ß-Sitosterol Reduces the Content of Triglyceride and Cholesterol in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model.

OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with hyperlipidemia, which is closely related to high levels of sugar and fat. ß-sitosterol is a natural product with significant hypolipidemic and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, the underlying mechanism of its action on aquatic products is not completely understood. METHODS: A high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD zebrafish model was successfully established, and the anti-hyperlipidemic effect and potential mechanism of ß-sitosterol were studied using oil red O staining, filipin staining, and lipid metabolomics. RESULTS: ß-sitosterol significantly reduced the accumulation of triglyceride, glucose, and cholesterol in the zebrafish model. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that differential lipid molecules in ß-sitosterol mainly regulated the lipid metabolism and signal transduction function of the zebrafish model. ß-sitosterol mainly affected steroid biosynthesis and steroid hormone biosynthesis in the zebrafish model. Compared with the HFD group, the addition of 500 mg/100 g of ß-sitosterol significantly inhibited the expression of Ppar-γ and Rxr-α in the zebrafish model by at least 50% and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ß-sitosterol can reduce lipid accumulation in the zebrafish model of NAFLD by regulating lipid metabolism and signal transduction and inhibiting adipogenesis and lipid storage.

Deep sequencing identified miR-193b-3p as a positive regulator of autophagy targeting Akt3 in Ctenopharyngodon idella CIK cells during GCRV infection.

Recent research has highlighted complex and close interaction between miRNAs, autophagy, and viral infection. In this study, we observed the autophagy status in CIK cells infected with GCRV at various time points. We found that GCRV consistently induced cellar autophagy from 0 h to 12 h post infection. Subsequently, we performed deep sequencing on CIK cells infected with GCRV at 0 h and 12 h respectively, identifying 38 DEMs and predicting 9581 target genes. With the functional enrichment analyses of GO and KEGG, we identified 35 autophagy-related target genes of these DEMs, among which akt3 was pinpointed as the most central hub gene using module assay of the PPI network. Then employing the miRanda and Targetscan programs for prediction, and verification through a double fluorescent enzyme system and qPCR method, we confirmed that miR-193 b-3p could target the 3'-UTR of grass carp akt3, reducing its gene expression. Ultimately, we illustrated that grass carp miR-193 b-3p could promote autophagy in CIK cells. Above results collectively indicated that miRNAs might play a critical role in autophagy of grass carp during GCRV infection and contributed significantly to antiviral immunity by targeting autophagy-related genes. This study may provide new insights into the intricate mechanisms involved in virus, autophagy, and miRNAs.

Exercise Combined with a Low-Calorie Diet Improves Body Composition, Attenuates Muscle Mass Loss, and Regulates Appetite in Adult Women with High Body Fat Percentage but Normal BMI.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to examine the effects of a 500 kcal reduction in daily energy intake alone and in combination with 90 min of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week on body weight, body composition, and appetite sensations in young women with normal BMI and abnormal body fat percentage. METHODS: sixty-six young women with normal BMI and abnormal body fat percentage (21.33 ± 1.20 kg/m2 and 34.32 ± 2.94%) were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) caloric restriction (CR; n = 22), (2) caloric restriction with exercise (CR-EX; n = 22), and (3) control (C; n = 22). Data on anthropometry, blood samples, and subjective appetite sensations pre- and post-intervention were collected. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, CR and CR-EX groups both reduced body weight, fat percentage, and waist and hip circumferences compared to the C group (p < 0.05). Muscle mass of the CR group was significantly lower than that of the C group (-1.21 ± 0.86 kg vs. -0.27 ± 0.82 kg, p < 0.05), and no significant difference between CR-EX and C groups was observed. For appetite sensations, the subjects of the CR group showed significant increases in change of scores in desire to eat and prospective consumption than that of the C group (p < 0.05), while no significant difference between CR-EX and C groups was observed. CONCLUSION: A 500 kcal reduction in daily energy intake alone and in combination with 90 min of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week could both reduce weight and improve body composition in young adult women with normal BMI and abnormal body fat percentage. More importantly, calorie restriction combined with exercise intervention was superior to calorie restriction alone in improving muscle mass loss and regulating appetite sensations.

Effects of three weeks base training at moderate simulated altitude with or without hypoxic residence on exercise capacity and physiological adaptations in well-trained male runners.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that 'live high-base train high-interval train low' (HiHiLo) altitude training, compared to 'live low-train high' (LoHi), yields greater benefits on performance and physiological adaptations. Methods: Sixteen young male middle-distance runners (age, 17.0 ± 1.5 y; body mass, 58.8 ± 4.9 kg; body height, 176.3 ± 4.3 cm; training years, 3-5 y; training distance per week, 30-60 km.wk-1) with a peak oxygen uptake averaging ~65 ml.min-1.kg-1 trained in a normobaric hypoxia chamber (simulated altitude of ~2,500 m, monitored by heart rate ~170 bpm; thrice weekly) for 3 weeks. During this period, the HiHiLo group (n = 8) stayed in normobaric hypoxia (at ~2,800 m; 10 h.day-1), while the LoHi group (n = 8) resided near sea level. Before and immediately after the intervention, peak oxygen uptake and exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia responses (incremental cycle test) as well as running performance and time-domain heart rate variability (5-km time trial) were assessed. Hematological variables were monitored at baseline and on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 during the intervention. Results: Peak oxygen uptake and running performance did not differ before and after the intervention in either group (all P > 0.05). Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia responses, measured both at submaximal (240 W) and maximal loads during the incremental test, and log-transformed root mean square of successive R-R intervals during the 4-min post-run recovery period, did not change (all P > 0.05). Hematocrit, mean reticulocyte absolute count and reticulocyte percentage increased above baseline levels on day 21 of the intervention (all P < 0.001), irrespective of group. Conclusions: Well-trained runners undertaking base training at moderate simulated altitude for 3 weeks, with or without hypoxic residence, showed no performance improvement, also with unchanged time-domain heart rate variability and exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia responses.

MicroRNA-30e-3p regulates the inflammatory response by targeting the gimap8 gene in Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney (CIK) cells.

Recent studies have increasingly linked miRNAs with the modulation of inflammatory responses and immunosuppressive activities. This investigation reveals that mir-30e-3p selectively binds to and modulates gimap8, as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assays and qPCR analyses. Upon LPS stimulation of CIK cells, mir-30e-3p expression was notably elevated, inversely correlating with a decrease in gimap8 mRNA levels. Overexpression of mir-30e-3p attenuated the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines beyond the effect of LPS alone, suggesting a regulatory role of mir-30e-3p in inflammation mediated by the gimap8 gene. These insights contribute to our understanding of the complex mechanisms governing inflammatory and immune responses.

Enzymatic Stress Responses of Coreius guichenoti to Microplastics with Different Particle Sizes.

The wild population resources of Coreius guichenoti have sharply declined in recent decades, and any negative factors may have a significant impact on their survival. In this study, the enzymatic stress responses of C. guichenoti to 25 and 48 µm polyethylene fragments were explored for the first time. This was achieved by evaluating the changes in physiological and biochemical indicators of the species in response to the environmental stimuli of microplastics. In this study, we observed an early stress response in the external tissues of C. guichenoti following exposure to microplastics. The TP content in skin and muscle and the MDA content in skin, gill and muscle initially showed a significant increase. The skin, gill, and muscle exhibited greater stress responses to M5 particles, whereas M3 particles caused a greater response in the intestine and especially the liver. After the removal of microplastic exposure, the stress state of the C. guichenoti would be alleviated in a short period, but it could not fully recover to the pre-exposure level. In summary, microplastics pose a significant threat to C. guichenoti. While their negative effects can be alleviated by the removal of microplastics exposure, full recovery does not occur in a short period. Continuous monitoring of microplastics in natural waters and targeted aquatic ecological restoration are essential to ensure the normal growth and reproduction of the wild population of C. guichenoti.

Variations in the Intestinal Microbiota of the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) between Greenhouse and Pond Aquaculture.

The microbial community structure in aquaculture water plays an important role in the intestinal microbial diversity of aquatic animals. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (SST) (Trionyx sinensis) is an important aquaculture species of high economic value in the Asia-Pacific region. An intuitive understanding of the microbial diversity and abundances of SST aquaculture is crucial for comprehending these ecosystems. Herein, the evolutionary characteristics of the bacterial communities in the SST and its aquaculture water systems were investigated using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. This experiment sampled nine SSTs from a pond outside a greenhouse and was repeated three times. The sequencing results revealed significant differences in the microflora composition at the phylum and genus levels in both the intestine and aquaculture water of the SSTs in the greenhouse and pond aquaculture environments. A total of 1039 genera belonging to 65 phyla were identified. At the phylum level, the relative abundances of Chloroflexi (24%), Acidobacteria (5%), and Nitrospira (3%) were higher in the greenhouse water than in the pond water. The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes (35%), Actinobacteria (8%), and Cyanobacteria (4%) were higher in the pond water than in the greenhouse water. The intestinal microorganisms in the SSTs experienced significant changes after the SSTs were transferred from a greenhouse culture to a pond culture environment for 28 days. After the SSTs were cultured in the ponds, we observed decreases in the relative abundances of Actinobacteria (39% to 25%), Cyanobacteria (24% to 0.8%), Chlorobacteria (9% to 3%), and Firmicutes (5.5% to 0.8%. However, we observed increases in the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes (2% to 35%) and Acidobacteria (0.3% to 25%). These results showed that the bacterial diversity and richness compositions in the intestinal tract and aquaculture water were the same. However, the relative abundances of bacterial communities varied. The results of this study are of great significance in understanding how the environment affects SST cultures. These data may provide valuable instructions for Chinese soft-shelled turtle aquaculture management.

[Effects of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on skeletal muscle proteolytic pathways after exercise-induced muscle injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of branched-chain amino acid(BCAA) supplementation on muscle damage and the regulation of Krüppel-like factor 15(KLF15) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) mediated proteolytic pathways after an acute eccentric exercise. METHODS: Male SD rats were divided into placebo group(PLA) and BCAA group(BCAA) randomly, 32 rats per group. Both group were then placed into subgroups: placebo and pre-exercise group(PC), placebo and immediately after exercise group(PE), placebo and 6 h after exercise group(PE6), placebo and 12 h after exercise group(PE12), BCAA and pre-exercise group(BC), BCAA and immediately after exercise group(BE), BCAA and 6 h after exercise group(BE6), BCAA and 12 h after exercise group(BE12), 8 rats per group. Rats in BCAA groups were supplied with BCAA(1 g/(kg·d·BW), 3 days) before the exercise day and placebo groups with equal volume of distilled water. The exercised groups performed a 2 h eccentric exercise on treadmill(16 m/min, -16° slope). Blood and gastrocnemius were collected according to the time points. RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of KLF15, NF-κB, FoxO1, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in gastrocnemius. RESULTS: (1) No damage was found in myocytes of BC and PC group. The process of morphological damage in BCAA group was relatively faster. (2) The mRNA expression levels of KLF15, FoXO1, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in PE were higher than those in PC(P<0.05, P<0.01), NF-κB and Atrogin-1 in PE12 were higher than those in PC(P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of FoXO1 in BE were higher than those in BC(P<0.05). Compared with PE, the mRNA expression levels of KLF15, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in BE were lower(P<0.05, P<0.01), NF-κB and Atrogin-1 in BE12 were lower than those in PE12(P<0.05). The level of serum 3-MH in PE12 group was higher than that in PC group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The proteolysis of skeletal muscle after high-intensity eccentric exercise is mediated by two different pathways: KLF15 and NF-κB, whose activation is time-dependent. BCAA may reduce skeletal muscle proteolysis by lowering the level of gene transcription in the KLF15 and NF-κB related protein degradation pathway, which occurs immediately after exercise.

Extraction, Isolation, Screening, and Preliminary Characterization of Polysaccharides with Anti-Oxidant Activities from Oudemansiella raphanipies.

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to find the optimal extraction process of Oudemansiella raphanipies polysaccharides (ORPs). The results showed that the optimal extraction parameters were an alkali concentration of 0.02 mol/L, a ratio of material to liquid of 1:112.7 g/mL, an extraction temperature of 66.0 °C, and an extraction time of 4.0 h. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of ORPs was raised to 16.2 ± 0.1%. The antioxidant activities of ORPs-I~V were determined and compared, and ORPs-V was further purified by chromatography, with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 18.86 kDa. The structure of ORPs-V was determined by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), monosaccharide analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The ORPs-V comprised fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, fructose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid at a ratio of 1.73:1.20:1.13:2.87:8.71:2.89:1.42:0.81. Compared to other ORPs, ORPs-V showed the strongest antioxidant activities (ABTS radical cation, hydroxyl radical and DPPH scavenging activities, and reducing power), and were able to significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, they reduced the malondialdehyde content in mice fed a high-fat diet. These results indicate that ORPs-V may be good anti-oxidant agents to be applied in functional foods.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Squalene in Copper Sulfate-Induced Inflammation in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Long-term or excessive oxidative stress can cause serious damage to fish. Squalene can be added to feed as an antioxidant to improve the body constitution of fish. In this study, the antioxidant activity was detected by 2,2-diphenyl-1-acrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and fluorescent probe (dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate). Transgenic Tg (lyz: DsRed2) zebrafish were used to evaluate the effect of squalene on CuSO4-induced inflammatory response. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of immune-related genes. The DPPH assay demonstrated that the highest free radical scavenging exerted by squalene was 32%. The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) decreased significantly after 0.7% or 1% squalene treatment, and squalene could exert an antioxidative effect in vivo. The number of migratory neutrophils in vivo was significantly reduced after treatment with different doses of squalene. Moreover, compared with CuSO4 treatment alone, treatment with 1% squalene upregulated the expression of sod by 2.5-foldand gpx4b by 1.3-fold to protect zebrafish larvae against CuSO4-induced oxidative damage. Moreover, treatment with 1% squalene significantly downregulated the expression of tnfa and cox2. This study showed that squalene has potential as an aquafeed additive to provide both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.

Oral pyruvate prevents high-intensity interval exercise-induced metabolic acidosis in rats by promoting lactate dehydrogenase reaction.

Introduction: There is no denying the clinical benefits of exogenous pyruvate in the treatment of pathological metabolic acidosis. However, whether it can prevent exercise physiological metabolic acidosis, delay the occurrence of exercise fatigue, and improve the beneficial effects of exercise and its internal mechanism remain unclear. Methods: We randomly divided 24 male SD rats into 3 groups: one group was a control without exercise (CC, n = 8), and the other two groups were supplemented with 616 mg/kg/day pyruvate (EP, n = 8) or distilled water of equal volume (EC, n = 8). These groups completed acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) after 7 days of supplementation. The acid metabolism variables were measured immediately after exercise including blood pH (pHe), base excess (BE), HCO3 -, blood lactic acid and skeletal muscle pH (pHi). The redox state was determined by measuring the oxidized coenzyme I/reduced coenzyme I (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NAD+]/reduced NAD+ [NADH]) ratio and lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio. In addition, the activities of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) were determined by ELISA. Results: Pyruvate supplementation significantly reversed the decrease of pHe, BE, HCO3 - and pHi values after HIIE (p < 0.001), while significantly increased the activities of LDHA (p = 0.048), HK (p = 0.006), and PFK (p = 0.047). Compared with the CC, the NAD+/NADH (p = 0.008) ratio and the activities of LDHA (p = 0.002), HK (p < 0.001), PFK (p < 0.001), and PK (p = 0.006) were significantly improved in EP group. Discussion: This study provides compelling evidence that oral pyruvate attenuates HIIE-induced intracellular and extracellular acidification, possibly due to increased activity of LDHA, which promotes the absorption of H+ in the LDH reaction. The beneficial effects of improving the redox state and glycolysis rate were also shown. Our results suggest that pyruvate can be used as an oral nutritional supplement to buffer HIIE induced metabolic acidosis.

[Prediction equation of physical activity level based on step counts for Chinese adults: development and validation].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction equation for estimation physical activity level(PAL) based on the average daily steps in Chinese adults and to verify its prediction power. METHODS: A total of 800 adults with no restriction on physical activity were recruited. Excluding those who wore Actigragh WGT3X-BT accelerometer continuously for less than 3 days, 743 subjects(324 males, 419 females, mean age 31.4 years) were finally included. Daily steps, time of low intensity physical activity(LPA), moderate physical activity(MPA) and vigorous physical activity(VPA) and physical activity energy expenditure(PAEE) were measured by the accelerometer. The method of external validation was adopted. The measured PAL calculated by basal metabolic rate(BMR) measured by indirect thermography(IC) and total energy expenditure(TEE) measured by doubly labeled water method was used as the gold standard. The consistency of the prediction formula was verified by Bland-Altman analysis and the accuracy was verified by the accurate. RESULTS: The prediction equation was developed: PAL=1.17 + 0.000028 Steps. In the external verification, the mean difference was 0.05, the 95% consistency limit was(-0.26, 0.36), and the accuracy was 73%, indicating a good consistency. CONCLUSION: The prediction formula of PAL for Chinese adults based on the steps has good performance and can be applied to the management of physical activity and the prevention of obesity in Chinese adults.

Which Specific Exercise Models Are Most Effective on Global Cognition in Patients with Cognitive Impairment? A Network Meta-Analysis.

(1) Introduction: Physical exercise interventions can impart significant cognitive benefits to older adults suffering from cognitive impairment (CI). However, the efficacy of these interventions can vary widely, depending on the type, intensity, duration and frequency of exercise. (2) Aim: To systematically review the efficacy of exercise therapy on global cognition in patients with CI using a network meta-analysis (NMA). (3) Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Sport Discus (EBSCO) and Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on exercise for patients with CI from inception to 7 August 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. The NMA was performed using the consistency model. (4) Results: A total of 29 RCTs comprising 2458 CI patients were included. The effects of different types of exercise on patients with CI were ranked as follows: multicomponent exercise (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.36, p = 0.002), short duration (≤45 min) (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.19, p = 0.001), vigorous intensity (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.36, p = 0.011) and high frequency (5-7 times/week) (SMD = 1.28, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.14, p = 0.004). (5) Conclusion: These results suggested that multicomponent, short-duration, high-intensity, and high-frequency exercise may be the most effective type of exercise in improving global cognition in CI patients. However, more RCTs based on direct comparison of the effects of different exercise interventions are needed. (6) NMA registration identifier: CRD42022354978.

Synthesis of a magnetic micelle molecularly imprinted polymers to selective adsorption of rutin from Sophora japonica.

Rutin is a naturally active compound with biological and medical value. The traditional extraction and separation method not only destroys the structure and activity of rutin, but results in a low extraction rate. In this work, the magnetic micellar molecularly imprinted polymer of rutin with a selective recognition function, i.e., RMMMIP was synthesized from 4 to Vinylphenylboron acid and 4-Vinylpyridine as functional monomer, derivatives of cholic acid as amphiphilic molecules. The internal hydrophobic and external hydrophilic characteristics of micelle was used to weaken the solvation of rutin and strengthen the non-covalent interaction between functional monomer and rutin. Fe3O4, as the core, endowed the composite materials with good magnetic responsiveness and was easy to separate solid from liquid. Then its structure and adsorption were studied, adsorbing capacity and recognition specific factor of RMMMIP are 11.9 mg·g-1 and 3.55 respectively. RMMMIP was used for the separation of rutin from crude extracts of Sophora japonica Linn and showed a better selective adsorption capacity than quercetin, naringin and cyanidin-3-O-glucose. It indicated that RMMMIP as a specific adsorbent had the potential to be a practical way to purify rutin from rutin crude extracts in the future.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on maximum accumulated oxygen deficit in 400-meter runners.

The main aim of this study was to examine the influence of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD). We conducted a three-arm and assessor-blinded randomized, controlled crossover study. Sixteen 400-meter running male athletes (19.9 ± 1.3 years; 1.78 ± 0.05 m; 67.9 ± 5.5 kg) completed three supramaximal intensity tests separated with Control, Local (legs), and Remote (arms) IPC interventions. IPC was induced on the limbs on both sides (4×5 min alternating unilateral occlusion 220 mmHg and reperfusion; arms or thighs; right side first) before participants performed the supramaximal intensity test on a treadmill at 110% VO2max intensity to exhaustion. During each test, indices of respiratory gas exchange, blood lactate, and heart rate were determined. The MAOD was calculated as the difference between the theoretical VO2 demand and the actual VO2 during the supramaximal intensity test. Differences from three trials were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures. IPC increased MAOD (RIPC, 59 ± 17 ml/kg/min, p = 0.018; LIPC, 57 ± 15 ml/kg/min, p = 0.037; p < 0.05) compared with Control (49 ± 9 ml/kg/min). Time to exhaustion was enhanced after IPC (Control: 257.2 ± 69.5 s, RIPC, 292.3 ± 66.6 s, p = 0.048; LIPC, 291.6 ± 79.2 s, p = 0.042; p < 0.05). In contrast, the enhancements of RIPC and LIPC trials were similar (p = 1.000). Blood lactate concentrations were similar across the three intervention conditions (p > 0.05). Acute IPC improved MAOD and supramaximal intensity exercise capacity in 400-meter running athletes. The increased MAOD indicated greater anaerobic capacity, which can be the potential mediator for improvement in exhaustion time.HighlightsIschemic preconditioning may improve the exhaustion time of supramaximal intensity running in well-trained 400-meter middle distance athletes.Acute IPC may be beneficial to anaerobic exercise capacity as the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit increases after IPC.Acute IPC occlusion on the upper arms or thighs may improve anaerobic capacity.

Role of Thyroid Hormone in Dynamic Variation of gdf6a Gene during Metamorphosis of Paralichthys olivaceus.

The Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a marine fish that undergoes a dramatic postembryonic metamorphosis, with the right eye shifting to the left and its lifestyle transitioning from planktonic to benthic. As the light environment of the habitat changes from bright to dim, its photoreceptor system also undergoes adaptive change. Growth differentiation factor 6a (Gdf6a) is a member of the BMP family, which plays a key role in regulating the dorsal-ventral pattern of the retina and photoreceptor fate, and the differentiation of different photoreceptors is also modulated by a thyroid hormone (TH) binding its receptor (TR). However, the relationship between gdf6a and TH and its role in the regulation of photoreceptors during flounder metamorphosis is still poorly understood. In this study, bioinformatics analysis showed that Gdf6a had a conserved TGFB structural domain and clusters with fishes. The expression analysis showed that the expression of gdf6a was highest in the eye tissue of adult flounder and tended to increase and then decrease during metamorphosis, reaching its highest levels at the peak of metamorphosis. Moreover, the expression of gdf6a increased in the early stages of metamorphosis after exogenous TH treatment, while it was inhibited after exogenous thiourea (a TH inhibitor, TU) treatment. To further investigate the targeting role of TH and gdf6a in the metamorphosis of flounder, the results of the Dual-Luciferase revealed that triiodothyronine (T3) may regulate the expression of gdf6a through TRß. In conclusion, we speculate that TH influences the development of cone photoreceptors during the metamorphosis of the flounder by regulating the expression of gdf6a.

Branched-chain amino acids promotes the repair of exercise-induced muscle damage via enhancing macrophage polarization.

The repair of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is closely related with inflammation. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as a nutritional supplement, promote EIMD repair; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to Armstrong's eccentric exercise (a 120-min downhill run with a slope of -16° and a speed of 16 m min-1) to induce EIMD and BCAA supplement was administered by oral gavage. Protein expression of macrophages (CD68 and CD163) and myogenic regulatory factors (MYOD and MYOG) in gastrocnemius was analyzed. Inflammatory cytokines and creatine kinase (CK) levels in serum was also measured. In vitro, peritoneal macrophages from mice were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-4 with or without BCAAs in culture medium. For co-culture experiment, C2C12 cells were cultured with the conditioned medium from macrophages prestimulated with LPS or IL-4 in the presence or absence of BCAAs. The current study indicated BCAA supplementation enhanced the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages in skeletal muscle during EIMD repair, and BCAAs promoted M1 polarization through enhancing mTORC1-HIF1α-glycolysis pathway, and promoted M2 polarization independently of mTORC1. In addition, BCAA-promoted M1 macrophages further stimulated the proliferation of muscle satellite cells, whereas BCAA-promoted M2 macrophages stimulated their differentiation. Together, these results show macrophages mediate the BCAAs' beneficial impacts on EIMD repair via stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells, shedding light on the critical role of inflammation in EIMD repair and the potential nutritional strategies to ameliorate muscle damage.

Effects of carbohydrate and protein supplement strategies on endurance capacity and muscle damage of endurance runners: A double blind, controlled crossover trial.

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of carbohydrate only or carbohydrate plus protein supplementation on endurance capacity and muscle damage. Methods: Ten recreationally active male runners (VO2max: 53.61 ± 3.86 ml/kg·min) completed run-to-exhaustion test three times with different intakes of intervention drinks. There was a 7-day wash-out period between tests. Each test started with 60 minutes of running at 70% VO2max (phase 1), followed by an endurance capacity test: time-to-exhaustion running at 80% VO2max (phase 2). Participants randomly ingested either 1) 0.4 g/kg BM carbohydrate before phase 1 and before phase 2 (CHO+CHO), 2) 0.4 g/kg BM protein before phase 1 and 0.4 g/kg BM carbohydrate before phase 2 (PRO+CHO), or 3) 0.4 g/kg BM carbohydrate before phase 1 and 0.4 g/kg BM protein before phase 2 (CHO+PRO). All subjects ingested carbohydrate (CHO) 1.2 g/kg BM during phase 1, and blood samples were obtained before, immediately, and 24 h after exercise for measurements of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and myoglobin (MB). Results: There was no significant difference in time to exhaustion between the three supplement strategies (CHO+CHO: 432 ± 225 s; PRO+CHO: 463 ± 227 s; CHO+PRO: 461 ± 248 s). However, ALT and AST were significantly lower in PRO+CHO than in CHO+CHO 24 h after exercise (ALT: 16.80 ± 6.31 vs. 24.39 ± 2.54 U/L; AST: 24.06 ± 4.77 vs. 31.51 ± 7.53 U/L, p < 0.05). MB was significantly lower in PRO+CHO and CHO+PRO than in CHO+CHO 24 h after exercise (40.7 ± 15.2; 38.1 ± 14.3; 64.3 ± 28.9 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). CK increased less in PRO+CHO compared to CHO+CHO 24 h after exercise (404.22 ± 75.31 VS. 642.33 ± 68.57 U/L, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Carbohydrate and protein supplement strategies can reduce muscle damage caused by endurance exercise, but they do not improve endurance exercise capacity.

Chinese Compilation of Physical Activities in healthy adults aged 18-64: Categories and metabolic intensities.

A Chinese Compilation of Physical Activities was compiled to estimate the energy costs of physical activities (PAs) using data on adults aged 18-64. Data were obtained from published articles and laboratory measurements. Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Ebsco, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, National Science and Technology Report Service, Public Health Scientific Data were searched to collect data from inception to January 2022, on energy expenditure associated with PA in the healthy Chinese population. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted, classified, and summarized data. Data were measured for 36 PAs using indirect calorimetry. Detailed descriptions of specific activities and metabolic equivalent values were provided by summarizing 241 physical activities in 13 categories. The first edition of the Chinese Compilation of PAs in Healthy Adults Aged 18-64(CCPA) was created. It provides valuable resources for people who regularly engage in physical exercise, researchers, educators, fitness professionals, and health or commercial sectors to quickly obtain various PA MET intensities. In the future, the energy expenditure of various PAs of different ages within the Chinese population can be measured based on the CCPA.

Preparation, structural characterisation, and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from eight boletes (Boletales) in tropical China.

Polysaccharides in boletes (Boletales) are economically significant to both function food and medicinal industries. The polysaccharides were extracted from the fruit bodies of eight boletes, namely, Aureoboletus longicollis, Butyriboletus hainanensis, Crocinoboletus rufoaureus, Hemioporus japonicus, Neoboletus infuscatus, Neoboletus obscureumbrinus, Tylopilus otsuensis, Xanthoconium fusciceps, which were collected from tropical China; their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were characterised and evaluated, respectively. The results revealed that the polysaccharides among the eight boletes were mainly composed of glucose, mannose, and galactose, with a broad molecular weight range, and contained a pyranose ring revealed by FT-IR and NMR spectral analyses. Many factors such as different species of boletes, geographic conditions, molecular weight, configuration, and monosaccharide content may affect the antioxidant power of polysaccharides, simultaneously, instead of one single factor. The antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides were measured according to in vitro assays of DPPH scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, and ferrous ion reducing tests. The polysaccharide of C. rufoaureus has greatly superior antioxidant activity and it could serve as potential functional food or medicine.