Chlorogenic Acid Ameliorates Colitis and Alters Colonic Microbiota in a Mouse Model of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis

This study evaluated the mitigating effects of dietary chlorogenic acid (CGA) on colon damage and the bacterial profile in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to receive one of the following treatments: (i) basal diet; (ii) basal diet with 2% CGA; (iii) basal diet with 2.5% DSS or (iv) basal diet with 2% CGA and 2.5% DSS. Following a 2-week pre-treatment period, mice in the DSS and CGA-DSS groups received 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 5 days, while the other two groups received sterile water. Compared to DSS alone, CGA was found to reduce the disease activity index, myeloperoxidase activity and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in colon tissues (P < 0.05). CGA also ameliorated DSS-induced inflammatory responses, reduced colon shortening and decreased the histological scores (P < 0.05). In an evaluation of the relative abundances of bacteria in the fecal microbiota, we found that CGA reversed the decrease in diversity caused by DSS and improved the relative abundance of organisms in the genus Lactobacillus (P < 0.05). These results indicate that CGA maintains intestinal health and reduces DSS-induced colon injury by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and restoring intestinal microbial diversity

The Ovotransferrin-Derived Peptide IRW Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses

IRW (Ile-Arg-Trp), a bioactive peptide isolated from egg ovotransferrin, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the effects of IRW on inflammatory cytokines and microbiota were explored in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of inflammatory peritonitis. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS to establish peritonitis. HUVECs were exposed to IRW for 12 h before introducing LPS. Notably, IRW exerted beneficial effects against LPS-induced peritonitis, specifically, by reducing the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (P<0.05). A faecal microbiota analysis revealed that IRW significantly increased the Shannon and decreased the Simpson indices (P<0.05). Furthermore, IRW treatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced enhancement of TNF-α, IL-8, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in HUVECs (P<0.05). In conclusion, IRW supplementation inhibited the inflammatory mediator synthesis and LPS-induced inflammatory responses and influenced the gut microbiota

Does decreasing serum uric acid level prevent hypertension? – a nested RCT in cohort study: rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics of study cohort

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between uric acid and hypertension. Our objective was to conduct a prospective cohort study with a nested randomised controlled trial (RCT in cohort) that aims to identify the association of hyperuricemia with the development of hypertension and to examine the efficacy of dietary intervention in lowering uric acid level and prevention of hypertension. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants were considered eligible to enrol for this cohort study if they were not diagnosed with hypertension until their last routine health examination. The characteristics of the eligible participants were analyzed. After enrolment, participants with prehypertension and hyperuricemia simultaneously were randomly distributed to either the intervention group or the control group. An education package of dietary intervention for lowering uric acid was delivered to the intervention group. The primary evaluation criterion was the first manifestation of hypertension. DISCUSSION: Based on the results of their health examination in 2010, 19, 724 subjects met the inclusion criteria and this source population guaranteed the required minimum sample size for this study. The baseline characteristics of the study cohort showed that hyperuricemia was associated with prehypertension, and was independent of age, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity in females; however, in males it was contrary. The impact of lowering uric acid on the prevention of hypertension is still inconclusive. This RCT in cohort study provides important data on the prevention of hypertension, especially in patients with a high risk for hypertension development. Results are expected to be available in 2015. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-12002925)