The relationship between obesity and the risk of chronic diseases emphasizes the need to decrease excessive body fat. This study explored the anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity mechanisms of gongmi tea and its extract. After staining the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line with Oil red O, the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR), adiponectin, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) were examined via Western blot analysis. A mouse model of obesity was constructed by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) to C57BL/6 male mice. A 6-week oral administration of gongmi tea, or its extract, was performed at a dosage of 200 mg/kg. During the study, the mice's body weight was recorded weekly, while the weight of the epididymal adipose tissue and blood serum composition were measured at the final point of the study. Gongmi tea and its extract proved non-toxic to mice. Excessive body fat accumulation was markedly diminished by gongmi tea, as evidenced by Oil Red O staining. Gongmi tea (300 g/mL) exhibited a significant downregulatory effect on adipogenic transcription factors, exemplified by PPAR, adiponectin, and FABP4. Oral administration of gongmi tea or gongmi so extract, to C57BL/6 mice with HFD-induced obesity, demonstrated a reduction in body weight and epididymal adipose tissue, as indicated by in vivo tests. Gongmi tea and its extract effectively inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells under laboratory conditions, which aligns with the observed in vivo anti-obesity effects in mice induced with high-fat diet obesity.
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that is known for its devastating impact on human lives. Despite this, conventional cancer treatments often produce side effects. Therefore, further exploration into novel chemotherapeutic agents, minimizing side effects, is necessary. Halymenia durvillei, a marine red seaweed, has recently captured interest due to its potential anticancer properties. The study investigated the anticancer activity of the ethyl acetate extract from H. durvillei (HDEA) on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, within the context of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. 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. To determine the influence of HDEA, apoptosis and cell cycle were measured. Using Hoechst 33342, the nuclear morphology was observed, and JC-1 staining served to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential (m). A real-time semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression levels of the PI3K, AKT, and mTOR genes. By means of western blot analysis, the corresponding protein expressions were measured. The treated HT-29 cells displayed a decrease in viability, a finding that stood in stark contrast to the lack of any significant effect on the viability of OUMS-36 cells, as revealed by the results. By reducing the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and cyclin D1, HDEA treatment induced an arrest of HT-29 cells in the G0/G1 phase. Cleaved poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and Bax were upregulated, triggering apoptosis in HDEA-treated HT-29 cells, while simultaneously suppressing Bcl-2 and altering nuclear morphology. In addition, treatment of the HT-29 cells led to autophagy, resulting from the up-regulation of light chain 3-II and beclin-1. In the end, HDEA blocked the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Subsequently, HDEA exhibits anticancer activity against HT-29 cells, as corroborated by apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, which is attributable to its influence on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
The current study explored whether sacha inchi oil (SI) could improve glucose metabolism and alleviate hepatic insulin resistance in a rat model of type 2 diabetes, by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation. To induce diabetes in the rats, a high-fat diet and streptozotocin were employed. Diabetic rats were given 0.5, 1, and 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of SI or 30 mg/kg b.w. of pioglitazone orally daily for the duration of five weeks. Selleck PD98059 Blood and liver tissue were employed to determine insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory state. SI treatment's effect on diabetic rats encompassed amelioration of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance indices, including enhancements in hepatic histological structures in a dose-dependent manner, reflected by diminished serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. SI engendered a considerable improvement in the hepatic oxidative status of diabetic rats by reducing malondialdehyde levels and simultaneously elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as 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. Additionally, SI treatment improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats, as observed through higher insulin receptor substrate-1 and p-Akt protein expression, lower phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 and glucose-6-phosphatase protein expression, and elevated hepatic glycogen content. The investigation's conclusions point to a possible hepatoprotective and insulin-sensitizing role of SI in type 2 diabetic rats, likely achieved, in part, by augmenting insulin signaling pathways, fortifying the body's antioxidant defenses, and mitigating inflammatory responses in the liver.
Patients with dysphagia have their fluid thickness prescribed according to the standards set forth by the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). NDD's nectar- (level 2), honey- (level 3), and pudding-like (level 4) fluids exhibit a direct correlation with the mildly (level 2), moderately (level 3), and extremely (level 4) thick fluids, respectively, in IDDSI. In evaluating thickened drinks produced with a commercial xanthan gum thickener at varying concentrations (0.131%, w/w), this study compared NDD levels to IDDSI levels, utilizing the apparent viscosity (a,50) and residual volume (mL) obtained from the IDDSI syringe flow test. In thickened drinks, the concentration levels of the thickener, progressing from water to orange juice to milk, increased at each IDDSI and NDD stage. The thickener concentration range in thickened milk, when compared to other thickened drinks, demonstrated a slight difference, even at similar NDD and IDDSI levels. 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. Degradation and inflammation of the cartilage matrix are symptoms of OA, brought on by the irreversible effects of wear and tear. In the green macroalgae species Ulva prolifera, polysaccharides, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polyphenols are present, and contribute to its notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. The influence of a 30% prethanol extract of U. prolifera (30% PeUP) on the preservation of cartilage was the subject of this study. Before being exposed to interleukin-1 (10 ng/mL), rat primary chondrocytes were pre-treated with 30% PeUP for 60 minutes. The detection of nitrite, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), collagen type II (Col II), and aggrecan (ACAN) production was accomplished by means of Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 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. 30% PeUP application significantly decreased the levels of nitrite, iNOS, PGE2, COX-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADMATS-4, and ADMATS-5 proteins in interleukin (IL)-1-stimulated chondrocytes. Besides, a 30% reduction in PeUP curtailed the IL-1-mediated degradation of Col II and ACAN. Selleck PD98059 Additionally, there was a 30% reduction in IL-1-induced MAPK phosphorylation with PeUP. Consequently, 30% PeUP demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for hindering 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. In our study, FC supplementation was associated with improved antioxidant enzyme activities and a modification of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6. This was attributed to a decrease in the protein expressions of pro-inflammatory factors IB, p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 in in vitro and in vivo models subjected to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. In addition, FC elevated hyaluronic acid, sphingomyelin, and skin hydration through the modulation of mRNA expression for hyaluronic acid synthases 13, serine palmitoyltransferase 1, delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1, and the protein expression of ceramide synthase 4, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, and -9. In the context of both in vitro and in vivo UV-B irradiation, FC demonstrably decreased the protein expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Fos, c-Jun, and MMP pathways, and concurrently increased the protein expression of transforming growth factor- receptor I, collagen type I, procollagen type I, and small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog pathways. Selleck PD98059 FC's application presents a promising avenue for addressing UV-B-related skin photoaging, by ameliorating skin dehydration and wrinkle formation, a result of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.