Food & Function最新文献

Zinc is essential for maintaining the integrity and repair of small intestinal epithelial cells while zinc deficiency could induce the inflammatory infiltration and imbalance of intestinal flora in the intestine. In this study, glycosylation between oyster protein hydrolysate (OPH) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) was conducted and used as the carrier of zinc ions (OCZn). The results of zeta potential and particle size distribution showed that the OPH-COS successfully bound to zinc ions to form OCZn with a surface zinc content of 0.56% (scanning electron microscopy). In addition, OCZn was found to exhibit good intestinal digestion by in vitro simulated digestion microscopy, while TSQ fluorescence staining revealed the presence of free zinc ions released from OCZn in the intestinal cells. In the zinc deficiency-induced mouse model, a moderate dose of OCZn (zinc: 6.96 mg kg⁻¹) showed significant restorative effects on colonic inflammation (IL-1β: 28.20 pg per mg·protein, IL-6: 27.73 pg per mg·protein), protein expressions of HO-1 and ZO-1, oxidative stress (the liver and kidneys), and imbalance of the gut microbiota, increasing microbial diversity and abundance (ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides). Zinc deficiency triggered the abundance of Proteobacteria (risk of diseases), while the dominant bacteria were mainly restored to Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Alistipes, Alloprevotella, and Muribaculaceae following the administration of OCZn. This study provided a theoretical basis for improving the inflammatory infiltration of the colon and the imbalance of intestinal flora caused by zinc deficiency.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. Anthocyanins, which are natural antioxidants, have been reported to manage T2DM-related complications. However, the potential of anthocyanin-rich black wheat as a functional food for managing diabetes remains unexplored. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of anthocyanin-rich black wheat on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, and organ protection in high fat diet-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) induced T2DM rats. Methods: T2DM was induced in rats using HFD-STZ. The rats were fed with either white wheat or anthocyanin-rich black wheat chapatti. Glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, and glucose transporters were assessed. Histopathological analysis of the liver, kidneys, and spleen was performed. Results: Compared to white wheat chapatti, black wheat chapatti exhibited higher α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Black wheat chapatti consumption significantly reduced blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and improved insulin sensitivity, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance. Antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities were enhanced. Atherogenic dyslipidemia was attenuated, with improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, leptin, resistin and cortisol) were reduced, while adiponectin (Acrp-30) levels increased. Black wheat chapatti activated adiponectin-AMPK and PI3K-AKT pathways, upregulating glucose transporters (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4). Histopathology revealed protective effects on the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Conclusions: Anthocyanin-rich black wheat chapatti ameliorates insulin resistance and associated complications in HFD-STZ-induced T2DM rats. It modulates key signaling pathways and glucose transporters, demonstrating its potential as a functional food for managing T2DM and its complications.

In this study, a walnut peptide (WP) with calcium-binding capacity was prepared using a combination of alkalase and neutrase. The conditions for the preparation of walnut peptide calcium chelate (WP-Ca) were optimised (a peptide/calcium chloride ratio of 1 : 4 for 70 min at 50 °C and pH 9.5). Fractionation via ultrafiltration showed that peptides with a size <1 kDa demonstrated the highest calcium binding capacity at 106.4 mg g⁻¹. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, zeta potential and other analyses were performed to characterize WP-Ca. The combined results indicate that calcium binds by interacting with the carboxyl oxygen, hydroxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen of walnut peptides to form WP-Ca. The chelate showed good gastrointestinal stability. Furthermore, using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model, WP-Ca was shown to significantly increase calcium bioavailability and effectively reverse the inhibitory effects of dietary factors (phytates and phosphates) on calcium absorption. The results provide a scientific basis for developing novel calcium supplements and high-value walnut utilisation.

Despite the significant alleviation of clinical cardiovascular diseases through appropriate interventional treatments, the recurrence of vascular restenosis necessitating reoperation remains a substantial challenge impacting patient prognosis. Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) are integral to interspecies cellular communication, with their functions and potential applications garnering significant attention from the research community. This study extracted Solanum lycopersicum-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (SL-ELNs) and demonstrated their inhibition of PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Mechanistically, miRNA164a/b-5p within the SL-ELNs reduced the expression of Keap1 mRNA, thereby increasing nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and enhancing the expression of antioxidant genes to alleviate oxidative stress. In a mouse carotid artery injury model, it was further confirmed that miRNA164a/b-5p within the SL-ELNs could inhibit neointimal hyperplasia. These results suggest that SL-ELNs inhibit VSMCs proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation, and they might be potential therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of restenosis.

Intestinal motility disorder is characterised by abnormal intestinal motility function, often resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea and constipation. Probiotics are increasingly recognised as an effective treatment for gastrointestinal disorders, including intestinal motility disorders. In this study, we used senna extract to induce an animal model of intestinal dysfunction characterised by BDNF downregulation. By assessing relevant indicators of intestinal dyskinesia, we found that Bifidobacterium bifidum CCFM1359 effectively alleviated the dyskinesia. However, this alleviating effect was nullified when a TrkB receptor inhibitor was introduced, suggesting that Bifidobacterium bifidum CCFM1359 operates through the BDNF-TrkB pathway. Further analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium bifidum CCFM1359 likely exerts its beneficial effects by regulating intestinal microecology (increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium bifidum and valeric acid content while decreasing Faecalibacterium and butyric acid content), reducing intestinal inflammation (upregulating the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and downregulating pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β), and remodelling intestinal nerves (upregulating S100β and the excitatory neurotransmitter ACh, while downregulating the inhibitory neurotransmitter nNOS). This study provides a theoretical basis for using probiotics to alleviate intestinal motility disorders.

The gut microbiome has emerged as a growing focus of research and public health interest, leading to the frequent exploration of probiotic dietary supplements as potential treatments for various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In the present report, changes in inflammation and microbiome composition were assessed in model mice exhibiting depressive-like behaviors that were exposed to the probiotic Lactobacillus zhachilii HBUAS52074^T. It was found that L. zhachilii HBUAS52074^T alleviated the severity of depressive-like behaviors while increasing serum 5-HT concentrations. Moreover, L. zhachilii HBUAS52074^T modulated the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in a decrease in the abundance of Prevotella and an increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus. Additionally, supplementation with L. zhachilii HBUAS52074^T enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced inflammation in peripheral blood, as well as in the hippocampal and prefrontal cortical tissues. Correlational analyses indicated that the abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with the social interaction ratio, time spent in the center, entries into the center, as well as serum 5-HT and serum IL-10 levels but negatively correlated with immobility time. Overall, chronic social defeat stress was found to be associated with inflammation and the exacerbation of depressive-like behaviors. The above findings suggested that L. zhachilii HBUAS52074^T supplementation was sufficient to alter the parameters. Collectively, these data suggest that L. zhachilii HBUAS52074^T, derived from naturally fermented foods, may possess therapeutic potential for the treatment of depression.

Correction for ‘Melatonin as an inducer of arecoline and their coordinated roles in anti-oxidative activity and immune responses’ by Xiaojian Yin et al., Food Funct., 2020, 11, 8788–8799, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0FO01841D.

Bifidobacterium species are known for their efficacy in alleviating constipation. This study aimed to compare the constipation-relieving effects of different Bifidobacterium species (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis) and to explore the underlying mechanisms from both the bacterial and host perspectives. We evaluated six Bifidobacterium species for their physiological properties, including growth rate, oligosaccharide utilization, osmotic pressure resistance, cell adhesion, and bile acid dissociation capability. Mice with severe constipation induced by loperamide hydrochloride were treated with these bacteria at a density of 10⁹ CFU per mL for 17 days. Gastrointestinal indices such as fecal water content, time to first black stool defecation, and small intestine propulsion rate were measured to assess constipation relief. Microbiome and metabolome (bile acid and tryptophan) analyses were conducted to elucidate the differences in constipation relief among the species. Our results demonstrated that Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum exhibited superior physiological traits, including rapid growth, extensive oligosaccharide utilization, and high bile salt dissociation capacity. Notably, only Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum significantly ameliorated constipation symptoms in the mouse model. Furthermore, this strain markedly restored bile acid and short-chain fatty acid levels in the intestines of constipated mice and altered the composition of the intestinal microbiota. These findings suggest that the enhanced efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum in relieving constipation is associated with its ability to modulate intestinal physiology and microbiota structure and metabolism.

Camel milk has a unique composition that sets it apart from other types of animal milk, which has captured the interest of medical and scientific communities. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mainly contain exosomes (Exos, 30–200 nm) and microvesicles (MVs, 200–1000 nm). Camel milk EVs, particularly Exos, which we named EVs/Exos, have arisen as a fascinating area of scientific inquiry, holding enormous potential for the future of biomedicine due to their anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic nephropathy, and immunostimulatory impacts. Camel milk EVs/Exos affect the antioxidant status and oxidative stress differently depending on the target cells. They boosted ROS in cancer cells but improved the antioxidant state in healthy cells. Camel milk EVs/Exos have distinct exosomal lactoferrin and kappa casein mRNAs, which could be responsible for their anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. Due to the high fat content of milk, there is a lack of established protocols for the precise isolation of EVs/Exos from milk, despite the increasing interest in this area of study. This review highlighted the techniques employed for milk EV/Exo isolation and characterization, acknowledging the challenges faced by researchers and the latest advancements in overcoming these hurdles. This review also detailed the potential of camel milk EVs/Exos in therapeutic applications. This comprehensive analysis positions camel milk EVs/Exos at the forefront of scientific inquiry, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the years to come.

Background: Prior experimental investigations have highlighted the beneficial effects of flavonoid consumption on renal function. However, a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on modulating albuminuria risk within population-based epidemiological studies is still limited. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the correlation between flavonoid intake and albuminuria risk, while also shedding light on the potential mediating influence of inflammation in this association. Methods: We utilized data from 29 940 participants spanning three cycles (2007–2008, 2009–2010, and 2017–2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We employed rigorous analytical methods, encompassing logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and mediation analysis, to assess the link between dietary flavonoid intake and albuminuria risk. Results: Our findings reveal consistent negative associations between total flavonoids and specific subclasses, including flavonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanidins, and catechins, and the risk of albuminuria. Specifically, after adjusting for confounding factors, each logarithmic unit increase in these flavonoid categories was associated with a decrease in albuminuria risk ranging from 3% to 12%. The mediating proportion of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the relationships between the intake of total flavonoids, flavonols, flavones, catechins, and flavan-3-ols and albuminuria risk was 7.3%, 5.6%, 2.3%, 7.7%, and 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate that increased consumption of flavonoid-rich foods contributes to a reduced risk of albuminuria.