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Microbial consortium degradation technology can improve the degradation efficiency and adaptability through fungi–bacteria synergism, but the mechanism of the fungi–bacteria interaction is still unclear, making it difficult to optimize the degradation process. The microbial consortium J-6, with high lignin degradation efficiency and strong environmental adaptability, was obtained in our previous research. In this study, the fungi–bacteria interacting mechanism of the microbial consortium J-6 was inferred based on metabolomics technology. The results showed that the positive interaction between fungi and bacteria could improve the efficiency of lignin degradation. The metabolites released by fungi, especially betanidin and ergosterol, had an impact on bacterial metabolism, promoted the degradation of macromolecules, and significantly increased the lignin degradation efficiency. Metabolites released by bacteria, especially L-phenylalanine and taurine, played a key role in fungal metabolism, leading to more complete degradation. The interaction mechanism of chemical currencies exchange between fungi and bacteria during lignin degradation obtained in this study can provide theoretical guidance for microbial consortium degradation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Flower color serves as a vital ornamental feature of landscape plants; Sophora japonica L. mutant 'AM' exhibits the different colors from the common S. japonica. 'AM', presenting with a light purple-red wing and keel and yellowish-white flag petals, while common S. japonica is yellow and white. The metabolites contributing to this color specificity in red-flowered S. japonica 'AM' are not yet fully understood. In this study, the flag, wing, and keel petals were collected from 'AM' at various phases, including the flower bud phase, initial flowering phase, full bloom phase, and final flowering phase, for conducting the metabolic assays targeting anthocyanins. Subsequently, we identified 45 anthocyanin-related metabolites, including nine flavonoids and 36 anthocyanins. Ten major floral chromoside metabolites were found to affect the coloration differences among the petals, where the most abundant anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy3G), which was much higher in the keel petal (LGB) and wing petal (YB) than in the flag petal (QB), and similarly, during the four periods of different petal types, the Cy3G content was higher in the initial flowering stage (S2), the full bloom stage (S3), and the final flowering stage (S4) than the flower bud stage (S1), which was in accordance with the trend of the observed petal floral color phenotypic difference measurement correlation. This suggested that the Cy3G accumulation was the primary factor driving the distinct coloration of varying types of petals. These findings could contribute to the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying S. japonica petal coloration and may support future efforts in flower color improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aims/Background Hypertension (HT) is a prevalent medical condition showing an increasing incidence rate in various populations over recent years. Long-term hypertension increases the risk of the occurrence of hypertensive nephropathy (HTN), which is also a health-threatening disorder. Given that very little is known about the pathogenesis of HTN, this study was designed to identify disease biomarkers, which enable early diagnosis of the disease, through the utilization of high-throughput untargeted metabolomics strategies. Methods The participants of this study were patients admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Nuclear Industry 416 Hospital, who were randomly divided into three groups: Normal group (n = 11), HT group (n = 10), and HTN group (n = 12). Urine exosomes were extracted, purified, and subjected to untargeted metabolomics analysis. Differential metabolites and their significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were identified. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was then employed to establish a diagnostic model for early-stage HTN. Finally, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to identify biomarkers related to early HTN. Results Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed significant differences in the metabolic profiles of the three patient groups. Compared to subjects of the Normal group, the HT and HTN groups exhibited significantly upregulated and downregulated profiles of differential metabolites, respectively. LASSO regression analysis results indicated that 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, bilirubin, uracil, and iminodiacetic acid are potential biomarkers for HTN or HT. Conclusion With untargeted metabolomics analysis, we successfully identified differential metabolites in HTN. A further LASSO regression analysis revealed that four key metabolites, namely 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, bilirubin, uracil, and iminodiacetic acid, hold promise for the diagnosis of early-stage HTN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract The effect of sexual dimorphism on the metabolism of patients with Parkinson’s disease has not been clarified. A group of patients with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls were recruited, and their clinical characteristics and plasma were collected. Untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based plasma metabolomics profiling was performed. Differentially expressed metabolites between patients and healthy controls were respectively identified in the male and female participants and metabolite set enrichment analyses were further employed. A total of 75 patients with Parkinson’s disease (37 males and 38 females) and 31 healthy controls (16 males and 15 females) were enrolled while no significant differences can be discovered in clinical characteristics. The constructed male-specific metabolic model from orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis can’t well recognize female patients and the female-specific model also can’t accurately identify male patients. There were 55 differentially expressed metabolites in the male participants, and fatty acids and conjugates and eicosanoids were the significantly enriched metabolite sets. Meanwhile, 86 metabolites were differentially expressed in the female participants while fatty acids and conjugates and glycerophosphocholines were enriched. Only 17 metabolites were simultaneously changed in both male and female patients. Significant sex differences of lipid metabolism were found in patients with Parkinson’s disease. more...

The effect of sexual dimorphism on the metabolism of patients with Parkinson's disease has not been clarified. A group of patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls were recruited, and their clinical characteristics and plasma were collected. Untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based plasma metabolomics profiling was performed. Differentially expressed metabolites between patients and healthy controls were respectively identified in the male and female participants and metabolite set enrichment analyses were further employed. A total of 75 patients with Parkinson's disease (37 males and 38 females) and 31 healthy controls (16 males and 15 females) were enrolled while no significant differences can be discovered in clinical characteristics. The constructed male-specific metabolic model from orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis can't well recognize female patients and the female-specific model also can't accurately identify male patients. There were 55 differentially expressed metabolites in the male participants, and fatty acids and conjugates and eicosanoids were the significantly enriched metabolite sets. Meanwhile, 86 metabolites were differentially expressed in the female participants while fatty acids and conjugates and glycerophosphocholines were enriched. Only 17 metabolites were simultaneously changed in both male and female patients. Significant sex differences of lipid metabolism were found in patients with Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

AbstractUsing an engineered Escherichia coli to produce lipase and can easily achieve high-level expression. The investigation of biochemical processes during lipase fermentation, approached from a metabolomics perspective, will yield novel insights into the efficient secretion of recombinant proteins. In this study, the lipase batch fermentation was carried out first with enzyme activity of 36.83 U/mg cells. Then, differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified using an untargeted metabolomics approach through comparative analysis of various fermentation periods. In total, 574 metabolites were identified: 545 were up-regulated and 29 were down-regulated, mainly in 153 organic acids and derivatives, 160 organoheterocyclic compounds, 64 lipids and lipid-like molecules, and 58 organic oxygen compounds. Through metabolic pathways and network analysis, it could be found that tryptophan metabolism was of great significance to lipase production, which could affect the secretion and synthesis of recombinant protein. In addition, the promotion effects of cell growth by varying concentrations of indole acetic acid serve to validate the results obtained from tryptophan metabolism. This study offers valuable insights into metabolic regulation of engineered E. coli, indicating that its fermentation bioprocess can be systematically designed according to metabolomics findings to enhance recombinant protein production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aims Glutamate wastewater poses a great environmental challenge to the monosodium glutamate production industry. However, its treatment solution is rich in crude protein, which has the potential to be developed as a new protein source for animal feed. Methods and results Given that the fermentation process generates functionally different metabolites, this study innovatively utilized two strains of feed microorganisms, Aspergillus niger and Candida tropicalis , to perform solid-state fermentation of glutamate wastewater treatment solution. The aim was to investigate and analyse the metabolite profiles during fermentation. The significant differences in metabolite profiles between the samples were determined using correlation analysis, principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis, variable importance in projection analysis, Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genomes, and Human Metabolome Data Bank analysis. These variations were mainly manifested in essential feed components, such as amino acids, peptides, and their analogues. These included Ile–Pro–Asn, Pro–Gly–Val, alanylvaline, histidylisoleucine, Lys–Leu–Tyr, Ile–Arg, glycyl–leucine, leucyl–lysine, N -palmitoyl histidine, alanylisoleucine, l -glutamate, N -methylisoleucine, Isoleucylproline, dl -m-tyrosine, Isoleucyl–threonine, phenylalanine amide, carboxyethyllysine, N 6-acetyl- l -lysine, citrulline, N -alpha-acetyl- l -lysine, N (6)-methyllysine, and l -aspartate-semialdehyde. Conclusions This study investigates the metabolite profiles of glutamate wastewater treatment solutions after co-fermentation with A. niger and C. tropicalis using solid-state fermentation. These findings provide a new strategy for efficiently utilizing glutamate wastewater treatment solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In the present study, we investigated the preservative effects of chitosan (CS) coatings, with and without thyme essential oil (TEO), combined with vacuum impregnation (VI) on maintaining the quality of snakehead fillets during chilled storage. The results showed that the VI treatment significantly inhibited drip loss, discoloration, microbial proliferation, and the accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in the sneakhead fillets. Compared to the control, the fillets treated with VI of 1% (w/w) CS and 1.5% (w/w) TEO (i.e., CSTEO) showed significant reductions in both psychrophiles and mesophiles, with a 2.66 log CFU/g decrease in total viable count (TVC) on day 3 and a 1.89 log CFU/g decline in TVC on day 9, respectively. In addition, the content of histamine and putrescine in the CSTEO groups was maintained at ∼1.14 and 3.23 mg/kg during the 12‐day chilled storage, respectively. A total of 100 chemical compounds were tentatively identified using untargeted metabolomics approaches. The multivariate analysis further revealed that the combination of VI and CSTEO maintained fish quality mainly through preventing lipid oxidation and protein degradation. Overall, the VI‐CSTEO treatment effectively maintained the fish quality during storage at 4°C, with minimum microbial proliferation and accumulation of BAs. Practical Application: The preservative effect of chitosan coatings containing thyme essential oil combined with vacuum impregnation on snakehead quality during the 12‐day chilled storage was verified, and the underlying mechanisms were deciphered through integrated metabolomics approaches. Our study could provide a promising strategy for the preservation of aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Vancomycin is a clinically important glycopeptide antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the mutant strain of Amycolatopsis keratiniphila HCCB10007 Δeco-cds4-27, the production of ECO-0501 was disrupted, but enhanced vancomycin yield by 55% was observed compared with the original strain of A. keratiniphila HCCB10007. To gain insights into the mechanism of the enhanced production of vancomycin in the mutant strain, comparative metabolomics analyses were performed between the mutant strain and the original strain, A. keratiniphila HCCB10007 via GC–TOF–MS and UPLC-HRMS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA revealed a significant distinction of the intracellular metabolites between the two strains during the fermentation process. 64 intracellular metabolites, which involved in amino acids, fatty acids and central carbon metabolism, were identified as differential metabolites. The high-yield mutant strain maintained high levels of glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate and they declined with the increases of vancomycin production. Particularly, a strong association of fatty acids accumulation as well as 3,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and non-proteinogenic amino acid 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (Dpg) with enhancement of vancomycin production was observed in the high-yield mutant strain, indicating that the consumption of fatty acid pools might be beneficial for giving rise to 3,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and Dpg which further lead to improve vancomycin production. In addition, the lower levels of glyoxylic acid and lactic acid and the higher levels of sulfur amino acids might be beneficial for improving vancomycin production. These findings proposed more advanced elucidation of metabolomic characteristics in the high-yield strain for vancomycin production and could provide potential strategies to enhance the vancomycin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

BackgroundActive dietary flavonoids are a promising resource for novel drug discovery. Sweet potato, a widely cultivated functional crop, is abundant in flavonoids. However, the active ingredients associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment and their underlying mechanisms have not been reported to date.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify novel drugs against AML from sweet potato by integrating metabolomics analysis, network pharmacology, and experimental validation.MethodsFirstly, ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to analyze the major constituents in sweet potato. Then, nine active ingredients were selected for validation of their anti-leukemia effects. Subsequently, three of them underwent network pharmacology analyses and in vitro experimental verification. Finally, the anti-leukemia effect of cynaroside was further confirmed through in vivo experimental validation.ResultsFirstly, the flavonoid content of stem, leaves, flesh, and peel from 13 sweet potato cultivars was examined. The leaves of Nanshu 017 exhibited the highest flavonoid content of 2.27% dry weight (DW). Then, an extract derived from these leaves was employed for in vitro experiments, demonstrating significant inhibition of AML cell growth. Subsequently, based on the results of metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology, cynaroside, nepitrin, and yuanhuanin were identified as potential antileukemia agents present in sweet potato for the first time; while CASP3, KDR, EGFR, and SRC were recognized as pivotal targets of these three monomers against AML. Finally, the antileukemia effects of cynaroside, nepitrin, and yuanhuanin were confirmed through in vitro and in vivo experimental validation.ConclusionIn summary, sweet potato leaves extract possesses an antileukemic effect while cynaroside, nepitrin, and yuanhuanin demonstrate potential as treatments for AML. more...

There has been extensive research on the biological recycling of PET waste to address the issue of plastic waste pollution, with ethylene glycol (EG) being one of the main components recovered from this process. Therefore, finding ways to convert PET monomer EG into high-value products is crucial for effective PET waste recycling. In this study, we successfully engineered Escherichia coli to utilize EG and produce glycolic acid (GA), expecting to facilitate the biological recycling of PET waste. The engineered E. coli, able to utilize 10 g/L EG to produce 1.38 g/L GA within 96 h, was initially constructed. Subsequently, strategies based on overexpression of key enzymes and knock-out of the competing pathways are employed to enhance EG utilization along with GA biosynthesis. An engineered E. coli, characterized by the highest GA production titer and substrate conversion rate, was obtained. The GA titer increased to 5.1 g/L with a yield of 0.75 g/g EG, which is the highest level in the shake flake experiments. Transcriptional level analysis and metabolomic analysis were then conducted, revealing that overexpression of key enzymes and knock-out of the competing pathways improved the metabolic flow in the EG utilization. The improved metabolic flow also leads to accelerated synthesis and metabolism of amino acids. more...

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of Benzo (K) fluoranthene (BkF) on male reproductive injury in mice by proteomics and metabolomics. Methods Twenty healthy and clean male Kunming mice (6 weeks old, 18±2 g) were randomly divided into control group (corn oil group), low-, medium- and high-dose BkF groups (7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg/kg), with 5 mice in each group. The corresponding agents were gavaged at a dose of 10 mL/kg, 5 d per week, for 35 consecutive days. After modeling, the rats were fasted for 10 h, and then sperm samples and testicular tissues were harvested. Computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to detect and analyze semen parameters. HE staining was employed to observe the histopathological structure of the testicular tissue. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to analyze the differential protein pathways. Volcano plot were conducted to analyze the top 10 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the control and high-dose BkF group. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) untargeted metabolomics techniques were utilized to screen out differential metabolites. KEGG signaling pathway and KEGG annotation analyses and GO enrichment analysis were used to analyze the differential metabolites. Results Compared with the control group, the sperm number and motility of BkF-treated mice showed a decreased trend, with statistical differences (P < 0.05). Pathological observation showed that BkF treatment resulted in dilated seminal tubules and badly-arranged spermatogenic cells when compared with the control group. Proteomics analysis found that the protein levels of Spata46 and Rab5b were decreased, while those of Zscan21 and Aifm2 were increased (P < 0.01). Proteomic KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it was mainly involved in phagosome, protein export, ribosome and other pathways. GO enrichment analysis indicated that it was mainly involved in male meiosis I, histone acetylation, regulation of p53 signaling pathway, positive regulation of cell cycle, positive regulation of cell death and other signaling pathways. Metabonomics KEGG displayed that amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism were most closely related to other metabolic pathways. Conclusion Proteomics and metabolomics analyses show that BkF exposure is associated with spermatogenesis, apoptosis and cell cycle, DNA damage, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. more...

BACKGROUND: Grape peels, the main by‐products of wine processing, are rich in bioactive ingredients of phenolics, including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Phenolics have the function of regulating intestinal microbiota and promoting intestinal health. From the perspective of the dietary nutrition of grape peel phenolics (GPP), the present study aimed to investigate the influence of GPP on the composition and metabolism of human gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation. RESULTS: The results indicated that GPP could decrease pH and promote the production of short‐chain fatty acids. ACE and Chao1 indices in GPP group were lower than that of the Blank group. GPP enhanced the levels of Lachnospiraceae UCG‐004, Bacteroidetes and Roseburia, but reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Proteins and Genome enrichment pathways related to phenolic acid metabolism mainly included flavonoid, anthocyanin, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. Gut microbiota could accelerate the release and breakdown of phenolic compounds, resulting in a decrease in the content of hesperetin‐7‐O‐glucoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside etc. In vitro antibacterial test found that GPP increased the diameters of the inhibition zones of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in a dose‐dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study revealed that GPP might be a potential prebiotic‐like to prevent diseases by improving gut health. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for the potential to exploit GPP as dietary nutrition to maintain intestinal function. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

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Global sorghum production has been significantly reduced due to the occurrence of sorghum root rot caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. The utilization of biocontrol microorganisms has emerged as an effective strategy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of biocontrol bacteria in inducing sorghum resistance against sorghum root rot and explore the potential induced resistance mechanisms through metabolomics analysis. The results revealed that the biocontrol bacteria Lnkb100, identified as Serratia marcescens (GenBank: PP152264), significantly enhanced the resistance of sorghum against sorghum root rot and promoted its growth, leading to increased seed weight. Targeted metabolomics analysis demonstrated that the highest concentration of the hormone IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) was detected in the metabolites of Lnkb100. Treatment with IAA enhanced the activity of disease-related enzymes such as SOD, CAT, POD and PPO in sorghum, thereby improving its resistance against sorghum root rot. Further untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that IAA treatment resulted in higher concentrations of metabolites involved in the resistance against F. graminearum, such as geniposidic acid, 5-L-Glutamyl-taurine, formononetin 7-O-glucoside-6″-O-malonate, as well as higher concentrations of the defense-related molecules volicitin and JA. Additionally, "secondary bile acid biosynthesis" and "glycerophospholipid metabolism" pathways were found to play significant roles in the defense response of sorghum against fungal infection. These findings provide a reliable theoretical basis for utilizing biocontrol microorganisms to control sorghum root rot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: China's deer population is rich in resources and species; how to improve the health status of the deer population and reduce the occurrence of intestinal diseases is a necessary direction for current research. In this study, Enterococcus faecalis was used as the research object to explore the effect of lactic acid bacteria on deer growth performance and intestinal health and to further investigate the role played by lactic acid bacteria on the intestinal health status of deer. The results of this study showed that the addition of Enterococcus faecalis to the feed promoted weight gain, improved immune function, altered the structure of the intestinal flora of fallow deer, especially increasing the abundance of Firmicutes phylum, and increased the abundance of the Ruminococcaceae and Lacertococcaceae at the same phylum as that of Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, metabolomic analyses also revealed that Enterococcus faecalis supplementation increased the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and phospholipids by the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, this study revealed the beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria on growth traits, immunity and intestinal health of deer and provided a scientific basis for the further development of deer-specific probiotic products to promote intestinal health and reduce intestinal diseases in deer species in the future. Intestinal diseases are one of the diseases that affect the growth and immunity of deer. Currently, more lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are available as feed additives to improve the intestinal ecological balance of ruminants in production practices. In this study, Enterococcus faecalis was supplemented in the feed of fallow deer for 170 d, and body weights, blood indices and immune levels of fallow deer were counted at 35, 65 and 170 d. The effects of Enterococcus faecalis on the intestinal microbiota and the metabolism of fallow deer were analysed using 16S rDNA and UPLC-MS/MS methods. The results showed that the addition of Enterococcus faecalis to the diet improved body weight and immune function and increased the aggregation of gut microbiota in fallow deer. The addition of Enterococcus faecalis altered the community structure of intestinal microorganisms in fallow deer and increased the number of beneficial bacteria. In addition, combined with metabolomics analysis, it was found that supplementation with Enterococcus faecalis significantly altered the metabolites of fallow deer, mainly regulating lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and phospholipid metabolism. In conclusion, this study presents, for the first time, evidence that the LAB strain Enterococcus faecalis can be used as a potential probiotic for deer and points to a new direction for the treatment of intestinal disorders in the deer family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia) is a vital legume forage, and drought is the primary element impeding sainfoin growth. Objective: The anatomical structure, physiological indexes, and metabolites of the leaves of sainfoin seedlings with a drought‐resistant line of P1 (DRL) and a drought‐sensitive material of 2049 (DSM) were analyzed under drought (−1.0 MPa) with polyethylene glycol‐6000 (PEG‐6000). Methods: The leaf anatomy was studied by the paraffin section method. The related physiological indexes were measured by the hydroxylamine oxidation method, titanium sulfate colorimetric method, thiobarbituric acid method, acidic ninhydrin colorimetric method, and Coomassie brilliant blue method. The metabolomics analysis was composed of liquid chromatography tandem high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Results: The results revealed that the thickness of the epidermis, palisade tissue, and sponge tissue of DRL were significantly greater than those of DSM. The leaves of DRL exhibited lower levels of superoxide anion (O2•−) production rate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with DSM, while proline (Pro) content and soluble protein (SP) content were significantly higher than those of DSM. A total of 391 differential metabolites were identified in two samples. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment showed that the primary differential metabolites were concentrated into the tyrosine metabolism; isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis; ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosynthesis; neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin biosynthesis; and anthocyanin biosynthesis metabolic pathways. Conclusion: Compared with DSM, DRL had more complete anatomical structure, lower active oxygen content, and higher antioxidant level. The results improved our insights into the drought‐resistant mechanisms in sainfoin. Sainfoin is a vital forage legume. In this study, we investigated the anatomical structure, physiological indexes, and metabolites of two different drought‐tolerant sainfoin seedlings, DRL and DSM. The results revealed that the thicknesses of the epidermis, palisade tissue, and sponge tissue of DRL were greater than those of DSM. The DRL exhibited lower levels of O2•−, H2O2, and MDA, while Pro and SP were higher than DSM. A total of 391 differential metabolites were identified in two samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential element in plants and has adverse effects on the growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms of Cd phytotoxicity, tolerance and accumulation in hyperaccumulators Solanum nigrum L. has not been well understood. Here, physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses were conducted to investigate the influence on the S. nigrum under 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM Cd concentrations for 7 days. Pot experiments demonstrated that compared with the control, Cd treatment significantly inhibited the biomass, promoted the Cd accumulation and translocation, and disturbed the balance of mineral nutrient metabolism in S. nigrum, particularly at 100 µM Cd level. Moreover, the photosynthetic pigments contents were severely decreased, while the content of total protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and antioxidant enzyme activities generally increased first and then slightly declined with increasing Cd concentrations, in both leaves and roots. Furthermore, combined with the previous transcriptomic data, numerous crucial coding-genes related to mineral nutrients and Cd ion transport, and the antioxidant enzymes biosynthesis were identified, and their expression pattern was regulated under different Cd stress. Simultaneously, metabolomic analyses revealed that Cd treatment significantly changed the expression level of many metabolites related to amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide metabolism. Metabolic pathway analysis also showed that S. nigrum roots activated some differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) involved in energy metabolism, which may enhance the energy supply for detoxification. Importantly, central common metabolism pathways of DEGs and DEMs, including the “TCA cycle”, “glutathione metabolic pathway” and “glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism” were screened using conjoint transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. Our results provide some novel evidences on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance in hyperaccumulator S. nigrum plants. more...

Abstract Background Immunotherapy combined with molecular targeted therapy is increasingly popular in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immune-related adverse events(irAEs) brought on by immunotherapy increase the likelihood of side effects, thus it is important to look into ways to address this issue. Methods Different metabolite patterns were established by analyzing metabolomics data in liver tissue samples from 10 patients(divided into severe and mild liver injury) before and after immuno-targeted therapy. After establishing a subcutaneous tumor model of HCC, the mice were divided into PBS group, ascorbic acid(AA) group, and anti-PD1 + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) group, anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group. Liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE) and the content of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase(ALT) in blood were determined. The mechanism was confirmed by western blotting, mass cytometry, and other techniques. Results Through metabolomics analysis, AA was significantly reduced in the sample of patients with severe liver injury caused by immuno-targeted therapy compared to patients with mild liver injury. The addition of AA in vivo experiments demonstrated a reduction in liver injury in mice. In the liver tissues of the anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group, the protein expressions of SLC7A11,GPX4 and the level of glutathione(GSH) were found to be higher compared to the anti-PD1 + TKI group. Mass cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the CD11b+CD44+ PD-L1+ cell population in the AA group when compared to the PBS group. Conclusions AA could reduce liver injury by preventing hepatocyte SLC7A11/GPX4 ferroptosis and improve the immunotherapy effect of anti-PD1 by boosting CD11b+CD44+PD-L1+cell population in HCC. more...

Flower color serves as a vital ornamental feature of landscape plants; Sophora japonica L. mutant ‘AM’ exhibits the different colors from the common S. japonica. ‘AM’, presenting with a light purple-red wing and keel and yellowish-white flag petals, while common S. japonica is yellow and white. The metabolites contributing to this color specificity in red-flowered S. japonica ‘AM’ are not yet fully understood. In this study, the flag, wing, and keel petals were collected from ‘AM’ at various phases, including the flower bud phase, initial flowering phase, full bloom phase, and final flowering phase, for conducting the metabolic assays targeting anthocyanins. Subsequently, we identified 45 anthocyanin-related metabolites, including nine flavonoids and 36 anthocyanins. Ten major floral chromoside metabolites were found to affect the coloration differences among the petals, where the most abundant anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy3G), which was much higher in the keel petal (LGB) and wing petal (YB) than in the flag petal (QB), and similarly, during the four periods of different petal types, the Cy3G content was higher in the initial flowering stage (S2), the full bloom stage (S3), and the final flowering stage (S4) than the flower bud stage (S1), which was in accordance with the trend of the observed petal floral color phenotypic difference measurement correlation. This suggested that the Cy3G accumulation was the primary factor driving the distinct coloration of varying types of petals. These findings could contribute to the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying S. japonica petal coloration and may support future efforts in flower color improvement. more...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is both a common endocrine syndrome and a metabolic disorder that results in harm to the reproductive system and whole-body metabolism. This study aimed to investigate differences in the serum metabolic profiles of patients with PCOS compared with healthy controls, in addition to investigating the effects of compound oral contraceptive (COC) treatment in patients with PCOS. Materials and methods: 50 patients with PCOS and 50 sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Patients with PCOS received three cycles of selfadministered COC treatment. Clinical characteristics were recorded, and the laboratory biochemical data were detected. We utilized ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry to study the serum metabolic changes between patients with PCOS, patients with PCOS following COC treatment, and healthy controls. Result: Patients with PCOS who received COC treatment showed significant improvements in serum sex hormone levels, a reduction in luteinising hormone levels, and a significant reduction in the levels of biologically active free testosterone in the blood. Differential metabolite correlation analysis revealed differences between PCOS and healthy control groups in N-tetradecanamide, hexadecanamide, 10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid, and 13-HOTrE(r); after 3 months of COC treatment, there were significant differences in benzoic acid, organic acid, and phenolamides. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyse blood serum in each group, the characteristic changes in PCOS were metabolic disorders of amino acids, carbohydrates, and purines, with significant changes in the levels of total cholesterol, uric acid, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and glutamate. Conclusion: Following COC treatment, improvements in sex hormone levels, endocrine factor levels, and metabolic levels were better than in the group of PCOS patients receiving no COC treatment, indicating that COC treatment for PCOS could effectively regulate the levels of sex hormones, endocrine factors, and serum metabolic profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Immunotherapy combined with molecular targeted therapy is increasingly popular in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immune-related adverse events(irAEs) brought on by immunotherapy increase the likelihood of side effects, thus it is important to look into ways to address this issue. Methods: Different metabolite patterns were established by analyzing metabolomics data in liver tissue samples from 10 patients(divided into severe and mild liver injury) before and after immuno-targeted therapy. After establishing a subcutaneous tumor model of HCC, the mice were divided into PBS group, ascorbic acid(AA) group, and anti-PD1 + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) group, anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group. Liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE) and the content of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase(ALT) in blood were determined. The mechanism was confirmed by western blotting, mass cytometry, and other techniques. Results: Through metabolomics analysis, AA was significantly reduced in the sample of patients with severe liver injury caused by immuno-targeted therapy compared to patients with mild liver injury. The addition of AA in vivo experiments demonstrated a reduction in liver injury in mice. In the liver tissues of the anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group, the protein expressions of SLC7A11,GPX4 and the level of glutathione(GSH) were found to be higher compared to the anti-PD1 + TKI group. Mass cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the CD11b+CD44+ PD-L1+ cell population in the AA group when compared to the PBS group. Conclusions: AA could reduce liver injury by preventing hepatocyte SLC7A11/GPX4 ferroptosis and improve the immunotherapy effect of anti-PD1 by boosting CD11b+CD44+PD-L1+cell population in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Kriechbaumerella dendrolimi (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) is a dominant pupal parasitoid species of various significant pine caterpillars, including Dendrolimus houi Lajonquiere (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae), with great potential for utilization. So far, the mass rearing of K. dendrolimi has been successfully established using Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) pupae as alternative hosts and released in the forest to suppress D. houi populations. However, the outcome is still expected to be improved due to lower parasitism rates, which might be related to the autonomous immune function of A. pernyi pupae. In our study, we investigated the effects of K. dendrolimi parasitization on the immune responses of A. pernyi pupae by measuring the expression of key immune factors: superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), Attacin, Lysozymes (LYSs), and serine proteases (PRSSs). Our results show that parasitization significantly upregulated these immune factors, with distinct temporal patterns observable between 4 and 48 h post-parasitization. This upregulation highlights a robust immune response, adapting over time to the parasitic challenge. These findings suggest that specific immune mechanisms in A. pernyi pupae are activated in response to K. dendrolimi, shedding light on potential targets for enhancing host resistance. Metabolomic analyses complemented these findings by illustrating the broader metabolic shifts associated with the immune response. Specifically, Attacin was significantly upregulated twice, hypothesizing that the parasitoid's venom contains at least two parasitic factors. Metabolomics analysis revealed a significant metabolite difference within parasitized A. pernyi pupae. The highest number of differential expression metabolites (DEMs) was observed at 16 h post-parasitism (1184 metabolites), with fewer DEMs at 8 h (568 metabolites) and 32 h (693 metabolites), suggesting a close relationship between parasitism duration and the number of DEMs. These fluctuations reflected the fundamental process of immune interaction. KEGG enrichment results showed that the DEMs were mainly enriched in energy metabolism and immune-related pathways, indicating that parasitism is a process of continuous consumption and immune interaction in the host. These DEMs could also become future targets for regulating the immune functions of A. pernyi pupae and could provide reference data for optimizing mass-rearing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Silymarin, salvianolic acids B, and puerarin were considered healthy food agents with tremendous potential to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms by which they interact with gut microbiota to exert benefits are largely unknown. After 8 weeks of NAFLD modeling, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups and fed a normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with a medium or high dose of Silybum marianum extract contained silymarin or polyherbal extract contained silymarin, salvianolic acids B, and puerarin for 16 weeks, respectively. The untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing were used for molecular mechanisms exploration. The intervention of silymarin and polyherbal extract significantly improved liver steatosis and recovered liver function in the mice, accompanied by an increase in probiotics like Akkermansia and Blautia, and suppressed Clostridium, which related to changes in the bile acids profile in feces and serum. Fecal microbiome transplantation confirmed that this alteration of microbiota and its metabolites were responsible for the improvement in NAFLD. The present study substantiated that alterations of the gut microbiota upon silymarin and polyherbal extract intervention have beneficial effects on HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and suggested the pivotal role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in the amelioration of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, a plant pathogenic fungus that can cause diseases in multiple plant species is considered one of the common and destructive pathogens in many crops. This study investigated the action of antimycin A1, which was isolated from Streptomyces AHF-20 found in the rhizosphere soil of an ancient banyan tree, on Rhizoctonia solani and its mechanism. The inhibitory effect of antimycin A1 on R. solani was assessed using the comparative growth rate method. The results revealed that antimycin A1 exhibited a 92.55% inhibition rate against R. solani at a concentration of 26.66 µg/mL, with an EC50 value of 1.25 µg/mL. To observe the impact of antimycin A1 on mycelial morphology and ultrastructure, the fungal mycelium was treated with 6.66 µg/mL antimycin A1, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed. SEM analysis demonstrated that antimycin A1 caused mycelial morphology to become stripped, rough, and folded. The mycelium experienced severe distortion and breakage, with incomplete or locally enlarged ends, shortened branches, and reduced numbers. TEM observation revealed thickened cell walls, indistinct organelle boundaries, swollen mitochondria, exosmotic substances in vesicles, slow vesicle fusion, and cavitation. Realtime quantitative PCR and enzyme activity assays were conducted to further investigate the impact of antimycin A1 on mitochondria. The physiological and biochemical results indicated that antimycin A1 inhibited complexes III and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that antimycin A1 controlled the synthesis of relevant enzymes by suppressing the transcription levels of ATP6, ATP8, COX3, QCR6, CytB, ND1, and ND3 genes in mitochondria. Additionally, a metabolomic analysis revealed that antimycin A1 significantly impacted 12 metabolic pathways. These pathways likely experienced alterations in their metabolite profiles due to the inhibitory effects of antimycin A1. Consequently, the findings of this research contribute to the potential development of novel fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Potato Fusarium Wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that can seriously harm potatoes throughout their growth period and occurs at different degrees in major potato-producing areas in China. To reduce the use of chemical agents and improve the effect of biocontrol agents, the inhibitory effects of the fermentation broth of Bacillus subtilis ZWZ-19 (B) and Trichoderma asperellum PT-29 (T) on Fusarium oxysporum were compared under single-culture and co-culture conditions. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis of the fermentation broths was conducted. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of the co-culture fermentation broth with an inoculation ratio of 1:1 (B1T1) was better than that of the separately cultured fermentation broths and had the best control effect in a potted experiment. Using LC-MS analysis, 134 metabolites were determined and classified into different types of amino acids. Furthermore, 10 metabolic pathways had the most significant variations, and 12 were related to amino acid metabolism in the KEGG analysis. A correlation analysis of the 79 differential metabolites generated through the comprehensive comparison between B, T, and B1T1 was conducted, and the results showed that highly abundant amino acids in B1T1 were correlated with amino acids in B, but not in T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The occurrence of menopausal syndrome (MPS) is closely associated with dysregulated metabolism in the gut microbiota. Guocaoyin superior-national-functional drink (GSNF) is a functional food product product mainly composed of Dendrobium officinale, which could improve metabolic disorders by regulating gut microbiota. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of GSNF intervention in MPS through analysis of the gut microbiota and serum metabolomics. The MPS rats were induced by ovarian function decline induced by 4-vinylcyclohexane diepoxide injection, and then subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with high-sugar-fat diet for 10 weeks, while concurrently administered GSNF for 10 weeks. The results indicated that GSNF elevated the serum E2 level in MPS rats, decreased the serum TC, GLU, ALT, and AST levels, attenuated hepatic steatosis, and improved glycolipid metabolism disorder. Meanwhile, GSNF increased the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, promoted mucin secretion, and improved intestinal pathological damage. The sequencing results of 16S rRNA indicated that GSNF can increase the diversity and richness of gut microbiota, ameliorating the imbalance of gut microbiota in MPS. Serum metabolomics analyses have shown that GSNF can significantly affect the serum metabolic profile of MPS rats, regulating metabolic markers through affecting tryptophan metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism pathways, promoting amino acid and lipid metabolism, and improving the serum metabolic network of MPS. These findings provide new insights into the GSNF could regulate gut microbiota and serum metabolic pathways to ameliorate MPS. more...

Abstract Background Changes in the gut microbiota composition is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and interventions targeting the gut microbiota present a potent approach for CKD treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of washed microbiota transplantation (WMT), a modified faecal microbiota transplantation method, on the renal activity of patients with renal dysfunction. Methods A comparative analysis of gut microbiota profiles was conducted in patients with renal dysfunction and healthy controls. Furthermore, the efficacy of WMT on renal parameters in patients with renal dysfunction was evaluated, and the changes in gut microbiota and urinary metabolites after WMT treatment were analysed. Results Principal coordinate analysis revealed a significant difference in microbial community structure between patients with renal dysfunction and healthy controls (P = 0.01). Patients with renal dysfunction who underwent WMT exhibited significant improvement in serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and blood urea nitrogen (all P more...

Rhizoctonia solani Kühn, a plant pathogenic fungus that can cause diseases in multiple plant species is considered one of the common and destructive pathogens in many crops. This study investigated the action of antimycin A1, which was isolated from Streptomyces AHF-20 found in the rhizosphere soil of an ancient banyan tree, on Rhizoctonia solani and its mechanism. The inhibitory effect of antimycin A1 on R. solani was assessed using the comparative growth rate method. The results revealed that antimycin A1 exhibited a 92.55% inhibition rate against R. solani at a concentration of 26.66 μg/mL, with an EC50 value of 1.25 μg/mL. To observe the impact of antimycin A1 on mycelial morphology and ultrastructure, the fungal mycelium was treated with 6.66 μg/mL antimycin A1, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed. SEM analysis demonstrated that antimycin A1 caused mycelial morphology to become stripped, rough, and folded. The mycelium experienced severe distortion and breakage, with incomplete or locally enlarged ends, shortened branches, and reduced numbers. TEM observation revealed thickened cell walls, indistinct organelle boundaries, swollen mitochondria, exosmotic substances in vesicles, slow vesicle fusion, and cavitation. Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme activity assays were conducted to further investigate the impact of antimycin A1 on mitochondria. The physiological and biochemical results indicated that antimycin A1 inhibited complexes III and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that antimycin A1 controlled the synthesis of relevant enzymes by suppressing the transcription levels of ATP6, ATP8, COX3, QCR6, CytB, ND1, and ND3 genes in mitochondria. Additionally, a metabolomic analysis revealed that antimycin A1 significantly impacted 12 metabolic pathways. These pathways likely experienced alterations in their metabolite profiles due to the inhibitory effects of antimycin A1. Consequently, the findings of this research contribute to the potential development of novel fungicides. more...

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

Background: Multiple pesticides are often used in combination for plant protection and public health. Therefore, it is important to analyze the physiological changes induced by multiple pesticides exposure. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined toxicity of the widely-used organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides diazinon, dimethoate, and cypermethrin. Methods: Male Wistar rats were administrated by gavage once daily with the three pesticides individual or in combination for consecutive 28 days. The metabolic components of serum and urine samples were detected by using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics method. Histopathological examination of liver and kidneys and serum biochemical determination were also carried out. Results: The results showed that after the 28-day subacute exposure, serum glutamic transaminase and albumin were significantly increased and blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in the rats exposed to the mixture of the pesticides compared with the control rats, suggesting that the co-exposure impaired liver and kidney function. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the indicators 14 metabolites were statistically significant altered in the rats after the exposure of the pesticides. The increase in 3-hydroxybutyric acid in urine or decrease of lactate and N-acetyl-L-cysteine in serum could be a potentially sensitive biomarker of the subchronic combined effects of the three insecticides. The reduction level of 2-oxoglutarate and creatinine in urine may be indicative of dysfunction of liver and kidneys. Conclusion: In summary, the exposure of rats to pesticides diazinon, dimethoate, and cypermethrin could cause disorder of lipid and amino acid metabolism, induction of oxidative stress, and dysfunction of liver and kidneys, which contributes to the understanding of combined toxic effects of the pesticides revealed by using the metabolomics analysis of the urine and serum profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the major threats to global food security as it significantly affects cereals’ production and quality. PHS tolerance depends on diverse factors, among which phytohormones and germination-inhibitory substances (GISs) play essential roles. However, in wheat, information related to GIS in the glume is scarce. Thus, we applied LC–MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis to explore the polyphenols and phytohormones profiles of two contrasting wheat genotypes, Lincang Hulled Wheat (LHW, PHS-resistant) and Yunmai53 (Yun53, PHS-highly susceptible). Physiological tests revealed that LHW PHS-resistance is not associated with the ability of its spikelet to prevent water absorption. The total polyphenol content of the spikes and shells of LHW was significantly higher than that of Yun53, respectively. In total, 214 phenolic compounds classified mainly into phenolic acids (42.52%), flavones (23.83%), and flavonoid carbonosides (16.36%) were identified. 180 differentially accumulated polyphenols (DAPs) were uncovered, including 168 up-regulated in LHW. 24 most up-regulated DAPs (Log2FC ≥ 8) were unveiled as potential candidate GISs. Of the identified phytohormones, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid exhibited significantly higher content in LHW compared to Yun53. Whereas, Yun53 contained significantly higher levels of ethylene and gibberellin than LHW. Our findings offer new resources for PHS control in wheat. more...