Ginsenoside Rh4 delays skeletal muscle aging through SIRT1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: The aging of skeletal muscle is the leading cause of physical disability in older adults, currently effective treatment methods are lacking. Ginsenoside Rh4, an active component extracted from ginseng, possesses beneficial anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the antioxidant effect of ginsenoside Rh4 on aging skeletal muscle and its molecular mechanism of anti-aging of skeletal muscle. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, we employed a D-galactose-induced model of skeletal muscle aging to investigate whether ginsenoside Rh4 can delay the process of skeletal muscle senescence. METHODS: The effects of ginsenoside Rh4 on oxidative damage and inflammation in aging skeletal muscle were analyzed using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, ELISA kits, H&E staining, flow cytometry, and protein immunoblotting. The changes of ginsenoside Rh4 on mitochondrial morphology were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and ELISA kits and protein immunoblotting analyzed the effects of ginsenoside Rh4 on mitochondrial homeostasis in skeletal muscle cells. The influence of ginsenoside Rh4 on the SIRT1 signaling pathway in aging skeletal muscle were investigated by protein immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and ß-galactosidase staining. RESULTS: Our results showed that Rh4 improved the morphology of muscle fibers and produced an anti-inflammatory response. Furthermore, in vitro experiments indicated that ginsenosides reduced the production of senescent cells, while Rh4 effectively alleviated oxidative damage in skeletal muscle and restored mitochondrial balance. Transcriptome analysis and molecular docking showed that Rh4 improved mitochondrial homeostasis and delayed skeletal muscle aging by regulating the PGC-1α-TFAM and HIF-1α-c-Myc pathways via targeting SIRT1. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rh4 improves oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle by activating SIRT1, deacetylating Nrf2, regulating PGC-1α-TFAM and HIF-1α-c-Myc pathways, and enhancing mitochondrial homeostasis, thus achieving the effect of delaying skeletal muscle aging.

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation on the composition of chlorogenic acids and anti-hyperuricemia activity of Artemisia selengensis Turcz.

Background: Lactobacillus fermentation has become a typical food processing method with the development of the modern food industry. Aims: This study aimed to assess the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCUF202.2 fermentation on Artemisia selengensis Turcz (AST) in relieving hyperuricemia (HUA) and the mechanisms involved. Results: The fermented Artemisia selengensis Turcz extracts (FASTE) could significantly increase the content of free polyphenol and enhance the inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase (XOD) in vitro. The result of ultrafiltration coupled with UPLC-MS/MS screened out the components that might be combined with XOD in the caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) of Artemisia selengensis Turcz extracts (ASTE) as 5-CQA, 3-CQA, 4-CQA, 1-CQA, 3,4-diCQA, 3,5-diCQA, 1,5-diCQA and 4,5-diCQA as well as caffeic acid (CA) of FASTE except the above. Our results also showed that ASTE and FASTE could alleviate HUA in rats. In contrast, FASTE had a better ability to reduce serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity than ASTE. Furthermore, FASTE could restore catalase (CAT) in HUA model rats in vivo, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to a better degree, thereby inhibiting the production of excess malondialdehyde (MDA). Under the intervention of ASTE and FASTE, the levels of serum pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in rats tended to be normal. However, FASTE could increase the expression of the uric acid secretion protein OAT1 and decrease the expression of reabsorption proteins URAT1 and GLUT9 in model rats, thereby reducing the serum uric acid (SUA) level in model rats. ASTE and FASTE can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansiaceae. Conclusion: Overall, part of diCQAs and CQAs was decomposed after fermentation. FASTE had a more substantial HUA-relieving effect than ASTE. It is expected to be applied to functional foods and contribute to the research and development of uric acid lowering functional foods.

Electrical Dry Needling Plus Corticosteroid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of electrical dry needling (DN) plus corticosteroid injection (CSI) on pain, physical function, and global change in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA). DESIGN: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Pain treatment clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients with KOA were randomly assigned to the electrical dry needling plus corticosteroid injection (electrical-DN+CSI) group or CSI group. INTERVENTIONS: The CSI group received glucocorticoid injection only once during the trial, and the electrical-DN+CSI group received glucocorticoid injection combined with 4 sessions of electrical-DN. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale at 3 months. The secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the time to complete the Timed Up and Go test, and the score of the global rating of change scale at 3 months. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the repeated measurement data. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and measurements were similar in the 2 groups. The group by time interaction effect was significant for all variables (P<.05). The electrical-DN+CSI group obtained a more significant reduction in pain intensity and more significant improvement in dysfunction than the CSI group at 3 months (P<.05). The median global rating of change score for the CSI group was +3 (somewhat better), and that for the electrical-DN+CSI group was +4 (moderately better). CONCLUSION: Electrical-DN therapy at myofascial trigger points combined with CSI is more effective at alleviating pain, improving dysfunction, and creating global change than CSI alone for patients with KOA. Electrical-DN may be an essential part of treatment for KOA rehabilitation.

Heat and cold therapy reduce pain in patients with delayed onset muscle soreness: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of heat and cold therapy on the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). METHODS: We followed our protocol that was registered in PROSPERO with ID CRD42020170632. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) was conducted. Nine databases were searched up to December 2020. Data was extracted from the retained studies and underwent methodological quality assessment and meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 32 RCTs involving 1098 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that, the application of cold therapy within 1 h after exercise could reduce the pain of DOMS patients within 24 h (≤24 h) after exercise (SMD -0.57,95%CI -0.89 to -0.25, P = 0.0005) and had no obvious effect within more than 24 h (>24 h) (P = 0.05). In cold therapies, cold water immersion (SMD -0.48, 95%CI -0.84 to -0.13, P = 0.008) and other cold therapies (SMD -0.68, 95%CI -1.28 to -0.08, P = 0.03) had the significant effects within 24 h. Heat treatment could reduce the pain of patients. It had obvious effects on the pain within 24 h (SMD -1.17, 95%CI -2.62 to -0.09, P = 0.03) and over 24 h (SMD -0.82, 95%CI -1.38 to -0.26, P = 0.004). Hot pack effect was the most obvious, which reduced the pain within 24 h (SMD -2.31, 95%CI -4.33 to -0.29, P = 0.03) and over 24 h (SMD -1.78, 95%CI -2.97 to -0.59, P = 0.003). Other thermal therapies were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Both cold and heat showed effect in reducing pain of patients, however there was no significant difference between cold and heat group (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence indicated that the application of cold and heat therapy within 1 h after exercise could effectively reduce the pain degree of DOMS patients for 24 h cold water immersion and hot pack therapy, which had the best effect, could promote the recovery of DOMS patients. But more high-quality studies are needed to confirm whether cold or heat therapy work better.

Newborn screening for primary carnitine deficiency in Quanzhou, China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by functional defects in the carnitine transporter OCTN2 due to mutations in SLC22A5. Here, we aimed to understand the incidence, clinical, biochemical, and molecular features of PCD in Quanzhou, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Newborn screening (NBS) was performed through tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to detect genetic metabolic diseases. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect SLC22A5 mutations in patients with suspected PCD. RESULTS: From 364,545 newborns screened, 36 were diagnosed with PCD, in addition to five mothers. The incidence of PCD in children in the Quanzhou area was 1:10126. Eighteen SLC22A5 variants were found, with five novel ones. The most prevalent variant in neonatal and maternal patients was c.760C > T (p.R254*). Twenty-five neonatal patients received L-carnitine supplementation; however, one patient discontinued treatment and sudden death occurred. One sibling presented repeated fatigue, hypoglycemia, and coma, but the symptoms disappeared after treatment. Two mothers with PCD claimed to feel weak and easily fatigued. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PCD is relatively high in the Quanzhou area. Five novel variants were found, broadening the mutation spectrum of SLC22A5. NBS is effective in identifying PCD, and sudden death may be prevented with timely treatment.

Comprehensive analysis of polygalacturonase gene family highlights candidate genes related to pollen development and male fertility in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

MAIN CONCLUSION: Four polygalacturonase gene family members were highlighted that contribute to elucidate the roles of polygalacturonase during the fertility conversion process in male-sterile wheat. Polygalacturonase (PG) belongs to a large family of hydrolases with important functions in cell separation during plant growth and development via the degradation of pectin. Specific expressed PGs in anthers may be significant for male sterility research and hybrid wheat breeding, but they have not been characterized in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we systematically studied the PG gene family using the latest published wheat reference genomic information. In total, 113 wheat PG genes were identified, which could be classified into six categories A-F according to their structure characteristics and phylogenetic comparisons with Arabidopsis and rice. Polyploidy and segmental duplications in wheat were proved to be mainly responsible for the expansion of the wheat PG gene family. RNA-seq showed that TaPGs have specific temporal and spatial expression characteristics, in which 12 TaPGs with spike-specific expression patterns were detected by qRT-PCR in different fertility anthers of KTM3315A, a thermo-sensitive cytoplasmic male-sterile wheat. Four of them specific upregulated (TaPG09, TaPG95, and TaPG93) or downregulated (TaPG87) at trinucleate stage of fertile anthers, and further aligning with the homologous in Arabidopsis revealed that they may undertake functions such as anther dehiscence, separation of pollen, pollen development, and pollen tube elongation, thereby inducing male fertility conversion in KTM3315A. These findings facilitate function investigations of the wheat PG gene family and provide new insights into the fertility conversion mechanism in male-sterile wheat.

Effect of sodium nitroprusside treatment on shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways of apple fruit.

Blue mould caused by Penicillium expansum is one of the important diseases of apple fruit during storage. Phenylpropanoid pathway is an important induction mechanism that can utilize downstream metabolites of shikimate pathway to synthesize a series of secondary metabolites. Apple fruit (cv. Fuji) were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to study its effect on blue mould, shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways. The results showed that 1.0 mmol L-1 SNP significantly inhibited lesion development of apple fruit inoculated with P. expansum. The results also indicated that SNP enhanced MdDHQS, MdSKDH, MdSK and MdEPSPS genes expressions, increased shikimic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine contents in apple fruit. The activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase, 4-coumarate: coenzyme A, ligase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, lignin, total phenolic compounds and flavonoids contents in apple fruit were also increased by SNP treatment. These results suggest that SNP might modulate shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways to enhance disease resistance of apple fruit.

Changes in the sucrose metabolism in apple fruit following postharvest acibenzolar-S-methyl treatment.

BACKGROUND: Apple (cv. Ralls) fruit were treated with 0.1 g L-1 acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) for 10 min to evaluate the changes in enzyme activity and gene expression in the sucrose metabolism during storage at 20 °C with 30%-40% relative humidity. RESULTS: The results showed that sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase synthesis (SS-s) activity was enhanced by ASM in apple fruit during the entire storage period. Sucrose synthase-cleavage (SS-c) and neutral invertase (NI) activity was suppressed by ASM treatment but acid invertase (AI) activity was increased in the middle period after ASM treatment. Acibenzolar-S-methyl treatment also significantly inhibited SPS and NI gene expression in apple fruit during storage. However, SS gene expression increased in the ASM-treated apple fruit. High levels of expression of the fructokinase (FK) and hexokinase (HK) genes were observed during the middle storage period in the ASM-treated fruit. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that ASM delays the senescence of apple fruit by regulating the sugar metabolism. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of sodium silicate retards apple softening by suppressing the activity of enzymes related to cell wall degradation.

BACKGROUND: During the storage of apples, apple softening is one of the main problems. Sodium silicate has been used to enhance disease resistance and maintain quality of fruits. In the present study, apple fruit (cv. Golden delicious) were treated with 100 mmol L-1 sodium silicate for 10 min and stored at 20 °C to investigate its effects on weight loss, flesh firmness, and the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes. RESULTS: The results indicated that 100 mmol L-1 of sodium silicate treatment delayed the increase of weight loss and decrease of the flesh firmness in apples. Sodium silicate treatment also suppressed the activity of polygalacturonic acid transeliminase and pectin methyltranseliminase, pectin methylgalacturonase, polygalacturonase, cellulase and ß-galactosidase in the fruit. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying apple softening by sodium silicate treatment is closely related to the inhibition of the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes and weight loss. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.