Crystal Engineering of MOF-Derived Bimetallic Oxide Solid Solution Anchored with Au Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Syngas and C2 Hydrocarbons.

Considering that CO2 reduction is mostly a multielectron reaction, it is necessary for the photocatalysts to integrate multiple catalytic sites and cooperate synergistically to achieve efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction to various products, such as C2 hydrocarbons. Herein, through crystal engineering, we designed and constructed a metal-organic framework-derived Zr/Ti bimetallic oxide solid solution support, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. After anchoring Au nanoparticles, the composite photocatalyst exhibited excellent performances toward photocatalytic CO2 reduction to syngas (H2 and CO production rates of 271.6 and 260.6 µmol g-1 h-1) and even C2 hydrocarbons (C2H4 and C2H6 production rates of 6.80 and 4.05 µmol g-1 h-1). According to the control experiments and theoretical calculations, the strong interaction between bimetallic oxide solid solution support and Au nanoparticles was found to be beneficial for binding intermediates and reducing CO2 reduction, highlighting the synergy effect of the catalytic system with multiple active sites.

Protocatechuic acid alleviates TMAO-aggravated atherosclerosis via mitigating inflammation, regulating lipid metabolism, and reshaping gut microbiota.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. As a natural phenolic acid, protocatechuic acid (PCA) is abundant in various plant foods. The present study investigated the effect of PCA on TMAO-aggravated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. The mice were randomly divided into five groups and fed one of the following five diets for 12 weeks: namely a low-fat diet (LFD), a western diet (WD), a WD + 0.2% TMAO diet (WDT), a WDT + 0.5% PCA diet (WDT + LPCA), and a WDT + 1.0% PCA diet (WDT + HPCA). Results demonstrated that dietary TMAO exacerbated the development of atherosclerosis by eliciting inflammation and disturbing lipid metabolism. The diet with PCA at 1% reduced TMAO-induced aortic plaque by 30% and decreased the levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines. PCA also improved lipid metabolism by up-regulating the hepatic gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). In addition, PCA supplementation enhanced fecal excretion of fatty acids and decreased hepatic fat accumulation. PCA supplementation favorably modulated gut microbiota by increasing the α-diversity with an increase in the abundance of beneficial genera (Rikenella, Turicibacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto and Bifidobacterium) and a decrease in the abundance of the harmful Helicobacter genus. In summary, PCA could alleviate the TMAO-exacerbated atherosclerosis and inflammation, improve the lipid metabolism, and modulate gut microbiota.

Novel Synthesis of Phytosterol Ferulate Using Acidic Ionic Liquids as a Catalyst and Its Hypolipidemic Activity.

Phytosterol ferulate (PF) is quantitively low in rice, corn, wheat, oats, barley, and millet, but it is potentially effective in reducing plasma lipids. In this study, PF was synthesized for the first time using acidic ionic liquids as a catalyst. The product was purified, characterized using Fourier transform infrared, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultimately confirmed as the desired PF compound. The conversion of phytosterol surpassed an impressive 99% within just 2 h, with a selectivity for PF exceeding 83%. Plasma lipid-lowering activity of PF was further investigated by using C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet as a model. Supplementation of 0.5% PF into diet resulted in significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 13.7, 16.9, and 46.3%, respectively. This was accompanied by 55.8 and 36.3% reductions in hepatic cholesterol and total lipids, respectively, and a 22.9% increase in fecal cholesterol excretion. Interestingly, PF demonstrated a higher lipid-lowering activity than that of its substrates, a physical mixture of phytosterols and ferulic acid. In conclusion, an efficient synthesis of PF was achieved for the first time, and PF had the great potential to be developed as a lipid-lowering dietary supplement.

Cholesterol Oxidation Products: Potential Adverse Effect and Prevention of Their Production in Foods.

Cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) are a group of substances formed during food processing. COPs in diet is a health concern because they may affect human health in association with the risk of various diseases including atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, and chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory colitis. Production of COPs in foods can be affected by many factors such as temperature, pH, light, oxygen, water, carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, and metal cations. The key issue is preventing its generation in foods. Some COPs can also be produced in vivo by both nonenzymatic and enzymatic-catalyzed oxidation reactions. Currently, a number of natural antioxidants such as catechins, flavonoids, and other polyphenols have been proven to inhibit the generation of COPs. In addition, measures taken during food processing can also minimize the production of COPs, such as the Maillard reaction and marinating food with plant polyphenol-rich seasonings. In conclusion, a comprehensive approach encompassing the suppression on COPs generation and implementation of processing measures is imperative to safeguard human health against the production of COPs in the food chain.

Mangiferin alleviates trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)-induced atherogenesis and modulates gut microbiota in mice.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), originating from dietary trimethylamine-containing nutrients such as choline, has been recognized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Mangiferin is a bioactive xanthone initially extracted from mango (Mangifera indica). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mangiferin on TMAO-induced atherogenesis in mice fed a high-choline diet. Female ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed either a control diet, a high-choline diet with 1% free choline, or an experimental diet with 1% free choline plus 0.5% mangiferin for 15 weeks. Our results showed that a high-choline diet elevated plasma TMAO levels, accelerated atherogenesis, promoted cholesterol accumulation, and reduced the generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gut microbes. Mangiferin alleviated inflammation, and lowered plasma total cholesterol levels by facilitating the elimination of neutral and acidic sterols in feces, resulting in a 16.7-29.0% reduction in aortic atherosclerotic lesions. Notably, mangiferin could favorably remodel the composition of the gut microbiota by fostering the growth of the beneficial taxa Akkermansia, Parabacteroides, and Bifidobacteriaceae, while reducing the relative abundance of the pathogenic genus Helicobacter. This modulation led to a decrease in plasma lipopolysaccharide levels, enhanced the production of total SCFAs by gut microbes, and reduced susceptibility to atherosclerosis. In conclusion, mangiferin exhibited its ability to alleviate TMAO-induced atherosclerosis through its anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and gut microbial modulatory activities.

Reticular framework materials for photocatalytic organic reactions.

Photocatalytic organic reactions, harvesting solar energy to produce high value-added organic chemicals, have attracted increasing attention as a sustainable approach to address the global energy crisis and environmental issues. Reticular framework materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), are widely considered as promising candidates for photocatalysis owing to their high crystallinity, tailorable pore environment and extensive structural diversity. Although the design and synthesis of MOFs and COFs have been intensively developed in the last 20 years, their applications in photocatalytic organic transformations are still in the preliminary stage, making their systematic summary necessary. Thus, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding and useful guidelines for the exploration of suitable MOF and COF photocatalysts towards appropriate photocatalytic organic reactions. The commonly used reactions are categorized to facilitate the identification of suitable reaction types. From a practical viewpoint, the fundamentals of experimental design, including active species, performance evaluation and external reaction conditions, are discussed in detail for easy experimentation. Furthermore, the latest advances in photocatalytic organic reactions of MOFs and COFs, including their composites, are comprehensively summarized according to the actual active sites, together with the discussion of their structure-property relationship. We believe that this study will be helpful for researchers to design novel reticular framework photocatalysts for various organic synthetic applications.

Adverse effect of oxidized cholesterol exposure on colitis is mediated by modulation of gut microbiota.

Both cholesterol and oxidized cholesterol (OXC) are present in human diets. The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is increasing in the world. The present study was to investigate the mechanism by which OXC promotes colitis using C57BL/6 mice as a model. Results shown that more severe colitis was developed in OXC-treated mice with the administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in water. Direct effects of short-term OXC exposure on gut barrier or inflammation were not observed in healthy mice. However, OXC exposure could cause gut microbiota dysbiosis with a decrease in the relative abundance of short-train fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Blautia) and an increase in the abundance of some potential harmful bacteria (Bacteroides). OXC-induced symptoms of colitis were eliminated when mice were administered with antibiotic cocktails, indicating the promoting effect of OXC on DSS-induced colitis was mediated by its effect on gut microbiota. Moreover, bacteria-depleted mice colonized with gut microbiome from OXC-DSS-exposed mice exhibited a severe colitis, further proving the gut dysbiosis caused by OXC exposure was the culprit in exacerbating the colitis. It was concluded that dietary OXC exposure increased the susceptibility of colitis in mice by causing gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Production of Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides with Potential Application in the Management of Diabetes and Obesity: A Review.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity is increasing worldwide. Bioactive peptides are naturally present in foods or in food-derived proteins. Recent research has shown that these bioactive peptides have an array of possible health benefits in the management of diabetes and obesity. First, this review will summarize the top-down and bottom-up production methods of the bioactive peptides from different protein sources. Second, the digestibility, bioavailability, and metabolic fate of the bioactive peptides are discussed. Last, the present review will discuss and explore the mechanisms by which these bioactive peptides help against obesity and diabetes based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Although several clinical studies have demonstrated that bioactive peptides are beneficial in alleviating diabetes and obesity, more double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed in the future. This review has provided novel insights into the potential of food-derived bioactive peptides as functional foods or nutraceuticals to manage obesity and diabetes.

Physiological concentration of protocatechuic acid directly protects vascular endothelial function against inflammation in diabetes through Akt/eNOS pathway.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the major cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes. However, new approaches are still warranted since current diabetic medications, which focus mainly on glycemic control, do not effectively lower cardiovascular mortality rate in diabetic patients. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic acid widely distributed in garlic, onion, cauliflower and other plant-based foods. Given the anti-oxidative effects of PCA in vitro, we hypothesized that PCA would also have direct beneficial effects on endothelial function in addition to the systemic effects on vascular health demonstrated by previous studies. Methods and results: Since IL-1ß is the major pathological contributor to endothelial dysfunction in diabetes, the anti-inflammatory effects of PCA specific on endothelial cells were further verified by the use of IL-1ß-induced inflammation model. Direct incubation of db/db mouse aortas with physiological concentration of PCA significantly ameliorated endothelium-dependent relaxation impairment, as well as reactive oxygen species overproduction mediated by diabetes. In addition to the well-studied anti-oxidative activity, PCA demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokines MCP1, VCAM1 and ICAM1, as well as increasing the phosphorylation of eNOS and Akt in the inflammatory endothelial cell model induced by the key player in diabetic endothelial dysfunction IL-1ß. Upon blocking of Akt phosphorylation, p-eNOS/eNOS remained low and the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines by PCA ceased. Conclusion: PCA exerts protection on vascular endothelial function against inflammation through Akt/eNOS pathway, suggesting daily acquisition of PCA may be encouraged for diabetic patients.

The diagnosis and treatment of central retinal artery occlusion with severe cardio-cerebrovascular disease: a case report.

Background: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an acute eye disease that seriously damages vision. Patients with CRAO often have a combination of various cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), and CRAO patients often ignore their cardio-cerebrovascular disorders because of their ocular symptoms. In addition, there are few reports about CRAO patients with CCVDs received effective interventions implemented. We report the diagnosis and treatment of a Chinese CRAO patient with CCVD who received timely multidisciplinary interventional therapy to provide ideas for clinical ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of similar diseases. Case Description: A 76-year-old male patient, who had previously been diagnosed with hypertension, was admitted to hospital due to a sudden decrease in vision in his right eye for >2 days with a severe headache. After fundus photography, he was diagnosed with CRAO in the right eye. His cerebral angiography revealed multiple stenoses at arteries of his neck and brain included the right ophthalmic artery. Neurosurgery was attempted to perform a thrombolysis of the right ophthalmic artery while performing the angiography, but failed to find the opening of the right ophthalmic artery. However, through electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during the operation, we found that the patient had frequent ventricular premature beats, so the Department of Cardiology performed coronary arteriography for him which revealed severe stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The cardiologists performed a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at the same time as the coronary angiography. Some 2 months later, the patient was admitted to the Neurosurgery Department to implant stent at the left vertebral artery. After stent implantation, his headache symptom improved significantly and his right eye vision improved. Conclusions: Through timely cerebral angiography and ophthalmic examinations, the patient was diagnosed with CRAO combined with CCVD, and after received multidisciplinary interventional therapy, the patient's right eye vision and headache symptom improved and more severe cardio-cerebrovascular adverse events were avoided. In treating CRAO patients, in addition to aggressive eye treatment, the systemic cardio-cerebrovascular situation of each patient should also be assessed, a timely diagnosis made, and effective interventions implemented to reduce morbidity- and mortality-related cardio-cerebrovascular events.

Effect of Gut Microbiota on Blood Cholesterol: A Review on Mechanisms.

The gut microbiota serves as a pivotal mediator between diet and human health. Emerging evidence has shown that the gut microbiota may play an important role in cholesterol metabolism. In this review, we delve into five possible mechanisms by which the gut microbiota may influence cholesterol metabolism: (1) the gut microbiota changes the ratio of free bile acids to conjugated bile acids, with the former being eliminated into feces and the latter being reabsorbed back into the liver; (2) the gut microbiota can ferment dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are absorbed and reach the liver where SCFAs inhibit cholesterol synthesis; (3) the gut microbiota can regulate the expression of some genes related to cholesterol metabolism through their metabolites; (4) the gut microbiota can convert cholesterol to coprostanol, with the latter having a very low absorption rate; and (5) the gut microbiota could reduce blood cholesterol by inhibiting the production of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which increases cholesterol synthesis and raises blood cholesterol. In addition, this review will explore the natural constituents in foods with potential roles in cholesterol regulation, mainly through their interactions with the gut microbiota. These include polysaccharides, polyphenolic entities, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and dicaffeoylquinic acid. These findings will provide a scientific foundation for targeting hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases through the modulation of the gut microbiota.

Ficolin-2: A potential immune-related therapeutic target with low expression in liver cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of ficolin-2 (FCN2) in the development and course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to contribute to the evolution of innovative HCC therapeutics. Methods: Oncomine, GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis), TISIDB (Tumor Immune System Interactions and Drug Bank database), UALCAN (University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis portal), UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz), R package, the Kaplan-Meier technique, Cox regression analysis, LinkedOmics, Pearson's correlation, and a nomogram were used to investigate the prognostic value of FCN2 in HCC. Co-expressed genes were screened. A protein-protein interaction network was created using the STRING database. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed to establish the expression of FCN2 in HCC tissues. A pan-cancer study centered on HCC-related molecular analysis was also conducted to look for a link between FCN2 and immune infiltration, immune modulators, and chemokine receptors. Results: In HCC tissues, the expression of FCN2 was observed to be lower than that in normal tissues. This was connected to the HCC marker alpha-fetoprotein, showing that FCN2 is involved in the development and progression of cancer. FCN2 may act through Staphylococcus aureus infection, lectins, and other pathways. Furthermore, at the immune level, the expression of FCN2 in HCC was associated with some immune cell infiltration, immunomodulators, and chemokine receptors. Conclusion: FCN2 may be an immune checkpoint inhibitor for HCC, creating a breakthrough in the treatment of HCC.

Dietary Oxidized Cholesterol Aggravates Chemically Induced Murine Colon Inflammation and Alters Gut Microbial Ecology.

Western diet with a higher intake of fat and cholesterol has been claimed as an intestinal inflammation trigger. Human diet contains both cholesterol and oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol has been claimed to be associated with various inflammation diseases, but its effects on colitis and gut microbiome remain largely unknown. The present study was the first time to investigate the effect of the oxidized cholesterol on gut microbiota and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis using mice as a model. The results showed that oxidized cholesterol promoted colitis by exacerbating bleeding, body weight decrease, colon shortening, gut barrier damage, oxidative stress, and gut inflammation, whereas non-oxidized cholesterol had no effect. Meanwhile, oxidized cholesterol could adversely modulate the gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria (including Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides) and decreasing that of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Odoribacter). In addition, oxidized cholesterol significantly reduced the production of fecal short-chain fatty acids in colitis mice. It was concluded that oxidized cholesterol was a potential dietary factor of gut dysbiosis.

Effects of Thermally-Oxidized Frying Oils (Corn Oil and Lard) on Gut Microbiota in Hamsters.

Repeated reuse of frying oil raises health concerns due to the accumulation of oxidative products after each frying cycle. Gut microbiota is integral in lipid metabolism and immune regulation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of thermally-oxidized corn oil and lard on gut microbiota in relation to atherosclerosis, inflammatory cytokines, and plasma lipids. Male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into four groups and fed one of four diets containing fresh corn oil (CF), oxidized corn oil (CO), fresh lard (LF), and oxidized lard (LO), for six weeks. CO and LO were prepared by deep-frying potatoes in corn oil or lard for seven days. Results indicated that oxidized oil and lard caused the loss of species diversity and richness of gut microbiota. Feeding CO and LO also reduced the body and adipose tissue weights, associated with genus Acetatifactor and Allobaculum. Plasma triacylglycerols significantly increased by 51% in the CO and 35% in the LO group compared with that in their CF and LF counterparts, respectively. CO could also affect the abundance of specific bacteria genera: Bacteroides, Barnesiella, Acetatifactor, Allobaculum, Clostridium_IV, Clostridium_XIVa, Coprococcus, Lactococcus, Paraprevotella, Parasutterella, and Oscillibacter. In addition, CO and LO could adversely remodel gut composition and affect intestinal production of short-chain fatty acids, pro-inflammatory biomarkers (LPS and IL-6), anti-inflammatory biomarker IL-10, and atherosclerotic progression. It was concluded that frying oil could adversely modulate the gut microbiota and exacerbate the atherosclerosis at least in a hypercholesterolemia hamster model.

Effects of hawthorn seed oil on plasma cholesterol and gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia and gut microbiota dysbiosis are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hawthorn fruits has shown to be cardioprotective and hypocholesterolemic. However, no studies to date have studied the biological activity of hawthorn seed oil (HSO). The present study was to investigate if HSO could favourably reduce plasma cholesterol and modulate gut microbiota in hypercholesterolemia hamsters. METHODS: Golden Syrian hamsters (age, 8 weeks) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8, each) and fed one of the following five diets, namely a non-cholesterol diet, a high cholesterol diet containing 0.15% cholesterol (HCD); a HCD diet with addition of 4.75% HSO (LHSO), a HCD diet with addition of 9.5% HSO (HHSO), a HCD diet with addition of 0.50% cholestyramine as positive control diet. After 6-week dietary intervention, plasma lipids, inflammatory markers, atherosclerosis plaque, hepatic and fecal lipids were quantified. Microbiota in fresh feces were analysed by sequencing 16S rRNA genes, while RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were employed to quantify the expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. RESULTS: HSO at a dose of 9.5% HSO could decrease plasma cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol by 15%. Additionally, both HSO experimental groups also suppressed mRNA of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMG-CoA-R). Supplementation of HSO at 4.75% could significantly increase the excretion of fecal acidic sterols, accompanied by elevation of short-chain fatty acid levels in feces. The analyses of gut microbiome indicated that HSO supplementation could selectively alter the genera abundance of gut bacteria that were correlated with cholesterol metabolism including unclassified_f__Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_ group, norank_o_Gastranaerophilales, Faecalibaculum, Peptococcus, norank_f__Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group and Ruminococcus_2. CONCLUSIONS: HSO supplementation was able to decrease plasma cholesterol by favourably modulating gut microbiota composition and gut-derived metabolites associated with cholesterol regulation.

Cholesterol affects the relationship between albumin and major adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease: a secondary analysis.

We aimed to examine whether the efficacy of the risk of poor prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease is jointly affected by total cholesterol and baseline serum albumin in a secondary analysis of previous study. We analyzed the data of 204 patients from October 2014 to October 2017 for newly diagnosed stable CAD. The outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE; defined as all cause mortality, non fatal myocardial infarction, and non fatal stroke). The median duration of follow-up was 783 days. Multivariable COX model was performed to revalidate the relationship between the sALB and MACE and interaction tests were conducted to find the effects of total cholesterol on their association. A total of 28 MACE occurred among the 204 participants. The risk of MACE varied by baseline serum albumin and total cholesterol. Specifically, lower serum albumin indicated higher risk of MACE (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.30-9.54), and a test for interaction between baseline serum albumin and total cholesterol on MACE was significant (P = 0.0005). We suggested that baseline serum albumin and total cholesterol could interactively affect the risk of poor prognosis of patients with coronary artery diseases. Our findings need to be confirmed by further randomized trials.

Metabolites of Gut Microbiota and Possible Implication in Development of Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by having a disorder of glucose metabolism. The types of diabetes mellitus include type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, and other specific types of diabetes mellitus. Many risk factors contribute to diabetes mellitus mainly including genetics, environment, obesity, and diet. In the recent years, gut microbiota has been shown to be linked to the development of diabetes. It has been reported that the gut microbiota composition of diabetic patients is different from that of healthy people. Although the mechanism behind the abnormality remains to be explored, most hypotheses focus on the inflammation response and leaky gut in relation to the changes in production of endotoxins and metabolites derived from the intestinal flora. Consequently, the above-mentioned abnormalities trigger a series of metabolic changes, gradually leading to development of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes. This review is (i) to summarize the differences in gut microbiota between diabetic patients and healthy people, (ii) to discuss the underlying mechanism(s) by which how lipopolysaccharide, diet, and metabolites of the gut microbiota affect diabetes, and (iii) to provide a new insight in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Induction of Chirality in Boron Imidazolate Frameworks: The Structure-Directing Effects of Substituents.

By enhancing steric hindrance of substituents on the imidazole ring, the fan-shaped molecule of a tridentate boron imidazolate ligand (KBH(2-ipim)3, 2-ipim = 2-isopropylimidazolate) with racemic chirality was obtained. Then, seven novel boron imidazolate frameworks (BIFs) were prepared by mixing KBH(2-ipim)3 ligands with various derivatives of benzene carboxylic acid under solvothermal conditions. All of these seven materials contain a ladder-like zinc-boron-imidazolate chain as a basic building block, and the ligand BH(2-ipim)3- exists in the same handedness in one chain. The structural variations are associated with the position of substituents of the auxiliary ligand. Of particular interest is the spontaneous resolution of BH(2-ipim)3- ligands into two independent enantiomorphous homochiral structures, BIF-131-S and BIF-131-R, which contain both a chiral chain and an absolute helix embedded in the nets.

Peony seed oil decreases plasma cholesterol and favorably modulates gut microbiota in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.

PURPOSE: Peony (Paeonia spp.) seed oil (PSO) contains a high amount of α-linolenic acid. The effects of PSO on hypercholesterolemia and gut microbiota remains unclear. The present study was to investigate effects of PSO supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and modulation of the gut microbiota. METHODS: Male Golden Syrian hamsters (n = 40) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8, each) fed one of the following diets namely low-cholesterol diet (LCD); high cholesterol diet (HCD); HCD with PSO substituting 50% lard (LPSO), PSO substituting 100% lard (HPSO) and HCD with addition of 0.5% cholestyramine (PCD), respectively, for 6 weeks. RESULTS: PSO supplementation dose-dependently reduced plasma total cholesterol (TC) by 9-14%, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) by 7-18% and triacylglycerols (TG) by 14-34% (p < 0.05). In addition, feeding PSO diets reduced the formation of plaque lesions by 49-61% and hepatic lipids by 9-19% compared with feeding HCD diet (p < 0.01). PSO also altered relative genus abundance of unclassified_f__Coriobacteriaceae, unclassified_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, Peptococcus, unclassified_f__Ruminococcaceae, norank_o__Mollicutes_RF9 and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that PSO was effective in reducing plasma cholesterol and hepatic lipids and favorably modulating gut microbiota associated with cholesterol metabolism.

[Protective effect of oleanolic acid liposomes on cisplatin-induced oligoasthenospermia in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of oleanolic acid liposomes (OA-Lips) on cisplatin-induced oligoasthenospermia (COAS) in mice. METHODS: Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal control, a COAS model control, a positive control and a low-, a medium- and a high-dose OA-Lips group. The animals in the low-, medium- and high-dose OA-Lips and positive control groups were given intragastrically OA-Lips solution at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/d and vitamin E at 50 mg/kg/d, respectively. On the 28th day, the mice in the COAS model control, positive control and OA-Lips groups were injected intraperitoneally with cisplatin solution at 10 mg/kg, while those in the normal control group with the same dose of normal saline. Three days after administration, all the mice were sacrificed and their testis tissues collected for detection of the semen parameters and observation of the testicular morphology. RESULTS: Both the percentage of motile sperm and sperm concentration were significantly increased in the high-dose OA-Lips group (P < 0.05). HE staining showed that OA-Lips remarkably improved the damaged testis tissue (P < 0.05) and protected the seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. The percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) and the curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat-cross frequency (BCF) of sperm were gradually increased in a dose-dependent manner in the OA-Lips groups. The serum T level was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the OA-Lips-treated mice than in the COAS model controls while the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (MAS) markedly lower in the high-dose OA-Lips group than in the model control, positive control and low-dose OA-Lips groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OA-Lips can relieve oligoaspermia and improve the productive ability of mice.