Serum Total Triglyceride Levels Research Articles

The efficacy of Makiang tea drinking on serum lipid profile in the treatment of dyslipidaemia: A randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Makiang (MK) tea consumption on the serum lipid profile and oxidative stress biomarkers in participants with dyslipidemia. A randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Phayao Hospital, Thailand. This clinical trial enrolled 64 subjects (males and females), aged between 30 and 65 years with hyperlipidemia who were randomized using simple random sampling, receiving a 12-week MK tea (3 g/250 ml hot water) taken daily or a placebo. Body mass index, lipid profile, and serum oxidative stress markers were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the study. Within-group comparisons revealed that drinking only one cup of MK tea daily caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05 all) of total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Meanwhile, between-group differences showed that serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels significantly decreased (p < 0.05 all), whereas the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were unchanged. This phenomenon was accompanied by decreased serum malondialdehyde and increased endogenous enzymatic defence systems (p < 0.05 all). Thus, MK tea may be useful as an adjunct agent to improve the lipid profile in patients with dyslipidemia.

Antidiabetic Effect of Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) in High‐Fat Diet/Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats

AbstractThis study aims to assess the effect of different doses of Chinese yam (CY) on a high‐fat diet (HFD) and a streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat model, using resistant starch (RS) as a positive control. Rats in the normal control and diabetes model (DM) groups are fed the standard diet and HFD, respectively. The RS and CY‐intervention groups are fed with a special HFD, in which starch, maltodextrin, and sucrose in the HFD are replaced completely with RS or CY powder in different proportions: 33.33% (1/3), 66.67% (2/3), and 100% respectively. The results show that CY powder can decrease serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin, lower abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat index, increase levels of insulin and hepatic glycogen, and improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats. In addition, CY reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and reduces spleen weight and spleen index in diabetic rats. Notably, CY shows higher efficacy than RS in glucose tolerance and serum insulin and nitric oxide levels. This study suggests that CY powder may replace RS as a functional food in diabetic diets.

The effect of purple tea extract activity on selected metabolic syndrome parameters in mice

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities. Prevalence of MetS is documented at 50% and 87.5% in Africa and Kenya respectively. It is managed by combining lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. Although Camellia sinensis TRFK306 has been proven to induce weight loss in mice and humans, its effect on metabolic syndrome is yet to be investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Camellia sinensis TRFK306 extract on MetS induced Sprague Dawley male rats. A total of thirty-five, six-weeks-old rats were acclimatized for one (1) week and randomized into 5 groups (n=7). Metabolic syndrome was induced using high- fat fructose diet for eight (8) weeks. Post-hoc statistical analysis using Tukey’s multiple comparison test was used to analyze the effect of freeze-dried extracts of Camellia Sinensis TRFK306 on various markers of metabolic syndrome. Random blood sugar levels revealed significant differences (p = <0.0001), for experimental animals. Oral glucose tolerance results were significant (p = <0.0001). Total serum triglyceride levels was significant (p = <0.0001). Mean serum HDL-C levels revealed significant differences between the normal control and negative control (p = 0.0009), the negative control and low dose test (p = 0.0023), the negative control and high dose test (p = 0.0025) and the negative control and positive control (p = 0.0014). The mean serum LDL-C levels revealed significant difference (p= <0.0001). Camellia Sinensis TRFK306 possessed significant beneficial effects on various markers of metabolic syndrome.

Lipoprotein and metabolite associations to breast cancer risk in the HUNT2 study.

The aim of this study was to gain an increased understanding of the aetiology of breast cancer, by investigating possible associations between serum lipoprotein subfractions and metabolites and the long-term risk of developing the disease. From a cohort of 65,200 participants within the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT study), we identified all women who developed breast cancer within a 22-year follow-up period. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, 28 metabolites and 89 lipoprotein subfractions were quantified from prediagnostic serum samples of future breast cancer patients and matching controls (n = 1199 case-control pairs). Among premenopausal women (554 cases) 14 lipoprotein subfractions were associated with long-term breast cancer risk. In specific, different subfractions of VLDL particles (in particular VLDL-2, VLDL-3 and VLDL-4) were inversely associated with breast cancer. In addition, inverse associations were detected for total serum triglyceride levels and HDL-4 triglycerides. No significant association was found in postmenopausal women. We identified several associations between lipoprotein subfractions and long-term risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Inverse associations between several VLDL subfractions and breast cancer risk were found, revealing an altered metabolism in the endogenous lipid pathway many years prior to a breast cancer diagnosis.

Clinical Evidence and Potential Mechanisms of Complementary Treatment of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Formula for the Management of Serum Lipids and Obesity.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of Ling Gui Zhu Gan formula (LGZG), a famous TCM formula, for the management of serum lipids and obesity and preliminarily elucidates the bioactive components and the potential mechanism. Methods Cluster analysis was adopted to investigate the TCM herbs and their frequency of occurrence for treating hyperlipidemia and obesity in an academic experience database of Chinese famous TCM doctors (http://www.gjmlzy.com:83). Then, relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about LGZG supplementation in improving lipid levels and obesity were retrieved and analyzed. Lastly, the integration of network pharmacology, as well as greedy algorithms, which are theoretically well founded for the set cover in computer science, was exploited to identify the bioactive components of LGZG and to reveal potential mechanisms for attenuation or reversal of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Results Based on the cluster analysis of 104 cases in TCM academic experience database, four TCM herbs in LGZG showed high-use frequency for treating hyperlipidemia and obesity. Meta-analysis on 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1716 participants indicated that LGZG supplementation significantly decreased the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BMI, and body weight and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with clinical control groups. No serious adverse effect was detected in all studies. Twenty-one bioactive components of LGZG, mainly flavonoids (i.e., naringenin, kaempferol, and kumatakenin), saponins (i.e., hederagenin), and fatty acids (i.e., eicosenoic acid), had the potential benefits possibly by regulating multiple targets such as PTPN1, CYP19A1, and ESR2, as well as a few complex pathways including the TNF signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism, fat digestion, and absorption. Conclusion The present study has proved the clinical value of LGZG as a complementary treatment for attenuation or reversal of hyperlipidemia and obesity. More high-quality clinical and experimental studies in the future are demanded to verify its effects and the precise mechanism of action.

Ellagic acid protects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in streptozotocin-diabetic rats by activating AMPK

Context Ellagic acid (EA) is used in traditional medicine to treated hyperlipidaemia. Objective This study examined if AMPK mediates the anti-steatotic effect of ellagic acid (EA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Materials and methods Adult male Wistar rats (130 ± 10 g) were divided into 6 groups (n = 8 rats/group) as control, control + EA, control + EA + CC an AMPK inhibitor), T1DM, T1DM + EA, and T1DM + EA + CC. The treatments with EA (50 mg/kg/orally) and CC (200 ng/rat/i.p.) were given the desired groups for 12 weeks, daily. Results In T1DM-rats, EA reduced fasting glucose levels (44.8%), increased fasting insulin levels (92.8%), prevented hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased hepatic and serum levels of total triglycerides (54% & 61%), cholesterol (57% & 48%), and free fatty acids (40% & 37%). It also reduced hepatic levels of ROS (62%), MDA (52%), TNF-α (62%), and IL-6 (57.2%) and the nuclear activity of NF-κB p65 (54%) but increased the nuclear activity of Nrf-2 (4-fold) and levels of GSH (107%) and SOD (87%). Besides, EA reduced downregulated SREBP1 (35%), SREBP2 (34%), ACC-1 (36%), FAS (38%), and HMG-CoAR (49%) but stimulated mRNA levels of PPARα (1.7-fold) and CPT1a (1.8-fold), CPT1b (2.9-fold), and p-AMPK (4-fold). All these events were prevented by the co-administration of CC. Discussion and conclusions These findings encourage the use of EA to treat hepatic disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Further in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.

Characterization of Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 isolated from Korean traditional fermented seafood and its blood cholesterol reduction effect in mice

In the present study, the probiotic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici FS2 isolated from Korean traditional food, gajami-sikhae (fermented flounder), and the effect of its oral administration on the reduction in blood cholesterol in mice were investigated. Analysis of probiotics properties, such as acid and bile resistance, antibiotic resistance, cell adhesion, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and enzyme activity, demonstrated that FS2 is a potential probiotic candidate. FS2 showed a high growth rate when isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) were used as a prebiotic. Moreover, an oral administration of the combination of FS2 and IMO to the mice for 5 weeks increased the number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and decreased the levels of serum total triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, the findings of the present study suggest that FS2 is functional and safe as a probiotic and can reduce blood cholesterol levels when taken along with IMO.

Supplementation With Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Reduce Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Modulation of Gut Microbiota.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been proved to prevent obesity and modulate gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms of LBPs’ regulating lipid metabolism remain entirely unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether LBPs are able to modulate the gut microbiota to prevent obesity. The results showed that oral administration of LBPs alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and elevating the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese mice. Furthermore, LBP treatment decreased the number and size of adipocytes in epididymal adipose tissues and downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that LBPs increased the diversity of bacteria, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and improved the gut dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet; for example, LBPs increased the production of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Lacticigenium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Butyricicoccus. LBPs treatment also increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid. These findings illustrate that LBPs might be developed as a potential prebiotic to improve lipid metabolism and intestinal diseases.

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein A1 in Synovial Fluid: Potential Predictors of Disease Severity of Primary Knee Osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to detect levels of common lipid species in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients and investigate their correlations with disease severity. The study enrolled 184 OA patients receiving arthroscopic debridement or total knee arthroplasty and 180 healthy controls between April 2012 and March 2018. Total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels were analyzed in serum and SF of OA patients, and in serum of healthy individuals. The Noyes rating criteria, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system, and Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were, respectively, used to assess cartilage damage, radiographic severity, and symptomatic severity of OA. No significant differences were found in serum TG and ApoB levels between the 2 groups, while OA patients had higher TC and LDL-C levels and lower HDL-C and ApoA1 levels (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed SF HDL-C and ApoA1 levels were negatively correlated with cartilage damage scores, KL grades as well as WOMAC scores (P < 0.05), which were still significant after adjusting for confounding factors (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed SF HDL-C (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.816) and ApoA1 (AUC: 0.793) were also good predictors of advanced-stage OA (P < 0.001). SF HDL-C and ApoA1 levels were negatively correlated with cartilage damage, radiographic severity, and symptomatic severity of primary knee OA, emerging as potential biomarkers for radiographic advanced-stage OA, which may serve as predictors of disease severity.

Impact of Dietary Supplementation with Moringa oleifera Leaves on Performance, Meat Characteristics, Oxidative Stability, and Fatty Acid Profile in Growing Rabbits.

Simple SummaryRabbit meat is mostly preferred by consumers owing to its high nutritive value and potential health benefits. However, rabbit meat is commonly more prone to lipid peroxidation during storage, with negative effects on quality traits of meat, due to its elevated level of unsaturation of fatty acids. Moringa oleifera leaves have gained great interest owing to their high nutritional value and low anti-nutritional factors. Moringa oleifera leaves could possibly avoid oxidation damage and exhibit antioxidant activities that can conquer free radicals and reactive oxygen species synthesis. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of feeding Moringa oleifera leaves on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant capacity, blood biochemical constituents, meat quality, and fatty acids profile of growing rabbits. Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation improved weight gain, feed conversion ratio, antioxidant status, and meat quality characteristics. Dietary Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation enhanced PUFA contents, n-3 fatty acid, crude protein, and color of meat, but lowered the relative content of ether extract of the meat. Our findings suggested that Moringa oleifera could be used at a level of 1.5 g/kg of the growing rabbits’ diets with beneficial impacts on performance and the nutritional value of the meat. Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) have gained great interest as a non-traditional feed ingredient due to their unique nutritional value. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of graded dietary supplementation levels with MOL on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant capacity, blood biochemical constituents, meat quality, and fatty acids profile of growing rabbits. A total of 120 weaned New Zealand white rabbits (6 weeks old) were randomly allotted into 4 dietary groups with 5 replicates each (n = 6), which were fed for 42 days with a basal diet as control or 3 experimental diets supplemented with 5, 10, or 15 g/kg MOL. The results showed that, compared to the control group, the dietary inclusion of MOL at a level of 10 and 15 g/kg DM linearly increased (p < 0.01) final live weight (2403.3 and 2498.2 vs. 2166.6) and average daily weight gain (36.5 and 35.51 g/d vs. 28.72 g/d), and enhanced feed conversion ratio (2.49 and 2.50 vs. 3.14). The dietary supplementation with MOL linearly increased dressing out percentage, spleen index, intestinal length, and decreased abdominal fat index (p < 0.01). Greater serum levels of total protein and globulin, but lower alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed in the MOL-fed rabbits (p < 0.01). Serum levels of total triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05) were decreased linearly and quadratically in the MOL groups compared with the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity increased (p < 0.01), whereas malondialdehyde decreased (p < 0.01) linearly and quadratically in both serum and meat, in response to dietary MOL supplementation. Dietary MOL supplementation increased the meat crude protein content but lowered the relative content of ether extract in the meat (p < 0.05). The relative content of the meat n-3 PUFA was increased by about 33.71%, 29.46%, and 24.36% for the MOL0.5%, MOL1%, and MOL1.5% groups compared to control. In conclusion, MOL could be used at a level of 1.5g/kg of the growing rabbits’ diets with beneficial impacts on performance, antioxidant capacity, and the nutritional value of the meat.

Carya cathayensis leaf extract attenuates ectopic fat deposition in liver, abdomen and aortic arch in ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat diet

BackgroundCarya cathayensis1is a commercially cultivated plant in the Zhejiang Province, China. Its nuts exhibit properties of tonifying kidneys and relieving asthma. There have been a few pharmacological studies addressing the function of the leaves of this plant. Our previous studies on C. cathayensis leaf extract (CCE) showed a significant inhibitory effect on weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet, particularly in female mice. Hypothesis/purposeTo investigate the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of ectopic adipose tissue deposition by CCE in ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat diet. Study designFemale Sprague–Dawley rats were ovariectomized and treated with CCE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight, oral) or estradiol (1 mg/kg body weight, oral) for 8 weeks. MethodsCCE was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify major components. Body weight gain, abdominal fat coefficient, and aortic arch fat coefficient were determined; serum was collected for biochemical analysis; tissues were collected for histopathological examination, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), and western blotting. ResultsThe total flavonoid content was determined to be 57.30% in the CCE and comprised chrysin, cardamomin, pinostrobin chalcone, and pinocembrin. Compared with the model group (OVX), CCE treatment reduced body weight gain, abdominal and aortic arch fat coefficients, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA) levels; decreased lipid droplets in liver cells; decreased fat accumulation in the aortic arch blood vessel wall and increased its smoothness; decreased the diameter of abdominal fat cells; and reduced serum leptin and adiponectin levels significantly. Serum adiponectin levels significantly correlated with serum TG and hepatic TC levels. Leptin levels positively correlated with serum TG levels and negatively correlated with hepatic TG. Leptin mRNA, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) mRNA, and protein expression levels in abdominal adipose tissue were significantly down-regulated. Adiponectin mRNA levels were slightly reduced but not significantly. ConclusionCCE attenuated ectopic fat deposition induced by deficient estrogen and a high-fat diet in rats; this may be associated with activated leptin sensitivity, improved leptin resistance, and regulated adiponectin levels. CCE may improve adipose function to regulate adipocyte differentiation by down-regulating PPARγ. Overall, these results suggest that CCE is a potential phytoestrogen.

Anti‐adipogenesis and metabolism‐regulating effects of heat‐inactivated Streptococcus thermophilus MN‐ZLW‐002

Metabolic syndrome and obesity have become serious threats to public health worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-adipogenesis and metabolism-regulating effects of heat-inactivated Streptococcus thermophilus MN-ZLW-002 (MN-ZLW-002), which can be used as a yogurt starter. In vitro study suggested that MN-ZLW-002 stimulated the RAW264.7 macrophages to produce significant amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and induced intense phosphorylation of P38, p44/42 MAPK and nuclear factor κB. MN-ZLW-002-stimulated RAW264.7-conditioned medium (CM) notably suppressed the differentiation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The 12-week in vivo study suggested that orally administered MN-ZLW-002 significantly reduced the weight gain of mice caused by the high-fat diet (HFD) at weeks 3-8; decreased fasting blood glucose levels at week 4 and week 8; decreased serum total triglyceride level at week 12. MN-ZLW-002 also reduced serum IL-1β and chemokine ligand 3 levels in the HFD-fed mice. These findings suggest that heat-inactivated MN-ZLW-002 can suppress adipocytes differentiation and lipid accumulation by regulating the immune response, possibly via the release of cytokines, particularly TNF-α; MN-ZLW-002 can improve metabolism-related indicators in the early stage of HFD intervention and regulate the related pro-inflammatory immune response.

Amorphous silica nanoparticles accelerated atherosclerotic lesion progression in ApoE\u2212/\u2212 mice through endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated CD36 up-regulation in macrophage

BackgroundThe biosafety concern of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) is rapidly expanding alongside with its mass production and extensive applications. The cardiovascular effects of SiNPs exposure have been gradually confirmed, however, the interaction between SiNPs exposure and atherosclerosis, and the underlying mechanisms still remain unknown. Thereby, this study aimed to explore the effects of SiNPs on the progression of atherosclerosis, and to investigate related mechanisms.ResultsWe firstly investigated the in vivo effects of SiNPs exposure on atherosclerosis via intratracheal instillation of ApoE−/− mice fed a Western diet. Ultrasound microscopy showed a significant increase of pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared to the control group, and the histopathological investigation reflected a greater plaque burden in the aortic root of SiNPs-exposed ApoE−/− mice. Compared to the control group, the serum levels of total triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were elevated after SiNPs exposure. Moreover, intensified macrophage infiltration and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was occurred in plaques after SiNPs exposure, as evidenced by the upregulated CD68 and CHOP expressions. Further in vitro, SiNPs was confirmed to activate ER stress and induce lipid accumulation in mouse macrophage, RAW264.7. Mechanistic analyses showed that 4-PBA (a classic ER stress inhibitor) pretreatment greatly alleviated SiNPs-induced macrophage lipid accumulation, and reversed the elevated CD36 expression induced by SiNPs.ConclusionsOur results firstly revealed the acceleratory effect of SiNPs on the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice, which was related to lipid accumulation caused by ER stress-mediated upregulation of CD36 expression in macrophage.Graphical abstract

Dietary quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) polysaccharides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and modulate gut microbiota

As the high nutritional and functional values of quinoa acknowledged, the increasing researches focus on the bioactivities and related mechanisms of its abundant carbohydrates. Herein, the beneficial effects of the soluble polysaccharide fraction from quinoa was investigated to lower the serum lipid of rats treated by high-fat diet (HFD) and call the disordered gut microbiota back. The polysaccharide faction was firstly extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction technology (yield of 9.65%) and characterized of the monosaccharide composition with glucose and arabinose (1.17:1, molar ratio). And then, the oral administration of quinoa polysaccharide of 300 mg·kg−1·day−1 and 600 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 8 weeks remarkably alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the levels of serum total triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) in rats fed with HFD, as well as the reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of gut microbiota could be disordered by the long term of HFD. Nevertheless, dietary supplementation of quinoa polysaccharide could enhance species richness and regulate the gut microbiota community structure, reducing the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroides, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. Meanwhile, Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed that intake of quinoa polysaccharide decreased the relative abundances of Desulfovibrio and Allobaculum, which were positively correlated with serum lipid profiles and beneficial to lessen intestinal inflammation. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that quinoa polysaccharide supplementation could ameliorate the hyperlipidemia induced by HFD in association with modulating gut microbiota in a positive way.

Retrospective case-control data of serum nitrotyrosine level and clinical biomedical indices in primary glaucoma patients.

From April to December 2017, the case-control data were collected in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University. One hundred primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), one hundred primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and two hundred control participants were consecutively recruited. The serum nitrotyrosine (NT) levels was not significant different in PACG or POAG patients stratified by gender (1,868.17±427.13 nmol/L vs. 1,768.77±410.17 nmol/L, p>0.05; 1,734.04±460.74 vs. 1,696.46±405.73 nmol/L, p>0.05). Serum NT level was not significantly associated with glaucoma severity in either PACG group or POAG group based on mean deviation (MD) (mild, n=30; moderate, n=24; sever, n=19; blinding, n=27, p>0.05, in Table 3 for PACG; mild, n=9; moderate, n=20; sever, n=21; blinding, n=40; p>0.05, in Table 4 for POAG). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of developing PACG were significantly associated with serum total triglyceride (TG) and uric acid (UA) levels (OR=1.638, 95%CI: 1.059-2.531, p=0.026 for TG, OR=0.003, 95%CI: 0-0.461, p=0.024 for UA). Serum TG, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (TB) levels were significantly associated with POAG (OR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.363-2.934, p<0.001 for TG; OR=0.972, 95%CI: 0.949-0.996, p=0.022 for GGT; OR=1.115, 95%CI: 1.042-1.194, p=0.002 for TB). Descriptions of the data are also available in our recent paper published in Nitric Oxide, “Peroxynitrite is a novel risk factor and treatment target of glaucoma” [1].

Protective Role of Loranthus regularis against Liver Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rat Model.

Earlier studies revealed the potential therapeutic values of Loranthus regularis (L. regularis). This study evaluated Loranthus regularis (L. regularis) extract systemic antidiabetic effects and benefits against diabetic hepatocellular injuries through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways using the streptozotocin (STZ) model in Wistar albino rats. After diabetes induction, animals were orally treated with L. regularis extract for 4 weeks. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were estimated. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), caspase-3, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) were estimated in serum. In liver, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the proinflammatory cytokines and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reeducates (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were assayed. Finally, the degree of hepatic tissue damage was evaluated histologically. Treatment of the diabetic rats with L. regularis extract markedly reduced the elevated serum levels of glucose, ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, caspase-3, NO, and PGE-2. L. regularis extract also improved serum levels of insulin and HDL. The elevated TBARS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in hepatic tissue of diabetic animals were reduced by L. regularis. Moreover, L. regularis extract significantly restored the diminished hepatic GSH level and enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GST in diabetic animals. The biochemical protective effects of L. regularis were associated with improved histological hepatocellular integrity and architecture. Taken together, L. regularis has therapeutic effects against diabetic-induced hepatic complications. The restored liver functions and cellular damage might be mediated through free radicals scavenging and proinflammatory cytokine inhibition.

Resistant dextrin reduces obesity and attenuates adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Resistant dextrin (RD), a short chain glucose polymer, has been shown to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical studies. However, the improvement of adipose tissue inflammation and specific mechanisms of RD supplementation in obesity have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we examined whether RD attenuates obesity and adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a chow diet, a HFD or a HFD with RD supplementation for 12 weeks. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG), epididymal fat accumulation, serum total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) were measured. Inflammation markers and macrophage infiltration in epididymal adipose tissue were observed. After 12 weeks of intervention, the body weight gain of mice in RD supplementation group was less than that in HFD group. FBG, epididymal fat accumulation, serum TG and FFA levels were reduced in RD supplementation group compared with HFD group. Moreover, serum and mRNA levels of IL-6 were significantly reduced in the RD supplementation group. In addition, RD supplementation reduced macrophage infiltration, regulated polarization of macrophage and inhibited NF-κB signaling in epididymal adipose tissue. In conclusion, RD reduces obesity and attenuates adipose tissue inflammation in HFD-fed mice, and the inhibition of NF-κB signaling may be a presumed mechanism for its effects.

Dietary supplementation with n-3 high unsaturated fatty acids decreases serum lipid levels and improves flesh quality in the marine teleost golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus

The roles of dietary n-3 high unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in fish as essential fatty acids for normal growth and development have received much attention, especially those in marine carnivorous teleosts. However, their effects on flesh quality and physicochemical properties have seldom been reported. In this study, six isoproteic, isolipidic, and isocaloric diets (D1–D6) containing different levels of n-3 HUFA were prepared. D1 contained 2.30% n-3 HUFA using fish oil as the sole lipid source, while D2–D6 contained 0.64, 1.00, 1.24, 1.73, and 2.10% n-3 HUFA, respectively, using a blend of vegetable oils supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid-, eicosapentaenoic acid-, and arachidonic acid-enriched oils. After the golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) juveniles were fed the diets in sea nets for 8 weeks, their growth performance showed no significant difference among the six dietary groups (P > 0.05). However, serum levels of total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly decreased with increasing dietary n-3 HUFA levels in D2–D6 groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, flesh quality indices, including water holding capacity, gumminess, lipid content, and total antioxidant capacity, were largely improved in the D4 and D5 groups compared with the other groups. The levels of n-3 HUFA in the muscle increased substantially with increasing dietary n-3 HUFA level. Consistent with the increased lipid content, the expression levels of genes related to lipid anabolism, such as fatty acid synthetase (fas), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (acc), fatty acid translocase 36 (cd36), 1-acyl-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 3 (agpat3), and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (pparγ), were significantly up-regulated in muscle of D4 group (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that dietary n-3 HUFA supplementation at 1.24%–1.73% can decrease serum lipid concentration and improve flesh quality in juvenile golden pompano.

The mechanism of Psoralen and Isopsoralen hepatotoxicity as revealed by hepatic gene expression profiling in SD rats.

The main bioactive components of Fructus psoraleae, such as psoralen and isopsoralen, are known to be hepatotoxic. However, its underlying mechanism is to be elucidated. To address this, SD rats were randomly divided into control group, 60mg/kg psoralen group and 60mg/kg isopsoralen group. Blood was collected to detect serum biochemical indices. RNA was extracted from liver samples, and then, cDNA gene expression profiles were analysed. Psoralen administration significantly up-regulated serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase) while addition of isopsoralen increased serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST, TBA (total bile acid) and TG (total triglyceride) levels. A total of 172 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired between psoralen group and control group while 884 DEGs were screened between isopsoralen group and control group. Chemical Carcinogenesis and Metabolism of Xenobiotics by Cytochrome P450 were the two most significantly enriched pathways as revealed by DEGs. Liver was the most impacted organ, and endoplasmic reticulum was the most impacted organelle in subcellular level. Finally, some kinds of cancers and cytochrome p450 oxidoreductase deficiency were predicted. Taken together, psoralen and isopsoralen might cause hepatotoxicity mainly through cytochrome P450 metabolism of xenobiotics. Furthermore, Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, Gstm1 and Akr7a3 worked as key genes in hepatotoxicity. Moreover, endoplasmic reticulum was the main target subcellular structure in hepatotoxicity induced by psoralen and isopsoralen.

Protection by the Total Flavonoids from Rosa laevigata Michx Fruit against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice via Modulation of FXR Signaling.

We previously reported the effects of the total flavonoids (TFs) from Rosa laevigata Michx fruit against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, there have been no papers reporting the role of R. laevigata TFs against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. In this paper, liver injury in mice was induced by LPS, and R. Laevigata extract was intragastrically administered to the mice for 7 days. Biochemical parameters in serum and liver tissue were examined, and pathological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining. The results showed that the TFs markedly reduced serum ALT (alanine transferase), AST (aspartate transaminase), TG (total triglyceride), and TC (total cholesterol) levels and relative liver weights and improved liver pathological changes. In addition, the TFs markedly decreased tissue MDA (malondialdehyde) level and increased the levels of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase). A mechanistic study showed that the TFs significantly increased the expression levels of Nrf2 (nuclear erythroid factor2-related factor 2), HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit), and GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit) and decreased Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) level by activating FXR (farnesoid X receptor) against oxidative stress. Furthermore, the TFs markedly suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) and subsequently decreased the expression levels of IL (interleukin)-1β, IL-6, HMGB-1 (high -mobility group box 1), and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) by activating FXR and FOXO3a (forkhead box O3) against inflammation. Besides, the TFs obviously reduced the expression levels of SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1c), ACC1 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1), FASN (fatty acid synthase), and SCD1 (stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1), and improved CPT1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1) level by activating FXR to regulate lipid metabolism. Our results suggest that TFs exhibited protective effect against LPS-induced liver injury by altering FXR-mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid metabolism, and should be developed as an effective food and healthcare product for the therapy of liver injury in the future.