Cardioprotective potentials of myricetin on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity based on biochemical and transcriptomic analysis.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used anthracycline in cancer chemotherapy. The clinical application of DOX is constrained by its cardiotoxicity. Myricetin (MYR) is a natural flavonoid widely present in many plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, MYR's beneficial effects and mechanisms in alleviating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) remain unknown. C57BL/6 mice were injected with 15 mg/kg of DOX to establish the DIC, and MYR solutions were administrated by gavage to investigate its cardioprotective potentials. Histopathological analysis, physiological indicators assessment, transcriptomics analysis, and RT-qPCR were used to elucidate the potential mechanism of MYR in DIC treatment. MYR reduced cardiac injury produced by DOX, decreased levels of cTnI, AST, LDH, and BNP, and improved myocardial injury and fibrosis. MYR effectively prevented DOX-induced oxidative stress, such as lowered MDA levels and elevated SOD, CAT, and GSH activities. MYR effectively suppressed NLRP3 and ASC gene expression levels to inhibit pyroptosis while regulating Caspase1 and Bax levels to reduce cardiac cell apoptosis. According to the transcriptomic analysis, glucose and fatty acid metabolism were associated with differential gene expression. KEGG pathway analysis revealed differential gene enrichment in PPAR and AMPK pathways, among others. Following validation, MYR was found to alleviate DIC by regulating glycolipid metabolism and AMPK pathway-related genes. Our findings demonstrated that MYR could mitigate DIC by regulating the processes of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. MYR is critical in improving DOX-induced myocardial energy metabolism abnormalities mediated by the AMPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, MYR holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for DIC.

Ameliorative effect of black tea extract on the skin of D-galactose-induced aging mice.

Aging is a universal and irreversible process, and the skin is an important feature that reflects the aging of the organism. Skin aging has been a focus of attention in recent years because it leads to changes in an individual's external features and the loss of many important biological functions. This experiment investigated the improvement effect of black tea extract (BTE) on the skin of aging mice under D-galactose induction. After 6 weeks of administration, the changes in skin bio-chemical indices and tissue structure were compared with the blank and positive control groups. It was observed that BTE increased water and hyaluronic acid (HA) content, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities in the skin of aging mice, and improved the structure of aging damaged skin tissues and increased the content of total collagen. The experimental results showed that BTE can play a significant anti-aging effect on the skin, which can be used as a functional food for aging inhibition.

Research advances in citrus polyphenols: green extraction technologies, gut homeostasis regulation, and nano-targeted delivery system application.

Citrus polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota and such bi-directional interaction that can yield metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to aid in gut homeostasis. Such interaction provides citrus polyphenols with powerful prebiotic potential, contributing to guts' health status and metabolic regulation. Citrus polyphenols encompass unique polymethoxy flavonoids imparting non-polar nature that improve their bioactivities and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Green extraction technology targeting recovery of these polyphenols has received increasing attention due to its advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, low solvent consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the low bioavailability of citrus polyphenols limits their applications in extraction from citrus by-products. Meanwhile, nano-encapsulation technology may serve as a promising approach to improve citrus polyphenols' bioavailability. As citrus polyphenols encompass multiple hydroxyl groups, they are potential to interact with bio-macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides in nano-encapsulated systems that can improve their bioavailability. This multifaceted review provides a research basis for the green and efficient extraction techniques of citrus polyphenols, as well as integrated mechanisms for its anti-inflammation, alleviating metabolic syndrome, and regulating gut homeostasis, which is more capitalized upon using nano-delivery systems as discussed in that review to maximize their health and food applications.

Structural, rheological, and gelling characteristics of starch-based materials in context to 3D food printing applications in precision nutrition.

Starch-based materials have viscoelasticity, viscous film-forming, dough pseudoplasticity, and rheological properties, which possess the structural characteristics (crystal structure, double helix structure, and layered structure) suitable for three-dimensional (3D) food printing inks. 3D food printing technology has significant advantages in customizing personalized and precise nutrition, expanding the range of ingredients, designing unique food appearances, and simplifying the food supply chain. Precision nutrition aims to consider individual nutritional needs and individual differences, which include special food product design and personalized precise nutrition, thus expanding future food resources, then simplifying the food supply chain, and attracting extensive attention in food industry. Different types of starch-based materials with different structures and rheological properties meet different 3D food printing technology requirements. Starch-based materials suitable for 3D food printing technology can accurately deliver and release active substances or drugs. These active substances or drugs have certain regulatory effects on the gut microbiome and diabetes, so as to maintain personalized and accurate nutrition.

Inhibitory effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide on oxidative damage of glial cells in aging mice by regulating gut microbiota.

Polysaccharides extracted from Dendrobium officinale have various physiological effects. In this study, we used D-galactose-induced senescent mice as an animal model to investigate the inhibitory effects of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) on oxidative damage in glial cells by attenuating oxidative stress and modulating the gut microbiota. The results showed that DOP significantly alleviated the activation of glial cells, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the MDA content in senescent mice. In addition, DOP reshaped the disordered gut microbiota, decreased the abundance ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus. DOP may reverse the gut microbiota disturbance and alleviate the oxidative damage of glial cells, therefore exert potential neuroprotective effects by modulating gut microbiota.

The research advance of resistant starch: structural characteristics, modification method, immunomodulatory function, and its delivery systems application.

Resistant starch, also known as anti-digestion enzymatic starch, which cannot be digested or absorbed in the human small intestine. It can be fermented in the large intestine into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and metabolites, which are advantageous to the human body. Starches can classify as rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS), which possess high thermal stability, low water holding capacity, and emulsification characteristics. Resistant starch has excellent physiological functions such as stabilizing postprandial blood glucose levels, preventing type II diabetes, preventing intestinal inflammation, and regulating gut microbiota phenotype. It is extensively utilized in food processing, delivery system construction, and Pickering emulsion due to its processing properties. The resistant starches, with their higher resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis, support their suitability as a potential drug carrier. Therefore, this review focuses on resistant starch with structural features, modification characteristics, immunomodulatory functions, and delivery system applications. The objective was to provide theoretical guidance for applying of resistant starch to food health related industries.

Effects of Diet and Exercise on Circadian Rhythm: Role of Gut Microbiota in Immune and Metabolic Systems.

A close relationship exists between the intestinal microbiota and the circadian rhythm, which is mainly regulated by the central-biological-clock system and the peripheral-biological-clock system. At the same time, the intestinal flora also reflects a certain rhythmic oscillation. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle will lead to immune and metabolic diseases. A large number of studies have shown that the human body can be influenced in its immune regulation, energy metabolism and expression of biological-clock genes through diet, including fasting, and exercise, with intestinal flora as the vector, thereby reducing the incidence rates of diseases. This article mainly discusses the effects of diet and exercise on the intestinal flora and the immune and metabolic systems from the perspective of the circadian rhythm, which provides a more effective way to prevent immune and metabolic diseases by modulating intestinal microbiota.

Cereal polyphenols inhibition mechanisms on advanced glycation end products and regulation on type 2 diabetes.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), the products of non-enzymatic browning reactions between the active carbonyl groups of reducing sugars and the free amines of amino acids, are largely considered oxidative derivatives resulting from diabetic hyperglycemia, which are further recognized as a potential risk for insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The accumulation of AGEs can trigger numerous negative effects such as oxidative stress, carbonyl stress, inflammation, autophagy dysfunction and imbalance of gut microbiota. Recently, studies have shown that cereal polyphenols have the ability to inhibit the formation of AGEs, thereby preventing and alleviating T2D. In the meanwhile, phenolics compounds could produce different biological effects due to the quantitative structure activity-relationship. This review highlights the effects of cereal polyphenols as a nonpharmacologic intervention in anti-AGEs and alleviating T2D based on the effects of oxidative stress, carbonyl stress, inflammation, autophagy, and gut microbiota, which also provides a new perspective on the etiology and treatment of diabetes.

Peptide hydrogels: Synthesis, properties, and applications in food science.

Due to the unique and excellent biological, physical, and chemical properties of peptide hydrogels, their application in the biomedical field is extremely wide. The applications of peptide hydrogels are closely related to their unique responsiveness and excellent properties. However, its defects in mechanical properties, stability, and toxicity limit its application in the food field. In this review, we focus on the fabrication methods of peptide hydrogels through the physical, chemical, and biological stimulations. In addition, the functional design of peptide hydrogels by the incorporation with materials is discussed. Meanwhile, the excellent properties of peptide hydrogels such as the stimulus responsiveness, biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, rheology, and stability are reviewed. Finally, the application of peptide hydrogel in the food field is summarized and prospected.

Effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides on central nervous system disease: Based on gut microbiota.

Dendrobium officinale has anti-inflammatory effects and is one of the well-known functional foods. Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) can reduce intestinal barrier disruption and excessive inflammatory response by regulating intestinal bacterial homeostasis as well as short-chain fatty acid levels. It can also inhibit the activation of astrocytes and microglia, further realizing the protective effect on neuronal apoptosis and apoptosis, thus exerting a significant alleviating effect on neurological diseases. There is now evidence that bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract may influence human neurology, cognition and behavior via the gut-brain axis. In this review, we review the structural characterization, bioactivity and possible bioactive mechanisms of DOP, so as to elucidate the advantages of DOP's action on CNS diseases, with the aim of providing new perspectives for its drug and functional food development as well as clinical applications.

Effects of ultra-processed foods on the microbiota-gut-brain axis: The bread-and-butter issue.

The topic of gut microbiota and the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis has become the forefront of research and reports in the past few years. The gut microbiota is a dynamic interface between the environment, food, and the host, reflecting the health status as well as maintaining normal physiological metabolism. Modern ultra-processed foods (UPF) contain large quantities of saturated and trans fat, added sugar, salt, and food additives that seriously affect the gut and physical health. In addition, these unhealthy components directly cause changes in gut microbiota functions and microbial metabolism, subsequently having the potential to impact the neural network. This paper reviews an overview of the link between UPF ingredients and the MGB axis. Considerable studies have examined that high intake of trans fat, added sugar and salt have deleterious effects on gut and brain functions, but relatively less focus has been placed on the impact of food additives on the MGB axis. Data from several studies suggest that food additives might be linked to metabolic diseases and inflammation. They may also alter the gut microbiota composition and microbial metabolites, which potentially affect cognition and behavior. Therefore, we emphasize that food additives including emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, colorants, and preservatives interact with the gut microbiota and their possible effects on altering the brain and behavior based on the latest research. Future studies should further investigate whether gut dysbiosis mediates the effect of UPF on brain diseases and behavior. This thesis here sheds new light on future research pointing to the potentially detrimental effects of processed food consumption on brain health.

Research advances of advanced glycation end products in milk and dairy products: Formation, determination, control strategy and immunometabolism via gut microbiota.

Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are a series of complex compounds which generate in the advanced phase of Maillard reaction, which can pose a non-negligible risk to human health. This article systematically encompasses AGEs in milk and dairy products under different processing conditions, influencing factors, inhibition mechanism and levels among the different categories of dairy products. In particular, it describes the effects of various sterilization techniques on the Maillard reaction. Different processing techniques have a significant effect on AGEs content. In addition, it clearly articulates the determination methods of AGEs and even discusses its immunometabolism via gut microbiota. It is observed that the metabolism of AGEs can affect the composition of the gut microbiota, which further has an impact on intestinal function and the gut-brain axis. This research also provides a suggestion for AGEs mitigation strategies, which are beneficial to optimize the dairy production, especially innovative processing technology application.

Relationship between Dietary Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota: New Clues to Improve Cognitive Disorders, Mood Disorders and Circadian Rhythms.

Cognitive, mood and sleep disorders are common and intractable disorders of the central nervous system, causing great inconvenience to the lives of those affected. The gut-brain axis plays a vital role in studying neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases by acting as a channel for a bidirectional information exchange between the gut microbiota and the nervous system. Dietary polyphenols have received widespread attention because of their excellent biological activity and their wide range of sources, structural diversity and low toxicity. Dietary intervention through the increased intake of dietary polyphenols is an emerging strategy for improving circadian rhythms and treating metabolic disorders. Dietary polyphenols have been shown to play an essential role in regulating intestinal flora, mainly by maintaining the balance of the intestinal flora and enhancing host immunity, thereby suppressing neurodegenerative pathologies. This paper reviewed the bidirectional interactions between the gut microbiota and the brain and their effects on the central nervous system, focusing on dietary polyphenols that regulate circadian rhythms and maintain the health of the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis.

Heterologous expression and characterization of Bacillus velezensis SW5 serine protease involved in the hydrolysis of anchovy protein.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus velezensis SW5, with good enzyme production ability, was isolated and identified in our laboratory from fermented fish sauce. Its galactosidase has been expressed in Escherichia coli, which could hydrolyze lactose in milk. The present study aims to express a novel serine protease gene (SPr-SW5) of this strain by Bacillus subtilis WB800N, and applies the expressed enzyme in hydrolysis of anchovy to prepare antioxidant substances, aiming to alleviate the waste of low-value fish resources. RESULTS: SPr-SW5 with the open reading frame of 1353 bp encodes a serine protease (SPr-SW5) with 450 amino acids. The theoretical molecular weight and isoelectric point are 47.2 kDa and 5.22, respectively. The successful expression of SPr-SW5 in B. subtilis WB800N was confirmed by a skim milk plate test. Its optimal temperature and pH were 50 °C and 8.0, respectively. SPr-SW5 activity was increased by Ca2+ and Zn2+ , but inhibited by Fe3+ . Furthermore, SPr-SW5 was tolerant to 1% Tween-40 and Tween-80; however, its activity was strongly inhibited by 10 mm phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Additionally, SPr-SW5 could be capable of hydrolyzing anchovy, the hydrolysate (AHP) at 10 g L-1 , with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl (·OH) scavenging rates of 73.21% and 79.71%, displaying good antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The novel SPr-SW5 was successfully expressed in B. subtilis WB800N. It exhibited excellent temperature stability and good tolerance to several metal ions. In addition, the anchovy hydrolyzed by expressed SPr-SW5 has good antioxidant ability. Overall, this research lays a good foundation for SPr-SW5 with respect to exploration and application in the food industry as enzyme preparation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Research advance of non-thermal processing technologies on ovalbumin properties: The gelation, foaming, emulsification, allergenicity, immunoregulation and its delivery system application.

Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant protein in egg white, with excellent functional properties (e.g., gelling, foaming, emulsifying properties). Nevertheless, OVA has strong allergenicity, which is usually mediated by specific IgE thus results in gut microbiota dysbiosis and causes atopic dermatitis, asthma, and other inflammation actions. Processing technologies and the interactions with other active ingredients can influence the functional properties and allergic epitopes of OVA. This review focuses on the non-thermal processing technologies effects on the functional properties and allergenicity of OVA. Moreover, the research advance about immunomodulatory mechanisms of OVA-mediated food allergy and the role of gut microbiota in OVA allergy was summarized. Finally, the interactions between OVA and active ingredients (such as polyphenols and polysaccharides) and OVA-based delivery systems construction are summarized. Compared with traditional thermal processing technologies, novel non-thermal processing techniques have less damage to OVA nutritional value, which also improve OVA properties. OVA can interact with various active ingredients by covalent and non-covalent interactions during processing, which can alter the structure or allergic epitopes to affect OVA/active components properties. The interactions can promote OVA-based delivery systems construction, such as emulsions, hydrogels, microencapsulation, nanoparticles to encapsulate bioactive components and monitor freshness for improving foods quality and safety.

Extending the Shelf Life of Raw Milk and Pasteurized Milk with Plantaricin FB-2.

Raw milk and pasteurized milk are characterized by a short shelf life, and drinking expired raw milk and pasteurized milk causes illness. In the study, Plantaricin FB-2 (extracted from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FB-2) was added to liquid milk. By evaluating the microbial growth, acidity changes, protein content, and sensory changes in raw milk and pasteurized milk during storage, it was found that when Plantaricin FB-2 was added at 0.4 g/kg, the shelf life of raw milk was extended by 3 days (7 days if not added). The shelf life of pasteurized milk with Plantaricin FB-2 was extended to 31 days (25 days in the control group), and the optimal amount was 0.3 g/kg. This confirmed that Plantaricin FB-2 can effectively prolong the shelf life of raw and pasteurized milk. This study provides valuable information for the application of bacteriocins produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in raw milk and pasteurized milk to improve their shelf life.

Recent advances of cereal ß-glucan on immunity with gut microbiota regulation functions and its intelligent gelling application.

ß-glucan from cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and rye are a water-soluble dietary fiber, which are composed of repeating (1→4)-ß-bond ß-D-glucopyranosyl units and a single (1→3)-ß-D-bond separated unit. ß-glucan has a series of physicochemical properties (such as viscosity, gelling properties, solubility, etc.), which can be used as a food gel and fat substitute. Its structure endows the healthy functions, including anti-oxidative stress, lowering blood glucose and serum cholesterol, regulating metabolic syndrome and exerting gut immunity via gut microbiota. Due to their unique structural properties and efficacy, cereal ß-glucan are not only applied in food substrates in the food industry, but also in food coatings and packaging. This article reviewed the applications of cereal ß-glucan in hydrogels, aerogels, intelligent packaging systems and targeted delivery carriers in recent years. Cereal ß-glucan in edible film and gel packaging applications are becoming more diversified and intelligent in recent years. Those advances provide a potential solution based on cereal ß-glucan as biodegradable substances for immune regulation delivery system and intelligent gelling material in the biomedicine field.

Dietary flavonoids: a novel strategy for the amelioration of cognitive impairment through intestinal microbiota.

The chances of people suffering from cognitive impairments increase gradually with age. Diet and lifestyle are closely related to the occurrence and development of cognitive function. Dietary flavonoid supplementation has been shown to be one of the protective factors against cognitive decline. Flavonoids belong to a class of polyphenols that have been proposed for the treatment of cognitive decline. Recent evidence has shown that intestinal flora in the human body can interact with flavonoids. Intestinal microbiota can modify the chemical structure of flavonoids, producing new metabolites, the pharmacological activities of which may be different from those of the parent; meanwhile, flavonoids and their metabolites can, in turn, regulate the composition and structure of intestinal flora. Notably, intestinal flora affect host nervous system activity through the gut-brain axis, ultimately causing changes in cognitive function. This review therefore summarizes the interaction of dietary flavonoids and intestinal flora, and their protective effect against cognitive decline through the gut-brain axis, indicating that dietary flavonoids may ameliorate cognitive impairment through their interaction with intestinal microbiota. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

The positive correlation of antioxidant activity and prebiotic effect about oat phenolic compounds.

The correlation of antioxidant activity and prebiotic effect about oat phenolic compounds was invested, while there exists limited studies. Free and bound phenolic compounds were separated from ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to investigate gut microbiota of in vitro fermentation samples. The results showed that ethyl acetate fraction possesses higher total phenolics contents than that of aqueous fraction (p < 0.01). The bound-n-butanol and free-ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01). The phenolic compounds with more powerful antioxidant capacity could promote the proliferation of gut microbiota (Lactobacillus/Enterococcus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.) (p < 0.05) and inhibit the growth of gut microbiota (Bacteroides spp. and Clostridium/histolyticum group). There is a positive correlation of antioxidant activity and prebiotic effect about oat phenolic compounds. This study provides a basis for the correlation between antioxidant stress and gut microbiota regulation in vivo.

Whole grain benefit: synergistic effect of oat phenolic compounds and ß-glucan on hyperlipidemia via gut microbiota in high-fat-diet mice.

Increasing evidence has confirmed that whole grain oats are effective in regulating hyperlipidemia. However, which specific ingredient is crucial remains unclear. This study focused on which whole grain components, oat phenolic compounds (OPC) or oat ß-glucan (OBG), can regulate lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The experiment unveiled that OPC and/or OBG not only reduced the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) but also regulated serum and hepatic lipid levels in high-fat-diet (HFD) fed mice. There was no significant difference in the regulatory effects of OPC and OBG (p > 0.05). The combination of OPC and OBG (OPC + OBG) significantly decreased the body weight (p < 0.01) and reduced the blood glucose (p < 0.01) and lipid profile levels (p < 0.01). The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) study revealed that OPC + OBG significantly altered mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism. Histopathological analysis showed that OPC + OBG improved liver lipid deposition as well as liver oxidative stress (p < 0.05). In addition, OPC + OBG combination regulated the gut microbiota community phenotype and increased probiotics. OPC + OBG significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and reduced the abundance of Firmicutes (p < 0.05) compared with the OPC and OBG fed mice. In conclusion, OPC + OBG has a synergistic effect in alleviating hyperlipidemia via lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition. This finding also provided a potential justification for the advantages of whole grains in preventing hyperlipidemia.