Wakame and Nori in Restructured Meats Included in Cholesterol-enriched Diets Affect the Antioxidant Enzyme Gene Expressions and Activities in Wistar Rats

The effects of diets including restructured meats (RM) containing Wakame or Nori on total liver glutathione status, and several antioxidant enzyme gene expressions and activities were tested. Six groups of ten male growing Wistar rats each were fed a mix of 85% AIN-93 M diet and 15% freeze-dried RM for 35 days. The control group (C) consumed control RM, the Wakame (W) and the Nori (N) groups, RM with 5% Wakame and 5% Nori, respectively. Animals on added cholesterol diets (CC, CW, and CN) consumed their corresponding basal diets added with cholesterol (2%) and cholic acid (0.4%). Alga and dietary cholesterol significantly interact (P < 0.002) influencing all enzyme expressions but not activities. The cholesterol supplement decreased most enzyme expression and activity. W-RM vs. C-RM increased (P < 0.05) expression of GPx, GR, Mn-SOD, and Cu,Zn-SOD and decreased that of catalase. N-RM vs. C-RM increased (P < 0.05) expression of catalase and Mn-SOD. GR activity increased in W-RM rats while SOD activity increased, but that of Se-GPx decreased in N animals. W-RM increased total and reduced glutathione and decreased the redox index. CN diet induced significantly lower plasma cholesterol levels (P < 0.001) than the CW diet. In conclusion, Nori-RM is a hypocholesterolemic food while Wakame-RM is an antioxidant food. This should be taken into account when including this kind of RM as potential functional foods in human.     

过量锰处理对柱花草次级代谢物、酶活性和SgPALs基因表达的影响

以热研二号（RY2）柱花草为材料,分析过量锰处理（100~600 μmol/L）对柱花草生长、次级代谢物、多酚氧化酶（PPO）、苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）及SgPALs基因表达的影响,探讨金属锰毒害对柱花草次级代谢途径的影响。结果表明：相对对照锰（5 μmol/L）处理,400、600 μmol/L锰处理显著抑制柱花草叶片叶绿素浓度、最大光化合速率（F_v/F_m）、地上部和根部生物量。随着外源锰处理浓度（100~600 μmol/L）的增加,叶片原花青素、总酚和单宁含量呈现出逐渐增加的趋势,而叶片类黄酮含量逐渐降低。此外,400、600 μmol/L锰处理显著增加叶片PAL酶活性,但对PPO活性影响不明显。定量PCR结果表明,过量锰处理对SgPAL1和SgPAL2基因表达影响不明显,但过量锰处理增强了SgPAL3和SgPAL4基因在柱花草叶片中的表达。以上结果说明,柱花草可能通过苯丙氨酸途径调控次级代谢响应金属锰毒胁迫,且SgPAL3和SgPAL4基因可能参与该响应过程。研究结果为探索柱花草响应金属锰毒胁迫机理提供重要依据。     

Antihyperglycemic,Antioxidant and Antiglycation Activities of Mulberry Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Chronic Diabetic Rats

In Thailand, beverages containing mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.) are believed to promote good health, especially in people with diabetes. We examined the effects of long-term administration of an ethanolic extract of mulberry leaf (MA) on blood glucose, oxidative damage, and glycation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Daily administration of 1 g/kg MA for six weeks decreased blood glucose by 22%, which was comparable to the effect of 4 U/kg insulin. Lipid peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide concentrations (3.50 ± 0.33 and 3.76 ± 0.18 μM, respectively) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to nontreated control diabetic rats (8.19 ± 0.45 and 7.50 ± 0.46 μM, respectively). Hemoglobin A_1C, a biomarker for chronic exposure to high concentration of glucose, was also significantly decreased in the MA-treated group (6.78 ± 0.30%) in comparison to untreated group (9.02 ± 0.30%). The IC₅₀ of in vitro antiglycation and free radical scavenging activities of MA were 16.4 ± 5.6 μg/ml and 61.7 ± 2.1 μg/ml, respectively. These findings support that long-term administration of MA has antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antiglycation effects in chronic diabetic rats, which may be beneficial as food supplement for diabetics.     

增氧处理对稻田土壤微生物量碳、氮和酶活性的影响

【目的】探讨增氧方式对稻田土壤微生物量碳、氮和土壤酶活性的影响。【方法】以中旱221(旱稻)、中浙优8号(水稻)和IR45765-3B(深水稻)为材料,研究微纳米气泡水增氧灌溉、干湿交替灌溉、淹水灌溉对稻田土壤微生物量碳、氮,土壤氮代谢作用强度和土壤氮素转化相关酶活性的影响。【结果】微纳米气泡水增氧灌溉和干湿交替灌溉可以显著提高稻田土壤微生物生物量碳、氮,中旱221、中浙优8号和IR45765-3B的增氧处理较淹水灌溉处理微生物生物量碳、氮分别增加了30.0%~46.1%和7.1%~92.1%,并且增氧处理降低了3个水稻品种的微生物量碳氮比;与淹水灌溉相比,微纳米气泡水增氧灌溉和干湿交替灌溉有助于提高稻田土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶、蛋白酶、羟胺还原酶活性,降低硝酸还原酶活性和亚硝酸还原酶活性。【结论】微纳米气泡水增氧灌溉和干湿交替灌溉改善稻田土壤的氧化特性,提高土壤酶活性、微生物量碳、氮和硝化强度,有助于改善土壤环境和肥力状况,协调了C、N代谢的平衡。     

Effects of Different Sources of Fructans on Body Weight,Blood Metabolites and Fecal Bacteria in Normal and Obese non-diabetic and Diabetic Rats

Fructans contribute significantly to dietary fiber with beneficial effects on gastrointestinal physiology in healthy individuals and offer a promising approach to treating some diseases. Two experiments (Experiment 1 = rats with normal weight; Experiment 2 = obese rats) were developed to compare the effects of three fructan sources (Cichorium intybus L. Asteraceae, Helianthus tuberosus L. Asteraceae and Agave angustifolia ssp. tequilana Haw, Agavaceae) on body weight change, blood metabolites and fecal bacteria in non-diabetic (ND) and diabetic (D) rats. In Experiment 1 total body weight gain and daily feed intake in D and ND rats decreased (P < 0.05) with supplements of fructan. Only in D rats, blood glucose concentrations, fecal Clostrodium spp. counts, and liver steatosis decreased, while blood HDL concentrations and fecal Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts increased due to fructans. In Experiment 2, total body weight gain and feed intake in ND and D rats were also decreased by fructans. In ND rats, fructan decreased blood glucose concentrations. In D rats, fructans from A. angustifolia ssp. tequilana decreased blood cholesterol and LDL and liver steatosis. For both ND and D rats, fecal Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts were higher (P < 0.05) with fructan supplements.     

荔枝果皮褐变过程中膜脂过氧化及相关酶活性变化的比较研究

以紫娘喜、无核荔枝、小丁香等3个海南主栽荔枝品种为试材,研究了室温贮藏过程中果皮褐变与膜脂过氧化及有关酶活性变化的关系,结果表明,随着贮藏时间延长,3个品种果皮都表现出褐变指数上升,丙二醛(MDA)含量升高,质膜透性增大,抗坏血酸氧化酶(APX)活性下降,脂氧合酶(LOX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性先升后降。但紫娘喜褐变最慢,无核荔枝褐变最快。耐贮的紫娘喜MDA含量、质膜透性及LOX活性较不耐贮的无核荔枝要低,GR活性较不耐贮藏的无核荔枝高。除GR活性外,无核荔枝其余指标变化幅度大于紫娘喜。不同品种果皮褐变进程差异与LOX活性变化、活性氧清除途径及质膜破坏进程差异有关。     

干旱胁迫对中粒种咖啡幼苗膜脂过氧化、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量的影响

以苗龄约8个月的中粒种咖啡袋育苗为材料,测定3种干旱胁迫强度下咖啡幼苗叶片的生理指标变化,旨在了解其对干旱胁迫的生理响应。结果表明:在轻度干旱胁迫下(土壤相对含水量为55%~60%),与对照相比,中粒种咖啡幼苗叶片的可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性极显著增加,而丙二醛(MDA)含量和相对电导率没有显著变化。但在中度干旱或重度干旱胁迫下(土壤相对含水量为40%~45%或25%~30%),可溶性蛋白含量、SOD、POD、CAT活性显著或极显著减少,而可溶性糖、脯氨酸的积累减缓,MDA含量和相对电导率迅速上升。在适度干旱胁迫下,中粒种咖啡幼苗可通过提高抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节能力来增强其对干旱胁迫的耐性。     

稻田冬季保护性耕作条件下的土壤酶活性与水稻成熟期叶片衰老和籽粒产量之间的关系

 为研究稻田冬季保护性耕作不同种植模式对土壤酶活性以及水稻成熟期叶片衰老的影响, 设计了5种种植模式：免耕直播稻草全程覆盖马铃薯（T1）、免耕直播黑麦草（T2）、免耕直播油菜（T3）、免耕直播燕麦草（T4）和空闲（CK）,供试品种为杂交组合国稻6号。与对照（CK）相比,T1、T2和T3处理均可显著提高土壤蛋白酶、中性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶以及转化酶活性,尤其是T1处理,其土壤酶活性明显高于其他处理,而T4处理与对照相比,差异不明显。T1、T2和T3处理均可有效延缓水稻成熟期剑叶的衰老,主要表现为成熟期剑叶中的超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶活性、可溶性蛋白质和叶绿素含量下降缓慢,丙二醛含量上升的幅度较小,相对于对照（CK）,差异均达显著水平。在本试验条件下,土壤酶对水稻叶片衰老的影响程度依次为蛋白酶>过氧化氢酶>中性磷酸酶>转化酶。叶片衰老对水稻产量的影响主要表现在灌浆中后期。     

武夷山市有机茶发展现状、优势、问题及对策

本文分析武夷山市有机茶生产现状、优势、存在的问题,并提出扶持龙头企业,提高有机茶生产组织化程度;建立有机茶安全生产可追溯系统;强化生态保护,提高对有机茶的认知水平等武夷山市有机茶产业发展对策。     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Organic and Conventional <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> L.: A Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition and Physiological,Biochemical and Toxicological Effects in Wistar Rats

Differentiation between organic and conventional coffee has increased due to the growing demand and high consumption of healthy foods that contain compounds with antioxidant potential, which have been associated with the reduction of chronic diseases. We used organic and conventional coffee in powder 4% (w/w) and infusions 5%, 10% and 20% (w/v) incorporated in a commercial diet to test in vivo. The levels of chlorogenic acid, caffeine and trigonelline were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The body weight, weight gain, food consumption, aberrant foci crypt, mucin depleted foci, stress biomarkers protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde, biochemical parameters and behavior of the rats were compared between the experimental and control groups within a framework of colon carcinogenesis. The organic coffee showed higher levels of chlorogenic acid, caffeine and trigonelline than conventional, however, this difference did not significantly affect behavior. The infusions had an antioxidant effect, reducing the levels of malondialdehyde; however, the biochemical parameters of the serum were not altered, and there was neither induction nor prevention of preneoplasic lesions.     

Absorption,Distribution and Elimination of Carnosic Acid,A Natural Antioxidant from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus officinalis</Emphasis>, in Rats

The absorption, distribution and elimination of carnosic acid, the main antioxidant found in rosemary was studied, in vivo, in rats. Therefore, carnosic acid was administrated in a single dose, intravenously (20.5 ± 4.2 mg/kg) and orally (64.3 ± 5.8 mg/kg), to four and nine rats, respectively. Blood samples were collected at different time points, and plasma concentrations of carnosic acid were determined using LC-MS. Furthermore, total collection of urine and feces was done during 4 h and 24 h for the intravenous and oral administrations, respectively. After euthanizing the rats, intestinal content, liver and muscle tissue were sampled to determine carnosic acid concentrations. The bioavailability of carnosic acid, after 360 min, was 40.1%. Traces of carnosic acid were found in the rats intestinal content, liver and muscle tissue of abdomen and legs. The recovery of carnosic acid in the feces, 24 h after oral administration, was 15.6 ± 8.2%. Carnosic acid is absorbed into the bloodstream after oral administration in rats and is therefore bioavailable. It was found that carnosic acid in vivo is present in its free form and that its main elimination route is the fecal route.