PS-treated Groups Research Articles

Poria cocos polysaccharides alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression effects in silkworm and their metabolic profiling analysis

The present study investigated the immune regulatory mechanisms of Poria cocos polysaccharides (PS) in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression silkworm model. We found that PS increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the fat body or haemocytes of CTX-treated silkworms. PS also strongly stimulated the immunity of silkworms by increasing haemocyte counts and PO activity and upregulating the mRNA expression of immune-related genes. We further investigated the metabolic profile of the fat body after PS treatment using liquid chromatography–massspectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and identified 236 differentially expressed metabolites. Among them, nine metabolites related to amino acid metabolism were present at high levels in the PS-treated group, whereas the contents of metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism were significantly decreased after PS treatment. The amino acid metabolism pathways and lipid metabolism pathways were found to be significantly altered in the PS-treated group, which indicates that PS may regulate the immune system of silkworms by reprogramming lipid and amino acid metabolism. This study provides new insight into the immune regulatory effect of PS in animals.

The Effect of Humic Acid and Polystyrene Fluorescence Nanoplastics on Solanum lycopersicum Environmental Behavior and Phytotoxicity.

The impacts of nanoplastics (100 nm) on terrestrial systems are unclear at this time. Due to the utilization of sewage sludge, plastic particles are likely to accumulate in these systems. The current research investigates how Solanum lycopersicum seed germination and growth are affected by fluorescence polystyrene (Flu-PS), humic acid (HA), and a Flu-PS+HA combination (tomato). Following 24 h of interaction between Flu-PS and HA, our report details the development of an eco-corona with a significant increase in hydrodynamic size. Plant growth, seed germination, and chlorophyll content were all enhanced by the eco-coronated Flu-PS.Additionally, we discover that seeds treated with Flu-PS+HA demonstrated a germination rate of 90%, compared to just 65.8% for seeds treated with Flu-PS alone. Chlorophyll (a, b, and a + b) content measurements indicated that HA-treated groups and Flu-PS+HA-treated groups had considerably higher levels of chlorophyll (a, b, and a + b) than Flu-PS-treated groups (Flu-PS: 3.18 mg g-1, 2.12 mg g-1, and 3.89 mg g-1, HA: 5.96 mg g-1, 4.28 mg g-1, and 6.36 mg g-1, and Flu-PS+HA: 4.17 mg g-1, 3.01 mg g-1, and 6.08 mg g-1, respectively). In a similar manner, the HA and Flu-PS+HA treatment groups showed lower ROS levels than the Flu-PS treatment groups. In addition, we discovered that the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase was lower in the groups treated with HA and Flu-PS+HA than in the groups solely treated with Flu-PS. The results demonstrated that HA significantly lessens the toxicity caused by Flu-PS, while also promoting the germination and growth of Solanum lycopersicum seeds. The related decrease in toxic effects may be ascribed to the establishment of an eco-corona on the Flu-PS. We think that the use of eco-coronas is a technique for safeguarding plants against xenobiotics such as nanoplastics.

Blood uptake and urine excretion of nano- and micro-plastics after a single exposure

Nano- and micro-plastic (NMP) pollution has emerged as a global issue; however, uptake in the blood is controversial. Also, there is no evidence that NMPs are excreted via urine. This study was designed to clarify the time course of NMPs absorption in blood and the excretion in urine.Male mice received a single administration of fluorescent polystyrene (PS) beads (100-nm and 3-μm) via tail vein injection, gavage, or pulmonary perfusion. Blood and urine samples were measured 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after exposure by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to corroborate the findings.Fluorescence particles were detected in both blood and urine from the 100-nm and 3-μm PS-treated groups after exposure. In the 3-μm PS treated group, particles with corresponding diameters were detected after intravenous injection and pulmonary perfusion, and particles with a diameter <3 μm were detected in blood samples after gavage. The fluorescent signal in urine was particularly weak and the size was <3 μm. Significant time course changes in fluorescence intensity were demonstrated in blood and urine (P < 0.05) after intravenous injection and pulmonary perfusion in the 100-nm PS-treated group. By contrast, significant changes were detected in the urine (P < 0.05), but not the blood, after gavage. TEM confirmed the presence of particles with corresponding diameters in blood samples; however, the excretion in urine was difficult to confirm for nano-plastics (NPs) and micro-plastics (MPs) because all particles with diameters of approximately 100 nm and 3 μm had irregular shapes and no clear boundaries.Our findings revealed that both NPs and MPs enter the blood circulation through digestive and respiratory pathways. Both 100-nm and 3-μm NMPs may be excreted through urine, but further evidence is needed. The physical and chemical properties of MPs may be impacted by digestive processes in vivo.

Comparative effects of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface charge on seedling establishment of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.)

Micro- and nano-plastics are common emerging pollutants of great interest. However, the impacts of them on terrestrial plants were still poorly understood. In this study, comparative effects of exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS) and amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NH2) on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) plants at different growth stages were investigated. Hydroponically cultured seedlings were exposed to PS and PS-NH2 at 0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/L at skotomorphogenesis stage for 48 h, photomorphogenesis stage for 18 h, and the whole stage, respectively. Results showed that both PS and PS-NH2 had no discernible effect on radicle elongation at the skotomorphogenesis stage whereas significantly (P < 0.05) reduced photosynthetic pigment contents in varying degrees (18.06%–28.52%, 22.46%–36.86%) at the photomorphogenesis stage and the whole stage. Moreover, there was no significant difference between PS treatments and control except the 26.52% decline of chlorophyll a content at 1 mg/L at photomorphogenesis, while PS-NH2 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased photosynthetic pigment contents except the chlorophyll b content at 10 mg/L at photomorphogenesis. The content of chlorophyll a decreased by 26.68% for the PS–NH2–treated group and 22.46% for the PS-treated group at 1 mg/L during the whole stage. Results manifested that less negatively charged PS-NH2 seemed to show more severe phytotoxicity both at the photomorphogenesis stage and the whole stage. Notably, the surface charge of nano-plastics and the integrity of seedling establishment could be the main factors impacting the above difference. These findings are expected to improve our understanding of the effects of PSNPs on crop plants.

Pterostilbene Supplementation Inhibits Early Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in UVB-Induced BALB/C Mice

Extended dermal exposure of ultraviolet B (UVB) can induce erythema, hyperpigmentation, epidermal hyperplasia and cancer. Natural active compound such as pterostilbene (PS) is a potential UV-protecting agent as it has broad biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the photoprotective effect of pterostilbene on ultraviolet-B-induced BALB/c mice. Twenty-four female mice were randomised into four groups (n=6/group): vehicle control (VC); UVB irradiated only (UVB only); UVB irradiation treated with pterostilbene 10 mg/kg (PS10+UVB); (iv) UVB irradiation treated with pterostilbene 20 mg/kg (PS20+UVB). The PS treatments were given for 14 days, and UVB was given at dose 250 mJ/cm2 on days 9, 11, and 13 of the treatment periods. The results showed that PS lessened redness and scaling on the skin of UVB-irradiated mice. The skinfold thickness and epidermal thickness in the PS-treated group were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.05) in comparison with those in the UVB only group. The PS10 and PS20 groups (5.927 ± 0.354 and 5.660 ± 0.765 nmol/g, respectively) demonstrated significantly decreased MDA levels (P&lt;0.05) relative to the UVB only group (13.343 ± 1.350 nmol/g). The GSH level in both PS10 (0.555 ± 0.020 µmol/mg) and PS20 (0.568 ± 0.055 µmol/mg) groups increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) compared with that in the UVB only group (0.376 ± 0.025 µmol/mg). SOD activity in the PS20 group (1.388 ± 0.172 U/min/mg) increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) compared with that in the UVB only group (0.561 ± 0.034 U/min/mg). Histological observation showed that PS reduced leukocyte infiltration and epidermal hyperplasia. Hence, oral PS may exert a photoprotective effect by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent on UVB-irradiated mice skin.

Effects of microplastics and salinity on food waste processing by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

BackgroundThe black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is gaining attention as an efficient decomposer of food waste. However, recalcitrant compounds such as plastics mixed into food waste may have negative effects on its growth and survival. Moreover, its efficiency of food waste degradation may also be affected by plastics. In addition, salt (NaCl) can also be present in high concentrations, which also reduces the efficiency of H. illucens-mediated food waste treatment. In this study, we assessed the growth of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) reared on food waste containing polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) and NaCl. The weight of BSFL was measured every 2–4 days. Survival and substrate reduction rates and pupation ratio were determined at the end of the experiment.ResultsThe total larval weight of Hermetia illucens reared on food waste containing PS was greater than that of the control on days 20 and 24. However, the survival rate was lower in the group treated with 5% PS, as was substrate reduction in all PS-treated groups. The weight of BSFL reared on food waste containing PE was lower than that of the control on day 6. PE in food waste did not affect the survival rate, but the pupation ratio increased and substrate consumption decreased with increasing PE concentrations. Regardless of the plastic type, the addition of NaCl resulted in decreased larval weight and pupation ratio.ConclusionsLarval growth of black soldier fly was inhibited not by plastics but by substrate salinity. Additional safety assessments of larvae reared on food waste containing impurities are needed to enable wider application of BSFL in vermicomposting.

Pterostilbene Ameliorates Nephropathy Injury in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Our study investigated the therapeutic role and potential mechanisms of pterostilbene (PS) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. Methods: DN models were established by high-fat diet after streptozotocin injection. A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, DN, PS-treated groups (PS-H, PS-M, PS-L). PS was administered to rats by gavage for 8 weeks at 3 different doses (25, 10, and 5 mg/kg/day). The levels of oxidative stress activity (superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX]) and inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, monocyte chemoattractant factor [MCP]-1) were detected by ­ELISA. TGF-β, Smad1, and fibronectin (FN) were measured through immunohistochemistry. The relative expressions of phospho-IκBα/IκBα, phospho-IκB kinases (IKK)β/IKKβ, phospho-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65/NF-κB p65 were detected by western blot. Results: Compared with DN group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 were decreased in the PS-H group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of SOD, MDA, GSH-PX improved in kidney and serum in PS-H groups (p< 0.05). PS also significantly decreased the level of phospho-NF-κB p65 and increased the levels of phospho- IKKβ and phospho-Iκ-Bα (p < 0.05). The results showed that PS treatment decreased TGF-β, Smad1, and FN expressions. Conclusion: PS had potential therapeutic effects on DN, which may be related to the regulation of NF-κB pathway.

Inhibitory effect of Patrinia scabiosifolia Link on the development of atopic dermatitis-like lesions in human keratinocytes and NC/Nga mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic and inflammatory disease occurring in skin. Patrinia scabiosifolia Link (PS), a member of the Patrinia genus (Caprifoliaceae family), has traditionally been used in folk medicines to treat various inflammatory diseases such as acute appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, and pelvic inflammation in Korea and other parts of East Asia. Aim of the studyThis study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of PS on AD in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methodsWhole PS plants were dried, powdered, and then underwent extraction with DMSO. Both ELISA and western blotting were performed to evaluate cytokine concentration and the expression and activation of filaggrin and signaling proteins. Five-week‐old female NC/Nga mice were used as an AD-like mouse model by treating them with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). ResultsIn human keratinocytic HaCaT cells, PS extract inhibited the production of IL‐8, and TARC, which had been increased by TNF-α and IFN-γ. The TNF-α and IFN-γ suppressed filaggrin expression was associated with phosphorylation of JNK1 and JNK2, and NF-κB translocation. PS recovered the inhibition of filaggrin expression induced by TNF-α and IFN-γ by blocking the activation of JNK1/2, and NF-κB by the IFN-γ and TNF-α treatment. The in vivo experiment results showed that, compared to DNCB treatment PS administration reduced thickening of the epidermis and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the dermis. Moreover, the decrease of filaggrin expression due to DNCB treatment was recovered by PS administration. The serum IgE level was decreased by PS treatment. Additionally, secretions of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin in splenocytes were lower in the PS-treated group than in the DNCB group. ConclusionPS may attenuate the development of AD‐like lesions by increasing filaggrin expression and lowering IgE and inflammatory cytokine levels. These results indicate the potential for development of a PS-based drug treatment for AD.

Polygonatum stenophyllum improves menopausal obesity via regulation of lipolysis-related enzymes.

Menopausal women are associated with an increase in obesity accompanying changes in the body's condition and composition. Polygonatum stenophyllum (PS) rhizome, which is a traditional herbal remedy, has been used to treat various diseases including obesity. However, the effect of PS on menopausal obesity remains unclear. Female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and fed on high fat diet (HFD) to induce menopausal obesity. Aqueous extract of PS of 1, 10, and 100mg/kg was orally administrated for 6weeks after7weeks of induction. The weights of body, uterine, and ovarian fat were investigated. Histological analysis was performed to monitor the changes of liver and fat. In addition, lipid profiles were measured in serum and the expression of lipolysis-related enzymes was analyzed in uterine tissues. PS significantly decreased the weights of body and ovarian fat and increased the uterine weight compared to control group. Administration of PS significantly decreased the adipocyte diameter and the lipid droplets within the hepatocytes. In addition, PS-treated mice had lower levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol than control mice. The expression of lipolysis-related genes, including adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), was increased in PS-treated groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PS might have efficacy on menopausal obesity by activating ATGL and HSL.

Persimmon vinegar and its fractions protect against alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats through the suppression of CYP2E1 expression

Context: Medical therapies for alcohol-induced liver disease are often difficult to handle and limited in efficacy.Objective: In an attempt to find natural therapeutics, here, we investigate the preventive effect of persimmon vinegar (PV) and its fractions against alcohol-induced hepatic injury, in addition to the underlying mechanism, in rats chronically administered with alcohol.Materials and methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 8 per group); normal control (NC), ethanol control (EC), ethanol + PV, ethanol + water-insoluble PV fraction (PI) and ethanol + water-soluble PV fraction (PS). PV, PI or PS was orally administrated at the level of 100 mg/kg B.W by oral gavage every day for 4 weeks prior to ethanol administration. The liver sections were stained with hematoxylin & eosin and gene expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results: After a 4-week treatment, histological observation revealed that PV and its fractions mitigated alcohol-induced changes in the liver. CYP2E1 expression was significantly increased in the EC group compared with the NC group, but was significantly suppressed in the PV group compared with the EC group (p = 0.044). We also found significant decreases in hepatic mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12β, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the PV-, PI- and PS-treated groups compared with those of the EC group.Discussion and conclusion: Taken together, the present findings suggest that PV and its fractions hold great promise as natural remedies with anti-inflammatory activities that alleviate alcohol-induced liver damage.

Psychological stress induced hippocampus zinc dyshomeostasis and depression-like behavior in rats

There are strong evidences showed that psychological stress (PS) could result in depression. Recently, many attentions were paid to the roles of corticosterone (CORT) and zinc dyshomeostasis in the development of depression. In this study, we investigated the zinc level in rat hippocampus after exposure to PS and accompanied behavior change. Male SD rats were randomly divided into the control and PS groups. Each group had two subgroups: 7-d group and 14-d group. A communication box was used to produce the PS model in rats. Compared to control group, the PS-treated group showed decreased total zinc levels and increased free zinc levels observed by TSQ staining in hippocampus. Meanwhile, there were significant decreases in mRNA expressions of zinc transporters including ZnT1, ZnT3 and ZIP1 and metallothionein (MT) contents in hippocampus. Moreover, the increased immobility time in forced swim test (FST), lower movement time and total movement distance and longer immobile time in spontaneous activity test were demonstrated in rats after PS exposure. These results suggested that the depression-like behavior in PS-treated rats might be correlated with zinc dyshomeostasis including decreased zinc contents and increased free zinc in hippocampus which was related to changes in zinc transporters and MT expressions.

Pathological study of otitis media with effusion after treatment with intranasal pulmonary surfactant

To evaluate the histopathological effect of intranasal pulmonary surfactant (PS) on the eustachian tube (ET) in guinea pigs with otitis media with effusion (OME). Randomized control trial. Nonviable heat-killed Hemophilus influenzae solution was injected into the tympanum of guinea pigs by a trans-eardrum approach to establish OME. Guinea pigs were divided into four groups: normal controls (group A), untreated OME (group B), saline-treated (group C), PS-treated (group D). The response threshold of the guinea pigs was measured by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The histopathological changes in the osseous, cartilaginous, and muscular portions of the ET were observed systematically by light microscopy. The ABR threshold in OME group B was raised significantly compared with normal group (A). The response in saline-treated group C was not statistically significantly different compared with OME group B. Seven days after intranasal dripping of pulmonary surfactant in PS-treated group D, the response threshold showed at statistically significant decrease compared with OME B and saline-treated C groups. In OME group B and saline-treated group C, mucosa showed swelling with goblet cell hyperplasia, and cilia were irregularly arranged. In PS-treated group D, there was slight mucosal swelling with fewer goblet cells, and cilia were regularly arranged, similar to the normal group A. The findings of the study indicate that intranasal pulmonary surfactant drops have protective and hyposecretory effects on the mucociliary system of the ET in guinea pigs suffering from OME.

Modulatory Effect of Killed Propionibacterium acnes and Its Purified Soluble Polysaccharide on Peritoneal Exudate Cells from C57Bl/6 Mice: Major NKT Cell Recruitment and Increased Cytotoxicity

Propionibacterium acnes has been described as a potent adjuvant to immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Presently, we analysed the modulation of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) by heat-killed P. acnes or its purified soluble polysaccharide (PS), both injected intraperitoneally in C57Bl/6 mice, aiming at their recruitment and cytotoxicity. Both treatments induced an increase in macrophages, immature dendritic cells, B1a lymphocytes and NK1.1(+) CD3(+) cells. The bacterium caused a remarkable increase in a NK1.1(+) CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-) cells subpopulation, whereas the PS component seemed responsible for the recruitment of mainly macrophage cells. To assess P. acnes and PS adjuvant effect on PEC cytotoxicity we evaluated their in vitro effect on murine B16F10 melanoma cells. The effector cells from the heat-killed bacteria and PS-treated groups lysed melanoma cells in co-cultures with PEC. Mice genetically deficient in IFN-gamma, when stimulated with P. acnes or PS, had reduced PEC cytotoxicity, and the cytotoxic effect was completely abrogated in PEC from iNOS(-/-) mice. The tumoricidal activity of PEC from P. acnes-treated mice was mediated by macrophages and NKT cells stimulated with IL-12. In PS-treated mice the cytotoxicity was mediated mainly by macrophages. Moreover, both treatments increased IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by NKT cells. In conclusion, we show that P. acnes act mainly by recruiting and activating NKT double-negative cells in PEC, which were shown to be tumoricidal in vitro when induced by IL-12. Macrophages induced by both P. acnes and PS have their antitumour effect dependent on NO production.

Reproduction of the tundra vole ( Microtus oeconomus) with dietary phytosterol supplement

Phytosterols (PS) are plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity in vitro and beneficial effects on the serum lipid profile in vivo. In nature, PS exposure can derive from pulp mill effluents. The effects of a pulp-mill derived PS mixture on the reproduction, endocrine variables and enzyme activities of the tundra vole ( Microtus oeconomus) were investigated in a two-generation study. The cumulative food intake of PS-treated females was higher than in the control group supporting previous results on the effects of PS on food consumption in rodents. 85% of the PS treated pairs reproduced, but the figure was only 60% for the control pairs. The plasma and testicular testosterone concentrations were lower in the adult PS males, but the PS-treated male offspring had higher testicular testosterone concentrations than their controls. In the female offspring, the liver lipase activity was higher in the PS-treated group, which could be a result of decreased cholesterol absorption in the gut. Chronic PS treatment increased the reproduction probability of the species and had a potential effect on the sex steroid hormones of maturing offspring, which could have applications in environmental monitoring.

Study on the pathogenesis of porcine serum-induced liver fibrosis in rats with special reference to the effects of hypertension.

To investigate the pathogenesis of porcine serum (PS)-induced liver fibrosis in rats, two experiments were carried out, taking into consideration of hypertension and vascular changes. In Experiment I, spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs), two-kidney, one clip hypertensive F344 rats (2K1C rats), and normotensive F344 rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of PS of 0.5 ml twice a week for 8 weeks. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopical examinations were performed on the liver from each rat. Histological features of liver fibrosis in hypertensive and normotensive rats were essentially identical. However, in the PS-treated SHRs, 2 of 5 animals showed the most severe fibrosis in all PS-treated groups. Electron microscopically, degranulated mast cells, eosinophils, and macrophages engulfing apoptotic cells were rarely observed in the late stage of fibrous septa (FS) in the PS-treated SHR liver. In Experiment II with normotensive F344 rats, histopathological features of early FS in the liver were compared with those of late FS observed in Experiment I using serial sections, and we found that FS developed along the wall of newly formed vessels to connect between neighboring central veins. However, the effect of hypertension on this fibrosis could not be clearly demonstrated in the present study using SHRs and 2K1C rats.