The inhibitory effect of Yam polysaccharides on acrylamide-induced programmed cell death in RAW 264.7 cells

Biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles mitigate acrylamide-induced immune toxicity and modulate immune-related genes and microRNA in rats

This study evaluated the potential efficacy of eco-friendly biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (GS-ZnONP) (10 mg/kg b.wt) to reduce the impacts of long-term oral acrylamide (ALD) exposure (20 mg/kg b.wt) on the blood cells, immune components, splenic oxidative status, and expression of CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8, TNF-α, caspase-3, microRNA-181a-5p, and microRNA-125-5p in rats in a 60-day experiment. The study findings revealed that GS-ZnONP significantly corrected the ALD-induced hematological alterations. Additionally, the ALD-induced increase in the serum C3, splenic ROS, CD4, CD8, and MDA and histological alterations were significantly repressed in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated rats. Instead, the depleted splenic antioxidants and Zn contents were markedly reestablished in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated group. Additionally, a significant upregulation of expression of splenic CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, TNF-α, and caspase-3, but downregulation of microRNA-181a-5p and microRNA-125-5p was detected in the ALD-exposed group. Yet, the former deviations in the gene expressions were corrected in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated rats. Furthermore, GS-ZnONP treatment significantly minimized the increased caspase-3 and TNF-α immunoexpression in the splenic tissues of ALD-exposed rats. Conclusively, the study findings proved the efficacy of GS-ZnONP in rescuing ALD-induced disturbances in blood cell populations, immune function, splenic antioxidant status, and immune-related gene expression.

Structural characterization and combined immunomodulatory activity of fermented Chinese yam polysaccharides with probiotics

In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum M616 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CICC 32883 were used in modifying Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYPs) through fermentation. The carbohydrate content of microbe-fermented CYP (CYP-LS) was 78.49 % ± 1.64 %, versus the 71.03 % ± 2.75 % carbon content of unfermented CYP (CYP-NF). However, CYP-LS had a lower protein content (6.01 % ± 0.08 %) than CYP-NF (8.24 % ± 0.19 %). The molar ratios among rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and mannose were respectively 0.493:0.6695:0.9738:0.7655:12.4365 for CYP-NF and 0.2849:0.182:0.5684:1.4069:3.7227 for CYP-LS. Molecular weight and polydispersity decreased respectively from 124.774 kDa (CYP-NF) to 34.111 kDa (CYP-LS) to and from 6.58 (CYP-NF) to 5.176 (CYP-LS). Moreover, CYP-LS had better immunomodulatory activity than CYP-NF, regulating superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-β in a RAW 264.7 cell model. A combination of CYP-LS and probiotics (Lactobacillus helveticus HH-LPH17, Lactobacillus johnsonii LBJ 456® and Lactobacillus acidophilus HH-LA26) showed enhanced immune activity.

Multi-level fingerprinting and immune activity evaluation for polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita Thunb

To establish the quality control method of Dioscorea opposita Thunb., the multi-level fingerprinting of polysaccharides was established and the relationship between fingerprint and immune activity was analyzed. The two molecular weight segments Mw1 (1.38 × 105-1.63 × 106 Da) and Mw2 (3.27 × 103-4.37 × 103 Da), thirteen infrared absorption peaks (3399.26 cm-1, 2929.32 cm-1, 1631.78 cm-1, 1400.39 cm-1, 1351.80 cm-1, 1123.58 cm-1, 1024.76 cm-1, 931.53 cm-1, 854.76 cm-1, 760.43 cm-1, 708.14 cm-1, 616.47 cm-1, and 526.78 cm-1), and four monosaccharides (Man, Rha, GalA, and Glc) were used to evaluate the quality of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. The molecular weight fragments of Mw1, FT-IR absorption peaks of 1631.78 cm-1, and two monosaccharides (Man and Glc) would be used to identify Dioscorea opposita Thunb. polysaccharide (DOP) from different origins. The relationship of spectrum-effect showed that polysaccharides with features such as higher Mw1, a lower peak height of 1631.78 cm-1, higher content of Man, and lower content of Glc exerted stronger immune activity. In conclusion, this study established a polysaccharide-based quality evaluation method for Dioscorea opposita Thunb. and explored the relationship between polysaccharide fingerprints and in vitro immune activity, which provided a basis for further research on Dioscorea opposita Thunb.

Prospects of yam (Dioscorea) polysaccharides: Structural features, bioactivities and applications

Yam (Dioscorea) is a tuber crop cultivated for food security, revenue, and medicinal purposes. It has been used to treat diabetes, asthma, diarrhea, and other diseases. The main active ingredients in yam, polysaccharides, are regarded to be the important reason for its widespread applications. Now, a comprehensive review of research developments of yam polysaccharides (YPs) was presented to explore their prospects. We outlined the structural characteristics, biological activities, structure-activity relationships, and potential applications. Around 13 neutral components and 17 acidic components were separated. They exhibited various bioactivities, including immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, gastrointestinal protective, anti-fatigue, and senile disease treatment activities, as well as prebiotic effect. Structure-activity relationships illustrated that unique structural properties, chemical modifications, and carried biopolymers could influence the bioactivities of YPs. The potential applications in medicine, food, and other fields have also been summarized.

Curcumin mitigates acrylamide-induced ovarian antioxidant disruption and apoptosis in female Balb/c mice: A comprehensive study on gene and protein expressions

Curcumin is known for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of curcumin on acrylamide (ACR)-induced alterations in the first-line antioxidant defense of ovarian tissue. Female Balb/c mice were divided into control, ACR (50 mg/kg), ACR/CUR100 (received Acr + curcumin100 mg/kg), and ACR/CUR200 (Acr + curcumin 200 mg/kg) groups, and received oral treatments for 35 days. Evaluation of antioxidant enzyme expression (Sod, Cat, Gpx genes), pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bax, Caspase 3), and anti-apoptotic gene expression (Bcl2l1) at mRNA and protein levels was done. Percentage of apoptotic cells using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed. The model group (ACR) showed decreased mRNA expression of Sod, Cat, and Gpx genes compared with the control group. Treatment with two different doses of curcumin (CUR100 and CUR200) significantly increased Sod, Cat, and Gpx gene expression, with CUR200 demonstrating significant recovery. SOD, CAT, and GPX protein levels were similar to mRNA expression trends, significantly increased with curcumin administration. Acrylamide exposure significantly increased Bax and Caspase 3 expression and decreased Bcl2l1 gene expression leading to a notable rise in apoptosis in ACR group as compared to the control group. Conversely, curcumin administration, significantly reduced Bax and Caspase 3 expressions, with an increase in Bcl2l1expression, though not statistically significant. TUNEL assay revealed a substantial decrease in apoptosis in curcumin-received groups. In our study, ACR exposure adversely affected ovarian antioxidant defense thereby leading to increased pro-apoptotic markers. Notably, curcumin treatment effectively mitigated these effects, restored antioxidant potential, and reduced acrylamide-induced toxicity in female mouse ovaries.

The role of microRNAs in acrylamide toxicity

The chemical compound known as Acrylamide (AA) is employed in different industries worldwide and is also found in thermal-processed food. AA has been acting as a reproductive toxicant, carcinogen, and neurotoxic in various animals, which may promote several toxic impacts in animal and human species. Up to now, various studies have focused on the harmful mechanisms and intervention actions of AA. However, the underlying mechanisms that AA and its toxic effects can exert have remained uncertain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that are able to act as epigenetic regulators. These molecules can regulate a wide range of cellular and molecular processes. In this regard, it has been shown that different chemical agents can dysregulate miRNAs. To determine the possible AA targets along with mechanisms of its toxicity, it is helpful to study the alteration in the profiles of miRNA regulation following AA intake. The current research aimed to evaluate the miRNAs' mediatory roles upon the AA's toxic potentials. This review study discussed the AA, which is made within the food matrix, the way it is consumed, and the potential impacts of AA on miRNAs and its association with different cancer types and degenerative diseases. The findings of this review paper indicated that AA might be capable of altering miRNA signatures in different tissues and exerting its carcinogen effects.

U(VI) exposure induces apoptosis and pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells

U(VI) pollution has already led to serious harm to the environment and human health with the increase of human activities. The viability of RAW264.7 cells was assessed under various U(VI) concentration stress for 24 and 48 h. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of RAW264.7 cells under U(VI) stress were measured. The results showed that U(VI) decreased cell activity, induced intracellular ROS production, abnormal MMP, and increased SOD activity. The flow cytometry with Annexin-V/PI double labeling demonstrated that the rate of late apoptosis increased with the increase of U(VI) concentration, resulting in decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression. The morphology of RAW264.7 cells dramatically changed after 48 h U(VI) exposure, including the evident bubble phenomenon. Besides, U(VI) also increased the proportion of LDH releases and increased GSDMD, and Ras, p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 protein expression, which indicated that the MAPK pathway was also involved. Therefore, U(VI) ultimately led to apoptosis and pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells. This study offered convincing proof of U(VI) immunotoxicity and established the theoretical framework for further fundamental studies on U(VI) toxicity.