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This study aimed to investigate the effect of oxidized dihydromyricetin (oDMY) on the gel properties of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi. The changes in gel strength, rheological properties, water-holding capacity, microstructure, protein secondary structure, particle size distribution, color, and sensory properties of surimi gels were analyzed after adding different concentrations (0%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.60%) of oDMY. The results showed that the addition of oDMY increased the relative content of β-sheet proteins during the gel formation process, leading to larger particle size due to protein aggregation, and consequently resulting in a denser gel network structure with smaller pores. Furthermore, the water-holding capacity of the surimi gels was improved by the addition of oDMY. As the concentration of oDMY increased, the breaking force and deformation of the surimi gels increased, especially at the concentration of 0.45%, which exhibited the most significant enhancement in breaking force. Dynamic rheological tests further demonstrated that oDMY had a certain delaying effect on gel deterioration. The addition of oDMY resulted in a decrease in whiteness of the surimi gels. However, at lower concentrations, the impact on color remained within an acceptable range, and oDMY positively contributed to the flavor improvement of the surimi gels. Overall, the addition of 0.45% oDMY effectively improved the characteristics of silver carp surimi gels, providing valuable reference for the development of novel surimi products.

The global incidence of cardiac diseases is increasing, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden on healthcare systems. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease is complex and not fully understood, and the physiological function of the heart is inextricably linked to well-regulated cardiac muscle movement. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is essential for myocardial contraction and diastole, cardiac electrophysiological homeostasis, vasoconstriction of vascular nerves and blood pressure regulation. In this sense, MLCK appears to be an attractive therapeutic target for cardiac diseases. MLCK participates in myocardial cell movement and migration through diverse pathways, including regulation of calcium homeostasis, activation of myosin light chain phosphorylation, and stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cell contraction or relaxation. Recently, phosphorylation of myosin light chains has been shown to be closely associated with the activation of myocardial exercise signaling, and MLCK mediates systolic and diastolic functions of the heart through the interaction of myosin thick filaments and actin thin filaments. It works by upholding the integrity of the cytoskeleton, modifying the conformation of the myosin head, and modulating innervation. MLCK governs vasoconstriction and diastolic function and is associated with the activation of adrenergic and sympathetic nervous systems, extracellular transport, endothelial permeability, and the regulation of nitric oxide and angiotensin II. Additionally, MLCK plays a crucial role in the process of cardiac aging. Multiple natural products/phytochemicals and chemical compounds, such as quercetin, cyclosporin, and ML-7 hydrochloride, have been shown to regulate cardiomyocyte MLCK. The MLCK-modifying capacity of these compounds should be considered in designing novel therapeutic agents. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of MLCK in the cardiovascular system and the therapeutic potential of reported chemical compounds in cardiac diseases by modifying MLCK processes.

Abstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as a potential predictor of adverse prognosis of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, its prognostic value in patients with CHD and hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the TyG index and the 1-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with CHD and hypertension. Methods The data for the study were taken from the Hospital Information System database in China-Japan Friendship Hospital which contained over 10,000 cardiovascular admissions from 2019 to 2022. The Boruta algorithm was performed for feature selection. The study used univariable analysis, multivariable logistic regression analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression to evaluate the association between the TyG index and the 1-year risk of MACEs in patients with CHD and hypertension. Results After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 810 patients with CHD and hypertension were included in the study with a median TyG index of 8.85 (8.48, 9.18). Using the lowest TyG index quartile as the reference, the fully adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for 1-year MACEs for TyG index Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 1.001 (0.986 ~ 1.016), 1.047 (1.032 ~ 1.062), and 1.760 (1.268 ~ 2.444), respectively. After adjusting for all confounders, we found that those with the highest TyG index had a 47.0% increased risk of MACEs over the 1-year follow-up (OR 1.470, 95% CI 1.071 ~ 2.018). The results in the subgroup analysis were similar to the main analyses. RCS model suggested that the TyG index was nonlinearly associated with the 1-year risk of MACEs (P for nonlinear

Abstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance and an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Several recent studies have shown the relationship between the TyG index and cardiovascular outcomes; however, the role of the TyG index in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) progression has not been extensively assessed especially in population after revascularization. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the TyG index in predicting MACEs in CCS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods The data for the study were taken from the Hospital Information System database in China-Japan Friendship Hospital over the period 2019–2021. Eligible participants were divided into groups according to the TyG index tertiles. The Boruta algorithm was performed for feature selection. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were applied to examine the dose–response relationship between the TyG index and endpoint, and the results were expressed with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) were plotted to comprehensively evaluate the predictive accuracy and clinical value of the model. The goodness-of-fit of models was evaluated using the calibration curve and χ2 likelihood ratio test. Results After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1353 patients with CCS undergoing PCI were enrolled in the study. After adjusting for all confounders, we found that those with the highest TyG index had a 59.5% increased risk of MACEs over the 1-year follow-up (HR 1.595, 95% CI 1.370 ~ 1.855). Using the lowest TyG index tertile as the reference (T1), the fully adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for endpoints was 1.343 (1.054 ~ 1.711) in the middle (T2) and 2.297 (1.842 ~ 2.864) in highest tertile (T3) (P for trend

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are widely used in treating type 2 diabetes due to their ability to lower blood glucose levels. However, synthetic versions often lead to gastrointestinal side effects. This study explores DPP-IV inhibitory properties in peptides from bighead carp skin. Collagen was prepared, hydrolyzed into collagen peptides, and then fractionated for DPP-IV inhibitory activity examination. The most effective fractions were identified, and their peptide sequences were determined. Molecular docking analysis identified nine peptides with potential inhibitory activity, four of which (VYP, FVA, PPGF, PGLVG) were synthesized and tested in vitro. PPGF exhibited the highest potency with an IC50 of 4.63 nM, competitively binding to key DPP-IV sites, including ARG125, VAL711, TYR666, and TYR662. Other peptides showed varying effectiveness, with IC50 values of 398.87 nM (VYP), 402.02 nM (FVA), and 110.20 nM (PGLVG). These findings highlight bighead carp skin peptides as potent DPP-IV inhibitors with hypoglycemic potential, suggesting a novel avenue for diabetes management using natural peptides. Moreover, this research underscores the utilization of bighead carp by-products, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Abstract Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a promising chemotherapeutic agent, but its clinical application is limited due to its poor pharmacokinetics and dose-limited toxicity. Moreover, the combination of ATO and sec-o-glucosylhamaudol (SOG) can improve the therapeutic effect of hepatoma. In this study, PEGylated magnetic nanographene oxide (PEG@MGO) was used as magnetic carriers to enhance the targeting ability of the drug delivery system. ATO and SOG are loaded on the surface of PEG@MGO nanoparticles through electrostatic interactions. This biocompatible nanocomposite shows magnetic susceptibility, pH sensitivity, and high loading capacity of the drugs. The in vitro cytotoxicity study of human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) cells showed more significant cytotoxicity and obvious synergistic effect between ATO and SOG compared with that of single drug-loaded nanoparticles via MTT assay. In vitro cellular uptake was observed by Prussian blue staining and fluorescently labeling. The results demonstrated a high cellular internalization rate of PEG@MGO. The ATO and SOG co-loaded nanodrug significantly inhibits the growth of tumors in vivo, which might be due to the oxidative stress and proapoptotic effect. This type of multidrug nanocomposite offers a promising alternative for cancer therapy. Graphical Abstract A pH-sensitive polyethylene glycol-modified magnetic graphene oxide loaded with ATO and SOG (PEG@MGO@ATO + SOG) was prepared for the magnetically targeted and efficient synergistic-chemo cancer therapy, which exhibited high specificity and good biocompatibility.

Pyrethroids can be ingested by humans through eating contaminated oysters, which is potentially harmful to health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of raw, steaming, and roasting on cypermethrin (CP) and fenpropathrin (FP) in oysters during simulated digestion. Results showed that the amount of released CP and FP was different from raw (CP: 0.617 µg·g−1, FP: 0.266 µg·g−1), steaming (CP: 0.498 µg·g−1, FP: 0.660 µg·g−1), and roasting (CP: 1.186 µg·g−1, FP: 0.588 µg·g−1) at the end of simulated digestion. The share of cis-CP and low-efficiency CP increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the share of high-efficiency trans-CP did not maintain a high level for a long time during simulated digestion. The fluorimetric titration and isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed that CP and FP could spontaneously interact with oyster actin, and CP could bind with oyster actin more tightly than FP. This study reveals that cooking methods affect the binding capacity of CP and FP to oyster tissues and influence the changes of CP and FP in oysters during digestion. Furthermore, the current study provides a reference for assessing the potential harm of pyrethroids in oysters to consumers.

Whey protein, a by-product of cheese processing, is ubiquitously applied in infant formula. Nevertheless, it contains β-lactoglobulin, an allergenic component that can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to destroy its allergenic epitopes and antigenicity. The whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis exhibits a wide range of biological activities. However, its utilization in preventing whey protein food allergies has received limited research attention. This study aimed to examine the preventive effect of WPH intervention on whey protein-induced food allergy in BALB/c mice. The results showed that WPH intervention notably mitigated the development of allergic reactions in mice with whey protein-induced food allergies. The intervention with WPH significantly reduced the symptom score of allergic reactions in mice with whey protein-induced food allergies (39.38%, P < 0.01). Early intervention with WPH also led to a significant reduction in the serum levels of antibodies and related cytokines, including IgE, histamine, IgG, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in mice (P < 0.05). A potential mechanism for alleviating allergic reactions was identified from the proteomic findings. WPH was found to upregulate the Th1 differentiation pathway and IgA secretion pathway by increasing MHC II protein expression, thereby alleviating allergic reactions to whey protein in food. Regarding the gut microbiome, WPH intervention led to a decrease in the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, including Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, and Alloprevotella (5.4% and 2.3%, respectively; P< 0.05). It increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Turicibacter, Roseburia, and Alistips (3.8%, 0.6%, and 1.4%, respectively; P < 0.05). The present study suggests early WPH intervention may attenuate whey protein-induced food allergic reactions.

Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) has been shown to have a variety of bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of WPH on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice. The results indicated that WPH intervention for 37 days was effective in delaying the development of colonic inflammation, and high doses of WPH significantly inhibited weight loss (9.16%, n = 8, p < 0.05), protected the colonic mucosal layer, and significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in mice with colitis (n = 8, p < 0.05). In addition, WPH intervention was able to up-regulate the short-chain fatty acids secretion and restore the gut microbiome imbalance in mice with colitis. Notably, high-dose WPH intervention increased the relative abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae by 1.52-fold and decreased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Enterobacter by 3.77-fold and 2.45-fold, respectively, compared with the Model group. WPH intervention protected colitis mice mainly by reversing the microbiome imbalance and regulating the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway. This study showed that WPH has anti-inflammatory activity and a promising colitis management future.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to be major factors in muscle atrophy. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the antioxidant activity of Ishige sinicola ethanol extract (ISE) and fractions from ISE could prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. IS was extracted with ethanol and fractionated with five organic solvents. Then, ISE and five fractions from ISE were used to evaluate the total antioxidant activity and the protective effect of LPS-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. The ISE and butanol (BuOH) fraction showed higher total antioxidant activity and higher total phenol content than other fractions of ISE. The ISE and BuOH fraction significantly attenuated the LPS-induced diameter of C2C12 myotubes as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of the muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases. The mRNA expression of forkhead box O type 3α was stimulated by LPS, which was suppressed by the BuOH fraction but not ISE. Furthermore, ISE and the BuOH fraction significantly reduced LPS-stimulated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-inducible enzymes, which was mediated by through the inhibition of the p38/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. Thus, ISE exerts a protective effect against muscle atrophy in LPS-induced C2C12 myotubes through the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of ISE.

Milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) are complex structures that incorporate bioactive proteins and lipids to assist in infant development. However, the antifatigue and antioxidant potentials of MFGM have not been investigated. In this study, repeated force swimming measured fatigue in male BALB/c mice fed MFGM and saline for 18 weeks. The MFGM supplementation increased the time to exhaustion by 42.7% at 6 weeks and 30.6% at 14 weeks (p < 0.05). Fatigue and injury-related biomarkers, including blood glucose, lactic acid, and lactate dehydrogenase, were ameliorated after free swimming (p < 0.05). The activity of antioxidant enzymes in blood serum increased at 18 weeks, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased by 45.0% after the MFGM supplementation (p < 0.05). The Pearson correlation analysis showed a high correlation between fatigue-related indices and antioxidant levels. The increased protein expression of hepatic Nrf2 reduced the protein expression of Caspase-3 in the gastrocnemius muscle (p < 0.05). Moreover, the MFGM supplementation increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Butyricimonas, and Anaerostipes. Our results demonstrate that MFGM may maintain redox homeostasis to relieve fatigue, suggesting the potential application of MFGM as an antifatigue and antioxidant dietary supplement.

Whey protein and its hydrolysates are ubiquitously applied in the food system. However, their effect on cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential ability of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) to ameliorate cognitive degeneration. WPH intervention in Crl:CD1 (ICR, Institute for cancer research) mice and aged C57BL/6J mice in a scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment model for 10 days were evaluated. Behavioral tests indicated that WPH intervention improved the cognitive abilities in ICR and aged C57BL/6J mice (p < 0.05). Scopolamine enhanced the Aβ1-42 level in the brain tissue, and the WPH intervention exhibited a similar therapeutic effect to donepezil in ICR mice. A noticeable reduction occurred in serum Aβ1-42 level of aged mice treated with WPH. The histopathological study of the hippocampus showed that WPH intervention alleviates neuronal damage. Hippocampus proteomic analysis suggested possible mechanisms of WPH action. The relative abundance of Christensenellaceae, a gut microbe related to Alzheimer’s disease, was altered by WPH intervention. This study demonstrated that short-term WPH intake protected against memory impairment induced by scopolamine and aging.

With the improvement of living standards, dietary interventions have become an appropriate approach to enhance memory and cognitive performance. The present study investigated the potential mechanisms of spatial memory and cognitive function improvement with the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) intervention in mice. The Morris water maze experiment revealed that the trajectories of mice in group M were more disordered. Also, the immunohistochemical results demonstrated a significantly higher number of neurons in group M compared with group C, especially in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) area. It is suggested that MFGM enhanced mice’s spatial memory and cognition from macroscopic behavior and microscopic cytology, respectively. Meanwhile, 47 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, including 20 upregulated and 27 downregulated proteins. Upregulated (Sorbs 2, Rab 39, and Cacna 1e) and downregulated (Hp and Lrg 1) DEPs may improve spatial memory and cognition in mice by promoting synapse formation and increasing neurotransmitter receptors. KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEPs identified seven signaling pathways that were significantly enriched (p < 0.05). One of these pathways was neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, which are strongly associated with improved spatial memory and cognitive performance. These findings give some new insights and references to the potential mechanisms of spatial memory and cognitive enhancement by MFGM.

Real-time state-of-health (SoH) estimation is often difficult to obtain due to the unavailability of capacity measurements in real-time monitoring. The equivalent internal resistance (EIR), which is easily obtained and closely related to battery deterioration, is studied as a possible solution for achieving real-time and reliable SoH estimation for lithium-ion batteries. A novel real-time SoH estimation method based on the EIR is introduced for lithium-ion batteries. First, an experimental study of the relationship between the EIR and battery degradation is implemented, and this study is used to develop an empirical description of battery degradation using the EIR vector. Second, a fast extraction method for identifying the EIR in real time is proposed by leveraging the relationship between the EIR vector and state of charge (SoC). Third, a support vector regression (SVR)-based method for real-time SoH estimation is introduced by characterizing the hidden relationship between the EIR vector and battery SoH. The proposed method is demonstrated using laboratory test data. The results show that the proposed method can predict the battery SoH in real time with good accuracy and robustness.

Deltamethrin (DEL) can be introduced into the food chain through bioaccumulation in Pacific oysters, and then potentially threaten human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioaccessibility of DEL in oysters with different cooking methods after simulated digestion. DEL content in different tissues of oysters going from high to low were gills, mantle, viscera, and adductor muscle. Bioaccessibility of DEL in oysters decreased after steaming (65%) or roasting (51%) treatments compared with raw oysters (82%), which indicated that roasting can be used as a recommended cooking method for oysters. In the simulated digestion process, the concentration of DEL in the digestive juice and the bioaccessibility of DEL were affected by the pH in the gastric phase. And the transport efficiency of DEL through the monolayer molecular membrane of NCM460 cells ranged from 35 to 45%. These results can help assess the potential harm to consumers of DEL in shellfish. Furthermore, it provides a reference for the impact of lipophilic toxins in seafood.

Microbial growth strongly affects the quality and flavor of fish and fish products. This study aimed to explore the role and function of grass carp-borne microorganisms in the degradation of inosine monophosphate (IMP) related compounds in a fish juice system during chill storage (4 °C. Prokaryotic transcriptomic analysis was used to explore the microbial contribution to metabolic pathways and related enzymes. The degree of microbial contribution was verified by the activity of enzymes and metabolite content. Collectively, there were multiple IMP relative product degradation pathways. A. rivipollensis degraded IMP by producing 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT) while S. putrefaciens degraded IMP mainly by alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Hypoxanthine (Hx) was degraded to uric acid (Ua) induced by P. putida and S. putrefaciens mainly with producing xanthine oxidase (XOD), while A. rivipollensis almost could not produce XOD. This work can used as a guide and provide basic knowledge for the quality and flavor control of aquatic products.

Asian carp is a general designation for grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, and black carp. These fish species belong to the family Cyprinidae. In 2018, more than 18.5 million tons of Asian carp were produced globally. Asian carp can be used for producing surimi, a stabilized myofibrillar protein concentrate that can be made into a wide variety of products such as imitation crab sticks, fish balls, fish cakes, fish tofu, and fish sausage. Surimi is usually made from marine fish, but Asian carp have been widely used for surimi production in China. The quality of surimi is affected by various factors, including the processing methods and food additives, such as polysaccharides, protein, salt, and cryoprotectant. With an impending shortage of marine fish due to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks, Asian carp have a potential to serve as an alternative raw material for surimi products thanks to their high abundancy, less emissions of greenhouse gases from farming, desirable flesh color, and sufficient gel forming ability. The utilization of Asian carp in surimi production could also contribute to relieving the overflow of Asian carp in the United States.

Whey protein and its hydrolysate are ubiquitously consumed as nutritional supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the infant gut microbiome, which is more variable than that of adults. Colonic fermentation was simulated through a static digestion model and fecal culture fermentation, using feces from normal infants aged from 1–3 years old. During in vitro gut fermentation, measurements of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were performed. Additionally, the growth curves of cultivated probiotics were analyzed to evaluate the prebiotic potential of WPH. Besides the decline of pH in fermentation, the addition of WPH induced a significant increase in the SCFA production and also the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Streptococcus (p < 0.05). The lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in WPH-supplemented samples indicated the positive modulation of WPH on the gut microbiota, which could benefit the energy balance and metabolism of infants. The stimulation effect of WPH on the probiotics (particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM) during cultivation implied the prebiotic potential as well. Our findings shed light on WPH as a valuable dietary supplement with not only enriched resources of essential amino acids but also the potential to restore the infant gut microbiome.

Excessive salt is usually required to maintain good gel properties and quality characteristics for unwashed fish mince gels (UFMG). This study aimed to investigate the effects of partial sodium chloride substitution (30%) with different substitutes (potassium chloride, disodium inosine-5′-monophosphate, basil) on the gel and flavor properties of UFMG from Ctenopharyngodon idellus. The results indicated that the texture and gel strength of NK (30% NaCl was replaced with 30% KCl) were fairly similar to that of N group (NaCl only), and the whiteness had improved significantly (p < 0.05), while the product eventually yielded a certain bitter taste. The addition of disodium inosine-5′-monophosphate (DIMP) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the hardness, chewiness, buriedness degree of tryptophan and gel strength, decreased the content of α-helix structure in the gels, while less change occurred in gel whiteness and network structure. Basil significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the buriedness degree of tryptophan, gel strength and whiteness, and deteriorated the gel structure. Nevertheless, the addition of DIMP or basil reduced the bitterness induced by KCl and improved the overall acceptability scores of gels of the N group. Moreover, there was no distinct difference in moisture content and water-holding capacity between all groups. Therefore, replacing sodium chloride in UFMG with 25% potassium chloride and 5% DIMP may be an ideal sodium salt substitution strategy.

Intermuscular bones (IBs) pose physical hazards that threaten consumer health and food safety. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of softening IBs from silver carp with diluted acetic acid. IBs (separated from muscle) and fillets (without removing IBs) were treated with diluted acetic acid. Analyses of sensory attributes and the hardness of treated IBs indicated that diluted acetic acid (

The inhibition of starch and fat digestion by phenolic substances is relevant to the management of type-II diabetes. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and condensed tannin content in crude, semi-purified extracts (purified by XAD-7 column) from eight types of foods (black tea, green tea, blueberry, blackberry, red cabbage, broccoli, black turtle bean and black soybean) and five fractions from legumes (fractionationed by Sephadex LH-20 column) were compared for their antioxidant capacities and digestive enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase) inhibition capacity. Results showed that semi-purified extract from black turtle bean compared favorably with tea and berries in digestive enzyme inhibition. Semi-purified extracts from legumes, tea and berries showed more potency (lower IC50 values) against α-amylase, α-glucosidase than commercial inhibitors. Several fractions from legumes exhibited more potency against these digestive enzymes than commercial inhibitors. Myricetin showed the highest potency against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase (IC50: 0.38 mg/mL, 0.87 μg/mL and 15 μg/mL, respectively).

Quercetin is a flavonoid that has been shown to have health-promoting capacities due to its potent antioxidant activity. However, the effect of chronic intake of quercetin on the gut microbiome and diabetes-related biomarkers remains unclear. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed HF or HF supplemented with 0.05% quercetin (HFQ) for 6 weeks. Diabetes-related biomarkers in blood were determined in mice fed high-fat (HF) diets supplemented with quercetin. Mice fed the HFQ diet gained less body, liver, and adipose weight, while liver lipid and blood glucose levels were also lowered. Diabetes-related plasma biomarkers insulin, leptin, resistin, and glucagon were significantly reduced by quercetin supplementation. In feces, quercetin supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The expression of genes Srebf1, Ppara, Cyp51, Scd1, and Fasn was downregulated by quercetin supplementation. These results indicated that diabetes biomarkers are associated with early metabolic changes accompanying obesity, and quercetin may ameliorate insulin resistance.

Colored common beans are associated with health promoting and chronic disease prevention effects. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat (HF) diets supplemented with cooked black turtle beans (HFB) to prevent obesity related insulin resistance. Mice on both HF and HFB were obese compared to mice fed a low-fat (LF) diet. Plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride concentrations of mice fed HFB diet were 28% and 36.6% lower than those on HF diet. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index of mice fed HFB diet was 87% lower than that of mice fed HF diet. Diabetes related biomarkers, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), leptin, glucagon, and inflammatory cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5, 10 and 12, IFN-g and TNF-α were significantly affected by HFB diet. Pparα, Cyp7a1 and Fasn were down-regulated by HFB diet while LDL-R, Srebp-2, Adipoq and Slc2a4 were up-regulated by HFB diet. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) was also decreased 64.1% by HFB diet compared to HF diet. The results indicated that cooked black turtle bean consumption could ameliorate insulin resistance and lower plasma LDL in mice fed HF diet through glucose signaling pathway and JNK/c-Jun pathway. Meanwhile, cooked black turtle bean consumption restored the gut microbiome.

Intermuscular bones (IBs) are a common characteristic of Asian carp. Ingested IBs and other fishbone fragments are associated with health complications and have remained a significant concern among consumers. Asian carp are bony, and their safety concerning IBs is a hot topic, prompting extensive research on possible ways of eliminating IBs from fish products. The research on IBs is ongoing and has covered many facets, including their formation, morphology, counts, evolution, proteome, and gene function. Processing technologies to eliminate IBs in carp products have become another trending subject. The available literature revealed that immediate solutions to the health threats associated with IBs could be through the effective application of processing technologies. Thus, this paper seeks to review the formation and morphology of IBs in Asian carp, emphasizing the implications of IBs on the health of consumers. The review also delves into the processing technologies that lessen the health threats of IBs to consumers and how they can provide the much-needed relief to consumers who are reluctant to consume Asian carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]