Probiotic-fermented blueberry pomace alleviates obesity and hyperlipidemia in high-fat diet C57BL/6J mice.

This study investigated the effect of FBP (fermented blueberry pomace by the mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus plantarum-1) on hyperlipidemia in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J obese mice. The results indicated that FBP significantly reduced the weight gain, liver and fat indexes, and hyperlipidemia of HFD mice. Serum TC, TG, and LDL-C in HFD mice were significantly decreased through supplementation with FBP, and serum SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and T-AOC in H-FBP group were increased by 28.25%, 26.84%, 23.30%, and 19.79%, respectively. Furthermore, FBP reduced the activity of ALT, AST, and LPS; down-regulated the expression of inflammation-related cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6); and improved lipid metabolism by up-regulating PPAR-α and down-regulating SREBP-1 and FAS. Thus, FBP alleviated obesity, liver injury, and inflammation caused by a HFD by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing leptin production, indicating that FBP is a nutrient-rich beverage with the potential to relieve obesity. Generally, this study highlightsed a new use of blueberry pomace.

Serum CA 19-9 Level is Correlated to the Clinical Characteristics and Chronic Complications of Patients Newly Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: This study investigated the relation of serum carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA 19-9) levels to the clinical characteristics and chronic complications of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 371 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and 133 healthy people with consecutively matched age were compared. The 371 patients with T2DM were divided into four groups by quartiles based on their serum CA 19-9 levels, in which clinical characteristics and chronic complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic nephropathy, and macrovascular complications were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of DR. RESULTS: Among the 371 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM, 60 had elevated CA 19-9 levels (16.17%). The frequencies of elevated serum CA 19-9 were 24.39% (30 of 123) for females and 12.10% (30 of 248) for males, in which the values for females were higher than those for males (P<0.01).Differences were observed among the serum CA 19-9 levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and DR (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum CA 19-9 levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting C-peptide (FC-P) were risk factors for DR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CA 19-9 levels were correlated with HbA1c and DR in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM. The elevated serum CA 19-9 levels, high FC-P, and FBG levels were important risk factors for DR in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM.

Mixed fermentation of blueberry pomace with L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum-1: Enhance the active ingredient, antioxidant activity and health-promoting benefits.

Studies on the development of non-dairy probiotic foods and beverages are emerging. The optimal Lactobacillus and carbon resources were screened to improve the viability of probiotics in blueberry pomace. During fermentation, the total titratable acid and the viable counts were measured and peaked at 24 h, 15.75 mM and 11.59 Log CFU mL-1 respectively. Lactic acid content increased from 2.361 mg mL-1 to 6.334 mg mL-1, while citric acid content was decreased significantly. Additionally, the antioxidant activity was improved, which may be attributed to the increase of total phenols and flavonoids up to 4629.21 µg GAE mL-1 and 404.99 µg RE mL-1. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro showed that the total polyphenols were decreased slightly, while anthocyanins were increased. We also studied the cholesterol-lowing capability of fermented BPL and found that the cholesterol-clearance rate could reach 67.17%. Moreover, through mice weight-loaded swimming experiments, we observed that the physical strength of mice fed a fermented juice for one month was significantly better than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study provides a high value application of blueberry pomace and the fermented blueberry pomace with probiotics as a new type of probiotic food can furnish potentially value to human health.

Protocatechuic acid grafted onto chitosan: Characterization and antioxidant activity.

In this study, protocatechuic acid (PA) was grafted onto chitosan (CS) by a carbodiimide mediated cross-linking reaction. The structural characterization, physical property and antioxidant activity of PA grafted CS (PA-g-CS) was investigated. As results, three copolymers with different grafting ratios (61.64, 190.11 and 279.69mg PAE/g) were obtained by varying the molar ratios of reaction substrates. PA-g-CS showed the same UV absorption peaks as PA at 258 and 292nm. As compared to CS, PA-g-CS exhibited a decreased band at 1596cm(-1) and a new band at 1716cm(-1), suggesting the formation of amide and ester linkages between PA and CS. New proton signals at δ6.77-7⋅33ppm were observed on (1)H NMR spectrum of PA-g-CS, assigning to the methine protons of PA. Signals at δ 150.8-116.6 ppm on (13)C NMR spectrum of PA-g-CS was assigned to the aromatic ring carbon of PA moieties. All the structural information confirmed the successful grafting of PA onto CS. SEM observation showed CS had a smooth surface, while PA-g-CS had a rough surface. TGA revealed the thermal stability of PA-g-CS was lower than CS. Antioxidant activity assays further verified the reducing power and DDPH radical scavenging activity of PA-g-CS was much higher than CS.

Structure, physical property and antioxidant activity of catechin grafted Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide.

In this study, structural characterization, physical property and antioxidant activity of catechin grafted Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (catechin-g-TPS) were investigated. Crude polysaccharides were isolated from the fruit bodies of T. fuciformis and further purified on DEAE-52 and Sepharose CL-4B chromatography to afford a main purified fraction (named TPS). The molecular weight of TPS was determined as 5.82 × 10(5)Da by HPLC. Then, the free radical mediated grafting of catechin onto TPS was achieved by using a redox system. As compared with the unmodified TPS, catechin-g-TPS showed new bands within the range of 1300-1600 cm(-1) in FT-IR spectrum, and exhibited new signals at around δ 6.00 and 6.80 ppm in (1)H NMR spectrum. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the thermal stability of catechin-g-TPS was higher than TPS. X-ray diffraction spectrum of catechin-g-TPS exhibited two sharp narrow diffraction peaks at 14.2 and 32.1°, corresponding to the crystalline peaks of catechin. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed the surface of TPS was smooth, whereas the surface of catechin-g-TPS was much rough. These results all confirmed the successful grafting of catechin onto TPS. Moreover, catechin-g-TPS had higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power as compared to TPS.