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MiR-335-3p, a neuron-enriched microRNA, has been reported to be involved in aging and age-related neurological diseases. However, the role of miR-335-3p in cholesterol metabolism of astrocytes, and whether it affects neuronal functions, particularly during aging process, largely remains unknown. In this study, we uncover that miR-335-3p is significantly increased in aged cultured astrocytes and aged hippocampal brains, accompanied by decreased cellular cholesterol and diminished expression of HMGCR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase-1 (HMGCS1), both step-limiting enzymes in cholesterol synthesis pathway. We also demonstrate that miR-335-3p suppresses HMGCS1 post-transcriptionally by directly binding to its 3'UTR, and HMGCR through binding mediated by SFRS2. More importantly, aged mice with miR-335-3p deficiency in hippocampal brains exhibit improved learning and memory, accompanied by enhanced levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). We further reveal that the level change of PSD95 is resulted from altered cholesterol metabolism. Our findings provide a novel insight into the regulatory role of miR-335-3p in cholesterol metabolism in astrocytes, and consequently cognitive functions during aging.

Aegle marmelos is a popular medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic and siddha systems of medicine and folk medicines used to dreat a wide variety of ailments. Aegle marmelos is locally known as “Bael” found everywhere in Bangladesh and many other countries of the world. The nutritional composition of Aegle marmelos leaves was determined by standard method. The proximate composition of leaves revealed moisture (infant 37.80 gm%, mature 40.01 gm% and ripen 32.50 gm%), ash (infant 0.012 gm%, mature 0.82 gm% and ripen 0.75 gm%), pH (infant 6.30, mature 6.00 and ripen 6.15), total sugar (infant 0.9 gm%, mature 1.9 gm% and ripen 1.7 gm%), reducing sugar (infant 0.30 gm%, mature 0.90 gm% and ripen 0.75 gm%), non-reducing sugar (infant 0.57 gm% mature 0.95 gm% and ripen 0.90 gm %), starch (infant 0.8 gm%, mature 2.5 gm% and ripen 2.0 gm%), crude fiber (infant 8.1 gm%, mature 11.0 gm% and ripen 9.5 gm%). Vitamin C for (infant, mature and ripen leaves contain 3.5 gm%, 7.1 gm%, 6.0 gm%) respectively. Total phenol present in (1.9 gm%, 5.01 gm%, 3.99 gm% for infant, mature and ripen) respectively. The leaves also contain negligible amount of cholesterol. The leaves also contain sodium (infant 2.5%, mature 7.0% and ripen 6.5%), Potassium (infant 1.52%, mature 5.001% and ripen 3.99%), Calcium (infant 0.001%, mature 0.25% and ripen 0.21%), Phosphorous (infant 3.5%, mature 7.82% and ripen 7.11%) etc. This experiment also showed significantly reduction of blood glucose level of diabetic rats (P

The major goals of the poultry industry are to increase the carcass yield and to reduce carcass fatness, mainly the abdominal fat pad. Chicken meat is generally thought to be health friendly due to its favorable fatty acid composition leading to an antiatherogenic lipidemic status. Beneficial effect of the chicken oil on hyperglycemia has also been claimed through its effect on oxidative stress and insulin resistance. The macro and micronutrient contents of these two chicken species (10 chickens of each species) were also compared. All macronutrients such as ash, moisture, total protein, total carbohydrate and total lipid were found to be high for the hybrid chicken. Lipid content was significantly higher (around 50%) in hybrid chicken than that of domestic chicken. Except for potassium and manganese which were found to be high in hybrid chicken (127.8 and 9.74 μ/kg respectively) than domestic chicken (86.83 and 6.74 μ/kg respectively), all other micronutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc and lead were higher for domestic chicken. Zinc content of hybrid chicken was significantly lower (around 50%) than that of domestic chicken. The average amount if oil content of two species were extracted with soxlet apparatus using n-hexane as an extracting solvent and it was found to be 3.54% for domestic chicken and 4.84 for hybrid chicken. Chemical characteristics of the extracted oil were investigated by analyzing various parameters such as iodine value, saponification value, acid value, peroxide value and percentage free fatty acid. Iodine value and unsaponifiable matter were higher for hybrid chicken (77.92 and 11.14% respectively) than those of domestic chicken (60.56% and 3.5% respectively). Again saponification value, acid value, peroxide value and percentage free fatty acid were higher for domestic chicken than hybrid chicken. This experiment also showed significantly reduction of blood glucose level of diabetic mice (p

Fishes are rich sources of different types of nutrients. Some species are found in marine water; on the other hand some varieties are available in fresh water. Consumption of fish is very beneficial to the health and development of the human body and fish becomes an integral part of the food culture of populations in many countries. They provide essential nutrients to the human. The aim of this study was to estimate the nutritional status of the selected fish species, to extract and characterize the fish oil and lecithin. Fish oil contains higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have significant effect in maintaining a healthy cardiac life. Biochemical composition of shoul (Channa striata) was determined. It was found that fishes are rich sources of protein and other nutrients. All the other parameters such as, moisture, protein, lipid, total sugar and ash were found in significant amount in shoul. Shoul fish oil was extracted using n-hexane by soxhlet apparatus. The percentage of oil from shoul fish powder was 12.64 (g% w/w). Lecithin was also extracted from this fish fleshes before and after oil extraction. Lecithin was 2.07 (g% w/w) and 3.10 (g% w/w) before and after oil extraction. It was found that percentage of lecithin was increased after oil extraction. The physicochemical properties of fish oil and lecithin were investigated. The higher saponification value and iodine value indicates that oil and lecithin contains shorter fatty acid chain length with lower molecular weight and the presence of higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids in the samples. Low acid value and peroxide value indicate higher quality index of fish oil and lecithin. The oxidative stability of shoul fish lecithin was also measured by thiocyanate (TC) method and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Shoul fish lecithin showed higher oxidative stability due to the presence of natural antioxidant. Fatty acid composition of shoul fish oil and lecithin was measured by gas chromatography (GC). The important polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were found to be 0.49% and 1.37% in fish oil. But lecithin contains only 7.8% DHA and other monounsaturated fatty acids. This fish oil and lecithin also contain higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acid and average amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fish oil and lecithin also act as sources of essential fatty acid. Therefore, we can use this fish oil and lecithin in edible purpose, food industry and pharmaceutical industry.