ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effects of starfish saponins(Sfs) on insulin signaling pathway in orotic acid-induced NAFLD rats.Methods 1% orotic acid was used to establish NAFLD model in male Wistar rats for six weeks.The NAFLD rats were randomly divided into two groups(eight rats in each group) and then fed with the corresponding diets: Model group(1% orotic acid)and Sfs group(1% orotic acid containing 0.04% starfish saponins).After starfish saponins feeding for 8 weeks, hepatic lipids content, liver function indices and relevant protein expression in muscle insulin signaling pathway were measured.Results Compared with model group, starfish saponins reduced hepatic lipids content and improved liver functions.In addition, it effectively ameliorated insulin resistance by improving insulin signaling pathway and improved glucose uptake in muscle.Conclusion The amelioration effect of starfish saponins on impaired insulin signaling pathway in muscle is observed in orotic acid-induced NAFLD rats.
ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effects of saponin of sea cucumber ( SSC ) on the blood pressure in obese mice. Methods C57BL/KsJ(db/db) mice were ran-domized into 3 groups ( 8 mice each ): model group, low-dose SSC group and high-dose SSC group. Normal C57BL/KsJ mice were used as control. The low and high SSC groups were fed on basal diets incorporated with 0. 02% and 0. 04% SSC. Different treatments were administered for 6 weeks and arterial pressure was measured in the third and sixth weeks. The abundance of renal ACE, ACE2 and REN mRNA was detected by real time PCR . Results Compared with control group, the blood pressure of model group mice was ob-viously raised ( P<0. 01 ) . Low-dose SSC group mice showed lower blood pressure than model group without statistically significant differences, and the blood pres-sure of high-dose SSC group mice was similar to that of control group and significantly lower than model group. ( P<0. 05 ) There were no remarkable differences a-bout ACE and REN mRNA among the groups, howev-er, ACE2 mRNA level was significantly increased in high-dose SSC group. Conclusion SSC plays a vital role in decreasing blood pressure, which probably re-lates to the regulating function of renin-angiotensin sys-tem( RAS) .
ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of sea cucumber fucoidan ( SC-FUC) on macro-phage and the signaling pathways. Methods Cell via-bilities in response to different concentrations of SC-FUC were analyzed by MTT, phagocytosis ability was detected by neutral red,and nitric oxide ( NO) produc-tion was examined by Griess reaction kit. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6 , IL-10 , Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and related signal molecules MyD88, TRIF, NF-κB were assayed by real-time PCR. All the experi-ments were based on murine RAW264. 7 cell line. Re-sults SC-FUC could promote RAW264 . 7 cell prolif-eration, phagocytosis as evidenced by uptake of neutral red and release of NO. The effects were significant at the early stage (6 h and 12 h) . SC-FUC could up-reg-ulate the expression of IL-6 , IL-10 , TLR4 , TLR5 , TLR9. Moreover, mRNA expressions of TLRs signaling molecules were increased, as well as MyD88, TRIF, NF-κB. Conclusions SC-FUC could activate macro-phage, and then promote the immune function by pro-moting production or expression of NO, IL-6, IL-10. It is speculated to be relevant to activated cell surface re-ceptors in macrophage, including TLR4, TLR5, TLR9, and NF-κB signaling pathways.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the sleep improvement function of DHA-PC.Methods The mice were randomly divid-ed into control, vehicle, DHA+Lecithin (60+200 mg/kg) and DHA-PC(50,100,200 mg/kg) groups.Ten mice were enrolled in each group .The mice of control were administered with normal food , the vehicle group was orally given normal saline at the dosage of 0.2 ml/10 g, while both DHA-PC and DHA+Lecithin were orally given corresponding drugs at the dosage of 0.2 ml/10 g.All the groups were treated for 30 days except control group .The direct sleep-inducing test, the test of lengthening sleep time induced by pentobarbital sodium , the test of pentobarbital sodium subthreshold-hypnosis and the test of barbital sodium sleep latency were conducted to observe the inductive effect of DHA -PC.Results Neither the effect on mice body mass nor directly-induced sleep was observed .DHA-PC (50,100, and 200 mg/kg) could prolong sleep time to (56.2 ±13.7),(57.9 ±25.4) and(64.1 ±18.4) min, respectively,compared to vehicle(32.9 ±10.8)min (P<0.05).DHA+Lecithin could not prolong sleep time (38.6 ±11.7)min compared to (32.9 ±10.8)min of vehicle.There was significant difference compared with DHA-PC at the dosage of 200 mg/kg (64.1 ±18.4)min (P<0.05).DHA-PC (200 mg/kg) enhanced pentobarbital sodium subthreshold-hypnosis (70%) compared to vehicle (10%) (P<0.05),so did DHA+Lecithin (60%) compared to vehicle (10%) (P<0.05).Both DHA-PC (200 mg/kg)[(22.9 ±4.1)min ] and DHA+Lecithin [(19.5 ±2.7) min ]could shorten sleep latency compared to vehicle (31.3 ±6.9) min(P<0.01), and the sleep latency of DHA +Lecithin (19.5 ±2.7) min was shorter than that of DHA-PC(50,100 mg/kg).Conclusion DHA-PC has some effect some sleep improvement in mice .
ABSTRACT
AIM To evaluate the prevention and treatment of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine sodium (MPG-Na) and tiopronin (MPG) on acute liver injury. METHODS The experimental mouse model of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (Gal) was applied to investigate preventive and remedial effects. In the preventive experiment, the mice were ip administered with MPG-Na or MPG 37.5，75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1), respectively, for 7 d. Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) was ip given into the mice 30 min after the last administration. In the remedial experiment, the mice were ip given Gal 800 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 min later followed by MPG-Na or MPG 37.5, 75 and 150 mg·kg~(-1) , respectively, for 2 d. The mice were euthanized and serum was prepared 24 h (pre-treatment) or 48 h (post-treatment) after Gal injection. The activities of serum glutamyl pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), the contents of total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb), and the Alb/globulin (A/G) ratio were determined. The liver tissues were collected for histopathological assessment (HE staining) under light microscope. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the activities of serum GPT and GOT in model group were significantly increased. The injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis were observed. Compared with model group, the activities of GPT and GOT in pre-treatment groups were obviously decreased in MPG-Na 150 mg·kg~(-1) group. In post-treatment groups, the activity of GPT decreased in 3 MPG-Na groups. The contents of TP, Alb and A/G ratio had little change. In addition, MPG-Na alleviated the injuries such as fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis obviously. Compared with MPG, MPG-Na showed similar effect. CONCLUSION MPG-Na has an obvious protective effect against Gal-induced acute liver injury in mice and the efficiency is equivalent as MPG.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of dietary cholesterol on hepatic TG accumulation in rats. Method:Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed 1% cholesterol or cholesterol free AIN76 diets. After 4 w,serum triglyceride(TG) ,total cholesterol(TC) ,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) ,phospholipids(PL) ,glucose and free fatty acid(NEFA) levels were determined. Hepatic lipid concentrations(TG,TC,PL) and the activities and/or mRNA expression of malic enzyme(ME) ,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PDH) ,fatty acid synthase(FAS) ,phosphatidate phophatase(PAP) ,carnitine palmitoyl transferase(CPT1,2) ,HMG-CoA reductase,acylCoA-cholesterol acyltransferase(ACAT) ,cholesterol 7?-hydroxylase(CYP7A) were also determined. Results:The serum TC and non-HDL-C levels were significantly increased but TG and HDL-C levels were significantly decreased by cholesterol feeding. The concentrations of hepatic TC and TG were 4-20 folds higher in cholesterol group than those in cholesterol free group. The activities of hepatic ME,G6PDH,FAS,PAP and CPT were depressed by cholesterol(40%,70%,50%,15% and 25% respectively) . The mRNA expression of FAS,CPT1,CPT2,and HMG-CoA reductase were down-regulated(35%,30%,50% and 25% respectively) and CYP7? and ACAT were up regulated(6.5 and 1.6 fold) by cholesterol in liver. Conclusion:The dietary cholesterol increases TG accumulation in liver,but dose not stimulates the activity and the gene expressionof hepatic TG synthesis related enzymes.
ABSTRACT
10000 u,SP2:6 000 u0.05),the melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity were inhibited remarkably(P
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a method for determination of trace lead in alginate sodium.Method The lead in the samples was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy after been digested by hydrothermal decomposition.Results The detection limit of lead was 2.71?10-2?g?mL-1.The relative standard deviation of the three samples were 4.06%,1.57% and 2.12% respectively,the average recovery was 88.32%～100.8%.Conclusion The method had the advantages of simple operation,higher precision,higher sensitivity and repeatability and was suitable for the determination of trace lead in the alginate sodium
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of sepia on stem cells,granulocyte and monocyte progentior cells and peripheral WBC in mice.Methods Different dosages of sepia were given to normal and model mice with hematopoietic system impairment respectively.The numbers of CFU-S,CFU-GM and peripheral WBC in normal and model mice were measured respectively with the method of hematopoietic progenitor cells cultured in vitro and the technique of experimental hematology.Results Sepia could enhance the number of CFU-S,CFU-GM and peripheral WBC in normal mice significantly,resist the decrease of CFU-S,CFU-GM,and peripheral WBC in model mice of hemapoiecsis impaired effectively and promote the restoration of those indices mentioned above in model mice significantly.Conclusion Sepia has significant effects on stimulating granulopoiesis in bone marrow in mice.The mechanism may be related to regulating immunological function and inducement GM-CSF and other sorts of cellular factors,which in turn promote the multiplication differentiation of CFU-S and CFU-GM.
ABSTRACT
Objective A method was developed for determination of the total triterpene glycosides in different sea cucumbers.Methods A holostane triterpene glycoside called Echinoside A was taken as the reference standard.Triterpene glycosides were reacted with vanillin and perchloric acid.The sea cucumbers were extracted by 60% ethanol and partitioned between water and n-butanol to gain the total triterpene glycosides.The contents of total triterpene glycosides in 11 kinds of sea cucumbers were determined with the standard curve.And the relationships of the triterpene glycosides content among different sea cucumber species,growth environment,process technique,etc.were discussed by the value of TG/P(triterpene glycosides content /protein content).Results The determination wavelength was confirmed to be 560nm and the standard curve was determined as y-1.3414x-0.0077.The ab-sorbance was of a good linearity in the mass range of 0-0.5mg with R2 =0.9994.The recovery of this method was(99.01?2.82)% and the relative standard deviation was 4.68%.Conclusion The method has been proved to be convenient,reliable and suitable for the analysis of triterpene glycosides in sea cucumbers.
ABSTRACT
The glycosaminoglycan (GAG), isolated from Bay scallop Argopectenirradians, contains neutral monosaccharides besides hexosamines and hexosuronic acids. The monosaccharides obtained by alcoholysis with HCI-methylalcohol from the sample of GAG was trimethylsilanized with hexamethyldisilan and chlortrimethylsilan (HMDS ' TMCS = 2 : 1). And the trimethylsilyl derivatives of monosaccharides was determined by gas chro-matography. Compared the gas chromatography of the sample with that of standard monosaccharides, it was found that the GAG of the Bay scallop contains five neutral monosaccharides, viz glucose, galactose, xylose, fucose and rhamnose.
ABSTRACT
Objective Rheological properties and gelation properties of agar were investigated. Methods The gelling point,melting point and the gel strength of agar were detected with MCR101 rheometer and TA texture testing instrument. Results and Conclusion Rheological properties of agar were affected by its concentration ,temperature and the addition of salt (such as NaCl ,CaCl2) and sucrose. Apparent viscosity exhibited shear thinning behavior following the power law model. Apparent viscosity increased with the increase of concentration,and decreased with the rise of temperature. The decrease in viscosity followed an Arrhenius temperature dependence. Agar solutions exhibited typical "weak gel" properties by small strain oscillatory measurements. The results indicated that the agar solution was characterized as a gel properties ,and which could form a kind of heat reversible gel. The gelling point of agar was lower than its melting point. The gel strength of agar could be affected by its gel time,and the addition of salt (such as NaCl,CaCl2) and sucrose.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of the two major conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) isomers on serum lipoprotein composition in fatty rats.Method Eighteen male OLETF rats were randomly divided into three groups.The control group fed with AIN76 diets,CLA groups were fed with 1% 9c,11t-CLA (9ct group) or 1%10t,12c-CLA (10tc group) containted AIN76 diets.After two weeks,serum triglyceride (TG),total cholesterol (TC),and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were determined by commercial kits.On the other hand,serum lipoprotein were separated into chylomicron(CM),very low density lipoprotein(VLDL),low density lipoprotein(LDL) and HDL by HPLC according to the different particle sizes,and the TC and TG levels were measured in each lipoprotein.Results 10t,12c-CLA feeding reduced the concentrations of rat serum TG significantly,and increased the concentration of serum TC (26.1%) by increasing TC levels of the small particle size LDL and the big particle size HDL.While 9c,11t-CLA feeding increased the serum TG by 22.6%,and had no effect on the serum TC.Conclusion 10t,12c-CLA can reduce the concentration of serum TG and increase the concentration of HDL-c,but the effect on the improvement of atherosclerosis still need further investigation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the mechanism of orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats. Method Rats were randomly divided into 2 groups,and fed AIN93 diet with or without 1% orotic acid (OA) for 10d. Serum total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),hepatic lipids concentrations (TG,TC and phospholipids),hepatic enzymes activities and mRNA levels of key enzymes related to lipids metabolism,as well as hepatic genes expression of transcription factors were determined. Results OA administration significantly increased serum and hepatic TG concentration. The activity and mRNA level of fatty acid synthase (FAS) were obviously up-regulated by OA treatment,whereas the activities and mRNA concentrations of carnitin palmitoyl transferase (CPT) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) were depressed significantly. Furthermore,OA also stimulated the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c),but did not alter the mRNA concentrations of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR?) in liver. Conclusion:The stimulation of TG synthesis caused by enhancement of SREBP-1c and its target genes-FAS,which could be responsible for development of fatty liver. On the other hand,the inhibition of fatty acid beta-oxidation and VLDL secretion were related to the observed lipids accumulation.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the effects of different molecular weight of collagen polypeptides from Apostichopus japonicus (A1:6 000U
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities of low molecular fucoidan oligosaccharides(LMFO) from Laminaria japonica in mice.Methods: Mice were pretreated with LMFO(50?100?150 mg/kg ig respectively, 10 days),and then 0.2 % CCl 4 10 ml/kg ig and D-GalN(600 mg/kg)+LPS(lipopolysaccharide,1 ?g/kg) ig respectively in two model groups to induce liver injury. Liver injury was assessed by quantifying activities of plasma GPT, SOD, GSH-Px and MDA content.Results: The increase of plasma GPT activity was significantly inhibited by LMFO in two liver injury models, suggesting that LMFO had good protective effect on the hepatocytes. LMFO had good antioxidative effect in mice with liver injury induced by CCl 4 and D-GalN+LPS as indicated by decreased MDA content and increased activities of plasma SOD and GSH-Px. Conclusion: LMFO is protective against CCl 4-induced and D-GalN+ LPS induced liver injury in mice and its effect may be due to its antioxidative activities in vivo.