Optimization of liquid fermentation conditions for biotransformation zein by Cordyceps militaris 202 and characterization of physicochemical and functional properties of fermentative hydrolysates

Abstract Cordyceps militaris 202 is a potential fungus for biotransformation zein, due to its various proteases, high tolerance and viability in nature. In this article, single factor experiment and response surface methodology were applied to optimize the liquid fermentation conditions and improve the ability of biotransformation zein. The optimized fermentation conditions were as follows: inoculum concentration of 19%, volume of liquor of 130 mL/500 mL and pH of 4.7. Under this condition, the degree of hydrolysis (DH) was 27.31%. The zein hydrolysates from fungi fermentation maintained a high thermal stability. Compared to the original zein, the zein hydrolysates were found to have high solubility, which most likely results in improved foaming and emulsifying properties. Overall, this research demonstrates that hydrolysis of zein by C. militaris 202 is a potential method for improving the functional properties of zein, and the zein hydrolysates can be used as functional ingredients with an increased antioxidant effect in both food and non-food applications.

Modified Del Nido cardioplegia versus St.Thomas cardioplegia for myocardial protection in adult patients with combined valve replacement / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To analyze the effect of myocardial protection between modified Del Nido cardioplegia and St. Thomas Hospital Cardioplegia in adult patients with aortic valve and mitral valve replacement. Methods     From January 2014 to June 2016, 140 patients underwent aortic valve and mitral valve replacement in our hospital. According to different cardioplegia, the patients were divided into two groups including a modified Del Nido cardioplegia group (70 patients, 37 males, 33 females at mean age of 53.13±9.52 years) and a St. Thomas cardioplegia group (70 patients, 32 males, 38 females, at age of 50.71±9.29 years). We collected clinical data of the patients before operation (T1), 2 h after aortic unclamping (T2), 24 h after operation (T3) and 48 h after operation (T4). Indexes of muscle enzymes including blood center creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) concentration and liver function indexes including urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations, and compared the postoperative and follow-up clinical data. Results     There was no statistical difference in age, weight, gender, ejection fraction baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were successfully completed  combined valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardiopulmonary time was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). However, compared with St. Thomas cardioplegia group, modified Del Nido group was less in perfusion (1.19±0.39 vs. 2.99±0.75, P<0.001), shorter in aortic clamping time (P=0.003). No statistical difference was found in defibrillation rate after resuscitation between the two groups (P=0.779). Biochemical indicators were not statistically different at different time points between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion     Modified Del Nido cardioplegia has the same effect on myocardial protection with St. Thomas cardioplegia in adult patients. It reduces the frequency of reperfusion, and shortens the clamping time. There is no additional injury in the important organs such as liver, kidney. Modified Del Nido cardioplegia myocardial protection ability in adult heart valve surgery is feasible.

Beneficial effects of hyperosmotic perfusion in the myocardium after ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts / Efeitos benéficos da perfusão hiperosmótica no miocárdio após lesão isquemia/reperfusão em corações isolados de ratos

OBJECTIVE: A simple method to reduce the ischemia/reperfusion injury that can accompany cardiac surgery would have great clinical value. This study was to investigate the effect of hyperosmotic perfusion on ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated perfused rat hearts. METHOD: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided either to have their isolated hearts perfused with normal osmotic buffer or buffer made hyperosmotic by addition of glucose. Hearts were then subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. Coronary flow, time to ischemic arrest, reperfusion arrhythmia, and ventricular function were recorded. Creatine phosphokinase leakage into the coronary artery, and myocardial content and activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were also examined. RESULTS: Rat hearts with hyperosmotic perfusion showed higher coronary flow, a prolonged time to ischemic arrest (10.60 vs. 5.63 min, P<0.005), a lower reperfusion arrthythmia score (3.2 vs. 5.3, P<0.001), better ventricular function, and less creatine phosphokinase leakage (340.1 vs. 861.9, P<0.001) than normal osmotic controls. Myocardial catalase content and activity were increased significantly (1435 vs. 917 U/g wet weight, P<0.001) in hearts perfused with hyperosmotic solution in comparison to the normal osmotic controls. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with hyperosmotic perfusion in normal rat hearts, which is attributed partly to the increased antioxidative activity, could provide beneficial effects from ischemia and reperfusion-induced injury by increasing coronary flow, and decreasing reperfusion arrhythmia.

OBJETIVO: Um método simples para reduzir a lesão de isquemia/reperfusão que pode acompanhar a cirurgia cardíaca teria grande valor clínico. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da perfusão hiperosmótica na isquemia/reperfusão em corações isolados de ratos perfundidos. MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos machos Sprague-Dawley foram divididos aleatoriamente e tiveram os seus corações isolados perfundidos com tampão osmótico normal ou tampão hiperosmótico com a adição de glucose. Os corações foram então submetidos a 30 minutos de isquemia, seguida de 30 min de reperfusão. O fluxo coronariano, tempo de parada isquêmica, arritmia de reperfusão e da função ventricular foram registrados. Vazamento creatinofosfoquinase na artéria coronária, o miocárdio e atividade de superóxido dismutase e catalase foram também examinados. RESULTADOS: Crações de ratos com perfusão hiperosmótica apresentaram maior fluxo coronariano, tempo prolongado de parada isquêmica (10,60 vs. 5,63 min, P<0,005), menor pontuação de reperfusão arritmica (3,2 vs. 5,3, P<0,001), melhor função ventricular e menos vazamento de creatina fosfoquinase (340,1 vs. 861,9, P<0,001) do que controles normais osmóticos. Teor de catalase e atividade do miocárdio também tiveram aumento significativo (1435 vs. 917 peso U/g de peso fresco, P<0,001) em corações perfundidos com solução hiperosmótica em comparação com os controles normais osmóticos. CONCLUSÃO: O pré-tratamento com perfusão hiperosmótica em corações de ratos normais, o que é atribuído, em parte, ao aumento da atividade antioxidante, pode oferecer efeitos benéficos de isquemia e reperfusão induzida por lesão, aumentando o fluxo coronário e diminuindo a arritmia de reperfusão.

Increased expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and interleukin 22 in patients with allergic asthma.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and interleukin (IL)-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in allergic asthmatic patients and whether their expression may be related to the severity of the disease. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from each subject with allergic asthma (n =18), controlled asthma (n =17) and healthy controls (n =12) respectively. The PBMCs were collected for AhR mRNA detection by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The plasma was collected for IL-22 protein detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The expression of AhR mRNA in PBMCs and IL-22 protein in plasma of patients with allergic asthma were higher than those in controlled asthma cases and healthy controls. The plasma concentrations of IL-22 had negative correlation with the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%) and the percentage of FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) and it was positively correlated with the asthma severity score (ASS) of the asthmatics. Conclusion: Our results suggested that both AhR and IL-22 might be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in human and the level of IL-22 might have some relationship with the severity of the disease.