Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Poliana C. Marinello, Paola S. Cella, Mayra T. J. Testa, Phillipe B. Guirro, Walison Augusto da Silva Brito, Camila S. Padilha, Alessandra L. Cecchini, Robin P. da Silva, Jose Alberto R. Duarte, Rafael Deminice
Summary: This study investigated the effects of creatine supplementation on the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. The results showed that creatine supplementation prevented high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but exacerbated ethanol-induced alcoholic liver disease. The exacerbating effects may be related to oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated upregulation of ethanol metabolism.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianjia Huang, Yuman Bai, Wenting Xie, Rongmei Wang, Wenyue Qiu, Shuilian Zhou, Zhaoxin Tang, Jianzhao Liao, Rongsheng Su
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and therapeutic mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The results showed that LBPs could improve CCl4-induced liver structural damage, excessive fibrosis, and reduced mitochondrial density, as well as restore and increase the antioxidant capacity of the liver. In addition, LBPs could enhance mitochondrial respiration, raise tissue ATP levels, and reactivate the respiratory chain complexes, thus mitigating mitochondrial damage. The study confirmed that LBPs had therapeutic effects on acute liver injury by reducing oxidative stress, repairing mitochondrial damage, and regulating metabolic pathways.
JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY-SCIENCE B
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Shan Chen, Yu Zhi Lian, Wen-Chao Chen, Chun-Chao Chang, Alexey A. Tinkov, Anatoly V. Skalny, Jane C. -J. Chao
Summary: This study found that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and capsaicin can alleviate symptoms in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis rats. They exert their effects by inhibiting oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and protein expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Doudou Li, Xiaoke Zhang, Yanna Fan, Yannan Zhang, Xiujuan Tao, Jianjun Yang
Summary: The study found that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) can improve glucose homeostasis by reducing duodenal contraction amplitude in prediabetic mice. LBPs also improve gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels, particularly acetic acid, which regulates duodenal contraction by binding to receptors on neurons.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yali Niu, Guoheng Zhang, Xiaojia Sun, Shikun He, Guorui Dou
Summary: Oxidative stress caused by imbalanced production of reactive species and reduced antioxidant activity can lead to ocular diseases. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are complex polysaccharides extracted from the fruit of L. barbarum, which have remarkable antioxidant effects and are relatively safe. Recent research has focused on the antioxidant mechanisms of LBPs and their potential applications in various ocular diseases.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yu Ding, Dan Chen, Yamei Yan, Guijie Chen, Linwu Ran, Jia Mi, Lu Lu, Xiaoxiong Zeng, Youlong Cao
Summary: This study found that long-term consumption of LBPs can promote the health of mice, improve oxidative resistance, enhance intestinal immunity, and have a positive impact on immune status and cytokine expression.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jixian Zhang, Xue Yang, Tao Ji, Chaoting Wen, Zhiqiang Ye, Xiaofang Liu, Li Liang, Guoyan Liu, Xin Xu
Summary: The study investigated the digestion and absorption properties of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides stabilized selenium nanoparticles (LBP-SeNPs). Results showed that LBP-SeNPs can better maintain the morphology and properties of nano particles during the digestion process, leading to improved selenium bioavailability. The selenium release rate and particle size of SeNPs and LBP-SeNPs changed significantly during digestion, with LBP-SeNPs showing higher stability and absorption efficiency.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bangyan Li, Qianqian Mao, Dandan Zhou, Min Luo, Renyou Gan, Hangyu Li, Siyu Huang, Adila Saimaiti, Ao Shang, Huabin Li
Summary: Oolong tea and dark tea can prevent AFLD induced by chronic alcohol exposure by modulating gut microbiota.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yongyao Gao, Xiaomeng Jiang, Daigang Yang, Wentong Guo, Dandan Wang, Ke Gong, Ying Peng, Hong Jiang, Cunyuan Shi, Yajun Duan, Yuanli Chen, Jihong Han, Xiaoxiao Yang
Summary: This study investigates the protective effects of roxadustat in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The results show that roxadustat can reduce liver lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress in ALD through the regulation of HIF-1α. These findings suggest that roxadustat may be a potential drug for the treatment of ALD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yunjia Li, Menghan Yang, Haiyan Lin, Weixin Yan, Guanghui Deng, Haixin Ye, Hao Shi, Chaofeng Wu, Guoliang Ma, Shu Xu, Qinxiang Tan, Zhuowei Gao, Lei Gao
Summary: Limonin has a protective effect on NAFLD by reducing lipid droplet accumulation, regulating lipogenic transcription factors, suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress, and reversing unfavorable changes through activating the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margalida Monserrat-Mesquida, Magdalena Quetglas-Llabres, Cristina Bouzas, Sofia Montemayor, Catalina M. Mascaro, Miguel Casares, Isabel Llompart, Lucia Ugarriza, J. Alfredo Martinez, Josep A. Tur, Antoni Sureda
Summary: A greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with greater improvements in intrahepatic fat content, cardiorespiratory fitness, and oxidative stress and inflammatory status in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients after a 6-month nutritional intervention based on the Mediterranean diet.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yu-Chen Liu, Chun-Chao Chang, Hirofumi Matsui, Jane C. -J. Chao
Summary: This study found that C-phycocyanin (CPC) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) can protect against gastric damage caused by aspirin. They can reduce inflammation and decrease cell apoptosis to alleviate gastric mucosal injury. These findings suggest that CPC and LBP may be potential drugs for the treatment of gastric damage.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Feng Lu, Rongrong Zhai, Siyu Ruan, Xue Yang, Evans A. Alenyorege, Yucheng Wang, Yanhua Ding, Haile Ma
Summary: The study found that ultrasound can improve the decoloration process of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on resins and enhance their dynamic desorption effect. By optimizing conditions, a better desorption effect can be achieved.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Bader Alabdulaali, Fatema Al-rashed, Mohammed Al-Onaizi, Anwar Kandari, Joanna Razafiarison, Dorothy Tonui, Michayla R. Williams, Camille Bleriot, Rasheed Ahmad, Fawaz Alzaid
Summary: The liver is responsible for metabolizing and detoxifying blood, and consists of different cell types, including macrophages. These macrophages can be either resident Kupffer cells or differentiated from circulating monocytes. They play a role in maintaining liver homeostasis and can also contribute to disease progression. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), abnormal function of these macrophages leads to the development of liver conditions. Targeting these macrophages has become a potential therapeutic strategy for NAFLD.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susara Madduma Hewage, Suvira Prashar, O. Karmin, Yaw L. Siow
Summary: Lingonberry supplementation can protect against high-fat diet-induced liver injury by alleviating hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.
Article
Neurosciences
Boli Chen, Fuxiang Li, Bin Jia, Kwok-Fai So, Ji-An Wei, Yuchu Liu, Yibo Qu, Libing Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the impact of inactivating Celsr3 in the brainstem, revealing a reduction in rubrospinal and corticospinal axons in Celsr3 cKO animals. The mutant mice exhibited increased branching of dopaminergic fibers and decreased spinal motoneurons, neuromuscular junctions, and electromyographic signal amplitude. They also showed impaired motor coordination and response to heavy mechanical stimulation.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bailing Chen, Laijian Wang, Xuejun Li, Zhe Shi, Juan Duan, Ji-an Wei, Cunzheng Li, Chaoqin Pang, Diyang Wang, Kejiao Zhang, Hao Chen, Wanying Na, Li Zhang, Kwok-Fai So, Libing Zhou, Bin Jiang, Ti-Fei Yuan, Yibo Qu
Summary: Celsr2 plays a critical role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and social memory. Deficiency of Celsr2 leads to impaired social memory and decreased neural activity.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yichun Huang, Yinghui Zheng, Fengmei Yang, Yicheng Feng, Kunyao Xu, Jun Wu, Shuang Qu, Zhexiong Yu, Fu Fan, Lu Huang, Meng Qin, Zhanlong He, Kaili Nie, Kwok-Fai So
Summary: In this study, the therapeutic effect of LbGP on acute colitis and its mechanism in regulating the gut microbiota were evaluated. The results showed that LbGP treatment significantly alleviated acute colitis and improved the gut microbiome. It was found that harmful bacteria were inhibited and probiotics were increased by LbGP treatment. The study emphasizes the dynamic process of gut microbiota with the progression of colitis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhaodi Che, Yali Song, Chengfang Xu, Wei Li, Zhiyong Dong, Cunchuan Wang, Yixing Ren, Kwok-Fai So, George L. Tipoe, Fei Wang, Jia Xiao
Summary: Chronic alcohol consumption causes liver steatosis, cell death, and inflammation. Melatonin (MLT) has been found to alleviate alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-induced injury, and its direct regulating targets in hepatocytes are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the downstream BRG1-TERT axis. MLT can effectively and safely protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage. It may serve as a complementary agent for individuals with alcoholism.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lingtai Yu, Mengfan Liu, Fuxiang Li, Qianghua Wang, Meizhi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Yibo Qu, Libing Zhou
Summary: Celsr2 knockout improves the survival and axon regeneration of injured motoneurons by alleviating inhibitory synaptic stripping.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Ming Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Wai-Ching Lam, Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Runhua Wang, Yuanyuan Cai, Weicong Lu, Ruoxi Zhang, Robin Shao, Suk-Yu Yau, Brendon Stubbs, Roger S. McIntyre, Kuan-Pin Su, Guiyun Xu, Liangwen Qi, Kwok-Fai So, Kangguang Lin
Summary: This 3-month randomized psychoeducation-controlled trial examined the effects of exercise on gut microbiota in young adolescents with subthreshold depression. The exercise intervention group showed an increase in the relative abundance of certain genera and species of gut bacteria compared to the psychoeducation-controlled group. These changes were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms and enrichment of defense and signal transduction mechanisms.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Lan Yan, Mei Wang, Fengzhen Yang, Yajie Wang, Siqi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise relieves anxiety disorders by modulating neurogenesis and neural activity. The molecular mechanism of exercise-mediated anxiolysis is not fully understood. In a chronic restrain stress model in adolescent mice, 14-day treadmill exercise maintained normal neural activity and axonal myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex, preventing anxiety-like behaviors. Further investigation revealed activation of the mTOR pathway within the prefrontal cortex, mediated by exercise-induced brain RNA methylation inhibiting the expression of FMRP. Overall, treadmill exercise modulates the FMRP-mTOR pathway to maintain cortical neural activity and axonal myelination, improving stress resilience.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Ling-Ping Cen, Kevin K. Park, Kowk-Fai So
Summary: Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are crucial for transmitting visual information to the brain, and their loss or damage can result in partial or total vision loss. Accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment and prevention of irreversible RGC loss. Promoting RGC axon regeneration is vital for restoring vision, but several factors inhibit this process. Understanding the mechanisms of RGC survival and regeneration, as well as exploring potential therapies, is important for treating optic neuropathies.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Runwei Li, Shuang Qu, Meng Qin, Lu Huang, Yichun Huang, Yi Du, Zhexiong Yu, Fu Fan, Jing Sun, Qiushuang Li, Kwok-Fai So
Summary: Influenza, caused by a respiratory virus, has a significant global impact on human health. Influenza A viruses, in particular, are highly pathogenic and have caused multiple pandemics. An effective treatment strategy for viral pneumonia caused by influenza infection should focus on reducing direct damage from the virus and relieving excessive inflammation. Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp), derived from the fruit of Lycium barbarum, has strong pro-immune activity and potential antiviral effects. This study evaluated the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of LbGp and its therapeutic effect on H1N1-induced viral pneumonia.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuchu Liu, Ji-an Wei, Zhihua Luo, Jing Cui, Yifan Luo, Sarah Oi Kwan Mak, Siqi Wang, Fengwei Zhang, Yan Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Lingling Shi, Li Zhang, Billy Kwok Chong Chow
Summary: Salt homeostasis is regulated by neural circuits and peripheral endocrine factors. The colon, a primary site for electrolyte absorption, might play a role in modulating sodium intake. This study discovered that the gastrointestinal hormone secretin, released from colon endocrine cells during sodium deficiency, is crucial for inducing salt appetite. Circulating secretin activates specific receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tracts, which in turn activates the downstream para-ventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, resulting in increased sodium intake. These findings reveal a previously unknown gut-brain pathway for the timely regulation of sodium homeostasis.
Article
Biology
Zhihua Luo, Junlin Chen, Yelin Dai, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise effectively improves mental disorders by promoting adult neurogenesis. This study reveals that chronic restraint stress leads to overexcitation of the mPFC-BLA pathway, and 14-day treadmill exercise reverses these abnormalities. Chemogenetic studies demonstrate that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in stressed mice. These findings suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise enhances resilience against environmental stress.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Binbin Zheng, Fraide A. Ganotice, Chin-Hsi Lin, George L. Tipoe
Summary: This study aimed to refine the construct of learning presence by examining the joint influence of self- and co-regulation on learning outcomes in online collaborative learning environments. The findings indicated that co-regulation positively influenced both self-regulation and cognitive presence, while social presence had positive effects on learner satisfaction and perceived progress. These results highlight the importance of creating interactive and collaborative learning environments that promote co-regulation and self-regulation.
MEDICAL EDUCATION ONLINE
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Chun-Wai Ma, Pui-Sum Cheng, Ying-Shing Chan, George Lim Tipoe
Summary: The usefulness of virtual reality (VR) technology in physiology education is explored in this study. Results show that implementation of VR learning environments improves the quality of physiology education by promoting active learning. Students perceive VR as stimulating their curiosity, providing diverse learning formats, facilitating thought-provoking dialogue, and enhancing peer interaction.
ADVANCES IN PHYSIOLOGY EDUCATION
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao Liu, Fei Hao, Peng Hao, Jingxue Zhang, Liqiang Wang, Si-Wei You, Ningli Wang, Zhaoyang Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Xiaoguang Li
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
