Metabolic and transcriptional regulation of phenolic conversion and tocopherol biosynthesis during germination of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds.

This study aims to evaluate the changes in phenolic acids, lignans and tocopherols of sesame seeds during 0-6 days of germination by monitoring the activities of phenolic metabolism-related enzymes and the expression of key genes in the tocopherol synthesis pathway. Sesamol, which is the most active lignan antioxidant, greatly increased, and most of the phenolic acid contents increased to varying degrees after germination. Correspondingly, the related enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL), were activated. Germination also promoted the conversion of γ-tocopherol to α-tocopherol with the expression of related genes changed. Additionally, there was a high correlation between the tocopherol content and the relative expression levels of key genes. The germination process also increased the bio-accessibility of lignans and tocopherols. Therefore, germination can be utilized to improve the nutritional value of sesame-related products.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside alleviates hepatic lipid metabolic misalignment involving the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial axis.

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) has positive effects on obesity and its complications. We investigated the effects and mechanism of SDG on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced hepatic lipid metabolic disorders. Supplementation with 40 mg kg-1 d-1 SDG for 12 weeks significantly reduced the body weight and the ratio of liver and adipose tissue to body weight in HFFD-fed mice. Serum and hepatic TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels became normalized, and hepatic lipid metabolic disorders lessened because of the downregulation of lipid synthesis genes and upregulation of lipid oxidation genes. SDG also alleviated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the ER stress factors Bip, IRE1α, Xbp1, Atf6, Perk, and Chop and mitochondrial function-related genes Cox5b, Cox7a1, Cox8b, and Cycs. Results with HepG2 cells confirmed that SDG regulated lipid metabolic disorders by the ER stress-Ca2+-mitochondrial-associated pathway. Our study provides a strategy for the treatment of obesity and its related comorbidities.

Encapsulation of lycopene within oil-in-water nanoemulsions using lactoferrin: Impact of carrier oils on physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility.

The influence of physicochemical properties of carrier oils on nanoemulsion stability and the bioaccessibility of lycopene were studied. Lycopene-loaded nanoemulsions were prepared by using sesame oil, linseed oil or walnut oil as the oil phase and lactoferrin as the emulsifier. The stability was investigated by particle size, zeta potential, pH sensitivity, thermal stability and lycopene retention. Results showed that the stability was positively correlated with oil density but negatively related to oil viscosity and unsaturation degree; the lycopene nanoemulsion prepared by sesame oil exhibited greater stability and a slower degradation rate of lycopene compared to the other nanoemulsions. In addition, the lycopene retention in sesame oil-nanoemulsions was significantly higher during the first three weeks of storage. The bioaccessibility of lycopene, as measured by a simulated gastrointestinal model, was greatly improved in the nanoemulsion system. The lycopene bioaccessibility was around 25% in sesame oil- and linseed oil-nanoemulsions, and 18% in walnut oil-nanoemulsions, showing a similar trend with their stability. This information may facilitate the design of more efficacious lycopene-fortified delivery systems.

Resveratrol Maintains Lipid Metabolism Homeostasis via One of the Mechanisms Associated with the Key Circadian Regulator Bmal1.

Resveratrol (RES) possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, and it can prevent liver lipid metabolism disorders in obese and diabetic individuals. This study elucidated the mechanisms of brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 (Bmal1) in the protective effects of RES against liver lipid metabolism disorders. The results indicated that RES ameliorated free fatty acid (FFA)-induced (oleic acid (OA): palmitic acid (PA) = 2:1) glycolipid metabolic disorders in hepatocytes. Simultaneously, RES partially reverted the relatively shallow daily oscillations of FFA-induced circadian clock gene transcription and protein expression in HepG2 cells. RES also attenuated FFA-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) secretion and restored mitochondrial membrane potential consumption, as well as the restoration of mitochondrial respiratory complex expression. This study provides compelling evidence that RES controls intracellular lipid metabolic imbalance in a Bmal1-dependent manner. Overall, RES may serve as a promising natural nutraceutical for the regulation of lipid metabolic disorders relevant to the circadian clock.

Formation and Characterization of Lactoferrin-Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates and Their Effects on the Storage Stability of Sesamol Emulsions.

The purpose of this study was to fabricate biopolymer conjugates from lactoferrin (LF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and then to investigate their potential as emulsifiers for forming sesamol-loaded emulsions. Initially, LF-HA covalent conjugates were formed using the carbodiimide coupling method in aqueous solutions at pH = 4.5, and then the nature of the conjugates was investigated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results demonstrated the formation of an amide link between the amine groups of LF and the carboxyl groups of HA. Sesamol emulsions were prepared using the LF-HA conjugates as emulsifiers and their stability was determined. The conjugates improved both the physical and chemical stability of the emulsions during storage. Optimum stability of the emulsion was obtained at a LF-to-HA molar ratio of 2:1. Our results suggest that LF-HA conjugates may be effective emulsifiers for use in food stuffs and other applications.

Preservation of Cichoric Acid Antioxidant Properties Loaded in Heat Treated Lactoferrin Nanoparticles.

In the current research, a new cichoric acid (CA) encapsulation system was investigated. The optimal condition for the formation of lactoferrin-cichoric acid nanoparticles (LF-CA NPs) was determined by controlling the solution pH, the thermal treatment conditions, and the concentration of CA. Fluorescence indicated that the electrostatic force and the hydrophobic force were the main forces in the formation of LF-CA NPs. LF-CA NPs prepared under different conditions were spherical in shape with smaller particle sizes and good zeta potential demonstrating good colloidal stability. Especially, the prepared particle size of the LF-CA NPs at pH 7 and 95 °C was about 67.20 ± 1.86 nm. The circular dichroism (CD) and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that the combination of LF (lactoferrin) and CA affected the secondary structure of the LF. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of CA increased the thermal stability of LF. In vitro antioxidant experiments confirmed the antioxidant capacity of LF-CA NPs was better than CA. CA was successfully encapsulated into LF NPs with high encapsulated efficiency (97.87⁻99.87%) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results showed that LF could be used as the wall material of CA with excellent nature.