The Ameliorative Effects of Fucoidan in Thioacetaide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

Liver disorders have been recognized as one major health concern. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the brown seaweed Fucus serratus, has previously been reported as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the discovery and validation of its hepatoprotective properties and elucidation of its mechanisms of action are still unknown. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect and possible modes of action of a treatment of fucoidan against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in male C57BL/6 mice by serum biochemical and histological analyses. The mouse model for liver damage was developed by the administration of TAA thrice a week for six weeks. The mice with TAA-induced liver injury were orally administered fucoidan once a day for 42 days. The treated mice showed significantly higher body weights; food intakes; hepatic antioxidative enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)); and a lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Additionally, a reduced hepatic IL-6 level and a decreased expression of inflammatory-related genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was observed. These results demonstrated that fucoidan had a hepatoprotective effect on liver injury through the suppression of the inflammatory responses and acting as an antioxidant. In addition, here, we validated the use of fucoidan against liver disorders with supporting molecular data.

Quinolone and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Bivalves and Their Associated Risks in Taiwan.

Bivalves, such as freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria), are the most extensive and widely grown shellfish in land-based ponds in Taiwan. However, few studies have examined the contamination of bivalves by quinolone and organophosphorus insecticides. Thus, we adapted an established procedure to analyze 8 quinolones and 12 organophosphorus insecticides using liquid and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Surveys in Taiwan have not noted high residual levels of these chemicals in bivalve tissues. A total of 58 samples of freshwater or hard clams were obtained from Taiwanese aquafarms. We identified 0.03 mg/kg of enrofloxacin in one freshwater clam, 0.024 mg/kg of flumequine in one freshwater clam, 0.02 mg/kg of flumequine in one hard clam, 0.05 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one freshwater clam, 0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one hard clam, and 0.02 mg/kg of trichlorfon in one hard clam. The results indicated that 5.17% of the samples had quinolone insecticide residues and 5.17% had organophosphorus residues. However, the estimated daily intake (EDI)/acceptable daily intake quotient (ADI) indicated no significant risk and no immediate health risk from the consumption of bivalves. These results provide a reference for the food-safety screening of veterinary drugs and pesticides in aquatic animals. Aquatic products should be frequently screened for residues of prohibited chemicals to safeguard human health.

Doxepin Exacerbates Renal Damage, Glucose Intolerance, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Urinary Chromium Loss in Obese Mice.

Doxepin is commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety treatment. Doxepin-related disruptions to metabolism and renal/hepatic adverse effects remain unclear; thus, the underlying mechanism of action warrants further research. Here, we investigated how doxepin affects lipid change, glucose homeostasis, chromium (Cr) distribution, renal impairment, liver damage, and fatty liver scores in C57BL6/J mice subjected to a high-fat diet and 5 mg/kg/day doxepin treatment for eight weeks. We noted that the treated mice had higher body, kidney, liver, retroperitoneal, and epididymal white adipose tissue weights; serum and liver triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels; daily food efficiency; and liver lipid regulation marker expression. They also demonstrated exacerbated insulin resistance and glucose intolerance with lower Akt phosphorylation, GLUT4 expression, and renal damage as well as higher reactive oxygen species and interleukin 1 and lower catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels. The treated mice had a net-negative Cr balance due to increased urinary excretion, leading to Cr mobilization, delaying hyperglycemia recovery. Furthermore, they had considerably increased fatty liver scores, paralleling increases in adiponectin, FASN, PNPLA3, FABP4 mRNA, and SREBP1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, doxepin administration potentially worsens renal injury, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes.

Analysis of persistent organochlorine pesticides in shellfish and their risk assessment from aquafarms in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria) are the most frequently raised shellfish in land-based pond aquaculture, but research on the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in these shellfish is limited. We detected the levels of 14 OCPs in 62 shellfish from Taiwanese aquafarms by performing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. OCP residues were detected in 4.84% of the samples including readings of 0.04 mg/kg chlordane (in a freshwater clam), 0.03 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a freshwater clam), and 0.02 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a hard clam). However, the associated estimated daily intake values were less than the acceptable daily intake levels of chlordane and p,p'-DDE Therefore, the consumption of these shellfish presents no immediate health risks. Our findings contribute to food safety and serve as a reference for OCP screenings for aquatic shellfish.