Molecular Nutrition & Food Research最新文献

Oxidative stress is strongly linked to persistent inflammatory responses and contributes to the development and progression of various chronic diseases. This study aimed to identify and investigate the potential antioxidant capacity and mechanisms of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ZFM847 (L. paracasei ZFM847) derived from fresh milk. The findings indicated that L. paracasei ZFM847 can withstand high concentrations (2.0 mM) of H₂O₂ and possesses strong antioxidant capacity. This resilience is attributed to the upregulation of genes associated with the thioredoxin system (trx1 and trx2), antioxidant enzymes (sod, nox, and npx), and the glutathione redox system (gpx, gshAB, gst, and gr). Furthermore, L. paracasei ZFM847 significantly mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and modulating the gut microbiota in D-gal-induced oxidative stress mice. Notably, L. paracasei ZFM847 also demonstrated a notable protective effect against oxidative damage induced by Helicobacter pylori in GES-1 cells and mice, potentially through the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings suggested that L. paracasei ZFM847 has the potential to serve as a natural antioxidant probiotic in functional foods.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), potential carcinogens formed in processed meats, have been linked to liver injury. This study evaluated whether cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G, 100 mg/kg) protects against liver injury by the representative HAA 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ, 20 mg/kg) in mice, and explored mechanisms by integrated approaches: biochemical assays, histology, Western blot, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results demonstrated that C3G significantly ameliorated IQ-induced liver injury, as indicated by reduced serum AST and ALT and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) levels. Additionally, C3G restored redox homeostasis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, while enhancing antioxidant defenses (GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD). Mechanistically, C3G exerted its protective effects via multiple anti-apoptotic pathways. Specifically, it attenuated mitochondrial apoptosis by lowering the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and inhibiting cytochrome c-caspase-9/3 activation. It also alleviated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by downregulating GRP78/ATF4/CHOP and caspase-12. Furthermore, C3G interfered with death receptor signaling by reducing Fas/FasL/FADD activation and caspase-8, while upregulating CFLAR. MD simulations further demonstrated that C3G binds to the hydrophobic pocket of BAX and weakens BAX-BIM interactions. These results conclusively identify C3G as a multi-target agent against IQ-induced liver damage, highlighting its promise for development into a novel dietary strategy to counteract the toxicological risks of processed meat consumption.

Yacon root (YR) is a functional food that can increase bowel movement frequency, but with an unclear mechanism. In this study, a UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS system was employed to characterize the chemical composition of YR. Subsequently, a 10-day pilot intervention trial involving 11 healthy adults was conducted to evaluate the effects of YR on bowel movement frequency. Concurrently, the involved mechanisms were explored through metagenomic and metabolomic approaches. A total of 82 chemical components were identified in YR. Clinical trials indicated that continuous intake of YR significantly increased bowel movement frequency without noticeable adverse effects. Metagenomic analysis revealed that YR substantially increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and inhibited the generation of potential pathogens, including Escherichia–Shigella, thereby promoting a more balanced and healthier gut microbiota structure. Metabolomic analysis indicated that YR significantly upregulated metabolites, including cholic acid, taurine, and amino acids, which mainly focus on the biosynthesis of primary bile acid and the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine. In summary, YR can safely and effectively increase bowel movement frequency in healthy individuals. The mechanism may involve synergistic regulation of gut microbiota and metabolites, which offered new insights to support YR as a natural functional food for laxative effects.

This study explored the hepatoprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of tartary buckwheat vinegar (TBV) against alcoholic acute liver injury (AALI). The 60 male ICR mice were divided into six groups: control (Con), model (EtOH, 52°, Red Star Erguotou, 10 mL/kg), metadoxine (Met, 300 mg/kg), and TBV low/medium/high-dose groups (L/M/H, 3.75/7.5/12 mL/kg). Pharmacological evaluations revealed that ethanol exposure significantly increased the liver index and serum levels of AST and ALT. Moreover, hepatic GSH, SOD, and ALDH enzymatic activity were markedly decreased, while MDA levels and IL-1β were significantly elevated. Notably, treatment with Met or TBV effectively reversed these changes. Then the underlying mechanisms were elucidated by a strategy combining with gene expression reversal analysis and metabolomics. The results indicated that TBV ameliorates AALI by inhibiting PTGS2, ALOX5, and TRPM8 expression, while simultaneously mitigating extracellular matrix remodeling, lipid metabolic stress, and hepatic edema by downgrading MMP2, FABP3, and AQP1, and enhancing lymphatic drainage through upregulation of LYVE1. Chemical Checker and molecular docking showed that the flavonoids in TBV played a significant role in modulating PTGS2, ALOX5, MMP2, TRPM8, AQP1, LYVE1, FABP3, and ALDH2. In conclusion, TBV might be a potential candidate for functional foods aimed at hepatoprotection against the AALI.

Studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of inevitable exposure of bisphenol A (BPA), especially liver injury via gut-liver axis. Probiotics are increasingly used as adjunctive therapy to ameliorate adversely effects induced by BPA. In view of safety concerns of probiotics, postbiotics are proposed as alternatives to probiotics in clinical applications. At present, no study has directly compared the ameliorative effect of probiotics and postbiotics. This study compares the effect of postbiotics and probiotics derived from Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 employed for BPA-induced liver injury in a mouse model. The results show that both postbiotics and probiotics of L. lactis NZ9000 have BPA binding capacity in vitro and in vivo, and administration of probiotics and postbiotics ameliorate BPA-induced liver injury. BPA increases pyroptosis factors and decreases intestinal physical barrier, which reverses by both probiotics and postbiotics treatment. The composition of gut microbiota is also modulated by both probiotics and postbiotics. Notably, the stronger mitigating effects of the above biomarkers are seen in postbiotics treatment than in probiotics treatment. In view of the stronger mitigating effects of postbiotics compared with probiotics and its smaller safety concern, postbiotics are proposed to be considered as next-generation adjunctive therapy to ameliorate adversely effects induced by environmental toxicants.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a major lethal complication of diabetes, involves ferroptosis as a key pathogenic mechanism. Meanwhile, studies on the cardioprotective effect of artemisinin (Art) are mostly superficial, its specific mechanisms and whether it is related to ferroptosis is unclear. This study investigated Art's cardioprotective effects against DCM-associated ferroptosis through in vitro and in vivo models. In high glucose-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes, Art significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe²⁺ levels while preserving mitochondrial function. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, 8-week Art treatment improved cardiac function, attenuated histopathological damage, and normalized serum markers (CK, LDH, TG, and TC). Art restored redox balance by increasing glutathione (GSH) while decreasing MDA and Fe²⁺, and reversed DCM-induced protein expression changes: upregulating GPX4, HO-1, Nrf2, and NQO1 while downregulating TfR and P53. Both Art and ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 demonstrated comparable protective effects, confirming Art's action through ferroptosis inhibition. These findings establish Art as a promising therapeutic candidate for DCM via modulation of the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway and iron homeostasis.