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Two arrays of behenoyl (22 : 0) based amphiphilic lipids with sugar alcohols as a flexible linker were synthesized through acylation of sugar alcohol mono-behenates with diacetyl tartaric anhydride or acetoxy succinic anhydride and some of the resulting products are capable of yielding stable and uniform solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) (mean diameter ∼100 nm, PDI ＜ 0.2) without any additive surfactant, displaying excellent dual functions (as both a solid lipid excipient and emulsifier). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An array of ultra-long-chain fatty acid sugar alcohol monoesters, with behenic acid as an acyl representative and sugar alcohols altered from ethylene glycol to glycerol, erythritol, pentaerythritol, arabitol, xylitol and sorbitol, were enzymatically synthesized in high purity and selectivity. The molecular structures of the synthetic compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, FT-IR and MS analysis, and the thermal properties were primarily characterized by DSC analysis. The molecular packing and thermal properties of synthetic sugar alcohol monobehenates (SAMBs) were investigated by Temp-Ramp-FT-IR. For in vivo application purposes, the enzymatic lipolysis of synthesized SAMBs was examined by a PPL (porcine pancreatic lipase)-mediated in vitro digestion test, and improved resistance of most SAMBs to enzymatic lipolysis, in comparison to glycerol monopalmitate, was observed. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of the thermotropic phase transitions of the synthetic SAMBs indicated that the thermal collapse temperatures do not vary significantly as the polar head alters, suggesting their thermostabilities are largely governed by hydrophobic interactions among the alkanyl chains, while the size, properties and volume of the polar heads may determine the packing patterns. Systemic mapping of the structure–property–function relationship of SAMBs revealed the potential of these compounds for multipurpose applications. Ethylene glycol and glycerol monobehenates enable orthorhombic packing, and could find applications in cosmetic formulation, whereas sorbitol monobehenate is capable of forming stable surfactant-free nanoparticles, which could be excellent excipients for solid lipid nanoparticles for use as delivery cargo for drugs and food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Synthetic ultra-long chain fatty acyl based amphiphilic lipids as a dual function excipient for the production of surfactant-free solid lipid nanoparticles (SF-SLNs): a physico-chemical study’ by Wei Wei et al., Green Chem., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6gc00866f. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumber peptides (SCPs) have been proven to have many active functions; however, their impact on testosterone synthesis and the corresponding mechanism are not yet clear. This study attempts to explore the effects of SCPs on sex hormone regulation in acute exhaustive swimming (AES) male mice and the possible mechanisms. In the present study, SCP intervention significantly prolonged exhaustive swimming time and reduced exercise metabolite accumulation. The reproductive ability-related parameters including penile index, mating ability, testicular morphology, and sperm storage were dramatically improved by SCP intervention. Notably, SCPs markedly reversed the AES-induced decrease in serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Moreover, treatment with a high dose of SCP (0.6 mg per g bw) significantly enhanced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related proteins in testis, meanwhile markedly increasing the gene expression of StAR , Hsd17b3 , Hsd17b2 , Ldlr , and Cyp19a1 . Serum metabolomics results indicated that SCP intervention notably upregulated the expression of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl- sn -glycerol but downregulated the concentrations of succinate and DL-lactate. Furthermore, serum metabolomics combined with testicular transcriptome, western blot, and correlation analyses demonstrated that SCPs may regulate testosterone synthesis via the Ca 2+ /PKA signaling pathway. This study indicated that the SCP could be a potential dietary supplement to improve the symptoms of decreased sex hormones related to exercise fatigue.