High temperature self-assembly one-step synthesis of a structurally ordered PtFe catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Herein, we present a high-temperature self-assembly strategy that directly allows the transformation of adsorbed Pt(NH3)42+ and Fe3+ sources into structurally ordered face-centered tetragonal (fct)-PtFe alloy NPs (2.6 ± 0.2 nm) by integrating reduction and phase transformation. The small-size and ordered atomic arrangement of the fct-PtFe alloy NPs, together with their robust NC protective shell, make these NPs exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Pulp Phenolic Extract Provides Protection against Alcoholic Liver Injury in Mice by Alleviating Intestinal Microbiota Dysbiosis, Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, and Liver Inflammation.

Liver injury is the most common consequence of alcohol abuse, which is promoted by the inflammatory response triggered by gut-derived endotoxins produced as a consequence of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether modulation of intestinal microbiota and barrier function, and liver inflammation contributes to the hepatoprotective effect of lychee pulp phenolic extract (LPPE) in alcohol-fed mice. Mice were treated with an ethanol-containing liquid diet alone or in combination with LPPE for 8 weeks. LPPE supplementation alleviated ethanol-induced liver injury and downregulated key markers of inflammation. Moreover, LPPE supplementation reversed the ethanol-induced alteration of intestinal microbiota composition and increased the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, mucus protecting proteins, and antimicrobial proteins. Furthermore, in addition to decreasing serum endotoxin level, LPPE supplementation suppressed CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 expression, and repressed the activation of nuclear factor-κB p65 in the liver. These data suggest that intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and liver inflammation are improved by LPPE, and therefore, the intake of LPPE or Litchi pulp may be an effective strategy to alleviate the susceptibility to alcohol-induced hepatic diseases.

Comparison in toxicity and solubilizing capacity of hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin with different degree of substitution.

Hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) has been widely used as an effective solubilizing agent in pharmaceutical industry for many years. However, the effect of degree of substitution (D.S.) of HP-ß-CD on solubilizing capacity and toxicity has not been concerned. In this study, solubilizing capacity of HP-ß-CDs with three different D.S. (4.55, 6.16 and 7.76) for 16 drugs were measured and their toxicities were compared by a 7-day i.v. administration (q.d.) study in rats. Generally, HP-ß-CD with high D.S. (7.76) showed weaker solubilizing capacity for steroids and BCS class II drugs, but lower hemolytic activity, compared with that of HP-ß-CD with low (4.55) or medium (6.16) D.S. HP-ß-CD with low D.S. resulted in more changes in hematological and biochemical parameters, but the effects were reversible after a 7-day recovery. Moreover, HP-ß-CD with medium D.S. may have slightly greater nephrotoxicity than the other two HP-ß-CDs. HP-ß-CDs with different D.S. had similar urine excretion percentage after i.v. administration and none of them was found to affect glomerular filtration function of rats. The results suggest that HP-ß-CD with low D.S. would be a better choice considering both the solubilizing capacity and toxicity. However, comparison in toxicity of HP-ß-CDs with different D.S. should be carried out in human in view of its species-dependence property.