Suppression of acute pancreatitis by L-lysine in mice

Poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine) triblock copolymers for the preparation of flower micelles and their irreversible hydrogel formation

Poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine) (PLys-block-PEG-block-PLys) triblock copolymers formed polyion complex (PIC) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) or sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS), leading to the formation of flower micelle-type nanoparticles (NanoLys/PAAc or NanoLys/PSS) with tens of nanometers size in water at a polymer concentration of 10 mg/mL. The flower micelles exhibited irreversible temperature-driven sol-gel transitions at physiological ionic strength, even at low polymer concentrations such as 40 mg/mL, making them promising candidates for injectable hydrogel applications. Rheological studies showed that the chain length of PLys segments and the choice of polyanions significantly impacted irreversible hydrogel formation, with PSS being superior to PAAc for the formation. The incorporation of silica gel nanoparticles into the PIC flower micelles also resulted in irreversible gelation phenomena. The highest storage modulus exceeded 10 kPa after gelation, which is sufficient for practical applications. This study demonstrates the potential of these PIC-based hydrogels as biomaterials with tunable properties for biomedical applications.

Integrating metagenomics with metabolomics for gut microbiota and metabolites profiling in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Despite of a steadily increasing in morbidity and mortality, there is still no effective therapy. Gut microbial dysbiosis and its derived-metabolites disorder have been shown to play an important role in the development of AP, however, little is known regarding the crosstalk between gut microbiota and metabolites. In this study, we assessed the alterations in gut microbiota and metabolites by constructing three AP mouse models by means of metagenomic and metabolomic sequencing, and further clarified their relationship by correlation analysis. The results revealed that each model exhibited unique flora and metabolite profiles. KEGG analysis showed that the differential flora and metabolite-enriched pathway functions were correlated with lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, two core differential bacterial species on Burkholderiales bacterium YL45 and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum along with eleven differential metabolites appeared to exert certain effects during the course of AP. In conclusion, further exploration of the crosstalk between microbiota and derived metabolites may provide novel insights and strategies into the diagnosis and treatment of AP.

Screening of Amino Acids as a Safe Energy Source for Isolated Rat Pancreatic Acini

OBJECTIVES

Amino acids play an essential role in protein synthesis, metabolism, and survival of pancreatic acini. Adequate nutritional support is important for acute pancreatitis treatment. However, high concentrations of arginine and lysine may induce acute pancreatitis. The study aimed to identify the most suitable l -amino acids as safe energy sources for pancreatic acinar cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pancreatic acini were isolated from male Wistar rats. Effects of amino acids (0.1-20 mM) on uncoupled respiration of isolated acini were studied with a Clark electrode. Cell death was evaluated with fluorescent microscopy and DNA gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

Among the tested amino acids, glutamate, glutamine, alanine, lysine, and aspartate were able to stimulate the uncoupled respiration rate of isolated pancreatic acini, whereas arginine, histidine, and asparagine were not. Lysine, arginine, and glutamine (20 mM) caused complete loss of plasma membrane integrity of acinar cells after 24 hours of incubation. Glutamine also caused early (2-4 hours) cell swelling and blebbing. Aspartate, asparagine, and glutamate only moderately decreased the number of viable cells, whereas alanine and histidine were not toxic. DNA fragmentation assay and microscopic analysis of nuclei showed no evidence of apoptosis in cells treated with amino acids.

CONCLUSIONS

Alanine and glutamate are safe and effective energy sources for mitochondria of pancreatic acinar cells.

Widely targeted metabolome profiling of different plateau raspberries and berry parts provides innovative insight into their antioxidant activities

Raspberries are highly nutritious and have powerful antioxidant properties, making them functional berries with positive effects on physiological functioning. However, there is limited information available on the diversity and variability of metabolites in raspberry and its parts, especially in plateau raspberries. To address this, commercial raspberries and their pulp and seeds from two plateaus in China were subjected to LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis and evaluated for antioxidant activity using four assays. A metabolite-metabolite correlation network was established based on antioxidant activity and correlation analysis. The results showed that 1661 metabolites were identified and classified into 12 categories, with significant variations in composition between the whole berry and its parts from different plateaus. Flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, and phenolic acids were found to be up-regulated in Qinghai's raspberry compared to Yunnan's raspberry. The main differently regulated pathways were related to flavonoid, amino acid, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. The antioxidant activity of Qinghai's raspberry was stronger than Yunnan's raspberry, and the order of antioxidant capacity was seed > pulp > berry. The highest FRAP (420.31 µM TE/g DW) values was found in the seed of Qinghai's raspberry. Overall, these findings suggest that the environment in which the berries grow can affect their chemical composition, and comprehensive exploitation and cultivation of whole raspberry and its parts from different plateaus can lead to new opportunities for phytochemical compositions and antioxidant activity.

Research Progress of Antioxidant Nanomaterials for Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a complex inflammatory disease caused by multiple etiologies, the pathogenesis of which has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress is important for the regulation of inflammation-related signaling pathways, the recruitment of inflammatory cells, the release of inflammatory factors, and other processes, and plays a key role in the occurrence and development of AP. In recent years, antioxidant therapy that suppresses oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species has become a research highlight of AP. However, traditional antioxidant drugs have problems such as poor drug stability and low delivery efficiency, which limit their clinical translation and applications. Nanomaterials bring a brand-new opportunity for the antioxidant treatment of AP. This review focuses on the multiple advantages of nanomaterials, including small size, good stability, high permeability, and long retention effect, which can be used not only as effective carriers of traditional antioxidant drugs but also directly as antioxidants. In this review, after first discussing the association between oxidative stress and AP, we focused on summarizing the literature related to antioxidant nanomaterials for the treatment of AP and highlighting the effects of these nanomaterials on the indicators related to oxidative stress in pathological states, aiming to provide references for follow-up research and promote clinical application.

Mulberry vinegar attenuates lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma-induced inflammatory responses in C6 glial cells

The present study evaluated the effect of mulberry vinegar (MV) on the regulation of the inflammatory responses using C6 glial cells. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) induced the nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species generation, while pre-incubation with MV inhibited these formations in a concentration-dependent manner. MV treatment also decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in C6 glial cells stimulated by LPS/IFN-γ. Compared to the LPS/IFN-γ-treated control group, the MV-treated group exerts downregulation in the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, through inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activation. Protein expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 were also decreased in the MV-treated group. These findings suggest that MV prevents neuroinflammation by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway and glial activation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Mulberry fruits (Morus alba L.) have been commonly consumed as juice or jam. It is a rich source of anthocyanins that might be associated with beneficial effects on human health, including the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic effects. Mulberry vinegar was produced by alcohol and acetic fermentation of mulberry juice, and they possessed a protective effect against LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated inflammatory responses in glial cells via regulation of glial activation and NF-κB signaling pathway (i.e., downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, TLR4, p-IκB, and NF-κB p65 protein expressions). Although further research especially animal and clinical trials are still necessary, the present study will be helpful to scale-up the production of functional vinegar with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties using mulberry.

White meat proteins were more conducive to hepatic antioxidative status than soybean and red meat proteins

Intake of protein-rich foods might induce oxidative stress in organs. This study investigated the impacts of protein sources including casein, soybean, fish, chicken, pork, and beef proteins on hepatic oxidation and antioxidation status in rats. It was shown that meat proteins produced higher reactive oxygen species in livers (from 64,868 to 87,153 F/mgpro) than casein (54,045 F/mgpro) and soybean protein (48,361 F/mgpro, p < .05). Pork and soybean proteins induced higher hepatic oxidative stress than fish, chicken and beef proteins by increasing malondialdehyde production (>16%, p < .05). White meat (fish and chicken) proteins promoted hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity compared to soybean and red meat (pork and beef) proteins (p < .05). Compared to red meat proteins, white meat proteins increased hepatic expressions of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin. Rats fed red meat proteins showed hepatic steatosis with small vacuoles. Therefore, white meat proteins were more conducive to hepatic antioxidative status than soybean and red meat proteins. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Intake of protein-rich foods may induce oxidative stress response at both cell and organ levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of different protein sources including casein, soybean, fish, chicken, pork, and beef proteins on oxidation and antioxidation status in rat livers. It was shown that meat proteins induced higher production of reactive oxygen species than casein and soybean protein. However, white meat proteins showed higher antioxidant capacity than soybean and red meat proteins by increasing hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity. Therefore, compared to soybean and red meat proteins, white meat proteins lowered hepatic oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde production. This study suggested that intake of moderate white meat proteins was more conducive to hepatic antioxidative status than intake of soybean and red meat proteins. This study would promote the understanding of healthy effects of different protein sources.

Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics Analyses in the Local Milieu of Islet Allografts in Rejection versus Tolerance

An understanding of the immune mechanisms that lead to rejection versus tolerance of allogeneic pancreatic islet grafts is of paramount importance, as it facilitates the development of innovative methods to improve the transplant outcome. Here, we used our established intraocular islet transplant model to gain novel insight into changes in the local metabolome and proteome within the islet allograft’s immediate microenvironment in association with immune-mediated rejection or tolerance. We performed integrated metabolomics and proteomics analyses in aqueous humor samples representative of the graft’s microenvironment under each transplant outcome. The results showed that several free amino acids, small primary amines, and soluble proteins related to the Warburg effect were upregulated or downregulated in association with either outcome. In general, the observed shifts in the local metabolite and protein profiles in association with rejection were consistent with established pro-inflammatory metabolic pathways and those observed in association with tolerance were immune regulatory. Taken together, the current findings further support the potential of metabolic reprogramming of immune cells towards immune regulation through targeted pharmacological and dietary interventions against specific metabolic pathways that promote the Warburg effect to prevent the rejection of transplanted islets and promote their immune tolerance.

Vinpocetine ameliorates L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis via Sirt1/Nrf2/TNF pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common severe critical illness with a high mortality rate. We aimed to study the effect of vinpocetine (Vinpo) in the treatment of AP because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty two adult male albino Wistar rats were randomized to four groups: control group, Vinpo group (20 mg/kg.P.O.), l-arginine group (two intraperitoneal injections of l-arginine 2.5 g/kg, 1 h apart), and Vinpo + L-arginine group. Vinpo administration was once daily for 7 consecutive days and started 1 h later after l-arginine administration. We measured serum enzyme biomarkers (lipase and amylase), levels of pancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), total sulfhydryl (T-SH), total nitrite/nitrate (NOx), Interluken-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), Sirtuin type 1 (Sirt1), and caspase-3 activity. Furthermore; histological changes, anti-insulin, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immuno-expressions were examined.

RESULTS

l-arginine group displayed AP as manifested by a significant increase in serum lipase and amylase, MDA, NOx, IL-6, TNF-α, caspase-3 with iNOS immuno-expression. Histological changes indicating marked pancreatic injury were observed together with a significant decrease in TAC, GSH, T-SH, Nrf2, Sirt1 levels, and anti-insulin immuno-expression. Vinpo showed a significant amelioration in all parameters.

CONCLUSION

Vinpo possesses potent ameliorative effects against AP by decreasing oxidative stress, inflammatory process, and apoptosis through regulation of the Sirt1/Nrf2/TNF-α pathway.

The possible protective effect of Nano-Selenium on the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions in a rat model of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition with multi-factorial etiology. The negative impact of acute pancreatitis on the exocrine pancreatic function is well documented; however, its impact on the endocrine function needs more elucidation. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Nano-Selenium (Nano-Se) on both pancreatic functions in acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

l-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats was used as a model. Fifty adult male albino rats were separated into groups: 1- control group (C), 2- C+ Nano-Se, 3-acute pancreatitis group (AP) and 4- AP+ Nano-Se. Nano-Se was administered before induction of acute pancreatitis. Serum levels of amylase, lipase, selenium, glucose, insulin and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured. Homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-β) was also calculated. Oxidative stress markers, selenium content and the anti-apoptotic factor, B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were assayed in pancreatic tissue along with immuno-expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB).

RESULTS

Acute pancreatitis negatively affected both pancreatic functions. Nano-Se administration lessened the developed pancreatic injury and improved both pancreatic functions.

CONCLUSION

Nano-Se could improve the deteriorated pancreatic functions in acute pancreatitis via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-apoptotic actions. Thus, it may be used in prevention of acute pancreatitis and the associated hyperglycemia in vulnerable individuals such as patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.

Comparing the preventive effect of sodium hydrosulfide, leptin, and curcumin against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats: role of corticosterone and inducible nitric oxide synthase

OBJECTIVES

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening condition. Using antioxidants in AP is insufficient and conflicting. Therefore, this study compared the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), leptin or curcumin pretreatment on AP induced by L-arginine.

METHODS

Forty adult male rats were used and classified into: 1) control; 2) AP group [each rat was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 2 doses of L-arginine of 250 mg/100 g body weight (b.w.) with an interval of 1 h]; 3) NaHS+AP group (each rat was i.p. injected with 10 mg/kg b.w. of NaHS 1 h before induction of AP); 4) leptin+AP group (each rat was pretreated with 10 μg/kg b.w. of leptin 30 min before induction of AP; and 5) curcumin+AP group (in which rats were i.p. injected with 150 mg/kg b.w. of curcumin 30 min before induction of AP). Serum amylase, lipase, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and corticosterone (CORT) levels were assayed. In addition, pancreatic tissues were obtained for histopathological examination and malondialde-hyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were measured.

RESULTS

All AP treated groups showed significant decrease in serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, NO, and TNF-α, and pancreatic MDA and iNOS levels, while TAC levels were significantly increased. NaHS caused more limitation of inflammation than leptin and curcumin by affecting iNOS. Leptin was more potent than curcumin due to the stimulatory effect of leptin on glucocorticoid release to counteract inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

NaHS was more effective in AP amelioration than the leptin and curcumin.

L-lysine protects C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes against high glucose damages and stresses

Hyperglycemia is a hallmark of diabetes, which is associated with protein glycation and misfolding, impaired cell metabolism and altered signaling pathways result in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). We previously showed that L-lysine (Lys) inhibits the nonenzymatic glycation of proteins, and protects diabetic rats and type 2 diabetic patients against diabetic complications. Here, we studied some molecular aspects of the Lys protective role in high glucose (HG)-induced toxicity in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cell lines were differentiated into myotubes and adipocytes, respectively. Then, they were incubated with normal or high glucose (HG) concentrations in the absence/presence of Lys (1 mM). To investigate the role of HG and/or Lys on cell apoptosis, oxidative status, unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy, we used the MTT assay and flow cytometry, spectrophotometry and fluorometry, RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. In both cell lines, HG significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, accompanying with the significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, the spliced form of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), at both mRNA and protein levels, the phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (p-eIf2α), and the Light chain 3 (LC3)II/LC3I ratio was also significantly increased. Lys alone had no significant effects on most of these parameters; but, treatment with HG plus Lys returned them all to, or close to, the normal values. The results indicated the protective role of Lys against glucotoxicity induced by HG in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Protective role of pirfenidone against experimentally-induced pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Pirfenidone (PFD) is an orally active antifibrotic agent that has anti-inflammatory activity in diverse animal models. Its effect against acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been elucidated. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to assess the potential protective role of PFD against l-arginine-induced AP in mice.

METHODS

AP was induced in adult male Swiss albino mice via intraperitoneal injections of l-arginine (4 g/kg, twice each 1 h apart). PFD (250 mg/kg, orally) was administered one day before and on the day of l-arginine challenge. Twenty-four hours after l-arginine injection, the severity of AP was evaluated using biochemical and histological analyses. Indices of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis were evaluated using ELISA and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

PFD suppressed the development of l-arginine-induced AP as revealed by the improvement of histopathological lesions of pancreatic specimen and the significant reduction of serum amylase and lipase levels. Notably, PFD reduced the lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in pancreatic tissue. Importantly, PFD suppressed AP-associated elevation of inflammatory cytokines along with depression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) immuno-expression in pancreatic tissue. Lastly, PFD efficiently ameliorated AP-induced elevation of the pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and increased AP-induced reduction of the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl2).

CONCLUSIONS

PFD protected against l-arginine-induced AP in mice through anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.

Baseline metabolic profiles of early rheumatoid arthritis patients achieving sustained drug-free remission after initiating treat-to-target tocilizumab, methotrexate, or the combination: insights from systems biology

Background

We previously identified, in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, networks of co-expressed genes and proteomic biomarkers associated with achieving sustained drug-free remission (sDFR) after treatment with tocilizumab- or methotrexate-based strategies. The aim of this study was to identify, within the same patients, metabolic pathways important for achieving sDFR and to subsequently study the complex interactions between different components of the biological system and how these interactions might affect the therapeutic response in early RA.

Methods

Serum samples were analyzed of 60 patients who participated in the U-Act-Early trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01034137) and initiated treatment with methotrexate, tocilizumab, or the combination and who were thereafter able to achieve sDFR (n = 37); as controls, patients were selected who never achieved a drug-free status (n = 23). Metabolomic measurements were performed using mass spectrometry on oxidative stress, amine, and oxylipin platforms covering various compounds. Partial least square discriminant analyses (PLSDA) were performed to identify, per strategy arm, relevant metabolites of which the biological pathways were studied. In addition, integrative analyses were performed correlating the previously identified transcripts and proteins with the relevant metabolites.

Results

In the tocilizumab plus methotrexate, tocilizumab, and methotrexate strategy, respectively, 19, 13, and 12 relevant metabolites were found, which were subsequently used for pathway analyses. The most significant pathway in the tocilizumab plus methotrexate strategy was “histidine metabolism” (p < 0.001); in the tocilizumab strategy it was “arachidonic acid metabolism” (p = 0.018); and in the methotrexate strategy it was “arginine and proline metabolism” (p = 0.022). These pathways have treatment-specific drug interactions with metabolites affecting either the signaling of interleukin-6, which is inhibited by tocilizumab, or affecting protein synthesis from amino acids, which is inhibited by methotrexate.

Conclusion

In early RA patients treated-to-target with a tocilizumab- or methotrexate-based strategy, several metabolites were found to be associated with achieving sDFR. In line with our previous observations, by analyzing relevant transcripts and proteins within the same patients, the metabolic profiles were found to be different between the strategy arms. Our metabolic analysis further supports the hypothesis that achieving sDFR is not only dependent on predisposing biomarkers, but also on the specific treatment that has been initiated.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01034137. Registered on January 2010

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1729-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

20(S)-protopanaxadiol regio-selectively targets androgen receptor: anticancer effects in castration-resistant prostate tumors

We have explored the effects of 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (aPPD), a naturally derived ginsenoside, against androgen receptor (AR) positive castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) xenograft tumors and have examined its interactions with AR. In silico docking studies for aPPD binding to AR, alongside transactivation bioassays and in vivo efficacy studies were carried out in the castration-resistant C4-2 xenograft model. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and Western blot analyses followed by evaluation of AR, apoptotic, cell cycle and proliferative markers in excised tumors was performed. The growth of established CRPC tumors was inhibited by 53% with aPPD and a corresponding decrease in serum PSA was seen compared to controls. The IHC data revealed that Ki-67 was significantly lower for aPPD treated tumors and was associated with elevated p21 and cleaved caspase-3 expression, compared to vehicle treatment. Furthermore, aPPD decreased AR protein expression in xenograft tumors, while significantly upregulating p27 and Bax protein levels. In vitro data supporting this suggests that aPPD binds to and significantly inhibits the N-terminal or the DNA binding domains of AR. The AR androgen binding site docking score for androgen (dihydrotestosterone) was −11.1, while that of aPPD was −7.1. The novel findings described herein indicate aPPD potently inhibits PCa in vivo partly via inhibition of a site on the AR N-terminal domain. This manifested as cell cycle arrest and concurrent induction of apoptosis via an increase in Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, p27 and p21 expression.

Oxidative and anti-oxidative status in muscle of young rats in response to six protein diets

We investigated the impact of six protein diets on oxidation and anti-oxidation status in the muscle of young rats. Rats were fed six protein diets for 14 days, including casein (control), and proteins isolated from soy, fish, chicken, pork and beef. Grx1, Trx1 and other oxidative metabolic indices in muscle were quantified. Compared with the casein diet, the soy protein diet had a similar oxidation level, but higher GSH and lower SOD activities. The chicken and fish protein groups had lower GSH and higher SOD activities, the pork protein group showed lower Grx1 levels than the casein group and the beef protein group showed the highest GSH, Grx1 and Trx1 levels as reflected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. Intake of meat proteins showed higher ROS and T-AOC but lower MDA levels than non-meat proteins, which may be due to the increase in Grx1 and Trx1 expression and other antioxidants. Meat proteins are more conducive to muscle of growing rats.

Eff ects of hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 inducer in L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury in adult male albino rats

Objective. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective outcome of hemin, a heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inducer on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is considered to be a critical inflammatory disorder with a major impact on the patient health. Various theories have been recommended regarding the pathophysiology of AP and associated pulmonary complications.

Methods. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, acute pancreatitis (AP), hemin pre-treated AP group, and hemin post-treated AP group.

Results. Administration of hemin before induction of AP significantly attenuated the L-arginine- induced pancreatitis and associated pulmonary complications characterized by the increasing serum levels of amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, and histo-architectural changes in pancreas and lungs as compared to control group. Additionally, pre-treatment with hemin significantly compensated the deficits in total antioxidant capacities and lowered the elevated malondialdehyde levels observed with AP. On the other hand, post-hemin administration did not show any protection against L-arginine-induced AP.

Conclusions. The current study indicates that the induction of HO-1 by hemin pre-treatment significantly ameliorated the L-arginine-induced pancreatitis and associated pulmonary complications may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Effect of fermented porcine placenta on physical fatigue in mice

The fatigue spreads among the people who live under stressful life and brings about a negative impact on physical function. Here we evaluated the anti-fatigue effects of fermented porcine placenta (FPP) and main constituents, lysine (Lys) and leucine (Leu) with treadmill stress test and forced swimming test (FST) in animal models. The mice were administrated with FPP, Lys, and Leu for 21 days. After treadmill exercise, FPP, Lys, and Leu significantly reduced fatigue-related biochemical parameters, including lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, creatine kinase, urea nitrogen, cortisol, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas superoxide dismutase activity and glycogen levels were significantly increased by FPP, Lys, and Leu. In the FST, FPP, Lys, and Leu significantly decreased immobility times and up-regulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in brain. Furthermore, FPP, Lys, and Leu significantly decreased production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-4 through blockade of caspase-1/nuclear factor-κB pathway in stimulated splenocytes. In addition, FPP, Lys, and Leu significantly promoted proliferation of splenocytes. In conclusion, these findings suggest the potential of FPP as a novel functional food for the regulation of fatigue.