Preparation and identification of an antioxidant peptide from wheat embryo albumin and characterization of its Maillard reaction products.

Wheat embryo albumin (WEA) extracted from wheat embryo possesses multiple effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects. In this study, a single factor experiment was conducted to determine the optimal enzymolysis conditions of WEA. Five components (F1-F5) were obtained via ultrafiltration, among which F3 (molecular weight 3-5 kDa) displayed the best antioxidant activity. WEA and F3 were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, circular dichroism spectrum analysis, and amino acid composition tests. Results revealed that F3 significantly increased the contents of ß-tablets, aromatic amino acids, and hydrophobic amino acids compared to WEA. LC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated that F3 had more tyrosine and histidine moieties than WEA. Moreover, analysis of the Maillard reaction products (MRPs) showed that F3-MRPs had strong browning strength, ultraviolet absorption, higher number of free amino acids, and umami amino acid ratio compared with WEA. In conclusion, enzymolysis can improve the functional properties of WEA, which broadens the application spectrum of WEA in food and pharmaceutical fields. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides a new approach for identifying potential antioxidants and developing functional foods from WEA, and broadens the application spectrum of wheat germ resources.

Wheat embryo globulin protects against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

Wheat Embryo Globulin (WEG) is a high-quality plant-derived protein with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunity enhancement effects. WEG was prepared and characterized using free amino acid analysis, circular dichroism (CD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The liver protection effect of WEG on mice after acute alcohol stimulation was also investigated. Male KM mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10). Animals were orally administrated with WEG (60 mg/kg), silymarin (50 mg/kg), and the same volume of saline solution daily for 30 days, before administering an alcohol-intragastric injection. Results displayed that the liver index, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG), liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and the mRNA expression of CYP2E1were significantly decreased in WEG-treated mice compared with the model group. Meanwhile, the levels of serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the mRNA expression of ADH2 and ALDH2 were remarkably increased. Effect of WEG on histopathology of liver tissue confirmed its protective function. Meanwhile, GSH level of ileal was significantly increased, MDA was remarkably decreased in WEG-treated mice, which also indicated that WEG possessed a positive effect on intestinal micro ecological environment health to some extent. In conclusion, WEG is a promising agent for the prevention of acute alcoholic liver injury.

[The clinical features and prognosis of Aeromonas septicaemia in hepatic cirrhosis: a report of 50 cases].

OBJECTIVE: Aeromonas septicaemia complicating cirrhosis is not a common infectious disease. To enhance the knowledge in this aspect, we analysed the clinical features, pathogenetic factors, resistance, treatment and prognosis of Aeromonas septicaemia in 50 cases of hepatic cirrhosis. METHODS: We cultured the bacteria from infected patients with BacT/Alert120 automation instrument made in AKsu and identified the bacteria with the Vitek-AMS60 made in Biomerieux company. We then tested the susceptibility of Aeromonas to 13 antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: A total of 50 cases of Aeromonas septicaemia occurred in severe hepatic cirrhosis. The majority of them had severe complications. Aeromonas hydrophila was the most common species isolated (52.0%). Nosocomial infection was the predominant way of infection. The major clinical manifestations of Aeromonas septicaemia were fever (100%), chill (64.0%), abdominal pain (60.0%), diarrhoea (32.0%) and shock (24.0%). The susceptive rate of Aeromonas to third generation cephalosporin, quinolones and aminoglycoside antibiotics was more than 80%. The cure rate and mortality attributed to Aeromonas septicaemia after treating with third generation cephalosporin, levofloxacin and their combination were 64.3%, 75.0%, 57.1% and 28.6%, 12.5%, 35.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: Aeromonas septicaemia tends to befall patients with severe hepatic cirrhosis and causes a rapidly fatal outcome. Aeromonas should be considered an important pathogen for septicemia in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is suggested that we should emphasize the clinical features and laboratory diagnosis so as to have proper antimicrobial treatment.