Extraction, Characterization, and Platelet Inhibitory Effects of Two Polysaccharides from the Cs-4 Fungus.

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with platelet hyperactivity, and downregulating platelet activation is one of the promising antithrombotic strategies. This study newly extracted two polysaccharides (purified exopolysaccharides, EPSp and purified intercellular exopolysaccharides, IPSp) from Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4 mycelial fermentation powder, and investigated the effects of the two polysaccharides and their gut bacterial metabolites on platelet functions and thrombus formation. EPSp and IPSp are majorly composed of galactose, mannose, glucose, and arabinose. Both EPSp and IPSp mainly contain 4-Galp and 4-Glcp glycosidic linkages. EPSp and IPSp significantly inhibited human platelet activation and aggregation with a dose-dependent manner, and attenuated thrombus formation in mice without increasing bleeding risk. Furthermore, the EPSp and IPSp after fecal fermentation showed enhanced platelet inhibitory effects. The results have demonstrated the potential value of Cs-4 polysaccharides as novel protective ingredients for cardiovascular diseases.

Protective effects of konjac glucomannan on gut microbiome with antibiotic perturbation in mice.

This study assessed the protective effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) on gut microbiome against the antibiotic perturbation in C57BL/6J mice. The native KGM (1.82 × 107) was partially hydrolyzed by endo-1,4-ß-mannanase, and two hydrolyzed fractions (KGM-eM with 3.82 × 105 Da and KGM-eL with 8.27 × 103 Da) were characterized and applied to mice with perturbation of antibiotics in comparison with the native KGM. The results showed that the native KGM better maintained the microbial diversity and composition in feces, and increased the production of the individual and total SCFAs in feces and serum with perturbation of antibiotics. In contrast, KGM with lower MW (KGM-eM and KGM-eL) increased the proportion of Lactobacillus and SCFA production with no antibiotics, however, the prebiotic effects were eliminated with perturbation of antibiotics. These results have demonstrated the protective effects of KGM with high MW on gut microbiome against the antibiotic perturbation in vivo.

Effects of konjac glucomannan with different molecular weights on gut microflora with antibiotic perturbance in in vitro fecal fermentation.

This study investigated the effect of konjac glucomannan (KGM) of different molecular weight on fecal microflora against antibiotic disturbance. KGM (~1.8 × 107 Da) was partially hydrolysed with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) for 10 and 60 min to KGM1 (~2.1 × 104 Da) and KGM2 (7413 Da), respectively. The acid treatment caused significant reduction of intrinsic viscosity, average molecular weight (MW) and particle size of KGM, but brought limited change to the molecular structure. Low-MW KGM2 showed the most significant effect on fecal microflora in the presence of two common antibiotics (ampicillin and clindamycin), by increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae while decreasing the proportion of Enterobacteriaceae. Additionally, both the native and acid-treated KGM counteracted the adverse influence of antibiotics on the production of short chain fatty acids. The results have demonstrated the effect of KGM on gut microbiota with antibiotic disturbance.

Protection of Bifidobacterial cells against antibiotics by a high molecular weight exopolysaccharide of a medicinal fungus Cs-HK1 through physical interactions.

This study was to assess the protective effect of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by a medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis Cs-HK1 on Bifidobacteria against antibiotic inhibition. The high-molecular weight EPS fractions showed significant protective effect on all five bifidobacterial strains against four common antibiotics, leading to a dramatic increase in the minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations. The protective effect of EPS on the bacteria was probably attributed to the formation of a viscous layer around the bacterial cell resisting the access by the antibiotics. The EPS layer surrounding the bacteria cell also promoted the aggregation of bacteria and formation of biofilm as observed by microscopy. EPS also enhanced the bifidobacterial adhesion to Caco-2 cell monolayer. In general, the protective effect as well as biofilm formation due to EPS was significantly correlated with the molecular weight of EPS fractions.

Predictive validity of BODE index for anxious and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are two of the commonest and most modifiable comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have an independent effect on health and prognosis. FEV1% has been shown to be a poor predictor of anxiety and depression. The body mass index, degree of airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index is a multidimensional assessment system which may predict health outcome in COPD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of the BODE index for anxious and depressive symptoms in COPD patients. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective cross-sectional study in 256 patients with stable COPD. Anxious and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The relationships between anxiety, depression and potential predictors (including the BODE index) were analyzed by a binary Logistic regression model. RESULTS: Subjects who were anxious and depressive walked a shorter six-minute walking distance (6MWD), had more dyspnea, a higher BODE index, and lower health-related quality of life (P < 0.01). Anxiety and depression score was significantly correlated with BODE index, respectively (r = 0.335, P < 0.001; r = 0.306, P < 0.001). The prevalence of anxiety and depression increased with BODE stage increasing (P < 0.05). On the basis of binary Logistic regression, the BODE index was a good and independent predictor of anxiety and depression because it comprised dyspnea and 6MWD, which were shown to be the main determinants. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive validity of the BODE index for anxiety and depression was demonstrated. We propose that the BODE index should be included in assessment of COPD severity.

Ultrasonic treatment for improved solution properties of a high-molecular weight exopolysaccharide produced by a medicinal fungus.

High-power ultrasound (20 kHz) was applied to modify the physicochemical properties of a high-molecular weight (MW) exopolysaccharide (EPS) from mycelial culture of a medicinal fungus. At 35 W/cm(2) or higher ultrasound power, the apparent and intrinsic viscosities of EPS solution dropped by nearly 85% within 10 min, and the water solubility was increased by more than fourfold. The ultrasonic treatment led to a notable reduction of the maximum MW and a more uniform MW distribution, but no significant change in the primary structure of the EPS molecules. In contrast, the intrinsic viscosity of EPS was reduced by only 20% in 1.0M sulfuric acid at 50 degrees C for 9h. Ultrasound was proven an effective and favorable means for improving the solution properties of high-MW bioactive polysaccharides in mild conditions.

Homogeneous sulfation of bagasse cellulose in an ionic liquid and anticoagulation activity.

Homogeneous sulfation of bagasse cellulose (BC) with chlorosulfonic acid-dimethylformamide was accomplished in an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(4)mim]Cl). The BCS products from the sulfation had degrees of substitution (DS) in the range of 0.52-2.95 and a simultaneous substitution pattern at C-6, C-2 and C-3 positions. The sulfated BCS attained significant anticoagulation activity, causing a dose-dependent prolongation of coagulation time and inhibition of FIIa and FXa activities in human plasma. The anticoagulation activity of BCS showed a positive correlation with DS, and some of the activity indexes exceeded those of heparin.

Preparation and anticoagulation activity of sodium cellulose sulfate.

Semi-synthesis of cellulose sulfate sodium (Na-MCS) was carried out by sulfation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with chlorosulfonic acid-dimethylformamide complex as sulfating agent. As shown by FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, the sulfation occurred mainly at C6, partially at C2, and no substitution at C3. The substitution degree ranged from 1.10 to 1.70 and the average molecular weight is between 1.1 and 3.5 x 10(4)Da. The anticoagulant efficacy and its possible mechanism were investigated using in vitro, in vivo coagulation assays and amidolytic tests in comparison with heparin. Results indicated that Na-MCS exhibited higher anticoagulation activity based on activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay and prolonged the thrombin time (TT) to a lesser extent than heparin. No effect was detected on the prothrombin time (PT). Subcutaneous administration of Na-MCS to mice increased the clotting time (CT) in a moderate dose-dependent manner with a longer duration. Na-MCS exhibited anticoagulation activity mainly by accelerating the inhibition of antithrombin III (AT-III) on coagulation factors FIIa and FXa in plasma.

Anticoagulant property of a semi-synthesized sodium beta-1,4-glucan sulfate.

AIM: To investigate the anticoagulant efficacy and mechanism of a semi-synthesized sodium beta-1,4-glucan sulfate (Na-MCS). METHODS: Anticoagulant activity was evaluated by means of coagulation assays in comparison with heparin. The anticoagulant mechanism of Na-MCS was disclosed by inhibitory analysis of the activities of coagulation factors using chromogenic substrates. RESULTS: 0.6 microg x mL(-1) Na-MCS could significantly prolong APTT and TT, but has less effect on PT at an even higher concentration. The dosage of Na-MCS required to double APTT of normal human plasma was 0.7 microg x mL(-1), lower than that of heparin with the activity of 150 u x mg(-1). CONCLUSION: Na-MCS represented a potent anticoagulation activity in vitro, which matched the efficacy of heparin in a certain range of concentrations. Na-MCS exhibited anticoagulant activity due to inhibition of the coagulation factors IIa and Xa by the mediation of anti-thrombin AT-III.