Assessing the causal relationship between blood metabolites and low back pain: a Mendelian randomization study.

AIM: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems worldwide. This study aimed to determine whether blood metabolites were causally linked to the risk of LBP. METHODS: Based on summary-level genome-wide association studies, we designed a Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Instrumental variables were selected for each blood metabolite with the following criteria: genome-wide significance levels of < 5e-8 and independent clumping (r2 < 0.001, distance < 10,000 kb). Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) was used as the primary statistical method. The weighted median (WM) method and MR-Egger regression were implemented to complement IVW. Subsequently, sensitivity analyses were conducted, including Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept analysis, scatter plots, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots. RESULTS: IVW revealed that higher levels of lactate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.974, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.953-0.995, P = 0.017), medium low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (OR = 0.990, 95% CI 0.983-0.997, P = 0.005) and albumin (OR = 0.985, 95% CI 0.973-0.998, P = 0.019) had a causal effect on decreased risk of LBP, whereas positive causality was detected between genetic predisposition to tyrosine and LBP (OR = 1.016, 95% CI 1.001-1.032, P = 0.043). Estimates from WM and MR-Egger were consistent with the direction of the IVW method. Additionally, there was no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy in this study. CONCLUSION: This MR study demonstrated that four blood metabolites were causally related to LBP. It is possible to enhance the diagnosis of LBP, prognostic outcome predictions, and the personalization of therapy by analyzing novel signatures of metabolites.

Low-intensity exercise training improves systolic function of heart during metastatic melanoma-induced cachexia in mice.

Cardiac dysfunction frequently emerges in the initial stages of cancer cachexia, posing a significant complication of the disease. Physical fitness is commonly recommended in these early stages of cancer cachexia due to its beneficial impacts on various aspects of the condition, including cardiac dysfunction. However, the direct functional impacts of exercise on the heart during cancer cachexia largely remain unexplored. In this study, we induced cancer cachexia in mice using a metastatic B16F10 melanoma model. Concurrently, these mice underwent a low-intensity exercise regimen to investigate its potential role in cardiac function during cachexia. Our findings indicate that exercise training can help prevent metastatic melanoma-induced muscle loss without significant alterations to body and fat weight. Moreover, exercise improved the melanoma-induced decline in left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening, while also mitigating the increase in high-sensitive cardiac troponin T levels caused by metastatic melanoma in mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed that exercise significantly reversed the transcriptional alterations in the heart induced by melanoma, which were primarily enriched in pathways related to heart contraction. These results suggest that exercise can improve systolic heart function and directly influence the transcriptome of the heart during metastatic melanoma-induced cachexia.

Advance in dietary polyphenols as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors to alleviate type 2 diabetes mellitus: aspects from structure-activity relationship and characterization methods.

Dietary polyphenols with great antidiabetic effects are the most abundant components in edible products. Dietary polyphenols have attracted attention as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors and indirectly improve insulin secretion. The DPP-IV inhibitory activities of dietary polyphenols depend on their structural diversity. Screening methods that can be used to rapidly and accurately identify potential polyphenol DPP-IV inhibitors are urgently needed. This review focuses on the relationship between the structures of dietary polyphenols and their DPP-IV inhibitory effects. Different characterization methods used for polyphenols as DPP-IV inhibitors have been summarized and compared. We conclude that the position and number of hydroxyl groups, methoxy groups, glycosylated groups, and the extent of conjugation influence the efficiency of inhibition of DPP-IV. Various combinations of methods, such as in-vitro enzymatic inhibition, ex-vivo/in-vivo enzymatic inhibition, cell-based in situ, and in-silico virtual screening, are used to evaluate the DPP-IV inhibitory effects of dietary polyphenols. Further investigations of polyphenol DPP-IV inhibitors will improve the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of these bioactive compounds. Exploration of (i) dietary polyphenols derived from multiple targets, that can prevent diabetes, and (ii) actual binding interactions via multispectral analysis, to understand the binding interactions in the complexes, is required.

Soy protein-phlorizin conjugate prepared by tyrosinase catalysis: Identification of covalent binding sites and alterations in protein structure and functionality.

Tyrosinase-catalyzed synthesis of soy 7S/11S-phlorizin conjugates was performed, and the reaction sites, conformation alterations and functional properties of complexes were evaluated using proteomic, in combination with multispectral technologies. Phlorizin was conjugated to 7S/11S primarily via residues of Lys, Cys, His and Arg residues. The phlorizin binding equivalents and decreased contents of free and total sulfhydryl groups and free amino groups confirmed the covalent interaction in the 7S/11S-phlorizin complexes. Conjugation with phlorizin promoted the conversion of α-helix to ß-sheet and ß-turn, with simultaneous transformation of the microenvironments around Trp and Tyr residues to hydrophilic and hydrophobic microenvironments, respectively, and lowering of the surface hydrophobicity of 7S/11S. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 7S/11S were increased by three-, two- and three-fold after the covalent binding of phlorizin. The study provided an ideal tyrosinase-catalyzed approach to fabricate custom-tailored nutritional soy protein-polyphenol products.

Complexation of ß-conglycinin or glycinin with sodium alginate blocks: Complexation mechanism and structural and functional properties.

Sodium alginate (SA), α1 â†’ 4 linked copolymer of ß-d-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L guluronic acid (G) forms two homopolymeric fractions (MM and GG) and a heteropolymeric fraction (MG). The main components of soybean protein isolate are ß-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S). However, accurate structural analyses of the 7S/11S and MM/MG/GG complexes are lacking. The complexation mechanism, structure, and functional properties of the complexes of 7S/11S with SA blocks was investigated at pH 4. The number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds exceeded that of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Secondary and tertiary structures and molecular weights of the complexes were significantly different from those of 7S/11S. The crystalline structure transformed to an amorphous structure, and the complexes underwent fluorescence quenching. Complexes 11S-MM and 11S-MG exhibited good emulsifying properties of 37.88 % and 38.13 %, respectively; 7S-GG and 7S-MM exhibited excellent surface hydrophobicity and emulsifying properties; and 11S-MM, 11S-GG, and 11S-MG exhibited excellent thermal stability.

Tracking the driving forces for the unfolding and folding of kidney bean protein isolates: Revealing mechanisms of dynamic changes in structure and function.

Tracking the dynamic changes in the structure of kidney bean protein isolate (KPI) during extreme pH-shifting can reveal the different mechanisms that drive the unfolding and refolding of the protein from a conformational perspective and elucidate the relationship between its structure and function. The secondary and tertiary structures of KPI were analyzed using multispectral techniques. The results showed that acidic-shifting affected the hydrophobic interactions of KPI molecules, whereas alkaline-shifting affected hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions of the molecules. Therefore, alkaline-shifting was more likely to affect KPI conformation. SEM revealed that pH-shifting transformed the sheet structure of KPI into spheres and rods; moreover, it improved the surface hydrophobicity, thermal stability, emulsification, foaming, and antioxidant properties of KPI. In summary, each pH-shifting stage disrupts a different intermolecular force, resulting in protein conformational diversity, while structural changes further affect function. Therefore, pH-shifting treatment broadens the applications scope of KPI in the food industry.

Dynamic monitoring of the protein-lipid co-oxidation of algae oil-enriched emulsions coated with soybean protein-rutin covalent conjugates.

The stabilities and levels of protein-lipid co-oxidation of algae oil-in water (O/W) emulsions coated with the soybean protein 7S/11S or their rutin covalent conjugates were studied during storage. After 96 h of storage, the emulsions stabilized with the covalent conjugates exhibited decreased droplets sizes and ζ-potentials and increased concentrations of adsorbed proteins. Therefore, the covalent binding of rutin in different mixing ratios (at 7S/11S:rutin molar ratios of 1:10 and 1:20) improved the physical stabilities of the emulsions compared with those of the emulsions stabilized by native 7S/11S. The 7S/11S-rutin covalent conjugates, which formed interfacial barriers and exhibited good free radical scavenging properties, inhibited protein oxidation (with lower contents of protein carbonyls, N'-formyl-L-kynurenine, and Schiff bases, and decreased intensities of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence) and lipid oxidation (with lower contents of lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde) as storage time increased. The electronic nose test distinguished the flavor characteristics of the emulsions coated with different protein-based stabilizers. These results reveal the viability of utilizing soybean protein-rutin conjugates in protein-stabilized algae oil-fortified emulsions with enhanced storability.

Construction of an MLR-QSAR Model Based on Dietary Flavonoids and Screening of Natural α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Postprandial hyperglycemia can be reduced by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. Common α-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose may have various side effects. Therefore, it is important to find natural products that are non-toxic and have high α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity. In the present study, a comprehensive computational analysis of 27 dietary flavonoid compounds with α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity was performed. These included flavonoids, flavanones, isoflavonoids, dihydrochalcone, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanins. Firstly, molecular fingerprint similarity clustering analysis was performed on the target molecules. Secondly, multiple linear regression quantitative structure-activity relationship (MLR-QSAR) models of dietary flavonoids (2D descriptors and 3D descriptors optimized), with R2 of 0.927 and 0.934, respectively, were constructed using genetic algorithms. Finally, the MolNatSim tool based on the COCONUT database was used to match the similarity of each flavonoid in this study, and to sequentially perform molecular enrichment, similarity screening, and QSAR prediction. After screening, five kinds of natural product molecule (2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one, norartocarpetin, 2-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one, and morelosin) were finally obtained. Their IC50pre values were 8.977, 31.949, 78.566, 87.87, and 94.136 µM, respectively. Pharmacokinetic predictions evaluated the properties of the new natural products, such as bioavailability and toxicity. Molecular docking analysis revealed the interaction of candidate novel natural flavonoid compounds with the amino acid residues of α-glucosidase. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) further validated the stability of these novel natural compounds bound to α-glucosidase. The present findings may provide new directions in the search for novel natural α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Comparative study of binding interactions between different dietary flavonoids and soybean ß-conglycinin and glycinin: Impact on structure and function of the proteins.

The mechanisms underlying the interaction between different dietary flavonoids and soybean ß-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S) were comparatively investigated, and the alterations in conformation and function of the complexes were further evaluated. Among the 23 flavonoids studied, 3 flavonoids with glycosides with the top three ranked T Scores in molecular docking analysis-phlorizin, luteoloside, and vitexin-4'-O-glucoside-with the highest binding affinity to 7S and 11S and quenched their intrinsic fluorescence in a static manner. The binding interactions of these flavonoids to 7S and 11S were structure dependent. Hydrophobic forces played important roles in interactions between 7S and both luteoloside and vitexin-4'-O-glucoside, whereas the binding of phlorizin to 7S, and of the three flavonoids to 11S, was driven by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. The binding of these flavonoids interfered with the microenvironment around tyrosine and tryptophan, thereby altering the secondary structures of 7S and 11S. The binding of the three flavonoids enhanced solubility, emulsifying properties, thermal stability, and antioxidant capacity of 7S and 11S. The use of flavonoids could facilitate the design of soybean protein-based products with desirable functional properties.

Different interactions driving the binding of soy proteins (7S/11S) and flavonoids (quercetin/rutin): Alterations in the conformational and functional properties of soy proteins.

The purpose of this research was to comparatively investigate the interactions between bioactive flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) and two predominant soy proteins (ß-conglycinin and glycinin), and the structural and functional properties of their complexes. The binding affinities of quercetin/rutin toward 7S/11S were structure-dependent, in that rutin had a higher binding affinity than that of quercetin, and 11S exhibited higher affinity toward quercetin/rutin than that of 7S. The interactions in the 7S/11S-quercetin complexes were driven by van der Waals forces and hydrogen-bonding interactions, whereas the 7S/11S-rutin complexes exhibited hydrophobic interactions. Binding to quercetin or rutin altered the secondary structures (decrease in the α-helix and random coil contents and increase in the ß-sheet content), decreased the surface hydrophobicity and thermal stability, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of 7S and 11S. These findings provide valuable information that can facilitate the design of custom-tailored protein-flavonoid macromolecules.

Dietary Flavonoids Alleviate Inflammation and Vascular Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products In Vitro.

The aim of this study was to compare the protective effects of three dietary flavonoids (apigenin-7-O-glucoside (A7G), isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (I3R), and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G)) on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of varied effects of those three dietary flavonoids were analyzed by molecular docking analysis. Results showed that C3G (40 µM) achieved the best inhibition on inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in AGEs-induced RAW264.7 cells, followed by I3R, and A7G was the weakest. The molecular docking results also showed that C3G exhibited the closest binding with the receptor for AGE. However, I3R (40 µM) demonstrated the best effect in improving endothelial dysfunction in AGEs-induced EA.hy926 cells, followed by C3G, and A7G was the weakest, as evidenced by the molecular docking results of flavonoids with profilin-1. This work may provide knowledge and helpful suggestions regarding the benefits of dietary flavonoids in diabetic vascular complications.

Repair of spinal cord injury in rats via exosomes from bone mesenchymal stem cells requires sonic hedgehog.

OBJECTIVE: The loss of neural ability leading to subsequent diminishing of motor function and the impairment below the location of the injury is a result of the SCI (Spinal Cord Injury). Among the many therapeutic agents for SCI, the exosomes considered as extracellular vesicles seem to be the most promising. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is an exosome-carrying protein. This Study's purpose was to identify whether Shh is required for exosomes from BMSCs (mesenchymal stem cells of the bone) and plays a protective effect on SCI. METHODS: Spinal cord injection with shRNA Shh-adeno associated virus (sh-Shh-AAV) were used to silence Shh. Exosomes were extracted from BMSCs. Rats that had suffered SCI were given intravenous injections of exosomes through the veins of the tail. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the expression of Shh glycoprotein molecule as well as the expression of Gli-1 (glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1) in the rat spinal cord tissues. Western blot was performed to measure the levels of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43). The BBB (Basso Beattie Bresnahan) score was used to assess the motor functions of the hind legs. In the same manner, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling or TUNEL and Nissl Staining was deployed to assess the level of regeneration of neurons and assess the level of histopathological damage in the tissues of the Spinal Cord. RESULTS: In the case of the rats with SCI, the levels of display of Gli-1 and Shh showed dramatic improvement after the BMSCs exosome injections. In comparison to rats with SCI, the subjects of BMSCs exosomes group showed an improvement in their SCI, including a higher BBB score and Nissl body count, increasing GAP-43 expression, along with a much-decreased number of cells that suffered apoptosis. While the exosome effect on Spinal Cord Injury was completely ineffective in rats that had Shh silencing. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes secreted from BMSCs showed great effectiveness in the SCI healing with a vital involvement of Shh in this repair.

Exosomes secreted from sonic hedgehog-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the repair of rat spinal cord injuries.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can cause a loss of neurons and associated sensory and motor functionality below the injured site. No approaches to treating SCIs in humans have been developed to date. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that hold promise as a potential therapeutic modality when treating such injuries. The present study was thus designed to determine whether sonic hedgehog (Shh)-overexpressing bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes were protective in the context of SCIs. METHODS: Exosomes were extracted from control or Shh lentivirus-transduced BMSCs, yielding respective BMSC-Exo and BMSC-Shh-Exo preparations which were intravenously injected into SCI model rats. Shh expression in spinal cord tissues in these animals was then assessed via immunohistochemical staining, while Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores were utilized to measure high limb motor function. Neuronal damage and regeneration within the spinal cord were additionally evaluated via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), Nissl, hematoxylin and eosin, and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: Both BMSC-Exo and BMSC-Shh-Exo preparations significantly increased Shh expression in the spinal cord of SCI model rats and improved BBB scores in these treated animals, while also increasing the frequencies of Nissl- and NeuN-positive neurons are reducing the numbers of apoptotic and GFAP-positive neurons. While both treatments yielded some degree of benefit to treated animals relative to untreated controls, BMSC-Shh-Exos were more beneficial than were control BMSC-Exos. CONCLUSIONS: Shh-overexpressing BMSC-derived exosomes represent an effective treatment that can facilitate SCI repair in rats.

Effects of Different Dietary Flavonoids on Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Activity and Expression: Insights into Structure-Activity Relationship.

The inhibitory effects of 30 dietary flavonoids on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) were investigated to illustrate their quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and further explore their inhibition at the cellular level. Results of in vitro experiment show that isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside (IC50, 6.53 ± 0.280 µM) had the strongest inhibition followed by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (IC50, 8.26 ± 0.143 µM) and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (IC50, 8.57 ± 0.422 µM). A 3D QSAR model [comparative molecular field analysis, q2 = 0.502, optimum number of components (ONC) = 3, R2 = 0.983, F = 404.378, standard error of estimation (SEE) = 0.070, and two descriptors; comparative similarity index analysis, q2 = 0.580, ONC = 10, R2 = 0.999, F = 1617.594, SEE = 0.022, and four descriptors] indicates that the DPP-IV inhibition of flavonoid was facilitated by crucial structural factors. Position 3 of ring C favored bulky, hydrogen bond acceptors and hydrophilic and electron-donating substituents. The presence of minor and electron-withdrawing groups at position 4' of ring B and positions 5 and 7 of ring A could improve DPP-IV inhibition. Moreover, the three flavonoids mentioned above could effectively suppress DPP-IV activity and expression in Caco-2 cells. This work may supply new insights into dietary flavonoids as DPP-IV inhibitors for controlling blood glucose.

Effects of Hot-Water Extract from Vine Tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) on Acrylamide Formation, Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Bread.

Acrylamide is a harmful substance that could be inhibited by natural products. Vine tea is an edible herb belonging to the Vitaceae family and has been approved by Chinese authorities as a new food ingredient in 2013. However, the effects of vine tea extract on acrylamide formation and bread quality are rarely investigated. In this study, the polyphenol composition of hot-water extract from vine tea was characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS), and its effects on acrylamide formation, quality, and consumer acceptability of bread were investigated. Vine tea extract and its main polyphenol, dihydromyricetin, significantly inhibited the acrylamide formation in bread, especially the low dose of vine tea extract (1.25 g/kg), which decreased the acrylamide formation by 58.23%. The color and texture of bread were significantly affected by vine tea extract or dihydromyricetin, whereas the moisture content was not changed remarkably. Triangle and paired preference tests indicated that, although the aroma, appearance, and taste of the bread with vine tea extract significantly differ from those of the control bread, vine tea extract did not significantly affect the consumer acceptability. In conclusion, the addition of vine tea extract could be used to develop a new and healthy bread product with low acrylamide content.

Comparative Study of Dietary Flavonoids with Different Structures as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors and Insulin Sensitizers.

This work was designed to comparatively investigate 27 dietary flavonoids that act as α-glucosidase inhibitors and insulin sensitizers. On the basis of the results of an in vitro experiment of α-glucosidase inhibition, myricetin (IC50 = 11.63 ± 0.36 µM) possessed the strongest inhibitory effect, followed by apigenin-7-O-glucoside (IC50 = 22.80 ± 0.24 µM) and fisetin (IC50 = 46.39 ± 0.34 µM). A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship model of α-glucosidase inhibitors with good predictive capability [comparative molecular field analysis, q2 = 0.529, optimum number of components (ONC) = 10, R2 = 0.996, F = 250.843, standard error of estimation (SEE) = 0.064, and two descriptors; comparative similarity index analysis, q2 = 0.515, ONC = 10, R2 = 0.997, F = 348.301, SEE = 0.054, and four descriptors] was established and indicated that meta positions of ring B favored bulky and minor, electron-withdrawing, and hydrogen bond donor groups. The presence of electron-donating and hydrogen bond acceptor groups at position 4' of ring B could improve α-glucosidase activity. Position 3 of ring C favored minor, electron-donating, and hydrogen bond donor groups, whereas position 7 of ring A favored bulky and hydrogen bond acceptor groups. Molecular docking screened five flavonoids (baicalein, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-7-O-ß-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) that can act as insulin sensitizers and form strong combinations with four key protein targets involved in the insulin signaling pathway. Apigenin-7-O-glucoside (60 µM) can effectively improve insulin resistance, and glucose uptake increased by approximately 73.06% relative to the model group of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Therefore, apigenin-7-O-glucoside might serve as the most effective α-glucosidase inhibitor and insulin sensitizer. This work may guide diabetes patients to improve their condition through dietary therapy.

Effects of Different Oligochitosans on Isoflavone Metabolites, Antioxidant Activity, and Isoflavone Biosynthetic Genes in Soybean ( Glycine max) Seeds during Germination.

Five oligochitosans with increasing degrees of polymerization (DPs), i.e., from chitotriose to chitoheptaose, were examined to clarify the structure-bioactivity relationship between the DPs of oligochitosans and their effects on the isoflavone metabolites, total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively), and antioxidant activity of soybean ( Glycine max) seeds during germination. Oligochitosans of different DPs exhibited varying influences on the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of soybean seeds. Chitohexaose exerted a strong effect and significantly increased the aforementioned parameters in soybean seeds 72 h after germination. Genistin, malonylgenistin, and genistein were the main isoflavones found, and the genistin and genistein contents were significantly enhanced by 67.32% and 131.38%, respectively, after chitohexaose treatment. Several critical genes involved in the isoflavone biosynthesis (i.e., PAL, CHS, CHI, IFS) of soybeans treated with and without chitohexaose were analyzed, and results suggested that chitohexaose application could dramatically stimulate the transcription of these genes.

Phenolic profiles, antioxidant activities and cytoprotective effects of different phenolic fractions from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fruits treated by ultra-high pressure.

The present work investigated the phenolic profiles, antioxidant activities, and cytoprotective effects of the free, esterified, and insoluble-bound phenolic fractions from oil palm fruits treated under ultra-high pressure (UHP). Results showed that UHP treatment significantly increased the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of all three phenolic fractions (p < 0.05). A total of 11 and 12 phenolic compounds were detected and quantified in non-treated and UHP-treated fruits, with caffeic acid having the highest concentration in insoluble-bound phenolic fractions with 8.68 and 11.27 mg/g of dry extract, respectively. The antioxidant activities, intracellular reactive oxygen species inhibition, and cytoprotective effects of all three phenolic fractions were dramatically enhanced after UHP pretreatment (p < 0.05). Therefore, UHP-treated oil palm fruits with increased bioactivities could be used in functional food or the nutraceutical industry to enhance their applications and economic value.

Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and Inhibition toward Digestive Enzymes with Molecular Docking Analysis of Different Fractions from Prinsepia utilis Royle Fruits.

The present study investigated the phenolic profiles and antioxidant properties of different fractions from Prinsepia utilis Royle fruits using molecular docking analysis to delineate their inhibition toward digestive enzymes. A total of 20 phenolics was identified and quantified. Rutin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside were the major phenolic compounds in the total phenolic fraction and flavonoid-rich fraction. The anthocyanin-rich fraction mainly contained cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside. All of the fractions exhibited strong radical scavenging activities and good inhibition on cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells, as evaluated by DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Moreover, the powerful inhibitory effects of those fractions against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase were observed. The major phenolic compounds that were found in the three fractions also showed good digestive enzyme inhibitory activities in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking analysis revealed the underlying inhibition mechanisms of those phenolic standards against digestive enzymes, and the theoretical analysis data were consistent with the experimental results.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressing the Shh transgene promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most disabling diseases. Cell-based gene therapy is becoming a major focus for the treatment of SCI. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a promising stem cell type useful for repairing SCI. However, the effects of BMSCs transplants are likely limited because of low transplant survival after SCI. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a multifunctional growth factor which can facilitate neuronal and BMSCs survival, promote axonal growth, prevent activation of the astrocyte lineage, and enhance the delivery of neurotrophic factors in BMSCs. However, treatment of SCI with Shh alone also has limited effects on recovery, because the protein is cleared quickly. In this study, we investigated the use of BMSCs overexpressing the Shh transgene (Shh-BMSCs) in the treatment of rats with SCI, which could stably secrete Shh and thereby enhance the effects of BMSCs, in an attempt to combine the advantages of Shh and BMSCs and so to promote functional recovery. After Shh-BMSCs treatment of SCI via the subarachnoid, we detected significantly greater damage recovery compared with that seen in rats treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and BMSCs. Use of Shh-BMSCs increased the expression and secretion of Shh, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), improved the behavioral function, enhanced the BMSCs survival, promoted the expression level of neurofilament 200 (NF200), and reduced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Thus, our results indicated that Shh-BMSCs enhanced recovery of neurological function after SCI in rats and could be a potential valuable therapeutic intervention for SCI in humans.