The objective of this study was to determine reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by fagopyrin F-rich fraction (FFF) separated from Tartary buckwheat flower extract exposed to lights and to investigate its antibacterial photodynamic inactivation (PDI) against Streptococcus mutans and its biofilm. ROS producing mechanisms involving FFF with light exposure were determined using a spectrophotometer and a fluorometer. S. mutans and its biofilm inactivation after PDI treatment of FFF using blue light (BL; 450 nm) were determined by plate count method and crystal violet assay, respectively. The biofilm destruction by ROS produced from FFF after exposure to BL was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). BL among 3 light sources produced type 1 ROS the most when applying FFF as a photosensitizer. FFF exposed to BL (5 and 10 J/cm2) significantly more inhibited S. mutans viability and biofilm formation than FFF without the light exposure (p < 0.05). In the PDI of FFF exposed to BL (10 J/cm2), an apparent destruction of S. mutans and its biofilm were observed by the CLSM and FE-SEM. Antibacterial PDI effect of FFF was determined for the first time in this study.
Abstract Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in reproductive women, which is characterized by depleted level of lactic acid bacteria and overgrowth of anaerobes such as Gardnerella vaginalis spp. Lactic acid bacteria have been known to be beneficial for amelioration of BV, since they produce antimicrobial substances against G. vaginalis spp. The objectives of this study were to characterize different fractions of cell-free supernatant of Lactobacillus paracasei CH88 (LCFS) and investigate antibacterial activity of the LCFS fractions against G. vaginalis in-vitro and in-vivo. Antibacterial activity of the LCFS was stable during thermal treatment up to 120 °C for 30 min and maintained at pH ranging from 3.0 to 13.0 except pH 5.0. Fraction below 3 kDa of the LCFS partially lost its antibacterial activity after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. Precipitated protein fraction below 3 kDa of the LCFS (< 3 kDa LCFSP) inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of G. vaginalis . Treatment of L. paracasei CH88 or the < 3 kDa LCFSP attenuated G. vaginalis -induced BV in mice by inhibiting the growth of G. vaginalis , reducing exfoliation of vaginal epithelial cells, and regulating immune response. These results suggest that L. paracasei CH88 may have potential in ameliorating G. vaginalis -induced BV.
This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ellagitannins from black raspberry seeds in vivo and the structural effects of ellagitannins on glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion and mouse bitter taste receptor (mTAS2R).
Summary This study aimed to develop fermented spinach juice with enhanced γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) level and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and reduced oxalic acid level. We cofermented spinach juice with Levilactobacillus brevis GABA100 and oxalic acid‐degrading bacteria ( Lactobacillus gasseri HHuMin D, Lactobacillus sakei RH1114, Lactobacillus acidophilus 19L5, or Limosilactobacillus fermentum BH03). GABA levels were not different among all the fermented juices except for the juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L . fermentum BH03. Oxalic acid decreased in the cofermented juices. The most increase in ACE inhibitory activity was observed in the juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L. sakei RH1114. Peptides (IVVGPPPP, PQTETKASVGFKAG and QIIGPVLD) produced during the cofermentation showed a positive correlation with the ACE inhibitory activity of the juice. These results suggest that spinach juice cofermented with L. brevis GABA100 and L. sakei RH1114 may have potential applications for the management of hypertension.
Background . Fibroblast dysfunction is the main pathogenic mechanism underpinning idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 2 (KCNJ2) plays critical roles in the proliferation of myofibroblasts and in the development of cardiac fibrosis. Objectives . This study aimed to evaluate the role of KCNJ2 in IPF. Methods . KCNJ2 mRNA expression was measured using real-time PCR in fibroblasts from IPF patients and normal controls (NCs). Protein concentrations were measured by ELISA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from NCs ( n = 30), IPF ( n = 84), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; n = 9), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP; n = 8), and sarcoidosis ( n = 10). Results . KCNJ2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in fibroblasts from IPF ( n = 14) than those from NCs ( n = 10, p<0.001). KCNJ2 protein levels in BAL fluid were significantly higher in IPF (6.587 [1.441–26.01] ng/mL) than in NCs (0.084 [0.00–0.260] ng/mL, p < 0.001), NSIP (0.301 [0.070–5.059] ng/mL, p = 0.006), HP (0.365 [0.000–3.407] ng/mL, p = 0.02), and sarcoidosis (0.170 [0.057–1.179] ng/mL, p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed a clear difference between the IPF and NCs according to the KCNJ2 protein level (area under the curve = 0.893). The KCNJ2 protein cutoff level determined from the curves (0.636 ng/mL) showed a 90.0% specificity and 83.3% sensitivity in distinguishing IPF from NCs. Conclusion . KCNJ2 may participate in the development of IPF, and its protein level may be a candidate diagnostic and therapeutic molecule for IPF.
Buckwheat hulls are discarded as waste, although they have more phenolic compounds than buckwheat groats. The antioxidant activities of buckwheat hull extracts prepared with water, 50% ethanol, and 100% ethanol were investigated in bulk oil, oil-in-water (O/W), and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. The relationship between the phenolic compositions of the extracts and their antioxidant activities in the three different lipid systems was also evaluated. Fifty percent ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic content (327 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g extract) followed by water and 100% ethanol extracts (211 and 163 mg GAE/g extract, respectively). The total oxidation rate (k) was not significantly different among the bulk oils added with the buckwheat hull extracts. However, in the O/W emulsion, the k was more reduced by the 50% and 100% ethanol extracts than by the water extract at the concentration of 100 µg GAE/g (2.9, 2.8, and 3.7 Totox/day, respectively). The k of the W/O emulsion was more reduced by the 100% ethanol extract than by the water and 50% ethanol extract at the concentration of 100 µg GAE/g (3.8, 4.7, and 4.5 Totox/day, respectively). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the contents of phenolic acids and their derivatives were the highest in the water extract among the extracts, while the contents of flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols were the highest in the 50% and 100% ethanol extracts, respectively. The results suggest that flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols could be potential candidates for retarding the oxidation of the emulsion system. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Buckwheat hull extracts could retard lipid oxidation. Flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols in buckwheat hull extracts may have an antioxidative effect on lipids. Thus, buckwheat hulls could be used as an antioxidant in lipid systems, as flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols are properly extracted from buckwheat hulls.
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