Hypoglycemic Properties of Oxovanadium (IV) Coordination Compounds with Carboxymethyl-Carrageenan and Carboxymethyl-Chitosan in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

In order to avoid low absorption, incorporation, and undesirable side effects of inorganic oxovanadium compounds, the antidiabetic activities of organic oxovanadium (IV) compounds in alloxan-induced diabetic mice were investigated. Vanadyl carboxymethyl carrageenan (VOCCA) and vanadyl carboxymethyl chitosan (VOCCH) were synthesized and administrated through intragastric administration in different doses for 20 days in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Glibenclamide was administrated as the positive control. Our results showed that low-dose group, middle-dose group, and high-dose group of VOCCA and VOCCH could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose (P < 0.05) compared with untreated group, but not in normal mice. Besides, high-dose groups of VOCCA and VOCCH exhibited more significant hypoglycemic activities (P < 0.01). After treated with VOCCH, the oral glucose tolerance of high-dose group of VOCCH was improved compared with model control group (P < 0.05)

The moisture absorption and retention abilities of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan

Different types of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosans (QCMCs) were prepared in this study. The moisture absorption abilities of each QCMCs were measured at 81% and 43% relative humidity (RH), and the moisture retention abilities were done at 81% RH, at 43% RH and in silica gel. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was used as control in each condition. Results showed that, both at 81% and 43% RH, each QCMCs had better properties both in moisture absorption and retention than HA. And in silica gel, the moisture retention ability of each QCMCs was better than or close to that of HA. Therefore, it is hopeful that certain of the QCMCs would replace HA as the moisture absorption and retention ingredient in cosmetics in the future. &copy;2009 IEEE

The Use of Conducting Polyaniline as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Hydrochloric Acid

Sulfonated chitosan (S-CTS) doped polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by &quot;template-free&quot; method successfully, and it is reported as corrosion inhibitor for the first time. The corrosion inhibition property of PANI was demonstrated for mild steel in acidic environment using weight loss test, Tafel polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and adsorption isotherm. The results revealed S-CTS doped PANI had excellent corrosion inhibition for mild steel in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid media and its inhibitive efficiency was more than 92.3% even with a low concentration of 40 mg/L

Effects of Inulin Propionate Ester on Obesity-Related Metabolic Syndrome and Intestinal Microbial Homeostasis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) plays an important role in improving obesity and related metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet. We used the prepared inulin propionate ester (IPE) as a system for the targeted release of propionate to the colon to elucidate the role of IPE in regulating obesity and metabolic syndrome, and intestinal microbial homeostasis, in diet-induced obese mice. With this strategy, IPE significantly increased the SCFA contents in the colon and resulted in significant body weight reduction, insulin resistance amelioration, and gastrointestinal hormone (glucagon-like peptide and peptide YY) secretion (P < 0.05). The IPE intervention reduced liver fatty accumulation, which improved obesity-related fatty liver disease (P < 0.05). IPE supplementation increased the richness and diversity of the microbial community and altered bacterial population at both the phylum and family level. Intestinal microbial results showed that the relative abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, which promote the production of inflammatory factors, was reduced. Our results demonstrate that IPE can be used as an effective strategy for delivering propionate to obese mice colon, which can ameliorate obesity and associated metabolic syndrome and modify intestinal microbial homeostasis

Extraction and Purification of Inulin from Jerusalem Artichoke with Response Surface Method and Ion Exchange Resins

Inulin is used as an important food ingredient, widely used for its fiber content. In this study the operational extraction variables to obtain higher yields of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, as well as the optimal conditions, were studied. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design were used for optimization of extraction steps. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction temperature 74 degrees C, extraction time 65 min, and ratio of liquid to solid 4 mL/g. Furthermore, series connection of ion-exchange resins were used to purify the extraction solution where the optimal resin combinations were D202 strongly alkaline anion resin, HD-8 strongly acidic cation resin, and D315 weakly alkaline resin while the decolorization rate and decreased salinity reached 99.76 and 93.68, respectively. Under these conditions, the yield of inulin was 85.4 +/- 0.5%

Synthesis and Characterization of Inulin Butyrate Ester, and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Effect on SCFA Production

The aim of this study is to develop a method for the synthesis of inulin butyrate ester (IBE) as a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) delivery carrier. Inulin is modified by butyric anhydride and the structure is characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared and(1)H NMR. On this basis, the synthetic conditions are optimized with response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the effects of three parameters (the ratio of anhydride to inulin, inulin concentration, and reaction temperature) on the degree of substitution (DS). Under the optimal conditions, the actual experimental DS is 2.59 +/- 0.14. The antioxidant activities of inulin and IBE are determined by superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. The results show that the butyrylation inulin increases antioxidant activities and indicate that IBE could be used as a potential antioxidant. In a 36 h in vitro fermentation experiment, IBE is shown to increase the total SCFA content and the butyrate ratio, which illustrates that IBE could be used as SCFA carrier for delivering high concentration of SCFA to the colon, and thus influencing intestinal health

Synthesis, Characterization of Inulin Propionate Ester, and Evaluation of its in Vitro Effect on SCFA Production

In this study, the authors developed a method for the synthesis of inulin propionate ester as dietary fiber carrier to increase the amounts of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The propionylated inulin showed an appreciable effect for increasing SCFA compared with control inulin. The structure characteristics of inulin propionate ester are established based on FT-IR, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR spectra. Meanwhile, response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the synthesis conditions and investigate the effect of three parameters on the degree of substitution (DS). The optimal conditions are as follows: the ratio of anhydride to inulin of 4.5:1, the concentration of 30%, the temperature of 40 degrees C. The results indicated that the ratio of anhydride to inulin and the concentration has a significant effect on DS. Under these conditions, the experimental DS was 2.86. In a 48h in vitro fermentation experiment, the results of propionylated inulin had a good potential for enhancing propionate ratio compared to control inulin. This experiment provides a novel carrier molecule whereby SCFA is chemically bound by an ester bond to inulin which would be beneficial for delivering high concentration of SCFA and influencing intestinal health

Total Glucosides of Paeony Alleviate Cell Apoptosis and Inflammation by Targeting the Long Noncoding RNA XIST/MicroRNA-124-3p/ITGB1 Axis in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Objective. Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI/RI) is the main cause of acute kidney injury. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) are a traditional Chinese medicine. This study was aimed at exploring the role of TGP in RI/RI and its underlying mechanism of action. Methods. Rat RI/RI models were constructed by surgical operation. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were used to evaluate renal function. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. RI/RI was simulated by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment in renal cells in vitro. The lncRNA XIST (XIST) expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Then, the viability and apoptosis of renal cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry assay. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the interactions among XIST, microRNA-124-3p (miR-124-3p), and ITGB1. Results. TGP improved renal function and inhibited inflammatory responses after RI/RI. XIST expression was highly expressed in rat RI/RI models and H/R-treated renal cells, whereas treatment with TGP downregulated the XIST expression. Additionally, TGP increased viability and attenuated apoptosis and inflammation of H/R-treated renal cells via inhibiting XIST. Moreover, XIST was competitively bound to miR-124-3p, and ITGB1 was a target of miR-124-3p. miR-124-3p overexpression or ITGB1 inhibition rescued the reduction effect on viability and mitigated the promoting effects on cell apoptosis and inflammation caused by XIST overexpression in H/R-treated renal cells. Conclusions. In vivo, TGP attenuated renal dysfunction and inflammation in RI/RI rats. In vitro, TGP inhibited XIST expression to modulate the miR-124-3p/ITGB1 axis, alleviating the apoptosis and inflammation of H/R-treated renal cells