Editorial Material
Immunology
Beatriz Leon
Summary: The invasive fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans promotes type 2 immunity to escape host defenses by unknown mechanisms. In a recent study, researchers identify a secreted fungal protein that triggers TLR4 signaling, supporting a type 2 permissive environment and growth of C. neoformans.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kai On Chu, Kwok Ping Chan, Yolanda Wong Ying Yip, Wai Kit Chu, Chi Chiu Wang, Chi Pui Pang
Summary: The study showed that GTE indirectly induced systemic phosphorylcholine lipids to suppress inflammatory responses, hepatic damage, and respiratory mitochondrial stress in EIU rats induced by LPS. Phospholipids may be a therapeutic target of GTE for anterior chamber inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinnan Gu, Mengjuan Wei, Feifei Hu, Hao Ouyang, Zhenlin Huang, Bin Lu, Lili Ji
Summary: In this study, it was found that chlorogenic acid (CGA) effectively improved non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by inhibiting hepatic inflammation. CGA alleviated liver oxidative injury by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and reduced liver steatosis by up-regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha). Furthermore, CGA blocked the LPS-TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway and attenuated hepatic inflammation.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Celso Pereira Batista Sousa-Filho, Victoria Silva, Anaysa Paola Bolin, Andrea Livia Silva Rocha, Rosemari Otton
Summary: This article presents studies on the modulation of miRNA expression by the main compounds of green tea in inflammation, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. It emphasizes the need for further research on the role of miRNAs in the extensive beneficial health effects of green tea compounds already described, indicating miRNAs as potential mediators of polyphenols.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hanyu Liang, Nattapol Sathavarodom, Claudia Colmenares, Jonathan Gelfond, Sara E. Espinoza, Vinutha Ganapathy, Nicola Musi
Summary: The study found that acute TLR4 inhibition with eritoran did not protect against lipid-induced insulin resistance. Short-term eritoran administration also failed to improve obesity-associated insulin resistance. These data suggest a limited role for TLR4 in insulin resistance and call for further research with different TLR4 inhibitors and longer drug exposure.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Moumita Saha, Krishnendu Manna, Krishna Das Saha
Summary: This study investigated the role of melatonin (MLT) in amending high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the murine liver. MLT administration reduced NASH indices and restored the hepatic morphology and other pathophysiological features. MLT suppressed inflammasome activation and P2X7R expression, and increased Nrf2 level, which may normalize antioxidant protein expression. MLT also repressed matrix metalloproteinases and increased TIMP-1 level, suggesting improvement in liver fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsz Kin Ng, Kai On Chu, Chi Chiu Wang, Chi Pui Pang
Summary: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment worldwide, with over 80 million affected individuals. The main pathogenesis of glaucoma involves oxidative stress and inflammation-induced neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells, which have limited regenerative capacity. Currently, there is a lack of clinically effective treatments to rescue the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Green tea catechins, with their proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offer potential as a treatment to ameliorate retinal ganglion cell degeneration. This review summarizes the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic properties, and clinical potentials of green tea catechins for glaucoma treatment.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Keiko Unno, Daisuke Furushima, Yuya Tanaka, Takeichiro Tominaga, Hirotomo Nakamura, Hiroshi Yamada, Kyoko Taguchi, Toshinao Goda, Yoriyuki Nakamura
Summary: The study found that the key factor in alleviating stress response and improving depressive behavior when consuming green tea is the CE/TA ratio, with a recommended intake of green tea with a CE/TA ratio of 4-5 daily to improve depressed mood.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Menghang Zu, Dengchao Xie, Brandon S. B. Canup, Nanxi Chen, Yajun Wang, Ruxin Sun, Zhan Zhang, Yuming Fu, Fangyin Dai, Bo Xiao
Summary: This study presents a natural nanotherapeutic derived from tea leaves, which possess desirable particle sizes and negative surface charge, and contain a wealth of lipids, functional proteins, and bioactive small molecules. The nanotherapeutics can specifically internalize in macrophages via galactose groups on the surface, showing anti-inflammatory effects and promoting gut microbiota diversity.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Ciesielska, Marta Matyjek, Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
Summary: This article discusses the role of TLR4 in promoting inflammatory responses, including internalization and intracellular trafficking of exogenous endotoxin and bacteria. The authors emphasize the significant impact of internalization rate and endo-lysosomal compartment transport rate on inflammatory responses.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessio Romerio, Ana Rita Franco, Melanie Shadrick, Mohammed Monsoor Shaik, Valentina Artusa, Alice Italia, Federico Lami, Alexei V. Demchenko, Francesco Peri
Summary: This study developed a series of structurally simplified synthetic TLR4 agonists as vaccine adjuvants by mimicking the lipid A portion of LPS. Introducing a monosaccharide unit in C6 can improve the target affinity of the new molecules, which showed higher activity and selectivity in vitro.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chunpeng (Craig) Wan, Xiaomeng Hu, Mingxi Li, Kannan R. R. Rengasamy, Yi Cai, Zhonghua Liu
Summary: Green tea and its active extracts are commonly used in dietary supplements, but little is known about their interactions with protein targets. In this study, the researchers used bioinformatics to analyze the interactions between diabetes-related targets and green tea bioactive compounds, leading to the identification of core targets. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the major polyphenolic component of green tea, EGCG, inhibited high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, oxidative stress response, and cellular senescence. The protective effects of EGCG were found to be mediated through PPARG-dependent pathways. This study provides comprehensive insights into the role of EGCG in high glucose-induced myocardial cell injury and aging.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Zhenyu Wan, Xucong Qin, Yuling Tian, Fangcheng Ouyang, Gaohua Wang, Qirong Wan
Summary: This study investigated the effects of long-term green tea consumption on inflammation, endocrine, and depression levels in postmenopausal women. The results showed that green tea consumption can reduce the risk of depression by improving sleep, reducing inflammation, and increasing estradiol levels.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Geoffrey Y. Sasaki, Jinhui Li, Morgan J. Cichon, Rachel E. Kopec, Richard S. Bruno
Summary: The study shows that catechin-rich green tea extract (GTE) limits inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent mechanism. GTE supplementation during NASH shifts the hepatic metabolome similarly to the loss-of-TLR4 signaling. However, the effects of GTE on hepatic metabolism are distinct from those of loss-of-TLR4 signaling, suggesting different mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory activities of GTE and loss-of-TLR4 signaling in abrogating NASH.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sha Lou, Bingru Zhang, Dehua Zhang
Summary: The abuse of pesticides poses major threats to human health, leading to approximately 180,000 deaths worldwide annually. The intention of tea farmers to adopt pro-green control technology is influenced by subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, with attitude having no significant impact.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard S. Bruno, Andrew P. Neilson, Joshua D. Lambert, Naima Moustaid-Moussa
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Matthew T. Goodus, Kaitlin E. Carson, Andrew D. Sauerbeck, Priyankar Dey, Anthony N. Alfredo, Phillip G. Popovich, Richard S. Bruno, Dana M. McTigue
Summary: The study demonstrates that liver inflammation combined with spinal cord injury exacerbates intraspinal pathologies, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and impairs locomotor recovery. Liver-derived protein Fetuin-A may act as a potential neuropathological mediator.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sisi Cao, Emily L. Shaw, William R. Quarles, Geoffrey Y. Sasaki, Priyankar Dey, Joanna K. Hodges, Avinash Pokala, Min Zeng, Richard S. Bruno
Summary: Including potatoes, which are rich in resistant starch, in a dietary pattern based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) can improve cardiometabolic and gut health in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Short-term consumption of a DGA-based diet reduces cardiometabolic risk, and the addition of resistant starch-containing potatoes to a healthy diet reduces small intestinal permeability and postprandial endotoxemia.
Review
Biology
Priyankar Dey, Saumya Ray Chaudhuri
Summary: This comprehensive review provides a holistic understanding of the association between tissue-resident microbiota and cancer initiation and progression, discussing microbial mechanisms, predominant bacteria, microbiota-immune crosstalk, and therapeutic strategies. The review emphasizes the potential role of tissue-resident microbiota, including gut bacteria, in promoting various types of cancers.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Li Chen, Rui Xu, Joshua D. McDonald, Richard S. Bruno, Fouad Choueiry, Jiangjiang Zhu
Summary: This study found that whey protein has an earlier and stronger impact in maintaining the stability of the lipidome compared to casein protein. Whey can protect against glucose-induced changes in glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, while ether lipid metabolism and SP metabolism are the pathways most greatly impacted by casein.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaowei Sun, Priyankar Dey, Jiangjiang Zhu, Richard S. Bruno
Summary: This study investigated the unique contributions of green tea extract (GTE) and its catechin components to the regulation of gut microbial and host metabolic pathways. The findings suggest that GTE and its distinct bioactive components have differential benefits on gut microbial metabolism, central energy metabolism, and protection against metabolic dysfunction leading to obesity.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Heng-Yi Chen, Ana Almonte-Loya, Fang-Yun Lay, Michael Hsu, Eric Johnson, Edahi Gonzalez-Avalos, Jieyun Yin, Richard S. Bruno, Qin Ma, Hazem E. Ghoneim, Daniel J. Wozniak, Fiona E. Harrison, Chan-Wang Jerry Lio
Summary: Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient that enhances antibody response by promoting plasma cell differentiation through IL-21/STAT3 signaling pathway. As a cofactor for epigenetic enzymes, it facilitates DNA modification and demethylation, thereby influencing gene expression and cell fate decisions in the immune system.
Letter
Chemistry, Medicinal
Priyankar Dey
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Navneet Kaur, Priyankar Dey
Summary: Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are extracellular carbohydrate polymers that form capsules or slimy coatings around cells, and they play important roles in attachment, environmental adaptation, stress tolerance, and biofilm formation. EPS produced by gut commensals have diverse bio-activities and find commercial applications in pharmaceutical and food industries. Genetic and metabolic engineering strategies are used to increase EPS production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of bacterial EPS, including their classification, source, biosynthetic pathways, and functions in the microbial community, as well as their bioactivities, particularly in the gut. The review highlights the importance of microbial bioactive exopolysaccharides.
RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Geoffrey Y. Y. Sasaki, Yael Vodovotz, Zhongtang Yu, Richard S. S. Bruno
Summary: Obesity decreases the bioavailability of catechins, but does not affect valerolactone generation and urinary elimination of catechins. The composition of gut microbiota is altered in obese individuals. The levels of ascorbic acid and gut microbiota diversity are correlated with the bioavailability of catechins.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rajat Sharma, Swati Singh, Nisha Tewari, Priyankar Dey
Summary: Nerium oleander is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of cancers and hyperglycemia, but its toxic effects can be fatal. The presence of cardiac glycosides causes apoptosis in cancer cells and leads to oleander poisoning. This review analyzes the factors contributing to the dual pharmacological and toxicological role of oleander, with a focus on gut microbial diversity and other factors such as dose, mode of treatment, plant genotypic variations, and environmental effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raja Rezgui, Ruhi Walia, Jyoti Sharma, Dwinder Sidhu, Khalid Alshagadali, Saumya Ray Chaudhuri, Amir Saeed, Priyankar Dey
Summary: This study demonstrates that the metabolites from Lactobacillus plantarum (LPM), a probiotic bacterium, can protect HepG2 cells against oxidative damage induced by H2O2. The cytoprotective effects of LPM are likely mediated by an Nrf2-dependent mechanism.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Upasana Gupta, Priyankar Dey
Summary: This review comprehensively discusses the impact of gut microbiota modulation on opportunistic bacterial infections. It covers mechanisms such as colonization resistance, nutrient and metabolite-associated factors, mucosal immune response, and commensal-pathogen reciprocal interactions. The review highlights the importance of altered intestinal immuno-metabolic and metabolomic homeostasis in the promotion or prevention of infections, and suggests gut microbiota-centered strategies, like probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, as potential interventions to attenuate opportunistic bacterial infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyu Wang, Jun Huang, Huan Li, Yanlong Li, Shuang Cai, Bangxin Xue, Zhekun Zhu, Xiangzhou Zeng, Xiangfang Zeng
Summary: Embryo development plays a crucial role in pregnancy outcome and lifelong health. A high throughput screening cell model was established to select nutrients that can enhance embryonic development. Resveratrol was identified as a potential candidate for promoting embryo development.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ren Yoshitomi, Motofumi Kumazoe, Kwan-Woo Lee, Yuki Marugame, Yoshinori Fujimura, Hirofumi Tachibana
Summary: This study investigated the connection between food components and circular RNA (circRNA), as well as the regulatory effect of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) on circRNA expression in the liver. The results showed that EGCG treatment altered the expression of circRNAs in mice livers, and one upregulated circRNA (mmu_circRNA_011775) affected the expression of genes related to liver fibrosis and the cardiovascular system.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
ViVi Tang Kang Wee, Hitoshi Shirakawa, Sung-Ling Yeh, Chiu-Li Yeh
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fermented rice bran (FRB) on modulating intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression, innate lymphoid cell (ILC)3 populations, the fecal microbiota distribution, and their associations with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis. The results showed that FRB supplementation can improve gut health, alleviate colitis symptoms, and have anti-colitis effects by enhancing ILC3 and AhR functions.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinzhuang Ma, Xijuan Ren, Xuemin Zhang, Guangyin Wang, Hui Liu, Li Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that rutin can ameliorate kidney damage caused by PFOA exposure by improving oxidative stress and regulating lipid metabolism.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya-Jie Ding, Xue-Ning Li, Zhe Xiao, Chen-Yang Li, Li-Hong Jia
Summary: This study investigates the impact of maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy on infantile eczema. The findings suggest that lower prenatal maternal vitamin D levels increase the risk of eczema in infants aged 0-1 year. Furthermore, the study indicates that infants with eczema have lower expression of the Foxp3 gene in cord blood and decreased placental FOXP3 protein expression. These results suggest that vitamin D may affect the development of infantile eczema through the regulation of gene and protein expression in cord blood and placenta.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shujing Liu, Shiyu Song, Shuan Wang, Tonghui Cai, Lian Qin, Xinzhuang Wang, Guangming Zhu, Haibo Wang, Wenqi Yang, Chunlu Fang, Yuan Wei, Fu Zhou, Yang Yu, Shaozhang Lin, Shuang Peng, Liangming Li
Summary: Long-term consumption of a high-fat diet disrupts energy balance and leads to weight gain. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is involved in high-fat diet-induced obesity. The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance, and high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic leptin resistance contributes to obesity. The study reveals that FTO is associated with hypothalamic leptin resistance and provides new insight into its role in obesity.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuang Liu, Xiaoling Chen, Jun He, Yuheng Luo, Ping Zheng, Bing Yu, Daiwen Chen, Zhiqing Huang
Summary: This study found that oleanolic acid promotes the transformation of fast muscle fibers to slow muscle fibers through the TGR5-mediated CaN/NFATc1 signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huijuan Hu, Fan Li, Shaoli Cheng, Tingting Qu, Fanqi Shen, Jie Cheng, Lina Chen, Zhenghang Zhao, Hao Hu
Summary: Long-term alternate-day fasting can ameliorate obesity-induced anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal damage, but it can cause anxiety in normal-weight mice. Short-term alternate-day fasting does not produce adverse emotional reactions in normal-weight mice.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jannis Ulke, Christian Schwedler, Janine Krueger, Vanessa Stein, Peter Geserick, Andre Kleinridders, Kai Kappert
Summary: This study characterized the glycosylation pattern of PTPRJ in the liver and found that high-fat diet-induced obesity altered the glycosylation pattern of PTPRJ. These findings provide new insights into the role of glycosylation in metabolic disorders.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuang Liu, Marii Mochizuki, Yasuyuki Suzuki, Erika Takemasa, Akiko Yano, Matome Imai, Masaki Mogi
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of leucine supplementation in offsetting immune dysfunction in sarcopenia. The results showed that leucine supplementation not only improved muscle mass and restored mitochondrial respiratory function, but also reduced inflammation levels. These findings are important for the rational design and optimization of leucine supplementation in patients with sarcopenia and autoimmune diseases.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhan Su, Jun Fang, Bin Yao, Gang Liu
Summary: Osteoporosis is a serious skeletal disorder that can be prevented and treated by polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-allergy properties. Polyphenols affect bone metabolism and density by inhibiting oxidative stress and exhibiting antibacterial effects. This article provides an overview of the preventive and therapeutic effects of polyphenols on osteoporosis and discusses the mechanisms involved.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian Zhang, Xinhua Xiao, Jia Zheng, Ming Li, Miao Yu, Fan Ping, Tong Wang, Xiaojing Wang
Summary: Maternal high-fat diet can affect the structure and function of offspring's pancreas, leading to weight gain, glucose metabolism disorders, and insulin secretion defects. The study found that this may be related to DNA methylation of specific genes in the pancreas.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanaa Mousa, Aisha Al Saei, Rozaimi Mohamad Razali, Susu M. Zughaier
Summary: Vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia have significant implications for human health. This study investigates the proteomic profiles of individuals with and without these conditions, revealing decreased HDL-associated apolipoproteins and increased acute-phase proteins. Pathway analysis highlights inflammatory and cancer pathways associated with vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi-Lan Jiang, Tao Li, Qin Xu, Yang Zeng, Wei Wang, Bo-Tao Zhang, Qing-Ping Yao, Rui Jiang, Jun Jiang
Summary: Environmental factors, especially dietary habits, play a significant role in the susceptibility and progression of cardiovascular diseases through epigenetic modification. This study found that a methyl donor diet can attenuate balloon injury-induced intimal hyperplasia in rat carotid arteries, potentially by influencing the composition and function of the extracellular matrix.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiayi Cai, Yajie Qiao, Lingbin Chen, Youguang Lu, Dali Zheng
Summary: The Notch signaling pathway plays a regulatory role in normal biological processes such as cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal. Dysregulation of this pathway is associated with various types of cancer. Natural products targeting the Notch pathway have shown potential as chemopreventive and anti-cancer agents, providing a feasible solution to fight against cancer by either alone or in combination with current therapeutic agents.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)