Fast and Sensitive Quantification of AccQ-Tag Derivatized Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines by UHPLC-UV Analysis from Complex Biological Samples

Urinary metabolic characterization of advanced tuberculous meningitis cases in a South African paediatric population

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe form of tuberculosis with high neuro-morbidity and mortality, especially among the paediatric population (aged ≤12 years). Little is known of the associated metabolic changes. This study aimed to identify characteristic metabolic markers that differentiate severe cases of paediatric TBM from controls, through non-invasive urine collection. Urine samples selected for this study were from two paediatric groups. Group 1: controls (n = 44): children without meningitis, no neurological symptoms and from the same geographical region as group 2. Group 2: TBM cases (n = 13): collected from paediatric patients that were admitted to Tygerberg Hospital in South Africa on the suspicion of TBM, mostly severely ill; with a later confirmation of TBM. Untargeted 1H NMR-based metabolomics data of urine were generated, followed by statistical analyses via MetaboAnalyst (v5.0), and the identification of important metabolites. Twenty nine urinary metabolites were identified as characteristic of advanced TBM and categorized in terms of six dysregulated metabolic pathways: 1) upregulated tryptophan catabolism linked to an altered vitamin B metabolism; 2) perturbation of amino acid metabolism; 3) increased energy production-metabolic burst; 4) disrupted gut microbiota metabolism; 5) ketoacidosis; 6) increased nitrogen excretion. We also provide original biological insights into this biosignature of urinary metabolites that can be used to characterize paediatric TBM patients in a South African cohort.

Comparative Analysis of Amino Acid and Biogenic Amine Compositions of Fermented Grape Beverages

Amino acids and biogenic amines are important components of food and beverages. In grape-derived products such as wine and wine vinegar, they can have different origins and can influence the odor and taste of the products. Their concentration is influenced by the grape variety, vintage, and winemaking process. In our study, we carried out an LC-MS-based comparative analysis of 22 grape-derived beverages, including three different wine types and four wine vinegar samples from the Tokaj region in Hungary. The concentrations of 23 amino acids and 10 biogenic amines were examined, and the differences among the sample types were analyzed. The differences in the concentrations of some metabolites between Aszú-Furmint pairs originating from the same wineries and year provide information on the effect of botrytized grape on wine composition. Our data can provide further evidence on how the production process shapes the metabolite content of beverages and highlight the nutritional value of wine vinegar.

Human abdominal subcutaneous-derived active beige adipocytes carrying FTO rs1421085 obesity-risk alleles exert lower thermogenic capacity

Introduction: White adipocytes store lipids, have a large lipid droplet and few mitochondria. Brown and beige adipocytes, which produce heat, are characterized by high expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) 1, multilocular lipid droplets, and large amounts of mitochondria. The rs1421085 T-to-C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the human FTO gene interrupts a conserved motif for ARID5B repressor, resulting in adipocyte type shift from beige to white. Methods: We obtained abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue from donors carrying FTO rs1421085 TT (risk-free) or CC (obesity-risk) genotypes, isolated and differentiated their preadipocytes into beige adipocytes (driven by the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone for 14 days), and activated them with dibutyryl-cAMP for 4 hours. Then, either the same culture conditions were applied for additional 14 days (active beige adipocytes) or it was replaced by a white differentiation medium (inactive beige adipocytes). White adipocytes were differentiated by their medium for 28 days. Results and Discussion: RNA-sequencing was performed to investigate the gene expression pattern of adipocytes carrying different FTO alleles and found that active beige adipocytes had higher brown adipocyte content and browning capacity compared to white or inactive beige ones when the cells were obtained from risk-free TT but not from obesity-risk CC genotype carriers. Active beige adipocytes carrying FTO CC had lower thermogenic gene (e.g., UCP1, PM20D1, CIDEA) expression and thermogenesis measured by proton leak respiration as compared to TT carriers. In addition, active beige adipocytes with CC alleles exerted lower expression of ASC-1 neutral amino acid transporter (encoded by SLC7A10) and less consumption of Ala, Ser, Cys, and Gly as compared to risk-free carriers. We did not observe any influence of the FTO rs1421085 SNP on white and inactive beige adipocytes highlighting its exclusive and critical effect when adipocytes were activated for thermogenesis.

Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Properties of a Novel Potential Probiotic Bacillus clausii CSI08

Spore-forming bacteria of the Bacillus genus have demonstrated potential as probiotics for human use. Bacillus clausii have been recognized as efficacious and safe agents for preventing and treating diarrhea in children and adults, with pronounced immunomodulatory properties during several in vitro and clinical studies. Herein, we characterize the novel strain of B. clausii CSI08 (Munispore^®) for probiotic attributes including resistance to gastric acid and bile salts, the ability to suppress the growth of human pathogens, the capacity to assimilate wide range of carbohydrates and to produce potentially beneficial enzymes. Both spores and vegetative cells of this strain were able to adhere to a mucous-producing intestinal cell line and to attenuate the LPS- and Poly I:C-triggered pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in HT-29 intestinal cell line. Vegetative cells of B. clausii CSI08 were also able to elicit a robust immune response in U937-derived macrophages. Furthermore, B. clausii CSI08 demonstrated cytoprotective effects in in vitro cell culture and in vivo C. elegans models of oxidative stress. Taken together, these beneficial properties provide strong evidence for B. clausii CSI08 as a promising potential probiotic.

Comparison of Wet Fractionation Methods for Processing Broccoli Agricultural Wastes and Evaluation of the Nutri-Chemical Values of Obtained Products

The main objective of this study was to increase the economic value of broccoli green agro-waste using three wet fractionation methods in the shadow of green biorefinery and the circular economy. Product candidates were obtained directly by using a mechanical press, and indirectly by using microwave coagulation or via lactic acid fermentation of green juice. The leaf protein concentrates (LPC) fractions displayed significantly higher dry matter content and crude protein content (34–39 m/m% on average) than the green juice fraction (27.4 m/m% on average), without considerable changes in the amino acids composition ratio. UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS/MS analysis showed that kaemferol and quercetin are the most abundant flavonols, forming complexes with glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acids in green juice. Lacto-ermentation induced a considerable increase in the quantity of quercetin (48.75 μg·g⁻¹ dry weight) and kaempferol aglycons (895.26 μg·g⁻¹ dry weight) of LPC. In contrast, chlorogenic acid isomers and sulforaphane disappeared from LPC after lactic acid fermentation, while microwave treatment did not cause significant differences. These results confirm that both microwave treatment and lacto-fermentation coagulate and concentrate most of the soluble proteins. Also, these two processes affect the amount of valuable phytochemicals differently, so it should be considered when setting the goals.

Metabolomic Analysis of Serum and Tear Samples from Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Metabolomics strategies are widely used to examine obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients with obesity (n = 31) or T2D (n = 26) and sex- and age-matched controls (n = 28) were recruited, and serum and tear samples were collected. The concentration of 23 amino acids and 10 biogenic amines in serum and tear samples was analyzed. Statistical analysis and Pearson correlation analysis along with network analysis were carried out. Compared to controls, changes in the level of 6 analytes in the obese group and of 10 analytes in the T2D group were statistically significant. For obesity, the energy generation, while for T2D, the involvement of NO synthesis and its relation to insulin signaling and inflammation, were characteristic. We found that BCAA and glutamine metabolism, urea cycle, and beta-oxidation make up crucial parts of the metabolic changes in T2D. According to our data, the retromer-mediated retrograde transport, the ethanolamine metabolism, and, consequently, the endocannabinoid signaling and phospholipid metabolism were characteristic of both conditions and can be relevant pathways to understanding and treating insulin resistance. By providing potential therapeutic targets and new starting points for mechanistic studies, our results emphasize the importance of complex data analysis procedures to better understand the pathomechanism of obesity and diabetes.