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In order to investigate the nutritional processing quality of sika deer (Cervus nippon) venison at different sites, the pH24 h, tenderness, pressurized water loss rate, meat color, intramuscular fat, moisture, protein, amino acid, fatty acid and squalene contents of sika deer venison were determined in twelve sites: foreleg, hind leg, outer tenderloin, rump, neck meat, chest meat, deer flank, abdominal rib, high rib, tenderloin, anterior tendon and posterior tendon. The results showed that the pH24 h of sika deer venison at different sites was 5.49~5.78; the tenderness of outer tenderloin (31.71 N) was the lowest, and the neck meat (68.53 N) was the highest; the squeezing moisture of tenderloin (28.12%) was the largest, and the foreleg (12.34%) was the smallest; the brightness of outer tenderloin L* (29.68) was the lowest, and the redness a* and yellowness b* of deer flank were the highest; the intramuscular fat and moisture were 0.66~4.97% and 71.00~73.78%, respectively; and the protein content of outer tenderloin (23.44%) and rump (24.02%) was high. The venison meat contained 17 kinds of amino acids, and the total amount was 63.87~79.33 g/100 g. It was rich in essential amino acids, mainly lysine and leucine, accounting for 64.29~65.39% of non-essential amino acids, which was close to the ideal protein composition. Palmitoleic acid and oleic acid were the main monounsaturated fatty acids in venison, and the contents of abdominal ribs were the highest, 16,875.33 mg/kg and 31,772.73 mg/kg, respectively. The contents of essential fatty acids were also the highest in abdominal ribs (11,225.37 mg/kg); forelegs, hind legs, outer tenderloins, rumps, neck meat, chest meat, high rib, tenderloins, anterior tendons and posterior tendons were all good sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Squalene content was highest in the abdominal rib (100.85 mg/kg). The nutritional processing quality of sika deer venison in different muscles is significantly different, and this study can provide a data basis for the evaluation and processing of sika deer venison quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To investigate the effects of ginseng soluble dietary fiber (GSDF) on the spermatogenic potential in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Method. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 60 days, and GSDF was administered by gastric gavage. The mice were divided into control, HFD, GSDF (high, medium, and low), and positive (metformin and MH) groups. During this period, changes in body weight were recorded. Various organ indices were measured 24 h after the last dose. Sperm quality in the vas deferens and epididymis tail was determined using fully automated analyzers. Serum levels of the three lipids, cytokines, and hormones were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in the testicular tissue and epididymal fat were observed by H&E and immunofluorescence staining of the testicular tissue for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE). Changes in the levels of MAPK pathway proteins in the testicular cells were detected by western blotting. Result. GSDF intervention significantly reduced the body weight, renal index, and white fat in obese mice, while increasing the testicular organ index. GSDF intervention significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in mice compared to the HFD group, thereby improving hyperlipidemia. Simultaneously, the serum cytokine IL‐4 level was increased, IL‐6 level was significantly reduced, testosterone (T) hormone level was significantly increased, and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly reduced in the GSDF‐treated mice. The viability, survival rate, and density of spermatozoa in the treated groups significantly improved. Testicular interstitial cell vacuolization and collagen fibrosis improved, spermatogonia were aligned, and epididymal fat cell hypertrophy and vacuolization were suppressed. In the GSDF treatment group, SOD levels increased significantly, whereas 4‐HNE levels decreased, with the most evident effect observed in the medium‐dose group. GSDF ameliorated metabolic disorders in obese mice by regulating the p‐JNK/p‐p38MAPK pathway. Conclusion. GSDF ameliorated spermatogenic potential in obese mice by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, GSDF may be an effective lipid‐lowering agent for improving the reproductive potential of obese mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this investigation was to elucidate the manner in which ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via the modulation of the gut microbiota milieu. We administered either a standard diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD), coupled with 12-week treatment employing two distinct doses of Rg5 (50 and 100 mg/kg/d), to male C57BL/6J mice. In comparison to the HFD cohort, the Rg5-treated group demonstrated significant enhancements in biochemical parameters, exemplified by a substantial decrease in lipid concentrations, as well as the reduced expression of markers indicative of oxidative stress and liver injury. This signifies a mitigation of hepatic dysfunction induced by an HFD. Simultaneously, Rg5 demonstrates the capacity to activate the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, instigating energy metabolism and consequently hindering the progression of NAFLD. Furthermore, we underscored the role of Rg5 in the treatment of NAFLD within the gut-microbiota-liver axis. Analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing unveiled that Rg5 intervention induced alterations in gut microbiota composition, fostering an increase in beneficial bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Akkermansia, while concurrently reducing the relative abundance of detrimental bacteria, exemplified by Olsenella. Furthermore, employing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments, we observed analogous outcomes in mice subjected to fecal bacterial transplants, providing additional verification of the capacity of Rg5 to mitigate NAFLD in mice by actively participating in the restoration of gut microbiota via FMT. Drawing from these data, the regulation of the gut microbiota is recognized as an innovative strategy for treating or preventing NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, these research findings suggest that Rg5 holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for NAFLD management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ginsenoside Rg5 has been proven to possess numerous health benefits. However, Rg5 is difficult to prepare using the current methods, and the poor stability and solubility of Rg5 are intractable properties that limit its application. We try to establish and optimize a new method for preparing Rg5. Methods: Different amino acids acted as catalysts, and reaction conditions were investigated to transform Rg5 in GSLS. Different CDs and reaction conditions were investigated for the preparation of CD-Rg5 based on yield and purity; ESI-MS, FT-IR, XRD and SEM analyses were used to prove the formation of the CD-Rg5 inclusion complex. Both the stability and bioactivity of β-CD-Rg5 were investigated. Results: The content of Rg5 reached 140.8 mg/g after transformation of GSLS using Asp as a catalyst. The yield of β-CD-Rg5 reached a maximum of 12% and a purity of 92.5%. The results showed that the β-CD-Rg5 inclusion complex can improve its stability of Rg5 against light and temperature. Antioxidant activity analyses against DPPH, ABTS+, and Fe2+ chelation showed enhanced antioxidant activity of the β-CD-Rg5 inclusion complex. Conclusions: A novel and effective strategy for the separation of Rg5 from ginseng stem–leaf saponins (GSLS) was developed to improve the stability, solubility, and bioactivity of Rg5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]