Zinc in cereal grains: Concentration, distribution, speciation, bioavailability, and barriers to transport from roots to grains in wheat.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micro-nutrient for humans, and Zn deficiency is of global concern. In addition to inherited and pathological Zn deficiencies, insufficient dietary intake is leading cause, especially in those consuming cereal grains as a stable food, in which Zn concentration and bioavailability are relatively low. To improve Zn levels in the human body, it is important to understand the accumulation and bioavailability of Zn in cereal grains. In recent years, knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying Zn uptake, transport, homeostasis, and deposition within cereal crops has been accumulating, paving the way for a more targeted approach to improving the nutrient status of crop plants. In this paper, we briefly review existing studies on the distribution and transport pathways of Zn in major small-grained cereals, using wheat as a case study. The findings confirm that Zn transport in plants is a complex physiological process mainly governed by Zn transporters and metal chelators. This work reviews studies on Zn uptake, transport, and deposition in wheat plants, summarizes the possible barriers impairing Zn deposition in wheat grains, and describes strategies for increasing Zn concentration in wheat grains.

Comparison Study between Curcumin and Enalapril Treatment in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on renal interstitial fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), and compare the effects of Curcumin with that of Enalapril. Method UUO rat model was used. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with 8 rats each:shame-operated group (0.9% saline solution), model group (dimethyl sulphoxide, DMSO), Curcumin treatment group [curcumin 100 mg/(kg?d)], and Enalapril treatment group [enalapril 10 mg/(kg?d)]. All rats were killed 4 w after surgery. The degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was scored by HE and Masson staining. The sites and levels of protein expression of TGF-?1, CTGF and TIMP-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Result Compared with those of shame-operated group, the blood urea nitrogen level was significantly increased (P 0.05). Conclusion Pharmacological effects of Curcumin or Enalapril on unilateral ureteral obstruction rats are quite similar. These effects may result from the down-regulation of TGF-?1, CTGF and TIMP-1 expression in kidney tissue.

Comparative Study on the Effects between Curcumin and Eenalapril on Transdifferentiation of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To compare the effects of curcumin and enalapril on transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats. Method UUO rat model was used. Male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with 8 rats each:shame-operated group (0.9% saline solution), model group (dimethyl sulphoxide), curcumin treatment group [curcumin 100 mg/(kg?d)], and enalapril treatment group [enalapril 10 mg/(kg?d)]. Medicines were given intraperitoneally daily two days after the operation. All rats were killed 4w after surgery. The degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was scored by HE and Masson staining, and the sites and levels of protein expression of TGF-?1、?-SMA and vimentin were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Result Compared with shame-operated group, the serum urea nitrogen level was significantly increased (P 0.05). Conclusion The pharmacological effects of curcumin and enalapril may be partly mediated by inhibiting the transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells towards myofibroblast in UUO rats.