Effects of naturally aged microplastics on the distribution and bioavailability of arsenic in soil aggregates and its accumulation in lettuce.

Naturally aged microplastics (NAMPs) and arsenic (As) have been reported to coexist in and threaten potentially to soil-plant ecosystem. The research explored the combined toxic effects of NAMPs and As to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth, and the distribution, accumulation and bioavailability of As in soil aggregates. The As contaminated soil with low, medium and high concentrations (L-As, M-As, H-As) were treated with or without NAMPs, and a total of six treatments. The results displayed that, in comparison to separate treatments of L-As and M-As, the presence of NAMPs increased the total biomass of lettuce grown at these two As concentrations by 68.9 % and 55.4 %, respectively. Simultaneous exposure of NAMPs and L-As or M-As led to a decrease in As content in shoot (0.45-2.17 mg kg-1) and root (5.68-14.66 mg kg-1) of lettuce, indicating an antagonistic effect between them. In contrast, co-exposure to H-As and NAMPs showed synergistic toxicity, and the leaf chlorophyll and nutritional quality of lettuce were also reduced. NAMPs altered the ratio of different soil aggregate fractions and the distribution of bioavailable As within them, which influenced the absorption of As by lettuce. In conclusion, these direct observations assist us in enhancing the comprehend of the As migration and enrichment characteristics in soil-plant system under the influence of NAMPs.

Biomacromolecule assembly of soy glycinin-potato starch complexes: Focus on structure, function, and applications.

The effect of the cross-linking mechanism and functional properties of soy glycinin (11S)-potato starch (PS) complexes was investigated in this study. The results showed that the binding effecting and spatial network structure of 11S-PS complexes via heated-induced cross-linking were adjusted by biopolymer ratios. In particular, 11S-PS complexes with the biopolymer ratios of 2:15, had a strongest intermolecular interaction through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic force. Moreover, 11S-PS complexes at the biopolymer ratios of 2:15 exhibited a finer three-dimensional network structure, which was used as film-forming solution to enhance the barrier performance and mitigate the exposure to the environment. In addition, the 11S-PS complexes coating was effective in moderating the loss of nutrients, thereby extending their storage life in truss tomato preservation experiments. This study provides helpful to insights into the cross-linking mechanism of the 11S-PS complexes and the potential application of food-grade biopolymer composite coatings in food preservation.

Traditional Chinese medicine injection for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As a common cardiovascular disease, the morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease (CHD) are increasing year by year. In recent years, many RCTs have proved that compared with conventional therapy, the combination of TCMIs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis can improve clinical efficacy. However, there is still a lack of direct comparative study between different kinds of TCMIs. Therefore, based on the NMA, this study compares the curative effects of various TCMIs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in treating CHD to provide a reference for clinical medication. METHODS: We will search PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, The Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodic Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database for the randomized controlled trials of Danhong injection, Xuesaitong injection, Dengzhanxixin injection, and Salvianolate injection in the treatment of CHD, and we will also manually retrieve from the following databases: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, conference papers, and unpublished studies or references. According to the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2 researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the RCTs' quality. The primary outcome indicators are the total effective rate of improving angina pectoris symptoms and electrocardiogram improvement. Secondary indicators were angina pectoris attack frequency, angina pectoris attack time, hemorheology, and inflammatory factor level. And use Stata 16.0 software for mesh meta-analysis. Evidence will be checked using the classification of recommendation, evaluation, development, and evaluation. RESULTS: In this study, from the perspective of different kinds of TCMIs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, we will compare the curative effects of varying treatment measures and rank the curative effects. CONCLUSION: This study will evaluate the efficacy of different kinds of TCMIs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis in the treatment of CHD and help clinicians improve their clinical effectiveness. UNIQUE INPLASY NUMBER: INPLASY202130103.

Regulatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine on gut microbiota in patients with atherosclerosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis of many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and its pathogenesis is complex. Recent studies revealed a significant role of gut microbiota in the onset and development of atherosclerosis. Traditional Chinese medicine has rich clinical experience and unique advantages in the treatment of atherosclerosis. A large number of studies have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has the functions of reducing blood lipid, regulating gut microbiota, and resisting inflammation. The aim of this systematic review is to observe the randomized controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicine in treating gut microbiota, so as to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in treating atherosclerosis patients. METHODS: The English database (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library) and Chinese database (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science, and Technology Periodic Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database) will be searched up to October 2020. We will also manually search the Chinese clinical trial register, conference papers, and unpublished studies or references. Randomized control trials of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of atherosclerosis were collected comprehensively, and 2 researchers will independently screen literature, data extraction, and evaluation the quality of literature methodology. The primary outcomes are lipid metabolism and gut microbiota and their metabolites. The secondary outcomes are the change of inflammatory markers. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3.5 software. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation will be used to evaluate the outcome quality of evidence. RESULTS: This study will comprehensively review the existing evidence of traditional Chinese medicine in treating atherosclerosis from the perspective of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: This study will provide information on the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in treating atherosclerosis from the perspective of gut microbiota. UNIQUE INPLASY NUMBER: INPLASY2020110056.

Jianpi Huazhuo Tiaozhi granules reduce oxidative stress injury in macrophages by inhibiting the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase/reactive oxygen species-nuclear transcription factor kappa B pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Jianpi Huazhuo Tiaozhi granules (JHTG) on oxidative stress damage to macrophages and explore the relationship between the levels of this damage and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)/reactive oxygen species (ROS)- nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS: Macrophages cultured in vitro were divided into seven groups: control, model control, inhibitor, positive control, 2.5% JHTG, 5% JHTG, and 10% JHTG. An oxidative stress injury model was established by stimulating macrophages with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Cell survival and apoptosis were detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, while ROS levels were detected using a fluorescence probe. Proteins and mRNAs associated with the NOX/ROS-NF-κB pathway, including NOX4, p22phox, inhibitor of NF-κB kinase-α (IKK-α), inhibitor of NF-κB kinase-ß (IKK-ß), and NF-κB were detected by Western blot and PCR, respectively. RESULTS: After JHTG treatment, there were fewer damaged and apoptotic macrophages, while superoxide dismutase levels were elevated. The JHTG-treated groups also showed reduced ROS levels. The molecular changes following JHTG treatment included decreased expression of NOX4 and p22phox at the protein level and decreased IKK-α, IKK-ß, and NF-κB expression at the mRNA level. All of these effects were correlated with the JHTG concentration. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the molecular mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of JHTG in macrophages is through inhibiting the NOX/ROS-NF-κB pathway.

Triptolide ameliorates fine particulate matter-induced podocytes injury via regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: PM2.5 is associated closely with an increased risk of membranous nephropathy (MN), however, whether PM2.5 could induce podocytes injury, the underlying pathology for MN, has not be thoroughly studied. Triptolide, an active component in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, is frequently used to treat MN in China, but its effects on PM2.5-induced podocytes injury is still largely unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PM2.5 on podocytes, and explored whether triptolide could improve PM2.5-induced podocytes injury and the possible underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Podocytes were incubated with PM2.5 after being pre-treated with triptolide, viability, apoptosis rate and migratory capacity of podocytes were determined by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Transwell assay, respectively. Additionally, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in podocytes, the cytoskeleton of podocytes, the protein expressions of nephrin, podocin, Bcl-2, Bax, nuclear factor kappa-B/p65 (NF-κB/p65) and phospho-inhibitor of NF-κB (p-IκBα) were measured. Our data showed that PM2.5 treatment significantly increased the disorganization of F-actin stress fibers, the damaged structural integrity of nucleus, the deranged and dissociated cytoskeleton in podocytes, increased the podocytes apoptosis rate, the levels of MDA and LDH, markedly up-regulated the protein expression of Bax, NF-κB/p65 and p-IκBα, down-regulated the protein expression of nephrin, podocin and Bcl-2, and significantly decreased the level of SOD, the migration rate and the viability of podocytes, compared with those of the untreated podocytes. These effects of PM2.5 on podocytes, however, were reversed by triptolide administration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that triptolide could prevent against PM2.5-induced podocytes injury via suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway.

Promising hen egg-derived proteins/peptides (EDPs) for food engineering, natural products and precision medicines.

Hen eggs (HEs) provide valuable nutrients for humans, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins. Recent studies revealed a number of novel egg-derived proteins/peptides (EDPs), and EDPs may play a crucial role in food industry and medical therapy. First, these EDPs were purified from the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysates of egg proteins and were characterized by biochemical assays such as gel electrophoresis, HPLC, mass spectrometry, proteomic and peptideomic analysis, etc. Second, some EDPs can be used as nontoxic bio-preservatives and functional nutraceuticals for replacing harmful sodium nitrite, inhibiting foodborne pathogens, promoting metal-ion absorption and improving meat-product quality, and these new features will be widely used in the field of food production. Third, novel medical properties of EDPs comprise anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities, which will benefit prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetic mellitus, immune disorders, etc. In summary, this review gives a real insight into the novel nutritional, biological and medical functions of EDPs, predictably facilitating the applications of EDPs in production of nutritive supplements, functional nutraceuticals and therapeutic medicines.