The protective effects of Kefir extract (KE) on intestinal damage in larval zebrafish induced by Oxytetracycline: Insights into intestinal function, morphology, and molecular mechanisms.

The antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) can be detected in contemporary natural aquatic environments and has been implicated in causing intestinal damage in humans exposed to OTC-contaminated food or water. The irreversible damage caused by high concentrations of OTC to the intestine suggests that treatment through dietary means could still be necessary. This study proved the effectiveness of kefir extract (KE) in reversing intestinal damage caused by oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure. Following a 24-hour KE treatment subsequent to OTC exposure from 3 to 8 days post-fertilization of zebrafish larvae, molecular-level and microbiomic assessments revealed significant improvements. These included reduced expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-8 and IL-1ß), increased antioxidant levels, and reversed unhealthy distribution of intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, KE supplementation showed potential in enhancing intestinal motility in the experiment of Nile red staining and fluorescent microbead transit. However, histological analysis showed that this short-term treatment with KE only partially reversed the intestinal morphological changes induced by OTC, suggesting that a longer treatment period might be necessary for complete restoration.

A novel curdlan/methyl cellulose/walnut green husk polyphenol edible composite film for walnut packaging.

In this study, polyphenols were extracted from walnut green husk, an agricultural waste, and were incorporated into curdlan (CD) and methyl cellulose (MC) to create a novel edible composite film. For structural character, the film matrix was tightly bound primarily by non-covalent bonds and the addition of walnut green husk polyphenols (WGHP) significantly reduced the surface roughness of the composite film. For mechanical properties, the addition of WGHP improve the flexibility of films, and it significantly improved the barrier ability of ultraviolet rays and water-vapor. Furthermore, the incorporation of WGHP to the CD-MC film resulted in enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial effects, which effectively retards lipid oxidation in fried walnuts. Consequently, the fabricated CD-MC-WGHP composite film bears immense potential for use in food preservation applications, particularly in extending the shelf life of fried walnuts.

Novel antiosteoporotic peptides purified from protein hydrolysates of taihe black-boned silky fowl: By larval zebrafish model and molecular docking.

The black-boned silky fowl (BSF) muscle protein hydrolysate was gained by alcalase. The hydrolysate could stimulate MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, as well as enhance alkaline phosphatas (ALP) activity and deposits of minerals. After isolation and purification, 55 peptide sequences with Mascot score over 40 were identified. Combined with molecular docking simulation and molecular dynamics analysis, two novel peptides (PASTGAAK and PGPPGTPF) were identified with the lowest binding energy of -4.99 kcal/mol and -3.07 kcal/mol with receptor BMPR1A of BMP-2/Smad pathway, showing the ability to increase BMPR1A stability. Moreover, both PASTGAAK and PGPPGTPF revealed strong anti-osteoporosis activities in the zebrafish model induced by dexamethasone. Additionally, the identified peptides could be beneficial for the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cell for upregulating the expression of some osteoblast-related genes and proteins by stimulating BMP-2/Smad pathway. Overall, the two newly identified peptides could be the potential candidate to prevent osteoporosis.

Effects of specific doses of E-beam irradiation which inactivated SARS-CoV-2 on the nutrition and quality of Atlantic salmon.

The contamination of Atlantic salmon with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impeded the development of the cold-chain food industry and posed possible risks to the population. Electron beam (E-beam) irradiation under 2, 4, 7, and 10 kGy can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in cold-chain seafood. However, there are few statistics about the quality changes of salmon exposed to these irradiation dosages. This work demonstrated that E-beam irradiation at dosages capable of killing SARS-CoV-2 induced lipid oxidation, decreased vitamin A content, and increased some amino acids and ash content. In addition, irradiation altered the textural features of salmon, such as its hardness, resilience, cohesiveness, and chewiness. The irradiation considerably affected the L*, a*, and b* values of salmon, with the L* value increasing and a*, b* values decreasing. There was no significant difference in the sensory evaluation of control and irradiated salmon. It was shown that irradiation with 2-7 kGy E-beam did not significantly degrade quality. The inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in salmon is advised at a dose of 2 kGy.

Zearalenone and Its Masked Forms in Cereals and Cereal-Derived Products: A Review of the Characteristics, Incidence, and Fate in Food Processing.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is known as a Fusarium-produced mycotoxin, representing a risk to cereal food safety with repercussions for economies and worldwide trade. Recent studies have reported the co-occurrence of ZEA and masked ZEA in a variety of cereals and cereal-based products, which may exert adverse effects on public health due to additive/synergistic interactions. However, the co-contamination of ZEA and masked ZEA has received little attention. In order to minimize the threats of co-contamination by ZEA and masked ZEA, it is necessary to recognize the occurrence and formation of ZEA and masked ZEA. This review focuses on the characteristics, incidence, and detection of ZEA and its masked forms. Additionally, the fate of ZEA and masked ZEA during the processing of bread, cake, biscuits, pasta, and beer, as well as the ZEA limit, are discussed. The incidence of masked ZEA is lower than that of ZEA, and the mean level of masked ZEA varies greatly between cereal samples. Published data showed a considerable degree of heterogeneity in the destiny of ZEA during cereal-based food processing, mostly as a result of the varying contamination levels and complicated food processing methods. Knowledge of the fate of ZEA and masked ZEA throughout cereal-based food processing may reduce the likelihood of severe detrimental market and trade ramifications. The revision of legislative limits of masked ZEA may become a challenge in the future.

The Relationship between Procyanidin Structure and Their Protective Effect in a Parkinson's Disease Model.

This study evaluated the effect of grape seed-derived monomer, dimeric, and trimeric procyanidins on rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) cells and in a zebrafish Parkinson's disease (PD) model. PC12 cells were cultured with grape seed-derived procyanidins or deprenyl for 24 h and then exposed to 1.5 mm 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) for 24 h. Zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization were incubated with deprenyl or grape seed-derived procyanidins in 400 µM 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 4 days. The results showed that the procyanidin dimers procyanidin B1 (B1), procyanidin B2 (B2), procyanidin B3 (B3), procyanidin B4 (B4), procyanidin B1-3-O-gallate (B1-G), procyanidin B2-3-O-gallate (B2-G), and the procyanidin trimer procyanidin C1 (C1) had a protective effect on PC12 cells, decreasing the damaged dopaminergic neurons and motor impairment in zebrafish. In PC12 cells and the zebrafish PD model, procyanidin (B1, B2, B3, B4, B1-G, B2-G, C1) treatment decreased the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and upregulated the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These results suggest that in PC12 cells and the zebrafish PD model, the neuroprotective effects of the procyanidins were positively correlated with their degree of polymerization.

[Analysis of hereditary coagulation factor â ª deficiency in a Chinese pedigree with compound heterozygous mutations].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms of a Chinese pedigree with hereditary factor Ⅺ (FⅪ) deficiency. METHODS: All of the 15 exons, flanking sequences of the FⅪ gene and the corresponding mutation sites of family members were analyzed by the Sanger sequencing, followed by the extraction of the peripheral blood genomic DNA. And all the results were verified by the reverse sequencing. The conservation of the mutated sites was analyzed by the ClustalX-2.1-win. Three online bioinformatics software tools, including Mutation Taster, PolyPhen2 and the PROVEAN, were used to assess the possible impact of the mutations. Swiss-pdbviewer software was used to analyze the effects of mutant amino acids on protein structure. RESULTS: Genetic analysis revealed that the proband had compound heterozygous mutations including a nonsense mutation of c.1107C>A (Tyr369stop) in exon 10 and missense mutation of c.1562A>G (Tyr521Cys) in exon 13. The same c.1107C>A (Tyr369stop) was present in her father, the same c.1562A>G (Tyr521Cys) was present in both her mother and daughter. Conservation analysis indicated that Tyr521 was a highly conserved site during evolution. The prediction of pathogenicity showed that both c.1107C>A and c.1562A>G were pathogenic mutations. Protein structure prediction showed that in the wild type FⅪ protein structure, Tyr521 formed a hydrogen bond with the Lys572 and Ile388, respectively. When Tyr521 was replaced by Cys521, the original benzene ring structure disappeared, and side chains of Lys572 added a hydrogen bond with the Cys521, which may change protein catalytic domain structure. When Tyr369 was mutated to a stop codon, resulting in the truncated protein. CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous mutations including the c.1107C>A heterozygous missense variant in exon 10 and the c.1562A>G heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 13 may be responsible for the hereditary factor Ⅺ deficiency in this Chinese pedigree.

The adverse effects of fluxapyroxad on the neurodevelopment of zebrafish embryos.

Fluxapyroxad (Flu), one of the succinate dehydrogenase-inhibited (SDHI) fungicides, has been extensively used in crop fungal disease control. Despite its increasing use in modern agriculture and long-term retention in the environment, the potentially toxic effects of Flu in vivo, especially on neurodevelopment, remain under-evaluated. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to Flu at concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/L for 96 h to evaluate the neurotoxicity of Flu. The results showed that Flu caused concentration-dependent malformations, including shorter body length, smaller head and eyes, and yolk sac edema. After exposure to Flu, larval zebrafish exhibited severe motor aberrations. Flu at a concentration of 1 mg/L significantly decreased dopamine level and notably altered acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and acetylcholine (ACh) content. Abnormal central nervous system (CNS) neurogenesis and disordered motor neuron development were observed in Tg (HUC-GFP) and Tg (hb9-GFP) zebrafish in Flu-treated groups. The expression of key genes involved in neurotransmission and neurodevelopment further proved that Flu impaired the zebrafish nervous system. This work contributes to our understanding of the neurotoxic effects and mechanisms induced by Flu in zebrafish and may help us take precautions against the neurotoxicity of Flu.

Effects of E-beam irradiation on the physicochemical properties of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).

Electron beam (E-beam) irradiation can effectively inactivate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in cold-chain seafood. This study evaluated the effects of E-beam irradiation at doses killing SARS-CoV-2 on quality indicators of Atlantic cod. The cod samples were exposed to 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10 kGy E-beam irradiation, and nutrition, texture, color, and sensory attributes were investigated. The results showed that E-beam irradiation significantly increased thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and decreased hardness, chewiness, and a* value of Atlantic cod (P < 0.05). E-beam irradiation with 10 kGy significantly lowered total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and reducing sugar content while increasing moisture and ash content (P < 0.05). A significant color change was observed after irradiation with 2 kGy-7 kGy E-beam (P < 0.05). E-beam irradiation had no effects on sensory attributes (P > 0.05). A dose of 4 kGy was recommended considering the keeping quality in Atlantic cod.

Osteogenic activities of four calcium-chelating microalgae peptides.

BACKGROUND: Adequate calcium intake is necessary to prevent osteoporosis, which poses significant public health challenges. The natural bioactive peptide calcium chelates have been regarded as superior calcium supplements. Microalgae peptides are regarded as potential candidates for protection from bone loss in osteoporosis. This study aimed to prepare microalgae calcium-chelating peptides from four microalgae proteins and assess their osteogenic activities in osteoporosis-like zebrafish. RESULTS: After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, 4.42% Chlorella pyrenoidosa protein, 2.74% Nannochloropsis oceanica protein, 6.07% Arthospira platensis protein and 10.47% Dunaliella salina protein were retained. The calcium-chelating capacities of four microalgae protein hydrolysates (MPHs) ranged from 14.10 ± 7.16% to 34.11 ± 9.34%. CaCl2 addition increased the maximum absorption peaks, absorption intensities and particle sizes of MPHs. Calcium-chelating MPHs showed stronger osteogenic activities than MPHs in the osteoporosis-like zebrafish model, with significantly increased mineralized tissue area and integrated optical density. CONCLUSION: Microalgae proteins have favorable digestibilities. Among the four MPHs, Nannochloropsis oceanica protein hydrolysates showed the highest calcium-chelating capacity, which might be due to its high degree of hydrolysis after in vitro digestion and high content of Ser, Tyr, Thr, Asp and Glu. The absorption intensities and particle sizes of MPHs both increased after calcium addition. MPH treatment could reverse dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis of zebrafish, and MPHs-Ca chelates showed higher osteogenic activities in osteoporosis-like phenotype zebrafish. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Relationship between Neuroprotective Effects and Structure of Procyanidins.

This study evaluated the relationship between the neuroprotective effects of procyanidins and their structural characteristics. In vitro, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) was exposed to the grape seed-derived procyanidin monomers: catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), and epicatechin gallate (ECG); the procyanidin dimers: procyanidin B1 (B1), procyanidin B2 (B2), procyanidin B3 (B3), procyanidin B4 (B4), procyanidin B1-3-O-gallate (B1-G), and procyanidin B2-3-O-gallate (B2-G); and the procyanidin trimers: procyanidin C1 (C1) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) for 24 h. Cells were then incubated with 200 µM H2O2 for 24 h. In vivo, zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization were incubated with NAC or procyanidins (C, EC, ECG, B1, B2, B3, B4, B1-G, B2-G, C1) in 300 µM H2O2 for 4 days. Different grape seed procyanidins increased the survival of PC12 cells challenged with H2O2, improved the movement behavior disorder of zebrafish caused by H2O2, inhibited the increase of ROS and MDA and the decrease of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD activities, and up-regulated the Nrf2/ARE pathway. The neuroprotective effects of the procyanidin trimer C1 treatment group were greater than the other treatment groups. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of procyanidins is positively correlated with their degree of polymerization.

Recent advances in seafood bioactive peptides and their potential for managing osteoporosis.

Marine biodiversity provides a range of diverse biological resources, including seafoods that are rich in protein and a well-balanced amino acid composition. Previous studies have shown that peptides can improve bone formation and/or inhibit bone resorption, suggesting the potential for seafood bioactive peptides (SBPs) in development of food and pharmaceuticals for management of osteoporosis. In this review, we provided an up-to-date overview of the anti-osteoporosis activity of SBPs and describe their underlying molecular mechanisms. We focus on SBPs' development, broadening the scope and depth of research, as well as strengthening in vivo and clinical research. In vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal osteoporosis models have demonstrated the potential for seafood-derived SBPs, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, seaweed and microalgae, in preventing osteoporosis. These peptides may act by activating the signaling pathways, such as BMP/Smads, MAPK, OPG/RANKL/RANK, and NF-κB, which are associated with modulation bone health.

Analysis of cf-mtDNA and cf-nDNA fragment size distribution using different isolation methods in BV-2 cell supernatant of starvation-induced autophagy.

Fragment size distribution, the important biological properties of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), provides useful information required for diagnostic assay development. However, besides methodological discrepancies, it varies due to the complicated origins and occurrences of in vivo cfDNA. In addition, limited data are available concerning the cfDNA associated with autophagy and distributional difference between cf-mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) and cf-nuclear DNA (cf-nDNA) fragments. Here we developed an in vitro model of mouse microglial cell (BV-2) with starvation-induced autophagy, in which cfDNA was isolated from the cell supernatant by ultrafiltration (UF) and column-based commercial kit (CC), respectively. Using Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, a DNA ladder pattern as the presence of peaks corresponding to mono-, di- and tri-nucleosomes was clearly visualized both in isolation products of UF and CC. However, we also detected shorter fragments than mono-nucleosome by UF. In comparing the UF and CC, we found that the former produced the higher recovery efficiency for spiked-in DNA of shorter fragments than mono-nucleosome in both water and medium, but the latter was superior for spiked-in DNA fragments which were longer than or equal to mono-nucleosome in medium. Combined with these two isolation methods, we have observed that autophagy-associated cf-mtDNA and cf-nDNA were both highly enriched in

Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Procyanidins on Parkinson's Disease In Vivo and In Vitro.

This research assessed the molecular mechanism of procyanidins (PCs) against neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced Parkinson's disease (PD) models. In vitro, PC12 cells were incubated with PCs or deprenyl for 24 h, and then exposed to 1.5 mM MPP+ for 24 h. In vivo, zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) were incubated with deprenyl or PCs in 400 µM MPTP for 4 days. Compared with MPP+/MPTP alone, PCs significantly improved antioxidant activities (e.g., glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, PCs significantly increased nuclear Nrf2 accumulation in PC12 cells and raised the expression of NQO1, HO-1, GCLM, and GCLC in both PC12 cells and zebrafish compared to MPP+/MPTP alone. The current study shows that PCs have neuroprotective effects, activate the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and alleviate oxidative damage in MPP+/MPTP-induced PD models.

Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Procyanidins In Vitro and In Vivo.

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of procyanidins (PCs). In vitro, rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) were exposed to PCs (1, 2 or 4 µg/mL) or N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (20 µM) for 24 h, and then incubated with 200 µM of H2O2 for 24 h. Compared with H2O2 alone, PCs significantly increased antioxidant activities (e.g., glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) accumulation and increased the expression of quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). In vivo, zebrafish larvae (AB strain) 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed to NAC (30 µM) or PCs (4, 8 or 16 µg/mL) in the absence or presence of 300 µM of H2O2 for 4 days. Compared with H2O2 alone, PCs enhanced antioxidant activities (e.g., GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD), decreased levels of ROS and MDA, and enhanced Nrf2/ antioxidant response element (ARE) activation and raised expression levels of NQO1, HO-1, GCLM, and GCLC. In conclusion, these results indicated that PCs exerted neuroprotective effects via activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway and alleviating oxidative damage.

Hereditary factor V deficiency from heterozygous mutations with a novel variant p.Pro798Leufs∗13 in the F5 gene.

To explore the causative mutation for autosomal recessive inheritance factor V (FV) deficiency in a Chinese family. Relative coagulation indexes and the FV antigen were tested by the one-stage clotting method and ELISA, respectively. At the same time, the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) was used to analyze the mutant protein function. All 25 exons, flanking sequences, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the F5 were amplified by PCR and sequenced directly, while each suspected variant was verified by reverse sequencing. The possible impact of the mutant was analyzed by the corresponding bioinformatics software. The phenotypic tests showed that the proband's FV activity has decreased to 24%, whereas the FV antigen has also reduced to 28%. The genetic analysis revealed that she was a compound heterozygote for a frameshift variant from small deletion in the exon 13 (c.2390_2390delC, p.Pro798Leufs∗13) and a missense mutation in the exon 25 (c.6665A>G, p.Asp2222Gly). Meanwhile, the online bioinformatics software indicated that the frameshift variant was disease-causing. The pathogenic variant p.Pro798Leufs∗13 and the benign variant p.Asp2222Gly largely account for the decrease of the FV deficiency in this Chinese family, of which the pathogenic variant is firstly reported in the world.

Preparation and Characterization of Microemulsions Based on Antarctic Krill Oil.

Antarctic krill oil is high in nutritional value and has biological functions like anti-inflammation and hypolipidemic effects. But it has and unpleasant smell, and unsaturated fatty acids are prone to oxidative deterioration. Its high viscosity and low solubility in water make it difficult for processing. Microemulsion can be a new promising route for development of krill oil product. We determined a formula of krill oil-in-water microemulsion with krill oil: isopropyl myristate = 1:3 as oil phase, Tween 80:Span 80 = 8:2 as surfactant, ethanol as co-surfactant and the mass ratio of surfactant to co-surfactant of 3:1. After screening the formula, we researched several characteristics of the prepared oil-in-water microemulsion, including electrical conductivity, microstructure by transmission electron microscope and cryogenic transmission electron microscope, droplet size analysis, rheological properties, thermal behavior by differential scanning calorimeter and stability against pH, salinity, and storage time.

Comparison of paired cerebrospinal fluid and serum cell-free mitochondrial and nuclear DNA with copy number and fragment length.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) were only for single body fluids; however, the differences in cfDNA distribution between two body fluids are rarely reported. Hence, in this work, we compared the differences in cfDNA distribution between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with brain-related diseases. METHODS: The fragment length of cfDNA was determined by using Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. The copy numbers of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) and cell-free nuclear DNA (cf-nDNA) were determined by using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with three pairs of mitochondrial ND1 and nuclear GAPDH primers, respectively. RESULTS: There were short (~60 bp), medium (~167 bp), and long (>250 bp) cfDNA fragment length distributions totally obtained from CSF and serum using Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. The results of both qPCR and ddPCR confirmed the existence of these three cfDNA fragment ranges in CSF and serum. According to qPCR, the copy numbers of long cf-mtDNA, medium, and long cf-nDNA in CSF were significantly higher than in paired serum. In CSF, only long cf-mtDNA's copy numbers were higher than long cf-nDNA. But in serum, the copy numbers of medium and long cf-mtDNA were higher than the corresponding cf-nDNA. CONCLUSION: The cf-nDNA and cf-mtDNA with different fragment lengths differentially distributed in the CSF and serum of patients with brain disorders, which might serve as a biomarker of human brain diseases.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and susceptibility to Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE:: Meta-analysis was performed in the current study to evaluate the relationship of the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism with the risk of the incidence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. METHODS:: The electronic databases, including Embase, PubMed and Google scholar, were systemically retrieved to search for related articles. Meanwhile, statistical analysis was performed using the odds ratio and the corresponding 95% confidence interval. RESULTS:: A total of six articles enrolling 504 patients and 706 healthy controls was enrolled into the current meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis suggested that the angiotensin-converting enzyme D allele was markedly correlated with the risk of the incidence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura among the general population (deletion (D) vs. insertion (I): odds ratio (OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.93; DD vs. II: OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.06-4.70; DI vs. II: OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.00-1.85; dominant model: OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.00-2.42; recessive model: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.06-3.16). Moreover, such a polymorphism was found to correlate with the susceptibility to Henoch-Schönlein purpura when studies were stratified according to the sample size of over 200. In addition, such a polymorphism was recognised to be remarkably associated with the susceptibility to Henoch-Schönlein purpura in the Caucasian population, which was not found in the Asian population. CONCLUSIONS:: The results of the current meta-analysis indicate that the angiotensin-converting enzyme D allele might be a risk factor against the risk of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, especially in Caucasians.

Anti-inflammatory properties of extracts from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaf.

Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. (CN) is a species in the family Calycanthaceae. Its leaf is widely used to make traditional herbal tea in southern China and has a wide range of therapeutic effects. The profile of the ethanol extracts from CN leaves was identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Forty seven compounds were determined including organic acids, phenolic acids and derivatives, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids and other compounds. The effect of the CN extracts on the inflammatory damage in zebrafish and in RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. The extracts demonstrated a strong ability to inhibit the recruitment of neutrophils in LPS-stimulated zebrafish, but macrophage migration was not significantly affected. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß) were also determined by q-PCR. The extracts strongly reduced mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6 but not IL-1ß in zebrafish model, while significantly inhibited the production of the factors in the RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, our results suggest that the ethanol extracts of CN leaves may serve as a source of nutraceutical compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.