ABSTRACT Objectives: The effects of weightlessness on the liver were studied using a tail suspension (TS) male mouse model. Methods: The effects of 0-, 2- and 4-week TS (CON, TS2 and TS4 groups) on glycogen and lipid content, as well as on the molecular processes of the synthesis and degradation pathways, were examined. Results: (1) The number of glycogenosomes under ultrastructure and the glycogen content were considerably larger in the TS4 group than in the other two groups. (2) In the TS4 group, glycogen synthase activity remained constant while glycogen phosphorylase activity dropped, indicating that glycogen breakdown was reduced. (3) The livers of the TS2 group had the highest lipid and triglyceride content, indicating lipid buildup in the liver at this time. (4) In the TS2 group, the activities of the fatty acid synthesis-related factors acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase increased, while hepatic lipase decreased, indicating that lipid synthesis increased, while decomposition decreased. (5) In the TS2 group, the protein expression of glucose transporters 1 and 2 increased. Conclusions: From TS2 weeks to TS4 weeks, the main energy consumption mode in the livers of mice transitioned from glucose metabolism to lipid metabolism as glucose use decreased. Level of evidence II; Comparative prospective study.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Se estudiaron los efectos de la antigravedad en el hígado utilizando un modelo de ratón macho en prueba de suspensión de la cola (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Se examinaron los efectos de la TS a las 0, 2 y 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 y TS4) sobre el contenido de glucógeno y lípidos, así como sobre los procesos moleculares de las vías de síntesis y degradación. Resultados: (1) El número de glucogenosomas ultraestructurales y el contenido de glucógeno fueron expresivamente más altos en el grupo TS4 que en los otros dos grupos. (2) En el grupo TS4, la actividad de la glucógeno sintasa se mantuvo constante, mientras que la actividad de la glucógeno fosforilasa disminuyó, lo que indica que la degradación del glucógeno se redujo. (3) Los hígados del grupo TS2 presentaron el mayor contenido de lípidos y triglicéridos, lo que indica la acumulación de lípidos en el hígado en ese momento. (4) En el grupo TS2, la actividad de los factores relacionados con la síntesis de ácidos grasos acetil-CoA carboxilasa y ácido graso sintasa aumentó, mientras que la lipasa hepática disminuyó, indicando que la síntesis de lípidos aumentó mientras que la descomposición disminuyó. (5) En el grupo TS2, la expresión proteica de los transportadores de glucosa 1 y 2 aumentó. Conclusiones: Desde la semana TS2 hasta la semana TS4, el principal modo de consumo de energía en el hígado de los ratones pasó del metabolismo de la glucosa al metabolismo de los lípidos a medida que disminuía el uso de la glucosa. Nivel de Evidencia II, Estudio retrospectivo comparativo.

RESUMO Objetivos: Os efeitos da antigravidade no fígado foram estudados usando um modelo de camundongo macho com a suspensão pela cauda (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Foram examinados os efeitos da TS em 0, 2 e 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 e TS4) sobre o conteúdo de glicogênio e lipídios, bem como nos processos moleculares das vias de síntese e degradação. Resultados: (1) O número de glicogenossomos ultraestruturais e o teor de glicogênio foram expressivamente maiores no grupo TS4 do que nos outros dois grupos. (2) No grupo TS4, a atividade de glicogênio sintase permaneceu constante, enquanto a atividade de glicogênio fosforilase caiu, indicando que a degradação do glicogênio foi reduzida. (3) Os fígados do grupo TS2 tiveram o maior teor lipídico e de triglicérides, indicando acúmulo de lipídios no fígado no momento. (4) No grupo TS2, a atividade dos fatores relacionados com a síntese de ácidos graxos acetil-CoA carboxilase e ácido graxo sintase aumentaram, enquanto a lipase hepática diminuiu, indicando que a síntese de lipídios aumentou, enquanto a decomposição diminuiu. (5) No grupo TS2, a expressão proteica dos transportadores de glicose 1 e 2 aumentou. Conclusões: De TS2 semanas para TS4 semanas, o principal modo de consumo de energia no fígado de camundongos passou do metabolismo da glicose para o metabolismo lipídico, à medida que o uso de glicose diminuiu. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seven stages (Lonicera caerulea berry juice, after enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar and acid adjustments, fermentation, deacidification, clarification and ageing) in the making of Lonicera caerulea berry wine on the anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity were studied. The total anthocyanin content was determined by the pH-differential method. The composition of anthocyanins was measured by HPLC-MS/MS. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing potential (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assays were used to measure the antioxidant activities. Eight anthocyanins namely, cyanidin-3-hexoside derivatives, cyanidin-3-acetylhexoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-rutinoside, peonidin-3,5-dihexoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3,5-dihexoside and pelargonidin-3-glucoside were detected in Lonicera caerulea berry wine and in all samples taken from each of the brewing processes. Addition of pectinase significantly increased the anthocyanin content by 69.04% and the peak areas of the individual anthocyanins increased, except for peonidin-3,5-dihexoside and peonidin-3-rutinoside. Although the anthocyanin content decreased throughout the entire process, each sample showed good antioxidant capacity.

Abstract The antibacterial activity of phillyrin on Escherichia coli ATCC8739 (E. coli ATCC8739), Bacillus subtilis BS08, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 (S. aureus ATCC6538) and Salmonella ATCC14028 was determined by filter paper method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the four tested bacteria was investigated by plate coating method to evaluate antibacterial ability. The antibacterial mechanism was further investigated by measuring growth curve, electric conductivity, nucleic acid content, Na+/K+-ATPase activity and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results indicated that phillyrin had antibacterial effects and the MICs against Escherichia coli ATCC8739, Bacillus subtilis BS08, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 and Salmonella ATCC14028 were 2.15, 3.16, 3.02 and 3.40 μg/mL respectively, and the antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 was more significant (p< 0.05) than that on other bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that phillyrin destroyed the morphology of the cells and the cells ruptured. The leakage of intracellular substances led to an increase in nucleic acid content and an increase in electric conductivity in the bacterial suspension; SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that phillyrin could inhibit protein synthesis; in addition, phillyrin could reduce Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Therefore, phillyrin had obvious antibacterial ability and inhibited the expression of bacterial proteins by destroying the cell membrane structure, resulting in the death of the cells.

Abstract Auriculaia auricula is considered as species of Mu Er in Chinese medicine and today are used interchangeably. A. auricula polysaccharides have been shown anti-cholesterol and anti-hyperglycemia. The aim of this research was to investigate the hypolipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of extracts from different molecular weight fragments of A. auricula fermentation supernatant (AAFS). A. auricula was through mixed fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bifidobacterium. The results shown that with the molecular weight of AAFS increases, the ability to lower blood lipids and blood glucose gradually increases. In the lowering blood lipids, the AAFS of above 300 kDa has the strongest sodium bovine cholate binding capacity and sodium taurocholate binding capacity. The AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the strongest sodium glycocholateas binding capacity. In the lowering blood glucose, the AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the strongest inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The AAFS of above 300 kDa has the highest index of the glucose dialysis retardation at 30min, and 60min. The AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the highest index of the glucose dialysis retardation at 90min. The study shows that the ability of hypolipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic of AAFS can change with molecular weight, and the contents of substance has changed.

Abstract Background: Melanoma is one of the major types of skin cancer. The metastatic melanoma is among the most lethal forms of malignant skin tumors. We hereby aimed to characterize a novel microRNA (miR) in the metastatic melanoma model. Methods: First, we evaluated the expression of miR-107 in melanoma cells and tumor tissues. The comparison between primary and metastatic cancer tissues was also accessed. Next, we examined the impact of miR-107 on melanoma cell proliferation, cell cycle, colony formation, apoptotic activity, migration and matrix invasion. A downstream target of miR-107 was also predicted and validated functionally in melanoma cells. Results: Our findings showed miR-107 was significantly downregulated in melanoma. Its expression was lowest in metastatic form. Over-expression of miR-107 reduced melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion. POU3F2 was identified as the downstream target of miR-107. Over-expression of POU3F2 antagonized miR-107-mediated inhibitory effect on melanoma cells. Conclusion: Our study has reported miR-107 as a novel tumor suppressive factor in the metastatic melanoma model. It has provided new avenue to manage melanoma and improve the survival rate in the advanced stage.