Chitin Research Revisited

Two centuries after the discovery of chitin, it is widely accepted that this biopolymer is an important biomaterial in many aspects. Numerous studies on chitin have focused on its biomedical applications. In this review, various aspects of chitin research including sources, structure, biosynthesis, chitinolytic enzyme, chitin binding protein, genetic engineering approach to produce chitin, chitin and evolution, and a wide range of applications in bio- and nanotechnology will be dealt with.     

An Overview of the Medical Applications of Marine Skeletal Matrix Proteins

In recent years, the medicinal potential of marine organisms has attracted increasing attention. This is due to their immense diversity and adaptation to unique ecological niches that has led to vast physiological and biochemical diversification. Among these organisms, marine calcifiers are an abundant source of novel proteins and chemical entities that can be used for drug discovery. Studies of the skeletal organic matrix proteins of marine calcifiers have focused on biomedical applications such as the identification of growth inducing proteins that can be used for bone regeneration, for example, 2/4 bone morphogenic proteins (BMP). Although a few reports on the functions of proteins derived from marine calcifiers can be found in the literature, marine calcifiers themselves remain an untapped source of proteins for the development of innovative pharmaceuticals. Following an overview of the current knowledge of skeletal organic matrix proteins from marine calcifiers, this review will focus on various aspects of marine skeletal protein research including sources, biosynthesis, structures, and possible strategies for chemical or physical modification. Special attention will be given to potential medical applications and recent discoveries of skeletal proteins and polysaccharides with biologically appealing characteristics. In addition, I will introduce an effective protocol for sample preparation and protein purification that includes isolation technology for biopolymers (of both soluble and insoluble organic matrices) from coralline algae. These algae are a widespread but poorly studied group of shallow marine calcifiers that have great potential for marine drug discovery.     

茯砖茶对小鼠肠道免疫功能调节作用的研究

探讨了茯砖茶水提物对小鼠肠道免疫功能的调整作用。试验以注射用氨苄青霉素灌胃建立小鼠肠道菌群失调及免疫功能紊乱模型。昆明小鼠随机分6组,正常对照组、自然恢复组、模型组和茯砖茶高、中、低剂量组,分别进行肠道菌群检测、小肠黏液sIgA的测定、血清中IL-2的测定、血清白蛋白和总蛋白含量检测以及回肠切片病理检测。结果表明,注射用氨苄青霉素灌胃5 d小鼠,肠道菌群失调,小肠黏液sIgA、血清中IL-2、血清白蛋白和总蛋白均较正常组降低,回肠组织切片明显病变。分别灌服茯砖茶水提物后,肠道菌群得以调整,小肠黏液sIgA、血清中IL-2、血清白蛋白和总蛋白均有所升高,且与自然恢复组比具有显著性差异。各治疗组之间比较,高剂量组疗效优于低剂量组。说明茯砖茶水提物能修复受损黏膜,有调节肠道免疫功能的作用。     

Prebiotics from Marine Macroalgae for Human and Animal Health Applications

The marine environment is an untapped source of bioactive compounds. Specifically, marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are rich in polysaccharides that could potentially be exploited as prebiotic functional ingredients for both human and animal health applications. Prebiotics are non-digestible, selectively fermented compounds that stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial gut microbiota which, in turn, confer health benefits on the host. This review will introduce the concept and potential applications of prebiotics, followed by an outline of the chemistry of seaweed polysaccharides. Their potential for use as prebiotics for both humans and animals will be highlighted by reviewing data from both in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date.     

The Algal Meroterpene 11-Hydroxy-1′-O-Methylamentadione Ameloriates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex class of immune disorders. Unfortunately, a treatment for total remission has not yet been found, while the use of natural product-based therapies has emerged as a promising intervention. The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the algal meroterpene 11-hydroxy-1′-O-methylamentadione (AMT-E) in a murine model of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis. AMT-E was orally administered daily (1, 10, and 20 mg/kg animal) to DSS treated mice (3% w/v) for 7 days. AMT-E prevented body weight loss and colon shortening and effectively attenuated the extent of the colonic damage. Similarly, AMT-E increased mucus production and reduced myeloperoxidase activity (marker for anti-inflammatory activity). Moreover, the algal meroterpene decreased the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 levels, and caused a significant reduction of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Our results demonstrate the protective effects of AMT-E on experimental colitis, provide an insight of the underlying mechanisms of this compound, and suggest that this class of marine natural products might be an interesting candidate for further studies on the prevention/treatment of IBD.     

海洋放线菌F-1013对几丁质的利用及其发酵液的优化

研究了分离自海洋虾壳的一株放线菌F-1013对几丁质的利用及其发酵液的优化。结果表明：该菌具有较高的几丁酶活力。通过对该菌发酵液的筛选和优化,认为该菌在pH8-9、5%的虾壳粉培养液中发酵5-7d,甲壳低聚糖含量达到0.3mg.mL-1,产菌量优于其他基质的培养基。