The role of methionine on metabolism, oxidative stress, and diseases

Metabolomics research on treatment of primary liver cancer with Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae on LC-MS/MS technology

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was applied to create the primary liver cancer (PLC) animal model. In the study, the normal group, model group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group, Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae (CJM) extract group, myricetin group and myricitrin group were divided. LC-MS/MS technology was applied to determine the metabolites of liver tissue samples from different locations (nodular and non-nodular parts of liver tissue) in each group of rats. Through metabolomics research, the connection and difference of anti-PLC induced by the CJM extract, myricetin and myricitrin was analyzed. The surface of the liver tissues of rats in the model group was rough, dimly colored, inelastic, on which there were scattered gray white cancer nodules and blood stasis points. The number of cancer nodules was significantly reduced, and the degree of cell malignancy was low, but there were some inflammatory cell infiltrations, necrosis area and karyokinesis in the CJM extract group, myricetin group, myricitrin group and CTX group. The result of metabolic research indicated that 45 potential biomarkers of the PLC were found, as gamma-aminoisobutyrate, taurochenodeoxycholate, xanthurenic acid, etc. There were 22 differential metabolites in the CTX group, 16 differential metabolites in the CJM extract group, 14 differential metabolites in the myricetin group, 14 differential metabolites in the myricitrin group.

Chemically programmed metabolism drives a superior cell fitness for cartilage regeneration

The rapid advancement of cell therapies underscores the importance of understanding fundamental cellular attributes. Among these, cell fitness-how transplanted cells adapt to new microenvironments and maintain functional stability in vivo-is crucial. This study identifies a chemical compound, FPH2, that enhances the fitness of human chondrocytes and the repair of articular cartilage, which is typically nonregenerative. Through drug screening, FPH2 was shown to broadly improve cell performance, especially in maintaining chondrocyte phenotype and enhancing migration. Single-cell transcriptomics indicated that FPH2 induced a super-fit cell state. The mechanism primarily involves the inhibition of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I and the optimization of metabolic homeostasis. In animal models, FPH2-treated human chondrocytes substantially improved cartilage regeneration, demonstrating well-integrated tissue interfaces in rats. In addition, an acellular FPH2-loaded hydrogel proved effective in preventing the onset of osteoarthritis. This research provides a viable and safe method to enhance chondrocyte fitness, offering insights into the self-regulatory mechanisms of cell fitness.

Exposure to an acute stress impaired the metabolic plasticity of resilient rats by enhancing fatty acid β-oxidation in the ventral hippocampus

The concept of resilience has changed over time and nowadays it refers to the positive adaptation to life adversities, rather than to the absence of a pathological response normally occurring in susceptible people. Based on our previous data showing that the exposure to the chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm differently affected bioenergetics in the ventral hippocampus of vulnerable and resilient animals, here we investigated whether resilience is a stable trait or if the energetic strategy set in motion to sustain resilience unveils a vulnerability feature in a more dynamic situation. To this aim, vulnerable and resilient rats after 6 weeks of CMS were subjected to a further acute, unfamiliar restraint stress (ARS) and metabolomic studies were conducted in the ventral hippocampus. We observed that exposure to a single novel challenge negatively affects the fuel utilization of resilient animals. Indeed, while they increase glycolysis to sustain the non-hedonic phenotype when exposed to CMS, they shift to fatty acid β-oxidation after ARS, as vulnerable animals following CMS, suggesting that the energy strategy that guarantees resilience is fragile and can be negatively modified by a different environmental condition. These results suggest that strengthening resilience to foster individuals to bounce back from stressful life events may represent a strategy to decrease vulnerability or prevent the risk of relapsing to a pathological state.

Nutritional Strategies to Alleviate Stress and Improve Welfare in Dairy Ruminants

Dairy ruminants provide a major part of the livestock and agriculture sectors. Due to the increase in world population and the subsequent increase in dairy product demands, the dairy sector has been intensified. Dairy farming intensification and the subsequent increase in animal nutritional demands and the increase in the average global temperature as well have subjected animals to various stress conditions that impact their health and welfare. Various management practices and nutritional strategies have been proposed and studied to alleviate these impacts, especially under heat stress, as well as during critical periods, like the transition period. Some of the nutritional interventions to cope with stress factors and ensure optimal health and production are the inclusion of functional fatty acids and amino acids and feed additives (minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, essential oils and herbs, phytobiotics, enzymes, etc.) that have been proven to regulate animals' metabolism and improve their antioxidant status and immune function. Thus, these nutritional strategies could be the key to ensuring optimum growth, milk production, and reproduction efficiency. This review summarizes and highlights key nutritional approaches to support the remarkable metabolic adaptations ruminants are facing during the transition period and to reduce heat stress effects and evaluate their beneficial effects on animal physiology, performance, health, as well as welfare.

Identification potential biomarkers for diagnosis, and progress of breast cancer by using high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

In this study, exhaled breath testing has been considered a promising method for the detection and monitoring of breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

A high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPPI-TOFMS) platform was used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath samples. Then, machine learning (ML) models were constructed on VOCs for the diagnosis of BC and its progression monitoring. Ultimately, 1981 women with useable breath samples were included in the study, of whom 937 (47.3 %) had been diagnosed with BC. VOC panels were used for ML model construction for BC detection and progression monitoring.

RESULTS

On the blinded testing cohort, this VOC-based model successfully differentiated patients with and without BC with sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) values of 85.9 %, 90.4 %, and 0.946. The corresponding AUC values when differentiating between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (LNM) or between patients with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage 0/I/II or III/IV disease were 0.840 and 0.708, respectively. While developed VOC-based models exhibited poor performance when attempting to differentiate between patients based on pathological patterns (Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) vs Invasive BC (IBC)) or molecular subtypes (Luminal vs Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+) vs Triple-negative BC (TNBC)) of BC.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the HPPI-TOFMS-based breathomics approaches may offer value for the detection and progression monitoring of BC. Additional research is necessary to explore the fundamental mechanisms of the identified VOCs.

Investigation of parenteral nutrition-induced hepatotoxicity using human liver spheroid co-cultures

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is typically administered to individuals with gastrointestinal dysfunction, a contraindication for enteral feeding, and a need for nutritional therapy. When PN is the only energy source in patients, it is defined as total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN is a life-saving approach for different patient populations, both in infants and adults. However, despite numerous benefits, TPN can cause adverse effects, including metabolic disorders and liver injury. TPN-associated liver injury, known as intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), represents a significant problem affecting up to 90% of individuals receiving TPN. IFALD pathogenesis is complex, depending on the TPN components as well as on the patient's medical conditions. Despite numerous animal studies and clinical observations, the molecular mechanisms driving IFALD remain largely unknown. The present study was set up to elucidate the mechanisms underlying IFALD. For this purpose, human liver spheroid co-cultures were treated with a TPN mixture, followed by RNA sequencing analysis. Subsequently, following exposure to TPN and its single nutritional components, several key events of liver injury, including mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and lipid accumulation (steatosis), were studied using various techniques. It was found that prolonged exposure to TPN substantially changes the transcriptome profile of liver spheroids and affects multiple metabolic and signaling pathways contributing to liver injury. Moreover, TPN and its main components, especially lipid emulsion, induce changes in all key events measured and trigger steatosis.

Microbiome-Stealth Regulator of Breast Homeostasis and Cancer Metastasis

Cumulative evidence attests to the essential roles of commensal microbes in the physiology of hosts. Although the microbiome has been a major research subject since the time of Luis Pasteur and William Russell over 140 years ago, recent findings that certain intracellular bacteria contribute to the pathophysiology of healthy vs. diseased tissues have brought the field of the microbiome to a new era of investigation. Particularly, in the field of breast cancer research, breast-tumor-resident bacteria are now deemed to be essential players in tumor initiation and progression. This is a resurrection of Russel's bacterial cause of cancer theory, which was in fact abandoned over 100 years ago. This review will introduce some of the recent findings that exemplify the roles of breast-tumor-resident microbes in breast carcinogenesis and metastasis and provide mechanistic explanations for these phenomena. Such information would be able to justify the utility of breast-tumor-resident microbes as biomarkers for disease progression and therapeutic targets.

Cervical mucus can be used for metabolite screening in cervical cancer

Approximately 660,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually. Current screening options such as cytology or human papillomavirus testing have limitations, creating a need to identify more effective ancillary biomarkers for triage. Here, we evaluated whether metabolomic analysis of cervical mucus metabolism could be used to identify biomarkers of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. The case-control group consisted of 181 CIN, 69 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients, and 48 healthy controls in the primary cohort. We undertook metabolomic analyses using ultra-HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to profile metabolite characteristics, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified biomarker candidates. Five metabolites conferred the highest discriminatory power for SCC: oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (area under the ROC curve, 0.924; 95% confidence interval, 0.877-0.971), malic acid (0.914, 0.859-0.968), kynurenine (0.884, 0.823-0.945), GSSG/glutathione (GSH) (0.936, 0.892-0.979), and kynurenine/tryptophan (0.909, 0.856-0.961). Malic acid was the best marker for detection of CIN2 or worse (0.858, 0.793-0.922) and was a clinically useful metabolite. We confirmed the reproducibility of the results by validation cohort. Additionally, metabolomic analyses revealed eight pathways strongly associated with cervical neoplasia. Of these, only the tricarboxylic acid cycle was strongly associated with all CINs and cancer, indicating active energy production. Aberrant arginine metabolism by decreasing arginine and increasing citrulline might reduce tumor immunity. Changes in cysteine-methionine and GSH pathways might drive the initiation and progression of cervical cancer. These results suggest that metabolic analysis can identify ancillary biomarkers and could improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cervical neoplasia.

Immunomodulatory effect of tibetan medicine compound extracts against ORFV in vitro by metabolomics

Ovine contagious pustular dermatitis (ORF) is one of the main diseases of sheep and is a zoonotic disease caused by Ovine contagious pustular dermatitis virus (ORFV) infection, posing a significant constraint on sheep breeding industry and human health. The Tibetan medical formulation composed of Polygonum leucoides, Polygonum xanthoxylum and Acanthophora rotunda significantly regulated lymphocyte immune function following ORFV stimulation, although the mechanism remains unclear. In order to study the immunomodulatory effects and mechanism of three Tibetan medicinal extracts (Polygonum leucoides, Polygonum xanthoxylum, and Acanthophora rotunda) against ORFV in vitro, sheep peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated in vitro and treated with different concentrations of Tibetan medicine compound extract solution after ORFV infection. The cytokine expression levels in lymphocytes were measured at 4 h, 8 h and 12 h. Additionally endogenous metabolites in lymphocytes at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h and 12 h were quantified by untargeted metabolomics method. The results showed that, the extracts could regulate the lymphocyte immune factors altered by ORFV, and regulate the lymphocyte immune function through cysteine and methionine metabolic pathways as well as the pyrimidine metabolic pathways, potentially alleviating the immune evasion induced by ORFV.

Chlamydia trachomatis L2 434/Bu readily activates glycolysis under hypoxia for efficient metabolism

To understand why Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) (L2/434/Bu) favors hypoxia, we examined the dynamics of infected cells using a glycolysis-related PCR array and metabolomic analysis, along with the perturbation of nucleotide synthesis. Our findings revealed that, compared to normoxia, hypoxia with infection significantly and selectively upregulates the expression of genes related to glycolysis, glycogen degradation, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Furthermore, hypoxia induced a significant decrease in metabolite levels, particularly methionine-related metabolites, independent of infection, indicating efficient metabolism under hypoxia. Additionally, the perturbation of nucleotide synthesis with adenosine derivatives impaired Ct growth. Collectively, our results suggest that Ct favors a hypoxic environment with efficient metabolism, in which Ct readily activates glycolysis responsible for stable nucleotide synthesis as well as ATP supply.

Residual effect of commonly used fungicides in strawberries on Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus cucumeris, and Neoseiulus californicus (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae)

Florida's strawberry industry is currently valued at $511 million annually but faces challenges from pathogens and arthropod pests especially Tetranychus urticae Koch (twospotted spider mite) and Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (chilli thrips). Predatory mites, particularly Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor, and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, play a crucial role in pest management. However, there are concerns regarding how these biological control agents are affected by fungicides used in current pathogen management strategies. This study assessed the residual effects of commonly used fungicides in strawberries on the survival, feeding, and oviposition of these predatory mites. Commercially sourced predatory mites were reared on S. dorsalis larvae, and gravid female predators placed on fungicide treated strawberry leaf discs in a Munger cell for 120 h. Fungicides tested included two formulations of Captan, hydrogen peroxide + peroxyacetic acid, cyprodinil + fludioxonil, tetramethylthiuram disulfide, cyflufenamid and a control. All fungicides tested had an impact on the survival, feeding, and oviposition of the predators. Among the fungicide treatments, the lowest predator survival was observed in the cyprodinil + fludioxonil treatment, while the highest was observed in the hydrogen peroxide + peroxyacetic acid and tetramethylthiuram disulfide treatments. In all treatments, feeding and oviposition greatly varied among predators; specifically, N. cucumeris and A. swirskii had the lowest prey consumption, while N. californicus had the highest. These findings highlight the potential incompatibility between fungicides and predatory mites and demonstrate the need for the development of a fungicide rotation program tailored to the different susceptibilities of predators to fungicides.

Enhanced protection for interfacial lipid ozonolysis by sulfur-containing amino acids

Sulfur-containing amino acids have been proposed as drugs for lipid oxidation associated with diseases for a long time, but the molecular-level mechanism on the effectiveness of sulfur-containing amino acids against lipid oxidation remains elusive. In this work, with the interfacial sensitivity mass spectrometry method, oxidation of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG), a widely used model lipid, was significantly inhibited on hung droplet surface in presence of sulfur-containing amino acids, such as cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met). Both the Cys and Met showed a self-sacrificing protection. The amino acids with -S-R tails (R referring to methyl or t-butyl group) showed more effective against POPG oxidation than those with -SH tails, and this process was not related to the conformations of amino acids. The low effectiveness of Cys during the interfacial chemistry was proved to arise from the formation of disulfide bond. This study extends the current understanding of chemistry of sulfur-containing amino acids and provides insights to aid the sulfur-containing amino acids against cell oxidation.

Effects of L-Methionine and DL-Methionine on Growth Performance, Methionine-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities, Feather Traits, and Intestinal Morphology of Medium-Growing, Yellow-Feathered Chickens between 1 and 30 Days of Age

This experiment investigated the effects of L-Methionine (L-Met) on growth performance, Met-metabolizing enzyme activity, feather traits, and small intestinal morphological characteristics, and compared these with DL-Methionine (DL-Met) for medium-growing, yellow-feathered broilers during the starter phase. Furthermore, the aim was to provide recommendations for the appropriate dietary Met levels in feed. A total of 1584 1-d broilers were randomly divided into 11 treatment groups with six replicates of 24 birds each: basal diet (CON, Met 0.28%), basal diet + L-Met (0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%), and basal diet + DL-Met (0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%). The total trial period was 30 days. Compared with broilers fed the basal diet, those fed 0.04 to 0.20% supplemental Met had higher final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and lower feed-to-gain ratio (F: G) (p < 0.05). Compared with DL-Met groups, the L-Met group had higher FBW and ADG (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability (RBV) of L-Met in ADG of 1-30 d was 142.5%. Chicks fed diets supplemented with L-Met had longer fourth primary feather lengths compared to birds fed the control and diets supplemented with DL-Met (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, birds supplemented with DL-Met or L-Met had an increased moulting score (p ≤ 0.05). Chicks fed diets supplemented with L-Met had lower activities of methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT) compared to those fed the basal diet or supplemented with DL-Met (p < 0.05). Chicks supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had higher activities of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) than those fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, chicks fed diets supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had an enhanced level of albumin in plasma (p < 0.05). There were no obvious differences in the plasma content of uric acid and total protein among the treatments (p > 0.05). Chicks fed diets supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had higher villus height and V/C in the duodenal than chicks fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). The jejunum morphology was not affected by either L-Met or DL-Met supplementation (p > 0.05). Therefore, dietary supplementation with DL-Met or L-Met improved the growth performance, feather traits, and intestinal morphological characteristics of medium-growing, yellow-feathered broiler chickens aged 1 to 30 d by decreasing the enzyme activities of Met methylation (MAT) and increasing the enzyme activities of the sulfur transfer pathway (CBS), and supplementation with L-Met showed a better improvement compared with DL-Met. The relative efficacy of L-Met to DL-Met was 142.5% for ADG of yellow-feathered broilers. The appropriate Met levels for medium-growing, yellow-feathered broilers are between 0.36~0.38% (supplementation with DL-Met) or 0.32~0.33% (supplementation with L-Met) when based on ADG and feed-to-gain ratio.

Alterations in metabolome and lipidome in patients with in-stent restenosis

CONTEXT

In-stent restenosis (ISR) can lead to blood flow obstruction, insufficient blood supply to the brain, and may even result in serious complications such as stroke. Endothelial cell hyperproliferation and thrombosis are the primary etiologies, frequently resulting in alterations in intravascular metabolism. However, the metabolic changes related to this process are still undermined.

OBJECTIVE

We tried to characterize the serum metabolome of patients with ISR and those with non-restenosis (NR) using metabolomics and lipidomics, exploring the key metabolic pathways of this pathological phenomenon.

RESULTS

We observed that the cysteine and methionine pathways, which are associated with cell growth and oxidative homeostasis, showed the greatest increase in the ISR group compared to the NR group. Within this pathway, the levels of N-formyl-l-methionine and L-methionine significantly increased in the ISR group, along with elevated levels of downstream metabolites such as 2-ketobutyric acid, pyruvate, and taurocholate. Additionally, an increase in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS), as well as a decrease in triacylglycerol in the ISR group, indicated active lipid metabolism in these patients, which could be a significant factor contributing to the recurrence of blood clots after stent placement. Importantly, phenol sulfate and PS(38:4) were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing ISR, with an area under the curve of more than 0.85.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed significant metabolic alterations in patients with ISR, particularly in the cysteine and methionine pathways, with phenol sulfate and PS(38:4) showing promise for ISR identification.

PHGDH: a novel therapeutic target in cancer

Serine is a key contributor to the generation of one-carbon units for DNA synthesis during cellular proliferation. In addition, it plays a crucial role in the production of antioxidants that prevent abnormal proliferation and stress in cancer cells. In recent studies, the relationship between cancer metabolism and the serine biosynthesis pathway has been highlighted. In this context, 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is notable as a key enzyme that functions as the primary rate-limiting enzyme in the serine biosynthesis pathway, facilitating the conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate to 3-phosphohydroxypyruvate. Elevated PHGDH activity in diverse cancer cells is mediated through genetic amplification, posttranslational modification, increased transcription, and allosteric regulation. Ultimately, these characteristics allow PHGDH to not only influence the growth and progression of cancer but also play an important role in metastasis and drug resistance. Consequently, PHGDH has emerged as a crucial focal point in cancer research. In this review, the structural aspects of PHGDH and its involvement in one-carbon metabolism are investigated, and PHGDH is proposed as a potential therapeutic target in diverse cancers. By elucidating how PHGDH expression promotes cancer growth, the goal of this review is to provide insight into innovative treatment strategies. This paper aims to reveal how PHGDH inhibitors can overcome resistance mechanisms, contributing to the development of effective cancer treatments.

Biodegradation of ochratoxin A by Brevundimonas diminuta HAU429: Characterized performance, toxicity evaluation and functional enzymes

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a notorious mycotoxin commonly contaminating food products worldwide. In this study, an OTA-degrading strain Brevundimonas diminuta HAU429 was isolated by using hippuryl-L-phenylalanine as the sole carbon source. The biodegradation of OTA by strain HAU429 was a synergistic effect of intracellular and extracellular enzymes, which transformed OTA into ochratoxin α (OTα) through peptide bond cleavage. Cytotoxicity tests and cell metabolomics confirmed that the transformation of OTA into OTα resulted in the detoxification of its hepatotoxicity since OTA but not OTα disturbed redox homeostasis and induced oxidative damage to hepatocytes. Genome mining identified nine OTA hydrolase candidates in strain HAU429. They were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and three novel amidohydrolase BT6, BT7 and BT9 were found to display OTA-hydrolyzing activity. BT6, BT7 and BT9 showed less than 45 % sequence identity with previously identified OTA-degrading amidohydrolases. BT6 and BT7 shared 60.9 % amino acid sequence identity, and exhibited much higher activity towards OTA than BT9. BT6 and BT7 could completely degrade 1 μg mL-1 of OTA within 1 h and 50 min, while BT9 hydrolyzed 100 % of OTA in the reaction mixture by 12 h. BT6 was the most thermostable retaining 38 % of activity after incubation at 70 °C for 10 min, while BT7 displayed the highest tolerance to ethanal remaining 76 % of activity in the presence of 6 % ethanol. This study could provide new insights towards microbial OTA degradation and promote the development of enzyme-catalyzed OTA detoxification during food processing.

Cadmium exposure induces changes in gut microbial composition and metabolic function in long-tailed dwarf hamsters, Cricetulus longicaudatus

Numerous studies have demonstrated that exposure to cadmium disrupts the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in damage to organ tissue. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the broader ecological reality associated with this phenomenon. In this study, we conducted a thorough evaluation of the effects of different concentrations of Cd (6, 12, 24, and 48 mg/L) over a period of 35 consecutive days on the organ viscera and the gut microbiota of long-tailed dwarf hamsters, Cricetulus longicaudatus (Rodentia: Cricetidae), using histopathological analysis, 16S rDNA, and metagenome sequencing. Our findings revealed that the results suggest that Cd exposure induced liver, spleen, and kidney damage, potentially leading to increased intestinal permeability and inflammation. These alterations were accompanied by significant perturbations in the gut microbiota composition, particularly affecting potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Prevotella and Treponema within the gut ecosystem. Consequently, host susceptibility to underlying diseases was heightened due to these changes. Notably though, Cd exposure did not significantly impact the overall structure of the gut microbiota itself. Additionally, Cd exposure induced significant changes in the metabolic functions, with the pathways related to disease and environmental information processing notably enhanced, possibly indicating stronger innate defense mechanisms against external injuries among wild mammals exposed to Cd. This study offers a novel approach to comprehensively evaluate the significant impact of Cd pollution on ecosystems by investigating both structural and functional alterations in the digestive system, as well as disruptions in intestinal flora among wild mammals.

Dietary Curcumin Intake and Its Effects on the Transcriptome and Metabolome of Drosophila melanogaster

Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, used as a dietary spice, has garnered attention for its therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Despite its known benefits, the precise mechanisms underlying curcumin's effects on consumers remain unclear. To address this gap, we employed the genetic model Drosophila melanogaster and leveraged two omics tools-transcriptomics and metabolomics. Our investigation revealed alterations in 1043 genes and 73 metabolites upon supplementing curcumin into the diet. Notably, we observed genetic modulation in pathways related to antioxidants, carbohydrates, and lipids, as well as genes associated with gustatory perception and reproductive processes. Metabolites implicated in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and biomarkers linked to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and aging were also identified. The study highlighted a strong correlation between the curcumin diet, antioxidant mechanisms, and amino acid metabolism. Conversely, a lower correlation was observed between carbohydrate metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis. This research highlights the impact of curcumin on the diet, influencing perception, fertility, and molecular wellness. Furthermore, it directs future studies toward a more focused exploration of the specific effects of curcumin consumption.

Distinct metabolomic and lipidomic profiles in serum samples of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Intoduction

Identification of specific metabolome and lipidome profile of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is crucial for diagnosis, targeted personalized therapy, and more accurate risk stratification.

Methods

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed an altered metabolome and lipidome of 33 patients with PSC [24 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 9 patients without IBD] compared with 40 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls (HC) as well as 64 patients with IBD and other extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) but without PSC.

Results

In particular, higher concentrations of pyruvic acid and several lipoprotein subfractions were measured in PSC in comparison to HC. Of clinical relevance, a specific amino acid and lipid profile was determined in PSC compared with IBD and other EIM.

Discussion

These results have the potential to improve diagnosis by differentiating PSC patients from HC and those with IBD and EIM.

Comprehensive analysis of histophysiology, transcriptome and metabolome tolerance mechanisms in black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) under low temperature stress

Low temperature stress has adverse effects on fish growth and reproduction, causing huge economic losses to the aquaculture industry. Especially, black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) farming industry in north of Yangtze River has been severely affected by low temperature for a long time. To explore the tolerance mechanism of black porgy to low temperature stress, the experiment was designed. The liver and gill tissues of black porgy were taken from the water temperature point of 15 °C (control group named as CG), 3.8 °C (cold sensitive group named as CS) and 2.8 °C (cold tolerant group named as CT) with a cooling rate of 3 °C/d from 15 °C for histophysiology, transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. After cold stress, the histological results showed that the nucleus of the black porgy liver tissue appeared swelling, the cell arrangement was disordered; meanwhile the gill lamellae were twisted and broken, the epidermis was detached and aneurysm appeared. In addition, the expression of antioxidant, glucose metabolism and immune-related enzymes in the liver and gill of black porgy also changed significantly after low temperature stress. By analyzing the transcriptome and metabolome dates of black porgy liver, 3474 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 689 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) involved in low temperature stress were identified, respectively. The results of the transcriptome and metabolome combined analysis showed that individuals in the CS group mainly supplied energy to the body through lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, and meanwhile the apoptosis pathway was activated. While, individuals in the CT group mainly through glucose metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis to supply energy for the body. The validation results of qPCR on eight functional genes further demonstrated the reliability of RNA-Seq data. In summary, the results provide molecular information about adaptation to climate change and genetic selection of black porgy.

Association between human blood metabolites and cerebral cortex architecture: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Dysregulation of circulating metabolites may affect brain function and cognition, associated with alterations in the cerebral cortex architecture. However, the exact cause remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the causal effect of circulating metabolites on the cerebral cortex architecture.

Methods

This study utilized retrieved data from genome-wide association studies to investigate the relationship between blood metabolites and cortical architecture. A total of 1,091 metabolites and 309 metabolite ratios were used for exposure. The brain cortex surface area and cortex thickness were selected as the primary outcomes in this study. In this study, the inverse variance weighting method was used as the main analytical method, complemented by sensitivity analyses that were more robust to pleiotropy. Furthermore, metabolic pathway analysis was performed via MetaboAnalyst 6.0. Finally, reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to assess the potential for reverse causation.

Results

After correcting for the false discovery rate (FDR), we identified 37 metabolites and 9 metabolite ratios that showed significant causal associations with cortical structures. Among these, Oxalate was found to be most strongly associated with cortical surface area (β: 2387.532, 95% CI 756.570-4018.495, p = 0.037), while Tyrosine was most correlated with cortical thickness (β: -0.015, 95% CI -0.005 to -0.025, p = 0.025). Furthermore, pathway analysis based on metabolites identified six significant metabolic pathways associated with cortical structures and 13 significant metabolic pathways based on metabolite ratios.

Conclusion

The identified metabolites and relevant metabolic pathways reveal potential therapeutic pathways for reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. These findings will help guide health policies and clinical practice in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

APIP regulated by YAP propels methionine cycle and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays a vital role in tumor progression and metabolic regulation. However, the involvement of YAP in metabolic reprogramming of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. Using RNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we observed that YAP increased the levels of the main metabolites and enzymes involved in methionine metabolism. APIP, an enzyme involved in the methionine salvage pathway, was transcriptionally activated by YAP. Further experiments showed that APIP promotes HNSCC cells migration and invasion in vitro and tumor metastasis in adjacent lymph nodes and distant organs in vivo. APIP also increases the levels of metabolites in the methionine cycle. We further found that methionine reversed the inhibition of HNSCC migration and invasion by APIP knockdown. In vivo experiments demonstrated that methionine addition promoted tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, the methionine cycle phosphorylated and inactivated GSK3β, then induced the epithelial mesenchymal transition pathway. Increased APIP expression was detected in patients with HNSCC, especially in tumors with lymph node metastasis. Metabolites of methionine cycle were also elevated in HNSCC patients. Our findings revealed that APIP, a novel target of YAP, promotes the methionine cycle and HNSCC metastasis through GSK3β phosphorylation.

Differential responses of rumen and fecal fermentation and microbiota of Liaoning cashmere goats after 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester supplementation

The 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi), a rumen protective methionine, has been extensively studied in dairy cows and beef cattle and has been shown to regulate gastrointestinal microbiota and improve production performance. However, knowledge of the application of HMBi on cashmere goats and the simultaneous study of rumen and hindgut microbiota is still limited. In this study, HMBi supplementation increased the concentration of total serum protein, the production of microbial protein in the rumen and feces, as well as butyrate production in the feces. The results of PCoA and PERMANOVA showed no significant difference between the rumen microbiota, but there was a dramatic difference between the fecal microbiota of the two groups of Cashmere goats after the HMBi supplementation. Specifically, in the rumen, HMBi significantly increased the relative abundance of some fiber-degrading bacteria (such as Fibrobacter) compared with the CON group. In the feces, as well as a similar effect as in the rumen (increasing the relative abundance of some fiber-degrading bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group and ASV32), HMBi diets also increased the proliferation of butyrate-producing bacteria (including Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 and Christensenellaceae R-7 group). Overall, these results demonstrated that HMBi could regulate the rumen and fecal microbial composition of Liaoning cashmere goats and benefit the host.

The Impact of Essential Amino Acids on the Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

The research involving the beneficial aspects of amino acids being added to poultry feed pertaining to performance, growth, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio is extensive. Yet currently the effects of amino acids on the gut microbiota aren't fully understood nor have there been many studies executed in poultry to explain the relationship between amino acids and the gut microbiota. The overall outcome of health has been linked to bird gut health due to the functionality of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) for digestion/absorption of nutrients as well as immune response. These essential functions of the GI are greatly driven by the resident microbiota which produce metabolites such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate, providing the microbiota a suitable and thrive driven environment. Feed, age, the use of feed additives and pathogenic infections are the main factors that have an effect on the microbial community within the GIT. Changes in these factors may have potential effects on the gut microbiota in the chicken intestine which in turn may have an influence on health essentially affecting growth, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. This review will highlight limited research studies that investigated the possible role of amino acids in the gut microbiota composition of poultry.

Analysis of Free Amino Acid Composition and Honey Plant Species in Seven Honey Species in China

Honey is well-known as a food product that is rich in active ingredients and is very popular among consumers. Free amino acids (FAAs) are one of the important nutritional components of honey, which can be used not only as a nutritional indicator of honey but also as an indicator of plant source identification. In this study, the contents of 20 FAAs in seven types of honey from 11 provinces in China were examined for the first time. The 20 FAAs were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). By analyzing 93 honey samples from seven types of honey, the FAAs were found to range from 394.4 mg/kg (linden honey) to 1771.7 mg/kg (chaste honey). Proline ranged from 274.55 to 572.48 mg/kg, and methionine was only present in some of the linden honey, chaste honey, acacia honey, and rape honey. Evaluated by amino acid principal component analysis, multifloral grassland honey had the highest overall evaluation score, acacia and jujube honey were the most similar, while chaste honey was the least similar to the other types of honey. In addition, DNA was extracted from 174 Xinjiang grassland honey samples and different plant leaves for PCR and sequencing to identify the species of nectar plants. As a result, 12 families and 25 species of honey plants were identified. The results confirmed the diversity of FAAs in dissimilar types and sources of honey. This study provides a reference for expanding honey quality standards and verifying the authenticity of honey.

Ethnomedical uses, biocompounds and biological properties of Cereus Jamacaru DC. (Cactaceae): a comprehensive review

Cereus jamacaru, popularly known as mandacaru, is a Cacactacea native to the Caatinga of Brazil, but it is distributed in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. This plant is used for various purposes, such as food, animal fodder, civil construction, and as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Traditional medicine uses the cladodes, roots, and seeds of C. jamacaru to treat various diseases. This review discusses the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical composition, and biological properties of C. jamacaru. The data demonstrate that C. jamacaru produces a wide range of secondary metabolites involved in the defense mechanism against biotic agents and abiotic stresses. Carbohydrate polymers, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and bioactive nitrogen compounds, have been identified and linked to this plant's biological properties. The present review will support future scientific research in identifying new bioproducts and demonstrating the potential of C. jamacaru as a food and medicinal plant.

Engineering of methionine sulfoxide reductase A with simultaneously improved stability and activity for kinetic resolution of chiral sulfoxides

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) has emerged as promising biocatalysts in the enantioselective kinetic resolution of racemic (rac) sulfoxides. In this study, we engineered robust MsrA variants through directed evolution, demonstrating substantial improvements of thermostability. Mechanism analysis reveals that the enhanced thermostability results from the strengthening of intracellular interactions and increase in molecular compactness. Moreover, these variants demonstrated concurrent improvements in catalytic activities, and notably, these enhancements in stability and activity collectively contributed to a significant improvement in enzyme substrate tolerance. We achieved kinetic resolution on a series of rac-sulfoxides with high enantioselectivity under initial substrate concentrations reaching up to 93.0 g/L, representing a great improvement in the aspect of the substrate concentration for biocatalytic preparation of chiral sulfoxide. Hence, the simultaneously improved thermostability, activity and substrate tolerance of MsrA represent an excellent biocatalyst for the green synthesis of optically pure sulfoxides.

Metabolomics and lipidomics in non-small cell lung cancer

Due to its insidious nature, lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify sensitive/specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring. The current study was designed to provide a current metabolic profile of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by systematically reviewing and summarizing various metabolomic/ lipidomic studies based on NSCLC blood samples, attempting to find biomarkers in human blood that can predict or diagnose NSCLC, and investigating the involvement of key metabolites in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. We searched all articles on lung cancer published in Elsevier, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library between January 2012 and December 2022. After critical selection, a total of 31 studies (including 2768 NSCLC patients and 9873 healthy individuals) met the inclusion criteria, and 22 were classified as "high quality". Forty-six metabolites related to NSCLC were repeatedly identified, involving glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism. Pyruvic acid, carnitine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, kynurenine and 3-hydroxybutyrate showed upward trends in all studies, citric acid, glycine, threonine, cystine, alanine, histidine, inosine, betaine and arachidic acid showed downward trends in all studies. This review summarizes the existing metabolomic/lipidomic studies related to the identification of blood biomarkers in NSCLC, examines the role of key metabolites in the pathogenesis of NSCLC, and provides an important reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC. Due to the limited size and design heterogeneity of the existing studies, there is an urgent need for standardization of future studies, while validating existing findings with more studies.

A Novel Ultrafiltrate Extract of Propolis Exerts Anti-inflammatory Activity through Metabolic Rewiring

Thousands of years ago, humans started to use propolis because of its medicinal properties, and modern science has successfully identified several bioactive molecules within this resinous bee product. However, a natural propolis extract which has been removed the adhesive glue and preserved propolis bioactive compounds is urgently needed to maximise the therapeutic opportunities. In this study, a novel ultrafiltrate fraction from Brazilian green propolis, termed P30K, was demonstrated with anti-inflammatory properties, both in vitro and in vivo. Total flavonoids and total phenolic acids content in P30K were 244.6 mg/g and 275.8 mg/g respectively, while the IC50 value of inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was 8.30 μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity of P30K was furtherly corroborated in experimental models of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute liver and lung injury. Mechanistically, integrated GC-MS and LC-MS based serum metabolomics analysis revealed that P30K modulated citrate cycle (TCA), pyruvate, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism pathways to inhibit secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results of network pharmacology and molecular docking suggested that P30K targeted catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMT), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD11B1), and monoamine oxidases (MAOA and MAOB) to promote cellular metabolomic rewiring. Collectively, our work reveals P30K as an efficient therapeutic agent against inflammatory conditions and its efficacy is related to metabolic rewiring.

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on the growth performance, immune responses, antioxidant capacity, and subsequent development of layer chicks

Deficiencies or excesses of dietary amino acids, and especially of methionine (Met), in laying hens can lead to abnormal protein anabolism and oxidative stress, which affect methylation and cause cellular dysfunction. This study investigated the effects of dietary methionine (Met) levels on growth performance, metabolism, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and the subsequent development of laying hens. A total of 384 healthy 1-day-old Hyline Grey chicks of similar body weight were randomly allocated to be fed diets containing 0.31%, 0.38%, 0.43% (control group), or 0.54% Met for 6 wk, with 6 replicates of 16 chicks in each. The growth performance of the chicks was then followed until 20 wk old. The results showed dietary supplementation with 0.43% or 0.54% Met significantly increased their mean daily body weight gain, final weight, and Met intake. However, the feed:gain (F/G) decreased linearly with increasing Met supplementation, from 0.31 to 0.54% Met. Met supplementation increased the serum albumin, IgM, and total glutathione concentrations of 14-day-old chicks. In contrast, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity and hydroxyl radical concentration tended to decrease with increasing Met supplementation. In addition, the highest serum concentrations of IL-10, T-SOD, and GSH-PX were in the 0.54% Met-fed group. At 42 d of age, the serum ALB, IL-10, T-SOD, GSH-PX, T-AOC, and T-GSH were correlated with dietary Met levels. Finally, Met supplementation reduced the serum concentrations of ALP, IL-1β, IgA, IgG, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. Thus, the inclusion of 0.43% or 0.54% Met in the diet helps chicks achieve superior performance during the brooding period and subsequently. In conclusion, Met doses of 0.43 to 0.54% could enhance the growth performance, protein utilization efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and immune responses of layer chicks, and to promote more desirable subsequent development during the brooding period.

Amino acids in piglet diarrhea: Effects, mechanisms and insights

Piglet diarrhea is among one of the most serious health problems faced by the pig industry, resulting in significant economic losses. Diarrheal disease in piglets has a multifactorial etiology that is affected by physiology, environment, and management strategy. Diarrhea is the most apparent symptom of intestinal dysfunction. As a key class of essential nutrients in the piglet diet, amino acids confer a variety of beneficial effects on piglets in addition to being used as a substrate for protein synthesis, including maintaining appropriate intestinal integrity, permeability and epithelial renewal, and alleviating morphological damage and inflammatory and oxidative stress. Thus, provision of appropriate levels of amino acids could alleviate piglet diarrhea. Most amino acid effects are mediated by metabolites, gut microbes, and related signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of dietary amino acid effects on gut health and diarrhea incidence in piglets, and reveal the mechanisms involved. We also provide ideas for using amino acid blends and emphasize the importance of amino acid balance in the diet to prevent diarrhea in piglets.

Epigenetic Genome Modifications during Pregnancy: The Impact of Essential Nutritional Supplements on DNA Methylation

Pregnancy is an extremely stressful period in a pregnant woman's life. Currently, women's awareness of the proper course of pregnancy and its possible complications is constantly growing. Therefore, a significant percentage of women increasingly reach for various dietary supplements during gestation. Some of the most popular substances included in multi-ingredient supplements are folic acid and choline. Those substances are associated with positive effects on fetal intrauterine development and fewer possible pregnancy-associated complications. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the impacts of specific environmental factors, such as diet, stress, physical activity, etc., on epigenetic modifications, understood as changes occurring in gene expression without the direct alteration of DNA sequences. Substances such as folic acid and choline may participate in epigenetic modifications by acting via a one-carbon cycle, leading to the methyl-group donor formation. Those nutrients may indirectly impact genome phenotype by influencing the process of DNA methylation. This review article presents the current state of knowledge on the use of folic acid and choline supplementation during pregnancy, taking into account their impacts on the maternal-fetal unit and possible pregnancy outcomes, and determining possible mechanisms of action, with particular emphasis on their possible impacts on epigenetic modifications.

Mannose and glycine: Metabolites with potentially causal implications in chronic kidney disease pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a global health challenge, with its etiology and underlying mechanisms yet to be fully elucidated. Integrating genomics with metabolomics can offer insights into the putatively causal relationships between serum metabolites and CKD.

METHODS

Utilizing bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR), we assessed the putatively causal associations between 486 serum metabolites and CKD. Genetic data for these metabolites were sourced from comprehensive genome-wide association studies, and CKD data were obtained from the CKDGen Consortium.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified four metabolites with a robust association with CKD risk, of which mannose and glycine showed the most reliable causal relationships. Pathway analysis spotlighted five significant metabolic pathways, notably including "Methionine Metabolism" and "Arginine and Proline Metabolism", as key contributors to CKD pathogenesis.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the potential of certain serum metabolites as biomarkers for CKD and illuminates pivotal metabolic pathways in CKD's pathogenesis. Our findings lay the groundwork for potential therapeutic interventions and warrant further research for validation.

Inhibitory Effect of L-Methionine on Alternaria alternata Based on Metabolomics Analysis

Alternaria alternata is the main pathogenic fungus of postharvest black spots in fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to explore the antifungal activity of methionine on A. alternata in vitro and to reveal related antifungal mechanisms through a metabolomics analysis. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of L-methionine (Met) treatment on mycelium growth, spore germination, and the germ tube elongation of A. alternata were enhanced with an increase in the Met concentration, but the inhibitory effects decreased when the Met concentration was higher than 50 mmolL-1. The results of propidium iodide staining and scanning electron microscopy showed that the Met treatment damaged the plasma membrane integrity of the A. alternata spores and caused an irreversible deformation of mycelium. In addition, after the Met treatment, the leakage of electrolytes, nucleic acid, and proteins in the A. alternata cells was significantly higher than that in the control group, indicating that the Met treatment increased the permeability of the cell membranes. Eighty-one different metabolites, divided into seven categories, were identified through the metabolomics analysis, including forty-three downregulated metabolites and thirty-eight upregulated metabolites. Among them, these differential metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid synthesis and metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the TCA cycle. Therefore, the antifungal effect of the Met treatment on A. alternata was mainly to damage the integrity of the cell membranes, make nucleic acid and protein contents leak, and affect the TCA cycle, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis metabolism, and the metabolic pathways associated with cell membrane biosynthesis. Thus, the growth and development of A. alternata were inhibited. The research enriched the investigation of the effect of the antifungal mechanism of Met treatment on A. alternata and provided a theoretical basis for the application of Met to prevent and treat postharvest black spots in fruits and vegetables.

Multi-Omics Approaches for Liver Reveal the Thromboprophylaxis Mechanism of Aspirin Eugenol Ester in Rat Thrombosis Model

Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a novel medicinal compound synthesized by esterifying aspirin with eugenol using the pro-drug principle. Pharmacological and pharmacodynamic experiments showed that AEE had excellent thromboprophylaxis and inhibition of platelet aggregation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AEE on the liver of thrombosed rats to reveal its mechanism of thromboprophylaxis. Therefore, a multi-omics approach was used to analyze the liver. Transcriptome results showed 132 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the AEE group compared to the model group. Proteome results showed that 159 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the AEE group compared to the model group. Six proteins including fibrinogen alpha chain (Fga), fibrinogen gamma chain (Fgg), fibrinogen beta chain (Fgb), orosomucoid 1 (Orm1), hemopexin (Hpx), and kininogen-2 (Kng2) were selected for parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. The results showed that the expression of all six proteins was upregulated in the model group compared with the control group. In turn, AEE reversed the upregulation trend of these proteins to some degree. Metabolome results showed that 17 metabolites were upregulated and 38 were downregulated in the model group compared to the control group. AEE could reverse the expression of these metabolites to some degree and make them back to normal levels. The metabolites were mainly involved in metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Comprehensive analyses showed that AEE could prevent thrombosis by inhibiting platelet activation, decreasing inflammation, and regulating amino acid and energy metabolism. In conclusion, AEE can have a positive effect on thrombosis-related diseases.

Exogenous methionine contributes to reversing the resistance of Streptococcus suis to macrolides

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) has been increasingly recognized as a porcine zoonotic pathogen that threatens the health of both pigs and humans. Multidrug-resistant Streptococcus suis is becoming increasingly prevalent, and novel strategies to treat bacterial infections caused by these organisms are desperately needed. In the present study, an untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that the significant decrease in methionine content and the methionine biosynthetic pathway were significantly affected by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis in drug-resistant S. suis. The addition of L-methionine restored the bactericidal activity of macrolides, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin on S. suis in vivo and in vitro. Further studies showed that the exogenous addition of methionine affects methionine metabolism by reducing S-adenosylmethionine synthetase activity and the contents of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosyl homocysteine, and S-ribose homocysteine. Methionine can decrease the total methylation level and methylesterase activity in multidrug resistant S. suis. The drug transport proteins and efflux pump genes were significantly downregulated in S. suis by exogenous L-methionine. Moreover, the exogenous addition of methionine can reduce the survival of S. suis by affecting oxidative stress and metal starvation in bacteria. Thus, L-methionine may influence the development of resistance in S. suis through methyl metabolism and metal starvation. This study provides a new perspective on the mitigation of drug resistance in S. suis.IMPORTANCEBacterial antibiotic resistance has become a severe threat to human and animal health. Increasing the efficacy of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy against antibiotic resistance. Here, we report that L-methionine enhances the efficacy of macrolides, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin antibiotics in killing Streptococcus suis, including multidrug-resistant pathogens. We investigated the mechanism of action of exogenous methionine supplementation in restoring macrolides in Streptococcus suis and the role of the methionine cycle pathway on methylation levels, efflux pump genes, oxidative stress, and metal starvation in Streptococcus suis. It provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of macrolides in clinical practice and also identifies a possible target for restoring drug resistance in Streptococcus suis.

Maternal methyl donor supplementation: A potential therapy for metabolic disorder in offspring

The prevalences of diabetes mellitus and obesity are increasing yearly and has become a serious social burden. In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors in early life development are critical in influencing the prevalence of metabolic disorders in offspring. A growing body of evidence suggests the critical role of early methyl donor intervention in offspring health. Emerging studies have shown that methyl donors can influence offspring metabolism through epigenetic modifications and changing metabolism-related genes. In this review, we focus on the role of folic acid, betaine, vitamin B12, methionine, and choline in protecting against metabolic disorders in offspring. To address the current evidence on the potential role of maternal methyl donors, we summarize clinical studies as well as experimental animal models that support the impact of maternal methyl donors on offspring metabolism and discuss the mechanisms of action that may bring about these positive effects. Given the worldwide prevalence of metabolic disorders, these findings could be utilized in clinical practice, in which methyl donor supplementation in the early life years may reverse metabolic disorders in offspring and block the harmful intergenerational effect.

Metabolomics Profiling Predicts Ventricular Arrhythmia in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce sudden cardiac death (SCD) when patients experience life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (LTVA). However, current strategies determining ICD patient selection and risk stratification are inefficient. We used metabolomics to assess whether dysregulated metabolites are associated with LTVA and identify potential biomarkers. Baseline plasma samples were collected from 72 patients receiving ICDs. Over a median follow-up of 524.0 days (range 239.0-705.5), LTVA occurred in 23 (31.9%) patients (22 effective ICD treatments and 1 SCD). After confounding risk factors adjustment for age, smoking, secondary prevention, and creatine kinase MB, 23 metabolites were significantly associated with LTVA. Pathway analysis revealed LTVA associations with disrupted metabolism of glycine, serine, threonine, and branched chain amino acids. Pathway enrichment analysis identified a panel of 6 metabolites that potentially predicted LTVA, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.8. Future studies are necessary on biological mechanisms and potential clinical use.

High water temperature raised the requirements of methionine for spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

This study evaluated the effects of dietary methionine level and rearing water temperature on growth, antioxidant capacity, methionine metabolism, and hepatocyte autophagy in spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus). A factorial design was used with six methionine levels [0.64, 0.85, 1.11, 1.33, 1.58, and 1.76%] and two temperatures [moderate temperature (MT): 27 ℃, and high temperature (HT): 33 ℃]. The results revealed the significant effects of both dietary methionine level and water temperature on weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE), and their interaction effect was found on WG (P < 0.05). In both water temperatures tested, fish WG increased with increasing methionine level up to 1.11% and decreased thereafter. The groups of fish reared at MT exhibited dramatically higher WG and FE than those kept at HT while an opposite trend was observed for feed intake. Liver antioxidant indices including reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, and catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities remarkably increased in the HT group compared to the MT group. Moreover, the lowest MDA concentration and the highest SOD activity were recorded at methionine levels between 1.11% and 0.85%, respectively, regardless of water temperatures. Expression of methionine metabolism-related key enzyme genes (mat2b, cbs, ms, and bhmt) in the liver was increased at moderate methionine levels, and higher expression levels were detected at MT compared to HT with the exception of ms gene relative expression. Relative expression of hepatocyte autophagy-related genes (pink1, atg5, mul1, foxo3) and hsp70 was upregulated by increasing methionine level up to a certain level and decreased thereafter and increasing water temperature led to significantly enhanced expression of hsp70. In summary, HT induced heat stress and reduced fish growth, and an appropriate dietary methionine level improved the antioxidant capacity and stress resistance of fish. A second-order polynomial regression analysis based on the WG suggested that the optimal dietary methionine level for maximum growth of spotted seabass is 1.22% of the diet at 27 ℃ and 1.26% of the diet at 33 ℃, then 1.37 g and 1.68 g dietary methionine intake is required for 100 g weight gain at 27 ℃ or 33 ℃, respectively.

Homocysteine and Parkinson's disease

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an important metabolite in methionine metabolism. When the metabolic pathway of homocysteine is abnormal, it will accumulate in the body and eventually lead to hyperhomocysteinemia. In recent years, many studies have found that hyperhomocysteinemia is related to the occurrence and development of Parkinson's disease. This study reviews the roles of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and illustrates the harmful effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on Parkinson's disease.

The Role of Methionine Restriction in Gastric Cancer: A Summary of Mechanisms and a Discussion on Tumor Heterogeneity

Gastric cancer is ranked as the fifth most prevalent cancer globally and has long been a topic of passionate discussion among numerous individuals. However, the incidence of gastric cancer in society has not decreased, but instead has shown a gradual increase in recent years. For more than a decade, the treatment effect of gastric cancer has not been significantly improved. This is attributed to the heterogeneity of cancer, which makes popular targeted therapies ineffective. Methionine is an essential amino acid, and many studies have shown that it is involved in the development of gastric cancer. Our study aimed to review the literature on methionine and gastric cancer, describing its mechanism of action to show that tumor heterogeneity in gastric cancer does not hinder the effectiveness of methionine-restricted therapies. This research also aimed to provide insight into the inhibition of gastric cancer through metabolic reprogramming with methionine-restricted therapies, thereby demonstrating their potential as adjuvant treatments for gastric cancer.

Cardioprotective and hypotensive mechanistic insights of hydroethanolic extract of Cucumis melo L. kernels in isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity based on metabolomics and in silico electrophysiological models

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to threaten health worldwide, and account for a significant portion of deaths and illnesses. In both developing and industrialized nations, they challenge their health systems. There are several traditional uses of Cucurbitaceae seeds in Pakistan, India, Iran, and China, including treating cardiovascular, neurological, and urogenital diseases. Methods: In the present work, integrated techniques of metabolomics profiling and computational cardiomyocyte stimulation were used to investigate possible mechanisms of C. melo in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction. In vitro, vasoconstrictions, paired atria, and in vivo invasive blood pressure measurement models were performed to explore the mechanism of action of C. melo hydroethanolic seed extract (Cm-EtOH). Results: Results showed that Cm-EtOH demonstrates NO-based endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) vasorelaxant response, negative chronotropic and inotropic response in the atrium, and hypotensive effects in normotensive rats. Results also revealed that Cm-EtOH decreases cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reverts the altered gene expressions, biochemical, and metabolites in ISO-induced myocardial infarction (MI) rats. The extract additionally reversed ISO-induced MI-induced oxidative stress, energy consumption, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, C. melo seeds increased EDRF function, energy production, and antioxidant capacity to treat myocardial and vascular disorders. In computational cardiomyocyte simulation, gallic acid reduced action potential duration, upstroke velocity (dV/dtmax), and effective refractory period. Conclusion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of C. melo seeds to treat cardiovascular diseases and provides mechanistic insight into its antihypertensive and cardioprotective activities.

A metabolomics perspective on 2 years of high-intensity training in horses

The plasma metabolomic profile of elite harness horses subjected to different training programmes was explored. All horses had the same training programme from 1.5 until 2 years of age and then high-intensity training was introduced, with horses divided into high and low training groups. Morning blood samples were collected at 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.5 years of age. The plasma was analysed using targeted absolute quantitative analysis and a combination of tandem mass spectrometry, flow-injection analysis and liquid chromatography. Differences between the two training groups were observed at 2 years of age, when 161 metabolites and sums and ratios were lower (e.g. ceramide and several triglycerides) and 51 were higher (e.g. aconitic acid, anserine, sum of PUFA cholesteryl esters and solely ketogenic AAs) in High compared with low horses. The metabolites aconitic acid, anserine, leucine, HArg synthesis and sum of solely ketogenic AAs increased over time, while beta alanine synthesis, ceramides and indole decreased. Therefore high-intensity training promoted adaptations linked to aerobic energy production and amino acid metabolism, and potentially also affected pH-buffering and vascular and insulin responses.

Clinical characterization of a hypersensitivity mixed bacterial and fungal dermatitis in a translational model of porcine NASH

Introduction

The development of animal models of chronic liver disease via diet modification is a promising avenue for translational research but can lead to unexpected side effects that impact model adoption. While these side effects are well characterized in rodent models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), limited knowledge of these effects exists for novel porcine models of NASH. To close this gap, the present study investigates the side effects of diet-based NASH induction in pigs, with a systematic analysis of the pathologic mechanisms underlying dermatitis development and evaluation of treatment approaches.

Method

Twelve pigs (10 large domestic pigs, 2 Goettingen minipigs) were fed a methionine- and choline-deficient, high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce NASH. A retrospective review of each animal's clinical record was performed to identify the side effects of the diet. Following the identification of diet-associated dermatitis, severity was judged by using a novel gradation system that characterized the individual lesions and body regions resulting in a cumulative evaluation. In addition to this clinical assessment, the etiology of the dermatitis was investigated via histopathologic and microbiologic testing. Furthermore, the success of prophylactic and therapeutic treatment approaches was evaluated by considering dermatitis development and clinical course.

Results

All study animals demonstrated unexpected side effects of the methionine- and choline-deficient, high fat diet. In addition to marked dermatitis, study pigs showed impaired weight gain and developed steatorrhea and anemia. Based on the skin gradation system, five animals developed severe dermatitis, four animals moderate dermatitis, and three animals mild diet-associated dermatitis. Histological and microbiological evaluation of the affected skin showed signs of a hypersensitivity reaction with secondary infection by bacteria and fungi. The analysis showed that preemptive bathing extended the lesion-free duration by nearly 20 days. Furthermore, bathing in combination with a targeted antibiotic treatment represented a helpful treatment approach for diet-associated dermatitis.

Conclusion

The provision of a methionine- and choline-deficient, high fat diet represents an effective approach for inducing NASH liver disease in pigs but predisposes study animals to multiple side effects. These side effects are universal to animals on study but can be adequately managed and do not represent a significant limitation of this model.

Betaine and L-Carnitine Synergistically Influence the Metabolome and Immune Response in Dogs

This study used thirty-two dogs, which were assigned to a preferred period of 14 days and then assigned to one of the four treatment foods: control (containing no added betaine, no added L-carnitine), control with 0.5% added betaine (Treatment 2), control with no added betaine and 300 ppm added L-carnitine (Treatment 3), or control with 0.5% added betaine and 300 ppm added L-carnitine (Treatment 4). All treatment foods were fed for ninety days. Untargeted blood metabolomic analysis and immune response were measured at the beginning and end of the 90-day feeding trial. Feeding betaine increased single-carbon metabolites while decreasing many carnitine-containing metabolites. Feeding L-carnitine increased many carnitine metabolites, while the combination synergistically influenced the metabolome. The combination of betaine and L-carnitine increased the cytokines released in a Tru-culture system in response to stimulation while numerically decreasing their release when unstimulated. Therefore, the combination of dietary betaine and L-carnitine could have the dual positive effects of reducing cytokine stimulation, controlling inflammation during health, and providing a robust response to bacterial infection.

A Novel Bifidobacterium longum ssp. longum Strain with Pleiotropic Effects

Postbiotics are gaining increasing interest among the scientific community as well as at the level of food processing enterprises. The aim of this preliminary study was to characterise the metabolic diversity of a novel Bifidobacterium longum strain, BIOCC 1719, of human origin. The change after 24 h cultivation in three media was assessed using a metabolomic approach. Milk-based substrates favoured the activity of the strain, promoting the production of B vitamins, essential amino acids, bile acids, and fatty acids. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B7, and B12 (with an average increase of 20-30%) were produced in both whole milk and whey; the increased production in the latter was as high as 100% for B7 and 744% for B12. The essential amino acids methionine and threonine were produced (>38%) in both milk and whey, and there was an increased production of leucine (>50%) in milk and lysine (126%) in whey. Increases in the content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 20%, deoxycholic acid in milk and whey (141% and 122%, respectively), and cholic acid (52%) in milk were recorded. During the preliminary characterisation of the metabolic diversity of the novel B. longum strain, BIOCC 1719, we identified the bioactive compounds produced by the strain during fermentation. This suggests its potential use as a postbiotic ingredient to enrich the human diet.

Metabolomic profile of neuroendocrine tumors identifies methionine, porphyrin, and tryptophan metabolisms as key dysregulated pathways associated with patient survival

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic profiling is a valuable tool to characterize tumor biology but remains largely unexplored in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Our aim was to comprehensively assess the metabolomic profile of NETs and identify novel prognostic biomarkers and dysregulated molecular pathways.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Multiplatform untargeted metabolomic profiling (GC-MS, CE-MS, and LC-MS) was performed in plasma from 77 patients with G1-2 extra-pancreatic NETs enrolled in the AXINET trial (NCT01744249) (study cohort) and from 68 non-cancer individuals (control). The prognostic value of each differential metabolite (n = 155) in NET patients (P < .05) was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses adjusted for multiple testing and other confounding factors. Related pathways were explored by Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis (MSEA) and Metabolite Pathway Analysis (MPA).

RESULTS

Thirty-four metabolites were significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (n = 16) and/or overall survival (OS) (n = 27). Thirteen metabolites remained significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis, 3 of them with a significant impact on both PFS and OS. Unsupervised clustering of these 3 metabolites stratified patients in 3 distinct prognostic groups (1-year PFS of 71.1%, 47.7%, and 15.4% (P = .012); 5-year OS of 69.7%, 32.5%, and 27.7% (P = .003), respectively). The MSEA and MPA of the 13-metablolite signature identified methionine, porphyrin, and tryptophan metabolisms as the 3 most relevant dysregulated pathways associated with the prognosis of NETs.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a metabolomic signature that improves prognostic stratification of NET patients beyond classical prognostic factors for clinical decisions. The enriched metabolic pathways identified reveal novel tumor vulnerabilities that may foster the development of new therapeutic strategies for these patients.

Red light alleviates Cd toxicity in Egeria densa by modifying carbon-nitrogen metabolism and boosting energy metabolism

Among the various pollutants detected in aquatic ecosystems, cadmium (Cd) is considered as one of the most hazardous. Freshwater macrophytes have been recognized as possible candidates for eliminating Cd from environment. Nevertheless, the impact of light quality on their ability to tolerate Cd toxicity remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we utilized physiological testing and metabolomics to explore the potential mechanisms by which light quality influences the ability of Egeria densa, a significant Cd hyperaccumulator, to withstand Cd toxicity. The study demonstrated that following Cd treatment, E. densa grown under red light exhibited superior photosynthetic efficiency compared to those grown under blue light, as evidenced by significantly increased photosynthetic rate, higher starch content, and greater activity of photosynthetic enzymes. Moreover, metabolomic analyses revealed that under Cd stress, E. densa grown under red light exhibited an enhanced glycolysis for increased energy production. Sucrose metabolism was also improved to generate sufficient sugar including glucose, fructose and mannose for osmotic adjustment. Moreover, under red light, the heightened production of α-ketoglutarate via tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle redirected nitrogen flow towards the synthesis of resilient substances such as γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and methionine. The production of these substances was ∼2.0 and 1.3 times greater than that of treatment with Cd under blue light, thereby improving E. densa's capacity to withstand Cd stress. This study represents the initial investigation into the possible mechanisms by which light quality influences the ability of E. densa to withstand Cd toxicity through regulating CN metabolism. Furthermore, these findings have the potential to improve phytoremediation strategies aimed at reducing Cd pollution.

[The complex effect of polyphenols on the gut microbiota and triggers of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease]

Intestinal dysfunction and microbiome changes are actively discussed in the modern literature as the most important link in the development of neurodegenerative changes in Parkinson's disease. The article discusses the pathogenetic chain «microbiome- intestine-brain», as well as factors that affect the development of intestinal dysbiosis. A promising direction for influencing microflora and inflammatory changes in the intestine is the use of polyphenols, primarily curcumin. The review of experimental, laboratory, clinical research proving the pleiotropic effect of curcumin, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective effects, realized both through peripheral and central mechanisms is presented.

B. subtilis CNBG-PGPR-1 induces methionine to regulate ethylene pathway and ROS scavenging for improving salt tolerance of tomato

Soil salinity severely threatens plant growth and crop yields. The utilization of PGPR is an effective strategy for enhancing plant salt tolerance, but the mechanisms involved in this process have rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of Bacillus subtilis CNBG-PGPR-1 on improving plant salt tolerance and elucidated the molecular pathways involved. The results showed that CNBG-PGPR-1 significantly improved the cellular homeostasis and photosynthetic efficiency of leaves and reduced ion toxicity and osmotic stress caused by salt in tomato. Transcriptome analysis uncovered that CNBG-PGPR-1 enhanced plant salt tolerance through the activation of complex molecular pathways, with plant hormone signal transduction playing an important role. Comparative analysis and pharmacological experiments confirmed that the ethylene pathway was closely related to the beneficial effect of CNBG-PGPR-1 on improving plant salt tolerance. Furthermore, we found that methionine, a precursor of ethylene synthesis, significantly accumulated in response to CNBG-PGPR-1 in tomato. Exogenous L-methionine largely mimicked the beneficial effects of CNBG-PGPR-1 and activated the expression of ethylene pathway-related genes, indicating CNBG-PGPR-1 induces methionine accumulation to regulate the ethylene pathway in tomato. Finally, CNBG-PGPR-1 reduced salt-induced ROS by activating ROS scavenger-encoding genes, mainly involved in GSH metabolism and POD-related genes, which were also closely linked to methionine metabolism. Overall, our studies demonstrate that CNBG-PGPR-1-induced methionine is a key regulator in enhancing plant salt tolerance through the ethylene pathway and ROS scavenging, providing a novel understanding of the mechanism by which beneficial microbes improve plant salt tolerance.