Sea Cucumber Stichopus Japonicus Research Articles

Effects of sulfated fucan from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus on natural killer cell activation and cytotoxicity

The aqueous crude sulfated fucan (SF) from Stichopus japonicus was extracted and fractionated using anion-exchange chromatography to obtain four fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4) and to investigate their NK cell activation and cytotoxicity. The most potent NK cell cytotoxicity (45% at 250μg/mL) against HeLa cells was observed by F1 treatment, on the other hand, F3 and F4 treatment exhibited strong NK cell cytotoxicity (31–34% at 250μg/mL) against HepG2 and HT-29 cells. The SF treatment enhanced the activation of NK cells through the mRNA expression of IFN-γ, an activating receptor (NKp30), lysing proteins (perforin and granzyme-B) as well as a death ligand (FasL). However, the treatment of the SF derivatives, deproteinated-F1 and desulfated-F3 (DP-F1 and DS-F3), markedly lowered the levels of NK cell cytotoxicity and mRNA expression of the activating factors, suggesting that the protein and sulfate were pivotal for the interaction between the SF and NK cells. The antibody neutralization test revealed that complement receptor-3 (CR3) may be a critical receptor involved in NK cell activation by the SF.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ТРЕПАНГА КАК ЦЕННОГО ОБЪЕКТА АКВАКУЛЬТУРЫ ДЛЯ ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ ФИЗИОЛОГИЧЕСКИ ПОЛЕЗНЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ

The relevance of the study is determined by the development of the fishing industry and, as a result, aquaculture farms in the Far East of the Russian Federation. Far Eastern sea cucumber (tre-pang) is considered as one of the objects of aquaculture, which is of a great demand in the market of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The aim of the work is to substantiate the expedi-ency of obtaining food products for healthy nutrition from the Far Eastern sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus). The paper presents the assessment results of the physical, chemical, biological and microbiological properties of sea cucumbers grown in the North-ern bay of Khasansky district of Primorsky Krai. The mass com-position of cucumbers produced in the spring and autumn periods is given. In addition to the general chemical composition, the con-tent of such physiologically valuable substances as triterpene gly-cosides, aminosugar (glucosamine, galactosamine) in the sea cu-cumber's muscle tissues was studied. The high biological potency of these components makes it possible to assign the Far Eastern sea cucumber to valuable biological objects. In general, the results of experimental studies on the evaluation of the mass, chemical composition and safety parameters of the Far Eastern sea cu-cumber confirm the expediency of obtaining physiologically useful food products from it.

Structural and biochemical changes in dermis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) during autolysis in response to cutting the body wall

The autolysis of sea cucumber body wall is caused by endogenous proteolysis of its structural elements. However, changes in collagen fibrils, collagen fibres and microfibrils, the major structural elements in sea cucumber body wall during autolysis are less clear. Autolysis of sea cucumber (S. japonicus) was induced by cutting the body wall, and the structural and biochemical changes in its dermis were investigated using electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and chemical analysis. During autolysis, both collagen fibres and microfibrils gradually degraded. In contrast, damage to microfibrils was more pronounced. Upon massive autolysis, collagen fibres disaggregated into collagen fibril bundles and individual fibrils due to the fracture of interfibrillar bridges. Meanwhile, excessive unfolding of collagen fibrils occurred. However, there was only slight damage to collagen monomers. Therefore, structural damage in collagen fibres, collagen fibrils and microfibrils rather than monomeric collagen accounts for autolysis of S. japonicus dermis.

Characterization of sea cucumber (stichopus japonicus) ovum hydrolysates: calcium chelation, solubility and absorption into intestinal epithelial cells.

Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) ovum hydrolysates (SCOHs) chelated with calcium were produced to investigate the characteristics of calcium binding and solubility, as well as to study any effects on calcium absorption by human intestinal epithelial cells. The results of the present study show that the calcium-binding capacity of SCOHs depended greatly on the type of proteases. The maximum level of Ca binding (0.38 mmol L-1 ) occurred when trypsin was used, with a peptide yield of 85.7%. Investigation of the possible chelating modes between SCOHs and calcium ions indicated that calcium ions bound to SCOHs primarily via interactions with carboxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen atoms of Glu and Asp and also that the phosphoserine residues might be also responsible for SCOH-calcium chelation. Moreover, SCOH-calcium complexes maintained the solubility of calcium under simulated gastrointestinal digestion, regardless of the presence of dietary components such as oxalate. Furthermore, SCOH-Ca led to higher peak intracellular [Ca2+ ]i in both Caco-2 cells (338.3 nmol L-1 versus 269.6 nmol L-1 ) and HT-29 cells (373.9 nmol L-1 versus 271.7 nmol L-1 ) than casein phosphopeptide-Ca. Carboxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen atoms in the SCOHs could bind calcium ions, forming SCOH-calcium complexes. These complexes improved calcium solubility under simulated gastrointestinal digestion and also promoted calcium absorption in Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-fatigue activity of sea cucumber peptides prepared from Stichopus japonicus in an endurance swimming rat model.

Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is a well-known nutritious and luxurious seafood in Asia which has attracted increasing attention because of its nutrition and bioactivities in recent years. In this study, the anti-fatigue activity of sea cucumber peptides (SCP) prepared from S. japonicus was evaluated in a load-induced endurance swimming model. The SCP prepared in this study was mainly made up of low-molecular-weight peptides (<2 kDa). The analysis result of amino acid composition revealed that SCP was rich in glycine, glutamic acid and proline. The endurance capability of rats to fatigue was significantly improved by SCP treatment. Meanwhile, the remarkable alterations of energy metabolic markers, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress biomarkers were normalized. Moreover, administration of SCP could modulate alterations of inflammatory cytokines and downregulate the overexpression of TRL4 and NF-κB. SCP has anti-fatigue activity and it exerted its anti-fatigue effect probably through normalizing energy metabolism as well as alleviating oxidative damage and inflammatory responses. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

수화 시의 형태학적 특징에 따른 건해삼의 등급 분류 시스템 개발

수화 시의 형태학적 특징에 따른 건해삼의 등급 분류 시스템 개발

Effects of endogenous cysteine proteinases on structures of collagen fibres from dermis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)

Autolysis of sea cucumber, caused by endogenous enzymes, leads to postharvest quality deterioration of sea cucumber. However, the effects of endogenous proteinases on structures of collagen fibres, the major biologically relevant substrates in the body wall of sea cucumber, are less clear. Collagen fibres were prepared from the dermis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), and the structural consequences of degradation of the collagen fibres caused by endogenous cysteine proteinases (ECP) from Stichopus japonicus were examined. Scanning electron microscopic images showed that ECP caused partial disaggregation of collagen fibres into collagen fibrils by disrupting interfibrillar proteoglycan bridges. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed increased structural disorder of fibrillar collagen caused by ECP. SDS-PAGE and chemical analysis indicated that ECP can liberate glycosaminoglycan, hydroxyproline and collagen fragments from collagen fibres. Thus ECP can cause disintegration of collagen fibres by degrading interfibrillar proteoglycan bridges.

Contributions of molecular size, charge distribution, and specific amino acids to the iron-binding capacity of sea cucumber ( Stichopus japonicus ) ovum hydrolysates

This study investigated the contributions of molecular size, charge distribution and specific amino acids to the iron-binding capacity of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) ovum hydrolysates (SCOHs), and further explored their iron-binding sites. It was demonstrated that enzyme type and degree of hydrolysis (DH) significantly influenced the iron-binding capacity of the SCOHs. The SCOHs produced by alcalase at a DH of 25.9% possessed the highest iron-binding capacity at 92.1%. As the hydrolysis time increased, the molecular size of the SCOHs decreased, the negative charges increased, and the hydrophilic amino acids were exposed to the surface, facilitating iron binding. Furthermore, the Fourier transform infrared spectra, combined with amino acid composition analysis, revealed that iron bound to the SCOHs primarily through interactions with carboxyl oxygen of Asp, guanidine nitrogen of Arg or nitrogen atoms in imidazole group of His. The formed SCOHs-iron complexes exhibited a fold and crystal structure with spherical particles.

Characterization of proteolysis in muscle tissues of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus.

The proteolysis in muscle tissues of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus (sjMTs) was characterized. The proteins from sjMTs were primarily myosin heavy chains (MHCs), paramyosin (Pm), and actin (Ac) having a molecular mass of approximately 200, 98, and 42 kDa, respectively. Based on SDS-PAGE analysis and quantification of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptides released, degradation of muscle proteins from sjMTs was favorable at pH 5 and 50°C. Proteolysis of MHCs was mostly inhibited by cysteine protease inhibitors, including trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucyl-amido (4-guanidino) butane (E-64) and antipain (AP). E-64 and AP completely inhibited the degradation of Pm and Ac, while iodoacetic acid showed a partially inhibitory effect. These results indicated that the proteolysis of sjMTs was mainly attributed to cysteine proteases. Avoidance of setting the tissues at 40-50°C and slightly acidic condition and inhibition of cysteine proteases are helpful for decreasing sea cucumber autolysis.

Unfolding/Refolding Study on Collagen from Sea Cucumber Based on 2D Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

We aimed to explore the differences of thermal behaviors between insoluble collagen fibrils (ICFs) and pepsin-solubilized collagens (PSCs) from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus. The unfolding/refolding sequences of secondary structures of ICFs and PSCs during the heating and cooling cycle (5 → 70 → 5 °C) were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry combined with curve-fitting and 2D correlation techniques. ICFs showed a higher proportion of α-helical structures and higher thermostability than PSCs, and thus had more-stable triple helical structures. The sequences of changes affecting the secondary structures during heating were essentially the same between ICFs and PSCs. In all cases, α-helix structure was the most important conformation and it disappeared to form a β-sheet structure. In the cooling cycle, ICFs showed a partially refolding ability, and the proportion of β-sheet structure rose before the increasing proportion of α-helix structure. PSCs did not obviously refold during the cooling stage.

Dietary Cerebroside from Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus): Absorption and Effects on Skin Barrier and Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

Sphingolipids from marine sources have attracted more attention recently because of their distinctive structures and expected functions. In this study, the content and components of cerebroside from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus were analyzed. The absorption of cerebroside from S.japonicus was investigated with an in vivo lipid absorption assay. The result revealed that S.japonicus is a rich source of cerebroside that contained considerable amounts of odd carbon chain sphingoid bases. The cumulative recoveries of d17:1- and d19:2-containing cerebrosides were 0.31 ± 0.16 and 0.32 ± 0.10%, respectively, for 24 h after administration. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first work that shows sphingolipids from a marine source could be absorbed in vivo and incorporated into ceramides. In addition, dietary supplementation with sea cucumber cerebroside to hairless mouse improved the skin barrier function and increased short-chain fatty acids in cecal contents, which have shown beneficial effects on the host.

Changes in Body Wall of Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) during a two-Step Heating Process Assessed by Rheology, LF-NMR, and Texture Profile Analysis

Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is regarded as a highly priced delicacy in Japan and China owing to its unique elasticity and palatability. Heating is an essential step to process sea cucumber with desired texture. In the present study, sea cucumber body wall was pre-heated at 40 °C, followed by post-heating at 80 °C. Changes in body wall were assessed by rheology, LF-NMR, and texture profile analysis. The small strain rheological analysis indicated that there were significant structural changes of body wall at about 40 °C during pre-heating. Large strain texture profile analysis and the storage modulus showed a good correlation. LF-NMR analysis displayed only one water population in samples pre-heated at 40 °C for up to 120 min, and the population did not change significantly with the heating duration. This demonstrated that structural changes and moisture loss from the inter collagen fibrils were not significant. As for samples post-heated at 80 °C, three distinct peaks were found and the T 2 relaxation time and area of the bulk water decreased significantly, revealing significant changes of internal structures and loss of water-holding capacity. T 2 parameters had a good correlation to texture profile analysis parameters for samples after both pre-heating and post-heating.

Changes in collagenous tissue microstructures and distributions of cathepsin L in body wall of autolytic sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)

The autolysis of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) was induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and the changes of microstructures of collagenous tissues and distributions of cathepsin L were investigated using histological and histochemical techniques. Intact collagen fibers in fresh S. japonicus dermis were disaggregated into collagen fibrils after UV stimuli. Cathepsin L was identified inside the surface of vacuoles in the fresh S. japonicus dermis cells. After the UV stimuli, the membranes of vacuoles and cells were fused together, and cathepsin L was released from cells and diffused into tissues. The density of cathepsin L was positively correlated with the speed and degree of autolysis in different layers of body wall. Our results revealed that lysosomal cathepsin L was released from cells in response to UV stimuli, which contacts and degrades the extracellular substrates such as collagen fibers, and thus participates in the autolysis of S. japonicus.

Apoptosis induction is involved in UVA-induced autolysis in sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus

Autolysis easily happens to sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus, S. japonicus) for external stimulus like UV exposure causing heavy economic losses. Therefore, it is meaningful to reveal the mechanism of S. japonicas autolysis. In the present study, to examine the involvement of apoptosis induction in UVA-induced autolysis of S. japonicas, we investigated the biochemical events including the DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation and free radical formation. Substantial morphological changes such as intestine vomiting and dermatolysis were observed in S. japonicus during the incubation after 1-h UVA irradiation (10W/m2). The degradation of the structural proteins and enhancement of cathepsin L activity were also detected, suggesting the profound impact of proteolysis caused by the UVA irradiation even for 1h. Furthermore, the DNA fragmentation and specific activity of caspase-3 was increased up to 12h after UVA irradiation. The levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphorylated c-Jun.-N-terminal kinase (JNK) were significantly increased by the UVA irradiation for 1h. An electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis revealed that UVA enhanced the free radical formation in S. japonicas, even through we could not identify the attributed species. These results suggest that UVA-induced autolysis in S. japonicas at least partially involves the oxidative stress-sensitive apoptosis induction pathway. These data present a novel insight into the mechanisms of sea cucumber autolysis induced by external stress.

Neuroprotective effect of sulfated polysaccharide isolated from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus on 6-OHDA-induced death in SH-SY5Y through inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB and activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

The purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanism of the sulfated polysaccharide (SJP) isolated from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that SJP could protect SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced cell injury. We found that SJP effectively improves cell viability, decreases LDH leakage, and reverses morphological damage. Moreover, SJP significantly increases SOD activity but decreases MDA levels and ROS generation. Effect of SJP on 6-OHDA-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells is associated with an arrest in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle and inhibits the expression of Cyclin D3. 6-OHDA-induced intracellular generation of ROS and mitochondrial dysfunctions, release of cytochrome c, imbalance of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio, and p-p53 activation were strikingly attenuated by SJP pretreatment. Meanwhile, SJP counteracted NF-κB activation, thereby preventing up-regulation of iNOS and intracellular NO release. The data provide the first evidence that SJP protects SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA toxicity possibly by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB and activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Thus, SJP is a candidate for further evaluation of its protective effects against neurodegeneration in PD.

Analysis of Apoptosis in Ultraviolet-Induced Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) Melting Using Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl-Transferase-Mediated dUTP Nick End-Labeling Assay and Cleaved Caspase-3 Immunohistochemistry.

The sea cucumber body wall melting phenomenon occurs under certain circumstances, and the mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear. This study investigated the apoptosis in the ultraviolet (UV)-induced sea cucumber melting phenomenon. Fresh sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus) were exposed to UV radiation for half an hour at an intensity of 0.056 mW/cm(2) and then held at room temperature for melting development. The samples were histologically processed into formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. The apoptosis of samples was analyzed with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. The emergence of TUNEL-positive cells speeds up between 0.5 and 2 h after UV irradiation. Cleaved caspase-3 positive cells were obviously detected in sample tissues immediately after the UV irradiation. These results demonstrated that sea cucumber melting induced by UV irradiation was triggered by the activation of caspase-3 followed by DNA fragmentation in sea cucumber tissue, which was attributed to apoptosis but was not a consequence of autolysis activity.

홍해삼(Stichopus japonicus) 치삼의 성장 및 면역증강을 위한 면역증강사료첨가제의 개발

The juvenile red variant of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is distributed worldwide. It is a valuable food source in Korea, China, and Japan. Major issues in farming the juvenile red variant sea cucumber include growth rates and disease resistance. In recent years, studies have focused on feed additives to enhance immune system and health. In this study, we used a common diet (CD), a nutritional diet (ND; mixed nutritional supplements), and an immunity diet (ID; mixed probiotics, spirulina, and levan) and compared the growth rates and immunity of juvenile red variant sea cucumbers fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. The growth and survival rates in the ID group were significantly increased (P>0.05). This suggests that the feed additives positively influenced immunity and growth in the ID group. However, the immune activity was exhibit a stabilizing effect, and further investigation of immune effects is required.

Proximate composition and nutritional quality of deep sea growth sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus) from different origins.

Deep sea growth sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) (DSG-SC) is considered a most nutritious and luxurious seafood in Asia. This study compared the proximate composition and nutritional quality of collagen, polysaccharides, amino acids (AAs) and fatty acids (FAs) in DSG-SCs from different origins. The contents of protein, ash, carbohydrate, fat, collagen, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), total amino acids (TAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), fucose and uronic acid differed among the origins. DSG-SC of Dalian origin had lower contents of ash, fat, uronic acid, TAAs and EAAs but higher contents of protein, collagen, PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and fucose compared with the other origins. DSG-SCs had a higher proportion of PUFAs and were richer in polysaccharides than other seafood. Glutamate and glycine were the dominant AAs, while leucine and threonine were the most abundant EAAs. DSG-SCs are a good source of collagen, polysaccharides (especially fucose), EAAs (especially leucine and threonine) and PUFAs (especially EPA and DHA). Dalian seems to be a promising origin to produce high-value sea cucumber with high PUFA, fucose, collagen and protein contents. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

ROS production in homogenate from the body wall of sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus under UVA irradiation: ESR spin-trapping study

Sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus (S. japonicus) shows a strong ability of autolysis, which leads to severe deterioration in sea cucumber quality during processing and storage. In this study, to further characterize the mechanism of sea cucumber autolysis, hydroxyl radical production induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation was investigated. Homogenate from the body wall of S. japonicas was prepared and subjected to UVA irradiation at room temperature. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectra of the treated samples were subsequently recorded. The results showed that hydroxyl radicals (OH) became more abundant while the time of UVA treatment and the homogenate concentration were increased. Addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, EDTA, desferal, NaN3 and D2O to the homogenate samples led to different degrees of inhibition on OH production. Metal cations and pH also showed different effects on OH production. These results indicated that OH was produced in the homogenate with a possible pathway as follows: O2−→H2O2→OH, suggesting that OH might be a critical factor in UVA-induced S. japonicus autolysis.

Sulfated Polysaccharide Isolated from the Sea Cucumber Stichopus japonicus Against PC12 Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury by Inhibition of the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

In this report, the sulfated polysaccharide (SJP) isolated from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus can protect PC12 from Na2S2O4-induced hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. SJP effectively improves cell viability and reduces extracellular LDH release in PC12 cells after H/R. Moreover, SJP significantly increases SOD activity but decreases MDA levels. Our experiments showed that SJP could significantly reduce cell apoptosis caused by H/R. Our current results demonstrate that SJP suppressed the activation of MAPKs, resulting in a significant decrease in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, p53 phosphorylation, and cytochrome c release in a concentration-dependent manner. MAPK is closely related to H/R injury. SJP inhibited JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation but did not affect the increased ERK1/2 expression. These results suggested that JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways could be involved in SJP-mediated attenuation of PC12 H/R injury. SJP prevented PC12 H/R injury in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that SJP may be developed as a candidate drug to prevent or treat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.