Effects of Aminomethylphosphonic Acid on the Transcriptome and Metabolome of Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

Red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (P. clarkii), is an important model crustacean organism used in many types of research. However, the effects of different doses of aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMAP) on the transcriptome and metabolites of P. clarkii have not been explored. Thus, this study investigated the molecular and metabolic mechanisms activated at the different exposure dosages of AMAP in P. clarkii to provide new insights into the strategies of P. clarkii in response to the high concentrations of AMAP in the environment. In the present study, the P. clarkii were divided into three groups (control group; low-dosage AMAP exposure; high-dosage AMAP exposure), and hepatopancreatic tissue samples were dependently taken from the three groups. The response mechanisms at the different dosages of AMAP were investigated based on the transcriptome and metabolome data of P. clarkii. Differentially expressed genes and differentially abundant metabolites were identified in the distinct AMAP dosage exposure groups. The genes related to ribosome cell components were significantly up-regulated, suggesting that ribosomes play an essential role in responding to AMAP stress. The metabolite taurine, involved in the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism pathway, was significantly down-regulated. P. clarkii may provide feedback to counteract different dosages of AMAP via the upregulation of ribosome-related genes and multiple metabolic pathways. These key genes and metabolites play an important role in the response to AMAP stress to better prepare for survival in high AMAP concentrations.

Assessment of anti-diabetic activity of peanut shell polyphenol extracts.

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic property of peanut shell polyphenol extracts (PSPEs). Diabetic rats were oral-administrated with PSPE at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day for 28 consecutive days, with metformin (Met) as a positive control. The results showed that, similar to the Met treatment, administration of PSPE caused significant decreases in food intake, water intake, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde in serum, and significant increases in BW, insulin level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and liver glycogen. Further, glucose tolerance was markedly improved in the PSPE-treated diabetic groups. Histopathological results showed that PSPE improved cellular structural and pathological changes in liver, kidney, and pancreatic islets. Collectively, the results indicated that the hypoglycemic effects of PSPE on high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes are comparable to Met, though their exact mechanism actions are still under investigation. Therefore, the current study suggests that PSPE could be a potential health-care food supplement in the management of diabetes.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Albumin Peptides from Corn Germ Meal on Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

Despite the fact that chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as a fatty liver disease, the addictive power of alcohol is strong worldwide. Corn germ meal albumin peptides (CGMAPs), by-products in corn germ oil industry have often been considered as wastes disposal in food processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of CGMAPs on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in a mouse model. The corn germ meal-derived albumin was enzymatically hydrolysed, and the albumin peptides fractions (APFs) with Mw < 1 kDa (APF4) was collected. APF4 was an oligopeptide with a high Fischer's ratio (F > 3), rich in glutamic, alanine, leucine and proline. The hydrophobic Q value was 5.1, indicating the property of high enrichment in hydrophobic amino acids. Alcohol administration significantly increased the activities and levels of hepatic aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and triglycerides (TG) (P < 0.01), and significantly reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. Those changes were significantly reversed by the application of APF4 at 800 mg/kg bw. Thus, APF4 of CGMAPs had a significant protective effect against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury through enhancement of in vivo antioxidant ability as a possible mechanism of action, which therefore suggested that APF4 might be useful as natural sources to protect liver from alcoholic damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Corn germ meal albumin peptides (CGMAPs) of Mw < 1 kDa, a kind of bioactive peptides which could effectively improve alcohol metabolism and protect against the hepatic damage induced by alcohol, might be useful as natural sources to protect liver from alcoholic damage.