Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107149
Yue Lv , Jianchao Wang , Yue Li , Jiawei Wang , Yuekun Zhang , Huiwen Wu
This study investigated the mechanisms by which Forsythia tea (FT) alleviates diet-induced obesity via the gut-adipose axis. Following 8 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding to induce obesity in male C57BL/6 J mice, the HFD-fed mice were randomized into HFD and HFD + FT groups, with a normal diet (ND) group as control, for a subsequent 4-week intervention. The results demonstrated that FT significantly attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, FT effectively reversed dyslipidemia and suppressed systemic inflammation. Mechanistically, FT reshaped the gut microbiota, enhancing alpha diversity and enriching beneficial taxa. These microbial changes were associated with increased colonic short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, particularly butyrate, and reinforced intestinal barrier integrity. Crucially, FT treatment markedly upregulated the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), indicating the activation of WAT browning. Correlation analyses strongly linked the enriched beneficial microbes to the improved metabolic phenotypes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that FT mitigates obesity and metabolic dysfunction by activating a microbiota-dependent gut-adipose axis that promotes WAT browning, supporting its potential as a functional beverage for obesity management.
{"title":"Activate the gut–adipose Axis: Forsythia tea alleviates diet-induced obesity via gut microbiota–dependent Browning of white adipose tissue","authors":"Yue Lv , Jianchao Wang , Yue Li , Jiawei Wang , Yuekun Zhang , Huiwen Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the mechanisms by which Forsythia tea (FT) alleviates diet-induced obesity via the gut-adipose axis. Following 8 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding to induce obesity in male C57BL/6 J mice, the HFD-fed mice were randomized into HFD and HFD + FT groups, with a normal diet (ND) group as control, for a subsequent 4-week intervention. The results demonstrated that FT significantly attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, FT effectively reversed dyslipidemia and suppressed systemic inflammation. Mechanistically, FT reshaped the gut microbiota, enhancing alpha diversity and enriching beneficial taxa. These microbial changes were associated with increased colonic short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, particularly butyrate, and reinforced intestinal barrier integrity. Crucially, FT treatment markedly upregulated the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), indicating the activation of WAT browning. Correlation analyses strongly linked the enriched beneficial microbes to the improved metabolic phenotypes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that FT mitigates obesity and metabolic dysfunction by activating a microbiota-dependent gut-adipose axis that promotes WAT browning, supporting its potential as a functional beverage for obesity management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"137 ","pages":"Article 107149"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145898068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107150
Zuming Li , Leyi Zhao , Liyuan Wang , Xinyu Shao , Ziqing Cheng , Shiquan Si , Xuhua Yang , Yongxin She , Xiaomeng Yang , Michael Zhang , Peixuan Shen , Xikun Yan , Yawen Zeng , Xia Li
Highland red rice is nutrient-rich due to its unique geographical location. However, systematic studies examining its antidiabetic effects and the underlying mechanisms are limited. In this study, cooked highland red rice (CHRR) was incorporated into a specialized feed and used as a dietary intervention in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. CHRR intervention significantly reduced hyperglycemia, improved lipid dysregulation, alleviated hepatic oxidative stress, and restored pancreatic β-cell function. Furthermore, CHRR markedly increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria, including Dubosiella,Faecalibaculum, Romboutsia, and Turicibacter. These beneficial microbial communities facilitated favorable alterations in intestinal metabolites. Notably, CHRR significantly increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels and decreased nucleotide metabolites (e.g., xanthosine, xanthine, and inosine). Correlation analyses showed that Dubosiella and Faecalibaculum were negatively correlated with nucleotide metabolites, suggesting their potential roles in modulating nucleotide metabolism. In conclusion, these findings suggest that highland red rice may ameliorate diabetic symptoms through the modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, supporting its potential development as a functional food for diabetes management.
{"title":"Cooked highland red rice ameliorates diabetic symptoms via gut microbiota-metabolite interactions in streptozotocin-induced mice","authors":"Zuming Li , Leyi Zhao , Liyuan Wang , Xinyu Shao , Ziqing Cheng , Shiquan Si , Xuhua Yang , Yongxin She , Xiaomeng Yang , Michael Zhang , Peixuan Shen , Xikun Yan , Yawen Zeng , Xia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Highland red rice is nutrient-rich due to its unique geographical location. However, systematic studies examining its antidiabetic effects and the underlying mechanisms are limited. In this study, cooked highland red rice (CHRR) was incorporated into a specialized feed and used as a dietary intervention in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. CHRR intervention significantly reduced hyperglycemia, improved lipid dysregulation, alleviated hepatic oxidative stress, and restored pancreatic β-cell function. Furthermore, CHRR markedly increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria, including <em>Dubosiella</em><strong>,</strong> <em>Faecalibaculum</em>, <em>Romboutsia</em>, and <em>Turicibacter</em>. These beneficial microbial communities facilitated favorable alterations in intestinal metabolites. Notably, CHRR significantly increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels and decreased nucleotide metabolites (e.g., xanthosine, xanthine, and inosine). Correlation analyses showed that <em>Dubosiella</em> and <em>Faecalibaculum</em> were negatively correlated with nucleotide metabolites, suggesting their potential roles in modulating nucleotide metabolism. In conclusion, these findings suggest that highland red rice may ameliorate diabetic symptoms through the modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, supporting its potential development as a functional food for diabetes management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107150"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107143
Xiao Gan , Qiqing Zheng , Pengfei Wang , Zhewei Zhang , Bohan Zhang , Jingyue Li , Liang Wang , Zhilin Zhao
Gastric cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Resveratrol has demonstrated significant anticancer properties across multiple cancer types, including gastric cancer. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by poor bioavailability and rapid metabolic clearance. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative drug delivery systems combining ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology with nanocarriers, Exploiting the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, nanotech-based drug delivery system facilitate enhanced vascular penetration and tumor tissue accumulation, resulting in prolonged systemic circulation, improved therapeutic efficiency, and reduced systemic toxicity. The integration of nanotechnology-based delivery systems with UTMD technology enhances the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs while providing a safe and targeted approach for resveratrol delivery, thereby optimizing its therapeutic and diagnostic potential in gastric cancer treatment. This review explores the applications of UTMD-mediated resveratrol nanocarriers in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.
{"title":"UTMD technology mediates the application of resveratrol nanocarriers in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer","authors":"Xiao Gan , Qiqing Zheng , Pengfei Wang , Zhewei Zhang , Bohan Zhang , Jingyue Li , Liang Wang , Zhilin Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastric cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Resveratrol has demonstrated significant anticancer properties across multiple cancer types, including gastric cancer. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by poor bioavailability and rapid metabolic clearance. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative drug delivery systems combining ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology with nanocarriers, Exploiting the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, nanotech-based drug delivery system facilitate enhanced vascular penetration and tumor tissue accumulation, resulting in prolonged systemic circulation, improved therapeutic efficiency, and reduced systemic toxicity. The integration of nanotechnology-based delivery systems with UTMD technology enhances the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs while providing a safe and targeted approach for resveratrol delivery, thereby optimizing its therapeutic and diagnostic potential in gastric cancer treatment. This review explores the applications of UTMD-mediated resveratrol nanocarriers in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107143"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107146
Erna Li , Junyao Qin , Yuxiao Zou , Fan Liu , Daorui Pang , Qian Li , Zechun Hong , Siyuan Wang
Lactobacillus has the functions of regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and regulating intestinal flora. However, it is poorly tolerated by the human gastrointestinal fluid, which affects its survival in the intestine and reduces the effectiveness of Lactobacillus. This study developed microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus using mulberry oligosaccharides and maltodextrin (1:3) via spray drying to enhance probiotic viability. The spherical microcapsules (75.18 ± 4.32 μm) demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency and promoted bacterial proliferation. In vitro tests revealed exceptional gastrointestinal protection, maintaining viable counts above 4.53 lg CFU/g after digestion, and significant hypoglycemic activity. In type 2 diabetic mice, treatment modulated gut microbiota by increasing Firmicutes and Lactobacillus abundances while reducing Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella. These findings demonstrate that the microcapsules wall materials provide effective gastrointestinal protection. Core materials provide hypoglycemic function, and microbiota remodeling. Our results inform the potential for the development of mulberry oligosaccharides and probiotics as an intestinal-targeted delivery system.
乳酸菌具有调节血糖、降低胆固醇、调节肠道菌群等功能。然而，人体胃肠道液体对它的耐受性很差，这影响了它在肠道中的存活，降低了乳酸杆菌的有效性。本研究以桑树低聚糖和麦芽糖糊精（1:3）为原料，通过喷雾干燥法制备鼠李糖乳杆菌微胶囊，以提高益生菌活力。球形微胶囊（75.18±4.32 μm）包封效率高，能促进细菌增殖。体外试验显示出特殊的胃肠道保护作用，消化后活菌计数维持在4.53 lg CFU/g以上，并具有显著的降糖活性。在2型糖尿病小鼠中，治疗通过增加厚壁菌门和乳酸杆菌的丰度，同时减少变形菌门和志贺氏杆菌来调节肠道微生物群。这些结果表明，微胶囊壁材料具有有效的胃肠保护作用。核心材料提供低血糖功能和微生物群重塑。我们的研究结果为开发桑树低聚糖和益生菌作为肠道靶向递送系统提供了潜力。
{"title":"Preparation of MOS-Lactobacillus rhamnosus microcapsules by spray drying and its evaluation under gastrointestinal and fermentation with T2D mice feces","authors":"Erna Li , Junyao Qin , Yuxiao Zou , Fan Liu , Daorui Pang , Qian Li , Zechun Hong , Siyuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Lactobacillus</em> has the functions of regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and regulating intestinal flora. However, it is poorly tolerated by the human gastrointestinal fluid, which affects its survival in the intestine and reduces the effectiveness of <em>Lactobacillus</em>. This study developed microencapsulated <em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</em> using mulberry oligosaccharides and maltodextrin (1:3) <em>via</em> spray drying to enhance probiotic viability. The spherical microcapsules (75.18 ± 4.32 μm) demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency and promoted bacterial proliferation. <em>In vitro</em> tests revealed exceptional gastrointestinal protection, maintaining viable counts above 4.53 lg CFU/g after digestion, and significant hypoglycemic activity. In type 2 diabetic mice, treatment modulated gut microbiota by increasing <em>Firmicutes</em> and <em>Lactobacillus</em> abundances while reducing <em>Proteobacteria</em> and <em>Escherichia-Shigella</em>. These findings demonstrate that the microcapsules wall materials provide effective gastrointestinal protection. Core materials provide hypoglycemic function, and microbiota remodeling. Our results inform the potential for the development of mulberry oligosaccharides and probiotics as an intestinal-targeted delivery system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107146"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107148
Ahlam Saleh Alhajri
This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and cholesterol-lowering effects of Hassawi rice in an experimental model of hyperlipidemia. A total of 48 albino rats were used to compare Hassawi rice powder (HR) and sprouted Hassawi rice (SHR) at 5% and 10% dietary inclusion over 28 days. SHR, particularly at 10%, significantly improved liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)reduced serum lipids, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased oxidative markers, nitric oxide/nitrite (NO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL–C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). SHR was more effective than HRP and the standard drug fenofibrate. Histological analysis showed substantial restoration of liver and heart architecture. These findings demonstrate SHR has strong antioxidants and anti-hyperlipidemic properties, highlighting its potential as a dietary intervention for oxidative stress-related disorders such as hyperlipidemia.
{"title":"Antioxidant activity of Hassawi rice and sprouted Hassawi rice and its effect on lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme in hyperlipidemic rats","authors":"Ahlam Saleh Alhajri","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and cholesterol-lowering effects of Hassawi rice in an experimental model of hyperlipidemia. A total of 48 albino rats were used to compare Hassawi rice powder (HR) and sprouted Hassawi rice (SHR) at 5% and 10% dietary inclusion over 28 days. SHR, particularly at 10%, significantly improved liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)reduced serum lipids, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased oxidative markers, nitric oxide/nitrite (NO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL–C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). SHR was more effective than HRP and the standard drug fenofibrate. Histological analysis showed substantial restoration of liver and heart architecture. These findings demonstrate SHR has strong antioxidants and anti-hyperlipidemic properties, highlighting its potential as a dietary intervention for oxidative stress-related disorders such as hyperlipidemia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107148"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107133
Shuai Li , Jie Huai , Bingfu Yang , Cunxi Lu , Junjie Qiu , Yi Ding , Renjie Zhou , Shan Wang
This study aimed to develop a novel ACE inhibitory peptide from cod skin with antihypertensive activity. Cod skin collagen hydrolysate was prepared by stepwise enzymatic hydrolysis using Collagen hydrolase followed by flavourzyme. The hydrolysate was purified by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-25 chromatography, and preparative HPLC. A new ACE inhibitory peptide, GPAGPSGP (638.67 Da), was identified with an IC50 of 179 ± 12 μM, retaining 97.49 % activity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Mixed-type inhibition was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Molecular docking revealed a binding energy of −10.1 kcal/mol for the GPAGPSGP–ACE interaction, indicating hydrophobic and polar residues mediate side-chain interactions in the ACE active site. The ACE-inhibitory peptide obtained from cod skin by two-enzyme hydrolysis showed strong activity, supporting its potential use in functional foods for hypertension management.
{"title":"A novel ACE inhibitory peptide from Gadus morhua skin: Isolation, characterization and antihypertensive mechanisms","authors":"Shuai Li , Jie Huai , Bingfu Yang , Cunxi Lu , Junjie Qiu , Yi Ding , Renjie Zhou , Shan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to develop a novel ACE inhibitory peptide from cod skin with antihypertensive activity. Cod skin collagen hydrolysate was prepared by stepwise enzymatic hydrolysis using Collagen hydrolase followed by flavourzyme. The hydrolysate was purified by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-25 chromatography, and preparative HPLC. A new ACE inhibitory peptide, GPAGPSGP (638.67 Da), was identified with an IC<sub>50</sub> of 179 ± 12 μM, retaining 97.49 % activity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Mixed-type inhibition was confirmed by kinetic analysis. Molecular docking revealed a binding energy of −10.1 kcal/mol for the GPAGPSGP–ACE interaction, indicating hydrophobic and polar residues mediate side-chain interactions in the ACE active site. The ACE-inhibitory peptide obtained from cod skin by two-enzyme hydrolysis showed strong activity, supporting its potential use in functional foods for hypertension management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107133"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107135
Fengqi Yang , Hyo-Geun Lee , D.P. Nagahawatta , Xueyu Wang , You-Jin Jeon
This study builds on previous research on bioactive peptides from Paralichthys olivaceus (P. olivaceus), focusing on a tripeptide (POIER) in Protamex-Pepsin assisted hydrolysate from P. olivaceus (POppH). The blood pressure-lowering effects of POIER were confirmed in vitro and in vivo studies. In the present study, the in vivo antihypertensive efficacy of POppH and its potential anti-muscle atrophy activity were investigated. In an in vivo spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model, POppH administration reduced blood pressure and alleviated aortic and cardiac fibrosis. In an in vitro dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced C2C12 myotube model, both POppH and POIER enhanced myoblast proliferation, differentiation, and myotube formation through upregulation of MyHC, MyoD, myogenin, p-mTOR, and p-Akt, while downregulating muscle degradation markers such as FoxO3a, MuRF-1, and MAFbx. Molecular docking analysis indicated that POIER interacts with the mTOR active site and may inhibit angiotensin II binding to angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). These results highlight the dual functionality of POppH and POIER in supporting cardiovascular and muscular health.
{"title":"Dual functional peptide from olive flounder exerts antihypertensive and anti-muscle atrophy effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats","authors":"Fengqi Yang , Hyo-Geun Lee , D.P. Nagahawatta , Xueyu Wang , You-Jin Jeon","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study builds on previous research on bioactive peptides from <em>Paralichthys olivaceus</em> (<em>P. olivaceus</em>), focusing on a tripeptide (POIER) in Protamex-Pepsin assisted hydrolysate from <em>P. olivaceus</em> (POppH). The blood pressure-lowering effects of POIER were confirmed <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies. In the present study, the <em>in vivo</em> antihypertensive efficacy of POppH and its potential anti-muscle atrophy activity were investigated. In an <em>in vivo</em> spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model, POppH administration reduced blood pressure and alleviated aortic and cardiac fibrosis. In an <em>in vitro</em> dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced C2C12 myotube model, both POppH and POIER enhanced myoblast proliferation, differentiation, and myotube formation through upregulation of MyHC, MyoD, myogenin, p-mTOR, and p-Akt, while downregulating muscle degradation markers such as FoxO3a, MuRF-1, and MAFbx. Molecular docking analysis indicated that POIER interacts with the mTOR active site and may inhibit angiotensin II binding to angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). These results highlight the dual functionality of POppH and POIER in supporting cardiovascular and muscular health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107135"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107144
Shihang Li , Shijun Sun , Wenzhuang Shen , Meiling Sun , Pengyu Xiang , Xiaoyu Mao , Xuxiang Lu , Hongtao Xu , Yujun Jiang , Xinyan Yang
This study compared A1 and A2 β-casein using a constipated mouse model and ex vivo intestinal sac assays. A2 β-casein significantly improved constipation-related outcomes—enhancing body weight recovery, shortening the first black stool time, increasing fecal water content, and accelerating small intestinal transit compared to A1 β-casein (p < 0.05). Moreover, A2 β-casein upregulated excitatory neuropeptides (promoting motility) and downregulated inhibitory ones, while histology showed reduced colonic damage, more goblet cells, and less inflammation. Absorption assays revealed faster protein digestion uptake across all intestinal segments, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum. In conclusion, A2 β-casein outperformed A1 in relieving constipation, restoring gut function, and improving protein absorption, supporting its potential in functional dairy applications.
{"title":"A1 β-casein and A2 β-casein: effects on the gastrointestinal motility, digestion, and absorption","authors":"Shihang Li , Shijun Sun , Wenzhuang Shen , Meiling Sun , Pengyu Xiang , Xiaoyu Mao , Xuxiang Lu , Hongtao Xu , Yujun Jiang , Xinyan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study compared A1 and A2 β-casein using a constipated mouse model and ex vivo intestinal sac assays. A2 β-casein significantly improved constipation-related outcomes—enhancing body weight recovery, shortening the first black stool time, increasing fecal water content, and accelerating small intestinal transit compared to A1 β-casein (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Moreover, A2 β-casein upregulated excitatory neuropeptides (promoting motility) and downregulated inhibitory ones, while histology showed reduced colonic damage, more goblet cells, and less inflammation. Absorption assays revealed faster protein digestion uptake across all intestinal segments, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum. In conclusion, A2 β-casein outperformed A1 in relieving constipation, restoring gut function, and improving protein absorption, supporting its potential in functional dairy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107119
Aminah Dalimunthe , Michle William Tan , Felice Chrismary Lu , Yumiko Angiosaki , Andi Nilawati Usman , Sony Eka Nugraha , Mahani Mahani , Princella Halim , Yuandani , Fahrul Nurkolis , Amer Ahmed , Nurpudji Astuti Taslim , Mega Carensia Gunawan , Arya Tjipta Prananda , Chindy Umaya , Rony Abdi Syahputra
Immunonutrient has emerged as a critical discipline integrating immunology, nutrition, and precision medicine. Key immunonutrients—including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D, C, and E, zinc, selenium, glutamine, arginine, polyphenols, and probiotics—modulate innate and adaptive immunity through mechanisms involving cytokine regulation, barrier function enhancement, immune cell differentiation, and redox balance. Multi-omics technologies have revealed substantial inter-individual variability in nutrient-immune interactions, driven by genetic polymorphisms, metabolic phenotypes, and microbiome composition. Clinical evidence demonstrates that immunonutrients reduce inflammatory markers, lower infection rates, and improve outcomes in surgical, critical care, autoimmune, and infectious disease contexts. Maternal and pediatric immunonutrient influences lifelong immune competence through developmental programming. However, challenges persist in defining optimal dosages, evaluating nutrient synergies, and translating precision nutrition into clinical practice. This review highlights the integration of genomics, metabolomics, and artificial intelligence to enable individualized immunonutrient interventions. By moving beyond population-based recommendations, precision immunonutrient represents a cornerstone of personalized healthcare with potential to optimize immune resilience across diverse clinical populations. This review synthesizes current evidence on the molecular mechanisms by which key immunonutrients modulate immune responses and explores how precision nutrition frameworks can translate inter-individual variability into personalized therapeutic strategies.
{"title":"Immunonutrients as modulators of inflammation, barrier integrity, and immune regulation: Toward precision nutrition","authors":"Aminah Dalimunthe , Michle William Tan , Felice Chrismary Lu , Yumiko Angiosaki , Andi Nilawati Usman , Sony Eka Nugraha , Mahani Mahani , Princella Halim , Yuandani , Fahrul Nurkolis , Amer Ahmed , Nurpudji Astuti Taslim , Mega Carensia Gunawan , Arya Tjipta Prananda , Chindy Umaya , Rony Abdi Syahputra","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Immunonutrient has emerged as a critical discipline integrating immunology, nutrition, and precision medicine. Key immunonutrients—including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D, C, and E, zinc, selenium, glutamine, arginine, polyphenols, and probiotics—modulate innate and adaptive immunity through mechanisms involving cytokine regulation, barrier function enhancement, immune cell differentiation, and redox balance. Multi-omics technologies have revealed substantial inter-individual variability in nutrient-immune interactions, driven by genetic polymorphisms, metabolic phenotypes, and microbiome composition. Clinical evidence demonstrates that immunonutrients reduce inflammatory markers, lower infection rates, and improve outcomes in surgical, critical care, autoimmune, and infectious disease contexts. Maternal and pediatric immunonutrient influences lifelong immune competence through developmental programming. However, challenges persist in defining optimal dosages, evaluating nutrient synergies, and translating precision nutrition into clinical practice. This review highlights the integration of genomics, metabolomics, and artificial intelligence to enable individualized immunonutrient interventions. By moving beyond population-based recommendations, precision immunonutrient represents a cornerstone of personalized healthcare with potential to optimize immune resilience across diverse clinical populations. This review synthesizes current evidence on the molecular mechanisms by which key immunonutrients modulate immune responses and explores how precision nutrition frameworks can translate inter-individual variability into personalized therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107119"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107134
Gui'e Hu , Yebi Qin , Mei Qu , Jingwei Jin , Panpan Wu , Lishe Gan , Dongli Li
This study aimed to elucidate the hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of animal-derived blood peptide protein powder (BPPP). BPPP dose-dependently increased glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes (100, 200, 400 μg/mL) without compromising cell viability. Mechanistically, BPPP activated the insulin signaling pathway and promoted GLUT4 membrane translocation. Four-week BPPP gavage ameliorated diabetic symptoms in alloxan-induced mice, significantly lowering fasting glucose, improving glucose tolerance, and attenuating tissue damage. Moreover, BPPP enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity and improved dyslipidemia in diabetic mice. Consistent with the in vitro experiments, BPPP upregulated the insulin signaling pathway and GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle. Additionally, BPPP suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis (PEPCK, G6Pase) while enhancing glycogen storage. LC-MS/MS analysis of BPPP-G1 and BPPP-G2 fractions identified three non-toxic bioactive peptides (YPWTQ, VDPENFRLL, RYVDPENFRLL), which were validated by Peptide Ranker and molecular docking. These findings provide a theoretical basis for BPPP application as a functional food ingredient or therapeutic agent in diabetes management.
{"title":"Hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of animal-derived blood peptides in C2C12 myotubes and alloxan-induced diabetic mice","authors":"Gui'e Hu , Yebi Qin , Mei Qu , Jingwei Jin , Panpan Wu , Lishe Gan , Dongli Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jff.2025.107134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to elucidate the hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of animal-derived blood peptide protein powder (BPPP). BPPP dose-dependently increased glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes (100, 200, 400 μg/mL) without compromising cell viability. Mechanistically, BPPP activated the insulin signaling pathway and promoted GLUT4 membrane translocation. Four-week BPPP gavage ameliorated diabetic symptoms in alloxan-induced mice, significantly lowering fasting glucose, improving glucose tolerance, and attenuating tissue damage. Moreover, BPPP enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity and improved dyslipidemia in diabetic mice. Consistent with the <em>in vitro</em> experiments, BPPP upregulated the insulin signaling pathway and GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle. Additionally, BPPP suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis (PEPCK, G6Pase) while enhancing glycogen storage. LC-MS/MS analysis of BPPP-G1 and BPPP-G2 fractions identified three non-toxic bioactive peptides (YPWTQ, VDPENFRLL, RYVDPENFRLL), which were validated by Peptide Ranker and molecular docking. These findings provide a theoretical basis for BPPP application as a functional food ingredient or therapeutic agent in diabetes management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":360,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Foods","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 107134"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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