Algal Oil Mitigates Sodium Taurocholate-Induced Pancreatitis by Alleviating Calcium Overload, Oxidative Stress, and NF-κB Activation in Pancreatic Acinar Cells.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in pancreatic acinar cells. Algal oil (AO) has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to explore the effects of algal oil on the microenvironment of AP. Rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells were pretreated with AO containing 0, 50, 100, or 150 µM of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 2 h prior to AP induction using sodium taurocholate (STC). After 1 h of STC treatment, AR42J cells exhibited a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and the production of amylase, lipase, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. These STC-induced increases were markedly reduced in cells pretreated with AO. In comparison to cells without AO, those treated with a high dose of AO before STC exposure demonstrated a significant increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, STC-activated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was attenuated in AO-pretreated cells, as evidenced by a significant decrease in activated NF-κB. In conclusion, AO may prevent damage to pancreatic acinar cells by alleviating intracellular Ca2+ overload, mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, reducing oxidative stress, and attenuating NF-κB-targeted inflammation.

Diverse effects of parenteral arginine on systemic and local oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and nitrosative stress in rats with subacute peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of arginine on oxidative stress have been previously reported; however, excess production of nitric oxide, an arginine metabolite, may cause hemodynamic instability and inflammatory response. Previous studies have demonstrated that parenteral arginine levels at 2%-4% of total calories may alleviate inflammation and enhance immunity, whereas greater than 6% of total calories may have adverse effects in rats with subacute peritonitis. Herein, we investigated the effects of parenteral arginine dose on lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activities in the plasma and organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats with cecal puncture-induced subacute peritonitis were infused with parenteral nutrition solutions containing 1.61% (CP group), 2.85% (LA group), 4.08% (MA group), and 6.54% (HA group) of total calories as arginine for 7 d. Healthy, orally fed rats (NC group) were used as references. RESULTS: Subacute peritonitis significantly elevated the levels of nitrate, nitrite and TBARS in the plasma and decreased glutathione peroxidase activity in the kidneys. These changes were significantly reversed in the MA and HA groups. The MA and HA groups had significantly increased nitrotyrosine levels in the plasma. The LA, MA, and HA groups had significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the plasma, cytochrome P450 levels in the liver, and nitrotyrosine levels in the heart and had significantly decreased TBARS levels in the kidneys compared with the CP group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that parenteral arginine at a dose less than 4% of total calories may attenuate lipid peroxidation and increase antioxidant enzyme activities without leading to nitrosative stress in subacute peritonitis.

Anti-Hyperuricemia Activity and Potential Mechanisms of Medicinal Mushroom Activity: A Review of Preclinical Studies.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of serum uric acid, the product of purine metabolism. The primary symptom of HUA is gout; however, asymptomatic HUA is associated with complications such as hypertension, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. The activation of xanthine oxidase (XO), a pivotal enzyme in uric acid biosynthesis, is coupled with extensive reactive oxygen species generation, leading to inflammatory responses, and triggers the development of HUA and its complications. In clinical practice, XO inhibitors are primarily used to treat HUA; however, their prolonged use is accompanied by serious adverse effects. Mushrooms and their bioactive constituents have shown promising anti-HUA activities in both in vitro and in vivo studies, including inhibition of urate production, modulation of renal urate transporters, enhancement of intestinal uric acid excretion, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimetabolic syndrome properties. Clinical trials are necessary to validate the beneficial effects and safety of mushrooms in preventing or alleviating HUA and attenuating the associated complications. This review presents contemporary insights into the pathogenesis of HUA, the bioactive components of mushrooms, their therapeutic potential, and the underlying mechanisms involved in ameliorating HUA.

Oral post-treatment supplementation with a combination of glutamine, citrulline, and antioxidant vitamins additively mitigates jejunal damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rats with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IIR) injury is closely associated with oxidative stress. Evidence shows that oral supplementation with glutamine and citrulline alleviates IIR-induced jejunal damage. We investigated the effects of a combination of glutamine, citrulline, and antioxidant vitamins on IIR-induced jejunal damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation. METHOD: Male Wistar rats that underwent 60 min of superior mesenteric artery occlusion were orally administered glutamine plus citrulline (GC), vitamin C plus E (CE), or a combination of GC and CE 15 min before and 3, 9, and 21 h after reperfusion. Healthy rats without IIR were used as controls. RESULTS: After reperfusion for 24 h, rats with IIR showed lower levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum glucose, and jejunal DNA and increased white blood cell counts compared to controls (1-way ANOVA with the least significant difference, P < 0.05). The IIR-induced decrease in serum albumin and increase in plasma interleukin-6 and jejunal thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly reversed by GC and/or CE. The results of the 2-way ANOVA indicated that GC was the main factor that increased jejunal villus height and muscularis DNA, and CE was the main factor that increased jejunal muscularis protein and decreased jejunal proinflammatory cytokine levels and myeloperoxidase activity. In addition, GC and CE are the main factors that decrease plasma proinflammatory cytokine levels and the jejunal apoptotic index. CONCLUSION: Oral post-treatment supplementation with glutamine and citrulline, combined with vitamins C and E, may alleviate IIR-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and jejunal damage.

Enhancing Cordycepin in Functional Porridge through Rice Varietal Fermentation with Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) and Utilizing Non-Targeted Metabolomics for Process Enhancement.

Cordyceps militaris, a medicinal fungus rich in cordycepin, shows promise in treating diseases such as cancer, respiratory issues, and COVID-19. This study examines the impact of different Taiwanese rice varieties on its solid-state fermentation, focusing on optimizing cordycepin production. The results indicated that the cordycepin yield was indeed affected by the type of rice used. In terms of the fruiting bodies, germ rice resulted in the highest yield (13.1 ± 0.36 mg/g), followed by brown rice (11.9 ± 0.26 mg/g). In the rice culture medium (RCM), brown rice led to the highest yield (4.77 ± 0.06 mg/g). Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and untargeted metabolomics, the study identifies four key volatile components linked to cordycepin, providing insights into developing functional rice porridge products. These findings are significant for advancing cordycepin mass production and offering dietary options for older individuals.

Combination treatment of parenteral arginine and nitric oxide inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in rats with peritonitis.

PURPOSE: It has been shown that parenteral arginine may facilitate ureagenesis and improve leukocytic and splenocytic immunity and that the infusion of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) may facilitate the production of arginine-associated amino acids in rats with subacute peritonitis. Herein, we investigated the effects of the combined treatment of parenteral arginine and L-NAME on arginine metabolism and inflammatory response. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Male Wistar rats underwent cecal puncture for induction of subacute peritonitis and were infused with conventional parenteral nutrition (arginine 0.95 g/kg/d) or parenteral nutrition supplemented with arginine (1.88 g/kg/d), L-NAME (25 mg/kg/d), or arginine plus L-NAME. Sham-operated and nonperitonitic rats with oral feeding (R group) or conventional parenteral nutrition (TPN group) were also included. RESULTS: After 7 d of parenteral feeding, the L-NAME treatment significantly attenuated the peritonitis-induced reduction in body weight gain (1-way ANOVA, P < 0.05) and had a significant impact on decreasing body water percentage and on increasing body fat percentage and serum insulin concentrations (2-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). Parenteral arginine had a significant impact on increasing plasma arginine and ornithine and on decreasing serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and plasma nitrite/nitrate in peritonitic rats. In addition, plasma interleukin-6 was significantly decreased by arginine and/or L-NAME treatment, and plasma prostaglandin E2 was significantly decreased by arginine plus L-NAME treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination treatment of parenteral arginine and L-NAME may improve liver function and alleviate inflammatory response in rats with subacute peritonitis; however, it seems that parenteral arginine treatment is more beneficial than L-NAME.

Long-term enteral arginine supplementation in rats with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: The effects of short-term enteral arginine supplementation on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury have been widely studied, especially the ischemic preconditioning supplementation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term intra-duodenal supplementation of arginine on intestinal morphology, arginine-associated amino acid metabolism, and inflammatory responses in rats with intestinal IR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats with or without three hours of ileal ischemia underwent duodenal cannulation for continuous infusion of formula with 2% arginine or commercial protein powder for 7 d. The serological examinations, plasma amino acid and cytokine profiles, and intestinal morphology were assessed. RESULTS: Intestinal IR injury had significant impacts on the decreases in circulating red blood cells, hemoglobin, ileum mass, and villus height and crypt depth of the distal jejunum. In addition, arginine supplementation decreased serum cholesterol and increased plasma arginine concentrations. In rats with intestinal IR injury, arginine supplementation significantly decreased serum nitric oxide, plasma citrulline and ornithine, and the mucosal protein content of the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that long-term intra-duodenal arginine administration may not have observable benefits on intestinal morphology or inflammatory response in rats with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury. Therefore, the necessity of long-term arginine supplementation for patients with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury remains questionable and requires further investigation.

Effects of yellow brain culinary-medicinal mushroom, Tremella mesenterica Ritz.:Fr. (higher Basidiomycetes), on immune function in normal and type 1 diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by systemic low-grade inflammation and altered immunity. The fruiting bodies (FB) of Tremella mesenterica have been demonstrated to have anti-hyperglycemic and immunomodulatory activities. It is unclear whether submerged culture yeast-like cells (CC) of T. mesenterica have the same immune effects as FB. Here, we compared the immune effects of T. mesenterica FB and CC on immunocyte function. Male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with saline (normal rats) or streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, DM rats) and orally treated with placebo, FB, or CC (1 g/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Peripheral blood leukocytes and splenocytes were collected. In normal rats, FB and CC ingestion significantly decreased T-suppressor leukocyte numbers and interferon (IFN)-γ production in leukocytes (p < 0.05). In addition, CC treatment significantly decreased mitogen-stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production in leukocytes as well as the numbers of total and B splenocytes. In DM rats, FB significantly alleviated the diabetes-induced decreases in plasma TNF-α levels, T-helper splenocyte numbers, and IL-6 production in T leukocytes, and CC significantly attenuated the decreases in plasma TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 levels, as well as the increase in IL-6 production in T splenocytes induced by diabetes. Moreover, CC significantly decreased the numbers of T-helper leukocytes and B splenocytes as well as the production of TNF-α by splenocytes and IL-4 by leukocytes in DM rats. In conclusion, our results suggest that T. mesenterica FB and CC may decrease peripheral cell-mediated immunity in normal rats. However, in diabetic rats, FB may increase peripheral cell-mediated immunity, and CC may decrease pro-inflammatory and Th1 cytokine production.

Ethanol Extracts of Rice Bran and Whole Grain Adlay Seeds Mitigate Colonic Inflammation and Damage in Mice with Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with frequent relapsing inflammation in the colon. Whole grains have been promoted as healthy and sustainable foods; however, the use of whole gains in UC is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of rice bran (RBE) and whole-grain adlay seeds (ADE) on inflammation, oxidative stress, and colonic damage in UC. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were intra-rectal injected twice with 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to induce (day 0) and reactivate (day 21) UC. Control mice were fed AIN-93M diet (R group) and injected with a vehicle. UC mice were fed AIN-93M diet (UC group) supplemented with RBE (RBE group) or ADE (ADE group) for 21 days. The results showed that the UC group had an increased disease activity index, plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and glutathione levels, microscopic injury scores, and inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in the colon and decreased colonic claudin-4 compared to the R group. RBE and ADE supplementation significantly reduced UC-elevated plasma IL-6 and colonic glutathione and pro-inflammatory cytokines and a chemokine. In addition, RBE and ADE supplementation significantly decreased T-helper-cell-associated cytokines in the plasma and colon. Moreover, RBE supplementation increased colonic IL-10 and tight junction protein claudin-4 levels, and ADE supplementation alleviated diarrhea in UC mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that RBE and ADE may mitigate colonic inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage in UC relapse.

Polysaccharides of Grifola frondosa ameliorate oxidative stress and hypercholesterolaemia in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolaemia activities of Grifola frondosa in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet. METHODS: G. frondosa, including fruiting bodies (FGF), fermented mycelia (MGF) and polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies (FPS), fermented mycelia (MIP) and fermented broth (BEP) were received intragastrically. Lipid profile and antioxidant status in the blood and liver of hamsters were assessed. KEY FINDINGS: FGF decreased weight gain, serum triglycerides and cholesterol and increased hepatic mRNA expression of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase expression. FGF, MGF, FPS and MIP decreased the HFHC diet-increased area under the curve (AUC) of serum cholesterol. FGF and FPS further decreased AUC of serum triglycerides. When evaluating the redox status of erythrocytes, FPS and MIP increased non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) groups, reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity and FPS further increased GSH peroxidase activity. In the liver, MGF increased NP-SH groups and GSH and decreased triglycerides content. FPS, MIP and BEP decreased oxidized GSH and triglycerides content. Moreover, all treatments alleviated HFHC diet-increased LDL oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: Fruiting bodies of G. frondosa may improve hypercholesterolaemia via increased bile acid synthesis. Additionally, fermented biomass and polysaccharides of G. frondosa may have the potential to prevent hepatic lipid accumulation.

Healthy Eating Enhances Intrinsic Capacity, Thus Promoting Functional Ability of Retirement Home Residents in Northern Taiwan.

Healthy aging is defined as the process of developing and maintaining functional ability in older age with intrinsic capacity, the composite of all the physical and mental capacities of an individual, being the core. This study was conducted to explore the intervention effects of improved dietary quality on intrinsic capacity. A prospective single-group interventional quasi-experimental study with 59 functional independent older adults from retirement homes were recruited. Texture-modified plant-based dietary supplements were provided. In addition, dietary intake, functional ability, and intrinsic capacity in vitality, locomotion, cognition, and psychological capacity were assessed. Vitality was captured by nutritional status, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Locomotor capacity was assessed based on the performance of physical fitness in backscratch test, chair-sit-and-reach test, chair-stand test, one-foot-standing test, and gaits peed. Psychomotor capacity and cognition were measured by using 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. In a 4-month of intervention, after controlling for baseline values and covariates, participants with higher dietary intervention adherence showed a significant improvement over time in vitality captured by cardiorespiratory endurance (Pinteraction = 0.009) and significant improvement in locomotion captured by gait speed (Pclusters = 0.034). A significant decrease in the chair-stand test (Ptime = <0.001) and MMSE (Ptime = 0.022) was observed during the four months of intervention. Enhanced intrinsic capacity further contributed to the improvement of ADL over time (Pinteraction = 0.034). In conclusion, healthy eating enhances intrinsic capacity in vitality and locomotion thus promoting functional ability among older adults.

Dose effects of chronically infused nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on anabolic response and arginine metabolism in rats with subacute peritonitis.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors alleviate the adverse effects of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction that occurs during peritonitis, a clinical condition that is accompanied by arginine deficiency. However, the variations in the disease severity and the dosage, route, and period of NOS inhibitor administration are debatable. Therefore, we investigated the dose effects of chronically infused NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the anabolism, inflammatory responses, and arginine metabolism in parenterally fed rats with cecal puncture-induced subacute peritonitis. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and were administered total parenteral nutrition solutions with 0, 5 (low dose), 25 (medium dose), or 50 (high dose) mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) of L-NAME for 7 d. Sham-operated rats administered total parenteral nutrition solution and normal healthy rats fed chow diet were also included. Our results showed that parenteral infusion significantly decreased body weight gain and plasma citrulline concentrations. In rats with subacute peritonitis, the parenteral infusion-induced increases in circulating white blood cells and NO were significantly decreased, whereas the decrease in serum albumin levels was significantly increased. Rats with subacute peritonitis that were administered chronic infusion of L-NAME had a significantly reduced nitrogen balance. In addition, rats administered the medium dose of L-NAME had significantly increased plasma arginine, ornithine, glutamate, and proline. In conclusion, chronic infusion of NOS inhibitors may not alter systemic NO homeostasis and inflammatory response but may facilitate the production of arginine-associated amino acids and nitrogen excretion in cases of subacute peritonitis.

Medicinal mushrooms for glycemic control in diabetes mellitus: history, current status, future perspectives, and unsolved problems (review).

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia with defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. Despite great efforts that have been made in the understanding and management of diabetes, its prevalence continues to grow. Recent discoveries have opened up an exciting opportunity for developing new types of therapeutics from medicinal mushrooms to control DM and its complications. To date, more and more active components including polysaccharides and their protein complexes, dietary fibers, and other compounds extracted from fruiting bodies, cultured mycelium, or cultured broth of medicinal mushrooms have been reported as to having anti-hyperglycemic activity. These compounds exhibit their antidiabetic activity via different mechanisms. This article presents an overview of the multiple aspects of diabetes mellitus and the efficacy and mechanism of medicinal mushrooms for glucose control in diabetes, including the inhibition of glucose absorption, protection of beta-cell damage, increase of insulin release, enhancement of antioxidant defense, attenuation of inflammation, modulation of carbohydrate metabolism pathway, and regulation of insulin-dependent and insulin-independent signaling pathways. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions about the efficacy of individual medicinal mushrooms for diabetes. In addition, the wide variability, the lack of standards for production, and the lack of testing protocols to assess product quality are still problems in producing medicinal mushroom products. Moreover, well-designed randomized controlled trials with long-term consumption are needed to guarantee the bioactivity and safety of medicinal mushroom products for diabetic patients.

28-day oral safety evaluation of extracellular polysaccharopeptides produced in submerged culture from the turkey tail medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát LH-1 in mice.

Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmacological activities. Its intracellular polysaccharopeptides are widely commercialized. Recently, we found a novel TV strain LH-1 in Taiwan and demonstrated that the extracellular polysaccharopeptide (ePSP) of LH-1 obtained from submerged culture exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity. In this in vivo study, we further evaluated the safety of orally administered LH-1 ePSP using both male and female ICR mice. The LH-1 ePSP was orally administered to mice at levels of 0 (water), 100 (low dose), 500 (medium dose), or 1000 mg/kg/day (high dose) for 28 days. Clinical observations, growth, food consumption, histopathological examination, and clinical biochemical analyses revealed no adverse effects of LH-1 ePSP in mice. There were no significant differences in the results of target organ weights, hematological analyses, and urinalysis examination among groups. However, male mice that ingested high doses of LH-1 ePSP tended to have decreased lung weights and platelet numbers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that oral administration of LH-1 ePSP for 28 days is accompanied by no obvious signs of toxicity. The lack of toxicity supports the potential use of LH-1 ePSP as a food or dietary supplement.

Bioactive Components and Possible Activities of Medicinal Mushrooms in Alleviating the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Review).

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global disease that is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Excessive fat accumulation, fatty degeneration, and chronic inflammation of the liver activate the progression of NAFLD from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and further to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The underlying mechanism for the development and progression of NAFLD is complex and a multiple-hit hypothesis including dietary, environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors has been raised. Increased de novo lipogenesis, decreased lipolysis, and insulin resistance are associated with the development of NAFLD. Currently, no effective drug therapies are approved for the treatment of NAFLD. Several medicinal mushrooms have been found to have significant weight control and gut microbe modulation activities and antihypertriglyceridemic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, which may be useful to prevent and attenuate the development and progression of NAFLD. These beneficial effects are associated with mushrooms' bioactive components, such as polysaccharides, dietary fibers, antioxidants, and other compounds derived from fruiting bodies, cultured mycelium, and/or broth of medicinal mushrooms. This article presents an overview of multiple aspects of NAFLD, including the epidemiology, pathogenesis, management, and treatment. The bioactive components and possible activities of medicinal mushrooms in alleviating the pathogenesis of NAFLD are also reviewed.

Plant-Based, Antioxidant-Rich Snacks Elevate Plasma Antioxidant Ability and Alter Gut Bacterial Composition in Older Adults.

Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-associated chronic disorders. This study examined the effects of consuming plant-based, antioxidant-rich smoothies and sesame seed snacks (PBASS) on antioxidant ability and gut microbial composition in older adults. Healthy and sub-healthy older adults (n = 42, 79.7 ± 8.6 years old) in two senior living facilities were given PBASS for 4 months. Blood and fecal samples were collected from these individuals at the baseline and after 2 and 4 months of PBASS consumption. After 2 months, serum levels of albumin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) had increased significantly and erythrocytic glutathione, GSH/GSSG and superoxide dismutase activity had decreased significantly compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05). After 4 months, red blood cells, hematocrit, serum blood urea nitrogen and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity had decreased significantly, whereas plasma and erythrocyte protein-bound sulfhydryl groups had increased significantly. Furthermore, plasma glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were significantly greater after 2 months and increased further after 4 months of PBASS consumption. The results of next generation sequencing showed that PBASS consumption prompted significant decreases in observed bacterial species, their richness, and the abundance of Actinobacteria and Patescibacteria and increases in Bacteroidetes in feces. Our results suggest that texture-modified, plant-based snacks are useful nutrition support to benefit healthy ageing via the elevation of antioxidant ability and alteration of gut microbiota.

Relative efficacy of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on hyperuricaemia in rats.

Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serum parameters and renal histology were investigated on hyperuricaemic rats. Male Wistar rats administered with oxonic acid and UA to induce hyperuricaemia were fed with casein or soya protein plus palm- or safflower-seed oil-supplemented diets. Normal rats and hyperuricaemic rats with or without allopurinol treatment (150 mg/l in drinking water) were fed with casein plus maize oil-supplemented diets. After 8 weeks, allopurinol treatment and soya protein plus safflower-seed oil-supplemented diet significantly decreased serum UA in hyperuricaemic rats (one-way ANOVA; P < 0.05). In addition, soya protein and casein attenuated hyperuricaemia-induced decreases in serum albumin and insulin, respectively (two-way ANOVA; P < 0.05). Safflower-seed oil significantly decreased serum TAG and UA, whereas palm oil significantly increased serum cholesterol, TAG, blood urea N and creatinine. However, soya protein significantly decreased renal NO and nitrotyrosine and palm oil significantly decreased renal nitrotyrosine, TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma and increased renal transforming growth factor-beta. Casein with safflower-seed oil significantly attenuated renal tubulointerstitial nephritis, crystals and fibrosis. Comparing casein v. soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil, the results support that casein with safflower-seed oil may be effective in attenuating hyperuricaemia-associated renal damage, while soya protein with safflower-seed oil may be beneficial in lowering serum UA and TAG.

Does pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine have beneficial effect in rats with sub-acute peritonitis?

PURPOSE: Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infection. The management of peritonitis includes surgical intervention, antimicrobial therapy, and nutritional support. Arginine has been reported to have beneficial and adverse effects in subjects with inflammation, which might be related to the dose, time, and route of supplementation and the disease severity. So far, the optimal doses of parenteral arginine are not known. In this study, we investigated dose effects of parenterally supplemented arginine on anabolism and arginine-derived metabolites in sub-acute inflammation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Male Wistar rats underwent modified cecal puncture procedure for induction of peritonitis were infused with total parenteral nutrition solutions for 7 days, which contained conventional, low, medium, and high doses of arginine, i.e., 1.61, 2.85, 4.08, and 6.54% of calories from arginine. Healthy, orally fed rats were included as references. RESULTS: On day 7, peritonitic rats had significantly decreased body weight, declined serum albumin, and increased serum nitric oxide (NO) and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha compared to references (ANOVA, P < 0.05). There were no dose effects of parenteral arginine on body weight, nitrogen retention, and serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in peritonitic rats. In contrast, plasma arginine, proline, and ornithine, and urinary urea nitrogen were significantly increased, whereas serum NO and plasma glutamine were significantly decreased in dose-dependent manners with parenteral arginine. Pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine may increase the synthesis of ornithine, urea, and proline instead of citrulline and NO in peritonitic rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that high dose of parenteral arginine may facilitate ureagenesis and proline conversion without causing augmentation of NO production in sub-acute inflammation. Therefore, pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine may not have benefits in anabolism but does not cause adverse effect in rats with sub-acute inflammation.

Extracellular Polysaccharopeptides from Fermented Turkey Tail Medicinal Mushroom, Trametes versicolor (Agaricomycetes), Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Hyperglycemia, and Hyperlipidemia in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The antihyperglycemic activity of extracellular polysaccharopeptides (ePSP) obtained from Trametes versicolor (TV) strain LH-1 has been reported to increase cellular glucose uptake in HepG2 cells in an insulin-independent manner. Evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetic complications. We aimed to use an in vivo model to investigate the effects of TV-ePSP on oxidative stress and glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Male Wistar rats fed with a high fat diet followed by a streptozotocin injection to induce T2DM were orally administered water or 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 g/kg of TV-ePSP per day. After a 4-week administration of TV-ePSP, T2DM rats had attenuated elevations in blood glucose levels, areas under the curve in oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin resistance indices, and serum fructosamine and triglyceride in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). In addition, TV-ePSP significantly alleviated oxidative stress in T2DM rats, as shown by the decreased lipid peroxidation and the increased activity of superoxide dismutase in the plasma, and by the elevated glutathione levels in the plasma and erythrocytes. The antihyperglycemia and antihypertriglyceridemia activities of TV-ePSP may be associated with the improved oxidative stress, suggesting the beneficial effects of TV-ePSP in preventing the development of diabetic complications in T2DM patients.

Fruiting Bodies of Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes) Alleviate Diabetes-Associated Oxidative Stress.

Hyperglycemia-induced complications, the major causes of death in diabetes, are closely related to the elevated oxidative stress. Our previous study indicated that fruiting bodies of Ophiocordyceps sinensis attenuated polydipsia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. In this study, we further investigated whether the protective effects of O. sinensis on diabetes are associated with improved oxidative status in the circulation and target organs, the liver and kidneys. Male Wistar rats were fed with a semipurified diet supplemented with fruiting bodies (FB group, 1 g/day), carcass (CC group, 1 g/day), fruiting bodies and carcass (CF group, each 0.5 g/day), or placebo (DM and R groups) for 4 weeks (day 1 to 29). On day 15, animals were injected with nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. After the induction of diabetes, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was increased and the diabetes-increased FBG (day 15 to 26) was alleviated by the supplementation of fruiting bodies (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). In addition, the contents of vitamins A and C in the liver were significantly higher in the FB group, and the contents of glutathione in the liver and vitamin A and C in the kidneys were significantly higher in the FB, CC, and CF groups than in the DM group. The diabetes-increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver was decreased in the CF group. These results suggest that O. sinensis, especially fruiting bodies, may have antihyperglycemic activity associated with the alleviated oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys.