[Fuyu Decoction ameliorates myocardial fibrosis in rat model of heart failure by regulating Nrf2/GPX4-mediated ferroptosis].

This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of Fuyu Decoction(FYD) in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis in the rat model of heart failure(HF). Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into a modeling group(n=50) and a sham group(n=10). A post-myocardial infarction HF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, low-dose(2.5 g·kg~(-1)) FYD(FYD-L), high-dose(5.0 g·kg~(-1)) FYD(FYD-H), and FYD+Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385, 30 mg·kg~(-1)) groups(n=10). FYD was administrated by gavage and ML385 by intraperitoneal injection. The rats in the sham and model groups were administrated with equal amounts of normal saline by gavage. After 8 weeks of intervention, the cardiac function indicators were measured, and the myocardial tissue morphology and collagen deposition were observed. The positive expression of collagens Ⅰ and Ⅲ, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were examined, and the levels of Fe~(2+) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) were determined. The protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and acyl-coenzyme A synthase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) in the myocardial tissue were determined. Compared with sham group, the model group showed decreased left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS), increased left ventricular end internal dimension in systole(LVIDs), left ventricular internal diameter in diastole(LVIDd), and myocardial collagen deposition, positive expression of collagens Ⅰ and Ⅲ, elevated apoptosis rate and malondialdehyde(MDA), Fe~(2+), and ROS levels, lowered superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH) levels, down-regulated protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4, and up-regulated protein level of ACSL4. Compared with the model group, the above indicators were restored by FYD. Moreover, ML385 reversed the protective effect of FYD on myocardial fibrosis in HF rats. In conclusion, FYD can inhibit ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, thereby ameliorating myocardial fibrosis in HF rats.

Correlationship between self-assembly behavior and emulsion stabilization of pea protein-high methoxyl pectin complexes treated with ultrasound at pH 2.0.

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound on the self-assembly behavior of pea protein (PP)-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) complexes at pH 2.0 through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and intrinsic fluorescence analysis. The emulsion stabilization mechanism of PP-HMP treated with ultrasound (PP-HMP-US) was also elucidated. The results indicated that ultrasound increased the emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying stability index (ESI) of PP-HMP. Moreover, PP-HMP-US-based emulsions formed small, dispersed oil drops, which were stable during storage. PP-HMP- and PP-HMP-US-based emulsions did not demonstrate any creaming. The TEM results revealed that ultrasound can regulate the self-assembly behavior of PP and HMP to form spherical particles with a core-shell structure. This structure possessed low turbidity, a small particle size, and high absolute zeta potential values. The FTIR and intrinsic fluorescence spectra demonstrated that ultrasound increased the α-helix and ß-sheet contents and exposed the tryptophan groups to more hydrophilic environments. Ultrasound also promoted the PP-HMP self-assembly through electrostatic interaction and improved its oil-water interfacial behavior, as indicated by the EAI and ESI values of PP-HMP-US-based emulsions. The current results provide a reference for the development of an innovative emulsifier prepared by ultrasound-treated protein-pectin complexes at low pH.

Interaction mechanisms of peanut protein isolate and high methoxyl pectin with ultrasound treatment: The effect of ultrasound parameters, biopolymer ratio, and pH.

Ultrasound could effectively change molecular structure of proteins, polysaccharides, and their interactions, and was used to treat the peanut protein isolate-high methoxy pectin (PPI-HMP) complexes in this study. Effects of different ultrasound parameters, PPI-HMP mixing ratio (40:1-5:2), and pH (2.0-8.0) on the PPI-HMP interactions were investigated. Turbidity, solution appearance, and Zeta-potential analysis revealed an electrostatic interaction between PPI and HMP from pH 2.0 to pH 6.0. Ultrasound changed the tertiary structure conformation of PPI according to the surface hydrophobicity analysis. Increased ultrasound power density and pH broke the hydrogen bonds between the complexes according to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Apparent viscosity and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed that appropriate ultrasound treatment (5.43 W/cm3, 25 min, 25 °C) reduced the viscosity of the complexes, and enhanced the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between PPI and HMP. These findings will contribute to the application of PPI-HMP complexes in the food industry.

The droplet breakup model and characteristics of pH-shifted peanut protein isolate-high methoxyl pectin stabilised emulsions under ultrasound.

The effect of pH on the occurrence states of peanut protein isolate (PPI) and high methoxyl pectin (HMP), and droplet breakup model of the emulsions under ultrasound were studied. Particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopy results showed that PPI-HMP existed a soluble complex at pH 5.0, had no interaction at pH 7.0, and was co-soluble at pH 9.0. Droplet breakup model results revealed that the characteristics of emulsion stabilised by PPI-HMP treated at pH 5.0 was different from that at pH 7.0 and 9.0. The average diameter of the droplet well satisfied the model. According to rheological properties, interface tension, and microstructure, the formation mechanism and characteristics of emulsion stabilised by PPI-HMP treated at pH 5.0 was different from that at pH 7.0 and pH 9.0. The research provided a reference for constructing emulsions using pH-shifted PPI-HMP under ultrasound.

Liquiritigenin alleviates doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure via promoting ARHGAP18 and suppressing RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common chronic diseases with increasing incidence and mortality. Liquiritigenin (LQG) is shown to protect mice from cardiotoxicity. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our study aimed to reveal the role of ARHGAP18 in LQG-mediated cardioprotective effects in CHF. In the current study, CHF cell model and rat model were established by the application of doxorubicin (DOX). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. The cardiac function of rats was evaluated by measuring left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and serum level of lactate dehydrogenase and brain natriuretic peptide. The expression of active RhoA was elevated and that of ARHGAP18 was decreased in DOX-induced CHF cell model. ARHGAP18 could reduce DOX-induced RhoA activation, ROS elevation, and cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, the knockdown of ARHGAP18 could promote the activation of RhoA, the level of ROS, and the rate of cell apoptosis, which could be reversed by the application of RhoA inhibitor. LQG promoted the expression of ARHGAP18 and exerted similar effects of ARHGAP18 in CHF cell model. The application of LQG could also reverse the effects mediated by ARHGAP18 knockdown. Moreover, LQG significantly improved cardiac function and ameliorated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity of CHF rats. In conclusion, LQG could alleviate DOX-induced CHF via promoting ARHGAP18 and suppressing RhoA/ROCK1 pathway. LQG was a potential agent for CHF treatment.

Effects of enzymatic free fatty acid reduction process on the composition and phytochemicals of rice bran oil.

The effects of enzymatic free fatty acid reduction process (EFFARP) on the composition and phytochemicals of dewaxed and degummed rice bran oil (DDRBO) were investigated and compared with the effects observed using internal acyl acceptors. The acid value of DDRBO was effectively decreased from 16.99 mg KOH/g to approximately 0.36 mg KOH/g by EFFARP. EFFARP significantly decreased the moisture content and peroxide value of DDRBO and increased the induction period. The Sn-2 fatty acid comoposition of DDRBO after EFFARP was very reaching the total fatty acid composition. EFFARP significantly increased the triacylglycerol content compared to the control, while the oryzanol content was not obviously affected. The contents of free sterol, and total tocopherol and tocotrienol were increased slightly by EFFARP compared to the control. When conducted under vacuum with added nitrogen, EFFARP shows great application potential in the edible oil industry.

Effects of calcium and pectin methylesterase on quality attributes and pectin morphology of jujube fruit under vacuum impregnation during storage.

Calcium chloride (1% w/w, CaCl2) and pectin methylesterase (PME) (15 U/mL) were vacuum impregnated (VI) into jujubes to preserve their quality. The nanostructure of jujube pectin was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the degradation mechanism of pectin. CaCl2 with PME under VI treatment (VI + Ca + PME) maintained jujubes' quality. Weight loss in VI + Ca + PME group at day 56 was only 60.36% of that in control group (CK). Firmness, soluble solids content, and ascorbic acid content of jujubes in VI + Ca + PME group were higher than those in CK. Firmness was highly positively correlated with sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) content. According to AFM results, frequencies of molecules with a width ≥60 nm of water-soluble pectin (WSP), chelate-soluble pectin (CSP), and SSP were the highest in VI + Ca + PME group at the end of storage. WSP, CSP, and SSP degradation was delayed by VI + Ca + PME treatment. The quality of jujubes was effectively maintained by VI + Ca + PME treatment.

Combined effects of ultrasound and calcium on the chelate-soluble pectin and quality of strawberries during storage.

The combined effects of ultrasound and calcium on the water migration, quality, and chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) properties of strawberries were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The relationship among water migration, firmness, and CSP properties was also determined. Treatment with ultrasound and calcium (U + Ca) prevented the decrease in firmness of strawberries during storage (17 days). Measurements of physicochemical parameters (titratable acidity (TA), soluble solid content (SSC), CSP and Ca content) showed that U + Ca treatment maintained better fruit quality. AFM showed a larger percentage of wider and longer CSP molecules in the U + Ca group (width ≥90 nm; length ≥800 nm). These results, together with the HPLC results, confirmed that U + Ca treatment effectively inhibits CSP degradation. This study revealed that the application of ultrasound and calcium could preserve the quality of stored strawberries.

[Yinxingye Capsule Intervened Vascular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis of Hyperhomocysteinemia Rats: an Experimental Study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore targets of Chinese herbal medicine at cellular and molecular leve1s through an experimental study on Yinxingye Capsule (YC) intervening vascular endothelial cell apoptoeis of hyperhornocysteinemia (HHcy) rats. METHODS: The HHcy model was prepared in male Wistar rats. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the control group (n =10), the model group (n = 11), the YC group (n =11), the folic acid group (n =10). Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solution (1%) was administered to rats in the control group by gastrogavage.3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg was administered to rats in the model group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and folic acid suspension at 0. 06 g/kg was administered to rats in the folic acid group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and YC at 0. 02 g/kg was administered to rats in the YC group by gastrogavage. Morphological changes of aortic tissue were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was detected in each group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic functions of the thoracic aorta on different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (Ach) were detected. Gene expressions of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), c-Fos, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Pathological results showed that thickening aortic endothelium, swollen and desquamated endothelial cells. Few foam cells could be seen in the model group. Myoma-like proliferation of smooth muscle cells in tunica media could also be seen. These pathological changes were milder in the YC group and the folic acid group. Compared with the control group, plasma Hcy levels increased in the model group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach and 10(-7) -10(-3)mol/L SNP all decreased in the model group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS increased, but c-IAP2 gene expressions decreased in the model group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, plasma Hcy levels decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at various SNP concentrations except 10(-6) mol/L SNP in the folic acid group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach (all P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group, but c-IAP2 gene expression increased in the folic acid group (all P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: YC could reduce plasma Hcy levels, down-regulate gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS, thereby reducing apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells, improving vascular endothelial function, and delaying atherosclerotic process.

Effect of high-intensity ultrasound on the physicochemical properties and nanostructure of citrus pectin.

BACKGROUND: Modified pectin has been found to have various biological activities. The preparation of modified pectin is generally accomplished by either chemical or enzymatic depolymerisation processes, but both methods have several disadvantages. Ultrasound treatment is simple and requires shorter times and lower temperatures than conventional techniques used for processing plant materials. In recent years the application of ultrasound to modify polysaccharides has received increasing attention. The objective of this study was to use ultrasound to modify citrus pectin. RESULTS: The average molecular weight of citrus pectin decreased under different ultrasonic conditions. The average molecular weight decreased from 464 to 296 kDa after 30 min of sonication. The degree of methylation of citrus pectin changed slightly and its monosaccharide component remained unchanged when high-intensity ultrasound was applied. The reduced (Gal+Ara)/Rha ratio after ultrasonication suggested degradation in the neutral sugar side chains of citrus pectin. Atomic force microscopy results confirmed the degradation of citrus pectin chains by ultrasound at nanolevel. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is an effective way to pretreat or modify pectin. The degradation of citrus pectin is due to the cavitational effects of ultrasound. Thus ultrasound may be useful in establishing environmentally friendly extraction and modification technologies for pectin.

Ultrasound effects on the degradation kinetics, structure and rheological properties of apple pectin.

The effects of ultrasound on the molecular weight of apple pectin were investigated. The structure and rheological properties of the degradation products were also tentatively identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array Detector (HPLC-PAD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Rheometer. The results indicated that the weight-average molecular weight of apple pectin decreased obviously after ultrasound treatment. The molecular weight of degradation products had a uniform and narrow distribution. Ultrasound intensity and temperature play an important role in the degradation reaction. Degradation kinetics model of apple pectin fitted to 1/M(t) - 1/M(0) = kt from 5 to 45 °C. The degree of methylation of apple pectin reduced according to IR analysis when ultrasound was applied. Ultrasound treatment could not alter the primary structure of apple pectin according to the results determined by HPLC, IR and NMR. Meanwhile, the viscosity of apple pectin was 10(3) times as large as that of ultrasound-treated apple pectin. The ultrasound-treated apple pectin showed predominantly viscous responses (G' < G") over the same frequency range. The results suggested that ultrasound provided a viable alternative method for the modification of pectin.

Nanostructural difference of water-soluble pectin and chelate-soluble pectin among ripening stages and cultivars of Chinese cherry.

Nanostructure of water-soluble pectin (WSP) and chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) of two Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus L.) cultivars (soft cultivar 'Caode' and crisp cultivar 'Bende') with two different ripening stages were characterised using atomic force microscopy. Both cultivars shared some common values of chain widths for WSP or CSP, and both pectins shared several values of chain widths including 37, 55 and 61 nm. The results indicate that different cultivars shared similar components of pectin, and cultivar textural difference might be related to the interaction between pectin and other cherry components or the dissociation of pectin. During ripening, the wide WSP and CSP gradually dissociate in width. The results demonstrated that the changes of WSP and CSP of Chinese cherry in widths were a dissociation process.

Effects of ripening stage and cultivar on physicochemical properties and pectin nanostructures of jujubes.

Two Chinese jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) cultivars ('Huanghua' and 'Zhanhua') at unripe and ripe stages were investigated. During ripening, the weight, pH, hardness, and chewiness of both cultivars decreased while titratable acidity, total soluble solid content, and pectin contents increased. More than 75% pectins of the fruits were water-soluble pectin (WSP). Pectins shared the common major compositions of Gal, Rha and GalUA. For both cultivars, most of the chain widths were between 47 and 70 nm for unripe while less than 40 nm for ripe jujubes. Compared to unripe fruits, all pectins of ripe fruits had less percentage of wide and long pectin chains. All the pectin contents of cultivar 'Huanghua' changed to a degree greater than that of cultivar 'Zhanhua' during ripening. Changes of pectin nanostructure and neutral sugar composition might be responsible for the major physicochemical properties of jujubes.

[Effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) from Yunnan white kidney bean on development of mouse embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on mouse embryo development. METHOD: In experiment 1, crude and purified PHA extracted from Yunnan white kidney bean with different concentration were added into M16 culture medium, the final concentration of PHA were: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 5 000 mg x L(-1) respectively. 2-cell stage embryos were collected and cultured in PHA containing or control medium for 72-96 h and their development were recorded. In experiment 2, different stage of embryos from 1-cell to blastocyst were treated by different concentrations of PHA same as experiment 1 and 10 000 mg x L(-1) in culture medium for 24 h before washing and cultured in M16 + PVA without PHA to blastocyst or hatching blastocyst stage. RESULT: Low concentrations PHA at 50-100 mg x L(-1) promoted embryo development and increased the number of blastocyst stage embryos. In contrast, high concentrations of PHA (> 1 000 mg x L(-1)) blocked the embryos development from 1-cell to blastocyst stage and showed apoptosis morphology or death. CONCLUSION: Depending on the concentrations, PHA from white kidney bean shown promotion or inhibition on mouse embryo development. 1-cell stage embryo shown more sensitive to PHA treatment than that of later stage embryos. Pretreatment 24 h in PHA containing medium can influence the further development of embryos. Low concentrations of PHA is benefit to embryo development, but high concentrations of PHA (> 1 000 mg x L(-1)) will block of the development of embryos.

Physicochemical properties, firmness, and nanostructures of sodium carbonate-soluble pectin of 2 Chinese cherry cultivars at 2 ripening stages.

Firmness and physicochemical properties of 2 Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus L.) cultivars (soft cultivar "Caode" and crisp cultivar "Bende") at unripe and ripe stages were investigated, and the qualitative and quantitative information about sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) nanostructures was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The lengths and widths of the cherry SSPs are very regular: almost all of the widths and lengths of SSP single molecules are composed of several basic units. The widths of the SSP chains are 37, 47, 55, and 61 nm, and the lengths are 123, 202, and 380 nm in both cultivars. The results show that the firmer cherry groups (crisp fruit) contain more percentages of wide and short SSP chains than soft fruit, and the unripe groups contain more percentages of wide and long SSP chains than corresponding ripe groups. They indicate that those nanostructural characteristics of SSP are closely related with firmness of the Chinese cherries in each cultivar.

[Effects of shenshuning recipe on expression of hepatocyte growth factor in rats with glomerulosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Shenshuning Recipe (SSNR) on gene expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in renal tissues in rats with glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Glomerulosclerosis was induced in 42 rats by unilateral nephrectomy and intravenous injection of doxorubicin. Then these 42 rats were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group, SSNR-treated group and benazepril-treated group. Another eight rats were included into sham-operation group. The rats in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were fed SSNR or benazepril respectively for 8 weeks. The levels of 24 h urine protein (Upr), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of rats in each group were examined. The renal morphological changes were observed under microscope, and the diameter of glomerular capillary, mesangial matrix and glomerulosclerosis index were analyzed by image analysis software. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the gene expression of HGF in the renal tissues. RESULTS: The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the untreated group were remarkably increased than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the untreated group showed that the glomerulosclerosis was diffused around the renal tissue and the capillaries were shrunk. The expression level of mesangial matrix was up-regulated and the glomerulosclerosis index was 3.32+/-0.35. The expression level of HGF mRNA in the untreated group was obviously lower than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.05). The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were remarkably decreased as compared with those in the untreated group, while the expression levels of HGF mRNA were both obviously higher than that in the untreated group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were both alleviated. There was no significant difference in therapeutic effect between the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group. CONCLUSION: Shenshuning Recipe can up-regulate the expression of HGF mRNA, decrease the mesangial matrix, and improve the renal function, so that it may retard the development of glomerulosclerosis.

[The recent research situation of Euonymus alatus].

The functions of Euonymus alatus in herbal canon, are removing blood stasis, restoring menstrual flow and killing worms, especially for gynecological diseases. The recently researches show E. alatus can depress blood sugar and blood lipid, resist hypersusceptibility, regulate immunity, and calcium abundant. It is effective for diabetes, hyperglycemia, chronic nephropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection and prostate diseases, etc internal diseases, no matter singleness or together with other herbs.