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Vitamins are essential components of enzyme systems involved in normal growth and function. The quantitative estimation of the proportion of dietary vitamins, that is in a form available for utilization by the human body, is limited and fragmentary. This review provides the current state of knowledge on the bioavailability of thirteen vitamins and choline, to evaluate whether there are differences in vitamin bioavailability when human foods are sourced from animals or plants. The bioavailability of naturally occurring choline, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K in food awaits further studies. Animal-sourced foods are the almost exclusive natural sources of dietary vitamin B-12 (65% bioavailable) and preformed vitamin A retinol (74% bioavailable), and contain highly bioavailable biotin (89%), folate (67%), niacin (67%), pantothenic acid (80%), riboflavin (61%), thiamin (82%), and vitamin B-6 (83%). Plant-based foods are the main natural sources of vitamin C (76% bioavailable), provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene (15.6% bioavailable), riboflavin (65% bioavailable), thiamin (81% bioavailable), and vitamin K (16.5% bioavailable). The overview of studies showed that in general, vitamins in foods originating from animals are more bioavailable than vitamins in foods sourced from plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether micronutrient intake from food as well as the regular uptake of specific vitamins and/or minerals are associated with leucocyte telomere length (LTL). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data from 422,693 UK Biobank participants aged from 40 to 69 years old, during 2006–2010. LTL was measured as the ratio of telomere repeat number to a single–copy gene and was loge-transformed and z-standardized (z-LTL). Information concerning supplement use was collected at baseline through the touchscreen assessment, while micronutrient intake from food were self-reported through multiple web-based 24 h recall diaries. The association between micronutrient intake or supplement use and z-LTL was assessed using multivariable linear regression models adjusting for demographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. Results: About 50% (n = 131,810) of the participants, with complete data on all covariates, self-reported regular supplement intake. Whilst overall supplement intake was not associated with z-LTL, trends toward shorter z-LTL with regular vitamin B (-0.019 (95% CI: -0.041; 0.002)) and vitamin B9 (-0.027 (-0.054; 0.000)) supplement intake were observed. z-LTL was associated with food intake of pantothenic acid (-0.020 (-0.033; -0.007)), vitamin B6 (-0.015 (-0.027; -0.003)), biotin (0.010 (0.002; 0.018)) and folate (0.016 (0.003; 0.030)). Associations of z-LTL with these micronutrients were differentiated according to supplement intake. Conclusion: Negative associations equivalent to a year or less of age-related change in LTL between micronutrient intake and LTL were observed. Due to this small effect, the clinical importance of the associations and any relevance to the effects of vitamin and micronutrient intake toward chronic disease prevention remains uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoextraction of lead (Pb) is a challenging task due to its extremely low mobility within soil and plant systems. In this study, we tested the influence of some novel chelating agents for Pb-phytoextraction using sunflower. The Pb was applied at control (0.0278 mM) and 4.826 mM Pb as Pb(NO3)2 through soil-spiking. After 10 days of Pb addition, four different organic ligands (aspartic, ascorbic, tartaric, and pantothenic acids) were added to the soil at 1 mM concentration each. respectively. In the absence of any chelate, sunflower plants grown at 4.826 mM Pb level accumulated Pb concentrations up to 104 µg g−1 DW in roots, whereas 64 µg g−1 DW in shoot. By contrast, tartaric acid promoted significantly Pb accumulation in roots (191 µg g−1 DW; + 45.5%) and shoot (131.6 µg g−1 DW; + 51.3%). Pantothenic acid also resulted in a significant Pb-uptake in the sunflower shoots (123 µg g−1 DW; + 47.9%) and in roots (177.3 µg g−1 DW; + 41.3%). The least effective amongst the chelates tested was aspartic acid, but it still contributed to + 40.1% more Pb accumulation in the sunflower root and shoots. In addition, plant growth, biochemical, and ionomic parameters were positively regulated by the organic chelates used. Especially, an increase in leaf Ca, P, and S was evident in Pb-stressed plants in response to chelates. These results highlight that the use of biocompatible organic chelates positively alters plant physio-biochemical traits contributing to higher Pb-sequestration in sunflower plant parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances have significantly enhanced our understanding of the role of membrane transporters in drug disposition, particularly focusing on their influence on pharmacokinetics, and consequently, pharmacodynamics. The relevance of these transporters in clinical pharmacology is well acknowledged. Recent research has also underscored the critical role of membrane transporters as targets in human diseases, including their involvement in rare genetic disorders. This review focuses on transporters for water‐soluble B vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, and biotin, essential cofactors for metabolic enzymes. Mutations in transporters, such as SLC19A3 (thiamine), SLC52A2, and SLC52A3 (riboflavin), and SLC5A6 (multiple B vitamins including pantothenic acid and biotin) are linked to severe neurological disorders due to their role in the blood–brain barrier, which is crucial for brain vitamin supply. Current treatments, mainly involving vitamin supplementation, often result in variable response. This review also provides a short perspective on the role of the transporters in the blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier and highlights the potential development of pharmacologic treatments for rare disorders associated with mutations in these transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Folate is an important one‐carbon cycle donor involved in the synthesis of purines, thymine, pantothenic acid, serine and glycine. The present study aimed to explore the capacity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (L. plantarum subsp. plantarum) to synthesize folate in fermenting MRS and purple cabbage juice (PCJ). The mechanism underlying folate biosynthesis was investigated by transcriptomics. We aimed to find important genes and transcription factors involved in folate production by analyzing gene expression during L. plantarum subsp. plantarum fermentation.The results showed a 44% increase in total folate content in the PCJ medium, with 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate (5‐MTHF) contributing to a substantial 28% of this increase, whereas no folate was detected during MRS fermentation. The mechanism of folate production during the fermentation involved the coordinated regulation of multiple genes. The expression of some key genes (aroC, pabA, folE, folA and MTHFR) was upregulated during fermentation, and the expression of MTHFR, a gene related to 5‐MTHF synthesis, was increased by 8.4 times. These genes play roles in different steps of the folate synthesis pathway, including substrate synthesis, metabolic regulation and catalytic reactions.Our results revealed the expression of all genes involved in the biosynthesis of 5‐MTHF during L. plantarum subsp. plantarum fermentation, indicating the integrity of its biosynthetic pathway. The findings provide a scientific basis for folate production by optimizing fermentation conditions, further helping research on folate synthesis in other fermented foods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application Bacillus subtilis has been reported to maintain the homeostasis of intestinal flora. In this study, a mouse model of alcoholic liver injury (ALI) was constructed to study the ameliorative effect of B. subtilis C10 on ALI and to further clarify its mechanism of action. Significant correlations between intestinal flora and biochemical indicators of ALI were found by statistical correlation analysis. Supplementation with B. subtilis C10 modulated the equilibrium of gut flora by reducing the population of detrimental bacteria while enhancing the numbers of beneficial microorganisms, which resulted in an improvement in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in the liver. The results of RT‐qPCR showed that B. subtilis C10 intervention regulated the main regulatory factors of liver lipid metabolism (PPAR‐α, SREBP‐1c) and interfered with Nrf‐2/Ho‐1 signal pathway, which in turn ameliorated alcohol‐induced lipid metabolism disorder and liver peroxidation stress. In addition, liver metabonomic analysis showed that B. subtilis C10 intervention reduced the production of harmful metabolites and increased beneficial metabolites in the liver, thereby reversing the metabolic disturbances caused by excessive alcohol consumption. KEGG analysis showed that B. subtilis C10 intervention modulated liver metabolic disorders and accelerated lipid metabolism by regulating glutathione metabolic pathway, purine metabolic pathway, pantothenic acid and CoA biosynthesis pathway, ABC transporter protein pathway, and HIF‐1 signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings suggest that B. subtilis C10 ameliorates ALI by modifying the structure of intestinal flora and liver metabolic pathways to attenuate alcohol‐exposure‐induced liver oxidative damage and lipid metabolism abnormalities.Bacillus subtilis C10 is an effective probiotic intervention that significantly ameliorated alcoholic liver injury in mice through the gut–liver axis. B. subtilis C10 can be used as a dietary probiotic to develop functional foods with beneficial effects for the population of excessive alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on low-protein-level diets has indicated that even though the profiles of essential amino acids (EAAs) follow the recommendation for a normal-protein-level diet, broilers fed low-protein diets failed to achieve productive performance compared to those fed normal diets. Therefore, it is imperative to reassess the optimum profile of EAAs in low-protein diets and establish a new ideal pattern for amino acid balance. Furthermore, identifying novel sensitive biomarkers for assessing amino acid balance will greatly facilitate the development of amino acid nutrition and application technology. In this study, 12 dietary treatments [Con(+), Con(-), L&A(-), L&A(+), M&C(-), M&C(+), BCAA (-), BCAA(+), Thr(-), Thr(+), Trp(-) and Trp(+)] were established by combining different EAAs including lysine and arginine, methionine and cysteine, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), threonine, and tryptophan to observe the growth and development of the broiler chickens fed with low-protein-level diets. Based on the biochemical parameters and untargeted metabolomic analysis of animals subjected to different treatments, biomarkers associated with optimal and suboptimal amino acid balance were identified. Results: Growth performance, carcass characteristics, hepatic enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters, and breast muscle mRNA expression differed significantly between male and female broilers under different dietary amino acid patterns. Male broilers exhibited higher sensitivity to the adjustment of amino acid patterns than female broilers. For the low-protein diet, the dietary concentrations of lysine, arginine, and tryptophan, but not of methionine, cystine, or threonine, needed to be increased. Therefore, further research on individual BCAA is required. For untargeted metabolomic analysis, Con(+) was selected as a normal diet (NP) while Con(-) represented a low-protein diet (LP). L&A(+) denotes a low-protein amino acid balanced diet (LPAB) and Thr(+) represents a low-protein amino acid imbalance diet (LPAI). The metabolites oxypurinol, pantothenic acid, and D-octopine in birds were significantly influenced by different dietary amino acid patterns. Conclusion: Adjusting the amino acid profile of low-protein diets is required to achieve normal growth performance in broiler chickens fed normal-protein diets. Oxypurinol, pantothenic acid, and D-octopine have been identified as potentially sensitive biomarkers for assessing amino acid balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study integrates network pharmacology and metabolomics techniques to explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of Res on gouty arthritis (GA). Methods: Network pharmacology was used to predict the mechanism of Res in regulating GA, and methods such as HE staining, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Real-time PCR, Western blot, and molecular docking were used to verify the role of NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT inflammatory signaling pathways in the MSU-induced GA rat model. In addition, non-targeted metabolomics techniques were combined to further investigate the mechanism of Res in treating GA. Results: The results of network pharmacology showed that Res may exert its therapeutic effects through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that in the MSU-induced GA rat model, pathological damage, serum biochemical indicators, and levels of inflammatory factors were significantly increased, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was activated. The intervention of Res significantly reduced pathological damage, serum biochemical indicators, levels of inflammatory factors, and the activation of NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in the model rats. Metabolomics results showed that Res could improve the metabolic trajectory deviations in serum and joint fluid of GA model rats. Through related metabolic pathway analysis, the most affected metabolic pathways were found to be Sphingolipid metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, Pantothenate and CoA, Citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and Arachidonic acid metabolism. Conclusion: Resveratrol can regulate the biosynthetic pathways of arachidonic acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, pantothenic acid and CoA biosynthesis pathways, TCA cycle, and other metabolic pathways, thereby regulating the NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, and inhibiting the acute inflammatory response during GA attacks, showing characteristics of multi-pathway and multi-target action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The biostimulant SuperFifty, produced from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum, can improve crop quality and yield and mitigate stress tolerance in model and crop plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, pepper, and tomato. However, the effect of SuperFifty on raspberries and strawberries has not been well studied, especially in terms of nutritional properties and yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SuperFifty on the quality and quantity of raspberry and strawberry fruits, with a focus on metabolic composition and essential elements, which together determine the nutritional properties and total yield of these two crops. Methods: Metabolome analysis was performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS), and essential elements analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Here, we demonstrate that SuperFifty increases the fruit size of both raspberries and strawberries and enhances the yield in these two berry crops by 42.1% (raspberry) and 33.9% (strawberry) while preserving the nutritional properties of the fruits. Metabolome analysis of 100 metabolites revealed that antioxidants, essential amino acids, organic acids, sugars, and vitamins, such as glutathione, alanine, asparagine, histidine, threonine, serine, tryptophan, sucrose, citric acid, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), as well as other primary metabolites, remain the same in the SuperFifty-primed fruits. Secondary metabolites, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, kaempferol, and quercetin, also maintained their levels in the SuperFifty-primed fruits. Analysis of essential elements demonstrated that elements important for human health, such as Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Cu, K, and Ca, maintain the same levels in the raspberry and strawberry fruits obtained from the biostimulant-primed plants. Magnesium, an important element known as a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions related to both plant physiology and human health, increased in both raspberry and strawberry fruits primed with SuperFifty. Finally, we discuss the potential financial and health benefits of the SuperFifty-induced priming for both growers and consumers. Conclusions: We demonstrate that SuperFifty significantly enhances the yield of both raspberries and strawberries, improves the marketable grade of the fruits (larger and heavier fruits), and enhances the nutritional properties by elevating Mg content in the fruits. Altogether, this biostimulant-induced molecular priming offers an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable way to enhance the yield and quality of berry crops, with clear benefits to both berry producers and customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Mare milk has often been considered a food product with potential functional properties. However, the bioactive compound composition of mare milk, including vitamins and other minor bioactive compounds, as well as factors affecting this composition have scarcely been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the changes during lactation in the content of water‐ and fat‐soluble vitamins and total polyphenols, and the total antioxidant capacity of mare milk from semi‐extensive farms. A total of 310 individual milk samples from 18 mares belonging to three commercial farms and 12 lactation times were analyzed. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinic acid and niacinamide (vitamins B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxal and pyridoxine (vitamins B6), folic acid (vitamin B9), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) and retinol and retinyl esters (vitamin A) were quantified using liquid chromatography. Total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity assays were analyzed using spectrophotometry.The concentration of most bioactive compounds tended to decline as lactation progressed, with the exception of polyphenols and the total antioxidant capacity that oscillated during lactation. On the other hand, the effect of the different semi‐extensive management of the farms was only significant for vitamin B3 content.To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides the most in‐depth description of the vitamin profile of mare milk as well as new insights into polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of mare milk. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is need for advancing minimally invasive diagnostic techniques for sex differentiation at early life-stage classes in sea turtles. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there are sex-specific effects on the metabolome of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and to identify potential biomarkers for sex classification at early life-stage classes (50 post-hatchling and 50 juvenile). Comprehensive analyses including plasma chemistry (n = 100) and untargeted (n = 48) metabolomic analyses were performed. Unlike with plasma chemistry analytes, there were significant differences in the metabolomic profiles between sexes. Nine metabolites differed significantly between sexes, with several metabolites deserving greater attention as potential biomarkers: C22H32O6 and pantothenic acid was higher in females than in males, and carboxylic acid ester (C10H16O5), 1-methylhistidine and C7H14N2O7 was higher in males than females. These differences remained constant both across and within the same life-stage class. This work identified a discernible effect on the metabolic profile based on sex of loggerhead sea turtles and it suggests that these metabolites and/or their ratios could serve as potential biomarker candidates for sex classification in this species. This study demonstrates a distinct metabolomic profile between male and female loggerhead turtles at different physiological stages (posthatchling and juvenile animals) and proposes biomarkers for sex classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bioconversion of abundant lactose-replete whey permeate to value-added chemicals holds promise for valorization of this expanding food processing waste. Efficient conversion of whey permeate-borne lactose requires adroit microbial engineering to direct carbon to the desired chemical. An engineered strain of Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 (C. beijerinckii_mgsA+mgR) that produces 87% more butanol on lactose than the control strain was assessed for global transcriptomic changes. The results revealed broadly contrasting gene expression patterns in C. beijerinckii_mgsA+mgR relative to the control strain. These were characterized by widespread decreases in the abundance of mRNAs of Fe-S proteins in C. beijerinckii_ mgsA+mgR, coupled with increased differential expression of lactose uptake and catabolic genes, iron uptake genes, two-component signal transduction and motility genes, and genes involved in the biosynthesis of vitamins B5 and B12, aromatic amino acids (particularly tryptophan), arginine, and pyrimidines. Conversely, the mRNA patterns suggest that the L-aspartate-dependent de novo biosynthesis of NAD as well as biosynthesis of lysine and asparagine and metabolism of glycine and threonine were likely down-regulated. Furthermore, genes involved in cysteine and methionine biosynthesis and metabolism, including cysteine desulfurase--a central player in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis--equally showed reductions in mRNA abundance. Genes involved in biosynthesis of capsular polysaccharides and stress response also showed reduced mRNA abundance in C. beijerinckii_mgsA+mgR. The results suggest that remodeling of cellular and metabolic networks in C. beijerinckii_mgsA+mgR to counter anticipated effects of methylglyoxal production from heterologous expression of methylglyoxal synthase led to enhanced growth and butanol production in C. beijerinckii_mgsA+mgR. IMPORTANCE Biological production of commodity chemicals from abundant waste streams such as whey permeate represents an opportunity for decarbonizing chemical production. Whey permeate remains a vastly underutilized feedstock for bioproduction purposes. Thus, enhanced understanding of the cellular and metabolic repertoires of lactose-mediated production of chemicals such as butanol promises to identify new targets that can be fine tuned in recombinant and native microbial strains to engender stronger coupling of whey permeate-borne lactose to value-added chemicals. Our results highlight new genetic targets for future engineering of C. beijerinckii for improved butanol production on lactose and ultimately in whey permeate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain has an enormous impact on the quality of life of billions of patients, families, and caregivers worldwide. Current therapies do not adequately address pain for most patients. A basic understanding of the conserved genetic framework controlling pain may help us develop better, non-addictive pain therapies. Here, we identify new conserved and druggable analgesic targets using the tissue-specific functional genomic screening of candidate "pain" genes in fly. From these efforts, we describe 23 new pain genes for further consideration. This included Acsl , a fatty acid-metabolizing enzyme, and mammalian orthologs involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. The Acsl knockdown and mutant larvae showed delayed nocifensive responses to localized and global noxious heat. Mechanistically, the Acsl knockdown reduced dendritic branching of nociceptive neurons. Surprisingly, the pain phenotype in these animals could be rescued through dietary intervention with vitamin B5, highlighting the interplay between genetics, metabolism, and nutrient environment to establish sensory perception thresholds. Together, our functional genomic screening within the sensory nociceptor has identified new nociception genes that provide a better understanding of pain biology and can help guide the development of new painkillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract SLC25A42 encodes the mitochondrial coenzyme A (CoA) transporter localized at the inner mitochondrial membrane. SLC25A42 deficiency leads to a congenital disease with a heterogeneous clinical presentation, including myopathy, developmental delay, lactic acidosis, and encephalopathy. Twenty‐one patients have been described so far. In the current study, we report on the identification of new biallelic variants in SLC25A42 in three siblings. Patients presented with symmetrical T2 hyperintensity of the putamen with minor volume depression at the brain MRI, elevated lactate, reduced oxygen consumption rates in muscle and fibroblasts, and reduced CoA levels in fibroblasts. Administration of pantothenic acid led to clinical stabilization and increased CoA levels in fibroblasts, thus confirming a role for SLC25A42 in energy metabolism and CoA homeostasis.

Undernutrition remains a global struggle and is associated with almost 45% of deaths in children younger than 5 years. Despite advances in management of severe wasting (though less so for nutritional edema), full and sustained recovery remains elusive. Children with severe wasting and/or nutritional edema (also commonly referred to as severe acute malnutrition and part of the umbrella term "severe malnutrition") continue to have a high mortality rate. This suggests a likely multifactorial etiology that may include micronutrient deficiency. Micronutrients are currently provided in therapeutic foods at levels based on expert opinion, with few supportive studies of high quality having been conducted. This narrative review looks at the knowledge base on micronutrient deficiencies in children aged 6–59 months who have severe wasting and/or nutritional edema, in addition to highlighting areas where further research is warranted (See "Future Directions" section). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Brown fat is a therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic diseases. However, nutritional intervention strategies for increasing the mass and activity of human brown adipocytes have not yet been established. To identify vitamins required for brown adipogenesis and adipocyte browning, chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) were converted from human dermal fibroblasts under serum-free and vitamin-free conditions. Choline was found to be essential for adipogenesis. Additional treatment with pantothenic acid (PA) provided choline-induced immature adipocytes with browning properties and metabolic maturation, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, lipolysis, and mitochondrial respiration. However, treatment with high PA concentrations attenuated these effects along with decreased glycolysis. Transcriptome analysis showed that a low PA concentration activated metabolic genes, including the futile creatine cycle-related thermogenic genes, which was reversed by a high PA concentration. Riboflavin treatment suppressed thermogenic gene expression and increased lipolysis, implying a metabolic pathway different from that of PA. Thiamine treatment slightly activated thermogenic genes along with decreased glycolysis. In summary, our results suggest that specific B vitamins and choline are uniquely involved in the regulation of adipocyte browning via cellular energy metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner.

Introduction: The measurement of water-soluble vitamins is essential to diagnose and monitor various vitamin deficiencies. Establishing stability limits for these vitamins is crucial to ensure accurate laboratory testing. This study aimed to assess the stability of commonly measured water-soluble vitamins under different storage conditions to improve the accuracy of water-soluble vitamins measurement. Methods: The stability of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxic acid and pyridoxal, biotin, 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHF), and ascorbic acid was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We investigated some pre-analytical factors: the effect of different storage temperatures and times variation between serum and plasma samples, and the impact of ice bath on the sample before centrifugation. We evaluated stability based on differences from the baseline. Results: Thiamine, pyridoxal, and ascorbic acid in serum exhibited instability at room temperature and 2–8°C. Riboflavin and 5-MTHF in serum were only stable for up to 48 and 72 h at 2–8°C. However, when stored at −20°C, all water-soluble vitamins remained stable for up to 72 h, whereas at −80°C, stability was maintained for up to 7 days. All vitamins in whole blood, except nicotinamide, were stable for up to 2–4 h when stored in an ice bath. Conclusions: Water-soluble vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxal, and ascorbic acid, are unstable at room temperature and 2–8°C. All vitamins were stable for up to 7 days and stored at −80°C. The ice bath improved the stability of whole blood samples before centrifugation. Thus, laboratories should ensure appropriate storage conditions to maintain pre-analytical quality for vitamin measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive fat deposition leads to obesity and cardiovascular diseases with abnormal metabolism. Pantothenic acid (PA) is a major B vitamin required for energy metabolism. However, the effect of PA on lipid metabolism and obesity has not been explored. We investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of PA on fat accumulation as well as the influence of adipogenic marker genes in both adult male mice and primary adipocytes. First, we demonstrated that PA attenuates weight gain in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD). Besides, PA supplementation substantially improved glucose tolerance and lipid metabolic disorder in obese mice. Furthermore, PA significantly inhibited white adipose tissue (WAT) deposition as well as fat droplets visualized by magnification in both chow and HFD group. More importantly, PA obviously suppressed the mRNA levels of CD36, IL-6, and TNF-α to alleviate inflammation and reduced the levels of PPARγ, aP2, and C/EBPα genes that are related to lipid metabolism in inguinal white adipose tissue (ing-WAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (ei-WAT). In vitro, PA supplementation showed a lower lipid droplet aggregation as well as reduced expression levels of adipogentic genes. Finally, we identified that PA inhibits the phosphorylation levels of p38 and JNK in murine primary adipocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrated for the first time that PA attenuates lipid metabolic disorder as well as fat deposition by JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, minimally invasive treatment options for lumbar disc herniation, such as percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD), have been introduced to avoid more invasive surgical methods. Combining these minimally invasive approaches with nutraceuticals that are effective in neuroprotection and pain management may lead to better long-term outcomes. Methods: The present study evaluated the beneficial effects of a new oral food supplement composed of acetyl-L-carnitine, α-lipoic acid, quercetin, bromelain, pantothenic acid, and vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, and B12 in patients with neuropathic pain due to herniated lumbar discs treated with PLDD. Patients were divided into two groups of 26 patients each: group A underwent PLDD alone, while group B underwent PLDD followed by a dietary supplement for two months after surgery. Preoperative VAS scores for leg pain were recorded for both groups and no significant difference was observed (8.7 for Group A and 8.6 for Group B). Results: In Group A, the mean postoperative VAS score for leg pain at a 1-month follow-up was 2.5, which remained stable at 3 months. In Group B, the mean postoperative VAS score was 2.0 at 1-month and improved to 1.6 at the 3-month follow-up. According to self-reported leg pain assessments, 66.5% of the patients using the dietary supplement reported a significantly better pain condition, and 43.5% reported a somewhat better situation. In contrast, 7.7% of the patients who underwent PLDD alone reported no changes in leg pain at the final follow-up. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that the oral food supplement could provide a safe and effective treatment in patients with painful radiculopathy, enhancing the recovery of sensory fiber function in lumbar nerve roots after surgical lumbar disc decompression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is seen as a global threat to One Health, since it is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. To reduce the use of antimicrobials in farm animals, Bepanthene® was compared with an antibiotic-based spray in the healing of disbudding wounds in calves. Benpanthene® is based on dexpanthenol, a derivative of pantothenic acid, also known as provitamin B5, which protects and stimulates skin regeneration. The findings of the present study support the use of Bepanthene®, allowing for a reduction in the use of antimicrobials in production animals without impeding healing. The process of disbudding female calves is a common procedure in many dairy farms, avoiding injuries caused by horns and reducing feed bunk space requirements. The most common method for disbudding calves is by the use of a cautery iron, responsible for destroying the horn-generating tissue. After the procedure, wounds may be treated with an antibiotic-based spray. Nowadays, antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide concern in both human and veterinary medicine, highlighting the need to invest in the monitoring of antimicrobial use and in the development of alternative treatments in favour of One Health. The goal of this study is to promote a reduction in the use of antibiotics in farm animals by investigating an alternative treatment for disbudding wounds. Bepanthene® (dexpanthenol, a derivative of pantothenic acid, a component of the B vitamin complex) is a plausible option, since it is widely used in human medicine for the treatment of skin irritations and burns. The comparison of the healing process of disbudding wounds treated with Bepanthene® or a chlortetracycline-based spray was achieved through the presentation of a randomly-ordered sequence of images of the lesions to a panel of convenience-selected and blinded-to-treatment evaluators, composed of seven veterinarian practitioners, five veterinary medicine students, and five human medical field nurses. In order to classify the lesions, the panel applied an adapted format of a validated healing scale (Bates–Jensen Wound Assessment Tool), incorporating seven parameters of evaluation, culminating in the values used for statistical analyses. In the practitioners' evaluation, a statistically significant effect for the factors of time and treatment in favour of Bepanthene® was found for the parameters "Edges", "Necrotic Tissue Type", and "Skin Colour Surrounding Wound", indicating that Bepanthene® is superior to the spray when considering these parameters of healing. The assessment by the veterinary students showed a significant effect for the factors of time and treatment for the parameters "Necrotic Tissue Type", in favour of the Bepanthene®, and "Granulation Tissue", in favour of the antibiotic spray, demonstrating no clear benefit for either treatment. Lastly, the evaluation performed by nurses showed a significant effect for the factors of time and treatment, in favour of the Bepanthene®, for the parameters "Necrotic Tissue Type" and "Skin Colour Surrounding Wound", leading to the conclusion that Bepanthene® is associated with better and faster healing when compared to the spray. Overall, these findings lead us to suggest that Bepanthene® presents a better healing index compared to a chlortetracycline-based spray, allowing it to be safely used as a substitute to an antimicrobial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data suggest that metabolites, other than blood phenylalanine (Phe), better and independently predict clinical outcomes in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). Methods: To find new biomarkers, we compared the results of untargeted lipidomics and metabolomics in treated adult PKU patients to those of matched controls. Samples (lipidomics in EDTA-plasma (22 PKU and 22 controls) and metabolomics in serum (35 PKU and 20 controls)) were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Data were subjected to multivariate (PCA, OPLS-DA) and univariate (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.05) analyses. Results: Levels of 33 (of 20,443) lipid features and 56 (of 5885) metabolite features differed statistically between PKU patients and controls. For lipidomics, findings include higher glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids species. Significantly lower values were found for sterols and glycerophospholipids species. Seven features had unknown identities. Total triglyceride content was higher. Higher Phe and Phe catabolites, tryptophan derivatives, pantothenic acid, and dipeptides were observed for metabolomics. Ornithine levels were lower. Twenty-six metabolite features were not annotated. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the metabolic phenotype of PKU patients. Additional studies are required to establish whether the observed changes result from PKU itself, diet, and/or an unknown reason. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biosynthesis of antibiotics and other secondary metabolites (also named special metabolites) is regulated by multiple regulatory networks and cascades that act by binding transcriptional factors to the promoter regions of different biosynthetic gene clusters. The binding affinity of transcriptional factors is frequently modulated by their interaction with specific ligand molecules. In the last decades, it was found that the biosynthesis of penicillin is induced by two different molecules, 1,3-diaminopropane and spermidine, but not by putrescine (1,4-diaminobutane) or spermine. 1,3-diaminopropane and spermidine induce the expression of penicillin biosynthetic genes in Penicillium chrysogenum. Proteomic studies clearly identified two different proteins that respond to the addition to cultures of these inducers and are involved in β-alanine and pantothenic acid biosynthesis. These compounds are intermediates in the biosynthesis of phosphopantetheine that is required for the activation of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, polyketide synthases, and fatty acid synthases. These large-size multidomain enzymes are inactive in the "apo" form and are activated by covalent addition of the phosphopantetheine prosthetic group by phosphopantetheinyl transferases. Both 1,3-diaminopropane and spermidine have a similar effect on the biosynthesis of cephalosporin by Acremonium chrysogenum and lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus, suggesting that this is a common regulatory mechanism in the biosynthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites/natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pantothenic acid (PA) on the lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of Apis mellifera workers. The results showed that ether extract (EE) content of bees' body was significantly decreased when workers were supplemented with 147 mg/kg PA (P < 0.05). Further, supplemental PA reduced triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TCHO) content in the hemolymph (P < 0.05), while 39.2 mg/kg PA supplementation improved hemolymph high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration, while 261.6 mg/kg PA reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) concentration (P < 0.05). C12:0, C14:1, and C18:0 content values were notably increased in PA-supplemented groups, while those of C14:0, C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and PUFA/saturated fatty acids were decreased (P < 0.05), while levels correlated with those of dietary PA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content showed a downward trend in response to PA supplementation; however, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) was increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA levels were significantly downregulated in bees supplemented 9.8, 19.6, and 39.2 mg/kg (P < 0.05) and lipase activity significantly improved following supplementation with 39.2, 78.4, and 147 mg/kg PA (P < 0.05). Thus, dietary PA significantly influenced worker bee lipid metabolism, and improved antioxidant function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gastrointestinal dysfunction are often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a complicated metabolic illness. Contributing factors have been proposed, including genetic predisposition, gene environmental, and lifestyle interactions, but the pathophysiology remains unknown. Methods: We aim to explore the possible causes behind gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes in this study. A comprehensive analysis of the gastric sinus metabolome, transcriptome, and proteome in db/db mice with gastrointestinal dysfunction was conducted. Results: The model group of mice had considerably lower small intestine propulsion and gastric emptying rates, higher blood glucose levels, and were significantly obese compared to the control group. We identified 297 genes, 350 proteins, and 1,001 metabolites exhibiting significant differences between db/db and control mice (p < 0.05). Moreover, multi-omics analysis revealed that the genes, proteins, and metabolites in the T2DM-induced gastroenteropathy mice group were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption. Specifically, Cbr3, Etnppl, and Apob were the major mRNAs associated with T2DM-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction, while Cyp2b10, Cyp2b19, Pgs1, Gpat3, Apoa4, and Tcn2 were the major proteins associated with T2DM-induced gastrointestinal injury, and 16(R)-HET, 5-HETE, LysoPC (22:0), and Pantothenic acid were the major metabolites associated with T2DM-induced gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusion: The mechanism of action of diabetic gastroenteropathy may be related to vitamin digestion and absorption, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recent studies have shown a correlation between piglet diarrhea and the gut microbiota. However, the precise mechanism by which intestinal microorganisms and their metabolites influence diarrhea in weaned piglets remains unclear. This study explored differences in the gut microbiota and associated metabolites between healthy and diarrheic-weaned piglets using macrogenomic and metabolomic analyses. We identified microorganisms that differed markedly between the two groups. We noticed that the number and abundance of Bacteroidaceae bacterium were strongly negatively correlated with diarrhea in weaned piglets, whereas Caudoviricetes exhibited a strong positive correlation. Our screening for markedly different metabolites such as carnosine, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, methylimidazoleacetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, along with the identification of metabolite-related metabolic pathways like tryptophan and vitamin B6 metabolism, identified important pathways associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by post-weaning diarrhea in piglets. Conjoint analysis revealed that a substantial increase in the number and abundance of Caudoviricetes, coupled with a decrease in the number and abundance of Bacteroidaceae bacterium could potentially serve as microbial markers of post-weaning diarrhea. Recent studies have shown a correlation between piglet diarrhea and the gut microbiota. However, the precise mechanism by which intestinal microorganisms and their metabolites influence diarrhea in weaned piglets remains unclear. This study explored differences in the gut microbiota and associated metabolites between healthy and diarrheic-weaned piglets using macrogenomic and metabolomic analyses. The histomorphological results showed that diarrheic piglets had shorter jejunal and ileal villi, some of which were shed, compared to healthy piglets. Substantial differences in gut microbial diversity and metabolites were also observed, with Bacteroidaceae bacterium and Caudoviricetes being the main differential organisms that were strongly correlated with host status. Microbial functions, mainly the metabolism of carbohydrates, glycans, lipids, and amino acids, as well as related enzyme activities, were substantially different. The major differential metabolites were carnosine, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxal, methylimidazoleacetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These metabolites were enriched in beta-alanine, histidine, tryptophan, and vitamin B6 metabolism, and in the pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathways. Combined macrogenomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that carnosine, vitamin B5, and pyridoxal were negatively correlated with Caudoviricetes; methylimidazoleacetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were positively correlated with Caudoviricetes. Whereas carnosine and vitamin B5 were positively correlated with Bacteroidaceae bacterium, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was negatively correlated. The decreased abundance of Bacteroidaceae bacterium and the increased abundance of Caudoviricetes and related metabolites likely contribute to post-weaning diarrhea in piglets. Therefore, the abundance of Bacteroidaceae bacterium and Caudoviricetes can likely serve as potential markers for identifying and preventing diarrhea in post-weaning piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the challenge of enhancing the activation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12) to improve the quality and functionality of kefir-based products. The objective was to develop a kefir product enriched with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, activated using an extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L., a natural antioxidant, to reduce activation time and boost probiotic efficacy. Two kefir samples were prepared: a control and an experimental product enriched with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis activated by Sanguisorba officinalis L. at 10⁻⁵ g/cm³ concentration. The experimental sample exhibited a significant increase in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis count, reaching 9.52 lg(CFU/cm³), within 30 minutes at 37±1 °C, outperforming the control. This rapid activation led to improved physicochemical properties, including enhanced flavor, consistency, and a slower increase in titratable acidity over 14 days, indicating prolonged shelf life. The amino acid profile was enriched, with higher levels of essential amino acids such as valine, leucine, methionine, as well as increased water-soluble vitamins including riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and pantothenic acid. The slower decline in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis population during storage further highlighted the probiotic stability of the enriched kefir. These findings demonstrate that activating Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis with Sanguisorba officinalis L. extract enhances the nutritional and functional qualities of kefir. This product holds potential for commercial application in the functional food industry, offering consumers a probiotic-rich, nutritionally superior fermented dairy option [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases emphasizes oxidative stress and inflammation as significant risk factors. Dexpanthenol accelerates wound healing and also possesses anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Tocopherol acts as a fat-soluble essential vitamin with antioxidant functions. In this study, the effects of dexpanthenol and vitamin E on a rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) are investigated. Methods: Wistar-albino rats were used in the study and divided into five groups (n=10): sham control, TNBS, TNBS + tocopherol (T), TNBS + dexpanthenol (D), and TNBS + (TD). The sham control group received 0.9% saline solution. TNBS was administered rectally to induce colitis in the TNBS group under anesthesia. In the T group, colitis was induced by TNBS, which was followed by daily intraperitoneal administration of 30-IU/kg T. The D group received 500-mg/kg D daily, and the TD group received both 30-IU/kg T and 500-mg/kg D daily. After 4 days, all rats were sacrificed, and 10-cm segments of their colons were removed. These colon segments underwent biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results: Tissue levels of malondialdehyde exhibited notable reductions in both the D and TD intervention cohorts, whereas myeloperoxidase levels experienced significant decreases across the T, D, and TD treatment sets. Glutathione levels exhibited marked elevations in the T, D, and TD treatment groups, whereas catalase levels displayed no discernible variances among the control, colitis, and treatment populations. Discussion and Conclusion: These results reveal that substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as dexpanthenol and vitamin E, can reduce colon tissue damage in TNBS-induced colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is a rapidly growing multifactorial metabolic disorder that induces the onset of various diseases in the human body. The compositional and metabolic shift of the gut microbiota is a crucial factor behind T2D. Hence, gaining insight into the metabolic profile of the gut microbiota is essential for revealing their role in regulating the metabolism of T2D patients. Here, we have focused on the genome-scale community metabolic model reconstruction of crucial T2D-associated gut microbes. The model-based analysis of biochemical flux in T2D and healthy gut conditions showed distinct biochemical signatures and diverse metabolic interactions in the microbial community. The metabolic interactions encompass cross-feeding of short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins among individual microbes within the community. In T2D conditions, a reduction in the metabolic flux of acetate, butyrate, vitamin B5, and bicarbonate was observed in the microbial community model, which can impact carbohydrate metabolism. The decline in butyrate levels is correlated with both insulin resistance and diminished glucose metabolism in T2D patients. Compared to the healthy gut, an overall reduction in glucose consumption and SCFA production flux was estimated in the T2D gut environment. Moreover, the decreased consumption profiles of branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) in the T2D gut microbiota can be a distinct biomarker for T2D. Hence, the flux-level analysis of the microbial community model can provide insights into the metabolic reprogramming in diabetic gut microbiomes, which may be helpful in personalized therapeutics and diet design against T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fungal infections, a leading cause of mortality among eukaryotic pathogens, pose a growing global health threat due to the rise of drug-resistant strains. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to combat this challenge. The PCA pathway for biosynthesis of Co-enzyme A (CoA) and Acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) from vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) has been validated as an excellent target for the development of new antimicrobials against fungi and protozoa. The pathway regulates key cellular processes including metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, and heme. In this study, we provide genetic evidence that disruption of the PCA pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in a significant alteration in the susceptibility of fungi to a wide range of xenobiotics, including clinically approved antifungal drugs through alteration of vacuolar morphology and drug detoxification. The drug potentiation mediated by genetic regulation of genes in the PCA pathway could be recapitulated using the pantazine analog PZ-2891 as well as the celecoxib derivative, AR-12 through inhibition of fungal AcCoA synthase activity. Collectively, the data validate the PCA pathway as a suitable target for enhancing the efficacy and safety of current antifungal therapies. The PCA pathway, essential for synthesizing CoA and AcCoA from vitamin B5, plays a crucial role in fungal cellular processes. Targeting this pathway could enhance antifungal drug efficacy by affecting vacuolar morphology and drug detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil potassium deficiency is a common issue limiting agricultural productivity. Potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) show significant potential in mitigating soil potassium deficiency, improving soil quality, and enhancing plant growth. However, different KSB strains exhibit diverse solubilization mechanisms, environmental adaptability, and growth-promoting abilities. In this study, we isolated a multifunctional KSB strain ZHS-1, which also has phosphate-solubilizing and IAA-producing capabilities. 16S rDNA sequencing identified it as Pantoea vagans. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that strain ZHS-1 severely corroded the smooth, compact surface of potassium feldspar into a rough and loose state. The potassium solubilization reached 20.3 mg/L under conditions where maltose was the carbon source, sodium nitrate was the nitrogen source, and the pH was 7. Organic acid metabolism profiling revealed that strain ZHS-1 primarily utilized the EMP-TCA cycle, supplemented by pathways involving pantothenic acid, glyoxylic acid, and dicarboxylic acids, to produce large amounts of organic acids and energy. This solubilization was achieved through direct solubilization mechanisms. The strain also secreted IAA through a tryptophan-dependent metabolic pathway. When strain ZHS-1 was inoculated into the rhizosphere of rice, it demonstrated significant growth-promoting effects. The rice plants exhibited improved growth and root development, with increased accumulation of potassium and phosphorus. The levels of available phosphorus and potassium in the rhizosphere soil also increased significantly. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in the rice rhizosphere soil, while the relative abundance of genera associated with acid production and potassium solubilization, such as Gemmatimonadota, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, as well as Cyanobacteria, which are beneficial to plant growth, increased. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the potassium solubilization mechanisms of strain ZHS-1 and highlight its potential as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levulinic acid, a hydrolysis product of lignocellulose, can be metabolized into important compounds in the field of medicine and pesticides by engineered strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Levulinic acid, as an intermediate product widely found in the conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass, has multiple applications. However, its toxicity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae reduces its conversion effciency, so screening Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes that can tolerate levulinic acid becomes the key. By creating a whole-genome knockout library and bioinformatics analysis, this study used the phenotypic characteristics of cells as the basis for screening and found the HMX1 gene that is highly sensitive to levulinic acid in the oxidative stress pathway. After knocking out HMX1 and treating with levulinic acid, the omics data of the strain revealed that multiple affected pathways, especially the expression of 14 genes related to the cell wall and membrane system, were significantly downregulated. The levels of acetyl-CoA and riboflavin decreased by 1.02-fold and 1.44-fold, respectively, while the content of pantothenic acid increased. These findings indicate that the cell wall-membrane system, as well as the metabolism of acetyl-CoA and riboflavin, are important in improving the resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to levulinic acid. They provide theoretical support for enhancing the tolerance of microorganisms to levulinic acid, which is significant for optimizing the conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass to levulinic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Localized pantothenic acid deficiencies have been observed in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), and Huntington's disease (HD), indicating downstream energetic pathway perturbations. However, no studies have yet been performed to see whether such deficiencies occur across the dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) brain, or what the pattern of such dysregulation may be. Objective: Firstly, this study aimed to quantify pantothenic acid levels across ten regions of the brain in order to determine the localization of any pantothenic acid dysregulation in DLB. Secondly, the localization of pantothenic acid alterations was compared to that previously in AD, PDD, and HD brains. Methods: Pantothenic acid levels were determined in 20 individuals with DLB and 19 controls by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) across ten brain regions. Case–control differences were determined by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test, with the calculation of S-values, risk ratios, E-values, and effect sizes. The results were compared with those previously obtained in DLB, AD, and HD. Results: Pantothenic acid levels were significantly decreased in six of the ten investigated brain regions: the pons, substantia nigra, motor cortex, middle temporal gyrus, primary visual cortex, and hippocampus. This level of pantothenic acid dysregulation is most similar to that of the AD brain, in which pantothenic acid is also decreased in the motor cortex, middle temporal gyrus, primary visual cortex, and hippocampus. DLB appears to differ from other neurodegenerative diseases in being the only of the four to not show pantothenic acid dysregulation in the cerebellum. Conclusions: Pantothenic acid deficiency appears to be a shared mechanism of several neurodegenerative diseases, although differences in the localization of this dysregulation may contribute to the differing clinical pathways observed in these conditions. Plain Language Summary: Decreases in a molecule called pantothenic acid (also known as vitamin B5) have been observed in several areas of the brain in multiple dementia disease, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease dementia, and Huntington's disease. However, it is unknown whether such changes also occur in another dementia disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, which shows many of the same symptoms and molecular changes as these conditions. As such, this study was performed in order to determine if and where changes in pantothenic acid occur throughout the dementia with Lewy bodies brain. Using a methodology called liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, which is able to measure pantothenic acid levels in a highly precise manner in brain tissues, we found that several regions of the dementia with Lewy bodies brain show decreases in pantothenic acid, including some involved in movement such as the substantia nigra and motor cortex, as well as regions associated with cognition and memory such as the hippocampus—looking most similar to the pattern of changes already seen in Alzheimer's disease. It is possible that these changes contribute to the progression of dementia with Lewy bodies; however, further studies need to be performed to determine at what point these changes happen during the disease and how they may contribute to the development of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin B 5 [D-pantothenic acid (D-PA)] is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is widely used in the food and feed industries. Currently, the relatively low fermentation efficiency limits the industrial application of D-PA. Here, a plasmid-free D-PA hyperproducer was constructed using systematic metabolic engineering strategies. First, pyruvate was enriched by deleting the non-phosphotransferase system, inhibiting pyruvate competitive branches, and dynamically controlling the TCA cycle. Next, the (R)-pantoate pathway was enhanced by screening the rate-limiting enzyme PanBC and regulating the other enzymes of this pathway one by one. Then, to enhance NADPH sustainability, NADPH regeneration was achieved through the novel "PEACES" system by (1) expressing the NAD + kinase gene ppnk from Clostridium glutamicum and the NADP + -dependent gapC cae from Clostridium acetobutyricum and (2) knocking-out the endogenous sthA gene, which interacts with ilvC and panE in the D-PA biosynthesis pathway. Combined with transcriptome analysis, it was found that the membrane proteins OmpC and TolR promoted D-PA efflux by increasing membrane fluidity. Strain PA132 produced a D-PA titer of 83.26 g/L by two-stage fed-batch fermentation, which is the highest D-PA titer reported so far. This work established competitive producers for the industrial production of D-PA and provided an effective strategy for the production of related products. [Display omitted] • A non-induced and non-plasmid E. coli for D-PA synthesis was obtained. • TCA was dynamically attenuated by self-regulatory promoter P fliC. • "PEACES" was developed to enhance NADPH sustainability in D-PA biosynthesis. • A newly discovered putative D-PA efflux system was demonstrated. • The D-PA titer reached 83.26 g/L in a 5-L fermenter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of calcium D‐pantothenate for the renewal of its authorisation as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. The additive calcium D‐pantothenate is already authorised for use in all animal species (3a841). The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing conditions of the authorisation and that the production process has not been modified. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. Calcium D‐pantothenate is not irritant to skin and eyes and is not a skin sensitiser. The present application for renewal of the authorisation does not include any modification proposal that would have an impact on the efficacy of the additive, and therefore, there is no need for re‐assessing the efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: It is a condition in which kidney damage occurs in patients receiving doxorubicin treatment and prevents the continuation of treatment. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the preventive effect of dexpanthenol on kidney damage in rats given doxorubicin experimentally. Methods: Thirty-two male rats (weight 250-300 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 8 in each group. The control group was given 0.8 ml saline instead of doxorubicin. 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin was given to the doxorubicin group cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg. In the doxorubicin + dexpanthenol group, 500 mg/kg dexpanthenol was applied to the left inguinal regions of the rats as i.p. every day for 14 days, and 15 mg/kg doxorubicin was applied. Results: Kidney damage was significantly less in the group receiving dex compared to the group receiving only dox (p<0.05). Dexpanthenol showed this effect by reducing oxidative stress, especially Cas-3 and TNF-a values (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been shown in many studies that dexpanthenol has a protective effect against oxidative stress. However, its effect against real damage due to doxorubicin has not been studied before. Our study is important as it shows that doxorubicin-related kidney damage can be reduced with dexpanthenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a case of allergic contact dermatitis and delayed wound healing caused by cosmetic creams containing panthenol. A 26-year-old woman experienced eczema on her face, armpits, and thigh after using various creams with panthenol. Patch testing confirmed an allergic reaction to panthenol in her cosmetics, leading to the eczema and delayed wound healing. The article highlights the importance of considering panthenol as a potential allergen in skincare products, especially for individuals with compromised skin. [Extracted from the article]

Nannochloropsis gaditana, a microalga known for its photosynthetic efficiency, serves as a cell factory, producing valuable biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and pigments. These components make it an ideal candidate for biofuel production and pharmaceutical applications. In this study, we genetically engineered N. gaditana to overexpress the enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cyFBPase) using the Hsp promoter, aiming to enhance sugar metabolism and biomass accumulation. The modified algal strain, termed NgFBP, exhibited a 1.34-fold increase in cyFBPase activity under photoautotrophic conditions. This modification led to a doubling of biomass production and an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content in fatty acids to 20.78–23.08%. Additionally, the genetic alteration activated the pathways related to glycine, protoporphyrin, thioglucosides, pantothenic acid, CoA, and glycerophospholipids. This shift in carbon allocation towards chloroplast development significantly enhanced photosynthesis and growth. The outcomes of this study not only improve our understanding of photosynthesis and carbon allocation in N. gaditana but also suggest new biotechnological methods to optimize biomass yield and compound production in microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus cristatus is a crucial edible fungus used in tea fermentation. In the industrial fermentation process, the fungus experiences a low to high osmotic pressure environment. To explore the law of material metabolism changes during osmotic pressure changes, NaCl was used here to construct different osmotic pressure environments. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) combined with multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the distribution and composition of A. cristatus under different salt concentrations. At the same time, the in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated. The LC–MS metabolomics analysis revealed significant differences between three A. cristatus mycelium samples grown on media with and without NaCl concentrations of 8% and 18%. The contents of gibberellin A3, A124, and prostaglandin A2 related to mycelial growth and those of arabitol and fructose-1,6-diphosphate related to osmotic pressure regulation were significantly reduced at high NaCl concentrations. The biosynthesis of energy-related pantothenol and pantothenic acid and antagonism-related fluvastatin, aflatoxin, and alternariol significantly increased at high NaCl concentrations. Several antioxidant capacities of A. cristatus mycelia were directly related to osmotic pressure and exhibited a significant downward trend with an increase in environmental osmotic pressure. The aforementioned results indicate that A. cristatus adapts to changes in salt concentration by adjusting their metabolite synthesis. At the same time, a unique set of strategies was developed to cope with high salt stress, including growth restriction, osmotic pressure balance, oxidative stress response, antioxidant defense, and survival competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food insecurity is a public health concern that affects children worldwide, yet it represents a particular burden for low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to utilize machine learning to identify the associations between food insecurity and nutrient intake among children aged 5 to 18 years. The study's sample encompassed 1040 participants selected from a 2022 food insecurity household conducted in the West Bank, Palestine. The results indicated that food insecurity was significantly associated with dietary nutrient intake and sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, income, and location. Indeed, 18.2% of the children were found to be food-insecure. A significant correlation was evidenced between inadequate consumption of various nutrients below the recommended dietary allowance and food insecurity. Specifically, insufficient protein, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin B5, vitamin A, vitamin B1, manganese, and copper intake were found to have the highest rates of food insecurity. In addition, children residing in refugee camps experienced significantly higher rates of food insecurity. The findings emphasize the multilayered nature of food insecurity and its impact on children, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions addressing nutrient deficiencies and socioeconomic factors to improve children's health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Joint pain has been recognized as one of the major causes of limitations in mobility, functional decline, and consequently declined quality of life in older adults. Hence, this study aimed to identify the predictors, protective factors, and adverse outcomes of joint pain in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: In this Long-term Research Grant Scheme—Towards Useful Ageing (LRGS-TUA) longitudinal study, a total of 1005 older participants aged 60 years and above who were successfully followed up after five years were included in the analysis. The participants self-reported their joint pain status at baseline and during the fifth year. Subsequently, the baseline characteristics were used to predict changes in joint pain status. Adverse outcomes related to joint pain were evaluated based on the participants' joint pain statuses. Results: Results showed that being female, having diabetes mellitus, and higher body mass index were associated with the incidence of joint pain. Meanwhile, increased intake of pantothenic acid and higher levels of blood albumin levels were associated with recovery from joint pain. Participants with persistent joint pain at baseline and follow-up showed higher levels of depression and disability compared to individuals who never experience any joint pain. However, participants who had recovered from joint pain did not differ significantly from those without joint pain at baseline and follow-up in these measures. Conclusions: By identifying the modifiable risk factors, factors associated with recovery, and adverse outcomes related to joint pain, this study adds to current evidence that may contribute to further management strategies for joint pain in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]