavailability of maize

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops for human consumption, yet it is of concern due to its low iron bioavailability. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of processing on iron bioavailability in common maize products and elucidate better processing techniques for enhancing iron bioavailability. Maize products were processed to represent different processing techniques: heating (porridge), fermentation (ogi), nixtamalization (tortillas), and decortication (arepas). Iron and phytate contents were evaluated. Iron bioavailability was assessed using the Caco-2 cell model. Phytate content of maize products was significantly reduced by decortication (25.6%, p = 0.003) and nixtamalization (15%, p = 0.03), and iron content was reduced by decortication (29.1%, p = 0.002). The relative bioavailability (RBA, compared to 100% bioavailability of porridge with FeSO4) of ogi was significantly higher than that of other products when fortified with FeSO4 (p < 0.001) or reduced iron (p < 0.001). Addition of lactic acid (6 mg/g of maize) significantly increased iron solubility and increased bioavailability by about 2-fold (p < 0.01), especially in tortillas. The consumer panel results showed that lactic acid addition does not significantly affect the organoleptic characteristics of tortillas and arepas (p = 0.166 and 0.831, respectively). The results suggest that fermentation, or the addition of small amounts of lactic acid to unfermented maize products, may significantly improve iron bioavailability. Lactic acid addition may be more feasible than the addition of highly bioavailable but expensive fortificants. This approach may be a novel means to increase the iron bioavailability of maize products to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia.     

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid can alter the surface expression of CD4 and CD8 on T cells in peripheral blood

The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on T cell states in peripheral blood was investigated. Weanling male C57Bl/6N mice were kept on one of three 10% fat diets containing various amounts of DHA and linoleic acid for 4 weeks. Changing the concentration of dietary DHA did not alter the proportion of T cells expressing CD4 or CD8. However, increasing the concentration of dietary DHA lowered the expression of CD4 and CD8 on the cell surface. The decreased expression of these surface molecules involved in T cell proliferation has serious implications in the role of DHA as an immunosuppressant.     

Dietary combination of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and pine nut oil prevents CLA-induced fatty liver in mice

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) strongly prevents fat accumulation in adipose tissue of mice, even if hepatic fat deposition and insulin resistance are concomitantly observed. This study investigated the possibility of maintaining the antiadiposity properties of CLA while preventing adverse effects such as liver steatosis and hyperinsulinemia. To this end, mice were divided into three groups and fed a standard diet (control) or a diet supplemented with 1% CLA (CLA) or a mixture of 1% CLA plus 7.5% pine nut oil (CLA + P). The combination of CLA + P preserved the CLA-mediated antiadiposity properties (70% fat reduction), preventing hepatic steatosis and a sharp increase in plasmatic insulin starting from the eighth week of CLA treatment. The assay of both fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in the CLA + P mice revealed a time-dependent biphasic behavior of the corresponding enzymatic activities. A sudden change in these metabolic events was indeed found at the eighth week. A strong correlation between the changes in key enzymes of lipid metabolism and in insulin levels apparently exists in CLA-fed mice. Furthermore, lower levels of lipids, in comparison to values found in CLA-fed mice, were observed in the liver and plasma of CLA + P-fed animals.     

氮元素对三角褐指藻岩藻黄素和油脂合成关键酶基因表达与代谢合成的影响

为阐明氮元素对微藻次生代谢积累和调控的影响,以三角褐指藻为试验材料,研究不同氮浓度[896(CK)、448、112、28和0 μmol·L^-1]处理对三角褐指藻细胞生长、岩藻黄素含量、油脂含量以及叶绿素a含量的影响,并对岩藻黄素-叶绿素蛋白复合体基因(FCPb)和酰基-酰基载体蛋白去饱和酶基因(FAB2)的表达进行实时荧光定量PCR分析。结果表明,氮限制极显著抑制了三角褐指藻细胞的生长和岩藻黄素的合成,但促进了油脂的合成。当氮浓度为112 μmol·L^-1时,三角褐指藻岩藻黄素含量最低(0.084 mg·g^-1DW),而油脂含量最高,较CK提高了1.36倍。叶绿素a与岩藻黄素含量变化趋势一致。相关性分析表明,氮限制条件下,三角褐指藻岩藻黄素含量与油脂含量显著相关(R²=0.998 8)。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,氮限制抑制了三角褐指藻中FCPb的表达,促进了FAB2的表达。综上,氮限制通过调控三角褐指藻岩藻黄素、油脂生物合成途径相关基因的表达影响了岩藻黄素和油脂的积累。本研究为进一步探究岩藻黄素与脂类物质代谢合成的关联性提供了一定的理论参考。     

Antidiabetic activity of Mung bean extracts in diabetic KK-Ay mice

The antidiabetic effects of Mung bean sprout (MBS) extracts and Mung bean seed coat (MBSC) extracts were investigated in type 2 diabetic mice. Male KK-A (y) mice and C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. In KK-A (y) mice, the blood glucose, plasma C-peptide, glucagon, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were significantly higher than those in the C57BL/6 mice ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). In addition, KK-A (y) mice showed an obvious decrease in insulin immunoreactivity in pancreas as well. MBS and MBSC were orally administrated to KK-A (y) mice for 5 weeks. It was found that MBS (2 g/kg) and MBSC (3 g/kg) lowered blood glucose, plasma C-peptide, glucagon, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and BUN levels and at the same time markedly improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin immunoreactive levels. These results suggest that MBS and MBSC exert an antidiabetic effect in type 2 diabetic mice.     

Residue addition and liming history interactively enhance mineralization of native organic carbon in acid soils

Lime application is the most common method to improve crop production in acid soils and has been shown to change soil organic C content. However, the impact of liming history on the priming effect on soil organic C is not well understood. This study examined the effect of liming history on C priming in response to the addition of crop residues of different qualities. Soils with pH ranging from 4.7 to 7.4 were collected from two adjacent field experiments whereby lime was applied at different rates, 6 and 35 years ago. A 90-day incubation study was conducted by applying ¹³C-labelled wheat (C/N 42) and field-pea (C/N 29) residues at a rate of 5 g kg^?1 soil. Residue application to soils yielded the positive priming effect in all pH levels with the magnitude of C priming being the greatest at initial soil pH 6.6. In comparison, the optimal pH for residue decomposition (7.3) was higher than that for priming. The overall priming effect was about 17% greater with field-pea than wheat residue. However, cumulative decomposition of added field-pea residue was 15% lower than that of wheat residue. Furthermore, C priming was greater in soils from the 35-year-old than the 6-year-old limed plots, indicating that a longer history of liming did not enhance the protection of indigenous C from mineralization. The results suggest that increases in soil pH by liming enhanced native C priming through greater microbial biomass and activity and that the magnitude and dynamics of the priming effect largely depended on residue quality and its consequent nutrient supply to decomposer organisms. The study implies that over-liming would likely have negative impacts on the long-term C sequestration.     

Antidiabetic effects of rice hull smoke extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

This study investigated the protective effect of a liquid rice hull smoke extract (RHSE) against diabetes in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Antidiabetic effects of RHSE were evaluated in both the rat insulinoma-1 cell line (INS-1) and diabetic ICR mice induced by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of alloxan. Alloxan treatment (10 mM) increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the INS-1 cells, which were inversely related to cell viabilities. RHSE inhibited alloxan-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation through inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and suppressed the inflammatory reaction in INS-1 cells through inhibition of expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Dietary administration of 0.5 or 1% RHSE to alloxan-induced diabetic mice caused a decrease in blood glucose and increases in both serum insulin and hepatic glycogen levels. RHSE induced decreases in glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) levels and an increase in the glucokinase (GCK) level. These changes resulted in restoring glucose-regulating enzyme levels to control values. Histopathology showed that alloxan also induced damage of Langerhans islet cells of the pancreas and liver necrosis associated with diabetes. Oral administration of RHSE restored the islet and liver cells to normal levels. RHSE-supplemented functional food could protect insulin-producing islet cells against damage triggered by oxidative stress and local inflammation associated with diabetes.     

乙酰水杨酸对三角褐指藻岩藻黄质含量的影响及其分子机理研究

为了研究不同浓度乙酰水杨酸(ASA)对三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin)细胞生长、岩藻黄质积累及岩藻黄质生物合成相关基因的表达水平的影响,通过分光光度计、高效液相色谱(HPLC)以及荧光定量PCR测定不同浓度ASA处理后的三角褐指藻的各项指标。结果表明,三角褐指藻的生长和岩藻黄质积累与ASA浓度密切相关。一定浓度的ASA抑制了三角褐指藻的细胞数量;岩藻黄质含量也随着ASA浓度的升高呈现先上升后下降的趋势,当ASA浓度为10 mg·L^-1时,岩藻黄质含量最高,达1.78 g·kg^-1 DW,为对照组的1.9倍。在不同浓度ASA诱导下,与岩藻黄质生物合成途径有关的PSY、PDS、ZDS、CRTISO、LCYB和ZEP基因表达均上调,当ASA浓度为10 mg·L^-1时,相关基因的表达量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。主成分分析(PCA)结果表明,PSY、PDS、ZDS、CRTISO、LCYB和ZEP基因与岩藻黄质积累具有相关性,其中,ZEP基因对岩藻黄质生物合成贡献率最高。综...     

不同腐殖酸复合肥施用量对辣椒产量及其养分利用率的影响

试验研究不同腐殖酸复合肥施用量对辣椒产量及其养分利用率的影响结果表明 ,随施肥量的增加而辣椒叶片N、P、K累积量逐渐增大 ,果实N、P、K累积量呈二次抛物线趋势变化 ,且施肥量过大时不利于营养元素向果实中的转移。肥料生产效率及N、P、K养分利用率均随施肥量的增大而降低 ,肥料对辣椒产量的贡献率以及辣椒产量随施肥量的变化与辣椒果实营养元素累积量变化趋势相一致     

鹅肝酱中脂肪酸检测方法的研究

为了优化鹅肥肝及鹅肝酱中脂肪酸的检测方法,通过比较脂肪酸甲酯化的5种不同处理方法,得到了较优的样品处理方法。该方法为盐酸甲酯化,样品用15 mL氯仿∶甲醇(2∶1)提取脂肪,再用15 mL 1 mol/L KOH-乙醇皂化,在皂化物加入30 mL 4％盐酸-甲醇溶液甲酯化,得到甲酯化样品。该方法甲酯化较完全,操作可行。