The natural occurring RRR-α-Tocopherol and synthetic α-Tocopherol stereoisomers in maternal plasma, cord plasma and breast milk among six regions of China.

The study aimed to investigate RRR-α-Tocopherol and synthetic α-Tocopherol stereoisomers in maternal plasma, cord plasma and breast milk from different regions of China, providing a reference for further guidance on maternal diet and the potential need to supplement mothers with vitamin E. Two hundred and twenty-one sample sets from maternal plasma, cord plasma and three stages of milk (colostrum: 1-5 d after delivery; transitional milk: 10-15 d; mature milk: 40-45 d) were collected longitudinally in six regions of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Chengdu, Lanzhou and Changchun. α-Tocopherol and the stereoisomers were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The RRR configuration accounted for more than 80 % of α-Tocopherol in maternal plasma, cord plasma and breast milk. Overall, there were regional differences both in α-Tocopherol and RRR. There were significant correlations between α-Tocopherol and RRR in maternal plasma, cord plasma and milk (P < 0.001). As well as negative correlations among α-Tocopherol, RRR and weight-related indicators, which refer to pre-gestation weight and BMI, pre-delivery weight and BMI and pregnancy weight gain, in almost all of samples. This study suggested that RRR-α-Tocopherol was the dominant configuration of α-Tocopherol and the main active form of vitamin E in the early life, guiding the rational supplement of pregnant women and the addition of α-Tocopherol in infant formula milk powder.

Neuroprotective Effects of B-Type Cinnamon Procyanidin Oligomers on MPP+-Induced Apoptosis in a Cell Culture Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Cinnamon procyanidin oligomers (CPOs) are water-soluble components extracted from cinnamon. This study aims to explore the neuroprotection of B-type CPO (CPO-B) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-mediated cytotoxicity and the molecular mechanisms underlying its protection. The results demonstrated that CPO-B showed protection by increasing cell viability, attenuating an intracellular level of reactive oxygen species, downregulating cleaved caspase-3 expression, and upregulating the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Moreover, CPO-B completely blocked the dephosphorylation of extracellular, signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) caused by MPP+. Treatment with an Erk1/2 inhibitor, SCH772984, significantly abolished the neuroprotection of CPO-B against MPP+. Taken together, we demonstrate that CPO-B from cinnamon bark provided protection against MPP+ in cultured SH-SY5Y cells, and the potential mechanisms may be attributed to its ability to modulate the dysregulation between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins through the Erk1/2 signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that the addition of cinnamon to food or supplements might benefit patients with PD.

Facile preparation of ultrafine polyimide nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles.

A simple method for the preparation of ultrafine polyimide (PI) fibers containing Ag nanoparticles was developed. Ag+ ions in a poly(amic acid) (PAA) precursor solution were firstly electrospun into ultrafine PAA fibers, and the Ag+ ions were then directly reduced to Ag nanoparticles during the imidization process of PAA. The PAA was used as a matrix as well as a reducing agent for the Ag+ ions. The obtained Ag nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the PI nanofiber mats and their average size was ca. 20 nm. This method was very simple and could be generally used to prepare the polyimide fibers containing Ag nanoparticles.