Substrate Metabolism Research Articles

Moderating carbohydrate digestion rate in mice promotes fat oxidation and metabolic flexibility revealed through a new approach to assess metabolic substrate utilization.

Superior metabolic flexibility, or the ability to efficiently switch between oxidation of carbohydrate and fat, is inversely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The influence of dietary factors on metabolic flexibility is incompletely understood. This study examined the impact of dietary carbohydrate digestion rate on metabolic flexibility and metabolic substrate utilization. We employed percent relative cumulative frequency (PRCF) analyses coupled with a new application of modeling using the Mixed Weibull Cumulative Distribution function to examine respiratory exchange ratio (RER) data from adult wild-type mice and mice lacking the mucosal maltase-glucoamylase enzyme (Mgam) under different dietary carbohydrate conditions, with diets matched for total carbohydrate contents and containing different ratios of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS), or that were high in sucrose or fat. Fungal amyloglucosidase (AMG) was administered in drinking water to increase carbohydrate digestion rate. We devised a Metabolic Flexibility Factor (MFF) to quantitate metabolic flexibility for each dietary condition and mouse genotype, with higher MFF indicating higher metabolic flexibility. Diets high in SDS exhibited lower average RER and higher metabolic flexibility (MFF) than diets high in resistant starch, sucrose, or fat. Diets containing high and intermediate amounts of SDS led to a more complete shift to fat oxidation. While mouse genotype had minimal effects on substrate oxidation and MFF, AMG supplementation shifted substrate utilization to carbohydrate oxidation and generally decreased MFF. Consumption of slowly digestible carbohydrates improved measures of metabolic substrate utilization at the whole-body level in adult mice.

The development and evolution of biological AMS at Livermore: a perspective.

Biological accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) provides ultrasensitive carbon-14 isotopic analysis enabling a deeper understanding of human health concerns by enabling quantification of pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans. It enables environmentally and human relevant studies of metabolic pathways through the use of very low concentrations of labeled metabolic substrates in cells and organisms. Here, we discuss why AMS is an important tool for the biosciences, the development and evolution of biological AMS at Livermore and discuss technical refinements that will improve the efficiency of operation for the measurement of ultra-trace levels of 14C, which, long term, will enable greater ease of use and sample throughput.

Screening of Bacteria Promoting Carbon Fixation in Chlorella vulgaris Under High Concentration CO2 Stress

The cooperation between microalgae and bacteria can enhance the carbon fixation efficiency of microalgae. In this study, a microalgae-bacteria coexistence system under high-concentration CO2 stress was constructed, and the bacterial community structure of the entire system was analyzed using the 16S rDNA technique. Microbacterium sp., Bacillus sp., and Aeromonas sp. were screened and demonstrated to promote carbon fixation in Chlorella vulgaris HL 01 (C. vulgaris HL 01). Among them, the Aeromonas sp. + C. vulgaris HL 01 experimental group exhibited the most significant effect, with an increase of about 24% in the final biomass yield and a daily carbon fixation efficiency increase of about 245% (day 7) compared to the control group. Continuous cultivation of microalgae and bacterial symbiosis showed that bacteria could utilize the compounds secreted by microalgae for growth and could produce nutrients to maintain the vitality of microalgae. Detection of extracellular organic compounds of microorganisms in the culture broth by excitation-emission matrix spectral analysis revealed that bacteria utilized the aromatic proteinaceous compounds and others secreted by C. vulgaris HL 01 and produced new extracellular organic compounds required by C. vulgaris HL 01. The metabolic organic substances in the liquids of the experimental groups and the control group were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and it was found that 31 unique organic substances of C. vulgaris HL 01 were utilized by bacteria, and 136 new organic substances were produced. These differential compounds were mainly organic acids and their derivatives, benzene compounds, and organic heterocyclic compounds, etc. These results fully demonstrate that the carbon fixation ability and persistence of C. vulgaris HL 01 are improved through material exchange between microalgae and bacteria. This study establishes a method to screen carbon-fixing symbiotic bacteria and verifies that microalgae and bacteria can significantly improve the carbon fixation efficiency of microalgae for high-concentration CO2 through material exchange, providing a foundation for further research of microalgae-bacterial carbon fixation.

Distinct roles of ascorbic acid in extracellular vesicles and free form: Implications for metabolism and oxidative stress in presymptomatic Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the first exon of the huntingtin gene. The huntingtin protein (Htt) is ubiquitously expressed and localized in several organelles, including endosomes, where it plays an essential role in intracellular trafficking. Presymptomatic HD is associated with a failure in energy metabolism and oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant that plays a key role in modulating neuronal metabolism and is highly concentrated in the brain. During synaptic activity, neurons take up ascorbic acid released by glial cells; however, this process is disrupted in HD. In this study, we aim to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this dysfunction. Using an electrophysiological approach in presymptomatic YAC128 HD slices, we observed decreased ascorbic acid flux from astrocytes to neurons, which altered neuronal metabolic substrate preferences. Ascorbic acid efflux and recycling were also decreased in cultured astrocytes from YAC128 HD mice. We confirmed our findings using GFAP-HD160Q, an HD mice model expressing mutant N-terminal Htt mainly in astrocytes. For the first time, we demonstrated that ascorbic acid is released from astrocytes via extracellular vesicles (EVs). Decreased number of particles and exosomal markers were observed in EV fractions from cultured YAC128 HD astrocytes and Htt-KD cells. We observed reduced number of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in YAC128 HD striatum via electron microscopy, suggesting mutant Htt alters MVB biogenesis. EVs containing ascorbic acid effectively reduced reactive oxygen species, whereas "free" ascorbic acid played a role in modulating neuronal metabolic substrate preferences. These findings suggest that the early redox imbalance observed in HD arises from a reduced release of ascorbic acid-containing EVs by astrocytes. Meanwhile, a decrease in "free" ascorbic acid likely contributes to presymptomatic metabolic impairment.

New perspectives on the glymphatic system and the relationship between glymphatic system and neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated proteins. The glymphatic system, through its rapid exchange mechanisms between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF), facilitates the movement of metabolic substances within the brain, serving functions akin to those of the peripheral lymphatic system. This emerging waste clearance mechanism offers a novel perspective on the removal of pathological substances in ND. This article elucidates recent discoveries regarding the glymphatic system and updates relevant concepts within its model. It discusses the potential roles of the glymphatic system in ND, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), and proposes the glymphatic system as a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.

Digestion and absorption of triacetin, a short-chain triacylglycerol.

Triacylglycerol (TG) is categorized into long-, medium-, and short-chain TG (SCTG). While the digestion of long- and medium-chain TG is well established, the process for SCTG remains unclear. This study investigated SCTG digestion by administering 2 mmol of triacetin to rats and analyzing acetin, acetic acid, and glycerol levels in the portal blood and small intestine. Triacetin was fully degraded in the upper gastrointestinal tract and absorbed as acetic acid and glycerol. Glycerol influx into the liver promoted gluconeogenesis, while acetate activated AMPK, resulting in the suppression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes and the upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes. These findings demonstrate that triacetin not only serves as a substrate for energy metabolism but also regulates hepatic gene expression, highlighting its dual role as both a metabolic substrate and signaling molecule. Triacetin thus shows potential as a dietary modulator for improving metabolic health.

ATP-CITRATE LYASEB1 supplies materials for sporopollenin biosynthesis and microspore development in Arabidopsis.

Acetyl-CoA is the main substrate of lipid metabolism and functions as an energy source for plant development. In the cytoplasm, acetyl-CoA is mainly produced by ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), which is composed of ACLA and ACLB subunits. In this study, we isolated the restorer-4 (res4) of the thermosensitive genic male sterile mutant reversible male sterile-2 (rvms-2) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). RES4 encodes ACLB1, and res4 harbors a point mutation (Gly584 to Arg) in the citryl-CoA lyase domain. Both the ACLA and ACLB subunits are expressed in the tapetal layer of anthers. RES4 is regulated by MS188, and the res4 point mutation leads to pollen with a defective exine structure. In res4, lipid accumulation was significantly reduced within the tapetum and locules. These results indicate that acetyl-CoA synthesized by ACL is used for sporopollenin biosynthesis in the tapetum. Microspore diameter was significantly smaller in res4 than in wild type, indicating that acetyl-CoA from the tapetum supplies microspore development. Previous studies have shown that delayed degradation of the tetrad wall in res2 and res3 provides additional protection for rvms-2 microspores. The reduced volume of res4 microspores may lessen the requirement for cell wall protection to restore rvms-2 fertility. This study reveals the function of ACL in anther development and the mechanisms of fertility restoration in photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile lines.

Use of SiO2 nanoparticles preparation in carp feeding

A series of studies were performed to evaluate the biological properties and productive action of a silicon dioxide nanoparticle preparation (NPS SiO2) on a carp model. The NPS SiO2 preparation obtained by plasma-chemical synthesis was used (d=126.5±9.7 nm, Z-potential - 29±0.1 mV). The NPS SiO2 preparation was characterized by the absence of toxicity in the range from 1.5•10-5 to 5•10-1 g/l (Escherichia coli K12 TG1 biosensor model). The effect of NPS SiO2 in three dosages (100, 200, 300 mg/kg of feed) on the productivity and metabolism in the carp body was studied. The optimal dosage of NPS SiO2 was established, amounting to 200 mg/kg. When including NPS SiO2 in a complete feed with a crude protein content of 23%, the fact of increasing the intensity of carp growth by 10.2 - 14.1% was established. At the same time, an increase in the content of total protein in the blood serum of fish and an increase in the content of a number of amino acids in the liver of carp were established. In the second experiment, the productivity and metabolism of mineral substances in carp were studied with joint feeding of NPS SiO2 and amino acids (lysine, mytheonine, arginine).

Sex differences in the metabolism of glucose and fatty acids by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in humans.

Adult males and females have markedly different body composition, energy expenditure, and have different degrees of risk for metabolic diseases. A major aspect of metabolic regulation involves the appropriate storage and disposal of glucose and fatty acids. The use of sophisticated calorimetry, tracer, and imaging techniques have provided insight into the complex metabolism of these substrates showing that the regulation of these processes varies tremendously throughout the day, from the overnight fasting condition to meal ingestion, to the effects of physical activity. The sexual dimorphism in substrate metabolism is most readily observed in how fatty acids are stored and mobilized. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive and critical summary of the reported sex-differences in the mobilization, oxidation and storage of fat and carbohydrate in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. We will describe how adipose tissue lipolysis differs between sexes, and how this varies between fed, fasted and exercise conditions. We will also review what is known about endogenous and exogenous fatty acid storage in adipose tissue and muscle, as well as how oxidation compares between men and women in response to exercise. What has been learned about the cellular level regulation of these processes will be described. Although glucose metabolism exhibits fewer differences between men and women, we will also review the existing knowledge on this topic.

Whole Genome Sequencing and Analysis of Benzo(a)pyrene Degrading Bacteria Bacillus cereus M72-4.

Benzo (a) pyrene produced by food during high-temperature process enters the body through ingestion, which causes food safety issues to the human body. In order to alleviate the harm of foodborne benzo (a) pyrene to human health, a strain that can degrade benzo (a) pyrene was screened from Kefir, a traditional fermented product in Xinjiang. Bacillus cereus M72-4 is a Gram-positive bacteria sourced from Xinjiang traditional fermented product Kefir, under Benzo(a)pyrene stress conditions, there was 69.39% degradation rate of 20 mg/L Benzo(a)pyrene by strain M72-4 after incubation for 72 h. The whole genome of M72-4 sequenced using PacBio sequencing technology in this study. The genome size was 5754801 bp and a GC content was 35.24%, a total of 5719 coding genes were predicted bioinformatically. Through functional database annotation, it was found that the strain has a total of 219 genes involved in the transportation and metabolism of hydrocarbons, a total of 9 metabolic pathways related to the degradation and metabolism of exogenous substances, and a total of 67 coding genes.According to the KEGG database annotation results, a key enzyme related to Benzo(a)pyrene degradation, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, was detected in the genome data of Bacillus cereus M72-4, encoding genes dmpB and xylE, respectively; There are also monooxygenases and dehydrogenases. Therefore, it can be inferred that this strain mainly degrades Benzo(a)pyrene through Benzoate metabolic.

Profile of Secondary Metabolite Compounds in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Leaves under Different Shading Treatments

This study aims to assess the impact of shading treatment variations on soybean leaf metabolites. The research was conducted as follows: (i) planting several soybean varieties under different shading intensities; (ii) extracting metabolic substances from soybean leaves through maceration; (iii) identifying the extracted substances using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC); and (iv) analyzing changes in primary metabolic substances. This study applied different shading treatments to various local soybean varieties: Anjasmoro, Mutiara 1, Denasa 1, Denasa 2, Dena 1, and Dena 2. The results indicate that among the different varieties and shading treatments, the highest isoflavone content was observed in Dena 2 with shading treatment on producing plants (1.820 g), followed by Anjasmoro with shading treatment on non-producing plants (1.788 g), and Dena 2 with no shading treatment (1.780 g). In addition, the statistical analysis revealed that shading treatments show significant differences only in extract mass content treated using fermentation on day 1 (p-value = 0.011) and day 3 (p-value = 0.039). These findings provide valuable insights for the scientific cultivation, management, and large-scale breeding of soybeans, specifically offering guidance on optimal shading levels for improved growth and metabolite production. Keywords: Photosynthetic efficiency, isoflavone accumulation, crop management, metabolic profiling, shading effects.

A Review on Animal Utilization in Toxicology and Safety Assessment and its Ethical Guidelines

Animal studies play a crucial role in evaluating the safety and toxicity of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and consumer products. In toxicology and safety assessment, animal models are used to predict potential adverse effects in humans, ensuring the protection of public health. This topic explores the use of animal studies in identifying toxicological profiles, assessing risk, and informing regulatory decisions. Animal models have been extensively used in toxicology and safety assessment to evaluate the potential risks of chemicals, drugs, and other substances on human health and the environment. The use of animals in toxicology studies provides valuable information on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of substances, as well as their potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. Importance of Animal Models 1.Predicting human toxicity: Animal studies help predict potential human toxicity and identify potential health risks. 2. Evaluating safety: Animal studies evaluate the safety of substances for human use and environmental release. 3. Developing new drugs: Animal models are used to develop and test new drugs, vaccines, and therapies

Therapeutic Potential of Plant Phenolic Acids Combating Cancer Drug Resistance.

Despite notable progress in treatment modalities, cancer continues to be a prom-inent cause of death globally. Chemotherapy is the main method used to treat cancer, and chemotherapeutic medications are categorized according to how they work. Nevertheless, the issue of multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant obstacle, impacting almost 90% of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy or innovative targeted medicines. MDR pro-cesses involve the quick metabolism of foreign substances, the accelerated removal of drugs from cells, the stimulation of growth hormones, the enhancement of DNA repair ability, and the influence of genetic variables. Recent studies have mostly concentrated on studying the anticancer effects of dietary phytoconstituents as a possible remedy for overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR). Various bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, phe-nylpropanoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, terpenoids, and organo-sulfur compounds, have shown potential in fighting cancer. It is worth mentioning that a number of phenylpro-panoids are now being tested in clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness in fighting cancer. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the existing knowledge regard-ing dietary phytoconstituents as possible agents for treating cancer, particularly their ability to overcome MDR. This discussion will focus on the mechanisms by which these com-pounds work, as well as the data from both preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, we have explored the potential future applications of these compounds in the development of cancer therapeutics.

One carbon metabolism supplementation in maturation medium but not embryo culture medium improves the yield of blastocysts from bovine oocytes

Optimizing oocyte maturation and embryo culture media could enhance in vitro embryo production. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of supplementing one carbon metabolism (OCM) substrates and its cofactors (Cystine, Zinc, Betaine, B2, B3, B6, B12 and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate) in maturation and/or embryo culture media on the rate of blastocyst formation and pregnancy outcomes following the transfer of the resulting blastocysts in bovines. In the first experiment, 2537 bovine oocytes were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and then matured either in conventional maturation medium (IVM) or IVM supplemented with OCM substrates (Sup-IVM). After in vitro fertilization, the putative zygotes from each treatment (IVM or Sup-IVM) were cultured in the media either without (IVM/IVC or Sup-IVM/IVC) or with (IVM/Sup-IVC or Sup-IVM/Sup-IVC) OCM supplementation. The blastocyst rate, assessed on day 8, was significantly increased in Sup-IVM/IVC group (34.90 ± 2.52) as compared to IVM/IVC (17.06 ± 1.69; P = 0.0001) and Sup-IVM/Sup-IVC (20.29 ± 2.75; P = 0.004) and non-significantly as compared to IVM/Sup-IVC (24.86 ± 5.37). In the second experiment, non-matured bovine oocytes were collected by transvaginal ovum pick up after FSH stimulation, randomly allocated into IVM/IVC (n = 275) and Sup-IVM/IVC (n = 260) and the blastocysts achieved at day 7 were transferred in recipient cattle. The blastocyst rate was significantly higher in Sup-IVM/IVC group (38.85%) as compared to the IVM/IVC group (23.64%; P < 0.0001). After single embryo transfer, the supplemented blastocysts were at least as competent as non-supplemented ones with a non-significantly higher (20% vs. 14%) pregnancy rate and the advantage of several good quality blastocysts available for future use. In conclusion, optimizing the maturation medium with OCM substrates and its cofactors could enhance the formation of viable blastocysts with the potential to increase the cumulative birth rate in cattle.

Optimization of fermentation conditions to increase the production of antifungal metabolites from Streptomyces sp. KN37

The bacterium Streptomyces sp. KN37 was isolated from the soil of Kanas, Xinjiang. The broth dilution of strain KN37 has a strong inhibitory effect against a variety of crop pathogenic fungi. However, in practical applications, its effective biological activity is limited by medium formulations and fermentation conditions. In this study, we used the response surface method to optimize the fermentation medium and conditions of the strain KN37, for investigating the reasons for the enhanced biological activity at both the metabolic and transcriptomic levels. The results of the Plackett-Burman design showed that millet, yeast extract, and K2HPO4 were the key factors influencing its antifungal activity. Subsequently, optimization by the response surface methodology yielded the final fermentation conditions as: millet 20 g/L, yeast extract 1 g/L, K2HPO4 0.5 g/L, rotation speed 150 r/min, temperature 25 °C, initial pH 8, fermentation time 9 d, inoculation amount 4%, liquid volume 100 mL. The antifungal effect of the optimized strain fermentation dilution was significantly enhanced, and the antifungal rate of R. solani increased from 27.33 to 59.53%, closely aligning with the predicted value of 53.03%. The results of HPLC-MS/MS and transcriptomic analysis revealed that the content of some secondary metabolic active substances in the fermentation broth of KN37 was significantly different from that of the original fermentation broth. Notably, the content of 4- (diethylamino) salicylaldehyde (DSA) was significantly increased by 16.28-fold while the yield of N- (2,4-dimethylphenyl) formamide (NDMPF) was increased by 6.35 times. Transcriptomic analysis further elucidated molecular mechanisms behind these changes with the expression of salicylic acid dehydrogenase (SALD) was significantly down-regulated, which was only 0.48 times compared to that before optimization. This research successfully optimized the fermentation process of strain KN37 providing a strong foundation for the actual production and application of strain KN37 in agriculture.

Emerging Mechanisms of Lactate Regulation of Biological Processes

Lactate, once considered an inert byproduct of glycolysis, is now increasingly appreciated as a metabolite with diverse roles in cellular metabolism and physiologic regulation. Our understanding of the role of lactate in biological systems can be considered in two categories: metabolic substrate and metabolic signal. These shared roles of lactate can be reconciled through the lens of a metabolite that is suited to regulate cellular function to license adaptation in line with the bioenergetic state of the cell. The mechanisms through which lactate production, transport, and consumption occur within cells and organisms are an area of longstanding and still active research. Here, we focus on how lactate production and utilization as a metabolic substrate feed into its role as a metabolic signal and the emerging mechanisms through which it regulates biological processes.

Focusing on microvascular function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure is a prevalent global health issue. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which already represents half of all heart cases worldwide, is projected to further increase, driven by aging populations and rising cardiovascular risk factors. Effective therapies for HFpEF remain limited, particularly due to its pathophysiological heterogeneity and incomplete understanding of underlying pathomechanisms and implications. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), characterized by structural and functional changes in the coronary microcirculation, is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in HFpEF even though the exact nature of their causal relationship is still unclear. This review explores prevalence, prognostic implications, and potential therapeutic targets for CMD in HFpEF. CMD's role in HFpEF might involve impaired coronary blood flow regulation, leading to myocardial ischemia, impaired relaxation, and/or adverse remodeling. Vice versa, increased wall stress in patients with HFpEF might elevate coronary resistances, further worsening microvascular perfusion. Finally, abnormalities in substrate metabolism might cause both CMD and HFpEF. Current treatments, including pharmacotherapy and device-based therapies, show limited success, highlighting the need for more targeted approaches. New possible therapies, such as the coronary sinus reducer device, may show promise in improving myocardial perfusion and function. However, further large-scale studies are required to elucidate the mechanistic links between CMD and HFpEF and to develop specialized treatments for distinct heart failure phenotypes.

Transitioning from NAFLD to MAFLD and MASLD: the toxic relationship with alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a well-known toxic etiologic factor for liver injury. Metabolic substrates of alcohol (especially acetaldehyde) have a major responsibility and genetic susceptibility, alterations in microbiota and immune system are important co-factors for this injury. Major injury in liver is hepatocellular lipid accumulation. Therefore the relationship between non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver diseases should have been defined clearly. Recently two major liver committees adopted new terminologies such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) instead of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These terminologies were based on the effects of metabolic syndrome on liver. Alcohol consumption was defined differently according to these nomenclatures. MAFLD defined alcohol intake (regardless of amount) as “dual etiology fatty liver disease” and the Delphi consensus defined MASLD, MetALD, or ALD according to daily consumption of alcohol amount.

Cardiac Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish: A Review of Signaling and Metabolic Coordination.

This review investigates how post-injury cellular signaling and energy metabolism are two pivotal points in zebrafish's cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry and proliferation. It seeks to highlight the probable mechanism of action in proliferative cardiomyocytes compared to mammals and identify gaps in the current understanding of metabolic regulation of cardiac regeneration. Metabolic substrate changes after birth correlate with reduced cardiomyocyte proliferation in mammals. Unlike adult mammalian hearts, zebrafish can regenerate cardiomyocytes by re-entering the cell cycle, characterized by a metabolic switch from oxidative metabolism to increased glycolysis. Zebrafish provide a valuable model for studying metabolic regulation during cell cycle re-entry and cardiac regeneration. Proliferative cardiomyocytes have upregulated Notch, hippo, and Wnt signaling and decreased ROS generation, DNA damage in different zebrafish cardiac regeneration models. Understanding the correlation between metabolic switches during cell cycle re-entry of already differentiated zebrafish cardiomyocytes is being increasingly recognized as a critical factor in heart regeneration. Zebrafish studies provide insights into metabolic adaptations during heart regeneration, emphasizing the importance of a metabolic switch. However, there are mechanistic gaps, and extensive studies are required to aid in formulating therapeutic strategies for cardiac regenerative medicine.

Variations in the End-Use Quality of Whole Grain Flour Are Closely Related to the Metabolites in the Grains of Pigmented Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Whole grain flour is considered a part of a healthy diet, especially when produced with pigmented wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, the specific metabolic pathways and mechanisms by which these metabolites affect the end-use quality of pigmented wheat varieties still need to be better understood. This study examined the relationship between metabolite concentrations and the end-use quality of three wheat varieties: common wheat (CW, JM20), black wheat (BW, HJ1), and green wheat (GW, HZ148). The study's findings revealed significant differences in the accumulation of metabolic substances among the various pigmented wheat varieties. Specifically, BW and GW exhibited notably higher levels of amino acids, derivatives, and lipids than CW. The study's findings revealed significant differences in the accumulation of metabolic substances among the various pigmented wheat varieties. Specifically, BW and GW exhibited notably higher levels of amino acids and their derivatives and lipids than CW. Amino acid derivatives, such as glutathione and creatine, are compounds formed through chemical modifications of amino acids and play crucial roles in antioxidative defense and energy metabolism. The gliadin and glutenin content of BW increased by 12% and 2%, respectively, compared to CW, due to elevated levels of amino acids and their derivatives, whereas GW was notable for its higher globulin content (an increase of 11.6%). BW was also distinguished by its exceptionally high anthocyanin content, including cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucoside) (23.2 μg g-1), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (6.5 μg g-1), and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (2.3 μg g-1), which surpassed the levels found in both CW and GW (which approached zero). However, BW had lower gluten content, resulting in a greater weakening and reduced development and stability times. Conversely, GW exhibited an increased lipid metabolism, which was associated with a higher starch and gluten content, improving the maximum tensile resistance. Overall, the pigmented wheat varieties offer superior nutritional profiles and processing advantages, necessitating further research to optimize their commercial use.