Multi-Omic Profiling of Macrophages Treated with Phospholipids Containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Reveals Complex Immunomodulatory Adaptations at Protein, Lipid and Metabolic Levels.

In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids have strong immunomodulatory properties, altering several functions of macrophages. In the present work, we sought to provide a multi-omic approach combining the analysis of the lipidome, the proteome, and the metabolome of RAW 264.7 macrophages supplemented with phospholipids containing omega-3 (PC 18:0/22:6; ω3-PC) or omega-6 (PC 18:0/20:4; ω6-PC) fatty acids, alone and in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Supplementation of macrophages with ω3 and ω6 phospholipids plus LPS produced a significant reprogramming of the proteome of macrophages and amplified the immune response; it also promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., pleckstrin). Supplementation with the ω3-PC and ω6-PC induced significant changes in the lipidome, with a marked increase in lipid species linked to the inflammatory response, attributed to several pro-inflammatory signalling pathways (e.g., LPCs) but also to the pro-resolving effect of inflammation (e.g., PIs). Finally, the metabolomic analysis demonstrated that supplementation with ω3-PC and ω6-PC induced the expression of several metabolites with a pronounced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., succinate). Overall, our data show that supplementation of macrophages with ω3-PC and ω6-PC effectively modulates the lipidome, proteome, and metabolome of these immune cells, affecting several metabolic pathways involved in the immune response that are triggered by inflammation.

A Study on How Methionine Restriction Decreases the Body's Hepatic and Lipid Deposition in Rice Field Eel (Monopterus albus).

Methionine restriction reduces animal lipid deposition. However, the molecular mechanism underlying how the body reacts to the condition and regulates lipid metabolism remains unknown. In this study, a feeding trial was performed on rice field eel Monopterus albus with six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic feeds that included different levels of methionine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/kg). Compared with M0 (0 g/kg), the crude lipid and crude protein of M. albus increased markedly in M8 (8 g/kg) (p < 0.05), serum (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-esterified free fatty acids), and hepatic contents (hepatic lipase, apolipoprotein-A, fatty acid synthetase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprteinlipase). However, in the serum, very-low-density lipoprotein and hepatic contents (hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase, Acetyl CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyltransterase, and mirosomal triglygeride transfer protein) decreased markedly in M8 (p < 0.05). The contents of hepatic C18:2n-6, C22:6n-3, and n-3PUFA in the M8 group were significantly higher than those in M0 (p < 0.05), and the contents of lipid droplets in M8 were higher than those in M0. Compared with M0, the hepatic gcn2, eif2α, hsl, mttp, ldlrap, pparα, cpt1, and cpt2 were remarkably downregulated in M8, while srebf2, lpl, moat2, dgat2, hdlbp, srebf1, fas, fads2, me1, pfae, and icdh were markedly upregulated in M8. Moreover, hepatic SREBP1 and FAS protein expression were upregulated significantly in M8 (p < 0.01). In short, methionine restriction decreased the lipid deposition of M. albus, especially for hepatic lipid deposition, and mainly downregulated hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Besides, gcn2 could be activated under methionine restriction.

3-N-butylphthalide protects against high-fat-diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice and increases metabolism in lipid-accumulating cells.

Obesity is one of the world's largest health problems, and 3-N-butylphthalide (NBP), a bioactive compound in celery, has been used in dieting and weight management programs. In this study, NBP prevented high-fat-diet-induced weight gain, reduced the food efficiency ratio, altered the blood biochemical profile, and reduced the obesity-related index. NBP reduced adiposity, white fat depots, liver weight, and hepatic steatosis in obese mice. NBP ameliorated the diabetic state by decreasing glucose levels and improving glucose and insulin tolerance. NBP increased uncoupling protein-1 expression in white adipose tissue and upregulated thermogenesis by enhancing mitochondrial respiration. NBP inhibited white adipocyte development by prohibiting lipid accumulation in human adipose-derived stem cells. NBP increased free fatty acid uptake and the oxygen consumption rate in beige adipocytes. Our results suggest that NBP could be used as functional natural supplement against obesity and its associated disorders.

Novel Approaches to Fine-Tune Therapeutic Targeting of Platelets in Atherosclerosis: A Critical Appraisal.

The pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease is driven by a multitude of risk factors intertwining metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Increasing knowledge about platelet biology sheds light on how platelets take part in these processes from early to later stages of plaque development. Recent insights from experimental studies and mouse models substantiate platelets as initiators and amplifiers in atherogenic leukocyte recruitment. These studies are complemented by results from genetics studies shedding light on novel molecular mechanisms which provide an interesting prospect as novel targets. For instance, experimental studies provide further details how platelet-decorated von Willebrand factor tethered to activated endothelial cells plays a role in atherogenic monocyte recruitment. Novel aspects of platelets as atherogenic inductors of neutrophil extracellular traps and particularities in signaling pathways such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate and the inhibitory adaptor molecule SHB23/LNK associating platelets with atherogenesis are shared. In summary, it was our intention to balance insights from recent experimental data that support a plausible role for platelets in atherogenesis against a paucity of clinical evidence needed to validate this concept in humans.

Short-term inhibition of autophagy benefits pancreatic ß-cells by augmenting ether lipids and peroxisomal function, and by countering depletion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after fat-feeding.

OBJECTIVE: Investigations of autophagy in ß-cells have usually focused on its homeostatic function. More dynamic roles in inhibiting glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), potentially involving remodelling of cellular lipids, have been suggested from in vitro studies but not evaluated in vivo. METHODS: We employed temporally-regulated deletion of the essential autophagy gene, Atg7, in ß-cells. Mice were fed chow or high-fat diets (HFD), in conjunction with deletion of Atg7 for the last 3 weeks (short-term model) or 9 weeks (long-term model). Standard in vivo metabolic phenotyping was undertaken, and 450 lipid species in islets quantified ex vivo using mass spectroscopy (MS). MIN6 cells were also employed for lipidomics and secretory interventions. RESULTS: ß-cell function was impaired by inhibiting autophagy in the longer-term, but conversely improved by 3-week deletion of Atg7, specifically under HFD conditions. This was accompanied by augmented GSIS ex vivo. Surprisingly, the HFD had minimal effect on sphingolipid and neutral lipid species, but modulated >100 phospholipids and ether lipids, and markedly shifted the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) sidechains from n3 to n6 forms. These changes were partially countered by Atg7 deletion, consistent with an accompanying upregulation of the PUFA elongase enzyme, Elovl5. Loss of Atg7 separately augmented plasmalogens and alkyl lipids, in association with increased expression of Lonp2, a peroxisomal chaperone/protease that facilitates maturation of ether lipid synthetic enzymes. Depletion of PUFAs and ether lipids was also observed in MIN6 cells chronically exposed to oleate (more so than palmitate). GSIS was inhibited by knocking down Dhrs7b, which encodes an enzyme of peroxisomal ether lipid synthesis. Conversely, impaired GSIS due to oleate pre-treatment was selectively reverted by Dhrs7b overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: A detrimental increase in n6:n3 PUFA ratios in ether lipids and phospholipids is revealed as a major response of ß-cells to high-fat feeding. This is partially reversed by short-term inhibition of autophagy, which results in compensatory changes in peroxisomal lipid metabolism. The short-term phenotype is linked to improved GSIS, in contrast to the impairment seen with the longer-term inhibition of autophagy. The balance between these positive and negative inputs could help determine whether ß-cells adapt or fail in response to obesity.

Advances in next-generation lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers with emphasis on polymer-modified functional liposomes and cell-based-biomimetic nanocarriers for active ingredients and fractions from Chinese medicine delivery.

Recently, functional liposomes modified with versatile polymer and cell-based- biomimetic nanoparticles have emerged as the most advanced lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers (LPNs) for drug delivery. This review highlights the advances of these two LPNs in the delivery of active ingredients and fractions from Chinese medicine with promising therapeutic, chemopreventive, or chemosensitive effects. To understand their complete potency, the relationship between the nanoparticle characteristics and their in vitro and in vivo performance characteristics has been discussed. Polymer-modified liposomes and cell-based biomimetic nanoparticles are beneficial for improving absorption, modulating release, targeting and overcoming multidrug resistance, and reducing side effects. The associated challenges, current limitations, and opportunities in this field are also discussed.

Consumption of lycopene-rich tomatoes improved glucose homeostasis in rats via an increase in leptin levels.

The lycopene content of tomatoes is important because of its effects on vital physiological functions such as improvement of glucose tolerance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. To investigate the influence of the lycopene content of tomatoes on glucose tolerance and hepatic lipid content, homogenates of lycopene-rich (LR) or lycopene-free negative control (NC) tomato varieties were administrated to normal rats for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Rats were fed once and then dissected. According to the OGTT results, plasma glucose levels in the LR group were 10% and 9% lower at 15 min and 30 min, respectively, than those in the NC group, whereas plasma insulin levels did not differ between the groups at either time point. Upon dissection, plasma leptin levels in the LR group were higher than those in the NC group, while plasma adiponectin levels did not differ between groups. With the exception of retinol palmitate, no carotenoids were detected in the liver by HPLC analysis. Hepatic retinol palmitate levels and hepatic triacyl glyceride levels did not differ between the groups. We concluded that in normal rats, a lycopene-rich tomato variety improved glucose tolerance via an increase in plasma leptin levels that enhanced insulin sensitivity but did not affect carotenoid accumulation or lipid metabolism.

Decreased Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Subjects Who Underwent Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Closed Cryochamber with Subsequent Kinesiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and subsequent kinesiotherapy on oxidative stress and lipid profile when performed in a closed cryochamber on healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effect of ten WBC procedures lasting 3 minutes a day followed by a 60-minute session kinesiotherapy on oxidative stress and lipid profile in healthy subjects (WBC group, n = 16) was investigated. The WBC group was compared to the kinesiotherapy only (KT; n = 16) group. The routine parameters of oxidative stress (antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI)) and lipid profile were estimated one day before the beginning and one day after the completion of the research program. RESULTS: After treatment, in the WBC group, a significant decrease of oxidative stress markers (TOS and OSI) and a significant increase of total antioxidant capacity were observed. The activity of plasma SOD-Mn and erythrocyte total SOD increased significantly in the WBC group. In the KT group, the erythrocyte activity of total SOD, CAT, and GR decreased significantly after the treatment. The levels of T-Chol and LDL-Chol decreased significantly after treatment in both groups, but the observed decrease of these lipid parameters in the WBC group was higher in comparison to the KT group. The level of TG decreased significantly after treatment in the WBC group only. CONCLUSION: WBC performed in a closed cryochamber followed by kinesiotherapy improves lipid profile and decreases oxidative stress in healthy subjects.

Diverse inhibition of forkhead box O1 activity by linoleic acid isomers - potential role in lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells and livers of C57BL/6J mice.

Conjugated dienes of linoleic acid (CLA) are constitutional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid that are commonly used as dietary supplements during body mass reduction. Their role in the reduction of lipid deposits in liver tissue is not unequivocal. CLA contain an equimolar mixture of two isomers of linoleic acid: trans-10,cis-12 CLA and cis-9,trans-11. Only one isomer - trans-10,cis-12 CLA exhibits fat-reducing properties, cis-9,trans-11 CLA does not. The main goal of this study was to determine if CLA isomers affect the activation of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) in liver cells and tissue. FoxO1 is a protein that plays a crucial role in regulation of lipid and carbohydrates metabolism. In vitro and in vivo models of our study were HepG2 cells and C57BL/6J mice. Methods used in the study were qPCR - quantification of FoxO1 gene expression, Western blot - posttranslational phosphorylation of FoxO1, Oil Red O (ORO) - lipid staining and ELISA - quantification of apoB100. In both models trans-10,cis-12 CLA diminished FoxO1 gene expression: decrease by 44.1 ± 20.9% SD in the cells and 65.4 ± 29.8% SD in mice. The lowest accumulation of lipids (drop of 37.2 ± 1.7% SD) and the highest increase of apoB100 protein (74 ± 12.8% SD) were detected in the medium of cells cultured with trans-10,cis-12 CLA. Both isomers of linoleic acid have different effects on lipid metabolism. Isomer c9,t11 CLA accelerates lipogenesis, whereas isomer t10,c12 CLA activates secretion of lipids in HepG2 cells. In contrast to the in vitro study, unfortunately this pro-health property of t10,c12 CLA was not confirmed in the in vivo model. This casts a shadow on CLA dietary supplements that are commonly used among people with type 2 diabetes, NAFLD (non-alcoholic liver disease) or a metabolic syndrome in order to lose weight.

Dietary Polar Lipids and Cognitive Development: A Narrative Review.

Polar lipids are amphiphilic lipids with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Polar lipids mainly include phospholipids and sphingolipids. They are structural components of neural tissues, with the peak rate of accretion overlapping with neurodevelopmental milestones. The critical role of polar lipids in cognitive development is thought to be mediated through the regulation of signal transduction, myelination, and synaptic plasticity. Animal products (egg, meat, and dairy) are the major dietary sources of polar lipids for children and adults, whereas human milk and infant formula provide polar lipids to infants. Due to the differences observed in both concentration and proportion of polar lipids in human milk, the estimated daily intake in infants encompasses a wide range. In addition, health authorities define neither intake recommendations nor guidelines for polar lipid intake. However, adequate intake is defined for 2 nutrients that are elements of these polar lipids, namely choline and DHA. To date, limited studies exist on the brain bioavailability of dietary polar lipids via either placental transfer or the blood-brain barrier. Nevertheless, due to their role in pre- and postnatal development of the brain, there is a growing interest for the use of gangliosides, which are sphingolipids, as a dietary supplement for pregnant/lactating mothers or infants. In line with this, supplementing gangliosides and phospholipids in wild-type animals and healthy infants does suggest some positive effects on cognitive performance. Whether there is indeed added benefit of supplementing polar lipids in pregnant/lactating mothers or infants requires more clinical research. In this article, we report findings of a review of the state-of-the-art evidence on polar lipid supplementation and cognitive development. Dietary sources, recommended intake, and brain bioavailability of polar lipids are also discussed.

Dihydromyricetin alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury via the regulation of transformation, lipid homeostasis, cell death and regeneration.

AIMS: We previously reported that Hovenia dulcis Thunb. extract, a traditional Chinese medicine rich in dihydromyricetin (DHM), exhibited a significant hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. However, whether DHM plays a protective role in APAP hepatotoxicity and what mechanisms are involved remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of DHM against APAP-induced liver injury. MAIN METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were used for the experiment. LC-MS, q-PCR, immunochemistry and western blot analysis were employed to mechanism analysis. KEY FINDINGS: DHM exhibited a protective effect against APAP-induced liver injury. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the protective effect of DHM against APAP hepatotoxicity had multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics involving APAP metabolism, lipid regulation, and hepatocyte death and regeneration. DHM pretreatment resulted in cytochrome P450 2E1 inhibition and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 activation, affecting APAP biotransformation. Moreover, DHM pretreatment significantly ameliorated lipid dysregulation via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) signalling pathways. Furthermore, DHM regulated the expression of cell death- and liver regeneration-associated proteins. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggested that DHM alleviated APAP-induced liver injury in mice by inhibiting hepatocyte death, promoting p53-related regeneration, and regulating lipid homeostatic imbalance and APAP transformation. Based on these findings, DHM provides a potential and novel approach for preventing and treating APAP-induced liver damage, and SREBP-1c signalling might be a new therapeutic target for APAP hepatotoxicity.

Micron-sized domains in quasi single-component giant vesicles.

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), are a convenient tool to study membrane-bound processes using optical microscopy. An increasing number of studies highlights the potential of these model membranes when addressing questions in membrane biophysics and cell-biology. Among them, phase transitions and domain formation, dynamics and stability in raft-like mixtures are probably some of the most intensively investigated. In doing so, many research teams rely on standard protocols for GUV preparation and handling involving the use of sugar solutions. Here, we demonstrate that following such a standard approach can lead to the abnormal formation of micron-sized domains in GUVs grown from only a single phospholipid. The membrane heterogeneity is visualized by means of a small fraction (0.1 mol%) of a fluorescent lipid dye. For dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine GUVs, different types of membrane heterogeneities were detected. First, the unexpected formation of micron-sized dye-depleted domains was observed upon cooling. These domains nucleated about 10 K above the lipid main phase transition temperature, TM. In addition, upon further cooling of the GUVs down to the immediate vicinity of TM, stripe-like dye-enriched structures around the domains are detected. The micron-sized domains in quasi single-component GUVs were observed also when using two other lipids. Whereas the stripe structures are related to the phase transition of the lipid, the dye-excluding domains seem to be caused by traces of impurities present in the glucose. Supplementing glucose solutions with nm-sized liposomes at millimolar lipid concentration suppresses the formation of the micron-sized domains, presumably by providing competitive binding of the impurities to the liposome membrane in excess. It is likely that such traces of impurities can significantly alter lipid phase diagrams and cause differences among reported ones.

Uptake of ozone and modification of lipids in Betula Pendula pollen.

Pollen allergy risk is modified by air pollutants, including ozone, but the chemical modifications induced on pollen grains are poorly understood. Pollen lipidic extract has been shown to act as an adjuvant to the allergenic reaction and therefore, the modification of lipids by air pollutants could have health implications. Birch pollen was exposed in vitro to ozone to explore the reactivity of O3 on its surface and on its lipidic fraction. Uptake coefficients of ozone were determined for ozone concentration of 117 ppb on the surface of native birch pollen (8.6 ±â€¯0.8 × 10-6), defatted pollen (9.9 ±â€¯0.9 × 10-6), and for crushed pollen grains (34±3 × 10-6). The mass of ozone uptaken was increased by a factor of four for crushed pollen compared to native pollen showing a higher susceptibility to ozone of cytoplasmic granules and broken pollen grains. A total mass of extractible lipids of 27 mg per gram of birch pollen was found and a fraction of these lipids was identified and quantified (fatty acids, alkanes, alkenes and aldehydes). The distribution of lipids was modified by ozone exposure of 115 and 1000 ppb for 16 h with the following reactivity: consumption of alkene, formation of aldehydes and formation of nonanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. The quantity of ozone trapped in the lipidic fraction during 15 min at 115 ppb is enough to contribute to the reactivity of one-third of the alkenes demonstrating that pollen could be susceptible to an atmospheric increase of ozone concentration even for a very short duration complicating the understanding of the link between pollen allergy and pollution.

Structural and molecular strategy of photosynthetic apparatus organisation of wild flora halophytes.

Structural and molecular parameters of photosynthetic apparatus in plants with different strategies for the accumulation of salts were investigated. CO2 gas exchange rate, content of pigments, mesostructure, chloroplast ultrastructure and the biochemical composition of the membrane structural components in leaves were measured. The objects of the study were euhalophytes (Salicornia perennans, Suaeda salsa, Halocnemum strobilaceum), crynohalophyte (Limonium gmelinii), glycohalophyte (Artemisia santonica). Euhalophytes S. perennans and S. salsa belong to the plants of the halosucculent type, three other species represent the xerophilic type. The highest photosynthetic activity estimated by the average parameters of CO2 gas exchange rate in the leaves was observed in S. perennans plants. Plants of the xerophyte type including both H. strobilaceum euhalophyte and cryno- and glycohalophytes are described by lower values of these characteristics. Larger cells with a great number of chloroplasts and a high content of membrane glycerolipids and unsaturated C18:3 fatty acid, but with smaller pigment and light-harvesting complexes size characterise the features of euhalophytes with a succulent leaf type. Thus, features of the mesostructure, ultrastructure, and supramolecular interactions of the halophyte PA were closely related to the functional parameters of gas exchange, and were characterised by the strategy of species in relation to the accumulation of salts, the life form of plants, and the attitude to the method of water regulation.

Zinc status is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid, and glucose metabolism.

A number of studies have reported that zinc plays a substantial role in the development of metabolic syndrome, taking part in the regulation of cytokine expression, suppressing inflammation, and is also required to activate antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative stress. Zinc also plays a role in the correct functioning of lipid and glucose metabolism, regulating and forming the expression of insulin. In numerous studies, zinc supplementation has been found to improve blood pressure, glucose, and LDL cholesterol serum level. Deeper knowledge of zinc's properties may help in treating metabolic syndrome, thus protecting against stroke and angina pectoris, and ultimately against death.

Lavatera critica, a green leafy vegetable, controls high fat diet induced hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress through the regulation of lipogenesis and lipolysis genes.

BACKGROUND: Lipid accumulation is the most vital risk factor for inducing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome. Thus, the development of novel drugs is urgently needed to control obesity related diseases. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated the protective role of Lavatera critica (LC), a green vegetable, in male C57BL/6J mice fed with high fat (HF) diet for 10 weeks to induce hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative cellular damage. RESULTS: After oral administration of chloroform (CFLC), ethyl acetate (EFLC), or methanol (MFLC) fractions of Lavatera critica to the HF group, EALC alone significantly reduced the activities of hepatic markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST); moreover, the results showed that 50 mg/kg dose has the maximum activity. Thus, this active dose of EFLC was used for further analysis. Moreover, EFLC reduced the level of hepatic triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acids (FFA), and prevented further increase in the body weight. Intriguingly, EFLC treatment also reversed the mRNA expression of fatty acid oxidative genes, such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACO), and fatty acid synthesis genes such as fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Furthermore, EFLC treatment also decreased the production of oxidative stress biomarkers, such as conjugated diene (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and significantly enhanced the level of enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and vitamin E in the liver. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we conclude that EFLC has a protective effect against HF diet induced hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative cellular damage through the regulation of lipogenesis and lipolysis genes.

Proteomics and metabolomics-driven pathway reconstruction of mung bean for nutraceutical evaluation.

Mung bean is a legume crop which has a various health-promoting effects. Although rich flavonoids are reported to be responsible for its biological activities, little is known about other nutrients that may potentiate the activities. To obtain information on mung bean nutritional properties, gel-free/label-free proteomic analysis and metabolomic profiling were combined. Pathway reconstruction detected that amino acid metabolism is more active in flesh. Coat contained wider variety of lipids and phenolic acids/flavonoids than flesh. Among the compounds detected in coat, sphingolipids, arachidonic acid, and prostaglandin E2 are compounds which are related to immune response induction. Furthermore, identification of prostaglandin F2α added scientific support to empirical validity of mung bean usage. The abundance of bioactive compounds such as naringenin, which can be metabolized into vitexin, varied among cultivars. These results suggest that lipids together with flavonoids might be potential responsible compounds for biological activity of mung bean coat and flesh.

Hypothalamic Lipids: Key Regulators of Whole Body Energy Balance.

Hypothalamic lipid metabolism plays a major role in the physiological regulation of energy balance. Modulation of several enzymatic activities that control lipid biosynthesis, such as fatty acid synthase and AMP-activated protein kinase, impacts both feeding and energy expenditure. However, lipids can also cause pathological alterations in the hypothalamus. Lipotoxicity is promoted by excess lipids in tissues not suitable for their storage. A large amount of evidence has demonstrated that lipotoxicity is a pathophysiological mechanism leading to metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, and steatohepatitis. Current data have reported that, similar to what is observed in peripheral tissues, complex lipids such as ceramides and sphingolipids act as lipotoxic species at the hypothalamic level to impact metabolism. Here, we will review what is currently known about hypothalamic lipid metabolism and the modulation of energy homeostasis.

Lipids and physical function in older adults.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Healthy aging is a public health priority. The maintenance of adequate physical function is recognized as a key element of healthy aging. In recent years, scientific evidence has increased concerning the ability of lipids, in particular omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), to positively influence muscle and overall physical function in older patients. The article will critically review observational as well as intervention studies on this topic, and it will elucidate the potential biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on physical function. RECENT FINDINGS: Observational studies and clinical trials performed in healthy older patients and in older patients with chronic diseases mostly found positive effects of n-3 PUFA on muscle metabolism, muscle strength and in general physical function. SUMMARY: Although the use of n-3 PUFA might represent an important intervention to preserve physical function in older adults, several key questions still need to be answered. Above all, large randomized controlled trials should be performed to confirm the utility of n-3 PUFA as therapeutic agents to prevent and treat physical function decline in old age.