Glycyrol Relieves Ulcerative Colitis by Promoting the Fusion of ZO-1 with the Cell Membrane through the Enteric Glial Cells GDNF/RET Pathway.

The damage to the mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa is the initiating factor and the core link of the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Protecting the mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa is of great significance for improving the health status of UC patients. ZO-1 is a key scaffold protein of the mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa, and its fusion with the membrane of the intestinal epithelium is a necessary condition to maintain the integrity of the mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) play an important role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and have become a new target for regulating intestinal health in recent years. In this study, we found that glycyrol (GC), a representative coumarin compound isolated from Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, used for medicine and food), can alleviate UC by promoting the production of neurotrophic factor GDNF in mice EGCs. Specifically, we demonstrated that GC promotes the production of GDNF, then activates its receptor RET, promotes ZO-1 fusion with cell membranes, and protects the intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier. The results of this study can provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of UC.

Lycopene attenuates D-galactose-induced cognitive decline by enhancing mitochondrial function and improving insulin signaling in the brains of female CD-1 mice.

The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is severely increasing with ageing. Lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid pigment, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of LYC on D-galactose (D-gal) induced cognitive defects and the underlying mechanisms. Forty-five female CD-1 mice (2 months old) were separated into three groups to be fed with either a normal diet or a LYC diet (0.03%, w/w, mixed into normal diet). Meanwhile, the mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of normal saline or D-gal 150 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. The behavioral test results indicated that LYC alleviated D-gal induced cognitive impairments. LYC ameliorated brain ageing by decreasing the number of SA-ß-gal- stained neurons, downregulating the protein expression of the cellular senescence associated genes P19/P21/P53, increasing the activities of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD, downregulating the level of ROS, inhibiting the activation of MAPKs signaling and downregulating the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNFɑ in mouse brains. LYC ameliorated synaptic dysfunction by increasing the expression of the neurotrophic factor BDNF and synaptic proteins. Moreover, LYC attenuated D-gal-induced mitochondrial morphological damage, and promoted the expression of mitochondrial functional proteins. LYC also promoted insulin signal transduction in mouse brains through the regulation of IRS-1/AKT/GSK3ß signaling.

The association of serum folate and homocysteine on venous thromboembolism in patients with colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a common complication in patients with colorectal cancer who exhibit high homocysteine and low folate levels. However, whether venous thrombosis is the result of a direct effect of folic acid or the presence of a homocysteine-mediated mediating effect cannot be determined. This study aimed to explore the association and mediating effects of serum folate and homocysteine on venous thromboembolism in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: This study included patients with colorectal cancer who were admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from May 2020 to May 2022. The patients' medical records were reviewed to collect information on general demographic characteristics, the prevalence of venous thromboembolism on admission, laboratory blood indices, serum folate, and serum homocysteine. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data collation and statistical analysis; the χ2 test was utilized for univariate analysis and unconditional logistic regression was applied for multivariate analysis. R 4.1.2 was used to perform the mediating effect test. Results: A total of 236 colorectal cancer patients were investigated. The prevalence of colorectal cancer combined with venous thromboembolism was 15.3%; serum folate was <10.75 nmol/L in 25.4% of patients; and serum homocysteine was ≥22 µmol/L in 30.5% of patients. After controlling for confounding factors, the risk of venous thromboembolism was 2.48 times greater [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 to 5.94] in patients with low serum folate (<10.75 nmol/L) than in those with high serum folate (≥10.75 nmol/L). Also, the risk of venous thromboembolism was greater in those with high serum homocysteine (≥22 µmol/L) [odds ratio (OR) =2.99. 95% CI: 1.11 to 8.08]. The mediating effect test showed no direct effect of serum folate on venous thromboembolism combined with colorectal cancer, and a full mediating effect of serum homocysteine between serum folate and venous thromboembolism combined with colorectal cancer, with a mediating effect value of 0.002 and a total effect value of 0.0054. Conclusions: Serum folate influences the formation of venous thromboembolism through serum homocysteine. It is recommended that the nutritional supplementation of patients be enhanced to control serum folate and serum homocysteine levels.

Exploration of fetal growth restriction induced by vitamin D deficiency in rats via Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Here we explored the mechanism through which VDD induced IUGR. METHODS: Female SD rats were fed a control normal diet (VD > 800 IU/Kg) or VDD diet (VD: 0 IU/Kg) for 8 weeks. Then, females were mated with 12-week-old male SD rats, and fetal and placental tissue were collected on the gestational day 13 (GD13) or 18 (GD18) to analyze the effects of VDD on pregnancy outcome and embryonic development. In vitro, the VDR gene of HTR-8/SVneo cells was knocked down to establish VDD model. Then, HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated with the MST1/2 inhibitor XMU-MP-1 or 0.1 µM/L calcitriol for 24 h (h). The mechanism of Hippo-YAP signaling pathway in VDD-induced placental dysplasia was further investigated by western blot, invasion assay, wound healing assay and Hoechst/PI staining. RESULTS: The IUGR of the pregnant rats in the VDD group was significant, the placental structure and function were damaged, and there was an obvious inflammatory response, accompanied by a significant increase in the level of the transcription co-activator YAP phosphorylation. In vitro, VDD significantly inhibited the migratory and invasive abilities of HTR-8/SVneo cells, accompanied by decreased EMT capacity and increased apoptosis. When intervening with XMU-MP-1 in advance, we found that the effects of VDD were neutralized by Hippo-YAP signaling blocker. DISCUSSION: Maternal VDD causes placental dysplasia and IUGR, and these abnormal changes may be associated with the activation of Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.

Lycopene attenuates oxidative stress-induced hepatic dysfunction of insulin signal transduction: involvement of FGF21 and mitochondria.

Lycopene (LYC) has been regarded as a nutraceutical that has powerful antioxidant and hepatoprotective bioactivities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of LYC on hepatic insulin signal transduction under oxidative stress conditions and the possible involvement of FGF21 and mitochondria pathways. Two-month-old CD-1 mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (D-gal) 150 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks and received 0.03% LYC (w/w, mixed into diet). The results showed that LYC increased the expression of FGF21, alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and improved hepatic insulin signal transduction in D-gal-treated mice. Furthermore, knockdown of FGF21 by small interfering RNA notably suppressed mitochondrial function and blunted LYC-stimulated insulin signal transduction in H2O2-treated HepG2 cells. Moreover, suppressed mitochondrial function via oligomycin also inhibited insulin signal transduction, indicating that LYC supplementation ameliorated oxidative stress-induced hepatic dysfunction of insulin signal transduction by up-regulating FGF21 and enhancing mitochondrial function.

The effect of iron dextran on vitamin D3 metabolism in SD rats.

BACKGROUND: Iron and vitamin D (VD) is essential to health. Previous studies have shown that iron homeostasis has a potential effect on VD metabolism, but the mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between VD metabolism and iron metabolism, as well as the regulatory mechanism of iron on VD metabolism. METHODS: 40 male rats were fed adaptively for 7 days and randomly divided into control (C, n = 6 normal diet) group and model (M, n = 24 iron deficient diet) by simple randomization, the latter was used to establish iron deficiency anemia (IDA) model. After 6 weeks of feeding, the M group was randomly divided into: iron deficiency group (DFe), low iron group (LFe), medium iron group (MFe) and high iron group (HFe) by block randomization. Different doses of iron dextran (based on iron content (100 g·bw·d)): 0, 1.1, 3.3 and 9.9 mg) were given respectively. After 4 weeks, the rats were anesthetized with 8% chloral hydrate, Blood (collected from the abdominal aorta), liver and kidney tissues were collected. The serum and tissues were separately packed and frozen at -80℃ for testing. RESULTS: The results showed that the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), serum iron (SI), liver iron, and kidney iron in DFe group were lower than those in the other four groups, while the levels of total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin (TF) and transferrin receptor (Tfr) in DFe group were higher than those in other groups; The serum levels of 25-(OH)D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 in DFe group were significantly lower than those in C group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the levels of 25-(OH)D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 were negatively correlated with TIBC, TF and Tfr no correlation with SI. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and q-PCR results showed that compared with C group, the protein and gene expressions of CYP2R1, CYP27A1, and CYP24A1 in DFe group were down-regulated, and the expression of CYP27B1 protein and gene was up-regulated in DFe group. CONCLUSION: Iron may be involved in the metabolism of VD3 by regulating the expression of VD3 hydroxylase, suggesting that appropriate iron supplementation might promote the activation of VD3.

Lycopene attenuates D-galactose-induced insulin signaling impairment by enhancing mitochondrial function and suppressing the oxidative stress/inflammatory response in mouse kidneys and livers.

Lycopene (LYC) possesses bioactivity to improve the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases via antioxidant-associated mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether LYC could attenuate D-galactose (D-gal)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin signaling impairment in mouse kidneys and livers. Two-month-old CD-1 mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg kg-1 day-1D-gal for 8 weeks and received 0.03% LYC (w/w, mixed into diet). The results showed that LYC ameliorated oxidative stress triggered by D-gal by enhancing the Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway and increasing the expression of the antioxidant response genes HO-1 and NQO1 in mouse kidneys and livers. LYC inhibited the MAPK and NFκB pathways and attenuated renal and hepatic inflammatory responses. Moreover, LYC upregulated the expression of genes related to mitochondrial biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation and improved insulin signal transduction through the IRS-1/AKT/GSK3ß pathway in mouse kidneys and livers.

Combined effect of vitamin C and vitamin D3 on intestinal epithelial barrier by regulating Notch signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Tight junction proteins play crucial roles in maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier. Although previous studies have shown that Notch signaling is closely related to tight junction proteins, the mechanism remains unclear. This study was performed to investigate whether vitamin C combined with vitamin D3 affects intestinal mucosal barrier stability via the Notch signaling pathway. METHODS: Intestinal epithelial barrier and notch signaling pathway were studied using guinea pig and SW480 cells. The guinea pigs were randomized into four groups (n = 6 in each group): control group (C, 200 IU/kg d VD3 + 100 mg/kg d VC), low VC group (LVC, 200 IU/kg d VD3 + 10 mg/kg d VC), medium VC group (MVC, 200 IU/kg d VD3 + 100 mg/kg d VC), and high VC group (HVC, 200 IU/kg d VD3 + 200 mg/kg d VC). Except for the control group, the other three groups were freely drinked with 2% dextran sodium sulfate solution for 4 days. And the control group was free to drink distilled water. The following cell groups were used: control group (SW480 cells without intervention); LPS group (100 ng/mL LPS); VD3 group (0.1 µmol/L VD3); VC + VD3 group (0.1, 1, 5, 10 µmol/mL VC + 0.1 µmol/L VD3). RESULTS: Electron microscopy analysis revealed that both low and high doses of vitamin C combined with vitamin D3 maintained dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in the guinea pig intestinal epithelium tight junction. Compared with the control group, the expression level of ZO-1 mRNA in the colon tissue of the high-dose vitamin C group was significantly increased. In SW480 cell experiments, compared with the control group, cell migration and repair following treatment with different concentrations of vitamin C combined with vitamin D3 were significantly improved and the protein expression of Notch-1 was increased, whereas the protein expression of claudin-2 was significantly decreased. Thus, our results demonstrate that an appropriate amount of vitamin C combined with vitamin D3 can regulate the expression of claudin-2 by regulating Notch-1, relieve destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and promote the repair of damage to the cell mucosal barrier. CONCLUSIONS: We found that vitamin C combined with vitamin D3 protected against dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in the guinea pig intestinal mucosa.

Vitamin D binding protein gene polymorphisms in ulcerative colitis among those of Han Chinese ancestry: Pathogenetic, diagnostic and management implications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis, and polymorphism in the gene encoding the vitamin D binding protein can affect the characteristics of vitamin D binding protein, thus affecting the level and function of vitamin D in vivo. Previous studies have rarely reported on the potential relationship between vitamin D binding protein polymorphisms and ulcerative colitis. The objective of this study is to investigate the associations between genetic variants in vitamin D binding protein genes and ulcerative colitis susceptibility in the Han Chinese population. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In this casecontrol study, the genotyping of vitamin D binding protein rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms was conducted using polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reactions, genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reactionligase fragment length polymorphism. We also measured inflammatory factors, oxidation and antioxidant indicators. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the distribution of two loci genotypes, alleles and haplotypes between the two groups (p>0.05). However, the differences in the distribution of serum MDA in different haplotypes in the case group were statistically significant (p=0.014): CG>, CT>AT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that polymorphism of these two sites (rs4588 and rs7401) in the vitamin D binding protein gene may have no correlation with susceptibility to ulcerative colitis in the Han Chinese population. But, interestingly, haplotype GC may affect the level of oxidative stress in ulcerative colitis patients, especially the level of malondialdehyde.

Dietary Flaxseed Oil Prevents Western-Type Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Apolipoprotein-E Knockout Mice.

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has dramatically increased globally during recent decades. Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), is believed to be beneficial to the development of NAFLD. However, little information is available with regard to the effect of flaxseed oil rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3n-3), a plant-derived n-3 PUFA, in improving NAFLD. This study was to gain the effect of flaxseed oil on NAFLD and further investigate the underlying mechanisms. Apolipoprotein-E knockout (apoE-KO) mice were given a normal chow diet, a western-type high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (WTD), or a WTD diet containing 10% flaxseed oil (WTD + FO) for 12 weeks. Our data showed that consumption of flaxseed oil significantly improved WTD-induced NAFLD, as well as ameliorated impaired lipid homeostasis, attenuated oxidative stress, and inhibited inflammation. These data were associated with the modification effects on expression levels of genes involved in de novo fat synthesis (SREBP-1c, ACC), triacylglycerol catabolism (PPARα, CPT1A, and ACOX1), inflammation (NF-κB, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1), and oxidative stress (ROS, MDA, GSH, and SOD).

[Effects-of combined calories restriction and polyunsaturated fatty acids on colitis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids combined with calorie restriction( CR) in DSS induced ulcerative colitis rats. METHODS: Forty female rats were randomly divided into five groups, control group, model group, CR group, 5:1 PUFA ad libitum group, 5: 1 PUFA CR group. CR groups provided with a limited daily food allotment of 60% of that eaten by the ad libitum animals for 14 weeks. Ulcerative colitis model in rats were given 5. 0% dextran sulfate sodium in their drinking water for 7 days. RESULTS: 5:1 PUFA CR group significantly decreased body weight, disease activity index, macroscopic and histological score compared to model group. In addition, administration of 5: 1 PUFA CR effectively inhibited MPO activity. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum with colitis were decreased by 5: 1 PUFA CR (P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that combination of calories restriction and n-6/n-3 =5:1 PUFA may be more beneficial in attenuating the progression of DSS induced ulcerative colitis.

Paenibacillus hunanensis sp. nov., isolated from rice seeds.

Four Gram-stain-positive, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria, designated strains FeL05(T), FeL11, Fek19 and Fek21, were isolated from seeds of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L. Jinyou 611), and their taxonomic positions were determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the four strains were members of the genus Paenibacillus. They showed 95.4 % sequence similarity or less with strains of other Paenibacillus species. The G+C content of strain FeL05(T) was found to be 53.3 mol%. Its predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) (61.7 %), C(16 : 0) (10.9 %), iso-C(16 : 0) (7.0 %), anteiso-C(17 : 0) (6.7 %) and iso-C(15 : 0) (5.2 %). On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain FeL05(T) represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain FeL05(T) (=ACCC 10718(T) =CGMCC 1.8907(T) =DSM 22170(T)).

Bacillus beijingensis sp. nov. and Bacillus ginsengi sp. nov., isolated from ginseng root.

Four alkaligenous, moderately halotolerant strains, designated ge09, ge10(T), ge14(T) and ge15, were isolated from the internal tissue of ginseng root and their taxonomic positions were investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the four strains were Gram-positive-staining, non-motile, short rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains ge09 and ge10(T) formed one cluster and strains ge14(T) and ge15 formed another separate cluster within the genus Bacillus. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with type strains of other Bacillus species were less than 97 %. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness among the four strains showed that strains ge09 and ge10(T) and strains ge14(T) and ge15 belonged to two separate species; the mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between ge10(T) and ge14(T) was only 28.7 %. Their phenotypic and physiological properties supported the view that the two strains represent two different novel species of the genus Bacillus. The DNA G+C contents of strains ge10(T) and ge14(T) were 49.9 and 49.6 mol%, respectively. Strains ge10(T) and ge14(T) showed the peptidoglycan type A4alpha l-Lys-d-Glu. The lipids present in strains ge10(T) and ge14(T) were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, a minor amount of phosphatidylcholine and two unknown phospholipids. Their predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The fatty acid profiles of the four novel strains contained large quantities of branched and saturated fatty acids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (42.5 %), anteiso-C(15 : 0) (22.2 %), anteiso-C(17 : 0) (7.3 %) and C(16 : 1)omega7c alcohol (5.7 %) in ge10(T) and iso-C(15 : 0) (50.7 %) and anteiso-C(15 : 0) (20.1 %) in ge14(T). On the basis of their phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, two novel species of the genus Bacillus are proposed, Bacillus beijingensis sp. nov. (type strain ge10(T) =DSM 19037(T) =CGMCC 1.6762(T)) and Bacillus ginsengi sp. nov. (type strain ge14(T) =DSM 19038(T) =CGMCC 1.6763(T)).

Rheinheimera tangshanensis sp. nov., a rice root-associated bacterium.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JA3-B52(T), was isolated from the roots of fresh rice plants (Oryza sativa). The cells were motile by means of polar single or lateral flagella. The colonies were non-pigmented. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the strain was phylogenetically related to species of the genus Rheinheimera, having the greatest level of sequence similarity with respect to Rheinheimera texasensis A62-14B(T) (97.16 %). The bacterium grew at temperatures from 10 to 37 degrees C, with an optimum at 30 degrees C. The strain exhibited growth with 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0-8.5. The main cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 1)omega7c, C(17 : 1)omega8c, C (16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega7c and C(12 : 0) 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 47.0 mol%. The levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JA3-B52(T) and those of the type strains of Rheinheimera species ranged from 95.38 to 97.16 %. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JA3-B52(T) and R. texasensis A62-14B(T), the strain most closely related to the isolate, was 20.4 %. On the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics and genotypic data obtained in this work, strain JA3-B52(T) represents a novel species of the genus Rheinheimera, for which the name Rheinheimera tangshanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA3-B52(T) (=CGMCC 1.6362(T) =DSM 19460(T)).

Endophytic bacterial diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots estimated by 16S rDNA sequence analysis.

The endophytic bacterial diversity in the roots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) growing in the agricultural experimental station in Hebei Province, China was analyzed by 16S rDNA cloning, amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), and sequence homology comparison. To effectively exclude the interference of chloroplast DNA and mitochondrial DNA of rice, a pair of bacterial PCR primers (799f-1492r) was selected to specifically amplify bacterial 16S rDNA sequences directly from rice root tissues. Among 192 positive clones in the 16S rDNA library of endophytes, 52 OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were identified based on the similarity of the ARDRA banding profiles. Sequence analysis revealed diverse phyla of bacteria in the 16S rDNA library, which consisted of alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon subclasses of the Proteobacteria, Cytophaga/Flexibacter/Bacteroides (CFB) phylum, low G+C gram-positive bacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus, Acidobacteria, and archaea. The dominant group was Betaproteobacteria (27.08% of the total clones), and the most dominant genus was Stenotrophomonas. More than 14.58% of the total clones showed high similarity to uncultured bacteria, suggesting that nonculturable bacteria were detected in rice endophytic bacterial community. To our knowledge, this is the first report that archaea has been identified as endophytes associated with rice by the culture-independent approach. The results suggest that the diversity of endophytic bacteria is abundant in rice roots.

Dyadobacter beijingensis sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of turf grasses in China.

Strain A54(T) was isolated from rhizospheric soil of turf grasses irrigated with reclaimed water in Taoranting Park, Beijing, China. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and polygenetic analyses established the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Dyadobacter. Strain A54(T) possessed 97.7, 94.4 and 94.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the type strains of Dyadobacter fermentans, D. hamtensis and D. crusticola, respectively. Furthermore, DNA-DNA hybridization did not show significant relatedness (<25 % hybridization) between strain A54(T) and D. fermentans ATCC 700827(T). Therefore, these results indicate that strain A54(T) belongs to a novel species of the genus Dyadobacter, for which the name Dyadobacter beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain A54(T) (=CGMCC 1.6375(T)=JCM 14200(T)).

Leifsonia ginsengi sp. nov., isolated from ginseng root.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain wged11T, was isolated from the root of ginseng, and its taxonomic position was established using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this organism formed a robust clade with recognized species of the genus Leifsonia. Strain wged11T was characterized by a high content of omega-cyclohexylundecanoic and anteiso- and iso-branched saturated fatty acids, MK-11 as the major menaquinone and DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid in its cell-wall peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content of strain wged11T was 66.4 mol%. Levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain wged11(T) and those of the type strains of other members of the genus Leifsonia ranged from 94.7 to 97.6 %. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain wged11T and Leifsonia poae DSM 15202T, its nearest phylogenetic neighbour, was 35.3 %. Based on these findings, strain wged11T (=CGMCC 4.3491T=JCM 13908T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Leifsonia, Leifsonia ginsengi sp. nov.

[Effect of taurine on blood and liver lipids in rats].

The effect of taurine on serum and liver cholesterol level in rats and its mechanism was investigated. Female weanling SD strain rats (80-100 g) were divided into four groups, eight rats in each group. Group A fed with normal diet. The diet of groups B, C and D was normal diet incorporated with taurine at the levels of 6, 13.5 and 30 g/kg diet respectively. The experiment lasted for five weeks. Results showed that the blood cholesterol levels of rats with diets containing taurine were decreased. The decrease of plasma total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the 6 g/kg taurine group was the most significant. Plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein(Apo)-B in the 13.5 g/kg taurine group was decreased, and the amount of fecal bile acids was increased in this group. Plasma Apo-AI of the 30 g/kg taurine group was increased and the liver TC was decreased.