Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 on Alcohol-Induced Subacute Hepatic Damage

Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 is a newly isolated strain from naturally fermented yogurt that might offer some beneficial effects in the setting of alcohol-induced subacute liver injury. The liver-protective effect of L. plantarum ZS62 was investigated by gavage feeding of mice with this Lactobacillus strain (1 × 109 CFU/kg BW) before alcohol administration daily for 7 days. We then compared hepatic morphology, liver function indexes, liver lipid levels, inflammation, oxidative stress levels, and mRNA expression of oxidative metabolism- and inflammation-related genes in mice that had been pretreated with Lactobacillus plantarum versus control mice that had not been pretreated. Our results showed that L. plantarum ZS62 attenuated alcohol-induced weight loss; prevented morphological changes in hepatocytes; reduced markers of liver damage including aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), hyaluronidase (HAase), precollagen III (PC III), and inflammatory cytokines; and enhanced the antioxidative status. L. plantarum ZS62 also significantly downregulated inflammation-related genes and upregulated lipid- and oxidative-metabolism genes. Thus, Lactobacillus plantarum pretreatment appears to confer hepatic protection by reducing inflammation and enhancing antioxidative capacity. The protective effect of L. plantarum ZS62 was even better than that of a commonly used commercial lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus). The L. plantarum ZS62 might be a potentially beneficial prophylactic treatment for people who frequently drink alcoholic beverages.

Prognostic Impacts of Increases in Amino Transaminases Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting on Mortality

BackgroundBy the current global obesogenic environment, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming an important health problem in the pediatric age group.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the first age-and gender-specific percentiles and upper limit normal limit (ULN) of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) among a nationally-representative sample of children and adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The second objective was to determine the linear association of obesity indexes and age with serum ALT and AST levels.Patients and MethodsThis nationwide study was conducted among a representative sample of 4078 students aged 10-18 years, who were selected by multistage random cluster sampling from 27 provinces of Iran. ALT and AST were measured on fresh sera. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as an index of generalized obesity, and waist- to- height ratio (WHtR) as an index of abdominal obesity. The age- and gender-specific percentiles of ALT and AST were constructed, and the 95th percentile of each enzyme was considered as the ULN. Gender-specific linear regression analysis was employed to examine the association of BMI or WHtR with the levels of ALT and AST.ResultsData of ALT and AST were available for 4078 (2038 girls) and 4150 (2061 girls),respectively. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 14.71 (2.41).The ULN of ALT for boys, girls,and the total individuals were 36.00; 38.00; and, 37.00 U/L, respectively. In both genders, ALT and AST had linear association with age. The association with BMI was significant for ALT in both genders and for AST only in boys, the association of ALT with WHtR was significant in both genders; the corresponding figures were not significant for AST.ConclusionsThe findings of the current study confirmed the current ULN value of 40 U/L commonly used for the pediatric age group. The linear association of indexes for generalized and abdominal obesity with ALT underscores the importance of timely prevention and control of childhood obesity.

AimThe purpose of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) on D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal/LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.MethodsWe evaluated the antioxidant capacity of LP-KSFY06 in vitro, detailed the effects of LP-KSFY06 on the organ index, liver function index, biochemical index, cytokines, and related genes, and noted the accompanying pathological changes.ResultsThe results clearly showed that LP-KSFY06 can remove 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline −6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals in vitro. The analysis of the organ index and pathology demonstrated that LP-KSFY06 significantly prevented ALI. Biochemical and molecular biological analysis showed that LP-KSFY06 prevented a decrease in the antioxidant-related levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and also prevented an increase in aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. LP-KSFY06 upregulated the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). These oxidative and inflammatory indicators were consistent with the results of gene detections. Furthermore, we determined that LP-KSFY06 downregulated Keap1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), IL-18, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14 or p38), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), B-cell inhibitor-α (IκB-α), and thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA expression. These may be related to the regulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NLRP3/NF-κB pathways.ConclusionLP-KSFY06 is an effective multifunctional Lactobacillus with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ability that can prevent D-gal/LPS-induced ALI in mice and assist in maintaining health.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) on D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal/LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. Methods: We evaluated the antioxidant capacity of LP-KSFY06 in vitro, detailed the effects of LP-KSFY06 on the organ index, liver function index, biochemical index, cytokines, and related genes, and noted the accompanying pathological changes. Results: The results clearly showed that LP-KSFY06 can remove 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline - 6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals in vitro. The analysis of the organ index and pathology demonstrated that LP-KSFY06 significantly prevented ALI. Biochemical and molecular biological analysis showed that LP-KSFY06 prevented a decrease in the antioxidant-related levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and also prevented an increase in aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. LP-KSFY06 upregulated the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), tumor necrosis factor-\(\alpha\) (TNF-\(\alpha\)), and interferon-\(\gamma\) (IFN-\(\gamma\) ). These oxidative and inflammatory indicators were consistent with the results of gene detections. Furthermore, we determined that LP-KSFY06 downregulated Keap1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nuclear factor K-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-KB), IL-18, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14 or p38), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), B-cell inhibitor-\(\alpha\) (IKB-\(\alpha\)), and thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA expression. These may be related to the regulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NLRP3/NF-KB pathways. Conclusion: LP-KSFY06 is an effective multifunctional Lactobacillus with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ability that can prevent D-gal/LPS-induced ALI in mice and assist in maintaining health.

Objective: To investigate the effects of hormonal contraceptives on serum glucose, lipid profile and some liver function tests. Patients and Methods: One hundred and three women participated in this study. They were taken hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptive pills or injection for a period not less than 6 months up to 12 years . Another group consisting of one hundred non contraceptive users taken from the same population participated in the study as a control group. Blood samples were taken from the individual and sera were used for the determination of serum glucose, lipid profile and some liver function tests which include alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT). Results: A highly significant values of serum glucose concentrations, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL- cholesterol were obtained in contraceptive users as compared with contraceptive non users. Whereas a non significant values of ALP, AST, ALT and HDL cholesterol were obtained. Conclusion: The use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with undesirable effects on serum glucose and lipid profile. Care should be taken when using hormonal contraceptives in women having diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases. Key Words: Hormonal contraceptives, ALP, AST, ALT, lipid profile.

Objective: To investigate the effects of  hormonal contraceptives on serum glucose, lipid profile and some liver function tests.Patients and Methods: One hundred and three women participated in this study. They were taken hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptive pills  or injection for a period not less than 6 months up to 12 years . Another group consisting of one hundred non contraceptive users taken from the same population participated in the study as a control group. Blood samples were taken from the individual and sera were used for the determination of serum glucose, lipid profile and some liver function tests which include alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT).Results: A highly significant values of serum glucose concentrations, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL- cholesterol were obtained in contraceptive users as compared with contraceptive non users. Whereas a non significant values of ALP, AST, ALT and HDL cholesterol were obtained.Conclusion: The use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with undesirable effects on serum glucose and lipid profile. Care should be taken when using hormonal contraceptives in women having diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases.Key Words: Hormonal contraceptives, ALP, AST, ALT, lipid profile.

Alcohol (ethanol) induced hepatotoxicity is one major cause of health problem worldwide. Herbs may be useful as an alternative prevetion and treatment in alcohol induced liver diseases. The present study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect and its possible mechanism of aqueous extract from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et. Thonn. (PA) in ethanol induced hepatotoxic rats. In acute toxicity study, rats received single oral dose of PA (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg), 24 hours before single oral dose of ethanol (5 g/kg). In sub-acute toxicity study, rats received ethanol (4 g/kg/day) orally for 21 days. PA at the most effective dose from acute toxicity study was given orally to rats for 7 days after administration of ethanol. Silymarin (5 mg/kg) was used as the reference hepatoprotective agent in both studies. Hepatoprotective parameters were alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), serum triglyceride (STg), hepatic triglyceride (HTg), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta), together with histopathological examination. Single oral dose of Ethanol (5 g/kg) significantly increased ALT and AST levels as compared with control rats. Administration of PA (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly reduced only AST level, while PA (75 mg/kg) significantly reduced both ALT and AST. All doses of PA had no effect on GSH, MDA, STg, HTg, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. After 21 days of ethanol (4 g/kg/day) administration, the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, HTg, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were significantly increased. Treatment with PA (75 mg/kg/day) as well as SL (5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days after ethanol offered significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing ALT, AST, MDA, HTg and TNF-alpha levels back to normal. Administration of PA at 75 mg/kg/day alone for 7 days caused no changes in rats. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the clinical chemistry parameters by showing reversible regeneration of hepatocytes with mitotic figure and normal liver cell morphology. In conclusions, PA (75 mg/kg) given before or after ethanol administration showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in ethanol treated rats. The possible hepatoprotective mechanism of PA may involve membranes membranes stabilization, antioxidant activity, inhibition of fatty liver formation and TNF-alpha production and enhancement of liver regeneration. PA by itself caused no toxic effect assessed by parameters used

BackgroundFootball sporting exercise is one of the most popular events in the world. While there are well-documented reports on the effects of different athletic sporting activities on the biochemical markers...

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of fluoride in drinking water to liver function in individuals living in normal and seven endemic fluorosis areas of Punjab, India. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water of different areas varied from 5.9 to 24.5 mg/L. Study group consisted of 705 patients in the age group between 20 and 60 years (mean age of 39.35±11.27) affected with osteodental fluorosis were compared with 300 age- and sex-matched controls (with mean age of 35.28±8.25 years). Biochemical data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tukey-Kramer and Bonferroni multiple comparison tests. The relationship between hepatic enzymes was calculated by Pearson's correlation and linear regression. The results revealed significantly (P<0.001) higher concentration of serum fluoride in patients when compared to control. The mean activities of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) were significantly (P<0.05-0.001) elevated in patients from all fluoride areas. ANOVA with post hoc Turkey-Kramer and Bonferroni multiple comparison test demonstrated a significant (P<0.0001) variance in the activities of cAMP, ALKP, ACP, AST, and ALT in fluorotic patients, with elevation in water fluoride levels. Maximum elevation of 196.14% (ACP), 99.31% (cyclic adenosine monophosphate; cAMP), 72.08% (ALT), 60.14% (AST), and least 21.35% (ALKP) was recorded in patients exposed to 24.5 mg/L fluoride in drinking water. There was positive correlation between water fluoride, serum fluoride and AST (r=0.77, 0.91), ALT (r=0.82, 0.90), ALKP (r=0.88, 0.97), and ACP (r=0.74, 0.85). Pearson's correlation demonstrated highly significant (P<0.05) positive relationship between water fluoride and cAMP (regression equation: Y=0.9807×+22:081, =0.84; r=0.92, P<0.05). The increased levels of transaminases in fluorotic patients suggest alteration in liver functions. The level of alkaline and acid phosphatase was increased during fluoride intoxication which is also an early marker of hepatic cell damage because of its specificity and catalytic activity. The elevated levels of enzymes are reflective of bone disorders, which are characterized by increased osteoblastic activity. There levels increased several times if cellular damage occurs in the liver. The results suggest that fluoride exposure intensifies the activities of hepatic function enzymes in osteofluorosis.

The popularity of non-dairy probiotic products continues to persist as the consumers prefer functional foods satisfying their health needs. Among these promising foods, probiotic grape drink would have beneficial effects on modifying gastrointestinal flora and human health. In this study, the pasteurized grape drink was inoculated by three species of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) separately, and the samples were subjected to non-fermented conditions. The samples were kept in the refrigerator at 4°C for 4 weeks to determine microbial viability and sensory evaluation during cold storage. Based on the results obtained, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii displayed greater surviving than Lactobacillus plantarum during cold storage. Sensory evaluation outcome indicated that grape juice inoculated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed higher overall acceptability over 4 weeks of storage. The findings revealed that sustainability and sensory properties of probiotic products are important from the consumers’ point of view; therefore, production of probiotic grape juice by Lactobacillus rhamnosus, due to its higher viability and desirable organoleptic properties, is suggested.

Present investigation attempts to study binding of β-sitosterol with Helicoverpa armigera midgut enzymes; alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); through docking-based virtual screening. Extraction of the protein sequence of the enzymes revealed a respective linear chain of 535, 522 and 430 amino acids for ALP, ALT and AST. The binding energy for ALT-ligand complex was lowest as compared to the AST and ALP-docked complexes. The ALT-docked complex had ligand efficiency of (-) 0.32 with an inhibition constant of 104.01, more hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions leading to a more stable complex. However, unfavored bumps in AST and ALP complexes may have led to comparatively unstable complexes. The dietary β-sitosterol exhibits differential binding with midgut enzymes of H. armigera larvae. The strong binding of β-sitosterol with ALT indicates the highest inhibition of ALT activity due to the activity-stability trade-off. The enzymes, AST and ALP exhibited relatively higher activity as a resultant of lesser stabilization of the β-sitosterol-enzyme complex. In silico studies have indicated that β-sitosterol can be used an effective control agent against H. armigera.

Nitrites commonly found in food, especially in fermented vegetables, are potential carcinogens. Therefore, limiting nitrites in food is critically important for food safety. A Lactobacillus strain (Lactobacillus sp. DMDL 9010) was previously isolated from fermented vegetables by our group, and is not yet fully characterized. A number of phenotypical and genotypical approaches were employed to characterize Lactobacillus sp. DMDL 9010. Its nitrite degradation capacity was compared with four other Lactobacillus strains, including Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus 719, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricu 1.83, Streptococcus thermophilus 1.204, and lactobacillus plantarum 8140, on MRS medium. Compared to these four Lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus sp. DMDL 9010 had a significantly higher nitrite degradation capacity (P<0.001). Based on 16S rDNA sequencing and sequence comparison, Lactobacillus sp. DMDL 9010 was identified as either Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus pentosus. To further identify this strain, the flanking regions (922 bp and 806 bp upstream and downstream, respectively) of the L-lactate dehydrogenase 1 (L-ldh1) gene were amplified and sequenced. Lactobacillus sp. DMDL 9010 had 98.92 and 76.98% sequence identity in the upstream region with L. plantarum WCFS1 and L. pentosus IG1, respectively, suggesting that Lactobacillu sp. DMDL 9010 is an L. plantarum strain. It was therefore named L. plantarum DMDL 9010. Our study provides a platform for genetic engineering of L. plantarum DMDL 9010, in order to further improve its nitrite degradation capacity.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the growth performance, haematological and serum biochemistry indices of broilers fed diets containing Vitex doniana leaf meal (VDLM). A total of 120 unsexed broilers were allocated to four treatments of T1, T2, T3 and T4 and replicated three times with ten birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. The birds in each treatment were fed with diets containing 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% VDLM respectively. Growth performances, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, haemoglobin, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, aspartate amino transaminase, alanine amino transaminase, alkaline phosphate, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, urea, glucose, total protein and creatinine were evaluated. Growth performance results showed that there were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in all the measured parameters except feed cost. The result of the experiment showed that there were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in all the heamatological and serum biochemistry parameters at starter and finisher phases, except for haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration which were not significantly different (P&gt;0.05) at the starter phase. Growth performances of broilers fed control diets were better than the other treatment diets. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, platelet count and low density lipoprotein decreased progressively while mean corpuscular volume, neutrophils, alanine amino transaminase, aspartate amino transaminase and creatinine increased progressively with increase in the inclusion of VDLM at the finisher phase. At the finisher phase, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and glucose decreased progressively while high density lipoprotein increased progressively with increase in VDLM. The results show that VDLM reduced the growth performance but improved the heamatological and serum biochemistry of broiler at lower levels of inclusion.

This study focused on the antimicrobial activity and statistical correlation analysis of lactobacillus spp. isolated from fermented cassava and corn against pathogenic bacterial isolates. Five (5) Lactobacillus strains, including Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus ghanensis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and two Bacillus strains; Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus pacificus, others included Lactococcus lactis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus, were evaluated for inhibitory activity against a range of pathogenic bacterial isolates. These pathogens included Candida sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Streptococcus sp., with inhibition zones recorded to assess the effectiveness of each strain. Among the tested strains, Lactobacillus plantarum demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity, showing inhibition zones of 18.1 mm against Pseudomonas sp., 15.3 mm against Candida sp., and 14.6 mm against Staphylococcus sp., while Bacillus cereus exhibited the lowest inhibitory effects. Statistical analysis, using t-tests and paired sample correlations, revealed significant relationships between certain pathogenic pairs, such as Candida sp. and Klebsiella sp. (r = 0.905, p = 0.001) and Staphylococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. (r = 0.765, p = 0.007), indicating shared susceptibilities. A Euclidean distance proximity matrix highlighted clustering patterns among strains, with a close distance of 1.75mm observed between Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus plantarum, suggesting similar resistance profiles, while Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Bacillus pacificus displayed a larger distance of 4.32mm, reflecting distinct profiles. In conclusion, Lactobacillus species from fermented foods demonstrate promising antimicrobial properties, supporting their potential role in developing probiotic-based approaches for combating pathogenic bacteria.