Structural characterization and prebiotic potential of an acidic polysaccharide from Imperial Chrysanthemum.

A novel water-soluble polysaccharide, named ICP-1, was isolated and purified by Sephadex G-200 after extracting the crude polysaccharide (ICP) from Imperial Chrysanthemum. The structural characterization of ICP-1 was determined by physical and chemical methods, FT-IR, NMR, SEM, HPGPC, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation and Congo red test. Then, acid production and proliferation of lactic acid bacteria and the tolerance tests of simulated gastrointestinal fluid were measured to investigate the activity of prebiotic potential. The results showed that ICP-1 was an acidic hetero-polysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 2.98 × 103 kDa and a specific optical rotation of +155°. The glycosyl residues of ICP-1 were composed of (1→), (1→4) and (1→6) glucose, (1→5) arabinose, (1→4) galacturonic acid and (1→3,6) mannose. Besides, ICP-1 can speed up the acid production of lactic acid bacteria and promote the growth and proliferation of lactic acid bacteria effectively.

Efficacy and safety of Di-Tan Decoction for treating post-stroke neurological disorders: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

The management of post-stroke complications plays an important role in the quality of life. Di-Tan Decoction (DTD; ) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. This study incorporated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of DTD in post-stroke neurological disorders. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were searched from English, Chinese and Korean electronic medical databases, by including the keywords "Di-Tan Tang", "Di-Tan Decoction", "Scour Phlegm Decoction", "stroke", and "RCT. Each RCT included control (placebo, conventional therapy, or Western medicine) and experimental (DTD treatment) groups. For patients inflicted with stroke for 1-6 weeks, the outcomes of post-stroke neurological disorders were measured by scales for post-stroke symptoms and were classified as "completely healed", "markedly effective", "effective" and "ineffective". Totally, 11 RCTs (n = 490 controls and n = 502 DTD subjects) were selected from 210 articles identified in the initial search. A meta-analysis of evaluation criteria in post-stroke symptoms revealed that the overall odds ratio (ORs) for alleviating post-stroke neurological disorders were 0.30-fold lower (95% CI = 0.21-0.43) in the DTD group than the control (Western medicine) group (P < 0.000 01). Moreover, regardless of the type of stroke diagnostic scale applied (including NFA, HDS, and NIHSS), the overall post-stroke symptoms determined were less severe in the DTD group (n = 219) than the control group (n = 217). No adverse effects of DTD were observed in the 11 RCTs reviewed. All 11 studies used an appropriate method for randomization of subjects to evaluate the risk of bias (ROB), and 7 studies included allocation concealment as well as blinding of patients and practitioners. High-risk ROB was included in 6 RCTs. No significant publication bias was derived from the funnel plot. Our results indicate that the administration of DTD alone, and DTD in combination with Western medicine, exert greater efficacy for post-stroke complication therapy, than Western medicine administered alone. More rigorous and regulated studies are required to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of DTD for post-stroke neurological disorders. disorders.

Association between PLA2R1 rs4664308 and susceptibility to idiopathic membranous nephropathy: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies.

Previous studies have evaluated the association between the phospholipase A2 m-type receptor (PLA2R1) rs4664308 polymorphism and the risk of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), but the results need to be integrated. We hypothesized that the PLA2R1 rs4664308 polymorphism is associated with IMN risk in different ethnicities and assessed this hypothesis by using meta-analysis and case-control studies.A literature searches on PLA2R1 rs4664308 and IMN risk was conducted using the EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Medical Databases. The relationship between PLA2R1 rs4664308 and IMN risk was evaluated in 5 genetic models, namely, allelic (AG), recessive (RG), dominant (DG), homozygous (HMG), and heterozygous (HTG) models. Subgroup analysis was conducted by ethnicity on Asian and non-Asian populations.Eight sets of data from 6 articles met study objectives were selected and 6797 subjects (IMN: 2324 Controls: 4,473) were included. Heterogeneity was found in the DG, HMG, and HTG models but not in the AG or RG models. The minor allele(G) of PLA2R1 rs4664308 showed a significant negative correlation with IMN risk in all genetic random models: odds ratio of AG: 0.44(0.37-0.51), RG: 0.35(0.29-0.42), DG: 0.38(0.31-0.48), HMG: 0.26(0.19-0.37), and HTG: 0.61(0.48-0.77; P < .00001), and Asians and non-Asians showed the same effect of PLA2R1 rs4664308 on IMN risk. Analysis of Asians and non-Asians revealed no publication bias in any of the 5 genetic models.The minor allele of PLA2R1 rs4664308 has a protective activity against IMN in Asians and non-Asians. It provided new insights into potential curative and preventative treatments for IMN.

A mixture of mulberry and silk amino acids protected against D-galactosamine induced acute liver damage by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in HepG2 cells and rats.

The liver is an important organ for the removal of toxins and utilization of nutrients. The present study then investigated whether a mixture of mulberry water extracts and silk amino acids protected against acute liver damage in rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine and the action mechanism. D-galactosamine injection is widely used to develop experimental animal models of acute hepatic disease. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine followed by 200 and 600 mg/kg body weight (BW) of mulberry extracts and silk amino acids (1:3, w/w; MS1:3-L and MS1:3-H), the same amounts of MS with different ratios (1:5, w/w; MS1:5-L and MS1:5-H), and 600 mg/kg bw cellulose (control) for 1 week. The normal-control group received an injection of saline instead of D-galactosamine with the same diet as the control group. D-galactosamine injection (control rats) increased serum ALT, AST and γ-GPT levels, indicating the induction of acute liver damage. The control rats also exhibited reduced glycogen depositions, which contributed to increasing fat synthesis from glucose and elevated serum triglyceride levels. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver of the control increased in response to the decreasing antioxidant activity and mRNA expression and increasing TNF-α expression, respectively. Both MS1:3 and MS1:5 reduced serum ALT, AST and γ-GPT levels to ameliorate liver damage. MS1:3 reduced oxidative stress by increasing the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes, whereas MS1:5 decreased the expression TNF-α in the liver. MS1:3 and MS1:5 improved the necrosis of hepatocytes in H&E staining, which was associated with increased glycogen deposition in PAS staining. MS1:5 had better effects on glycogen accumulation. In conclusion, MS1:3 and MS1:5 can be used as therapeutic agents for acute liver damage.

Short-Term Fermented Soybeans with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Potentiated Insulin Secretion Capacity and Improved Gut Microbiome Diversity and Intestinal Integrity To Alleviate Asian Type 2 Diabetic Symptoms.

We determined that consuming chungkookjang fermented by Bacillus subtilis (BS) or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) alleviated hyperglycemia in partially pancreatectomized (Px) rats, an Asian type 2 diabetic (T2D) animal model. Px rats had deteriorated glucose metabolism with decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Insulin secretion capacity was improved in the ascending order of the Px-control, positive control (3 mg of metformin/kg of body weight), BS (4.5% BS diet), BA (4.5% BA diet), and normal-control (sham-operated rats). BA and BS increased ß-cell mass and decreased malondialdehyde contents and tumor necrosis factor α expression in the islets. BA increased hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-ß similar to the positive control. Bacillales, Lactobacillales, and Verrucomicrobiales (Akkermensia muciniphila) increased and Enterobacteriales decreased in the BA and BS compared to the Px-control. BA prevented the decrease in the villi area and the number of goblet cells in intestinal tissues. In conclusion, BA improved glucose regulation by potentiating insulin secretion and reducing insulin resistance while maintaining gut mucin contents by improving gut microbiota in lean T2D rats.

Chungkookjang, a soy food, fermented with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens protects gerbils against ishcmeic stroke injury, and post-stroke hyperglycemia.

Chungkookjang is a traditional Korean fermented soybean food with anti-diabetic and thrombolytic activity. It may also have anti-stroke activity. We determined that chungkookjang made with Sunchang Research Center for Fermentation Microbes 100730 and 100731 strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(SRCM100730; CKJ730) and SRCM100731(CKJ731) protected against ischemic stroke and post-stroke hyperglycemia in Mongolian gerbils with ischemic stroke induced by transient occlusion of the carotid arteries. Gerbil fed 4.5% cooked soybeans (CSB), CKJ730, CKJ731, or cellulose (negative-control) in 40 energy% fat diets for 3 weeks, and then had artery occlusion for 8 min and continued taking the assigned diet for 5 weeks. CKJ730 and CKJ731 had thrombolytic activity and prevented neuronal cell death. Consequently, they improved short-term memory and spontaneous alteration compared to the negative-control. CKJ730 and CKJ731 improved neurological symptoms including drooped eyes, crouched posture, flexor reflex, and walking patterns the most among the stroke-induced gerbils. CKJ730 and CKJ731 increased active time, grip strength, and blood flow measured by Doppler compared to the negative-control. CKJ730 protected against post-stroke glucose dysregulation by restoring ß-cell mass in the gerbils with transient artery occlusion. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß levels were lower in CKJ730 and CKJ731 than the negative-control. CSB also improved glucose metabolism and suppressed inflammatory cytokines, but less than CKJ730 and CKJ731. Clostridia increased, and Bacteriodia slightly decreased in the negative-control group, compared to the normal-control. CKJ730 and CKJ731 changed the amounts of Bacteriodia and Clostridia to be similar to normal-control. In conclusion, the daily intake of chungkookjang fermented with B. amyloliquefaciens improved the gut microbiome, increased blood flow to the brain, suppressed systemic inflammation, and may reduce the susceptibility to injury from ischemic stroke in gerbils subjected to ischemic injury.

Acid Hydrolyzed Silk Peptide Consumption Improves Anti-Diabetic Symptoms by Potentiating Insulin Secretion and Preventing Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Animals.

: Silk fibroin hydrolysates have been reported to reduce hyperglycemia, but the mechanism has not been determined in Asian type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We hypothesized that the consumption of acid hydrolyzed silk peptides (SPs) alleviates hyperglycemia by improving insulin sensitivity and subsequently normalizing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in T2DM. We investigated this hypothesis in a partial pancreatectomized (Px) rat model. Px rats was assigned randomly to the following six groups and fed assigned diet for 8 weeks: the Px-CON (0.5 g/kg/day dextrin), the SP-L (0.05 g/kg/day), the SP-M (0.1 g/kg/day), the SP-H (0.5 g/kg/day), the positive-CON (30 mg/kg/day metformin), or the normal-CON (sham-operated rats; 0.5 g/kg/day dextrin). SPs contained high levels of glycine, alanine, and serine. We found SPs dose-dependently increased food efficiency and body weight gain in Px rats. Animals in the Px-control group rats exhibited lower glucose metabolism, as evidenced by impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion coupled with impaired insulin sensitivity, and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM), compared to normal-CON. SPs and metformin similarly partially protected against Px-induced BMD loss in the lumbar spine and femur. Px-induced decreases in LBM were dose-dependently prevented by SPs, and muscle forces in the SP-M and SP-H groups were maintained at the normal-CON level. Glucose tolerance was dose-dependently improved by SPs as determined by oral glucose tolerance and oral maltose tolerance tests, and glucose tolerances were similar in the SP-H and positive-CON groups. Insulin tolerance, an index of insulin sensitivity, was dose-dependently enhanced by SPs, and the SP-H group exhibited better insulin tolerance than the positive-CON group as determined by intraperitoneal insulin sensitivity testing. Insulin secretory capacity assessed using a hyperglycemic clamp improved in the following order: Px-control

The Combination of Mulberry Extracts and Silk Amino Acids Alleviated High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis by Improving Hepatic Insulin Signaling and Normalizing Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Rats.

Mulberry water extracts (MB) and silk amino acids (SA) are reported to improve oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. We hypothesized whether the mixture of mulberry water extracts and silk amino acids can alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high fat diets. Male Sprague Dawley rats were orally provided with high fat diets containing different ratios of MB and SA (1:3, MS1:3, or 1:5, MS1:5) or cellulose (the disease-control) for 12 weeks. Rats had 200 or 600 mg/kg bw of MS1:3 and MS1:5 (MS1:3-L, MS1:3-H; MS1:5-L, and MS1:5-H). Rats in the normal-control group were fed the 20% fat diet with cellulose. Disease-control rats exhibited much greater triglyceride (TG) deposition in the liver than the normal-control rats along with increased body weight gain, visceral fat mass, serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), and insulin resistance. Disease-control rats also had liver damage with increased oxidative stress and inflammation compared to the normal-control rats. MS1:3-H and MS1:5-H were found to have greater hepatic glycogen accumulation and decreased hepatic TG, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, with MS1:5-H being similar to the normal-control. MS1:3-H alleviated oxidative stress with lower hepatic lipid peroxide compared to MS1:5-H whereas MS1:5-H ameliorated inflammation and hepatocyte damage better than MS1:3-H. Both MS1:3-H and MS1:5-H potentiated hepatic insulin signaling (pAkt⟶pACC) and reduced the mRNA expression of TG synthesis genes mRNA (FAS and SREBP-1c). In the gut microbiome MS1:3-H elevated the ratio of Bacteroidales to Clostridiales in the cecum better than MS1:5-H but MS1:5-H reduced the proinflammatory Turicibacterales. In conclusion, both MS1:3-H and MS1:5-H prevented liver damage induced by high fat diets, mainly by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. MS1:3 and MS1:5 might be used as therapeutic agent for NAFLD.

Rice Porridge Containing Welsh Onion Root Water Extract Alleviates Osteoarthritis-Related Pain Behaviors, Glucose Levels, and Bone Metabolism in Osteoarthritis-Induced Ovariectomized Rats.

Rice porridge containing Allium fistulosum (Welsh onion) root water extract (RAFR) has anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. We examined whether the long-term administration of rice porridge with RAFR would prevent or delay the progression of osteoarthritis and menopausal symptoms in estrogen-deficient animals by ovariectomy. The rats consumed 40% fat energy diets containing 250 mg RAFR (rice: Allium fistulosum root = 13:1)/kg body weight (bw) (OVX-OA-RAFR-Low), 750 mg RAFR/kg bw (OVX-OA-RAFR-High) and 750 mg starch and protein/kg bw(OVX), respectively. After consuming the assigned diets for eight weeks, monoiodoacetate (OVX-OA) or saline (OVX) were injected into the knee joints of the rats for an additional three weeks. Sham rats were administered saline injections (normal-control). OVX-OA-RAFR improved oral glucose tolerance and also protected against decreases in bone mineral density and lean body mass in the legs and increases in fat mass in the abdomen, compared to the OVX and OVX-OA. OVX-OA-RAFR improved swelling and limping scores, normalized weight distribution between the osteoarthritic and normal limbs, and increased maximum running speeds compared to the OVX-OA. The OVX-OA deteriorated the articular cartilage by reducing the articular matrix and bone loss in the knee joint and it prevented knee joint deterioration when compared to the OVX. The improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms in OVX-OA-RAFR decreased the mRNA expression of matrix metallo-proteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-13, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6 in the articular cartilage compared to OVX-OA rats. In conclusions, RAFR is effective in treating osteoarthritis symptoms and it may be used for a therapeutic agent in osteoarthritis-induced menopausal women.

Association between PTPN22-1123G/C and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) varies greatly among different ethnic groups, suggesting genetic susceptibility. The several genetic variants of protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22-1123G/C, rs2488457) have been widely examined. We systematically evaluated the association of PTPN22-1123 and RA risk by pooling the related studies conducted in different races. METHODS: Literature was searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Korean scientific database, Chinese medical databases, and the Indian medical database to identify eligible studies for determining the association of PTPN22-1123 and RA risk. The association was assessed in five genetic random effects models including the allelic (AG), recessive (RG), dominant (DG), homozygous (HMG), and heterozygous (HTG) genetic models. Subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity (Asians and non-Asians) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 10 articles were selected that met the criteria including Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Subjects included 14 186 healthy controls and 5735 with RA. The AG, RG, DG, and HMG genetic models showed no heterogeneity, but the HTG model showed heterogeneity. AG and RG did not exhibit publication bias in any of the studies including Asian and non-Asian subgroups. The overall effect of PTPN22-1123 on RA risk in all genetic random models showed significant positive associations (AG: odds ratio [OR]: 1.24; CI: 1.08-1.42; P = 0.002; RG: OR: 1.35; CI: 1.15-1.59; P = 0.0003; DG: OR: 1.42; CI: 1.09-1.85; P = 0.009; HMG: OR: 1.69; CI: 1.22-2.34; P = 0.002). A significant association when pooling the studies was only revealed in non-Asians (P < 0.05), but no significant relationship was shown in Asians. CONCLUSIONS: People with C allele in PTPN22-1123 increased the risk of RA only in non-Asians.