Rice husk ash based growing media impact on cucumber and melon growth and quality.

Rice husk, an agricultural waste from the rice industry, can cause serious environmental pollution if not properly managed. However, rice husk ash (RHA) has been found to have many positive properties, making it a potential replacement for non-renewable peat in soilless planting. Thus, this study investigated the impact of a RHA composite substrate on the growth, photosynthetic parameters, and fruit quality of cucumber (Yuyi longxiang variety) and melon (Yutian yangjiaomi variety). The RHA, peat, vermiculite, and perlite were blended in varying proportions, with the conventional seedling substrate (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 1:1:1 volume ratio) serving as the control (CK). All plants were cultivated in barrels filled with 10L of the mixed substrates. The results from this study found that RHA 40 (RHA:peat:vermiculite:perlite = 4:4:1:1 volume ratio) significantly enhanced substrate ventilation and positively influenced the stem diameter, root activity, seedling index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) of cucumber and melon plants. Additionally, plant planted using RHA 40, the individual fruit weight of cucumber and melon found to increase by 34.62% and 21.67%, respectively, as compared to the control. Aside from that, both cucumber and melon fruits had significantly higher sucrose, total soluble sugar, vitamin C, and soluble protein levels. This subsequently improved the activity of sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase in both cucumber and melon. In conclusion, the RHA 40 found to best promote cucumber and melon plant growth, increase plant leaf photosynthesis, and improve cucumber and melon fruit quality, making it a suitable substrate formula for cucumber and melon cultivation in place of peat.

Disruptions of sugar utilization and carbohydrate metabolism in rice developing anthers aggravated heat stress-induced pollen abortion.

High temperature (HT) stress at reproductive stage is one of most important environment negatively affecting spikelet fertility and rice yield. In this study, the effect of HT exposure on the sugar composition and carbohydrate metabolism in developing anthers and its relation to floret fertility and pollen viability were investigated by different temperature regimes under well-controlled climatic condition. Result showed that HT exposure during microspore development significantly reduced the starch deposition in developing anther and evidently disrupted the spatial distribution of sugar and starch concentrations in different compartments of rice anther, with the higher ratio of sucrose to hexose concentrations in HT-stressed anthers relative to the control ones. Under HT exposure, the amount of starch deposition in the fraction of sporophytic tissues dropped evidently, while the concentrations of sucrose and starch in anther wall tissue enhanced significantly, suggesting that HT exposure impaired the translocation of sucrose from the anther wall tissue to the sporophytic tissues inside rice anther. Furthermore, we presented possible contribution of various genes and key enzymes involving in sugar conversion and carbohydrate metabolism in developing anther to the formation of HT-induced pollen abortion by disrupting the sugar utilization in HT-stressed anther. HT exposure suppressed the activities of cell wall and vacuolar invertase, hexokinase, and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in developing anther, while it was opposite for the effect of HT exposure on sucrose synthase and fructokinase. HT-induced suppression of OsCWIN3 in the anther walls might be strongly responsible for the HT-induced impairments of sugar utilization in HT-stressed anthers.

Short-Term Supplementation of Pectin Alters Substrate Dynamics and Modulates Microbial Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Gut of a Pig Model.

The interaction of pectin and gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining animal and human health, but this interaction is not fully understood. Here, the impact of pectin supplementation on substrate dynamics and gut microbiota (in the terminal ileum and feces) was integrally investigated in a fistula pig model. Our results showed that a pectin-supplemented diet (PEC) decreased the concentrations of starch, cellulose, and butyrate in feces but not in the terminal ileum. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that PEC had a low impact on the ileal microbiota but significantly increased plant polysaccharide-degrading genera (e.g., Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Treponema) in feces. Additionally, CAZyme profiling indicated that PEC reduced GH68 and GH8 for oligosaccharide degradation in the ileal microbiome, while it enriched GH5, GH57, and GH106 for degradation of carbohydrate substrates in feces. Metabolomic analysis confirmed that PEC increased metabolites involved in carbohydrate metabolism including glucuronate and aconitate. Collectively, pectin could promote complex carbohydrate substrate degradation in the hindgut via modulating the gut microbiota.

In vitro gut microbiome response to carbohydrate supplementation is acutely affected by a sudden change in diet.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between diet, stress and the gut microbiome are of interest as a means to modulate health and performance. Here, in vitro fermentation was used to explore the effects of a sudden change in diet, 21 days sole sustenance on the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) U.S. military combat ration, on inter-species competition and functional potential of the human gut microbiota. Human fecal samples collected before and after MRE intervention or consuming a habitual diet (HAB) were introduced to nutrient-rich media supplemented with starch for in vitro fermentation under ascending colon conditions. 16S rRNA amplicon and Whole-metagenome sequencing (WMS) were used to measure community composition and functional potential. Specific statistical analyses were implemented to detect changes in relative abundance from taxa, genes and pathways. RESULTS: Differential changes in relative abundance of 11 taxa, Dorea, Lachnospira, Bacteroides fragilis, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Betaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides egerthii, Ruminococcus bromii, Prevotella, and Slackia, and nine Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes, specifically GH13_14, over the 24 h fermentation were observed as a function of the diet intervention and correlated to specific taxa of interest. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that consuming MRE for 21 days acutely effects changes in gut microbiota structure in response to carbohydrate but may induce alterations in metabolic capacity. Additionally, these findings demonstrate the potential of starch as a candidate supplemental strategy to functionally modulate specific gut commensals during stress-induced states.

1-Methylcyclopropene treatment delays the softening of Actinidia arguta fruit by reducing cell wall degradation and modulating carbohydrate metabolism.

The rapid softening of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) fruit significantly reduces its marketing potential. Therefore, the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the softening of A. arguta fruit was investigated. Results indicated that A. arguta fruit treated with 1-MCP maintained a higher level of firmness, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and flavonoids content, relative to non-treated fruit. Fruit treated with 1-MCP and placed in long-term cold storage had higher sensory scores, as determined by a taste panel and supported by electronic nose and tongue data. Notably, 1-MCP delayed the degradation of cell wall components, including pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, by reducing the activity of cell-wall-modifying enzymes. In addition, 1-MCP reduced the activity of carbohydrate metabolism-related enzymes, resulting in fruit with higher levels of starch and sucrose and lower levels of glucose, fructose and sorbitol. Collectively, these results indicate that 1-MCP can be used to delay the softening of A. arguta fruit and extend its storage and shelf life.

Metabolic effects of L-citrulline in type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is involved in the pathophysiology of T2D and its complications. L-citrulline (Cit), a precursor of NO production, has been suggested as a novel therapeutic agent for T2D. Available data from human and animal studies indicate that Cit supplementation in T2D increases circulating levels of Cit and L-arginine while decreasing circulating glucose and free fatty acids and improving dyslipidemia. The underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects of Cit include increased insulin secretion from the pancreatic ß cells, increased glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle, as well as increased lipolysis and ß-oxidation, and decreased glyceroneogenesis in the adipose tissue. Thus, Cit has antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, and antioxidant effects and has the potential to be used as a new therapeutic agent in the management of T2D. This review summarizes available literature from human and animal studies to explore the effects of Cit on metabolic parameters in T2D. It also discusses the possible mechanisms underlying Cit-induced improved metabolic parameters in T2D.

Effects of soil drought on cottonseed kernel carbohydrate metabolism and kernel biomass accumulation.

Cottonseed is the main coproduct of cotton production. The carbohydrate metabolism provides carbon substrate for the accumulation of cottonseed kernel biomass which was the basis of cottonseed kernel development. However, the responses of drought stress on carbohydrate metabolism in kernels are still unclear. To address this, two cotton cultivars (Dexiamian 1 and Yuzaomian 9110) were cultivated under three water treatments including soil relative water content (SRWC) at (75 ± 5)% (control), (60 ± 5)% (mild drought) and (45 ± 5)% (severe drought) to investigate the effects of soil drought on cottonseed kernel carbohydrate metabolism and kernel biomass accumulation. Results suggested that drought restrained the accumulation of cottonseed kernel biomass which eventually decreased cottonseed kernel biomass at maturity. In detail, the down-regulation of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity led to the inhibition of sucrose synthesis, while the up-regulation of invertase (INV) promoted the sucrose decomposite, which reduced the sucrose content eventually under drought. Though hexose content was increased, phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP) content was decreased under drought by downregulating 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities, which hindered the conversion of hexose to PEP. The large decrease of sucrose and PEP contents hindered the accumulation of kernel biomass. The related substances contents and enzyme activities in carbohydrate metabolism of Yuzaomian 9110 were more susceptible to drought stress than Dexiamian 1.

Biomarkers of growth and carbohydrate metabolism in neonatal rats supplemented with fish oil and/or antioxidants during intermittent hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) experience frequent intermittent hypoxia (IH) episodes during therapeutic oxygen. ELGANs exhibit poor postnatal growth requiring lipid supplementation. Lipids are targets of reactive oxygen species resulting in lipid peroxidation and cell death, particularly in preterm infants with compromised antioxidant systems. We tested the hypothesis that early supplementation with lipids and/or antioxidants promotes growth and influences biomarkers of carbohydrate metabolism in neonatal rats exposed to IH. DESIGN: Newborn rats (n = 18/group) were exposed to brief hypoxia (12% O2) during hyperoxia (50% O2), or room air (RA), from birth (P0) to P14 during which they received daily oral supplementation with: 1) fish oil; 2) Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in olive oil; 3) glutathione nanoparticles (nGSH); 4) fish oil+CoQ10; or 5) olive oil. At P21, plasma samples were assessed for glucose, insulin, glucokinase (GCK), glucagon, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, growth hormone (GH), corticosterone, and ghrelin. Liver was assessed for histopathology, apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, TUNEL stain), and GH, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, GH binding protein (GHBP), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3. RESULTS: Neonatal IH resulted in decreased liver weight and liver/body weight ratios, as well as hepatocyte swelling, steatosis, and apoptosis, which were attenuated with fish oil, nGSH, and combined fish oil+CoQ10. IH also decreased plasma glucose, insulin, GCK, and ghrelin, but increased GLP-1. All treatments improved plasma glucose in IH, but insulin was higher with CoQ10 and nGSH only. Glucagon was increased with CoQ10, fish oil, and CoQ10 + fish oil, while corticosterone was higher with nGSH and CoQ10 + fish oil. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were significantly higher in the liver with CoQ10 in IH, while deficits in GH were noted with CoQ10 and fish oil in RA and IH. Treatment with nGSH and combined CoQ10 + fish oil reduced IGF-I in RA and IH but increased IGFBP-3. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal IH impairs liver growth with significant hepatocyte damage. Of all supplements in IH, nGSH and combined fish oil+CoQ10 were most effective for preserving liver growth and carbohydrate metabolism. Data suggest that these supplements may improve poor postnatal organ and body growth; and metabolic dysfunction associated with neonatal IH.

Hypericum perforatum L. extract exerts insulinotropic effects and inhibits gluconeogenesis in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK expression and PKCε concentration.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hypericum perforatum L., commonly known as St. John's Wort (SJW), represents one of the best-known and most thoroughly researched medicinal plant species. The ethnobotanical usage and bioactivities related to H. perforatum include treatment of skin diseases, wounds and burns, gastrointestinal problems, urogenital diseases and psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. In the last decade, many studies focused on the bioactive constituents responsible for the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity of SJW extracts. However, the mechanism by which H. perforatum extract exhibits these properties is still unclear. Hence, the current study was designed to gain insight into the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which wildly growing H. perforatum exerts its antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plant material of H. perforatum was harvested from a natural population in the Republic of North Macedonia during full flowering season. Methanol (80% v/v) was used to extract bioactive components from HH powder. The dissolved HH dry extract (in 0.3% CMC) was given daily as a single treatment (200 mg/kg bw) during 14 days both in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. As a positive control, we applied glibenclamide. The activity of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate methabolisam in the liver were assessed, along with substrate concentration, as well as AMPK mRNA levels, PKCε concentration, plasma insulin level and pancreatic PARP activity. RESULTS: Compared to diabetic rats, treatment of diabetic rats with HH extract resulted with decreased activity of hepatic enzymes glucose-6-phospatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, increased liver glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate content, which resulted with reduced blood glucose concentration up to normoglycaemia. Non-significant changes were observed in the activity of hexokinase, glycogen phosphorylase and glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase. HH-treatment also caused an increase in plasma insulin concentration and increase in pancreatic PARP activity. Finally, HH treatment of diabetic rats showed significant increase in AMPK expression and decrease of PKCε concentration. CONCLUSION: We present in vivo evidence that HH- extract exert insulinotropic effects and regulate endogenous glucose production mostly by suppressing liver gluconeogenesis. The HH-treatment did not effected glycogenolysys and glycolysis. Finally, we confirm the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effect of HH-extract and the mechanism of this effect involves amelioration of AMPK and PKCε changes in the liver.

Clinical observation on acupuncture for 80 patients with abdominal obesity in Germany: based on the theory of unblocking and regulating the Belt Vessel / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the efficacy of unblocking and regulating the Belt Vessel acupuncture method for patients with abdominal obesity in Germany and its influence on the body fat parameters and glycolipids metabolism. Methods: A total of 82 cases of abdominal obesity in Germany were selected. There were two dropout cases in the treatment process. All of the patients received acupuncture at Daimai (GB26), Daheng (SP15), Tianshu (ST25), Zhongwan (CV12), Shuidao (ST28), Waiguan (TE5), and Zulinqi (GB41). The patients received acupuncture therapy once every 2-3 d, 3 times a week. The treatment duration lasted 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the body mass (BM), waist circumference (WC), abdominal circumference (AC), hip circumference (HC), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting blood glucose (GLU) were measured respectively, and the body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body fat rate (BFR) were calculated. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate was 72.5％; the levels of BM, WC, AC, HC, BMI, WHR, WHtR, BFR, TC, LDL-C, and GLU declined significantly compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the TG and HDL-C slightly declined, but the differences were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The unblocking and regulating the Belt Vessel acupuncture method can significantly reduce body fat parameters such as BM, AC, and BFR, and correct the disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with abdominal obesity in Germany.

Dynamic RNA-Seq Study Reveals the Potential Regulators of Seed Germination in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is an important traditional Chinese medicine, but poor seed germination limits its large-scale artificial cultivation. Thus, it is crucial to understand the regulators of seed germination to obtain clues about how to improve the artificial cultivation of Paris polyphylla. In this study, the seeds at three germination stages, including ungerminated seeds (stage 1), germinated seeds with a 0.5 cm radicel length (stage 2), and germinated seeds with a 2.0 cm radicel length (stage 3) after warm stratification (20 °C) for 90 days were used for RNA sequencing. Approximately 220 million clean reads and 447,314 annotated unigenes were obtained during seed germination, of which a total of 4454, 5150, and 1770 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at stage 1 to stage 2, stage 1 to stage 3, and stage 2 to stage 3, respectively. Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, signal transduction, and translation. Of them, several genes encoding the glutamate decarboxylase, glutamine synthetase, alpha-galactosidase, auxin-responsive protein IAA30, abscisic-acid-responsive element binding factor, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 9/18, and small and large subunit ribosomal proteins were identified as potentially involved in seed germination. The identified genes provide a valuable resource to study the molecular basis of seed germination in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Thymoquinone supplementation mitigates arsenic-induced cytotoxic and genotoxic alterations in rat liver.

Arsenic, a widespread environmental toxin, produces multiple organ toxicity, including hepatotoxicity. Thymoquinone (TQ) is known to restore liver functions in several hepatic injury models. This study aims to assess the mitigative potential of TQ against sodium arsenate (NaAs)-induced cytotoxic and genotoxic alterations in the liver. Rats were randomly distributed to control, NaAs, TQ, and NaAs+TQ groups. NaAs+TQ and TQ group of rats were pre-treated with TQ (1.5 mg/kg bwt, orally) for 14 days, and the treatment was further continued for 30 days, with and without NaAs treatment (5 mg/kg bwt, orally), respectively. The deleterious histological alterations in the liver of arsenic intoxicated animals were accompanied by an upsurge in the activities of serum ALT and AST, the diagnostic indicators of liver injury. NaAs caused pronounced alterations in the activities of membrane marker and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and the enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of hepatic antioxidant defense. Significant hepatocyte DNA damage and hepatic arsenic accumulation were also observed in arsenic-exposed rats. TQ supplementation alleviated these adverse alterations and improved the overall hepatic metabolic and antioxidant status in NaAs-administered rats. Prevention of oxidative injury could be the key mechanism of TQ-elicited protective effects. TQ may have an excellent scope as a dietary supplement in the management of arsenic-induced hepatic pathophysiology.

Arabinoxylan and Pectin Metabolism in Crohn's Disease Microbiota: An In Silico Study.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disorder including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (CD). Gut dysbiosis is often associated with CD, and metagenomics allows a better understanding of the microbial communities involved. The objective of this study was to reconstruct in silico carbohydrate metabolic capabilities from metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) obtained from healthy and CD individuals. This computational method was developed as a mean to aid rationally designed prebiotic interventions to rebalance CD dysbiosis, with a focus on metabolism of emergent prebiotics derived from arabinoxylan and pectin. Up to 1196 and 1577 MAGs were recovered from CD and healthy people, respectively. MAGs of Akkermansia muciniphila, Barnesiella viscericola DSM 18177 and Paraprevotella xylaniphila YIT 11841 showed a wide range of unique and specific enzymes acting on arabinoxylan and pectin. These glycosidases were also found in MAGs recovered from CD patients. Interestingly, these arabinoxylan and pectin degraders are predicted to exhibit metabolic interactions with other gut microbes reduced in CD. Thus, administration of arabinoxylan and pectin may ameliorate dysbiosis in CD by promoting species with key metabolic functions, capable of cross-feeding other beneficial species. These computational methods may be of special interest for the rational design of prebiotic ingredients targeting at CD.

New insights into the influence of myo-inositol on carbohydrate metabolism during osmoregulation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

A two-factor (2 × 3) orthogonal test was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary myo-inositol (MI) on the osmoregulation and carbohydrate metabolism of euryhaline fish tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under sustained hypertonic stress (20 practical salinity units [psu]). 6 diets containing either normal carbohydrate (NC, 30%) or high carbohydrate (HC, 45%) levels, with 3 levels (0, 400 and 1,200 mg/kg diet) of MI, respectively, were fed to 540 fish under 20 psu for 8 weeks. Dietary MI supplementation significantly improved growth performance and crude protein content of whole fish, and decreased the content of crude lipid of whole fish (P < 0.05). Curled, disordered gill lamella and cracked gill filament cartilage were observed in the gill of fish fed diets without MI supplementation. The ion transport capacity in gill was significantly improved in the 1,200 mg/kg MI supplementation groups compared with the 0 mg/kg MI groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the contents of Na+, K+, Cl- in serum were markedly reduced with the dietary MI supplementation (P < 0.05). The fish fed 1,200 mg/kg MI supplementation had the highest MI content in the gills and the lowest MI content in the serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the fish fed with 1,200 mg/kg MI supplementation had the highest MI synthesis capacity in gills and brain (P < 0.05). Dietary MI markedly promoted the ability of carbohydrate metabolism in liver (P < 0.05). Moreover, fish in the 1,200 mg/kg MI groups had the highest antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). This study indicated that high dietary carbohydrate would intensify stress, and impair the ability of osmoregulation in tilapia under a long-term hypersaline exposure. The supplementation of MI at 1,200 mg/kg in the high carbohydrate diet could promote carbohydrate utilization and improve the osmoregulation capacity of tilapia under long-term hypertonic stress.

Characteristics of Serum Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Disturbance of circulating metabolites and disorders of the gut microbiota are involved in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, there is limited research on the relationship between serum metabolites and gut microbiota, and their involvement in DKD. In this study, using an experimental DKD rat model induced by combining streptozotocin injection and unilateral nephrectomy, we employed untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the relationship between the metabolic profile and the structure and function of gut microbiota. Striking alterations took place in 140 serum metabolites, as well as in the composition and function of rat gut microbiota. These changes were mainly associated with carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. In these pathways, isomaltose, D-mannose, galactonic acid, citramalic acid, and prostaglandin B2 were significantly upregulated. 3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)indole, 3-methylindole, and indoleacrylic acid were downregulated and were the critical metabolites in the DKD model. Furthermore, the levels of these three indoles were restored after treatment with the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Tangshen Formula. At the genera level, g_Eubacterium_nodatum_group, g_Lactobacillus, and g_Faecalibaculum were most involved in metabolic disorders in the progression of DKD. Notably, the circulating lipid metabolites had a strong relationship with DKD-related parameters and were especially negatively related to the mesangial matrix area. Serum lipid indices (TG and TC) and UACR were directly associated with certain microbial genera. In conclusion, the present research verified the anomalous circulating metabolites and gut microbiota in DKD progression. We also identified the potential metabolic and microbial targets for the treatment of DKD.

Carbohydrate regulation response to cold during rhizome bud dormancy release in Polygonatum kingianum.

BACKGROUND: The rhizome of Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl (P. kingianum) is a crucial traditional Chinese medicine, but severe bud dormancy occurs during early rhizome development. Low temperature is a positive factor affecting dormancy release, whereas the variation in carbohydrates during dormancy release has not been investigated systematically. Therefore, the sugar content, related metabolic pathways and gene co-expression were analysed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of carbohydrates during dormancy release in the P. kingianum rhizome bud. RESULTS: During dormancy transition, starch and sucrose (Suc) exhibited opposing trends in the P. kingianum rhizome bud, representing a critical indicator of dormancy release. Galactose (Gal) and raffinose (Raf) were increased in content and synthesis. Glucose (Glc), cellulose (Cel), mannose (Man), arabinose (Ara), rhamnose (Rha) and stachyose (Sta) showed various changes, indicating their different roles in breaking rhizome bud dormancy in P. kingianum. At the beginning of dormancy release, Glc metabolism may be dominated by anaerobic oxidation (glycolysis followed by ethanol fermentation). After entering the S3 stage, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were may be more active possibly. In the gene co-expression network comprising carbohydrates and hormones, HYD1 was identified as a hub gene, and numerous interactions centred on STS/SUS were also observed, suggesting the essential role of brassinosteroids (BRs), Raf and Suc in the regulatory network. CONCLUSION: We revealed cold-responsive genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting regulatory mechanisms of sugar during dormancy release in the P. kingianum rhizome bud. Additionally, gene co-expression analysis revealed possible interactions between sugar and hormone signalling, providing new insight into the dormancy release mechanism in P. kingianum rhizome buds.

The Potential of L-Arginine in Prevention and Treatment of Disturbed Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism-A Review.

L-arginine, an endogenous amino acid, is a safe substance that can be found in food. The compound is involved in synthesis of various products responsible for regulatory functions in the body. Particularly noteworthy is, among others, nitric oxide, a signaling molecule regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The increasing experimental and clinical data indicate that L-arginine supplementation may be helpful in managing disturbed metabolism in obesity, regulate arterial blood pressure or alleviate type 2 diabetes symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been sufficiently elucidated. This review aims to present the up-to-date information regarding the current uses and health-promoting potential of L-arginine, its effects on nitric oxide, carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, based on the results of in vivo, in vitro studies, and clinical human trials. Available literature suggests that L-arginine may have beneficial effects on human health. However, some studies found that higher dietary L-arginine is associated with worsening of an existing disease or may be potential risk factor for development of some diseases. The mechanisms of regulatory effects of L-arginine on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism have not been fully understood and are currently under investigation.

Attenuation of carbohydrate metabolism and lipid profile by methanolic extract of Euphorbia helioscopia and improvement of beta cell function in a type 2 diabetic rat model.

BACKGROUND: Traditional plant-based remedies prescribed to treat diabetes have shown promise in research-based setting. Current research was conducted to examine the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of methanolic extract of a folk herbal plant Euphorbia helioscopia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by administering 5% sucrose in drinking water and cafeteria diet for 8 weeks with subsequent nicotinamide and streptozotocin administration. Diabetic rats were then distributed into four individual groups (n = 8); Positive control (PC; no treatment), standard control (SC; Metformin @ 10 mg/kg bw), treatment 1 (EH1, E. helioscopia methanolic extract @200 mg/kg bw) and treatment 2 (EH2, E. helioscopia methanolic extract @400 mg/kg bw). After 21 days of treatments, the rats were decapitated for blood collection. Serum was evaluated for antidiabetic potential, antioxidant and lipid profile, thyroid hormone, amylin, leptin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes. Data were analyzed statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Serum levels of glucagon, glucose and C-peptide were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in EH1 (1915.33 ± 98.26a pg/ml, 122.59 ± 2.99a mg/dl, 277.59 ± 28.41a pg/ml respectively) and EH2 (1575.28 ± 56.46a pg/ml, 106.04 ± 5.21a mg/dl, 395.06 ± 42.55a pg/ml respectively) as compared to the PC (3135.78 ± 189.46bpg/ml, 191.24 ± 17.75bmg/dl, 671.70 ± 109.75b pg/ml respectively) group. A similar trend was observed in serum insulin levels in EH1 and EH2 groups. The plant's methanolic extract effectively reduced the total oxidant status (TOS) and MDA levels in the diabetic rats and increased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) along with an increased level of SOD, Catalase, Paraoxonase, and arylesterase. The plant extract also induced antihyperlipidemic activity and recovered the thyroid hormones, amylin, and leptin levels to normal. The activity of different carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like Pyruvate Kinase, Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, and glucokinase has also been restored by the extract treatment. CONCLUSION: Current study indicates the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of E. helioscopia methanolic extract in normalizing the lipid profile, thyroid hormones, amylin, leptin, and carbohydrate metabolism in type 2 diabetic rat model.

Effects of Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation on glucose metabolism and inflammatory factors in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation on glucose metabolism and inflammatory factors in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a group for modeling (n=50) using the random number table method. Rats in the group for modeling were induced to form T2DM models by a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Thirty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a Mo-Rubbing abdomen group, and a metformin group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group received no intervention, those in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group received Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation, and those in the metformin group received metformin by gavage. After 8-week intervention, fasting insulin (FINS), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and area under the curve at the oral glucose tolerance test (AUC-OGTT), as well as serum inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected, and the morphological changes of the pancreas were also observed. Results: After the 8-week intervention, the levels of FINS, FPG, HOMA-IR, and AUC-OGTT of rats in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05); the pancreatic injury degree in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group and the metformin group was lower than that in the model group. Compared with the model group, the serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels of rats in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels of the metformin group showed a downward trend; the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the Mo-Rubbing abdomen group were significantly lower than those in the metformin group (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between FPG with IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the T2DM rats (P<0.01). Conclusion: Mo-Rubbing abdomen manipulation reduces the inflammatory response and improves the morphological changes of the pancreas in T2DM rats, thereby achieving the effect of lowering blood glucose.

Comparative study of silicon and selenium to modulate chloroplast pigments levels, Hill activity, photosynthetic parameters and carbohydrate metabolism under arsenic stress in rice seedlings.

Arsenic (As) in groundwater severely harms global economic development by affecting growth and productivity of agricultural crops that causes human health risk. The comparative influence of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) to modulate pigments levels, photosynthetic parameters using LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System and carbohydrate metabolism under arsenate (As-V) stress in rice cv. MTU-1010 were evaluated. As(V) stress significantly decreased chlorophyll-a (32% on an average), chlorophyll-b (58% on an average), total chlorophyll (46% on an average), fluorescence intensity (31% on an average), carotene (39% on an average), xanthophyll (33% on an average), Hill activity (47% on an average) and the photosynthetic parameters, viz. intercellular CO2 concentration (52% on an average), net photosynthesis (54% on an average), transpiration rate (36% on an average) and stomatal conductance (38% on an average) in the test seedlings. As(V) + Si treatments enhanced the stated occurrences more than As(V) + Se treatments in rice seedlings. Sugar contents, viz. reducing (85% on an average) and non-reducing sugar (61% on an average), were increased, but starch content (57% on an average) was decreased in only As(V)-treated rice seedlings. The activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were increased, while sucrose synthase activity was decreased due to As(V) toxicity in the test seedlings. Co-application of Si and As(V) as well as Se and As(V) showed ameliorative effects on sugar and starch contents along with the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, but more potential effect was observed under combined application of Si and As(V) in rice seedlings. Thus, it is an important purpose of this paper to compare the ability of Se and Si to alleviate As(V) toxicity in rice seedlings which will be an effective approach to develop possible strategies in As-contaminated agricultural soil to improve normal growth and productivity of rice plants.