Total Phospholipids Research Articles

Evaluation of the pharmacological efficiency of the lipid extract from the tunic of the marine hydrobiont Halocynthia aurantium (Pallas, 1774)

It was studied effect of the lipid extract isolated from the tunic of the marine hydrobiont Halocynthia aurantium. It was evaluated its administration during hypothermia, hyperthermia, muscle load and the introduction of hexenal as well as its embryotoxic and teratogenic effects The impact of stress (vertical fixation of rats by the dorsal neck fold) was accompanied by an increase in plasma levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, cholesterol/phospholipid ratios and a decrease in total phospholipids, as well as by a change in the quantitative characteristics of classes of neutral and phospholipid. It was carried out a correction of the developed changes by a lipid extract of ascidia and a commercial reference preparation “Omega-3”. The lipid extract of H. aurantium showed a higher efficiency in restoring the lipid composition of the blood plasma under stress impact compared to the preparation “Omega-3” due to a wider range of neutral and phospholipid classes, polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 and n-6 families. The tunica of ascidian can be used as a raw material for obtaining preparations with stress-protector and lipid-correcting properties.

Balancing act: How cholesterol and phospholipids influence juvenile mud crab Scylla paramamosain growth and lipid metabolism

A 2 × 3 two-factor experiment was designed to assess the effects of dietary cholesterol (CHO) and phospholipids (PLs) on growth and lipid metabolism in early juvenile mud crabs (0.01 g crab−1). The experimental diets were designed with two CHO levels: 0.40 % (LCH) and 0.80 % (HCH), and three PLs levels: 1.80 % (LPL), 2.50 % (MPL), and 3.20 % (HPL). The 58-day aquaculture trial demonstrated that the LCH-HPL group achieved the best growth performance in mud crabs, characterized by the highest final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. Regarding whole-body composition, dietary PLs increased total cholesterol (T-CHO), PLs, triglyceride (TG), and crude lipid content in the LCH groups. Mud crabs in the HCH groups had a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, a lower proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids, and increased gene expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (srebp-1c) and fatty acid synthase (fas) compared to those in the LCH groups. As the dietary PLs increased, mud crabs in the LCH groups exhibited up-regulation in the expression of genes, including srebp-1c, fas, elongation of very long-chain fatty acid protein 4 (elovl4), elovl6, and Δ9-fatty acid desaturase (Δ9-fad). In the HCH groups, elevated dietary PLs resulted in the down-regulation of fatty acid binding protein (fabp) gene expression. In addition, high levels of dietary CHO and PLs (HCH-HPL) inhibited the catalase activity of mud crabs, resulting in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde content. Correlation analysis revealed that dietary CHO was positively correlated with the expression of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids synthesizing genes, and dietary PLs were positively correlated with the whole-body lipid content of mud crabs. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the growth performance and whole-body content of crude protein, crude lipid, and antioxidant capacity in mud crabs.

Berberine and Berberine Nanoparticles Mitigate Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Rats

Abstract Introduction/Objective Berberine (BER) has garnered attention in research for its multifaceted biochemical and pharmacological properties, positioning it as a promising natural remedy. Conversely, scopolamine (SCO) functions as a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, disrupting central cholinergic neurotransmission and impairing learning and short-term memory. Methods/Case Report Forty-two male Wistar rats were procured from the National Research Center in Cairo, Egypt, and allocated randomly into seven groups, each comprising six rats. The groups were as follows: Sham Control (no treatment), BSA Control (received oral administration of 1 ml Bovine Serum Albumin-NP solution daily for 28 days), BRB-NP Control (received oral administration of BRB-NP nanoparticles at 5 mg/kg/day for 28 days), Induced Group (intraperitoneal injection of SCO at 2 mg/kg dissolved in saline once daily for 28 days), BER Treated Group (received BER at 50 mg/kg suspended in saline followed by intraperitoneal injection of SCO at 2 mg/kg after 40 minutes daily for 28 days), BSA Treated Group (received oral administration of 1 ml BSA-NP solution followed by intraperitoneal injection of SCO at 2 mg/kg after 40 minutes daily for 28 days), and BER-NP Treated Group (received oral administration of BER-NP at 5 mg/kg followed by intraperitoneal injection of SCO at 2 mg/kg after 40 minutes daily for 28 days). Whole blood was collected via heart puncture, and brain tissue was promptly extracted for brain homogenate preparation. Routine biochemical assays were conducted on serum and brain samples. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Statistically significant differences were observed among the seven experimental rat groups concerning plasma AST, albumin, total protein, and triglyceride levels, while differences in ALT and total cholesterol were non-significant. Regarding brain parameters, significant differences were noted among groups in total protein, cholesterol, phospholipids, and uric acid levels. Conclusion Treatment with BRB NPs or free berberine led to a progressive increase in brain protein levels and a decrease in cholesterol content (p<0.05). Additionally, SCO administration resulted in a gradual reduction in brain phospholipid content, while treatment with BER NPs, regardless of the rat’s condition, exhibited the highest phospholipid levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, administration of BSA or free BRB improved brain uric acid levels (p<0.05).

Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and multiple sclerosis susceptibility in a US case-control study

BackgroundThere are plausible mechanisms, yet mixed evidence, that higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) levels reduces the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior studies relied on dietary surveys to estimate levels. ObjectiveWe tested associations between plasma levels of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and likelihood of MS onset or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) using data from the MS Sunshine Study, a case-control study conducted in the United States. MethodsCase participants (n = 589) aged ≥ 18 years and matched control participants (n = 630) were recruited between 2011 and 2015. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiling was conducted by gas-liquid chromatography. We used logistic regression to report odds ratios, testing for interactions, adjusting for covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons. ResultsThere was a 6 % lower probability of MS/CIS per unit increase in total n-6 PUFA level, expressed as a percentage of total plasma phospholipid fatty acids (odds ratio = 0.94; 95 % confidence interval = 0.90,0.98; p = 0.012). We found no statistically significant association between individual or total plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs and probability of MS/CIS; however, plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs were low across the cohort. No other individual or aggregate PUFA levels were significantly associated with MS/CIS. ConclusionA higher total n-6 PUFA level may be beneficial in terms of MS susceptibility.Further research is needed to determine whether n-3 PUFAs may be beneficial only above a threshold that is achievable by supplementation.

Ultrafiltered Sweet Buttermilk as Additive Replacer in Ice Cream Production.

Sweet buttermilk, a by-product of butter production, remains highly underutilized despite containing some relevant components (i.e., phospholipids) that may have a high biological value and may exert some positive technological functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using ultrafiltered (UF) sweet buttermilk at different volume reduction ratios (3 and 5) to replace emulsifiers and/or stabilizers in the production of a novel clean-label ice cream formulation made with sweet buttermilk-based mixtures. The functional, thermo-rheological, and sensory profile of four types of ice creams was investigated. Increasing the degree of sweet buttermilk concentration positively influenced the overrun values and at the same time improved the ice cream's resistance to melting. Also, the thermo-rheological profile during melting was influenced by the presence of UF buttermilk. These differences in techno-functional properties were probably partly caused by the different total phospholipids content caused by UF buttermilk. Some sensory properties (i.e., structure, consistency) were positively related to the utilization of UF buttermilk, while aroma and taste were negatively influenced. This study demonstrated that UF buttermilk can be used as an additive replacer in ice cream production because it enhances the structural and rheological properties of the final product.

Sensing Biomolecules Associated with Cells' Radiosusceptibility by Advanced Micro- and Nanospectroscopy Techniques.

Radiotherapy is one of the most common approaches for cancer treatment, especially in the case of peripheral nervous system tumors. As it requires exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, it is important to look for substances that support efficient reduction of the tumor volume with simultaneous prevention of the surrounding noncancerous cells. Cannabidiol (CBD), which exhibits both anticancer and neuroprotective properties, was applied as a potential modulator of radiological response; however, its influence on cells undergoing irradiation remains elusive. Here, we have applied high-resolution optical spectroscopy techniques to capture biomolecules associated with CBD shielding of normal and damaging cancerous cells upon X-ray exposure. Conventional Raman (RS) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies provided semiquantitative information mainly about changes in the concentration of total lipids, DNA, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids in cells. A through assessment of the single cells by atomic force microscopy coupled with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) allowed us to determine not only the alterations in DNA content but also in its conformation due to cell treatment. Pronounced nanoscale changes in cholesteryl ester metabolites, associated with CBD treatment and radiation, were also observed. AFM-IR chemoselective maps of the single cells indicate the modified distribution of cholesteryl esters with 40 nm spatial resolution. Based on the obtained results, we propose a label-free and fast analytical method engaging optical spectroscopy to assess the mechanism of normal and cancerous cell susceptibility to ionizing radiation when pretreated with CBD.

Soy lysolecithin prevents hypertension and cognitive impairment induced in mice by high salt intake by inhibiting intestinal inflammation

High salt (HS) intake induces hypertension and cognitive impairment. Preventive strategies include against dietary supplements. Soybean lecithin is a widely used phospholipid supplement. Lysolecithin is important in cell signaling, digestion, and absorption. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lysophosphatidylcholine containing >70% of the total phospholipids (LPC70), on hypertension and cognitive impairment induced in mice by HS intake. Mice were provided with HS solution (2% NaCl in drinking water) with or without LPC70 for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, cognitive function, and inflammatory response of intestine were determined. Hypertension and impaired object recognition memory induced by HS intake were implicated with increased inducible nitric oxide synthase in the small intestine and tau hyperphosphorylation in the prefrontal cortex. LPC70 treatment prevented cognitive impairment by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase and tau hyperphosphorylation. LPC70 may be valuable as a functional food component in preventing HS-induced cognitive impairment.

Short-term microbial community dynamics induced by 13C-labeled maize root, its derived biochar and NPK in long-term amended soil

Crop residues and their derived biochar are frequently used for their potential to improve grain yield, soil fertility and carbon (C) sequestration. However, the effects of root are often overlooked, and the effects of chemical fertilizer (NPK) combined with root or its biochar on microbial community structure need further study. This study used 13C-labeled maize root, its biochar and soil with different fertilization for 8 years as materials and substrates. A 112-day incubation experiment was conducted to explore the effects of microbial community on the C processing. During incubation, the root-C (54.9%) mineralized significantly more than biochar-C (12.8%), while NPK addition significantly increased the root-C mineralization. Adding biochar alone did not significantly change the microbial community. Compared to the biochar treatment (BC), the root treatment (R) notably increased the contents of total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), 13C-PLFA and the proportion of fungi and Gram-negative bacteria, but reduced the proportion of actinomycetes. The root mineralization was significantly correlated with the relative content of 13C-Gram-positive bacteria and 13C-fungi, while biochar mineralization was significantly correlated with the relative content of 13C-Gram-positive bacteria and 13C-actinomycetes. Notably, NPK addition significantly increased the contribution of biochar-C to PLFA-C pool, while decreasing the contribution of root-C. In summary, due to microbial adaptation to the lack of bioavailable C in biochar-amended soil, biochar can act as a buffer against the significant disturbance caused by NPK to microbial communities and native soil organic carbon (SOC), which contributes to the steady enhancement in soil C storage.Graphical

Comprehensive analysis of phospholipids in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds: Comparison with cashew nuts and almonds

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds have gained increasing attention due to their high nutraceutical value; however, data regarding the phospholipid (PL) profile of this oily seed are scarce. Through the combination of RPLC-MS/MS, HILIC-MS, and Paternò-Büchi photochemical reaction, we comprehensively characterized PLs in three accessions of pumpkin seeds. We identified a total of 183 PL molecular species across eight classes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) represents the most abundant class, followed by phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidic acid (PA). The total PL content is comparable to that of almonds and cashew nuts. In terms of PL structures, pumpkin seeds feature a higher abundance of C18:2-containing PL isomers, a preferential esterification of C18:1 and C18:2 at the sn-2 position as well as a predominant Δ9/Δ9,12 double bond locations for C18:1 and C18:2 respectively. This is the first systematic study on PLs of pumpkin seeds to our knowledge. Our findings add further evidence on the potential value of pumpkin seeds as a functional food or as a source material for making plant-based drink.

Effect of tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate and modified Krebs Ringers broth media on in vitro capacitation of HD-K75 boar spermatozoa at different period of incubation.

In vitro capacitation allows for a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying fertilization and the development of improved reproductive techniques for improving fertility rates in porcine. Tyrodes albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and modified Krebs Ringers Broth (m-KRB) are two medias that are commonly used in research experiments to induce capacitation in boar spermatozoa (Cañón-Beltrán etal., Theriogenology, 198, 2023 and 231; Oberlender etal., Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria, 44, 2012 and 201; Sahoo etal., International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 241, 2023 and 124502). Moreover, understanding the morphological and functional changes in boar spermatozoa at different hours of capacitation periods might aid in the development of novel techniques for improving sperm quality and increasing the litter size. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate and modified Krebs Ringers Broth media on invitro capacitation of HD-K75 boar spermatozoa at three different periods of incubation. A total of 24 ejaculate from four clinically healthy, 10-12 months aged HD-K75 boars, maintained at ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on pig were selected. Semen was collected by 'Simple fist' method using a portable dummy. The semen samples having 200 mL volume, 103 × 106 spermatozoa/ml concentration and 70% initial motility were selected and split into two parts and suspended in TALP and m-KRB media, respectively, and incubated for 5 h at 37°C. Seminal parameters viz. sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity were estimated in the samples at 0, 3 and 5 h of incubation. This study revealed that there was significant variation between media in live acrosome-reacted (p < .05) and HOST-reacted (p < .01) spermatozoa, while between capacitation periods significant (p < .01) variation was observed in hyperactivated spermatozoa, live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, HOST-reacted spermatozoa, FITC-labelled PSA, extracellular protein and sperm cholesterol. Non-significant variation was observed in total phospholipid. TALP showed overall better consequence on sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa. From this study, it could be concluded that both TALP and m-KRB media were virtuous to induce capacitation in HD-K75 boar spermatozoa. TALP media, however, had a better effect on sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa. Out of the three different periods, 3 h capacitation period resulted in significantly (p < .01) higher incidence of sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity in HD-K75 boar spermatozoa.

Soil Microbial Community Structures under Annual and Perennial Crops Treated with Different Nitrogen Fertilization Rates

Perennial bioenergy crops may enhance microbial community structures due to their extensive root system compared to annual crops. However, the long-term effect of perennial bioenergy crops receiving different N fertilization rates on microbial community structures is not well defined. We evaluated the 11-year effect of perennial bioenergy crops with various N fertilization rates as well as an annual crop with the recommended N rate on soil microbial properties in 2019 and 2020 in the US northern Great Plains. Perennial grasses were intermediate wheatgrass, IWG (Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth and Dewey), and switchgrass, SG (Panicum virgatum L.), with N fertilization rates of 0, 28, 56, and 84 kg N ha−1, and the annual crop was spring wheat, WH (Triticum aestivum, L.) with 80 kg N ha−1. The total fungal phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) proportion and fungal/bacterial ratio were significantly lower under annual spring wheat than perennial grass (SG). Increased N fertilization rate linearly increased Gram-positive bacterial PLFA proportions and the Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacterial ratio for IWG in 2020 but decreased the PLFA proportions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for both perennial bioenergy crops in all years. The proportions of AMF neutral lipid fatty acid and Gram-negative bacterial PLFA were greater for SG (0.432 and 0.271, respectively) than IWG (0.339 and 0.258, respectively), but actinomycetes and the Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacterial ratio were greater for IWG (0.160 and 1.532, respectively) compared to SG (0.152 and 1.437, respectively). Microbial community structures varied with perennial bioenergy crops, N fertilization rates, and perennial vs. annual crops. This study showed how perennial crops favored fungal growth and how annual crops enhanced bacterial growth impacting soil biological health.

Preliminary Study on the Restoration of the Phospholipid Profile in Serum from Patients with COVID-19 by Treatment with Vitamin E.

SARS-CoV-2 is an obligatory intracellular pathogen that requires a lipid bilayer membrane for its transport to build its nucleocapsid envelope and fuse with the host cell. The biological membranes are constituted by phospholipids (PLs), and vitamin E (Vit E) protects them from oxidative stress (OS). The aim of this study was to demonstrate if treatment with Vit E restores the modified profile of the FA in PLs in serum from patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We evaluated Vit E, total fatty acids (TFAs), fatty acids of the phospholipids (FAPLs), total phospholipids (TPLs), 8-isoprostane, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostaglandins (PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum from 22 COVID-19 patients before and after treatment with Vit E and compared the values with those from 23 healthy subjects (HSs). COVID-19 patients showed a decrease in Vit E, TPLs, FAPLs, and TFAs in serum in comparison to HSs (p ≤ 0.01), and Vit E treatment restored their levels (p ≤ 0.04). Likewise, there was an increase in IL-6 and CRP in COVID-19 patients in comparison with HSs (p ≤ 0.001), and treatment with Vit E decreased their levels (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with Vit E as monotherapy can contribute to restoring the modified FA profile of the PLs in the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and this leads to a decrease in lipid peroxidation, OS, and the inflammatory process.

Bioactive lipid‐enriched concentrates from squid discards by one‐step and two‐step extractions with non‐halogenated solvents

SummaryThis study focused on the preparation of lipid concentrates with high contents of bioactive molecules. Different one‐step and two‐step extractions with non‐halogenated solvents (hexane, HX; isopropanol, IP) were carried out on Patagonian squid (Doryteuthis gahi) discards. As a first step, HX extractions (one, two or three times) were carried out. The resulting substrates were extracted with IP (two, three or four times). Analysis of lipid extracts included total lipid, phospholipid (PL) and tocopherol values, and fatty acid (FA) profile. HX extractions led to remarkable α‐ and γ‐tocopherol values (ca. 1400 and 23 mg kg−1 lipids, respectively); no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of the number of HX extractions was observed. IP extracts provided high PL values (383–501 mg kg−1 lipids); the highest average values were detected with four IP extractions after three HX extractions. Values obtained for tocopherols and PLs were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those obtained by employing the conventional (chloroform/methanol, 1:1) lipid extraction (ca. 496 and 11 mg kg−1 lipids and 400 g kg−1 lipids, respectively). Range values detected for eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid values and the ω3/ω6 FA ratio were similar to those obtained by the conventional procedure. A valuable procedure is proposed for obtaining PL‐ and tocopherol‐enriched concentrates from marine waste with non‐halogenated solvents.

Study on lipid and fatty acid composition of \(\textit{Thelenota ananas}\) collected from Bai Dong Island, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

The paper studies the lipid and fatty acid composition of the sea cucumber Thelenota ananas collected on Bai Dong Island, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The total lipid content of dry sample weight was relatively high (11.89%). The triacylglycerol TG has the highest concentration in total lipids with a ratio of up to 66.73%; the PL and PI classes do not have a significant difference with the proportions of 13.44 and 11.65% in total lipids. Two classes of sterol ST, hydrocarbon-wax HW and free fatty acid FFA account for a small proportion. The two main classes of phospholipids are PC and PE, with a ratio of 47.10% and 33.29% of total phospholipids. There are 36 fatty acids identified, of which total saturated fatty acids (SFA) account for 41.61%; Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) account for 32.15%, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) account for 25.63%; the main fatty acids are stearic acid (18:0) accounting for 13.15% of the total fatty acids; 16:1n-9 accounts for 14.87%, and 20:5n-3 EPA fatty acids account for 15.3% of the total fatty acids. Among the fatty acids, n-9 (omega 9) accounts for the highest proportion with 25.16%; n-3 fatty acids (omega 3) account for 18.43%; n-6 (omega 6), n-7 (omega 7) fatty acids account for 5.8 and 6.5%, respectively. In this study, the n3/n6 ratio of the sea cucumber sample Thelenota ananas was 3.18%, consistent with the evaluation standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) of n3/n6 ratio ≥ 0.1%. It is classified as a good foodstuff for human health; therefore, it can be considered a source of food that can be used to serve community health care needs.

Lipidomic changes occurring in platelets during extended cold storage.

Cold storage is being implemented as an alternative to conventional room-temperature storage for extending the shelf-life of platelet components beyond 5-7 days. The aim of this study was to characterise the lipid profile of platelets stored under standard room-temperature or cold (refrigerated) conditions. Matched apheresis derived platelet components in 60% PAS-E/40% plasma (n = 8) were stored at room-temperature (20-24°C with agitation) or in the cold (2-6°C without agitation). Platelets were sampled on day 1, 5 and 14. The lipidome was assessed by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography ion mobility quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC IMS QToF). Changes in bioactive lipid mediators were measured by ELISA. The total phospholipid and sphingolipid content of the platelets and supernatant were 44 544 ± 2915 μg/mL and 38 990 ± 10 880 μg/mL, respectively, and was similar over 14 days, regardless of storage temperature. The proportion of the procoagulant lipids, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), increased by 2.7% and 12.2%, respectively, during extended cold storage. Cold storage for 14 days increased sphingomyelin (SM) by 4.1% and decreased ceramide by 1.6% compared to day 1. Further, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) species remained unchanged during cold storage for 14 days. The concentration of 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) were lower in the supernatant of cold-stored platelets than room-temperature controls stored for 14 days. The lipid profile of platelets was relatively unchanged during storage for 5 days, regardless of temperature. However, during extended cold storage (14 days) the proportion of the procoagulant lipids, PS and PE, increased, while LPC and bioactive lipids were stable.

Sea Cucumber Plasmalogen Regulates the Lipid Profile in High-Fat Diet Mouse Liver via Lipophagy.

The sea cucumber plasmalogen PlsEtn has been shown to be associated with various chronic diseases related to lipid metabolism. However, the mechanism is unclear. Therefore, the present study used the sea cucumber plasmanylcholine PakCho as a structural contrast to PlsEtn and assessed its effect in 8 week high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. The lipidomic approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with molecular biology techniques was used to evaluate the mechanism of PlsEtn. The results showed that both PlsEtn and PakCho significantly inhibited an increase in mouse body weight and liver total triglyceride and total cholesterol levels caused by HFD. In addition, oil red O staining demonstrated that lipid droplets stored in the liver were degraded. Meanwhile, untargeted lipidomic experiments revealed that total lipids (increased by 42.8 mmol/mg prot; p < 0.05), triglycerides (increased by 38.9 mmol/mg prot; p < 0.01), sphingolipids (increased by 1.5 mmol/mg prot; p < 0.0001), and phospholipids (increased by 2.5 mmol/mg prot; p < 0.05) were all significantly elevated under HFD. PlsEtn resolved lipid metabolism disorders by alleviating the abnormal expression of lipid subclasses. In addition, five lipid molecular species, PE (18:1/20:4), PE (18:1/20:3), PE (18:1/18:3), TG (16:0/16:0/17:0), and TG (15:0/16:0/18:1), were identified as the biomarkers of HFD-induced lipid metabolism disorders. Finally, lipophagy-associated protein expression analysis showed that HFD abnormally activated lipophagy via ULK1 phosphorylation and PlsEtn alleviated lipophagy disorder through lysosomal function promotion. In addition, PlsEtn performed better than PakCho. Taken together, the current study results unraveled the mechanism of PlsEtn in alleviating lipid metabolism disorder and offered a new theoretical foundation for the high-value development of sea cucumber.

The Effect of Combined Exposure of Fusarium Mycotoxins on Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Defense, Fatty Acid Profile, and Histopathology in Laying Hens' Liver.

Fumonisin B1, T-2 toxin, and deoxynivalenol are frequently detected in feed materials. The mycotoxins induce free radical formation and, thereby, lipid peroxidation. The effects of mycotoxin exposure at the EU recommended limit (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.25 mg/kg; DON = 3AcDON/15-AScDON: 5 mg/kg; fumonisin B1: 20 mg/kg) and double dose (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.5 mg/kg, DON/3-AcDON/15-AcDON: 10 mg, and FB1: 40 mg/kg feed) were investigated during short-term (3 days) per os exposure in the liver of laying hens. On day 1 higher while on day 3 lower MDA concentrations were found in the low-dose group compared to the control. Fatty acid composition also changed: the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids increased (p < 0.05) and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased by day 3. These alterations resulted in a decrease in the index of unsaturation and average fatty acid chain length. Histopathological alterations suggested that the incidence and severity of liver lesions were higher in the mycotoxin-treated laying hens, and the symptoms correlated with the fatty acid profile of total phospholipids. Overall, the findings revealed that mycotoxin exposure, even at the EU-recommended limits, induced lipid peroxidation in the liver, which led to changes in fatty acid composition, matched with tissue damage.

Analysis of exhaled breath condensate in patients with asthma and recurrent wheezing

Wheezing is the most common clinical symptom of bronchial obstructive syndrome. The functions of pulmonary surfactant (PS) depend directly on the level of total phospholipids (TP). This can be used to assess the integrity of the cell membrane structure. Objective. To determine the level of total phospholipids and calcium in exhaled breath condensate in young children with recurrent wheezing and asthma. Materials and methods. The study included 77 patients divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 30 patients (20 girls and 10 boys) with no more than 2 episodes of recurrent wheezing in their lifetime; Group 2 -10 patients (6 boys and 4 girls) with more than 3 episodes of recurrent wheezing, and 37 patients (15 girls, 22 boys) with asthma. The control group consisted of 20 conditionally healthy children (11 girls, 9 boys). All patients were aged from 3 months to 6 years. The determination of phospholipid levels and calcium (Ca) in the exhaled breath condensate was performed in dynamics - during the period of clinical manifestations and remission. Results. The level of phospholipids in the exhaled breath condensate was the highest in patients of all groups at the stage of clinical manifestations compared with the period of remission, while its lowest level was noted in the control group. During the peak of the disease, the level of Ca in the exhaled breath condensate was significantly lower compared to the period of remission. The control group had the highest level. Conclusions. The exhaled breath condensate's high level of phospholipids in the first days of the disease confirms cell damage in the presence of inflammation. Additionally, the exhaled breath condensate's Ca level is lowest during this period, possibly indicating its involvement in cell damage

Effects of the Replacement of Chemical Fertilizers with Organic Fertilizers in Different Proportions on Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities of Soil Aggregates in Gravel-Mulched Field

Gravel-mulched fields are a unique form of drought-resistant agriculture in the northwest region of China. In recent years, continuous cropping obstacles caused by the perennial cultivation of a single crop have seriously constrained the sustainable development of sand fields. This study aimed to explore the distribution patterns of different particle sizes of aggregates (&gt;2, 1–2, 0.25–1, and &lt;0.25 mm) and the relationships between their microbial biomass and enzyme activities under different organic fertilization and to explore the effective measures for improving soil fertility in a gravel-mulched field with an 8-year positioning test. The results indicate that the mass percentage of soil aggregates of ≥1 mm and their mean weight diameter (MWD), microbial biomass (carbon and nitrogen, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and total phospholipid fatty acids), and their related enzyme activities (leucine aminopeptidase, LAP; N-acetyl-β-d-glucosidase, NAG; β-glucosidase, BG; and polyphenol oxidase, PPO) in aggregates of different particle sizes increased with the increase in the proportion of organic fertilizers replacing the N fertilizer. Among them, the organic fertilizer replacing more than 50% of chemical nitrogen fertilizers exerted the most significant effect. With the decrease in agglomerate particle size, the contents of microbial carbon and nitrogen showed a decreasing trend, whereas LAP, NAG, and BG activities followed an increasing trend, and the change in microbial biomass was not obvious. The correlation analysis showed highly significant positive correlations between the MWD of soil aggregates, microbial biomass, and the activities of LAP, NAG, BG, and PPO. Therefore, the replacement of more than 50% of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer was observed to be conducive to promoting the formation of large aggregates in sandy soils and increasing the microbial biomass and enzyme activities in different sizes of aggregates.

Length and saturation of choline plasmalogens alter the aggregation rate of α-synuclein but not the toxicity of amyloid fibrils

Plasmalogens comprise a large fraction of the total phospholipids in plasma membranes. These molecules modulate membrane fluidity, produce inflammatory mediators mitigating effects of metabolic stresses. A growing body of evidence suggests that an onset of Parkinson's disease (PD), a severe neurodegenerative pathology, can be triggered by metabolic changes in plasma membranes. However, the role of plasmalogens in the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn), an expected molecular cause of PD, remains unclear. In this study we examine the effect of choline plasmalogens (CPs), unique phospholipids that have a vinyl ether linkage at the sn-1 position of glycerol, on the aggregation rate of α-syn. We found that the length and saturation of fatty acids (FAs) in CPs change rates of protein aggregation. We also found drastic changes in the morphology of α-syn fibrils formed in the presence of different CPs compared to α-syn fibrils grown in the lipid-free environment. At the same time, we did not observe substantial changes in the secondary structure and toxicity of α-syn fibrils formed in the presence of different CPs. These results indicate that the length and saturation of FAs in CPs present in the plasma membrane can alter α-syn stability and modulate its aggregation properties, which, in turn can accelerate or delay the onset of PD.