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Quercetin has a wide range of biological properties. The gut microflora can often modulate its biological activity and their potential health effects. There still is a lack of information about gut bacteria involving in this process. The strains of gut microbes from human feces that can transform quercetin were isolated and identified by in vitro fermentation. The results showed that Escherichia coli, Stretococcus lutetiensis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Weissella confusa, Enterococcus gilvus, Clostridium perfringens and Bacteroides fragilis have the various ability of degrading quercetin. Among them, C. perfringens and B. fragilis were discovered to have the strongest ability of degrading quercetin. Additionally, quercetin can't inhibit the growth of C. perfringens. In conclusion, many species of gut microbiota can degrade quercetin, but their ability are different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Part of quercetin flows into the colon after escaping the absorption of the small intestine and will be degraded by colonic microbiota. The catabolites in the colon partially determine the physiological activity of quercetin. Methods: Seven gut bacteria isolated from human feces were utilized to in vitro ferment quercetin. Their catabolites were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the antioxidant activities of their fermented broths were compared with that of quercetin. Results: One metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, was produced by both C. perfringens and B. fragilis transforming quercetin. No other metabolites were detected in the other fermented broths. The antioxidant activities of all strains fermenting quercetin reached the highest values at the concentration of 1 mg/mL quercetin in broth; the fermented products of C. perfringens and B. fragilis presented stronger activities than those of other strains at most concentrations of quercetin in broth. Additionally, all of the fermented broths presented a decline of the antioxidant activities compared to quercetin. Therefore, the antioxidant activity of quercetin will be lost when it reaches the human colon because of the gut bacterial fermentation. Conclusions: This is the first study to report that quercetin can be degraded by C. perfringens and B. fragilis and transformed to the same metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and that antioxidant activities decline when quercetin is fermented by seven gut bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing scientific view that the improvement of cancer by nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) is mediated by intestinal microbiota. Intestinal bacteria affect the supply of methyl donor substances and influence N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation. As one of the epigenetic/epitranscriptomic modifications, m6A RNA methylation is closely related to the initiation and progression of cancers. This review summarizes the cancer-improving effects of NSPs through modulation of intestinal microbiota. It also summarizes the relationship between intestinal bacteria and the supply of methyl donor substances. Moreover, it also provides a summary of the effects of m6A RNA methylation on various types of cancer. The proposed mechanism is that, dietary consumed NSPs are utilized by specific intestinal bacteria and further reshape the microbial structure. Methyl donor substances will be directly or indirectly generated by the reshaped-microbiota, and affect the m6A RNA methylation of cancer-related and pro-carcinogenic inflammatory cytokine genes. Therefore, NSPs may change the m6A RNA methylation by affecting the methyl donor supply produced by intestinal microbiota and ameliorate cancer. This review discussed the possibility of cancer improvement of bioactive NSPs achieved by impacting RNA methylation via the intestinal microbiota, and it will offer new insights for the application of NSPs toward specific cancer prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: β‐Glucans are widely sourced and have various physiological effects, including anti‐inflammatory effects. However, the strength of the anti‐inflammatory activity of β‐glucans from different sources remains unknown due to the lack of rapid and effective biomarkers. This study therefore aimed to screen out the β‐glucans with strong anti‐inflammatory activity from five different sources and to further screen out possible biomarkers in metabolites after fermenting the β‐glucans with gut microorganisms. RESULTS: The results showed that all five β‐glucans inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced pro‐inflammatory mediators and suppressed the mRNA expression level of TLR4/MyD88. Their anti‐inflammatory mechanisms involved the inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppression of mRNA expression of the NF‐κB pathway and JNK pathway. Among them, barley β‐glucan exhibited the strongest anti‐inflammatory effect, followed by Ganoderma lucidum β‐glucan. Enhanced anti‐inflammatory activity of β‐glucan was found after fermentation and may be related to the increased abundance of metabolites such as vanillin, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, caffeic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid. They were strongly positively correlated to the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Blautia, suggesting that the production of those metabolites may be responsible for the flourishing of the beneficial bacteria. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, barley was a preferred raw material for the preparation of β‐glucans with strong anti‐inflammatory activity. Vanillin, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, caffeic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid were the possible biomarkers that could be utilized to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of β‐glucans. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease affected patients' quality of life severely. Our previous study found Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) alleviated RA, but it remains unknown whether gut microbiota is necessary for the alleviation. Here, RA models were established in rats with microbiota and rats treated by antibiotic cocktail, and LBP was applied for the intervention on rats. The biochemical test, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolome analysis were applied to analyze the effects of LBP on gut microbiota, their metabolites and hosts. Results showed the LBP intervention improved RA by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 only in rats with microbiota, but not in pseudo-germ-free rats. The abundance of specific bacteria, including Romboutsia , Lactobacillus , Turicibacter , Clostridium _ sensu _ stricto _ 1 , Faecalibacterium and Adlercreutzia , and several metabolites, including O -desmethylangolensin, 3-hydroxydodecanedioic acid, N-formyl-L-methionine, suberic acid, (S)-oleuropeic acid, prolyl-histidine, 13,14-dihydro PGF-1a, (R)-pelletierine and short-chain fatty acids increased only in RA rats with microbiota after the intervention. Our results suggest that intestinal bacteria are necessary for LBP alleviating RA alleviation. The fermentation metabolite acts on the host instead of LBP itself, which may be the reason for the improvement of RA. [Display omitted] • Lycium barbarum polysaccharide intervention relieved rheumatoid arthritis (RA). • Intestinal bacteria were necessary for the RA alleviation. • Specific bacteria were strongly positively correlated to metabolites' production. • Metabolites from these bacteria were responsible for RA improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to investigate the reactivity of hydroxymethylfurfural ( HMF) with selected amino acids, to identify the produced adducts and to clarify whether or not the adducts release HMF after their digestion under gastric conditions. Results showed that cysteine, glycine and lysine can deplete the added HMF, and their reactivity increased with increasing pH and temperature. Cysteine (25 μmol mL−1) depleted 91.0% of the added HMF (315.3 μg mL−1) at 40 °C in 15 min, lysine did not eliminate HMF until 80 °C, and glycine started to eliminate HMF at 100 °C. Four adducts for cysteine, three adducts for lysine and only one adduct for glycine were identified through HPLC- MS- MS after they reacted with HMF. The adducts formed from the reaction mixture of cysteine, lysine and glycine with HMF only released 1.7%, 2.6% and 10.5% of eliminated HMF, respectively, after their digestion in simulated gastric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide that can lead to serious injury and death. Although polysaccharides are widely recognized as having antitumor activity, there has been little research on the role of barley polysaccharides (BP) 1 1 BP: barley polysaccharides. in colorectal cancer. The results of our research suggest that BP (300 mg/kg) had a significant inhibitory effect on colorectal cancer, and this effect was achieved through two pathways. First, BP can directly promote the secretion of protective metabolites like 5-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione and 2,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile thereby inhibiting the cancer pathways such as ERK, PI3K, WNT, JAK-STAT, Calcium, and Cell cycle cancer pathways to alleviate inflammation. Second, BP also can enrich beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Colidextribacter , Bilophila , and UCG-003 improve the intestinal barrier, promote the production of beneficial metabolites such as 5,8-Epoxy-5,8-dihydro-3-hydroxy-8′-apo-b,y-carotenal and L-Glutamic acid, and thus inhibit cancer pathways such as ERK, PI3K, Nuclear receptor, Cell cycle, Apoptosis and TGF-β. In conclusion, our findings suggest for the first time that BP can alleviate colorectal cancer by two relatively independent pathways: direct action and indirect action via the gut microbiota on both colon tumor cells and microbiota. [Display omitted] • Barley polysaccharides can alleviate colorectal cancer by two pathways. • Pseudo-germ-free mouse model to explore the direct inhibitory on colorectal cancer. • Enrich beneficial bacteria and indirectly improve the intestinal barrier. • Directly promotes the secretion of protective metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aging causes decreased antioxidant capacity and chronic inflammation and may even elevate cancer risks. Previous studies reported that flaxseed oil (FO) can alleviate age‐related diseases, including improving alcoholic liver disease, atherosclerosis and diabetes. However, whether the intestinal microbiota accountable for this alleviation is still unknown. This study aims to study the antioxidant effects of FO in an aging rat model and the underlying mechanism between the intestinal microbiota and aging. RESULTS: Our results presented that serum and liver antioxidant capacities in FO group were up‐regulated, and liver inflammation in FO group was reduced. The 16S rDNA sequencing showed that FO regulated the microbial community, including up‐regulation of four families of Lactobacillus and six families of Clostridium. In addition, FO had also adjusted the relative abundance of several genera such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐005 and Prevotella_9, which may be the key bacteria associated with the aging process. Colonic transcriptome analysis showed that there were 1679 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Model group and the FO group (134 up‐regulated and 1545 down‐regulated). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed FO down‐regulates the expression of the upstream genes Ptprc, Lck, Zap70, Lat and Lcp2 in the T cell receptor signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, FO improved antioxidant capacity and reduced intestinal microbial disturbances caused by aging damage, indicating that dietary FO has the potential to fight aging damage. This study provides a more comprehensive view of dietary intervention to improve aging. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) is a common urology disease. Our previous research found Poria cocos polysaccharides (PPs) alleviated CNP and suggested the effect was related to gut bacteria. We investigated the crucial bacteria and their metabolites responsible for the anti-CNP effect to discover possible mechanisms. The results showed that after the fermentation of PPs by human fecal microbiota, Parabacteroides , Fusicatenibacter , and Parasutterella were significantly enriched. Haloperidol glucuronide and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid generated by these bacteria could be responsible for the increased expression of Alox15 and Pla2g2f and the reduced expression of Cyp1a1 and Hsd17b7 in colon epithelium. The ratio of dihydrotestosterone to estradiol in serum was regulated, and CNP was alleviated. Our results suggested that Parabacteroides , Fusicatenibacter , and Parasutterella could be the essential bacteria in CNP alleviation and their metabolites of PPs 7-ketodeoxycholic acid and haloperidol glucuronide could be the signal molecules of the "gut-prostate axis". [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with a high incidence. Recent studies have demonstrated that diet can contribute to the development and progression of RA. Indeed, non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) were known to be related to the improvement of RA. In this study, the collagen-induced rats were administrated with Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) at 200 mg/kg (L), 400 mg/kg (M), or 800 mg/kg (H). Results showed that ASP could reduce joint swelling and significantly inhibit anti-CII-antibodies and pro-inflammatory factors in RA, H group showed the best treatment among them. Further analysis using 16S rDNA sequencing suggested that ASP could shape the gut microbiota composition. Several key bacteria, including norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014 , Lactobacillus , norank_f__Oscillospiraceae, and norank_f__Desulfovibrionaceae , were found to be related to the development of RA. The colonic transcriptome showed that ASP could restore RA-induced intestinal dysfunction, such as tight junction disarrangement, by upregulating Cldn5. The balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts might be modified by regulating the expression of Slit3 and Rgs18 to alleviate RA, which may be correlated with gut microbiota. Our results suggested that ASP improved RA by regulating gut microbiota and gene expression, revealing a positive relationship between dietary patterns and RA. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finasteride is an antiandrogenic drug used for the clinical treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP). Recently, we reported the anti-CNP activity of Poria cocos polysaccharides (PPs) in a rat model. In this study, we compared the differences between PPs and finasteride in treating CNP, especially their effects on the gut microbiota. Results showed that both PPs and finasteride significantly reduced the prostate weight and prostate index of CNP rats, and improved the histological damages in the inflamed prostate. Moreover, PPs and finasteride inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-8) and androgens (dihydrotestosterone and testosterone). By 16S rDNA sequencing, PPs and finasteride were found to reprogram the gut microbiota into distinct profiles. Further analysis presented that PPs but not finasteride recovered CNP-induced changes in the gut microbiota, including Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group , uncultured bacterium f Ruminococcaceae , Ruminiclostridium 9 , Phascolarctobacterium , Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002 and Oribacterium. LDA effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed that PPs recovered the gut microbiota by targeting Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group. Our results suggested that PPs alleviated CNP via different mechanisms from finasteride, especially by regulating the gut microbiota, which offers therapeutic target for the treatment of CNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease. Our previous research found flaxseed polysaccharide (FP) has an anti-obesity effect, and its anti-obesity effect possibly depends on Clostridium leptum (C. leptum). However, whether the strain takes the role and how it works is still being determined. Here, FP was fermented in vitro by C. leptum and its metabolites were analyzed. Subsequently, the FP fermentation broth of C. leptum (FPF) was given to the obese pseudo sterile rats. The results showed FPF was rich in various metabolites, among which the top ten in relative expression abundance were 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholestenoate, 7,8-dihydro-3b,6a-dihydroxy-alpha-ionol 9-glucoside, Valyl-Serine, 2-amino-4-[(2-hydroxy-1-oxopropyl)amino]butanoic acid, Agavoside B, glycylproline, lycopersiconolide, armillaritin, Isoleucyl-Hydroxyproline and norethindrone acetate. After intervention with FPF, the weight, abdominal fat ratio, and total fat ratio of rats were significantly reduced and the lipid metabolism of them has been improved. This effect may be achieved by up regulating glucagon-like peptide-1 and adiponectin and further activating the AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. This is the first experimental proof that FP exerts its anti-obesity effects through metabolites from C. leptum fermenting FP, not FP itself and the bacterial cells (debris) of C. leptum. It is also the first demonstration that FPF has a significant anti-obesity effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taisui, a special substance occasionally found in China, can now be artificially cultured. In order to evaluate the safety of an artificially cultured Taisui (acTS) and develop it into fermented, functional food or oral liquid, the macronutrients, trace elements, microbial community, and extracellular metabolites of Taisui have been investigated in this study. Results showed that the concentrations of total carbohydrates, protein, fat, total ash, and moisture of wet acTS were 2.13 g/100 g, 0.13 g/100 g, 0.07 g/100 g, 0.04 g/100 g, and 88.3%, respectively. The concentrations of top three trace elements of K, Ca, and P, are 1,424.92 mg/kg, 159.96 mg/kg, and 67.89 mg/kg, respectively. Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of bacteria, archaea, and fungi, respectively. Uncultured_bacterium_f_Anaerolineaceae, Alcaligenes, and Ochrobactrum were the three most abundant genera of bacteria; Methanosaeta, Methanosphaera, and Natronomonas, the most abundant genera of archaea; Zygosaccharomyces, Mortierella, and Fusarium, the most abundant genera of fungi. There were 311 metabolites increased in acTS. Most of the metabolites are beneficial to human. These metabolites can be contributed to microbes in acTS. In conclusion, acTS is not a good source of macronutrients and of trace elements, while the safeness of some microorganisms in acTS is also unknown. Nevertheless, it still provides some probiotics and beneficial metabolites for human. It is thus possible to develop acTS into foods when the safety of each microorganism is proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucin 2 (MUC2) is the skeleton of colonic mucus that comprises the physical intestinal barrier. Different dietary polysaccharides may affect colonic mucus at different extents. The effect of pectin on MUC2 production is contradictory. To investigate whether and how pectin affected hosts' colonic mucus, the amount of MUC2 in colon, the cecal, mucosal microbiota, and metabolites profiles were analyzed and compared with inulin. The results showed pectin stimulated the production of MUC2 at a similar level to inulin. Both interventions increased the abundance of cecal Lachnospira and Christensenellaceae_R‐7_group, and enhanced the production of specific metabolites including soyasapogenol B 24‐O‐b‐d‐glucoside, lucyoside Q, trans‐EKODE‐(E)‐Ib, and 1,26‐dicaffeoylhexacosanediol. Additionally, pectin increased the relative abundance (RA) of cecal Lactobacillus, and induced less RA of potentially harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter in mucosal microbiota than inulin. In conclusion, we first reported that pectin and inulin stimulated the mucus formation at a similar level. Two genera of cecal bacteria and four metabolites may play an important role in enhancing the production of MUC2. Moreover, the MUC2 production may be unrelated to several traditional health‐beneficial bacteria; pectin possibly performed as good as or better than the inulin in rats' gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current dietary recommendations for disease prevention and management are scarce and are not well supported. Beta‐glucan or quercetin in a diet can alleviate colorectal cancer (CRC) by regulating the gut microbiota and related genes, but the effects of alternating their consumption for routine ingestion during CRC occurrence remain unknown. This study investigated the effects of alternating the consumption of β‐glucan and quercetin for routine ingestion on CRC development in mice. The mortality rate, colonic length, inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota, and colonic epithelial gene expression in healthy and CRC mice that consumed normal and alternate diets were compared and studied. The results showed that alternating the consumption of β‐glucan and quercetin (alternating among a β‐glucan diet, a normal diet and a normal diet that was supplemented with quercetin) alleviated colon damage and reduced the mortality rate in CRC mice, with a reduction in mortality of 12.5%. Alternating the consumption of β‐glucan and quercetin significantly decreased the TNF‐α level, increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides, and downregulated three genes (Hmgcs2, Fabp2, and Gpt) that are associated with inflammation and cancer. Alternating the consumption of some bioactive compounds, such as β‐glucan and quercetin, in food can contribute to human health. This experiment provided some experimental evidence for the dietary recommendations for disease prevention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diet of traditional Asian is similar to the Mediterranean that was considered as a healthy dietary pattern. The report was scarce on whether different plant‐derived components with similar anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory function such as quercetin and alliin in traditional Asian diet consumed in an alternate style cooperatively affect health including the growth of host and the status of the gut microbiota and colonic epithelial immunity. In the present study, the effects of alternate consumption of quercetin and alliin on host health judging by the profile of gut microbiota and gene expression of colonic epithelial cells were investigated with the Illumina MiSeq sequencing (16S rRNA genes) and Illumina HiSeq (RNA‐seq) technique, respectively. The results showed that the alternate consumption significantly increased the rat body weight and reshaped the gut microbiota composition. At the phylum level, it significantly increased the relative abundance of fecal Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria but decreased that of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05) and increased the relative abundance of Candidatus Arthromitus, Lactococcus, Geobacillus, and Ruminococcus at the genus level that benefits the host's health. The alternate consumption of quercetin and alliin also altered 13 genes expression involved in the KEGG pathways of complement and coagulation cascades and hematopoietic cell lineage to improve the gut immunity. Therefore, the alternate consumption of quercetin and alliin in traditional Asian diet can contribute beneficial metabolic effects by optimizing gut microbiota and altering the immunologic function of colonic epithelial cells, resulting in its potential to improve the sub‐health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specialty of gastroenterology will be affected profoundly by the ability to modify the gastrointestinal microbiota through the use of antibiotics. This study investigated the in vivo effect of roxithromycin on gut bacteria and gene expression of colonic epithelial cells (CECs) using microbial 16S rDNA and colonic epithelial cell RNA sequencing, respectively. The results showed that roxithromycin distinctly lowered the microbial diversity in both the small intestine and cecum and altered the compositions of bacteria at both the phylum and genus levels, including the reduction of some bacteria beneficial to the hosts’ health. Eight decreased and 8 increased genera in the small intestine and 17 decreased and 4 increased genera of bacteria in the cecum were most affected by roxithromycin consumption. This consumption further altered the CECs’ expression of multiple genes. Thirty-one genes, which were significantly enriched in seven KEGG pathways and related to immune response, wound healing, and fibrosis, were significantly affected. Roxithromycin ingestion in healthy hosts, therefore, might lead to some undesirable consequences via affecting hosts’ gut microbiota and CECs. Our work offers a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of consuming roxithromycin on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for addition to baked goods. This work investigated the effect of FOs on the formation of endogenous contaminants, antioxidant properties, appearance and texture of biscuits. FOs inhibited the formation of fluorescent AGEs (advanced glycation end-products), protein oxidation products, and dicarbonyl compounds in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of 10 mg/g FOs decreased the levels of fluorescent AGEs, dityrosine, kynurenine, N ′-formylkynurenine, 3-deoxyglucosone, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal by 80%, 97%, 56%, 86%, 46%, 54% and 62%, respectively. FOs might inhibit the formation of α-dicarbonyl compounds, protein oxidative products and fluorescent AGEs by enhancing antioxidant capacity and releasing ferulic acid in baked biscuits. However, FOs increased the browning and hardness of biscuits in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the fortification of FOs should be carefully considered based on both the expected health promoting properties and the organoleptic profile of biscuit products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the variations in structure of waxy and normal maize starches modified by heat-moisture treatment (HMT) for different treating time (3 h and 9 h) were investigated. HMT caused the destruction of starch granules. The 1 H NMR confirmed that glycosidic bonds were broken during HMT. The 13 C NMR result suggested that HMT caused the transformation of starch granules from double and single helical components into amorphous components. Heat-moisture treated starches exhibited higher gelatinization temperature ( T o, T p and T c), narrower gelatinization temperature range ( T c- T o) and lower gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). HMT caused the rearrangement of starch molecules, degeneration of double helices and formation of new single helix. In addition, in vitro digestibility assessment indicated that the contents of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) were improved and resistant starch (RS) was reduced after HMT, which was related to the decrease of single and double helical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension had relation to angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activity and inflammation. In our previous research, sardine peptides (SP) with ACE inhibitory activity were prepared. However, the combinative effect of SP and quercetin (QC) on hypertension alleviation was still unknown. In the present study, the antihypertensive effect of SP and QC was discovered and the optimal proportion of SP and QC (v/v = 8:2, with 20.00 mg/mL of SP and 12.99 μg/mL of QC for their original concentrations) was screened on ACE activity inhibition in vitro . And the in vivo experiment supported it by indicating that the mixture reduced the systolic blood pressure, heart, left ventricular and kidney weight and their corresponding indices, serum ACE activity, angiotensin-II (ANG-II) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (in high dose) concentration in SHR rats. Besides, the mixture also lowers NO, TNF-α andinterleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration significantly in vitro . Hence, the combinative effect of SP and QC in optimal proportion had stronger inhibition on ACE activity than SP or QC alone, and could alleviate hypertension through inhibition of ACE activity and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native waxy maize starch was treated at a moisture content of 30% by microwave irradiation for 5 min, 10 min and 20 min, respectively. The molecular structure and physical properties of waxy maize starch were characterized. Compared with native maize starch, lower population of short chains of amylopectin (A chain), higher proportion of short B 1 and long B 2 and B 3 were observed in irradiated starches. 1 H NMR data showed that α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages were destroyed more easily than α-(1,4) glycosidic linkages during microwave treatment. A increase in gelatinization temperatures and a decrease in the molecular weight, the relative crystallinity, ΔH, viscosities and syneresis were observed after microwave treatment. Gelatinization temperatures were positively correlated with long chains B 3 with DP > 36, while ΔH and syneresis were negatively correlated with them. The extent of the changes induced by microwave treatment for different times revealed that the major degradation occurred in internal chain (amorphous region) at the first stage (microwave treatment for 5 min), the external chain (crystalline region) mostly destroyed at the second stage (microwave treatment for above 10 min). The foregoing data indicated that the molecular structure of amylopectin is a critical factor determining physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tons of grape pomace which still contained a rich amount of plant polyphenols, is discarded after winemaking. Plant polyphenols have multi-functional activities for human body. In this study, polyphenols of pomaces from Muscadinia rotundifolia 'Noble' and Vitis vinifera 'Cabernet Sauvignon' were extracted and fractionated, and then they were analyzed with LC-MS and the inhibitory effects on breast cancer cells were compared. The inhibition on MDA-MB-231 cells of fractions from 'Noble' was further evaluated. The results showed that polyphenols from 2 grape pomaces could be separated into 3 fractions, and ellagic acid and/or ellagitannins were only detected in fractions from 'Noble' pomace. All 3 fractions from 'Noble' pomace inhibited MDA-MB-231 better than MCF-7. But fraction 2 from 'Cabernet Sauvignon' inhibited MCF-7 better while fraction 1 and fraction 3 inhibited both 2 cells similarly. Moreover, the fractions from 'Noble' pomace rather than 'Cabernet Sauvignon' can inhibit MDA-MB-231 better. Finally, fractions from 'Noble' pomace can induce S-phase arrest and apoptosis on MDA-MB-231. These findings suggested the extracts from grape pomace especially those from 'Noble,' are potential to be utilized as health beneficial products or even anti-breast cancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, an antihypertensive protein hydrolysate was prepared from sardine. This study aimed to investigate the composition of sardine protein hydrolysate (SPH) and it's in vivo antihypertensive effect. SPH was separated sequentially with ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography. Fractions with high angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity were further analyzed with RP-HPLC and amino acids analysis. Then, SPH was individually oral administrated to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive wistar kyoto rats (WKY) for 4 wk. After treatment, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), organ index, oxidative status, serum ACE activity, and serum angiotensin-II (ANG-II) of all the rats were determined. According to the separation and analysis results, 3 main fractions with high ACE-inhibitory activity were obtained with different amino acids composition. The animal experiments results showed that SPH could significantly reduce SBP ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) within 4 h after a single oral administration. After a chronic oral administration, a steady state of SBP in SHR rats was attained. The heart weight index and left ventricular weight index were significantly reduced ( P < 0.05) in SPH-treated SHR rats. The malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels in organs and serum, serum ACE activity, and serum ANG-II concentration in SPH-treated SHR rats were significantly lowered ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) as compared to their controls. Meanwhile there was no significant effect ( P > 0.05) on those parameters in WKY rats. These results indicate that SPH can decrease blood pressure in SHR rats and not in WKY rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of flavonoids has been discussed on the relative viability of bacterial groups in human microbiota. This study was aimed to compare the modulation of various flavonoids, including quercetin, catechin and puerarin, on gut microbiota culture in vitro, and analyze the interactions between bacterial species using fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) as carbon source under the stress of flavonoids. Three plant flavonoids, quercetin, catechin, and puerarin, were added into multispecies culture to ferment for 24 h, respectively. The bacterial 16S rDNA amplicons were sequenced, and the composition of microbiota community was analyzed. The results revealed that the tested flavonoids, quercetin, catechin, and puerarin, presented different activities of regulating gut microbiota; flavonoid aglycones, but not glycosides, may inhibit growth of certain species. Quercetin and catechin shaped unique biological webs. Bifidobacterium spp. was the center of the biological web constructed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ionic liquid microemulsion composed of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis ((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide ([Omim]NTf, an ionic liquid), water, surfactant 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Cmim]Br, an ionic liquid), and cosurfactant n-butyl alcohol was prepared in our study. Pseudo-ternary phase diagram, conductivity measurement, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis identified the microregion of microemulsion and confirmed the formation of water-in-ionic liquid (W/IL) region. Starch nanoparticles were prepared in the W/IL microemulsion with epichlorohydrin as cross-linker. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characterized the structure of starch nanoparticles and demonstrated that cross-linking reaction happened among starch molecules. Scanning electron microscopy intuitively revealed that starch nanoparticles were spherical granules with smooth surface and fine dispersibility. Also, starch nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 93.2 nm and relatively concentrated size distribution were confirmed by DLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic acid, is a potential therapy for diabetes mellitus. FA has been shown to protect against hepatic and myocardial injury and oxidative stress in obese rats with late-stage diabetes, but the mechanism of the antioxidative activity of FA is still unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate whether FA can prevent damage to cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes caused by high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress and whether the protection effects of FA on these cells are related to the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways. Design: Cells were divided into four groups: a control group (cultured with normal medium), an HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose), an FA+HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose and 1, 5, or 10 µ/g/mL FA), and a dimethylbiguanide (DMBG) + HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose and 50 µg/mL DMBG). Results: FA treatment significantly increased cell viability and significantly decreased cell apoptosis compared with the HG-treated group. Moreover, FA down-regulated the expression of Keap1 protein and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 protein and gene transcription of HO-1 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: FA alleviated the HG-induced oxidative stress and decreased cell apoptosis in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. These effects were associated with the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) has been reported to increase Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations in animal and human gut. Hence, it has been utilized to regulate the balance of gut microbiota. In this study, we compared the effects of high-FOS (HFOS) diet on normal and obese rats' gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, with high-soybean-fibers (HSF) diet as control. The results showed that the level of Bifidobacterium population substantially increased at week 4 in groups of rats fed the HFOS diet ( P < 0.05), but significantly reduced to a small level at week 8 ( P < 0.05); the abundance of Lactobacillus was increased in normal rats ( P < 0.05), but decreased in obese rats ( P < 0.05). The HSF diet did not promote the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in rats' gut. The findings suggested that Bifidobacterium population could not be maintained at a high level when the rats continuously ingested the HFOS diet for 8 wk; additionally, Lactobacillus population could adapt to a relatively stable level with the consumption of HFOS diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metabolites of flaxseed polysaccharide inhibited energy intake and adipogenesis. • Metabolites inhibited glucose uptake by downregulating expressions of SGLT1 and GLUT2. • Metabolites inhibited adipogenesis by downregulating PPARγ, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ. • Metabolites at physiological concentration showed the most significant effect. Obesity and its related metabolic disorders have been a global pandemic. Recently, we found an anti-obesity effect of flaxseed polysaccharide (FP) that could be achieved by regulating intestinal microbiota. The anti-obesity effect of FP is mainly attributed to the metabolites produced by the interaction with FP, which remains to be elucidated. In this research, the in vitro effects of metabolites of FP fermented by fecal bacteria on energy metabolism and adipogenesis were investigated. The effect of energy metabolism was analyzed by mRNA and protein expression of the intestinal glucose transporters, including sodium dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and glucose uptake in intestinal Caco-2 cells. The lipogenic effect were evaluated by Oil red O staining of intracellular lipid droplets and the mRNA and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP) α and β in 3T3-L1 cells. The results showed the metabolites significantly inhibited glucose intake through downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of GLUT2 and SGLT1 in Caco-2 cells. Besides, they also led to the decrease of lipid accumulation through downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ in differentiating adipocytes. The inhibitory effects on energy intake and adipogenesis were concentration dependent, and metabolites at physiological concentration showed the most significant effect. Metabolites of fecal bacteria fermenting FP inhibited energy intake and adipogenesis at physiological concentration, which might be one of the weight-loss mechanisms of FP-diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• · Astragalus polysaccharides improve BMD and microarchitecture of osteoporotic bone. • · Astragalus polysaccharides induce structural and functional changes of gut microbiota. • ·Changed gut microbiota is closely associated with the improvement of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a worldwide epidemic, and certain functional foods can alleviate osteoporosis with great efficiency. Here, in a dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis rat model, it was proved that APS could restore the bone mineral density (BMD) and repair the impairment of bone microarchitecture, two major features of osteoporosis. In APS-treated rats, acid phosphatase 5 (ACP5) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-2) were significantly decreased. This suggested that APS might improve osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and preventing inflammation. Further analysis on the bacterial community revealed that the structure of gut microbiota was dramatically changed by APS, and 13 bacteria (such as c_ Bacteroidia , p_ Bacteroidetes , and g_ Allpprevotella) could serve as biomarkers for APS-improved osteoporosis. Furthermore, five genera (uncultured_bacterium_f_Ruminococcaceae , Alloprevotella, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 , Blautia and Lactobacillus) were inferred as the key bacteria in APS-improved osteoporosis. In conclusion, APS-modified gut microbiota and the potential key bacteria to alleviate osteoporosis, as well as its relationship with improved osteoporosis, were investigated in our present study. Our results will help to understand how APS improves osteoporosis by regulating gut microbiota and contribute to the development and application of functional foods to alleviate refractory osteoporosis by regulating targeted intestinal bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alliin is a natural organosulfur‐containing phytochemical in garlic. It is possible that alliin can regulate the gut microbiota for its strong antimicrobial activity against many pathogens. Here, we assessed whether alliin impacts the distal small intestinal bacteria, hence the cecal microbiota, thus altering the gene expression of colonic epithelial tissues (CETs). Eighty mg/kg alliin was orally administered to rats for 14 days, and the 16S rDNA from small intestinal and cecal microbiota as well as mRNA from CETs were sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that alliin consumption affected microbiota composition in both the small intestine and cecum, although there was only one specific genus, Allobaculum that was significantly altered in the rat cecum. The altered composition of microbiota indirectly impacted 174 genes in the CETs. Specifically, five genes, including RT1‐Ba, RT1‐Bb, Cd80, Madcam1, and Aicda, indicated this consumption related to the intestinal immune network for IgA production. Practical applications: We firstly reported alliin consumption in vivo potentially affected the intestinal immunity of healthy rats by slightly alteration of microbiota composition in small intestine and cecum. The alteration subsequently amplified, resulting in the change of the colonic epithelial expression of several genes related to the intestinal immune network for IgA production. Hence, we suggested the alliin consumption may potentially affect the immune system of healthy individuals by alteration of gut microbiota and epithelial gene expression. 1. Alliin was orally administered to 10 rats for 14 days, causing a slight change on the composition of microbiota. 2. Alliin altered the expression of five genes related to immune system in colonic epithelial tissues. 3. The consumption of alliin might affect the immune system of host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]