Quality analysis of steamed beef with black tea and the mechanism of action of main active ingredients of black tea on myofibrillar protein.

In this study, we analyzed the tea polyphenol composition, volatile flavor composition and storage stability of steamed beef with black tea. The molecular docking and dynamics were used to elucidate the interaction mechanism between the active components of black tea and myofibrillar proteins. The highest content of caffeine (CAF) was found in black tea steamed beef products, followed by catechin (C), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epicatechin gallate (EGCG) and theaflavins (TF). Steamed beef with black tea showed low ΔE* value, low TBARS value, low carbonyl content as well as high sulfhydryl content during storage. The addition of C, CAF, ECG, EGCG and TF enhanced the oxidative stability of myofibrillar protein. In this study, the effects of active components of black tea on the oxidative stability of myofibrillar protein and their interactions were determined, which could provide a reference for the application of black tea and its active components in meat products. At the same time, it can provide new ideas for the development of new meat products.

Targeting HMGB1 by ethyl pyruvate ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus and reverses the senescent phenotype of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease involving multiple organs and systems. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from SLE patients have demonstrated defects such as impaired growth, senescence phenotype and immunomodulatory functions. Some studies have suggested the close connection between inflammation microenvironment and cellular senescence. In the current study, we detected cytokines levels in bone marrow supernatant by the quantitative proteomics analysis, and found the expression of HMGB1 was remarkably increased in bone marrow from SLE patients. Senescence associated-ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) staining, F-actin staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the senescence of cells. After stimulation of HMGB1 in normal MSCs, the ratio of SA-ß-gal positive in BM-MSCs was increased, the organization of cytoskeleton was disordered, and TLR4-NF-κB signaling was activated. Finally, Ethyl pyruvate (EP) (40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, three times a week), a high security HMGB1 inhibitor, was injected intraperitoneally to treat MRL/lpr mice for 8 weeks. We demonstrated that EP alleviated the clinical aspects of lupus nephritis and prolonged survival of MRL/lpr mice. In the meantime, EP reversed the senescent phenotype of BM-MSCs from MRL/lpr mice. HMGB1 could be a promising target in SLE patients, and might be one of the reasons of recurrence after MSCs transplantation.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine on sepsis: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for treatment of sepsis in China, but results still remain equivocal. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCM for sepsis, we conducted this Meta-analysis. METHODS: Databases searched included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (up to December 2014). The studies included used routine therapy treating sepsis in the control group and TCM was added on that basis in the experimental group. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane criteria for risk of bias. RESULTS: Ten RCTs with 691 participants were identified and analyzed. In the meta-analysis, TCM plus routine therapy reduced the 28-day mortality compared to routine therapy alone, [RR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.51~0.87; P = 0.002]; The decrease in length of ICU-stay [MD = -1.82; 95% CI: -2.60~-1.04; P<0.00001]; Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation system (APACHE II) score [MD = -2.95; 95% CI: -3.99~-1.91; P<0.00001]; Serum inflammatory factors concentration after treatment [SMD = -0.50; 95% CI:-0.68~-0.33; P<0.00001], including TNF-α [SMD = -0.61; 95% CI: -0.85~-0.38; P<0.00001] and IL-6 [SMD = -0.40; 95% CI: -0.75~-0.04; P = 0.03] in subgroup analysis all had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Addition of TCM has better effects in participants with sepsis, while more high-quality studies are needed to draw firm conclusion.