Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry最新文献

Background: Intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This clinical trial investigated the effects of a probiotic supplementation on symptom severity and quality of life (QOL) in IBS patients.

Methods: Forty-six IBS patients were randomised to receive either a multi-species probiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) and IBS QOL questionnaire. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: After 8 weeks, the probiotic group showed significant improvements in QOL scores, and reductions in IBS-SSS and MDA levels compared to placebo group. TAC levels were significantly higher in probiotic group. However, no significant differences were observed in cytokine or NO levels.

Conclusions: This multi-species probiotic supplement was safe and effective in reducing symptom severity and improved QOL of IBS patients.

We investigated whether induction of acute pancreatitis (AP) can cause dysregulation in the glycoprotein zymogens, following episodes of nitrosative stress, which may be differentially protected by vitamin E and metformin. AP was induced in rats by L-arginine (2.5 g/kg) injections (two doses given at 1-h interval). The protective groups were pre-treated with either vitamin E (60 mg/kg) or metformin (50 mg/kg) prior to L-arginine injections and continued on these medications until being sacrificed. AP markedly decreased the density of zymogen granules in pancreatic acinar cells (44.5 ± 2.2% in control versus 9.2 ± 1.9% in AP), alongside tissue damage and a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in biomarkers of nitrosative stress (iNOS), inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA), and pancreatic injury (amylase, lipase, LDH, and MPO). All these parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.0005) protected by vitamin E and metformin, with vitamin E providing greater protection for pancreatic glycoprotein zymogens and serum amylase. Thus, AP is associated with the destruction of the glycoprotein zymogens, which is differentially protected by vitamin E and metformin.

Background: Gastric ulcer is commonly affected by several causes, including stress. This work examined the gastroprotective effects of ellagic acid (EA), in stress-induced gastric ulcers in Wistar rats.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were categorized into five groups: a normal control group, a stress-induced ulcer group, and three groups receiving EA treatment (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). Gastric ulcers were elicited using a water immersion stress model. Macroscopic and histological assessments, together with biochemical immunohistochemical studies were performed.

Results: EA therapy markedly decreased ulcer scores and indices in a dose-dependent manner. EA decreased TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA and augmented PGE1 and GSH. Histopathological assessments verified the results. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased Nrf2 and HO-1 levels and decreased NF-κB and COX-2 levels in the EA-treated groups.

Conclusion: EA demonstrates gastroprotective properties against stress-induced gastric ulcers via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner.

Background: To verify the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on hormonal and adipokine levels in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: The non-controlled clinical trial, two-arms, parallel, in 18 controls (12 women; 35.9 ± 13.3 years old; 34.5 ± 9.4% of body fat) and 19 PLWH (11 women; 41.5 ± 13.4 years old; 28.3 ± 9.1% of body fat) were allocated into separate groups without prior knowledge of the distribution. Both groups were submitted to 24 HIIT sessions of ten exercises. An incremental stress test, body composition, and blood colledtion were carried out before and after training. Data were analysed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, independent t-test, and two-way ANOVA (P < 0.05).

Results: HIV- group decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides; HIV+ group decreased serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, and adiponectin; Quicky index was improved (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: HIIT improves the metabolic and hormonal profile of PLWH, mainly insulin resistance and adiponectin levels.

Brazilian registry of clinical trials: UTN: U1111-1231-1846.

Context: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vital compound found in nearly all cells, and in mitochondria, it facilitates ATP production, and its reduced form acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing oxidative damage. Notably, during intense or endurance exercise, the body's increased energy demands and ROS production can lead to oxidative stress, muscle fatigue, inflammation, and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).

Objectives: This review will explore the mechanisms of CoQ10, its impact on exercise performance to be addressed.

Results: CoQ10 has been shown to counteract these effects by supporting mitochondrial function, cell membranes, and reducing ROS. Research has demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation lowers lipid peroxidation, reduces muscle damage indicators like creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-5 or LDH M), and myoglobin (Mb), and accelerates recovery from EIMD. Nevertheless, the impact of CoQ10 on performance has varied depending on factors such as dosage, duration, exercise type, and individual characteristics.

Researchers have extensively studied how hypoxia affects physiological variables, with training models like "live high - train low" (LH-TL) proposed by Levine & Stray-Gundersen in 1997 to improve athletic performance. Although well-known, few studies use animal models for more in-depth analyses than human studies allow. This study investigated the effects of aerobic training on adiposity, spontaneous physical activity (SPA), and food and water intake in C57BL/6J mice housed in normoxic (Nx) or hypoxic (Hx) conditions for 8 weeks. Mice were divided into trained (T) and sedentary (S) groups, with 10 mice each. Hx animals were kept in normobaric hypoxia (FiO₂=14.5%) for 18 h/day. Training was done at 80% critical velocity, 5 times/week in normoxia. The T groups had lower SPA, especially the Hx-T group, which showed higher food and water intake, reduced fat, and a higher fat-free mass/carcass fat mass ratio. Findings suggest exercise and hypoxia may help combat obesity.

Background: Verbascoside (VB) inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), but its therapeutic potential in hypertension (HTN) is unclear.

Aim: To investigate whether VB inhibits ERS by modulating the Nur77/GFPT2/CHOP axis, thereby ameliorating angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced HTN.

Methods: The cell biological behaviour of HUVECs was determined by CCK-8, LDH kit, scratch assay, and adhesion assay. Oxidative stress factor levels were detected by flow cytometry and kits. The levels of ERS and the Nur77/GFPT2/CHOP pathway-related proteins were examined through Western blot.

Results: VB increased the viability of Ang II-treated HUVECs, inhibited LDH release, and reduced cell migration and adhesion. VB also reduced ERS marker protein levels, while inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating the Nur77/GFPT2/CHOP pathway. VB lowered blood pressure and increased elastic fibre deposition in HTN mice, and Nur77 agonists enhanced the protective impact of VB.

Conclusion: VB hindered Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction and ERS through modulating the Nur77/GFPT2/CHOP pathway.

As people pay more and more attention to health management and exercise, the demand for monitoring fat metabolism and sports injuries is increasing day by day. Fat metabolism, as an important component of human energy metabolism, is closely related to athletic performance, weight management and the prevention of chronic diseases. Through high-precision optical sensors and advanced data analysis algorithms, this method can capture the changes in human physiological signals in real time, thereby reflecting the state of fat metabolism and the occurrence of sports injuries. This research provides new ideas and methods for fat metabolism monitoring and sports injury prevention and is expected to be widely applied in fields such as sports health management, sports training guidance. Through this real-time monitoring technology, people can better understand their own fat metabolism, formulate scientific exercise and diet plans, effectively prevent and promptly handle sports injuries, and improve exercise effectiveness and health levels.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that induces significant oxidative damage to the male reproductive system. This study evaluates the protective effects of gut-derived Indolepropionic acid (IPA) against testicular damage in streptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM rats. T2DM was induced in male rats with a high-fat diet and STZ (50 mg/kg). Groups included: Control, T2DM, T2DM + IPA, IPA only, and T2DM + Metformin, treated for four weeks. T2DM + IPA showed a significantly improved gonadosomatic index, healthier seminiferous tubules histology, characterised by the presence of spermatogonia and elongated spermatozoa and more viable sperm. T2DM + IPA also revealed reduced oxidative stress (elevated superoxide dismutase and catalase, lower malondialdehyde) and upregulated KISS1 and LDH-C gene expressions while downregulated FGF21, compared to T2DM and T2DM + Metformin groups. These findings suggest IPA protects against diabetic testicular toxicity by enhancing antioxidant defences and modulating key metabolic and spermatogenic genes.