Effect of the particle size of cellulose from sweet potato residues on lipid metabolism and cecal conditions in ovariectomized rats

Plastrum Testudinis Stimulates Bone Formation through Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Regulated by miR-214

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the Wnt signaling pathway and miRNAs mechanism of extracts of Plastrum Testudinis (PT) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP).

METHODS

Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method, including sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), ovariectomized groups treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose PT (160, 80, 40 mg/kg per day, respectively), with 6 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate OP and received PT by oral gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. After treatment, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining; and the expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related factors were detected by immunochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) was used to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and miRNA overexpression was used to evaluate the effect of miR-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Subsequently, PT extract was used to rescue the effects of Dkk-1 and miR-214, and its impacts on the osteogenic differentiation-related factors of BMSCs were evaluated.

RESULTS

PT-M and PT-L significantly reduced the weight gain in OVX rats (P<0.05). PT also regulated the bone mass and bone microarchitecture of the femur in OVX rats, and increased the expressions of bone formation-related factors including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein type 2, collagen type I alpha 1, and runt-related transcription factor 2 when compared with the OVX group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, different doses of PT significantly rescued the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway-related factors in OVX rats, and increased the mRNA or protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PT stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs inhibited by Dkk-1 and activated the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-214 was decreased in OVX rats (P<0.01), and it was negatively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs (P<0.01). MiR-214 mimic inhibited Wnt signaling pathway in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conversely, PT effectively counteracted the effect of miR-214 mimic, thereby activating the Wnt signaling pathway and stimulating osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

PT stimulates bone formation in OVX rats through β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway, which may be related to inhibiting miR-214 in BMSCs.

Industrial by-products of tiger nut starch as a source of cellulose nanocrystals for biodegradable packaging materials

The development of eco-friendly, biodegradable nanomaterials is essential for promoting the sustainable utilization of industry by-products from tiger nut starch. This study focuses on the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (TN-CNC) from tiger nut starch by-products through acid hydrolysis, as well as evaluation of their effects on the characteristics of starch-based biodegradable packaging. The TN-CNC was identified as having a rod-like morphology, exhibiting high crystallinity (CI = 87.2 ± 2.4 %), stable thermal properties (Tonset = 299.1 °C), an average length of 278.4 ± 91.6 nm, and a notable aspect ratio (23.1 ± 8.8). TN-CNC demonstrated compatibility with starch substrates and enhanced the microstructure of natural starch films through self-assembly and the formation of new hydrogen bonds. Incorporating 1.0 % TN-CNC improved the crystallinity of the starch films from 16.2 % to 23.7 %, and increased their thermal stability from 271.8 °C to 289.3 °C. This concentration also significantly increased tensile strength by up to 104.2 %. These findings advocate for the upcycling of tiger nut starch by-products, highlighting their potential in developing high-performance biodegradable packaging materials.

Extraction and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose from carrot pomace using green pretreatment technologies

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from carrot pomace, which is a byproduct of the carrot process, was produced. The Response Surface Methodology optimized the effectiveness of autoclaving & ultrasonic pretreatments (AUP) in MCC extraction with a D-optimal design. The yield of AUP was 36.62 % at the optimum point; at the conventional acid hydrolysis method, it was 31.40 %. AUP-derived MCC demonstrated superior rheological properties, including water holding capacity (4.58 g H₂O/g MCC) and oil adsorption capacity (2.94 g oil/g MCC), comparable to commercial MCC. Characterization analyses revealed that the AUP-derived MCC had high crystallinity, thermal stability, and a short-fibered morphology, confirmed by FTIR, SEM, TGA, and XRD. Utilizing carrot pomace reduces agricultural waste while providing a valuable dietary fiber source (87.94 % insoluble fiber). This study highlights MCC production from carrot pomace using AUP offers an economically and environmentally viable alternative, with potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Highly crystalline cellulose microparticles from dealginated seaweed waste ameliorate high fat-sugar diet-induced hyperlipidemia in mice by modulating gut microbiota

The effects of seaweed cellulose (SC) on high fat-sugar diet (HFSD)-induced glucolipid metabolism disorders in mice and potential mechanisms were investigated. SC was isolated from dealginated residues of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), with a crystallinity index of 85.51 % and an average particle size of 678.2 nm. Administering SC to C57BL/6 mice at 250 or 500 mg/kg BW/day via intragastric gavage for six weeks apparently inhibited the development of HFSD-induced obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and liver damage. Notably, SC intervention partially restored the structure and composition of the gut microbiota altered by the HFSD, substantially lowering the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and greatly increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Oscillospira, Bacteroides and Akkermansia, which contributed to improved short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Supplementing with a higher dose of SC led to more significant increases in total SCFA (67.57 %), acetate (64.56 %), propionate (73.52 %) and butyrate (66.23 %) concentrations in the rectal contents of HFSD-fed mice. The results indicated that highly crystalline SC microparticles could modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis and ameliorate HFSD-induced obesity and related metabolic syndrome in mice. Furthermore, particle size might have crucial impact on the prebiotic effects of cellulose as insoluble dietary fiber.

Inhibition of α-amylase and amyloglucosidase by cellulose nanofibrils with different surface charge and spectroscopic analysis of their interaction mechanism

We investigated the inhibition effect of carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils with four different surface chargeon α-amylase and amyloglucosidase via enzyme activity inhibition assay, fluorescence spectra and secondary structure change analysis. These results revealed that cellulose nanofibril with lowest surface charge displayed the greatest inhibition effects against α-amylase (9.81 mg/mL) and amyloglucosidase (13.16 mg/mL). All cellulose nanofibrils in starch model significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the starch digestion, where the inhibition effect was negatively correlated with the magnitude of particle surface charge. Cellulose nanofibrils could bind α-amylase or amyloglucosidase to form new complex in the manner of static quenching. The thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the cellulose nanofibrils-starch hydrolase (α-amylase or amyloglucosidase) complexes were formed spontaneously via hydrophobic effects. Additionally, Fourier transform Infrared spectra exhibited the changes in the fraction of secondary structures of starch hydrolase after the interactions with carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils. These data provide a convenient and simple method tailor gastrointestinal digestion of starch by changing cellulose surface charge, to control postprandial serum glucose upsurge.

The impact of common pharmaceutical excipients on the gut microbiota

INTRODUCTION

Increasing attention is being afforded to understanding the bidirectional relationships that exist between oral medications and the gut microbiota, in an attempt to optimize pharmacokinetic performance and mitigate unwanted side effects. While a wealth of research has investigated the direct impact of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) on the gut microbiota, the interactions between inactive pharmaceutical ingredients (i.e. excipients) and the gut microbiota are commonly overlooked, despite excipients typically representing over 90% of the final dosage form.

AREAS COVERED

Known excipient-gut microbiota interactions for various classes of inactive pharmaceutical ingredients, including solubilizing agents, binders, fillers, sweeteners, and color additives, are reviewed in detail.

EXPERT OPINION

Clear evidence indicates that orally administered pharmaceutical excipients directly interact with gut microbes and can either positively or negatively impact gut microbiota diversity and composition. However, these relationships and mechanisms are commonly overlooked during drug formulation, despite the potential for excipient-microbiota interactions to alter drug pharmacokinetics and interfere with host metabolic health. The insights derived from this review will inform pharmaceutical scientists with the necessary design considerations for mitigating potential adverse pharmacomicrobiomic interactions when formulating oral dosage forms, ultimately providing clear avenues for improving therapeutic safety and efficacy.

Six weeks effect of different nanocellulose on blood lipid level and small intestinal morphology in mice

AIMS

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF, or NFC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, or NCC), and Tempo (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical) oxidized CNF (Tempo-CNF) were compared for the short-term effect on mice fed with a high-fat and high-sugar (Western diet, WD) to investigate their effect when combined with a sub-optimal diet.

SCOPE

Thirty C57B/C female mice (10 weeks old; 5-6 mice/group) were given water, cellulose, or three types of nanocellulose once daily in a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage. After six weeks, weight changes, fecal output, glucose homeostasis, and gut permeability showed no significant among groups. Serum analysis including triglycerides, cholesterol and total bile acids and small intestinal morphology including villus length, villus width, crypt depth, goblet cell count and goblet cell density were no difference for all groups. Only CNC group had higher excretion of bile acids in the feces.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that current treated dose using three types of nanocellulose had no detrimental effects on blood lipid level and small intestinal morphology.

Chemical features and biological functions of water-insoluble dietary fiber in plant-based foods

Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) is a nutritional component constituting the building block of plant cell walls. Our understanding of the role of IDF in plant-based foods has advanced dramatically in recent years. In this Review, we summarize research progress on the subtypes, structure, analysis, and extraction methods of IDF. The impact of different food processing methods on the properties of IDF is discussed. The role of gut microbiota in the health benefits of IDF is introduced. This review provides a better understanding of the chemical features and biological functions of IDF, which may promote the future application of IDF in functional food products. Further investigation of the mechanisms underlying the health benefits of IDF enables the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

In Vitro Colonic Fermentation Profiles and Microbial Responses of Cellulose Derivatives with Different Colloidal States

Although cellulose derivatives are widely applied in the food industry, the effects of their structural properties on colonic health is unknown. Here, four types of cellulose derivatives, including microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), TEMPO-oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose (TOCNF), TEMPO-oxidized nanocrystalline cellulose (TOCNC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were selected to investigate their in vitro fermentation profiles. TOCNF exhibited the highest production of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), followed by TOCNC. The results suggested that reduced particle size and increased aspect ratio improved the fermentability of insoluble cellulose derivatives. MCC and CMC were barely fermented with similar total SCFAs production as the blank. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the fermentation of cellulose derivatives resulted in divergent microbial community structures. Moreover, Bacteroides cellulosilyticus showed high specificity to utilize TOCNF and TOCNC. The findings demonstrated that the colloidal states of cellulose derivatives, such as size and solubility, were important factors governing microbial community composition and metabolites.

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Phenotypes: From Agroindustry to Health Effects

Sweet potato (SP; Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an edible tuber native to America and the sixth most important food crop worldwide. China leads its production in a global market of USD 45 trillion. SP domesticated varieties differ in specific phenotypic/genotypic traits, yet all of them are rich in sugars, slow digestible/resistant starch, vitamins, minerals, bioactive proteins and lipids, carotenoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, alkaloids, coumarins, and saponins, in a genotype-dependent manner. Individually or synergistically, SP’s phytochemicals help to prevent many illnesses, including certain types of cancers and cardiovascular disorders. These and other topics, including the production and market diversification of raw SP and its products, and SP’s starch as a functional ingredient, are briefly discussed in this review.

Ultrafine Jujube Powder Enhances the Infiltration of Immune Cells during Anti-PD-L1 Treatment against Murine Colon Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

While modulating gut microbiota using dietary intervention with natural nutrients has proven to be effective in improving the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. This work demonstrates that the oral administration of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) let to a significant alteration of gut microbiota, an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment, and a greatly improved response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the size of the JP particles had a significant impact on the abovementioned attributes. The present study demonstrates that dietary intervention with nutrients is highly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy.

Abstract

Whereas dietary intervention with natural nutrients plays an important role in activating the immune response and holds unprecedented application potential, the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. The present work was dedicated to comprehensively examine the effects of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) on the gut microbiota and, consequentially, the effects associated with the response rate to anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. A murine colon adenocarcinoma model with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy was established to evaluate how dietary interventions affect the microbiota. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of SCFAs in the immune response. Oral administration of JP greatly improves the response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Such an improvement is associated with the alteration of gut microbiota which leads to an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, and an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment. This work demonstrates that JP is particularly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy by boosting cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The experimental findings of the present study are helpful for the development of dietary intervention methods for cancer immunotherapy using natural nutrients.

Cellulose and cellulose derivatives: Different colloidal states and food-related applications

Development of new sources and isolation processes has recently enhanced the production of cellulose in many different colloidal states. Even though cellulose is widely used as a functional ingredient in the food industry, the relationship between the colloidal states of cellulose and its applications is mostly unknown. This review covers the recent progress on illustrating various colloidal states of cellulose and the influencing factors with special emphasis on the correlation between the colloidal states of cellulose and its applications in food industry. The associated unique colloidal states of cellulose like high aspect ratio, crystalline structure, surface charge, and wettability not only promote the stability of colloidal systems, but also help improve the nutritional aspects of cellulose by facilitating its interactions with digestive system. Further studies are required for the rational control and improvement of the colloidal states of cellulose and producing food systems with enhanced functional and nutritional properties.

Analysis of kinetic parameters and mechanisms of nanocrystalline cellulose inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in simulated digestion of starch

This study evaluated the in vitro inhibitory influence of particle size of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) fractions against α-amylase and α-glucosidase using cooked potato starch-protein food model system. The kinetics of the resulting inhibitions in the presence of NCC of the two tested enzymes were examined and characterised. Both the size and dose of NCC significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase by modulating the rate of hydrolysis of starch in the food model system lower than that of the control (no added fibre). At equal concentrations of each NCC fraction, the smallest particle size (≤125 nm) exhibited the highest potency as an inhibitor (median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 2.98 mg mL^-1 and 4.57 mg mL^-1 for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively). Increasing concentrations of each NCC fraction caused an apparent significant decrease in V_max values (p < 0.05) with insignificant change in the K_m values for both the tested enzymes. Furthermore, binding assays demonstrated that NCC particles may bind to the two tested enzymes in a non-specific manner. Analysis of the kinetics of the enzymes suggested that the mechanism of inhibition showed that the two tested enzymes mainly exhibited non-competitive mode of inhibition. The observed inhibition of the two tested enzymes suggests that reducing the cellulose size ≤125 nm may enhance its inhibition potency and potentially attenuate starch hydrolysis when added to diet.

Enhancing the prebiotic effect of cellulose biopolymer in the gut by physical structuring via particle size manipulation

Cellulose is generally recognised as dietary fibre with no limit of permissible quantity in food, and its consumption may modulate digesta content and impact positively on the gastrointestinal physiology and gut microflora. However, cellulose in its native form possessed inherent undesirable physical properties, making it unattractive for food applications. Here, we postulate that by changing cellulose size to nanometric scale, its prebiotic effect would be altered and fermented differently in contrast with micro size cellulose by the gut microbiome and promote the yield of metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Using faecal matter from three healthy human donors as microbial source, in vitro fermentation of variable size fractions of cellulose from the same were fermented under anaerobic conditions, and SCFAs as well Bifidobacterium selectively isolated and analysed. The increase in production of acetate (194%), butyrate (224%) and propionate (211%) after 24 h of fermentation was significantly promoted by the size reduction and revealed size-dependent relationship as exemplified R² values >0.83. Consequently, gavaging rats with nanometric size cellulose (125 nm) significantly (p < 0.05) increased these SCFAs yields as well Bifidobacterium counts in contrast with both control and the micro scale size cellulose. Therefore, engineered nanocellulose might have beneficial physiological impact on the gut with improved prebiotic effect.

Nanomaterials for the theranostics of obesity

As a chronic and lifelong disease, obesity not only significant impairs health but also dramatically shortens life span (at least 10 years). Obesity requires a life-long effort for the successful treatment because a number of abnormalities would appear in the development of obesity. Nanomaterials possess large specific surface area, strong absorptivity, and high bioavailability, especially the good targeting properties and adjustable release rate, which would benefit the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. Herein, we discussed the therapy and diagnosis of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases by using nanomaterials. Therapies of obesity with nanomaterials include improving intestinal health and reducing energy intake, targeting and treating functional cell abnormalities, regulating redox homeostasis, and removing free lipoprotein in blood. Diagnosis of obesity-related metabolic diseases would benefit the therapy of these diseases. The development of nanomaterials will promote the diagnosis and therapy of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Functionality and nutritional aspects of microcrystalline cellulose in food

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is among the most commonly used cellulose derivatives in the food industry. In order assess the recent advances of MCC in food product development and its associated nutraceutical implications, google scholar and database of journals subscribed by Jiangnan university, China were used to source literature. Recently published research articles that reported physicochemical properties of MCC for food application or potential application in food and nutraceutical functions were reviewed and major findings outlined. The selected literature reviewed demonstrated that the material has been extensively explored as a functional ingredient in food including meat products, emulsions, beverages, dairy products, bakery, confectionary and filling. The carbohydrate polymer also has many promising applications in functional and nutraceutical food industries. Though widely used as control for many dietary fiber investigations, MCC has been shown to provide positive effects on gastrointestinal physiology, and hypolipidemic effects, influencing the expression of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism. These techno-functional and nutraceutical properties of MCC are influenced by the physicochemical of the material, which are defined by the raw material source and processing conditions. Apart from these functional properties, this review also highlighted limitations and gaps regarding the application of material in food and nutritional realms. Functional, Nutritional and health claims of MCC.

Resistant starch can improve insulin sensitivity independently of the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, have reached epidemic proportions in industrialized nations, and dietary interventions for their prevention are therefore important. Resistant starches (RS) improve insulin sensitivity in clinical trials, but the mechanisms underlying this health benefit remain poorly understood. Because RS fermentation by the gut microbiota results in the formation of physiologically active metabolites, we chose to specifically determine the role of the gut microbiota in mediating the metabolic benefits of RS. To achieve this goal, we determined the effects of RS when added to a Western diet on host metabolism in mice with and without a microbiota.

RESULTS

RS feeding of conventionalized mice improved insulin sensitivity and redressed some of the Western diet-induced changes in microbiome composition. However, parallel experiments in germ-free littermates revealed that RS-mediated improvements in insulin levels also occurred in the absence of a microbiota. RS reduced gene expression of adipose tissue macrophage markers and altered cecal concentrations of several bile acids in both germ-free and conventionalized mice; these effects were strongly correlated with the metabolic benefits, providing a potential microbiota-independent mechanism to explain the physiological effects of RS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that some metabolic benefits exerted by dietary RS, especially improvements in insulin levels, occur independently of the microbiota and could involve alterations in the bile acid cycle and adipose tissue immune modulation. This work also sets a precedent for future mechanistic studies aimed at establishing the causative role of the gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of bioactive compounds and functional foods.

Nontargeted LC-MSn Profiling of Compounds in Ileal Fluids That Decrease after Raspberry Intake Identifies Consistent Alterations in Bile Acid Composition

Ileostomy studies provide a unique insight into the digestion of foods, allowing identification of physiologically relevant dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites that are important to gut health. We previously reported an increase of components, including novel triterpenoids, in ileal fluids of 11 ileostomates following consumption of raspberries using nontargeted LC-MSⁿ techniques in combination with data deconvolution software. The current study focused on components that consistently decreased postsupplementation. After data deconvolution, 32 components were identified that met exclusion parameters of m/z signals and which decreased significantly in ileal fluids from eight of 11 participants post-raspberry supplementation. Two-thirds of these components were identified putatively from their MS properties. Consistent decreases were observed in components that possibly reflected "washing out" of presupplementation intake of common foods/drinks including (poly)phenol metabolites. Metabolites associated with fat metabolism such as hydroxylated fatty acids and cholate-type bile acids were specifically reduced. However, more directed re-examination of the data revealed that although some cholates were consistently reduced, the more polar glyco- and tauro-linked bile acid derivatives increased consistently, by as much as 100-fold over presupplementation levels. The possible reasons for these substantial alterations in bile acid composition in ileal fluids in response to raspberry intake are discussed.

Dietary fibers influence the intestinal SCFAs and plasma metabolites profiling in growing pigs

Dietary fibers (DFs), widely used as food additives to replace fat, can benefit metabolic disorders.