The Effect of Apple-Derived Nanovesicles on the Osteoblastogenesis of Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and elevated structural deterioration of the bone tissue, resulting in bone weakness with an increased risk of fracture. Considering biological activities of various phytochemicals extracted from apples, we herein demonstrated the potential antiosteoporotic effects of apple-derived nanovesicles (apple NVs) using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Apple NVs significantly stimulated the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells. The cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly upregulated in the 5 µg/mL apple NVs-treated group. In addition, the concentrarion of mineralized nodules was significantly increased in the apple NVs-treated groups. Furthermore, apple NVs increased the expression of the genes and proteins associated with osteoblast growth and differentiation, such as Runx2, ALP, OPN, and BMP2/4, which further activated ERK- and JNK-related mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. These results demonstrate that apple NVs have a potential to prevent osteoporosis by promoting osteoblastogenesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells through regulating the BMP2/Smad1 pathways.

Ellagic Acid Prevents Binge Alcohol-Induced Leaky Gut and Liver Injury through Inhibiting Gut Dysbiosis and Oxidative Stress.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major liver disease worldwide and can range from simple steatosis or inflammation to fibrosis/cirrhosis, possibly through leaky gut and systemic endotoxemia. Many patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) die within 60 days after clinical diagnosis due to the lack of an approved drug, and thus, synthetic and/or dietary agents to prevent ASH and premature deaths are urgently needed. We recently reported that a pharmacologically high dose of pomegranate extract prevented binge alcohol-induced gut leakiness and hepatic inflammation by suppressing oxidative and nitrative stress. Herein, we investigate whether a dietary antioxidant ellagic acid (EA) contained in many fruits, including pomegranate and vegetables, can protect against binge alcohol-induced leaky gut, endotoxemia, and liver inflammation. Pretreatment with a physiologically-relevant dose of EA for 14 days significantly reduced the binge alcohol-induced gut barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia, and inflammatory liver injury in mice by inhibiting gut dysbiosis and the elevated oxidative stress and apoptosis marker proteins. Pretreatment with EA significantly prevented the decreased amounts of gut tight junction/adherent junction proteins and the elevated gut leakiness in alcohol-exposed mice. Taken together, our results suggest that EA could be used as a dietary supplement for alcoholic hepatitis patients.

Improvement of the chemical recycling process of waste carbon fibre reinforced plastics using a mechanochemical process: Influence of process parameters.

We present the experimental results of an optimal recycling method for waste carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) that is based on the application of a set of unit mechanochemical processes. The objectives of this study were to highlight the influence of process factors that are inherent in the chemical recycling process of waste CFRP. We investigated the influence of the soaking period, the application of a catalyst and impurities on the recycling process and recovery efficiency of the waste CFRP. Different combinations of the unit mechanochemical processes were investigated, and the effectiveness of the combination was analysed. The chemical recycling process was conducted using benzyl alcohol under ordinary pressure at initial solvent temperatures lower/equivalent to its flash point temperature. Experimental results showed that the solvent temperature increased up to boiling temperature levels when the mechanochemical process was initiated, thereby enhancing the mechanochemical process. The presence of impurities did not influence the recovery rate. Likewise, this experimental study highlighted the importance of accounting for the soaking period during the chemical recycling process: an extended soaking period resulted in a higher recovery rate, a lower portion of undissolved solids and recovered fibres of better quality. This research highlighted the significance of choosing the proper combination for the chemical recycling process as well as the benefits of recycling the waste CFRP with negligible application of the catalyst.