Obesity's role in elevating the risk of chronic diseases necessitates the reduction of excessive body fat. Gongmi tea and its extract were evaluated in this study, focusing on their potential impact on adipogenesis and obesity reduction. Oil red O staining of the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line was performed, followed by Western blot analysis to evaluate the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR), adiponectin, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). A high-fat diet (HFD) was employed to induce obesity in C57BL/6 male mice, creating a relevant mouse model. Orally administered gongmi tea or gongmi extract, at a dose of 200 mg/kg, was given for a duration of six weeks. A weekly assessment of the mouse's body weight was conducted during the study, followed by the determination of epididymal adipose tissue weight and blood serum composition at the end of the study period. Gongmi tea and its extract proved non-toxic to mice. Oil Red O staining indicated a significant reduction in excess body fat accumulation resulting from gongmi tea consumption. Gongmi tea (300 g/mL) notably reduced the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, such as PPAR, adiponectin, and FABP4. The in vivo effect of oral gongmi tea or gongmi so extract on C57BL/6 mice with HFD-induced obesity was measured and revealed a decrease in both body weight and epididymal adipose tissue. Gongmi tea, along with its concentrated extract, displays a strong anti-adipogenic effect on 3T3-L1 cells, and this effect is also observed in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity, showing a potent anti-obesity effect.
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that is known for its devastating impact on human lives. Yet, conventional treatments for cancer can still produce side effects. In consequence, the quest for novel chemotherapeutic agents with mitigated side effects remains a primary focus. The anticancer potential of Halymenia durvillei, a marine red seaweed, is a recently explored area of research. An investigation into the anticancer effects of ethyl acetate extract of H. durvillei (HDEA) on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, focusing on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, was conducted in this study. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was applied to determine the viability of HDEA-treated HT-29 and OUMS-36 cells. The study sought to determine HDEA's effect on apoptotic pathways and cell cycle progression. The nuclear morphology was visualized with Hoechst 33342, and JC-1 staining was used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential (m). Gene expression levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were determined via a real-time semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. Western blot analysis served as the method for assessing the corresponding protein expressions. The observed result illustrated a decrease in the viability of HT-29 cells after treatment, which was in stark contrast to the non-significant change in OUMS-36 cell viability. The down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and cyclin D1 within HDEA-treated HT-29 cells caused their containment in the G0/G1 phase. HDEA treatment induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells, marked by the upregulation of cleaved poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and Bax, resulting in a suppressed Bcl-2 level and altered nuclear morphology. The HT-29 cells, following treatment, exhibited autophagy, as indicated by the upregulation of light chain 3-II and beclin-1. At last, HDEA suppressed the production of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. HDEA, through its regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, is shown to have an anticancer effect on HT-29 cells, specifically inducing apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest.
This research aimed to determine if sacha inchi oil (SI) could help alleviate hepatic insulin resistance and improve glucose homeostasis in a type 2 diabetic rat model, by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. The model was created by subjecting rats to a high-fat diet, combined with streptozotocin, to induce diabetes. For five weeks, a daily oral treatment protocol was implemented on diabetic rats, administering either 0.5, 1, or 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of SI, or 30 mg/kg b.w. of pioglitazone. Selleck FDW028 Blood and liver tissue were employed to determine insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory state. Diabetic rats treated with escalating doses of SI displayed attenuation of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance indices, coupled with improvements in hepatic histopathology, correlated with lower serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations. SI substantially decreased the hepatic oxidative stress in diabetic rats, achieved by hindering malondialdehyde production and bolstering the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, notably tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, in the livers of the diabetic rats, were substantially lowered by the SI. Importantly, SI treatment further enhanced hepatic insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats, as demonstrated by increased expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 and p-Akt protein, decreased expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 and glucose-6-phosphatase protein, and augmented hepatic glycogen. Substantial evidence from this study proposes that SI potentially promotes hepatic insulin sensitivity and enhances glucose management in diabetic rats. This benefit likely arises from improved insulin signaling, reinforced antioxidant protection, and mitigated inflammatory reactions.
Fluid thickness for dysphagia patients is assessed and defined by the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). The NDD's nectar-, honey-, and pudding-like fluids, categorized at levels 2, 3, and 4 respectively, align with the mildly-, moderately-, and extremely-thick fluids of IDDSI, corresponding to the same levels. Employing the IDDSI syringe flow test, this study examined the correlation between NDD levels and IDDSI levels by assessing apparent viscosity (a,50) and residual volume (mL) of thickened drinks made with a commercial xanthan gum thickener at various concentrations (0.131%, w/w). Across different IDDSI and NDD categories for thickened drinks, the thickener concentration demonstrated an ascending trend, starting with water, then moving to orange juice, and finally culminating in milk. There was a subtle difference in the range of thickener concentration for thickened milk, when considering products within the same NDD and IDDSI levels as other thickened beverages. The thickener concentrations in thickened beverages, used to categorize nutritional needs (NDD and IDDSI levels), exhibited variations dependent on the drink type, and these disparities were substantial. These findings could aid in the practical clinical application of the IDDSI flow test, enabling a better understanding of reliable thickness levels.
In the elderly, osteoarthritis, a degenerative disorder, predominantly manifests in those 65 years old and beyond. OA is characterized by the destructive process of inflammation and decomposition within the cartilage matrix, stemming from irreversible wear and tear. Within the green macroalgae species Ulva prolifera, a significant presence of polysaccharides, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polyphenols is observed, resulting in its observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. This study investigated the effect of a 30% prethanol extract of U. prolifera (30% PeUP) on cartilage health. Prior to interleukin-1 (10 ng/mL) stimulation, rat primary chondrocytes were treated with 30% PeUP for one hour. Using Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the production of nitrite, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), collagen type II (Col II), and aggrecan (ACAN) was ascertained. Western blot analysis was utilized to determine the expression levels of various proteins, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin (ADAMTS)-4, ADAMTS-5, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) like extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38. Following interleukin (IL)-1 stimulation, chondrocytes treated with 30% PeUP showed a substantial decrease in the expression of nitrite, iNOS, PGE2, COX-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADMATS-4, and ADMATS-5. Moreover, a 30 percent reduction of PeUP impeded the IL-1-driven breakdown of Col II and ACAN. Selleck FDW028 Correspondingly, 30% of the PeUP group showed inhibited IL-1-stimulated MAPK phosphorylation. Therefore, 30% PeUP possesses potential as a therapeutic remedy to slow down the advancement of osteoarthritis.
To evaluate the protective properties of low molecular weight fish collagen peptides (FC) from Oreochromis niloticus, this study examined their effect on skin in photoaging mimic models. Our observations indicated that supplementing with FC boosted antioxidant enzyme activities and controlled pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, by reducing the protein expression of pro-inflammatory factors IB, p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 in both UV-B irradiated in vitro and in vivo systems. FC's impact on hyaluronic acid, sphingomyelin, and skin hydration was accomplished by regulating the mRNA expression of hyaluronic acid synthases 13, serine palmitoyltransferase 1, delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1 and the protein expressions of ceramide synthase 4, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, and -9. Exposure to UV-B radiation in vitro and in vivo led FC to decrease the protein expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Fos, c-Jun, and MMP pathways while increasing that of transforming growth factor- receptor I, collagen type I, procollagen type I, and small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog pathways. Selleck FDW028 Our findings indicate that FC may effectively mitigate UV-B-induced skin photoaging by enhancing skin hydration and reducing wrinkle development, leveraging its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities.