Review
Microbiology
Franziska Maria Feller, Johannes Holert, Onur Yuecel, Bodo Philipp
Summary: Bile acids are surface-active steroid compounds produced by vertebrates, serving as emulsifiers, signaling compounds, and antimicrobial barriers in the duodenum. When excreted into soil and water, bile acids provide carbon- and energy-rich growth substrates for diverse bacteria, predominantly studied in individual strains of specific genera.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefanie Sommersberger, Stefan Gunawan, Tanja Elger, Tanja Fererberger, Johanna Loibl, Muriel Huss, Arne Kandulski, Sabrina Krautbauer, Martina Mueller, Gerhard Liebisch, Christa Buechler, Hauke Christian Tews
Summary: Disturbed fecal bile acid homeostasis is associated with disease severity and symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis (UC). These findings may aid in distinguishing different subtypes of IBD and classifying the pathophysiology of diarrhea in UC.
LIPIDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sumit S. Bhawal, Puthusserickal A. Hassan, Santosh L. Gawali, Sandeep R. Patil, Vishal N. Patil, Shehnaz H. Solanki, Dhana Lakshmi Manyala, Dharmesh S. Varade
Summary: In this study, the synthesis and interfacial properties of choline cholate (CC) and choline deoxy cholate (CDC) surfactants prepared through salt metathesis reaction were reported. The experiments showed that both CC and CDC formed well-defined micelles and exhibited good foamability in the presence of CTAB. The findings of this study are of great importance for the formulation design of pharmaceutical and personal care products.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Xiaomin Su, Yunhuan Gao, Rongcun Yang
Summary: Bile acids (BAs) and their metabolites play important roles in physiological processes such as nutrient absorption, glucose homeostasis, and regulation of immune cell function. Dysregulation of BAs can contribute to the development of diseases like inflammatory bowel diseases. This article provides a summary of recent advances in understanding how BAs and their metabolites maintain gut and systemic homeostasis, including their metabolism, their effects on immune cell differentiation and function, and their impact on immune-related disorders.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Theresa Maria Holtmann, Maria Eugenia Inzaugarat, Jana Knorr, Lukas Geisler, Marten Schulz, Veerle Bieghs, Mick Frissen, Ariel E. Feldstein, Frank Tacke, Christian Trautwein, Alexander Wree
Summary: This study suggests that various bile acids can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) or Kupffer cells (KC), promoting inflammation or fibrosis in the liver.
Article
Oncology
Zeinab Farhat, Joshua N. Sampson, Allan Hildesheim, Mahboobeh Safaeian, Carolina Porras, Bernal Cortes, Rolando Herrero, Byron Romero, Emily Vogtmann, Rashmi Sinha, Erikka Loftfield
Summary: The study demonstrates that bile acids and short chain fatty acids in serum and feces can be reliably measured, but the variability over a 6-month period is generally low, suggesting that serial biospecimen collections would increase statistical power in etiologic studies. Low concordance was observed for most serum and fecal metabolites, indicating they should be considered as proxies.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Charles Biral Silva, Felipe Cesar Torres Antonio, Paula Homem-de-Mello, Anderson Orzari Ribeiro, Francisco Batista do Nascimento, Hueder Paulo Moises de Oliveira
Summary: This study investigated the photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc phthalocyanines substituted with glycolic acid and lactic acid in different organic solvents and aqueous media. Computational studies showed the formation of J-type dimers through hydrogen bonds, with lactic acid substituent showing better solvation arrangement. The presence of cationic surfactant (CTAB) and biocompatible polymer PVP 360 increased the solubility of phthalocyanines in water, making them suitable for photodynamic therapy applications.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiqiang Huang, Shuyi Shuai, Vladimir E. Burov, Vladimir Z. Poilov, Fangxu Li, Hongling Wang, Rukuan Liu, Shiyong Zhang, Chen Cheng, Wenyuan Li, Xinyang Yu, Guichun He, Weng Fu
Summary: In this study, a novel trisiloxane surfactant, AATS, was synthesized and used as a collector for the flotation separation of scheelite from calcite. The results showed that AATS had excellent collection performance for scheelite and high selectivity for calcite over a wide pH range. The adsorption mechanism of AATS was revealed through contact angle measurement, FTIR analysis, and DFT calculations.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Danyang Wei, Feng Zhang, Ziyi Cai, Bin Zhai, Xiuying Wang, Yu Song
Summary: The synthesis of N-doped porous carbon with high surface area through pyrolysis of Zn-EDTA complexes has been achieved, providing a simple method to overcome the challenge of additional chemical activation. The morphology and surface area of the obtained porous carbon can be easily controlled by adjusting the amount of Zn salt. The porous carbon exhibited excellent supercapacitive performance, attributed to the large surface area, abundant pores, and high-level and uniformly distributed N atoms.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xin He, Hong-Xu Zhou, Xian Fu, Kai-Di Ni, Ai-Zhi Lin, Ling-Tong Zhang, Hou-Hua Yin, Qing Jiang, Xue Zhou, Yi-Wen Meng, Jun-Yan Liu
Summary: DON exposure causes an increase in deoxycholic acid (DCA), which contributes to intestinal injury. DCA may be a potential therapeutic target for DON enterotoxicity.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zunji Shi, Gui Chen, Zheng Cao, Fang Wu, Hehua Lei, Chuan Chen, Yuchen Song, Caixiang Liu, Jinquan Li, Jinlin Zhou, Yujing Lu, Limin Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the functional effects of bile acids (BAs) and gut microbiota on sucralose consumption-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Results showed that sucralose consumption increased the abundance of intestinal genera Bacteroides and Clostridium, leading to elevated hepatic deoxycholic acid (DCA) levels which inhibited hepatic gene expression and contributed to NAFLD. Dietary supplements with fructo-oligosaccharide or metformin restored the gut microbiota and DCA levels, thereby ameliorating NAFLD in sucralose-consuming mice. These findings highlighted the important role of gut microbiota and DCA in the development of NAFLD induced by sucralose.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marko Ilic, Kristian Pastor, Jelena Markovic, Ljubica Grbovic, Suzana Jovanovic-Santa, Ivana Mitrovic, Zorana Trivunovic, Marijana Acanski
Summary: Organic synthesis can be challenging due to difficulties in separating main reaction products from by-products. This study demonstrated that using a C18 column with acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase can successfully separate mixtures of bile acid derivatives, and logP was shown to be a better descriptor for lipophilicity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lina Meng, Wenyu Wang, A. P. Lei Li, Shengyu Feng
Summary: Two new anionic silicone surfactants were synthesized for the first time, and their surface properties and aggregate characteristics were investigated.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu. R. Pavley, E. Yu. Yamansarov, S. A. Evteev, E. V. Lopatukhina, N. V. Zyk, A. S. Erofeev, P. V. Gorelkin, E. K. Beloglazkina
Summary: Three types of bile acid derivatives with acetylenic moieties were synthesized and their cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines was studied. The lipophilicity of the synthesized derivatives was calculated and the correlation between cytotoxic activity and lipohilic-hydrophilic balance was determined. A physiochemical mechanism for the cytotoxic action of bile acid derivatives is proposed.
RUSSIAN CHEMICAL BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinglin Tan, Yan Li, Jinrong Zhong, Yue-Fei Zhang
Summary: Siloxane surfactants with hydrophobic (poly)siloxane chain and hydrophilic polar headgroup linking with spacer exhibit unique chemical and physical properties. The aggregation behavior and surface properties of these surfactants are influenced by the hydrophobicity of the spacer. By synthesizing cationic trisiloxane surfactants with different spacer lengths, it was found that the micellization process was affected by the length of the spacer.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Chiara di Gregorio, Jacopo Cautela, Luciano Galantini
Summary: Bile acids are amphiphiles synthesized in vertebrate bodies that undergo enterohepatic circulation. They are modified in their molecular structure by enzymes and bacteria, allowing them to fulfill various functions such as metabolic regulation, antimicrobial functions, and lipid solubilization. Their versatility has led to their use in bio-applications, metabolic disease treatments, and emulsification processes in the food and drug industries. Additionally, bile acids have been investigated for their potential use in material science, with unique structural, mechanical, chemical, and optical properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanqun Du, Alessandra Del Giudice, Viveka Alfredsson, Anna M. Carnerup, Kaizheng Zhu, Bo Nystrom, Yilin Wang, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Domagoj Belic
Summary: The condensation of DNA helices into hexagonally packed bundles and toroids is a fascinating example of functional organization of biological macromolecules at the nanoscale. Researchers have successfully reproduced a DNA-like condensation with supramolecular helices of small chiral molecules, suggesting a more general phenomenon. The study reveals unknown similarities between covalent and supramolecular non-covalent helical polyelectrolytes, potentially inspiring the construction of supramolecular versions of biological macromolecules in the future.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sara Battista, Pierangelo Bellio, Lorenza Fagnani, Elena Allegritti, Lisaurora Nazzicone, Luciano Galantini, Giuseppe Celenza, Luisa Giansanti
Summary: Although primarily investigated for drug delivery, liposomes can also exhibit pharmacological activity based on their composition. The molecular structure of liposome components affects their interaction with bacterial cells and antimicrobial properties. Liposomal formulations with N-oxide are effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Neda Amanat, Berardino Barbati, Marta M. Rossi, Marco Bellagamba, Marco Buccolini, Luciano Galantini, Marco Petrangeli Papini
Summary: This study investigated the abilities of sugar-based synthetic surfactants and biosurfactants to dissolve and mobilize non-aqueous phase liquid components adsorbed on porous matrices. The results show that a synthetic surfactant from the APG family with a long fatty acid chain and a di-rhamnolipid biosurfactant with a shorter hydrophobic group offered the highest efficiency values.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sara Battista, Mariana Koeber, Pierangelo Bellio, Giuseppe Celenza, Luciano Galantini, Guillem Vargas-Nadal, Lorenza Fagnani, Jaume Veciana, Nora Ventosa, Luisa Giansanti
Summary: The newly developed nanovesicle system of the quatsome family shows noticeable antibacterial activity, demonstrating great potential for the treatment of bacterial infections and can also serve as nanocarriers of pharmaceutical actives.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Roberto Marotta, Alessandra Del Giudice, Libero Gurrieri, Silvia Fanti, Paolo Swuec, Luciano Galantini, Giuseppe Falini, Paolo Trost, Simona Fermani, Francesca Sparla
Summary: GAPDH is a key enzyme in the Calvin-Benson cycle and is regulated differently in land plants. This study reveals the structural basis of its regulation and the existence of different oligomeric states. The C-terminal extension of the B subunits plays a crucial role in inhibiting enzyme activity by preventing substrate binding. The whole mechanism is controlled by pyridine nucleotides.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Davide Piccinino, Eliana Capecchi, Valentina Trifero, Elisabetta Tomaino, Claudia Marconi, Alessandra Del Giudice, Luciano Galantini, Stefano Poponi, Alessandro Ruggieri, Raffaele Saladino
Summary: In this study, lignin nanoparticles were used as sustainable carriers and photostabilizers for common UV chemical filters. The stability of the compounds was significantly improved by encapsulation, and further enhanced by coencapsulation with hydroxytyrosol.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangchen Zhang, Yaxun Fan, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Alessandra Del Giudice, Guanqun Du, Yilin Wang
Summary: A class of noncovalent antimicrobials composed of bile acid oligomers and polyamines has been developed, showing strong antibacterial activity against methicillinand vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus without significant cytotoxicity and skin irritation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cristina Tortolini, Valeria Gigli, Antonio Angeloni, Luciano Galantini, Federico Tasca, Riccarda Antiochia
Summary: In this work, a simple electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of D-dimer protein in human plasma samples. The immunosensor was constructed by drop-casting chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as a biocompatible support, Protein A (PrA) to facilitate antibody orientation, and D-dimer antibody onto a carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes screen printed electrode (MWCNTs-SPE). The immunosensor showed promising performance in antibody immobilization and specific D-dimer detection, with a linear range from 2 to 500 μg L-1, LOD of 0.6 μg L-1, and sensitivity of 1.3 μA L μg(-1) cm(-2). The stability and fast response time (5 s) were also reported. Moreover, the immunosensor demonstrated satisfactory results in detecting D-dimer in human plasma samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandra Del Giudice, Libero Gurrieri, Luciano Galantini, Silvia Fanti, Paolo Trost, Francesca Sparla, Simona Fermani
Summary: CP12 is a redox-dependent conditionally disordered protein found in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. It acts as a light-dependent redox switch in regulating the metabolic phase of photosynthesis. A small angle X-ray scattering analysis confirmed the disordered nature of this protein and showed a decrease in size and conformational disorder upon oxidation. The presence of disulfide bonds in the oxidized form does not confer rigidity to the protein structure, highlighting the importance of recruiting partner proteins for its final folding.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Julia Jianwei Tan, Natalie Gjerde, Alessandra Del Giudice, Kenneth D. Knudsen, Luciano Galantini, Guanqun Du, Karin Schillen, Sverre Arne Sande, Bo Nystrom
Summary: This study investigates the interactions between cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) or sodium cholate (NaC). It is found that there are strong interactions between catHEC and NaDC, while the interactions with NaC are weak. This difference may be due to the ability of NaDC to form more connections and entanglements.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iolanda Francolini, Luciano Galantini, Fernando Rea, Cristiano Di Cosimo, Pierpaolo Di Cosimo
Summary: Polymeric wet-strength agents are important additives used in the paper industry to improve paper products' mechanical properties when exposed to water. They enhance durability, strength, and dimensional stability. This review provides an overview of wet-strength agents, their mechanisms, challenges, and recent advances in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly agents. As demand for sustainable and durable paper products grows, the use of wet-strength agents is expected to increase.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elena Allegritti, Sara Battista, Maria Anna Maggi, Claudia Marconi, Luciano Galantini, Luisa Giansanti
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of mixed liposomes for delivering levodopa and two natural substances to treat Parkinson's disease. The results show that the composition of the liposomes plays a significant role in the delivery of levodopa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalie Solfrid Gjerde, Alessandra Del Giudice, Kaizheng Zhu, Kenneth D. Knudsen, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Bo Nystrom
Summary: In this study, a diblock copolymer called methoxy-poly(ethyleneglycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MPEG-b-PCL) was synthesized with a unique block composition that allows it to exhibit both an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solutions. The UCST value was found to be 32°C upon heating and 23°C upon cooling, while the LCST remained unaffected. Various characterization techniques revealed that the solution consisted of spherical core-shell particles and rodlike objects at intermediate temperatures, cylindrical core-shell crystals at low temperatures, and large aggregation complexes at temperatures above 52°C. This work provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between UCST and LCST and the resulting structures formed in aqueous solutions of MPEG-b-PCL diblock copolymers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Natalie Solfrid Gjerde, Alessandro Nicola Nardi, Cheng Giuseppe Chen, Paolo Di Gianvincenzo, Marco D'Abramo, Anita Scipioni, Luciano Galantini, Sergio E. Moya, Mauro Giustini
Summary: Anthracycline doxorubicin hydrochloride (DX), a positively charged fluorescent drug, can self-associate into non-fluorescent antiparallel dimers in water. When complexed with polyanion polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), the fluorescence of DX is quenched, but can be recovered with increased ionic strength. Molecular dynamics studies suggest a preferential orientation of DX into parallel dimers when interacting with PSS.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)