Lower Free Fatty Acid Research Articles

Comparison among Main Factors for Biodiesel via transesterification of vegetable oil

This study reviews transesterification reaction, an advanced technology for the synthesis of biodiesel, and compares heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts to highlight their unique properties. Homogeneous catalysts provide a higher yield with a faster reaction rate and operate under mild conditions. However, they can dissolve in the final product, making separation difficult. Heterogeneous catalysts, on the other hand, can utilize raw feedstock from daily waste, making them more environmentally friendly, easier to recycle, and more active. While homogeneous catalysts are better suited for biodiesel made from feedstock with low free fatty acid content and water, heterogeneous catalysts can have their adjusted by controlling the calcination temperature. This article also discusses other factors related to metal oxide catalysts, and identifies the optimal conditions for transesterification as a temperature of 65 degrees, an alcohol-to-oil ratio of 1:8, a catalysts concertration above 1 mg/L, and a reaction time of around 90 minutes. If metal oxide catalysts are used, the ideal calcination temperature ranges from 700 to 900 degrees. However, for other catalysts, their operating conditions might vary, but the overall relationships among the factors remain consistent.

Melittin suppresses ovarian cancer growth by regulating SREBP1-mediated lipid metabolism.

Melittin, a major peptide component of bee venom, has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity across various preclinical cell models, making it a potential candidate for cancer therapy. However, its molecular mechanisms, particularly in ovarian cancer, remain largely unexplored. Ovarian cancer is a life-threatening gynecological malignancy with poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options. This study evaluated the efficacy of melittin in suppressing ovarian cancer and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms. A subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was established using ID8 cells in C57BL/6J mice. RNA sequencing revealed that melittin's anticancer effects were associated with the downregulation of lipid metabolism, particularly fatty acid synthesis. The impact of melittin on de novo fatty acid synthesis was assessed by measuring free fatty acid (FFA), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in ovarian cancer cells. Lipogenic gene expression and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) were analyzed by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The regulation of FASN transcription by SREBP1 was explored using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Plasmid DNA transfection and the SREBP1 inhibitor Fatostatin were employed to identify the signaling pathway mediating melittin's anticancer effects. Our results confirmed that melittin significantly reduced de novo fatty acid synthesis, as evidenced by lower FFA, TG, and lipid droplet levels. Additionally, melittin inhibited the nuclear translocation of SREBP1 and specifically reduced SREBP1-mediated FASN transcription, demonstrating effects similar to those of Fatostatin. The motif (-424/-415) within the FASN promoter is a potential SREBP-1 binding site. SREBP1 overexpression through plasmid DNA transfection significantly counteracted melittin's downregulation of FASN promoter activity and counteracted its inhibitory effects on de novo fatty acid synthesis, cell proliferation, and colony formation. Our findings suggested that melittin acts as a novel modulator of the SREBP1/FASN pathway, reducing lipogenesis and inhibiting ovarian cancer growth. This study was the first to demonstrate melittin's ability to target the SREBP1/FASN axis in ovarian cancer, identifying SREBP1 as a novel therapeutic target. These results highlighted melittin as a potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer by attenuating SREBP1-mediated lipid metabolism and suggested novel treatment strategies for targeting ovarian cancer.

Proteomics and surface free fatty acid analysis of milk fat globule in the spray- and freeze-dried bovine, goat and horse milk powders.

Changes in the structure and composition of milk fat globules in spray- and freeze-dried milk powders have recently garnered significant attention. This study investigated changes in milk fat globular membrane (MFGM) proteins from bovine, goat, and horse milk powders, both spray- and freeze-dried, using a label-free proteomics approach, and quantified surface free fatty acids and their composition using gas chromatography. The results showed that several proteins of αS2-casein and β-lactoglobulin increased, while fibrinogen α, β chain, and mucin-1 decreased in the MFGM fractions of the studied spray-dried milk powders. Additionally, lactoperoxidase and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor levels were elevated in the studied freeze-dried milk powders. Several proteins exhibited variations in both dried milk powders depending on the species, of these, nucleobindin-1, complement C3, and sulfhydryl oxidase were increased in spray-dried bovine and goat milk powders, and lactoferrin was increased in freeze-dried horse milk powder, compared with their raw milk counterparts. Conversely, butyrophilin subfamily 1 member A1 and xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase were decreased in spray-dried bovine and goat milk powders, S100 calcium-binding protein and aldehyde dehydrogenase were decreased in freeze-dried bovine and goat milk powders, and mucin-4 and paraoxonase were decreased in horse milk powder. Additionally, spray-dried milk powders had lower surface free fatty acid content compared with freeze-dried milk powders. The findings underscore that dried methods exert varied impacts on MFGM components of the studied milk sources, thereby providing a valuable reference for improving the nutritional quality of dried dairy products.

Sodium caseinate/cellulose nanofiber-stabilized Pickering emulsions: A study on lipid absorption regulation.

This study aimed to develop a bio-based nano-additive (sodium caseinate/cellulose nanofibers (SC/CNF) complex) to modulate oil-in-water (O/W) colloid interfaces, which function as a fat control agent to slow lipid digestion. Edible protein (SC) was grafted onto CNF through facile electrostatic attraction, which reduces solvent and chemical usage. The physicochemical properties of SC/CNF showed that adding SC increased the interfacial bonding between CNF particles, resulting in higher interfacial pressure by forming dense and compact layers of SC/CNF. This characteristic improves the mechanical strength and colloidal stability of SC/CNF during water-oil stabilization. Further preparation of O/W Pickering emulsions stabilized by SC/CNFcomplexes was conducted using different parameters (for example SC concentration, dosage of SC/CNF, and O/W ratio) to investigate profile of free fatty acid (FFA) released during lipid digestion via simulated in vitro gastrointestinal tract (GIT) model. The results showed that the optimized emulsion stabilized by the SC/CNFcomplex rendered a lower value of free fatty acids (FFA) after undergoing in vitro simulated digestion. The lowest FFA release (31.18 %) was achieved under the following conditions: 1 % w/v (SC concentration), 1 % w/w (dosage of SC/CNF), and 20/80 (O/W) ratio. Low FFA release within the digestive system indicated that the nano-emulsions effectively regulated lipid digestion. The changes in physicochemical characteristics in terms of colloidal stability (particle size, microstructure, and surface charge) of the stabilized emulsions corresponding to the FFA released were studied during each digestion phase (including mouth, stomach, and small intestine). This study revealed that the SC/CNF complex is a promising nano-biomaterial that can function as a bio-functional food additive, particle stabilizer, and fat digestion controller. The unique characteristics of SC/CNF complexes in stabilizing oil-water emulsions present a potential interfacial mechanism for modulating lipid bioavailability. The innovation approach allows for the demand for green-label products, the development of healthier food options, and the pursuit of sustainable food solutions.

Isoliquiritigenin Prevents the Development of Nephropathy by an HFD in Rats Through the Induction of Antioxidant Production and Inhibition of the MD-2/TLR4/NF-κB Pathway

This study tested the ISL against renal damage induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and explored its underlying mechanisms. Adult male rats were assigned to four groups: (1) control on a standard diet (STD), (2) ISL on STD (30 mg/kg), (3) HFD, and (4) HFD + ISL (30 mg/kg). After 12 weeks of dietary intervention, ISL treatment led to significant reductions in body weight gain, visceral fat, and glucose and insulin levels in HFD-fed rats. Notably, ISL decreased serum urea and creatinine, increased serum albumin, and improved urinary profiles by lowering the urinary albumin and the albumin/creatinine ratio. Histological analyses revealed that ISL enhanced the glomerular structure and mitigated tubular damage, as evidenced by reduced urinary excretion of the kidney injury markers NGAL and KIM-1. Additionally, ISL significantly lowered cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids in both the control and HFD groups while also decreasing oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Importantly, ISL enhanced renal antioxidant levels, increasing glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Moreover, ISL downregulated mRNA levels of MD-2, Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and NF-κB, leading to reduced NF-κB p65 levels in renal tissues. In conclusion, ISL offers substantial protection against HFD-induced renal toxicity through mechanisms that attenuate metabolic stress, enhance antioxidant defenses, and inhibit the MD-2/TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Unlocking curcumin's revolutionary: Improvement of stability and elderly digestion by soybean oil bodies and soybean protein-chitosan complex based Pickering emulsion

Curcumin shows promise for disease prevention and health improvement, but its limited water solubility and vulnerability to degradation reduce its bioavailability, while its biological fate in elderly is unclear. Oil bodies are natural pre-emulsified oil droplets that serve as carriers for functional nutrients. In this study, soybean protein isolate (SPI) was complexed with chitosan (CS) for the purpose of stabilizing the soybean oil body-curcumin emulsion, resulting in the formation of the soybean isolate protein-chitosan-soybean oil bodies-curcumin Pickering emulsion (SPI-CS-SOB-C). The study examined the digestive properties, bioaccessibility of curcumin, free fatty acids (FFA) release, and microstructure changes of SPI-CS-SOB-C through an in vitro elderly digestion model. The findings indicated that curcumin was effectively encapsulated within the SPI-CS-SOB-C, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 97.7 %, which resulted in notable enhancements in light, heat, and storage stability, as well as an extended half-life of curcumin to 85 months. In vitro elderly digestion demonstrated that SPI-CS-SOB-C notably enhanced the bioaccessibility of curcumin, increasing it from 14.3 % to 51 %. The low FFA release of SPI-CS-SOB-C (23.06 %) suggested its potential suitability for incorporation into low-fat food products and using in food products for the elderly. The results of this study could offer theoretical insights for the utilization of oil bodies in food applications and the delivery of functional nutrients.

Utilization of Used Cooking Oil from Street Vendor: Recycle and Anti-Oxidant Enrichment with Moringa oleifera leaves

Used cooking oil (UCO) is abundant in Indonesia because of lifestyle of people. Especially UCO from street vendors had very low quality based on its Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content that reached 5.074%. When UCO was deposed into drainage, it would pollute the environment. Low grade UCO from street vendors contained Unsaturated-Fatty-Acid, Saturated-Fatty-Acid, and other hydrocarbons. Recycling UCO to replace edible oil considered more desirable rather than biodiesel since higher added value. FFA was the most undesired compound affecting cooking oil quality. FFA reducing with diluted 0.1 M NaOH 10% v/v could reduce FFA from 5.07% to 0.53%. Bleaching earth (BE) content mostly Si, Nb, Al, Ca and Na was safe to treat UCO for edible cooking oil. BE played cleaning UCO but absorbed the oil 17%. ANOVA analysis for BE and Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) treatment fits with Reduced Quadratic model. Based on the ANOVA, the model showed that the decrease of FFA was determined significantly by BE amount and temperature with P-values less than 0.05. Optimization for BE treatment was done using Response Surface Method to find out the lowest FFA. And based on the simulation, it was obtained 0.2854% while the experimental results showed 0.2908%. Furthermore, BE combined with Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) that known anti-oxidant source was used to treat UCO. UCO originally content stronger anti-oxidant activity rather fresh palm oil with IC50 62.12 and 83.03 mg/kg, respectively. Stronger anti-oxidant in UCO allegedly derived from fried foods. Treatment 10% BE and 5% MOL considered optimal for good appearance edible oil, little yellow greenish. Moreover, GC/MS analysis showed improvement active compounds in treated UCO with 5, 7.5 and 10 g MOL in 150 ml UCO with 24.36%, 30.32% and 37.76% active compounds, respectively. Moreover, anti-oxidant measured with IC50 the treated UCO were 43.18, 42.33 and 41.78 mg/kg, respectively. Increasing the number of MOL did not significantly increase the anti-oxidant activity. Anti-oxidant detected in treated UCO identified such as ethyl acridine, indolizine derivatives, cyclotrisiloxane-hexamethyl, benzimidazoles, and Fumaric acid. Based on the results, UCO recycling is applicable for a community, save expenses and strengthen food security and food sovereign. Further thought for its implementation is to design an integrated system from collecting UCO in a reservoir tank equipped with filter, recycling process and finally product tank at mini plant scale. Keywords: Anti-oxidant enrichment, bleaching earth, edible treated UCO, Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) , UCO recycle

The association of preoperative serum free fatty acid levels with survival in breast cancer patients

Background and objectivesSerum free fatty acids (FFA) are associated with various types of cancer. However, the prognostic value of preoperative serum FFA levels and breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the specific relationship between FFA levels and BC outcomes.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on 4133 patients with BC admitted to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2015 to October 2021. Preoperative serum FFA levels were detected by the enzymatic endpoint method. The relationship between serum FFA levels and clinical characteristics was analyzed based on FFA interquartile range. Restricted cubic splines and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between preoperative serum FFA levels and overall survival (OS) in patients with BC. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.ResultsAccording to the FFA interquartile range, FFA levels were significantly correlated with OS (years) (p < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis might reveal a U-shaped relationship between preoperative serum FFA levels and OS, after adjusting for other variables. According to the cutoff points for FFAs, multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that patients with low FFA levels (≤ 250 µmol/L) had higher rates of all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality than those with high FFA levels (530–700 µmol/L) in the total population and patients with a BMI of 18.5–24.0 kg/m2. A trend was observed indicating that elevated FFA levels (≥ 715 µmol/L) were associated with worse prognosis; however, this association failed to reach statistical significance.ConclusionsThere might be a nonlinear U-shaped relationship between preoperative serum FFA levels and survival in breast cancer patients, with lower FFA levels associated with worse OS. The effect of elevated FFA levels on prognosis requires further investigation.

Microwave-Assisted Enzymatic Green Solvent Technology for the Extraction and Characterization of Sesame Seed Oil

Traditional methods of extracting oil with organic solvents raise issues related to health, safety, and the environment. Microwave-assisted enzymatic green solvent extraction (MAEGSE) technology is environment friendly because it involves less hazardous chemical synthesis, utilizes renewable feedstock, and decreases the chemical load and emissions produced by organic solvents. The solvents methanol, ethanol, and various cell wall degrading enzymes such as hemicellulose, viscozyme L, pectinase, xylanase, and cellulase were used in this study. The MAEGSE process of sesame oil was conducted, and the results indicated that, unlike the controlled group, no enzymes were used during the process. Among all the combinations a higher oil extraction efficiency was obtained with combination of pectinase and ethanol (37.27%) followed by the xylanase with ethanol (36.75%) from sesame seed without compromising the quality of oil. Among the enzymes tested, pectinase resulted in the highest oil extraction efficiency, followed by xylanase. Use of pectinase improved the oil extraction efficiency in both ethanol and methanol mediums. The outcomes suggested that the application of pectinase enzymes plays a significant role in increasing the oil yield in comparison with the control without compromising quality of oil. Oil extracted without the use of enzyme (control) had a lower free fatty acid (FFA) concentration than the oils extracted with MAEGSE. Even though the specific gravity (SG) and refractive index (RI) of extracted oils were not significantly different in the solvents, the saponification value (SV), peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), and free fatty acid (FFA) were found to have minor differences among the extraction techniques.

Optimisation of Non-Thermal Ultrasonication Process for Retaining Nutritional Quality in Cow Milk: Effects of Fat Percentage and Treatment Parameters

The thermal unit operation used in milk processing causes changes in milk nutritional quality. Hence, optimising the non-thermal ultrasonication process at 25°C can be a potential method to retain milk quality. The objective of this research is to optimise the ultrasonication process of standardised fresh cow's milk at various fat percentages and elucidate its effect on nutritional values using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design based on fat (1–4%); ultrasound amplitude (10–70%), and sonication time (1.5–10.5 min) was used. Data analysis shows that the ultrasonication process significantly (p&lt;0.05) affects the percentage of fat, free fatty acid (FFA), protein, solid non-fat; solid non-fat (SNF), lactose, casein, and total solid (TS). The adjusted R2 for fat, free fatty acid, and TS with goodness-of-fit were 0.940, 0.975, and 0.955, respectively. The generation of FFA in raw cow milk was observed with some ultrasonication conditions. As a conclusion, the processing parameters to get the highest fat and lowest FFA is a combination of 4% milk fat, 10% amplitude, and 1.95 min sonication time with 46.8 J/mL energy density can be applied to control the release of further FFA generation from the milk processing line.

Supercritical CO2 as a green technology for carotenoids-rich virgin palm oil production: Process optimization, kinetics and thermodynamics modeling

The experimental conditions of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction of virgin palm oil (VPO) from oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Results showed that a maximum of 28.68 % of VPO extraction was obtained at the optimal experimental conditions of scCO2 extraction: pressure of 31 MPa, temperature of 340 K, and extraction time of 80 min. The second-order rate equation, Arrhenius equation and Eyring theory were employed to assess the kinetics behaviour, activation energy and thermodynamics behaviour of scCO2 extraction of VPO from oil palm mesocarp fiber. The lower activation energy value (12.17 kJ/mol) of scCO2 for the extraction of VPO from OPMF indicates that the scCO2 extraction technology is less dependent on temperature during the extraction of VPO from OPMF. The physicochemical properties and fatty acids compositions analyses reveal that the scCO2 extracted VPO contains high carotenoids content (982 μg/g), low free fatty acids content (0.31 wt%), higher oxidative stability and higher unsaturated fatty acids content.

Pour Point Depression of Waxy Crude Oil Using Unmodified African Pear (Dacryodes edulis) Seed Oil

The pour point depression of a Nigeria waxy crude oil was investigated using unmodified African pear seed oil. Crude oil sample collected from a marginal field in Delta state was analyzed for its physiochemical parameters such as; specific gravity, API, kinematic viscosity, pour point and wax content. African pear seeds sourced from choba Port Harcourt were extracted of their oil content and the oil was analyzed for some oil quality parameters such as; free fatty acid (FFA), acid value, saponification value and iodine value. The results showed a crude oil of high wax content and extracted oil of low FFA and high saponification and iodine values. The waxy crude oil was dosed with the unmodified African pear seed oil of concentrations 0.1ml, 0.2ml and 0.3 ml. The result showed no reduction in the pour point of the crude oil at all concentrations. Therefore the African pear seed oil cannot be used as a pour point depressant in its pure state.

Ecological adaptations of amphibians to environmental changes along an altitudinal gradient (Case Study: Bufo gargarizans) from phenotypic and genetic perspectives

BackgroundOrganisms have evolved a range of phenotypic and genetic adaptations to live in different environments along an altitudinal gradient. Herein, we studied the widely distributed Chinese toad, Bufo gargarizans, as a model and used an integrated phenotype-genotype approach to assess adaptations to different altitudinal environments.ResultsComparison of populations from four altitudes (50 m, 1200 m, 2300 m, and 3400 m) showed more effective defenses among high-altitude toads. These included thickened epidermis, more epidermal capillaries and granular glands, greater gland size in skin, and higher antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma. High-altitude toads also showed increased erythrocytes and hematocrit and elevated hemoglobin concentration, potentially improving oxygen delivery. Elevated altitude led to a metabolic shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, and high-altitude populations favored carbohydrates over fatty acids to fuel for energy metabolism. Differentially expressed genes were associated with adaptive phenotypic changes. For instance, expression of genes associated with fatty acid metabolism showed greater suppression at high altitude (3400 m), consistent with decreased flux of β-hydroxybutyric acid and lower free fatty acids levels. Moreover, down-regulation of genes involved in carbon metabolism processes at high altitude (3400 m) were coincident with reduced TCA cycle flux. These results suggest that high-altitude toads adopt a metabolic suppression strategy for survival under harsh environmental conditions. Moreover, the hypoxia-inducible factor signaling cascade was activated at high altitude.ConclusionsCollectively, these results advance our comprehension of adaptation to high-altitude environments by revealing physiological and genetic mechanisms at work in Chinese toads living along altitudinal gradients.

Fast biodiesel production via potassium ferrate catalysis at room temperature using refined coconut oil and vegetable oil

Abstract Traditionally, the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production takes place at elevated temperatures, around 60-65°C, for up to two hours of reaction time, entailing a high energy consumption. As the University of the Philippines Los Baños – Interdisciplinary Biofuels Research Studies Center (UPLB-IBRSC) continuously aims to conduct studies on improving process efficiencies in biofuels production, this research investigated the potential of potassium ferrate as a catalyst for fast biodiesel production at room temperature. Particularly, the catalytic activity of potassium ferrate in the transesterification of refined coconut oil and vegetable oil was examined. The effects of the parameters such as methanol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst loading, and reaction time on biodiesel yield and purity were studied. Thin layer chromatography, with the aid of ImageJ software, was applied to analyze the purity of the biodiesel through the developed spots’ area estimation. Characterization experiments in terms of free fatty acid (FFA) content and acid value were performed to confirm the low FFA content of the feedstocks prior to transesterification. Results of the parametric and optimization study revealed that a biodiesel yield of 87.67% using vegetable oil was experimentally achieved at the optimum conditions of 6.75 wt% catalyst loading, 6:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and 30 minutes reaction time. Using coconut oil, on the other hand, resulted in a higher biodiesel yield of 94.90% at a catalyst loading of 6 wt%, a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6:1, and a reaction time of 60 minutes. Generally, findings show that catalyst loading has a positive effect on biodiesel yield and purity only up to a certain optimum amount. Among all the parameters analyzed, the methanol-to-oil molar ratio was found to have the most significant effect as an individual factor. Given the results of this study, it can be concluded that the potassium ferrate-catalyzed transesterification reaction at room temperature can potentially reduce the energy consumption in biodiesel production and the production cost in general.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestibility and lipid oxidation of fish oil-in-water emulsions: Influence of different EPA/DHA ratios

The long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are known to play roles in supporting human health, primarily by reducing inflammation and promoting its resolution. In this study, the impacts of EPA/DHA ratios (5.13/1, 2.45/1,1.34/1) on lipid oxidation and digestion behaviors were explored using an in vitro digestion model. Emulsions were characterzied by droplet size, zeta-potential as well as microstructure. Additionally, the release of free fatty acids (FFAs), lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were also investigaed throughout simulated digestion phases. Notably, for all EPA/DHA ratios, from saliva fluid to gastric fluid, droplet size was slightly changed, accompanied by a significant decrease in absolute zeta-potential, followed by an increase in both parameters after intestinal digestion. Emulsions with the lowest ratio of EPA/DHA (i.e., 1.34/1) exhibited lower FFA release compared to those with higher ratios (i.e., 5.13/1 and 2.45/1). Conversely, the lowest EPA/DHA ratio increased oxidation during the intestinal phase, as indicated by elevated LPO and TBARS levels. This study clearly suggests that EPA/DHA ratios influence the oxidative stability of fish oil emulisions during digestion and provides useful information to formulate fish oil supplementation that improves in vivo oxidative status.

Chondroitin Sulfate from Halaelurus burgeri Skin Inhibits Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation, and Regulates Gut Microbiota.

Previous study has demonstrated the chemical structure of chondroitin sulfate (CHS) from Halaelurus burgeri skin and its effects on insulin resistance. However, the precise impact of this phenomenon on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation, which contribute to insulin resistance, remains unclear. This study is to investigate the impact of CHS on ER stress, inflammatory response and signaling, and gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice receive dietary gavage intervention of CHS for 18 weeks. Blood, liver tissue, and feces are harvested for further investigation. Results show that CHS inhibits ER stress, accompanied by lowered blood glucose, nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen (ROS), and free fatty acids (FFA) levels, and increases hepatic glycogen accumulation. Moreover, hepatic inflammation is improved by CHS treatment via inactivation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and its downstream c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathways. Additionally, CHS regulates gut microbiota, particularly the decline in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. CHS also lowers fecal lipopolysaccharide and elevates several fecal short chain fatty acids. These findings suggest that CHS from H. burgeri skin may be an alternative functional food supplement for anti-ER stress, anti-inflammtion, and regulation of gut microbiota.

The U -shape relationship between free fatty acid level and adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease patients with hypertension: evidence from a large prospective cohort study

BackgroundEvidence is scarce on the effect of free fatty acid (FFA) level in the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with hypertension. This study.MethodsA large prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of average 2 years was conducted at Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated First Hospital from December 2016 to October 2021. A total of 10,395 CAD participants were divided into groups based on FFA concentration and hypertension status, and then primary outcome mortality and secondary endpoint ischemic events were assessed in the different groups.ResultsA total of 222 all-cause mortality (ACMs), 164 cardiac mortality (CMs), 718 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and 803 major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were recorded during follow-up period. A nonlinear relationship between FFA and adverse outcomes was observed only in CAD patients with hypertension. Namely, a “U -shape” relationship between FFA levels and long-term outcomes was found in CAD patients with hypertension. Lower FFA level (< 310 µmol/L), or higher FFA level (≥ 580 µmol/L) at baseline is independent risk factors for adverse outcomes. After adjustment for confounders, excess FFA increases mortality (ACM, HR = 1.957, 95%CI(1.240–3.087), P = 0.004; CM, HR = 2.704, 95%CI(1.495–4.890, P = 0.001) and MACE (HR = 1.411, 95%CI(1.077–1.848), P = 0.012), MACCE (HR = 1.299, 95%CI (1.013–1.666), P = 0.040) prevalence. Low levels of FFA at baseline can also increase the incidence of MACE (HR = 1.567,95%CI (1.187–2.069), P = 0.002) and MACCE (HR = 1.387, 95%CI (1.070–1.798), P = 0.013).ConclusionsBaseline FFA concentrations significantly associated with long-term mortality and ischemic events could be a better and novel risk biomarker for prognosis prediction in CAD patients with hypertension.Trial registrationThe details of the design were registered on https://www.chictr.org.cn/ (Identifier NCT05174143).

The characterization of zein/xanthan gum composite oleogel: A comparative study of bioactive substances in interface and oil phases

Bioactive substances can be strategically positioned in different locations within a system to regulate its functionality. In this study, we investigated the effects of loading curcumin into two different mediums (interface layer (M1O) and corn oil (M2O)) on the macro- and micro-properties of a zein-xanthan gum (XG) oleogel, aimed at utilizing the oleogel as a fat substitute. The results revealed that the oleogel exhibited a spongy porous bridging network structure, particularly prominent in M2O, which showed a higher elastic modulus (G′) and an impressive structural recovery rate, reaching up to 98.50 ± 0.60%. While the location of curcumin loading had minimal impact on the oleogel's macro-properties (such as rheology, thermal behavior, and oil binding capacity), significant differences were observed in the micro-properties. The oleogel maintained a high encapsulation efficiency (EE), exceeding 85% in both loading locations, with M1O slightly outperforming M2O. Notably, M2O showed lower free fatty acid release and higher bioaccessibility (about 10% greater than M1O), which was attributed to a denser spongy porous network enhanced by electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions within the zein-XG matrix. Curcumin underwent significant degradation under prolonged UV and alkaline conditions, but showed minimal damage when exposed to heat in both mediums. Additionally, M2O demonstrated superior UV and thermal stability compared to M1O, which showed better pH stability. Cookies made with oleogel as a butter alternative exhibited improved appearance and quality when added at medium or low levels. This study suggests a viable method for manipulating the loading locations of bioactive substances in oleogel according to specific needs, potentially paving the way for the development of zein-XG oleogel as an effective butter substitute.

Fasting triglyceride concentrations are associated with markers of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in healthy, non-obese dogs in lean and overweight condition.

Serum triglyceride concentrations increase in dogs with obesity, which is typically assessed by body condition score (BCS), however little is known about changes that take place in non-obese dogs in overweight condition. Further, the associations of triglyceride levels with other markers of energy homeostasis are poorly characterised in healthy animals. The present study aimed to evaluate associations between both BCS and triglyceride concentrations with other markers of lipid and glucose metabolism in healthy, non-obese dogs, as well as to assess whether these markers change significantly in non-obese dogs with overweight as compared to their lean counterparts. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, insulin, glucose and fructosamine were measured in 532 healthy, client-owned dogs, assigned either to 'lean' (BCS: 3-5) or 'overweight' (BCS: 6-7) categories. Generalised linear mixed models were used to assess associations between BCS categories, triglyceride concentrations and other variables, correcting for the effect of breed. Compared with lean dogs, overweight dogs had a greater serum cholesterol concentration (95% CI, 5.3-6.2 mmol/L or 205-237 mg/dL versus 5.1-5.4 mmol/L or 198-210 mg/dL, p = 0.0032), insulin concentration (95% CI, 17.5-22.1 μU/ml versus 16.7-18.0 μU/ml, p = 0.0374) and were older (95% CI, 4.0-5.3 versus 3.4-3.7 years, p = 0.0005). Triglyceride concentrations were positively associated with fructosamine (r 2 = 0.31, p = 0.0012), cholesterol (r 2 = 0.25, p < 0.0001), insulin (r 2 = 0.14, p = 0.0030) and glucose (r 2 = 0.10, p = 0.0014) concentrations, and negatively associated with free fatty acid concentrations (r 2 = 0.11, p < 0.0001). However, there was no association between triglyceride concentrations and age. In conclusion, both BCS and triglyceride concentrations were associated with other markers of glucose and lipid metabolism in non-obese healthy dogs, amongst which those with overweight showed metabolic changes as compared to their lean counterparts. Triglyceride concentrations were associated with an increase in insulin and fructosamine concentrations that might reflect an early-phase impairment in glucose tolerance which, surprisingly, was concurrent with lower basal free fatty acid concentrations.

Metabolic responses to albumin deficiency differ distinctly between partial and full ablation of albumin expression in mice

It had been observed that homozygous albumin knockout mice (Alb−/−) exhibit low plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration and improved blood glucose regulation. However, it was not yet known to what extent heterozygous albumin knockout (Alb+/−) mice would display a similar phenotype. Alb−/−, Alb+/−, and wild-type (WT) female mice were studied on a low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD). On both diets, decreased plasma FFA concentration, and improved glucose tolerance test were observed in Alb−/−, but not in Alb+/−, compared to WT. Plasma adiponectin concentration showed greater elevation in Alb−/− than Alb+/−. Consistent with that, adiponectin gene expression was significantly higher in Alb−/− mice than in Alb+/− and WT mice. A dose-dependent response was observed for hepatic Acadl gene expression showing higher Acadl gene expression in Alb−/− mice than in Alb+/− and WT mice. In conclusion, although female Alb+/− mice exhibited some slight differences from WT mice (e.g., increased plasma adiponectin and hepatic Acadl gene expression), Alb+/− mice did not exhibit improved glucoregulation in comparison to WT mice, indicating that a minor suppression of albumin expression is not sufficient to improve glucoregulation. Furthermore, it is now clear that although the response of female mice to HFD might be unique from how males generally respond, still the complete albumin deficiency in Alb−/− mice and the associated FFA reduction is capable of improving glucoregulation in females on this diet. The present results have implications for the role of albumin and FFA in the regulation of metabolism.