Non-essential Amino Acids Research Articles

33 1-Carbon metabolism: Methionine and more

Abstract Methionine, via S-adenosylmethionine, has an important role in the post-translational methylation of Arg, Lys, and His in proteins, methylation of DNA and RNA, and methylation of serotonin (to melatonin), noradrenaline (to adrenaline), and guanidinoacetate (to creatine). After the methyl-group of Met is transferred to an acceptor, the resulting homocysteine can transfer its sulfur group to Ser yielding Cys. Homocysteine can also be remethylated back to Met in the so-called Met salvage pathway, which requires betaine or N5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (THF) as a 1-carbon donor. Methionine is, thus, not necessarily the dietary source of 1-carbon in methylation reactions. N5-methyl THF is one of the “1-carbon flavors” of THF and the catabolism of Ser, Gly, His, and formate (e.g., from Trp catabolism) results in the formation of 1-carbon metabolites linked to THF. These amino acids (and choline and betaine) are thus potential dietary sources of 1-carbon groups, of which only Ser and Gly can be synthesized de novo. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the role of Ser and Gly in 1-carbon metabolism. Glycine has the unique property that it is able to accept and donate 1-carbon groups and the high concentration of Gly in plasma may be indicative for its 1-carbon buffering capacity. Glycine is also one of the few non-essential amino acids for which the retention (e.g., for collagen synthesis) largely exceeds the dietary intake. However, the de novo synthesis of Gly has been considered “a weak link in metabolism” because it is always associated with the synthesis of a 1-carbon group, and the capacity of the animal to dispose of excess 1-carbon groups may be limited. An excess supply of 1-carbon groups may therefore lead to a dietary requirement for Gly.

Proximate composition, physico-chemical, techno-functional, amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, nutritional quality, antioxidant, anti-amylase and anti-lipase properties of bee bread, royal jelly, and bee propolis

Approximate composition, physico-chemical, techno-functional, amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, nutritional quality, antioxidant, anti-amylase and anti-lipase properties of bee bread, royal jelly, and bee propolis were investigated. The main differences between the analyzed bee products were found in the content of protein (royal jelly), polysaccharides (bee bread), balsam (propolis), wax (propolis), and polyphenol (propolis). Bee products had considerable oil-holding capacity, water-binding capacity, water-holding capacity, emulsifying activity, and foaming capacity. Bee products had higher amounts of glucogenic amino acid, non-essential amino acid, sweet amino acid, hydrophobic amino acid, essential amino acid, ketogenic amino acid, and flavor amino acids and lower amounts of bitter amino acid, non-protein amino acid, branched-chain amino acid, and aromatic amino acid. Bee products contained higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, saturated fatty acid, omega-3, and omega-6, and lower amounts of omega-9 and omega-7. Bee products, especially royal jelly, had a considerable health-promoting index, hypocholesterolemic index, omega-6/omega-3, atherogenicity index, and thrombogenicity index. Bee bread, royal jelly, and bee propolis showed good radical scavenging activity and effectively inhibited amylase and lipase similar to the control. Propolis, bee bread, and royal jelly are proposed as possible techno-functional ingredients for food and health.

Myotube growth is associated with cancer-like metabolic reprogramming and is limited by phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase M2

Skeletal myofiber size and oxidative metabolism are inversely related. Glycolytic fast type myofibers are larger than high high oxidative, slow type myofibers. Paradoxically, despite their lower capacity for protein synthesis (lower myonucluar density and RNA content), glycolytic, low oxidative are more responsive to an anabolic stimulus. We hypothesized that glycolytic myofibers may make use of a Warburg-like metabolic reprogramming in response to an anabolic stimulus. The Warburg effect links growth and glycolysis in tumor cells to generate glycolytic intermediates for synthesis of nucleotides and amino. The aim of this study was to test whether a similar ‘glycolysis-for-anabolism’ metabolic reprogramming also occurs in post-mitotic, hypertrophying myofibers. For this purpose, we first induced C2C12 myotube hypertrophy with IGF-1. We then added 14C glucose to the differentiation medium and measured radioactivity in isolated protein and RNA to establish whether 14C had entered anabolism. We found that especially protein became radioactive, suggesting a glucose → glycolytic intermediates → non-essential amino acid(s) → protein series of reactions, the rate of which was increased by IGF-1. Next, to investigate the importance of glycolytic flux and non-essential amino acid synthesis for myotube hypertrophy, we exposed C2C12 and primary mouse myotubes to the glycolysis inhibitor 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG). We found that inhibiting glycolysis lowered C2C12 and primary myotube size. Similarly, siRNA silencing of PHGDH and PKM2, key enzymes of the Warburg-like metabolic reprogramming, reduced C2C12 and primary myotube growth; whereas retroviral PHGDH overexpression increased C2C12 myotube size. Together these results suggest that glycolysis is important for hypertrophying myotubes, which reprogramme their metabolism to facilitate anabolism, similar to cancer cells. Brendan M. Gabriel was supported by fellowships from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF19OC0055072) & the Wenner-Gren Foundation, an Albert Renold Travel Fellowship from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, and an Eric Reid Fund for Methodology from the Biochemical Society. Abdalla D. Mohamed was funded initially by Sarcoma UK (grant number SUK09.2015), then supported by funding from Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany), and currently by Cancer Research UK. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

L-citrulline Mitigates Systemic Inflammation and Associated Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling in a Neonatal Rat Model of Postnatal Undernutrition

Background & Aim: Preterm infants with postnatal growth restriction and undernutrition are at increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pulmonary hypertension (PH), metabolic syndrome, and sepsis. Preclinical and clinical studies report increased systemic inflammation, and lung and pancreatic histopathology in growth-restricted neonates. Safe therapies to mitigate these adverse outcomes associated with postnatal growth restriction and undernutrition in preterm infants are needed. L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, involved in the urea and nitric oxide cycles, that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to investigate whether L-citrulline may decrease systemic inflammation and improve histopathology in the lung, heart, and pancreas in a neonatal model of postnatal undernutrition. Methods: Neonatal Sprague Dawley rat pups were divided into 2 groups, normal nutrition (litter size n=12) and undernutrition (litter size n=18) by altering the litter size of the nursing dam. Body weight was measured daily and both groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline or L-citrulline (2.5g/kg) for 21 days. On postnatal day 21, heart, lung, and pancreatic tissue were collected for histology and mRNA analyses. Lung and pancreatic tissue were processed for qPCR to detect mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α /CCL3, IL-6, and TNF-α). Right ventricular hypertrophy was calculated using Fulton’s index (weight of the right ventricle divided by the combined weight of the left ventricle and the intraventricular septum). Lung sections were stained with Movat Pentachrome and examined for the presence of immune cells and medial wall thickening of pulmonary arteries. In a separate group of animals, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood obtained by cardiac puncture were cytocentrifuged and stained with hematoxylin & eosin for immune cell counts. Results: Undernourished rats had a lower body weight than normally nourished rats at postnatal day 21 (n=11-17; p<0.0001). Undernourished animals had an increased number of immune cells in BALF and lung tissue and an elevated neutrophil count in the blood which were all decreased with concurrent L-citrulline treatment (n=3-4; p<0.001). L-citrulline treatment also prevented the increased mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the lungs [MCP-1/CCL2, TNF-α, and IL-1β] (n=8; p<0.05) and pancreas [MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α /CCL3, IL-6, and TNF-α] (n=3; p<0.05) of undernourished animals. These animals had a greater pulmonary artery medial wall area and Fulton’s index when compared to normally nourished animals treated with saline or L-citrulline (n=3-4; p<0.001). Concurrent L-citrulline treatment in undernourished animals prevented pulmonary artery vascular remodeling and heart tissue histopathology such that the medial wall area and Fulton’s index did not differ from that of animals in control groups (n=4; p<0.01). Conclusion: L-citrulline effectively mitigates the adverse effects of postnatal undernutrition, reducing lung, pancreatic, and systemic inflammation and histopathology in the lung and heart associated with PH. As a safe, well-tolerated, and inexpensive treatment, L-citrulline presents promising therapeutic potential that could prevent short and long-term morbidities associated with growth restriction and undernutrition in preterm infants. This work was funded by the Women's Auxiliary of The Hospital for Sick Children. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effect of Miscellaneous Meals Replacing Soybean Meal in Feed on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Microbiota Composition of 25-50 kg Growing Pigs.

The present study aims to determine the effect of miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in feed on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, serum biochemical parameters, serum free amino acid content, microbiota composition and SCFAs content in growing pigs (25-50 kg). A total of 72 (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) growing pigs with initial weights of 25.79 ± 0.23 kg were randomly divided into three treatments. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal (CON), corn-soybean-miscellaneous meals (CSM), and corn-miscellaneous meals (CMM). Each treatment included six replicates with four pigs per pen (n = 24, 12 barrows and 12 gilts). Soybean meal accounted for 22.10% of the basal diet in the CON group. In the CSM group, miscellaneous meals partially replaced soybean meal with a mixture of 4.50% rapeseed meal, 3.98% cottonseed meal, and 4.50% sunflower meal. In the CMM group, miscellaneous meals entirely replaced soybean meal with a mixture of 8.50% rapeseed meal, 8.62% cottonseed meal, and 8.5% sunflower. The results showed that compared with the CON, the CSM and CMM groups significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) of growing pigs during the 25-50 kg stage (p < 0.05) but had no effects on average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily feed intake/average daily gain (F/G) (p > 0.05). Moreover, the CMM group significantly reduced nutrient apparent digestibility of gross energy compared with the CON group. The serum biochemical parameters results showed that the CSM group significantly improved the contents of total protein (TP) compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). The CMM group significantly improved the contents of total protein (TP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with the CON group in serum (p < 0.05). In comparison with the CON group, the CMM group also significantly improved lysine (Lys), threonine (Thr), valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine (Phe), arginine (Arg), and citrulline (Cit) levels in serum (p < 0.05). However, the CMM group significantly decreased non-essential amino acid content glycine (Gly) in serum compared with CON (p < 0.05), while compared with the CON group, the CSM and CMM groups had no significant effects on the relative abundance, the alpha-diversity, or the beta-diversity of fecal microbiota. Moreover, compared with the CON group, the CSM group significantly increased butyric acid and valeric acid contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces (p < 0.05). In contrast to the CON group, the CMM group significantly reduced the contents of SCFAs in feces, including acetic acid, propionic acid, and isobutyric acid (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results of the present study indicate that miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower meal) can partially replace the soybean meal and significantly improve the growth performance of growing pigs during the 25-50 kg stage. Thus, miscellaneous meals are a suitable protein source as basal diets to replace soybean meals for 25-50 kg growing pigs. These results can be helpful to further develop miscellaneous meals as a functional alternative feed ingredient to soybean meal.

EFFECT OF SPERMS FREEZABILITY ON SOME SEMEN ATTRIBUTES AND AMINO ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF HOLSTEIN BULLS

This study investigated the effect of different sperm freezability on some semen characteristics and amino acid concentrations in the seminal plasma of Holstein bulls cryopreserved for two years. The semen straws (0.25 ml) that cryopreserved for two years were divided into three equal groups (7 bulls per group) according to the sperm’s freezability: medium (73.02%; F1), good (83.76%; F2), and high (91.20%; F3). The F1 bulls were superior (P≤ 0.05) in sperm’s cell individual motility (SCIM) for fresh semen as compared with F2 and F3 bulls. The F2 and F3 groups were superior (P≤ 0.01) to the F1 group in live sperm percentage at cryopreservation. The sperm’s DNA damage percentage was lesser (P≤ 0.05) in the F1 and F3 groups as compared with the F2 group. The differences among groups in normal sperm percentage, sperm’s plasma membrane and acrosome integrity percentage, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant concentrations lacked significance. The essential and non-essential amino acid concentrations in seminal plasma did not differ among groups. In conclusion, sperm freezability influenced some semen attributes but did not affect amino acid concentrations in the seminal plasma of Holstein bulls.

An Isotonic Drink Containing Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) Processing Waste Collagen Hydrolysate for Bone and Cartilage Health.

Malnutrition is one of the major factors of bone and cartilage disorders. Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) processing waste is a cheap and highly promising source of bioactive substances, including collagen-derived peptides and amino acids, for bone and cartilage structure stabilization. The addition of these substances to a functional drink is one of the ways to achieve their fast intestinal absorption. Collagen hydrolysate was obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrafiltration, freeze-drying, and grinding to powder. The lyophilized hydrolysate was a light gray powder with high protein content (>90%), including collagen (about 85% of total protein) and a complete set of essential and non-essential amino acids. The hydrolysate had no observed adverse effect on human mesenchymal stem cell morphology, viability, or proliferation. The hydrolysate was applicable as a protein food supply or a structure-forming food component due to the presence of collagen fiber fragments. An isotonic fitness drink (osmolality 298.1 ± 2.1 mOsm/L) containing hydrolysate and vitamin C as a cofactor in collagen biosynthesis was prepared. The addition of the hydrolysate did not adversely affect its organoleptic parameters. The production of such functional foods and drinks is one of the beneficial ways of fish processing waste utilization.

Determination and prediction of standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of wheat bran in broiler chickens.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the standard ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid (AA) in 10 different sources of wheat bran fed to broilers and establish the SID AA prediction based on the chemical composition. A total of 660 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into 11 treatments with 6 replicates of 10 chickens each. Diets included 10 semi-purified mash diets and 1 nitrogenfree diet. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) 0.50% was used as an indigestible index. On day 13, 6 chickens from each replicate were selected for slaughter to collect ileal contents. On day 28, 4 chickens from each replicate were selected for slaughter to collect ileal contents. Results showed that the coefficient of variation of the conventional nutrients (except for gross energy, and dry matter) and all AAs was greater than 8.00%. The average SID of essential AA in wheat bran for 13-day-old broilers was 37.24% and the average SID of nonessential AA was 42.02%; the average SID of essential AA for 28-day-old broilers was 67.13% and the average SID of nonessential AA was 69.51%. A correlation was observed (p<0.05) between most SID AA and crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ash at day 13. A correlation was observed (p<0.05) between most SID AA and CF, and ADF at day 28. The R2 value of stepwise regression equations for predicting the SID AA at day 13 and day 28 was best for glutamic acid (R2 = 0.97 using CP, ash, CF, ether extract (EE), and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) and lysine (R2 = 0.74 using ash, ADF, EE, and NDF), respectively. In conclusion, broiler age had a significant effect on the SID AA values of wheat bran. The chemical composition of wheat bran varied widely between sources, and CP, CF, ADF, NDF, and ash were reasonable predictors of the SID AA of wheat bran.

Amino Acid Compositions, In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-diabetic Properties of Cookies from Wheat and Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Flour blends

This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the cookies produced from wheat and kidney bean composite flours at different ratios viz: 100:0 (WKB 1), 80:20 (WKB 2), 60:40 (WKB 3), 40:60 (WKB 4), respectively. The proximate compositions of the composite flour blends improved during the baking process into cookie, most especially the crude fibre (12.09-13.73%) and crude protein (18-21%) contents, respectively. The amino acid profiles of the cookies were well established with high biological values (&gt;70%) with good essential, non-essential and hydrophobic amino acids while glutamic acid was mostly abundant in the cookies. The in-vitro antioxidant properties of the cookie samples were more potent (~80%) when compared with a standard ascorbic acid, a well-known antioxidant. Besides, the in-vitro anti-diabetic properties of the cookie samples were revealed through their improved α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition potentials (~70%) when compared with a standard acarbose, a well-known anti-diabetic drug. The weights (5.20-6.41 g), width (45.70-45.88 mm), thickness (5.03-5.06 mm) and spread ratio (11.89-12.26) of the cookies from the composite flours were significantly (P&lt;0.05) comparable to the control (WKB 1) sample, respectively. This, however did not alter the organoleptic attributes of the composite cookie samples when compared to the commercial ones. We therefore concluded that the cookies rich in antioxidants and anti-diabetic potentials could be produced from wheat and kidney bean flour blends.

BCAA-nitrogen flux in brown fat controls metabolic health independent of thermogenesis

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is best known for thermogenesis. Rodent studies demonstrated that enhanced BAT thermogenesis is tightly associated with increased energy expenditure, reduced body weight, and improved glucose homeostasis. However, human BAT is protective against type 2 diabetes, independent of body weight. The mechanism underlying this dissociation remains unclear. Here, we report that impaired mitochondrial catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in BAT, by deleting mitochondrial BCAA carriers (MBCs), caused systemic insulin resistance without affecting energy expenditure and body weight. Brown adipocytes catabolized BCAA in the mitochondria as nitrogen donors for the biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids and glutathione. Impaired mitochondrial BCAA-nitrogen flux in BAT resulted in increased oxidative stress, decreased hepatic insulin signaling, and decreased circulating BCAA-derived metabolites. A high-fat diet attenuated BCAA-nitrogen flux and metabolite synthesis in BAT, whereas cold-activated BAT enhanced the synthesis. This work uncovers a metabolite-mediated pathway through which BAT controls metabolic health beyond thermogenesis.

Differential metabolic secretion between muscular dystrophy mouse-derived spindle cell sarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas drives tumor type development.

The dystrophin gene (Dmd) is recognized for its significance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal and progressive skeletal muscle disease. Some patients with DMD and model mice with muscular dystrophy (mdx) spontaneously develop various types of tumors, among which rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most prominent. By contrast, spindle cell sarcoma (SCS) has rarely been reported in patients or mdx mice. In this study, we aimed to use metabolomics to better understand the rarity of SCS development in mdx mice. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to compare the metabolic profiles of spontaneously developed SCS and RMS tumors from mdx mice, and metabolite supplementation assays and silencing experiments were used to assess the effects of metabolic differences in SCS tumor-derived cells. The levels of 75 metabolites exhibited differences between RMS and SCS, 25 of which were significantly altered. Further characterization revealed downregulation of nonessential amino acids, including alanine, in SCS tumors. Alanine supplementation enhanced the growth, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and invasion of SCS cells. Reduction of intracellular alanine via knockdown of the alanine transporter Slc1a5 reduced the growth of SCS cells. Lower metabolite secretion and reduced proliferation of SCS tumors may explain the lower detection rate of SCS in mdx mice. Targeting of alanine depletion pathways may have potential as a novel treatment strategy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To the best of our knowledge, SCS has rarely been identified in patients with DMD or mdx mice. We observed that RMS and SCS tumors that spontaneously developed from mdx mice with the same Dmd genetic background exhibited differences in metabolic secretion. We proposed that, in addition to dystrophin deficiency, the levels of secreted metabolites may play a role in the determination of tumor-type development in a Dmd-deficient background.

Analysis of carcass traits, meat quality, amino acid and fatty acid profiles between different duck lines

To investigate the effect of genetic selection on meat quality in ducks, twenty of each fast growth ducks (LCA) and slow growth ducks (LCC) selected from F6 generation of Cherry Valley ducks (♂) x Liancheng white ducks (♀) were analyzed for carcass characteristics, meat quality (physicochemical and textural characteristics), amino acid and fatty acid profiles at 7 wk. Results showed that live body weight, slaughter weight, eviscerated yield and abdominal fat percentage of LCA were significantly higher than those in LCC ducks (P < 0.01). Moreover, the average area and diameter of myofiber were larger in LCA than LCC ducks (P < 0.01). The breast and thigh muscles of LCA exhibited significantly lower water holding capacity and thermal loss compared with LCC ducks (P < 0.01). In addition, the content of nonessential amino acids (Glu, Asp, and Arg) in breast muscles and Asp, Ser, Thr, and Met in thigh muscles was higher in LCC than LCA ducks (P < 0.05). The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in breast muscles of LCC was higher than LCA ducks (P < 0.05). However, the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in breast and thigh muscles of LCA was higher compared with LCC ducks (P < 0.05). The proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in thigh muscles was significantly higher in LCC compared with LCA ducks (P < 0.01). Finally, multiple traits were evaluated by applying principal component analysis (PCA) and the results indicated that PUFA and SFA in breast muscles of LCA played important roles in meat quality, followed by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and MUFA. However, water holding capacity (WHC) had a dominant effect in meat quality of thigh muscles in both LCA and LCC ducks.

Chemical composition and amino acids of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera Acrididae) fed wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum) or rape leaves (Brassica napus)

Abstract Locusts have high nutritional value and are considered alternative protein sources for humans and animals. Diet can strongly affect the nutritional composition of insects. In this study, the influences of diets – wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings and rape (Brassica napus) leaves – on the chemical composition and amino acids of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) were assessed. The crude protein, soluble carbohydrate and triglyceride were analyzed using the Bradford method, anthrone colorimetry, and glycerol kinase chromogenic method, respectively. Additionally, amino acids were determined using cation exchange chromatography. The study revealed that wheat seedlings had lower water content than rape leaves. Although the crude protein content was comparable, the soluble carbohydrates of wheat seedlings were approximately 2.5 times higher than those of rape leaves. The body weight (fresh weight and dry weight), crude protein and triglyceride of locusts significantly increased when fed wheat seedlings compared with when fed rape leaves, with values of 48.08%, 31.58%, 43.83% and 25.00%, respectively. The high water content of rape leaves resulted in the high water content of rape leaf-fed locusts. Plants also affect the amino acid composition of locusts. The eight amino acids (four essential amino acids and four non-essential amino acids) and the total amino acids of rape leaf-fed locusts were significantly enhanced compared with those of wheat seedlings. The essential amino acid index and biological value indicate that the protein quality of locusts fed rape leaves has been significantly improved. These results demonstrate that the nutritional composition of L. migratoria can be altered by manipulating the diet. Insects with controllable nutrients can be provided by insect farms and further studies will improve the development of insects as food or feed.

Respiratory Responses to Single Oral Administration of Taurine in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Taurine is a nonessential amino acid that has been increasingly consumed due to its various beneficial biological effects. Excessive taurine intake has been linked to the positive regulation of inflammatory responses and endoplasmic reticulum stress through the modulation of intracellular calcium levels. However, research on the potential adverse effects of taurine consumption on the respiratory system is limited. To address this, we investigated the respiratory responses of 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats to taurine administered orally at 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute volume were monitored in accordance with the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Harmonized Tripartite Guideline S7A for Safety Pharmacology Studies for Human Pharmaceuticals. We found that taurine administration did not significantly alter respiratory rate or tidal volume; however, a significant increase in minute volume was observed 6 h after administration of 200 mg/kg taurine.

Blood Serum Amino Acid Pool of European Migratory Chiroptera Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758 and Pipistrellus nathusii Keyserling et Blasius, 1839 of the Ural Fauna.

The pool of free amino acids (AAs) in the blood serum was studied in two European migratory bat species, Vespertilio murinus and Pipistrellus nathusii, of the Urals. Bats from this year's bloods were examined, and significant differences were observed in main metabolic groups of free AAs, including glycogenic (GGAAs), nonessential (NEAAs), essential (EAAs), and sulfur-containing (SCAAs) AAs (p < 0.05). Based on the percent content of the metabolic groups in the total AA pool, GGAAs (79.7%) and EAAs (49.4%) were found to predominate in P. nathusii, and GGAAs (74.9%) and NEAAs (58.4%), in V. murinus. No difference in AAA and BCAA contents was observed between V. murinus and P. nathusii (p > 0.05). The migratory species were shown to significantly differ in the metabolic groups of serum AAs from the resident species Myotis dasycneme (p < 0.05).

Amino acid composition of proteins and technological indicators of grain quality of genotypes and varieties of spring soft wheat in northern Kazakhstan

The purpose of the paper was to carry out a biochemical and technological evaluation of spring soft wheat grain and to determine the total amino acid composition for the selection of the most valuable genotypes with a high content of essential amino acids. This paper presents the results of biochemical and technological studies of the grain and flour of spring soft wheat plants grown in northern Kazakhstan. The research involved 170 genotypes of spring soft wheat from northern Kazakhstan, 16 of which had the highest grain quality. In the grains of the studied samples, the protein content and the number of essential and nonessential amino acids were determined, and the biological value of the protein was evaluated using the amino acid score method. A strong positive correlation was established between phenylalanine and lysine (r = 0.98), and a weak negative relationship was established between protein content and methionine (r = -0.02) and between methionine and lysine (r = -0.17). Based on the obtained data, the most valuable varieties and lines (256/14 and 53/14) with high-quality information about grain, flour, and bread and the most balanced amino acid composition of proteins were selected because these varieties are important for enhancing the nutritional value and overall utility of these wheat varieties in food production and human consumption. The utilization of such genotypes in breeding programs and agricultural practices holds the promise of yielding crops with improved protein quality and nutritional content, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security and dietary health in the region

Assessment of Registered Clinical Trial Designs: Comparison of L-Arginine and/or L-Citrulline Interventions for Hypertension.

L-Arginine (Arg) is an essential amino acid and a precursor for the synthesis of vascular nitric oxide, while L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid substrate for increasing L-arginine. Both L-arginine and L-Citrulline in translational studies may acutely lower the blood pressure. Current meta-analysis for L-arginine or L-Citrulline interventions in blood pressure have identified significant heterogeneity. Clinical trial evidence for L-arginine or L-Citrulline in chronic blood pressure reduction in the general population requires an examination of trial designs, as not all translational studies may have influenced vascular reactivity. Our aims are to explore whether L-arginine and L-citrulline intervention trials in chronic blood pressure consider standardized end points relevant to the general adult populations. A step-wise search on clinicaltrials.gov, the U.S. Library of Medicine registry for clinical trials, was performed including the following keyword search parameters: "completed" "L-Citrulline" "L-arginine" trial", and "adults", involving "blood pressure" reduction as a primary end point in adult humans. Of the forty-four completed trials, only five were included for analysis. Following the careful evaluation of trial design, we observed heterogeneity across participant inclusion criteria (population sample size, age range, sex), interventional design (dosages, duration), and primary outcomes, measured with respect to changes in diastolic or systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, there is a lack of robust trial design evidence to suggest that L-arginine or L-Citrulline, based on current RCTs in the general population, have an overall positive effect on vascular endothelial reactivity and a beneficial chronic blood pressure-lowering effect. Indeed, conclusions drawn from human meta-analysis studies have been heterogenous between studies, which may be attributed to study design heterogeneity, including differences in sample population, age, and blood pressure at the time of entry. Inconsistencies in the study design poses a challenge for systematic reviews and meta-analysis to accurately assess the effect size and impact of L-arginine or L-citrulline on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, AMINO ACID PROFILING, AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF PROCESSED NATURAL VEGETATION OF THARPARKAR

Some processing techniques tend to advance the overall nutritional quality of food commodities and thus may contribute to counter malnutrition in regions like Tharparkar. For scanning the efficacy of some selected processing treatments, the natural vegetation of Tharparkar (NVT) i.e., mung beans (MB), sesame seeds (SS), and pearl millet (PM), were sprouted, roasted, and blanched, respectively, and milled to flour after thermal drying. All fresh and processed NVT, i.e., sprouted mung bean flour (SMBF), roasted sesame seed powder (RSSP), and blanched pearl millet flour (BPMF), were analyzed for proximate composition, profiling of amino acids (AAs), and safety assessment. The results demonstrated statistically different (P&lt;0.05) mean values of fresh and processed NVT for most of the analyzed parameters. It was found that processing significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) ash, protein, fat, and fiber content whereas significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05) phytic and oxalic acid in the NVT. In addition, some essential AAs significantly (P&lt;0.05) enhanced in SMBF i.e., histidine (0.45g/100g), isoleucine (0.59g/100g), lysine (0.71g/100), methionine (0.23g/100g), phenylalanine (1.54g/100g), and valine (0.32g/100g); RSSP i.e., isoleucine (1.63g/100g), leucine (4.57g/100g), lysine (0.75g/100g), phenylalanine (3.14g/100g), tryptophan (0.81g/100g), and tyrosine (2.15g/100g); and in BPMF i.e., threonine (0.55g/100g), isoleucine (0.28g/100g), leucine (1.70g/100g), methionine (0.21g/100), tryptophan (0.11g/100g), and valine(0.17g/100g). Among non-essential AAs, the alanine and glycine remained significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in all processed NVT i.e., 1.56, 1.29, and1.43g/100g alanine in SMBF, RSSP, and BPMF, respectively. However, glycine remained at 0.56, 0.59, and 0.23g/100g in SMBF, RSSP, and BPMF, respectively. It is therefore concluded that processing techniques exerted a significant role in enhancing nutritional profile while mitigating the antinutrient load from the NVT. Consequently, it is recommended that SMBF, RSSP, and BPMF be utilized for developing various food products to counter malnutrition in regions like Tharparkar.

Free amino acids profile of pulp of Saba senegalensis (A.DC.) Pichon fruit in the three climatic areas of Burkina Faso

Non-timber forest products are often disregarded in favor of primary crops in Burkina Faso, despite their nutritional significance and contribution to food self-sufficiency. However, the lack of scientific information regarding the amino acid content of Saba senegalensis pulp impedes its utilization in various foods production. Consequently, the primary objective of this investigation was to assess the free amino acid profile of S. senegalensis pulp in the three distinct climatic zones of Burkina Faso. Fruit samples were collected from these climatic regions, and the amino acid content was analyzed using HPLC methods. The analysis of S. senegalensis pulp revealed the presence of essential amino acids in mg/100 g, mainly isoleucine (300 ± 75–305 ± 15), leucine (370 ± 92.50–377 ± 95.50), lysine (200 ± 50–205 ± 70), methionine (90 ± 22.50–104 ± 50), phenylalanine (140 ± 35–196 ± 15), threonine (230 ± 57.50–241 ± 27.50), valine (260 ± 65–285 ± 40), and tryptophan (230 ± 57.50–237 ± 75.50), as well as non-essential amino acids. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference (p > 0,5) in the essential and non-essential amino acids across the climatic zones. According to the revised model spectrum of ideal essential amino acids for humans by the WHO/FAO, the E/T values ranged from 43.12 to 43.40%, and the E/NE values ranged from 75.83 to 76.68%. The BC/E values ranged from 50.69 to 51.09%, while the BC/A values ranged from 1.24 to 1.37. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed specific variations in the amino acid composition of the fruit pulp based on the climatic zones. This study demonstrates that S. senegalensis is a valuable source of amino acids and can potentially enhance food security.

Paecilomyces variotii (PEKILO®) in novel feeds for Atlantic salmon: Effects on pellet quality, growth performance, gut health, and nutrient digestibility and utilization

Filamentous fungi have potential as an alternative protein source for use in aquafeeds due to their high protein content and bioactive components. Paecilomyces variotii (PEKILO® mycoprotein) is a β-glucan- and nucleotide-rich filamentous fungi with a crude protein (CP) content of 60–70%. A 9-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of P. variotii in diets for Atlantic salmon (initial average body weight of 24 g fish−1) reared in freshwater. Four experimental diets were formulated. Diet 1 was a control diet based on fish meal, soy protein concentrate, and wheat gluten meal. Diets 2, 3, and 4 were formulated so that P. variotii replaced 5, 10, and 20% of the CP content of the diets, respectively. Results showed that dietary inclusion of P. variotii was associated with changes in physical pellet quality, including significant linear (p < 0.0001) and/or quadratic (p < 0.01) decreases in pellet length, width, expansion, and durability. Conversely, significant linear (p < 0.0001) and quadratic (p < 0.025) increases in water activity, bulk density, and water stability index were associated with increasing replacement of the CP content of the diets with P. variotii. There were no significant differences in weight gain, growth rate or feed intake among fish fed the experimental diets (p > 0.05), but a significant linear improvement (p < 0.025) in feed conversion ratio (FCR) with increasing dietary inclusion of P. variotii was observed. The apparent digestibility coefficients for CP and gross energy of the experimental diets decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary levels of P. variotii. Similar results were observed for the essential and non-essential amino acids. Despite reduced digestibility, linear increases in nitrogen (p < 0.01), energy (p < 0.025), and mineral (p < 0.001) retention efficiencies were associated with increasing dietary levels of P. variotii. In the distal intestine, dietary inclusion of P. variotii resulted in significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of several cytokines (ifng, il10, and tgfb), effector molecules (inos, arg1, sod), and transcription factors (irf4), suggesting both activation and control of the inflammatory response in this key mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Overall, replacement of 20% of the CP content of the diet with P. variotii reduced digestibility of the experimental diets, but did not affect growth performance and improved FCR and nutrient utilization efficiency of salmon. Thus, P. variotii is a promising ingredient with potential for use in salmonid aquafeeds to improve fish performance and health.