Mussel (Mytilus coruscus) Water Extract Containing Taurine Prevents LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Zebrafish Model

Correlation Analysis of Umbilical Cord Blood Metabolic Phenotype and Inflammation in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Overweight and Obesity

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder in pregnancy. The incidence rate is increasing year by year, which seriously threatens the safety of maternal and infant. Obesity is a vital factor in inducing GDM. Pregnant women with GDM account for a large proportion of overweight and obese pregnant women. Our study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of differential metabolites on inflammation and find the intervention and management methods for GDM in overweight and obese pregnant women.

Methods

Umbilical cord blood samples and placenta were collected from normal weight pregnant women with GDM (control group) and overweight and obese pregnant women with GDM (obesity group) for a comparative study. Serum inflammatory factors IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and TLR4 expression were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of BCL-2 and caspase-3 were measured by Western blot. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of placental villi. KEGG combined with metabolomics was used to compare the differences of metabolic maps between the two groups.

Results

Compared with the control group, the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the cord blood was decreased in the obesity group, while the levels of proinflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and LPS were increased. In the placental tissues, the obesity group had higher concentrations of LPS, TLR4, and caspase-3 and lower concentration of BCL-2. Placental villi in the obesity group were more likely to undergo apoptosis than the control group. Correlation analysis showed that the above metabolite concentrations were negatively correlated with TNF-α or LPS.

Conclusion

Metabolites could control obesity in the process of controlling the occurrence and development of inflammation.

Optimizing the Processing of Shellfish (Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus Hybrid) Biomass Cultivated in the Low Salinity Region of the Baltic Sea for the Extraction of Meat and Proteins

Mussel farming is a novel and growing aquaculture field in the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless, there is very little published evidence on the processing of shellfish biomass in the region. The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for the extraction of organic-rich fractions from small-sized blue mussels of the Baltic Sea region that is applicable and economically viable for the feed and food industry. The efficiency of mussel meat separation was evaluated using different processing, drying, and filtration techniques. The laboratory experiments have succeeded in finding a method that is operationally feasible and does not require overly complex and expensive laboratory settings. These trials also showed that the separation of meat from fresh or frozen mussels can be achieved by simple crushing and sedimentation methods and the extraction yielded a significant amount of mussel meat (7.6%) with a high protein content (3.2%, i.e., half of the total protein found in the used mussel-mass). It also appeared that the use of filtration is not practical because the protein loss was extremely high. In addition, filtration makes the process of dry-matter separation more complex, and costs are unlikely to be compensated by the energy saved in drying.

Protective Role of Mytilus edulis Hydrolysate in Lipopolysaccharide-Galactosamine Acute Liver Injury

Acute liver injury in its terminal phase trigger systemic inflammatory response syndrome with multiple organ failure. An uncontrolled inflammatory reaction is difficult to treat and contributes to high mortality. Therefore, to solve this problem a search for new therapeutic approaches remains urgent. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of M. edulis hydrolysate (N2-01) against Lipopolysaccharide-D-Galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced murine acute liver injure and the underlying mechanisms. N2-01 analysis, using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) metabolomic and proteomic platforms, confirmed composition, molecular-weight distribution, and high reproducibility between M. edulis hydrolysate manufactured batches. N2-01 efficiently protected mice against LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury. The most prominent result (100% survival rate) was obtained by the constant subcutaneous administration of small doses of the drug. N2-01 decreased Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression from 4.648 ± 0.445 to 1.503 ± 0.091 Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in activated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) from 7.473 ± 0.666 to 2.980 ± 0.130 ng/ml in vitro. The drug increased Nitric Oxide (NO) production by HUVECs from 27.203 ± 2.890 to 69.200 ± 4.716 MFI but significantly decreased inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression from 24.030 ± 2.776 to 15.300 ± 1.290 MFI and NO production by murine peritoneal lavage cells from 6.777 ± 0.373 µm to 2.175 ± 0.279 µm. The capability of the preparation to enhance the endothelium barrier function and to reduce vascular permeability was confirmed in Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Sensor (ECIS) test in vitro and Miles assay in vivo. These results suggest N2-01 as a promising agent for treating a wide range of conditions associated with uncontrolled inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

Influence of Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Intake on Disease Activity in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The MIRA Randomized Cross-Over Dietary Intervention

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. This study evaluates the effect of blue mussel intake on disease activity and quality of life in women with RA. Thirty-nine women with established RA and a disease activity score 28 (DAS28) >3.0 were recruited to a randomized 2 × 11-week cross-over dietary intervention. The participants continued with their medication and habitual diet and exchanged one cooked meal a day, five days a week, with a meal including 75 g blue mussels or 75 g meat. Diets were switched after an eight week washout period. Data regarding quality of life (SF-36), blood lipids, erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tender and swollen joints were examined at the start and end of each dietary period. Thirty women completed one period, and twenty-three completed both. Intake of the blue mussel diet led to a significant reduction of DAS28-CRP (p = 0.048), but not DAS28. The number of EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) criteria moderate and good responders were higher when consuming blue mussel diet (p = 0.036). Blood lipids did not change. To conclude, blue mussel intake reduced disease symptoms in women with RA and improved perceived health. The reported effects need to be confirmed by non-patient reported outcomes, such as inflammation markers.