Dose-response efficacy of mulberry fruit extract for reducing post-prandial blood glucose and insulin responses: randomised trial evidence in healthy adults.

Extracts of mulberry have been shown to reduce post-prandial glucose (PPG) and insulin (PPI) responses, but reliability of these effects and required doses and specifications are unclear. We previously found that 1·5 g of a specified mulberry fruit extract (MFE) significantly reduced PPG and PPI responses to 50 g carbohydrate as rice porridge, with no indications of intolerance. The trials reported here aimed to replicate that work and assess the efficacy of lower MFE doses, using boiled rice as the carbohydrate source. Two separate randomised controlled intervention studies were carried out with healthy Indian males and females aged 20-50 years (n 84 per trial), with PPG area under the curve over 2 h as the primary outcome. Trial 1 used doses of 0, 0·37, 0·75, 1·12 and 1·5 g MFE in boiled rice and 0 or 1·5 g MFE in rice porridge. Trial 2 used doses of 0, 0·04, 0·12, 0·37 g MFE in boiled rice. In trial 1, relative to control, all MFE doses significantly decreased PPG (-27·2 to -22·9 %; all P ≤ 0·02) and PPI (-34·6 to -14·0 %, all P < 0·01). Breath hydrogen was significantly increased only at 1·5 g MFE (in rice porridge), and self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms were uniformly low. In trial 2, only 0·37 g MFE significantly affected PPG (-20·4 %, P = 0·002) and PPI (-17·0 %, P < 0·001). Together, these trials show that MFE in doses as low as 0·37 g can reliably reduce PPG and PPI responses to a carbohydrate-rich meal, with no apparent adverse effects.

Effects of chitooligosaccharide-zinc on the ovarian function of mice with premature ovarian failure via the SESN2/NRF2 signaling pathway.

Chitooligosaccharide-zinc (COS·Zn) is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-aging scavenger, whose anti-oxidative ability immensely exceeds vitamin C. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of COS·Zn against premature ovarian failure (POF) and potential mechanisms. Female KM adult mice were divided into the following groups: a treatment group (150 mg·kg-1·d-1 COS·Zn), a treatment group (300 mg·kg-1·d-1 COS·Zn), a prevention group, two control groups and two CY/BUS groups. COS·Zn (150, 300 mg·kg-1·d-1) and COS·Zn (300 mg·kg-1·d-1) were therapeutically and preventatively administered to POF mice in the treatment and prevention studies, respectively. All the groups were administered for 21 days. Fewer primary and secondary follicles were observed in the COS·Zn-treated groups (including the treatment and prevention groups) than those of the control groups. Meanwhile, the ovarian index and the levels of FSH and LH notably increased in the treatment and prevention groups compared with those in the CY/BUS group. The levels of MVH, OCT4 and PCNA in the treatment group (300·kg-1·d-1 COS·Zn) and MVH in the prevention group remarkably increased compared with those in the CY/BUS groups. Meanwhile, the levels of P53 and P16 protein were down-regulated in the treatment and prevention groups compared with those in the CY/BUS groups. Additionally, the amounts of Sestrin2 (SESN2) and SOD2 protein were obviously higher in the treatment group (150 mg·kg-1·d-1 COS·Zn) than those in the CY/BUS groups. Similarly, the amounts of NRF2 and SESN2 protein were up-regulated in the prevention group. Besides, an increased GSH level was observed in the two treatment groups, compared with that in the CY/BUS groups, and the same trend was also present in the prevention group. Taken together, COS·Zn improves the ovarian and follicular development through regulating the SESN2/NRF2 signaling pathway. These results suggest the role of COS·Zn as a novel agent for the treatment and prevention of POF.

Community composition and functional genes explain different ecological roles of heterotrophic bacteria attached to two bloom-forming cyanobacterial genera.

Eutrophication leads to frequent outbreaks of cyanobacterial blooms, however, the effect of heterotrophic bacteria attached to cyanobacterial cells is unclear. Field investigations were carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the community composition and functional role of heterotrophic bacteria attached to Dolichospermum and Microcystins cells. The significantly positive relationships between Dolichospermum density and total nitrogen (TN) and between Microcystins density and particle nitrogen (PN) indicated the strong nitrogen (N) demand of these two species. The lack of functional genes that mediate the nitrification process in bacteria attached to both Microcystins and Dolichospermum cells indicated that these two genera preferred ammonium (NH4+-N). Dolichospermum cells obtained more available N through N2 fixation, which was expressed by high nitrogenase gene abundance. Bacteria attached to Microcystins cells showed a higher activity of leucine aminopeptidase and a significantly higher abundance of functional genes that mediate dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) than those attached to Dolichospermum cells. The significantly higher abundance of carbon degradation genes and ß-glucosidase activity of bacteria attached to Microcystins cells compared with those of bacteria attached to Dolichospermum cells suggested that abundant organic carbon was bound to Microcystins cells, which is a prerequisite for DNRA. In addition, Microcystins cells exhibited a great advantage in soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) production through high levels of organic phosphorus (P) hydrolysis associated with high levels of phosphatase genes of attached bacteria. In conclusion, bacteria attached to Microcystins cells performed more important functions on NH4+-N and SRP production through ammonification and DNRA, as well as phosphatase hydrolysis respectively, compared to those attached to Dolichospermum. Thus, algal growth is the result of different variables such as nutrient concentration, their ratio and the microbial ability.

The effect of 8 plant extracts and combinations on post-prandial blood glucose and insulin responses in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lower post-prandial glucose (PPG) and insulin (PPI) responses to foods are associated with reduced diabetes risk and progression. Several plant extracts have been proposed to reduce PPG or PPI by inhibiting enzymes or transporters involved in carbohydrate digestion and uptake. This study evaluates a range of such extracts, consumed with a carbohydrate load, for their effects on PPG, PPI and indicators of (gastrointestinal) tolerance. METHODS: Interventions were extracts of mulberry fruit (MFE, 1.5 g), mulberry leaf (MLE, 1.0 g), white bean (WBE, 3.0 g), apple (AE, 2.0 g), elderberry (EE, 2.0 g), turmeric (TE, 0.18 g), AE + TE, and EE + TE. Each of these 8 individual extracts or combinations were added to a rice porridge containing ~ 50 g available carbohydrate (control). In a within-subject (randomised, balanced incomplete block) design, individual subjects received the control and a subset of 4 of the 8 extracts or combinations. Participants were 72 apparently healthy adults (mean [SD] age 31.2 [5.5] yr, body mass index 22.1 [2.0] kg/m2). The primary outcome was the percentage change in 2-h PPG (positive incremental area under the curve) relative to control. Secondary measures were the 2-h PPI response, 7-h breath hydrogen, measures of gastrointestinal discomfort, and urine glucose. RESULTS: In the 65 subjects who completed the control and at least one intervention treatment, additions of AE, MFE and MLE produced statistically significant reductions in PPG vs control (p < 0.05; mean effect - 24.1 to - 38.1%). All extracts and combinations except TE and WBE significantly reduced PPI (p < 0.01; mean effect - 17.3% to - 30.4%). Rises in breath hydrogen > 10 ppm were infrequent, but statistically more frequent than control only for MLE (p = 0.02). Scores for gastrointestinal discomfort were extremely low and not different from control for any treatment, and no glucosuria was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Additions of AE, MFE and MLE to rice robustly reduced PPG and PPI. EE significantly reduced only PPI, while TE and WBE showed no significant efficacy for PPG or PPI. Breath hydrogen responses to MLE suggest possible carbohydrate malabsorption at the dose used, but there were no explicit indications of intolerance to any of the extracts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04258501. Registered 6 February 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

An enzymatic mechanism for balancing the stoichiometry of nitrogen and phosphorus in a shallow Chinese eutrophic lake.

The over-enrichment of lake waters with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) has become a serious environmental problem, but modes of change in stoichiometry and enzymatic regeneration along trophic gradients are largely unknown. Seasonal variations in the kinetics of extracellular aminopeptidase (LAP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), together with the composition of phytoplankton and concentrations of N and P, were examined from Jun 2013 to September 2014 in a Chinese shallow lake in which two basins had contrasting trophic states. The turbid basin had a significantly higher concentration of chlorophyll a and lower ratios of N to P. In parallel, the turnover time of organic N mediated by LAP (LAPT) was significantly shorter, and its maximum velocity (Vmax) was significantly higher compared to those in the clear basin. Considering data from both basins, there were linear decreases in N/P and the ratios between dissolved inorganic N and total N with an increasing trophic state index, coupled with a significantly positive relationship between N/P and LAPT. Additionally, with decreasing TN/TP, the Michaelis constant (Km) of the AP increased linearly, reducing the efficiency of P regeneration. In contrast, the Km value of LAP decreased, and Vmax increased, which enhanced N mineralization by simultaneously increasing the reaction velocity and improving the affinity for substrate. Additionally, the Km value of LAP was significantly related to that of AP and the ammonium concentration. Thus, substrate affinity acted as a key factor modifying the pathways of enzymatic degradation of organic N and P according to their stoichiometry in the water column. Phytoplankton composition was directly linked to LAPT. Overall, this study seemed to be the first to connect a stoichiometric shift of N and P with kinetics of extracellular enzymes responsible for their regeneration along trophic gradients, presenting an additional pathway to overcome nitrogen deficiency in eutrophic lakes.

Effect of modified Zhuye Shigao Decoction and its components on preventing radiation esophagitis of rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Modified Zhuye Shigao Decoction (MZSD) and its components on preventing radiation esophagitis of rats. METHODS: One hundred Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including the control group, radiation model group, MZSD group, Zhuye Shigao Decoction (ZSD) group, and added ingredients group, 20 rats in each group. The model of radiation esophagitis of rat was established by once local radiation of 40 Gy (330 Mu/min) with a high energy linear accelerator. The administration of Chinese medicine was continued for 14 days from 7 days before radiation application in the three treatment groups. On the 7th and 14th day, the serum was isolated and the levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-8 were tested. The pathological slices of esophagus were obtained, and the pathological changes were observed. During the whole process, weight and food intake were recorded each day. RESULTS: On the 7th day after radiation, the esophagus of rats in the MZSD group was almost intact, and the pathological injury score was significantly lower than that of the radiation model group, ZSD group and added ingredients group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the body weight and food intake of rats in the radiation model group were significantly decreased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8 were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the MZSD group showed a significant increase in body weight and food intake, and a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8 compared with the radiation model group, ZSD group and added ingredients group (P <0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: MZSD prevents the development of radiation esophagitis probably by inhibiting the generation and release of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8.

[Protective effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on kidney cells of type 2 diabetic rats].

The major objective was to explore the effect of early hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the tissue structure, apoptosis, and metalloproteinases of kidney cells in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. GK rats (n = 24) were divided randomly and evenly into model, metformin hydrochloride (MH), and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) groups, while healthy Wistar rats (n = 8) were used as normal control group. The healthy rats in the normal control group and the GK rats in the model group were both intragastrically administered with purified water (5 mL/kg) once per day. Meanwhile, the rats in the MH group received intragastric administration of MH (250 mg/kg) once daily, while the rats in the HBO group inhaled pure oxygen under a constant pressure (0.15 MPa) for 30 min. After 3 weeks of treatment, the body weight of each rat was measured, and the blood samples were collected from tails. Subsequently, the kidneys of all rats were excised for weighing mass and further examination. For each renal sample, the sections were firstly embedded with paraffin and sliced to prepare histopathologic sections stained using HE, PAS and Masson, respectively, for subsequent observation with optical microscopy. Later, the apoptosis of kidney cells was examined using the TUNEL method by computing the apoptotic index. Furthermore, the histopathologic sections were also examined using the immunohistochemistry approach with Caspase-3, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 antibodies, respectively. At the same time, the plasma concentration of TGF-ß1 of the rats in each group was detected using ELISA method. These resultant data showed that the pathological changes of the HBO group were less than those of the model group with respect to increased glomerular volume density of mesangial cells, broadening mesangial matrix and thickening basement membrane as well as swelling renal tubular epithelial cells. The index of cell apoptosis and Caspase-3 expression in the HBO group showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) compared with those in the normal control and MH groups respectively, but demonstrated significant decrease compared with that in the model group (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expressions of the HBO group were stronger than those in the model and MH groups, but weaker than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Although the plasma concentration of TGF-ß1 in HBO, MH and model groups was greater than that in the normal control group, no significant statistical difference was distinguished among these four groups (P > 0.05). These results indicate that the HBO treatment can inhibit the apoptosis and Caspase-3 expression of renal cells of GK rats, adjust the activity of MMP-2 and its inhibitors, and reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix. This implies that the HBO treatment might protect renal tissues, thus delaying occurrence and retaining development of diabetic nephropathy.

[Effects nutrients on the seedlings root hair development and root growth of Poncirus trifoliata under hydroponics condition].

Ahydroponics experiment was conducted to study the effects of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn) deficiency on the length of primary root, the number of lateral roots, and the root hair density, length, and diameter on the primary root and lateral roots of Poncirus trifoliata seedlings. Under the deficiency of each test nutrient, root hair could generate, but was mainly concentrated on the root base and fewer on the root tip. The root hair density on lateral roots was significantly larger than that on primary root, but the root hair length was in adverse. The deficiency of each test nutrient had greater effects on the growth and development of root hairs, with the root hair density on primary root varied from 55.0 to 174.3 mm(-2). As compared with the control, Ca deficiency induced the significant increase of root hair density and length on primary root, P deficiency promoted the root hair density and length on the base and middle part of primary root and on the lateral roots significantly, Fe deficiency increased the root hair density but decreased the root hair length on the tip of primary root significantly, K deficiency significantly decreased the root hair density, length, and diameter on primary root and lateral roots, whereas Mg deficiency increased the root hair length of primary root significantly. In all treatments of nutrient deficiency, the primary root had the similar growth rate, but, with the exceptions of N and Mg deficiency, the lateral roots exhibited shedding and regeneration.

Meta-analysis of Chinese medicines for prevention and treatment of radiation esophagitis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically assess the clinical effectiveness of Chinese medicines for prevention and treatment of radiation esophagitis by meta-analysis. METHODS: The articles were mainly retrieved from the "CHKD (China Hospital Knowledge Database) periodical full text databank", the "China periodical full text databank", the "CHKD doctor's and Master's degree student full text databank", and the "China doctor's degree student thesis databank", and they were selected according to the literature selection standard. The effects of Chinese medicines and Western medicines on radiation esophagitis were compared by meta-analysis. RESULTS: Based on 13 articles, we found that the effectiveness of Chinese medicines for prevention and treatment of radiation esophagitis was superior to Western medicines, with no obvious side effects. Meta-analysis showed that the total odds ratio was 0.426 and the 95% confidence interval was 0.368, 0.493. CONCLUSION: Chinese medicines are superior to Western medicines in preventing and treating radiation esophagitis. However, some methodological problems in the literature may have affected the authenticity of the results. Therefore, more rigorous, multi-central, randomized controlled trials with a large sample size should be designed to obtain a more reliable conclusion.

[Preventive and therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicine Compound Zhuye Shigao Granule in rats with radiation-induced esophagitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Compound Zhuye Shigao Granule (CZSG), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on radiation-induced esophagitis in rats. METHODS: Fifty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group (8 rats), model group (12 rats), and high-, medium- and low-dose CZSG groups (12 rats in each group). The rats in the normal control and model groups were given normal saline 10 mL/kg body weight and those in the CZSG-treated groups were given solution of CZSG at doses of 1.15, 2.30, or 4.60 g/kg body weight respectively by intragastric administration once a day for 7 days. Then esophagitis was induced by local irradiation of (60)Co ray (490.25 cGy/min, totaled 30 Gy). The administration was continued for another 7 days or 14 days, meanwhile body weight and daily food intake of the rats were recorded. Seven days after the irradiation, 4 rats in each group were sacrificed under anesthesia, then, the esophageal tissue was obtained for histopathological examination and the degrees of esophageal tissue injury and neutrophil infiltration were scored. Fourteen days after the irradiation, all the survival rats were dealt in the same way. RESULTS: (1) Seven days after the irradiation, the esophageal tissue sections in the model group showed typical histopathological changes of radiation-induced esophagitis, whereas in the CZSG groups the histopathological changes were lessened dose-dependently and in the high-dose CZSG group the esophageal tissue remained basically intact. (2) The scores of esophageal tissue injury and cellular infiltration in the high- and medium-dose CZSG groups were both significantly less than in the model group (P<0.05). (3) The body weight of the rats increased in the normal control group, whereas it decreased obviously in the model group. In the medium- and high-dose CZSG groups, it did not decrease significantly. The decrease of body weight in the high-dose CZSG group was less than that in the model group (P<0.05). (4) Compared with the normal control group, the daily food intake was reduced in the other groups. However, it was significantly greater in the low, medium- and high-dose CZSG groups than in the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In rats with radiation-induced esophagitis, CZSG can effectively relieve the esophageal tissue injury and cellular infiltration, increase daily food intake, and prevent rats from lose of body weight dose-dependently, which show that CZSG has the preventive and therapeutic effects for radiation-induced esophagitis in rats.

Protective effects of omega-3 fish oil on lead-induced impairment of long-term potentiation in rat dentate gyrus in vivo.

In order to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fish oil supplement by gavage (0.4 mL/100 g body weight) on the chronic lead-induced (0.2% lead acetate) impairments of long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat dentate gyrus (DG) in vivo, we designed the experiments which were carried out in four groups of newborn Wistar rats (the control, the lead-exposed, the control with fish oil treatment and the lead-exposed with fish oil treatment, respectively). The excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in the DG of rats with above different treatments at the age of 80-90 d in response to stimulation applied to the lateral perforant path. The results showed (1) postnatal chronic lead-exposure impaired LTP measured on both EPSP slope and PS amplitude in DG area of the hippocampus; (2) in the control rats, omega-3 fish oil had no effect on LTP while in the lead-exposed rats, omega-3 fish oil had a protective effect on LTP. These results suggest that omega-3 fish oil supplement could protect rats from the lead-induced impairment of LTP. Omega-3 fish oil might be a preventive substance in reducing LTP deficits induced by lead.

[Determination of plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin with ultrafiltration].

OBJECTIVE: To study the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin. METHOD: The ultrafiltration was employed to determine the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin. The plasma concentrations of methyl protodioscin were measured by HPLC-MS-MS. RESULT: The plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin with rat plasma at the concentration of 20.0, 100 and 200 microg x mL(-1) were (94.6 +/- 0.16)%, (91.6 +/- 0.35)% and (86.10 +/- 0.60)%, respectively, while the plasma protein binding rate of methyl protodioscin with normal human plasma at the above concentrations were (82.11 +/- 5.12)%, (84.54 +/- 0.32)% and (88.52 +/- 1.02)%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The binding rate of methyl protodioscin with plasma protein is high.