A Comparison of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cis-9, Trans-11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid to Celecoxib in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model

Multiple biological activities and biosynthesis mechanisms of specific conjugated linoleic acid isomers and analytical methods for prospective application

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for the octadecadienoic acid isomers containing conjugated double bonds. This article reviewed CLA isomers from biological activities, biosynthesis mechanisms and analytical methods. The biological activities of CLA isomers in anti-obesity, cardiovascular protection, diabetes management and anti-cancer in vitro and in vivo were mainly reviewed. More attention has been paid to the production of the specific CLA isomer due to its biological activity. The biosynthesis methods of CLA isomers, such as dietary modification in ruminants and fermentation by microorganisms & enzymes, were systematically introduced. A rapid, accurate and economic analysis method will promote the research in both biological activities and biosynthesis mechanisms of CLA isomers. The merits of UV spectrometry, GC, HPLC, MS and CE used in the analysis of CLA isomers were also compared in detail. This paper aims to put into perspective the current status and future trends on CLA isomers.

Enhancing the Recovery of Bioactive Compounds of Soybean Fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus Using Supercritical CO2: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Oxidative Proprieties of the Resulting Extract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of supercritical CO₂ combined with cosolvent for the recovery of bioactive compounds of soybean fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus NRRL 2710. Soxhlet extractions using seven different organic solvents (n-hexane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water) were initially performed for comparative purposes. The extracts obtained were characterized by physicochemical, antioxidant, total phenolic, and oxidative proprieties. For the Soxhlet extractions, the highest and lowest yields obtained were 45.24% and 15.56%, using methanol and hexane, respectively. The extraction using supercritical CO₂ combined with ethanol as a static modifier (scCO₂ + EtOH) presented, at a high pressure (25 MPa) and temperature (80 °C), a phenolic compound content of 1391.9 μg GAE g⁻¹ and scavenging of 0.17 g, reaching a 42.87% yield. The extracts obtained by sCO₂ + EtOH were characterized by high contents of essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and oleic acid) and bioactive compounds (gallic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, daidzein, and genistein). These extracts also showed a great potential for inhibiting hyaluronidase enzymes (i.e., anti-inflammatory activity). Thermogravimetric analyses of the samples showed similar profiles, with oil degradation values in the range from 145 to 540 °C, indicating progressive oil decomposition with a mass loss ranging from 93 to 98.7%. In summary, this study demonstrated the flexibility of scCO₂ + EtOH as a green technology that can be used to obtain high-value-added products from fermented soybean.

Celecoxib induces adipogenic differentiation of hemangioma‑derived mesenchymal stem cells through the PPAR‑γ pathway in vitro and in vivo

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a benign tumor that produces a permanent scar or a mass of fibro-fatty tissue after involution in 40-80% of cases. Celecoxib is an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and can inhibit angiogenesis and fibrosis. The present study aimed to clarify whether celecoxib is able to induce tumor regression with minimal side effects. For that purpose, the regulation of celecoxib in the involution of IH was investigated in an IH model. Hemangioma-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Hem-MSCs) were isolated from proliferating specimens, and an IH model was established by injecting these cells into nude mice. Celecoxib was administered in vitro and in vivo. Oil Red O staining and reverse transcription-quantitative-PCR were used to detect the adipogenic differentiation of Hem-MSCs. Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor xenografts were performed to investigate the pathological evolution of the tumor. The results showed that celecoxib inhibited the proliferation and induced the adipogenic differentiation of Hem-MSCs in vitro. In vivo, adipocytes were only present in the celecoxib group at week 4, while a larger number of fibroblasts and collagenous fibers could be observed in the basic fibroblast growth factor group. Therefore, celecoxib may be a potential agent used for IH treatment by inducing adipogenesis and inhibiting fibroblast formation.

Effect of chain length on the structure and physicochemical properties of active compound/linear dextrin composites

Three linear dextrins (LDs) with different chain length were obtained through fractionating short-chain LD by gradient precipitation with 65%, 70% and 75% alcohol, signed as 65LD, 70LD, and 75LD, respectively. The LDs were employed to encapsulate arachidonic acid (ARA) and geranic acid (GA). Fourier infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the formation of ARA/LD and GA/LD composites. The ARA/65LD and GA/75LD composites showed higher crystallinity, indicating the formation of more ordered and compact structures in ARA/65LD and GA/75LD composites. The micromorphology of ARA/65LD composite was a clear ellipsoidal like structure, whereas GA/75LD composite presented a spherical shape. The release behavior, thermal, photochemical and antioxidant abilities of ARA and GA were improved after forming composites. Overall, the longer chain LD displayed better encapsulation efficiency with the longer chain ARA, while the shorter chain LD had higher encapsulation capability with GA.

Linoleate Isomerase Complex Contributes to Metabolism and Remission of DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice of Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058

A linoleate isomerase complex including myosin-cross-reactive antigen, short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase, and acetoacetate decarboxylase has been confirmed as the pivotal factor for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production in Lactobacillus plantarum. However, its role in the metabolism and health-associated benefits of Lactobacillus remain unclear. In the current study, the mild type, knockout, and complemented mutants of the linoleate isomerase complex of L. plantarum ZS2058 were used to investigate those putative effects. The metabonomic results showed that a linoleate isomerase complex could significantly influence the glycol-metabolism, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant compounds. Especially, with the stress of linoleic acid, linoleate isomerase complex knockout mutants induced the increase of several antioxidant compounds, such as glutamic acid, glycine, l-cysteine, glycerol, and l-sorbosone. Moreover, the linoleate isomerase complex played a pivotal role in ameliorating DSS-induced colitis. The knockout mutants showed effects similar to those in the DSS group, whereas complementation of the corresponding gene in the knockout mutants could restore the anti-inflammatory activity, wherein the integrity of a mucus layer was repaired, the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased, and the amount of anti-inflammatory cytokines increased significantly. All the results indicated that the linoleate isomerase complex plays a key role in CLA production and metabolism as well as the health-associated benefits of L. plantarum ZS2058. These results are conducive to promote clinical trials and product development of probiotics for colitis.

LysR Family Regulator LttR Controls Production of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Lactobacillus plantarum by Directly Activating the cla Operon

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) have attracted more attention as functional lipids due to their potential physiological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular disease, and antidiabetes activities. Microbiological synthesis of CLA has become a compelling method due to its high isomer selectivity and convenient separation and purification processes. In Lactobacillus plantarum, the generation of CLA from linoleic acids (LAs) requires the combination of CLA oleate hydratase (CLA-HY), CLA short-chain dehydrogenase (CLA-DH), and CLA acetoacetate decarboxylase (CLA-DC), which are separately encoded by cla-hy, cla-dh, and cla-dc. However, the regulatory mechanisms of CLA synthesis remain unknown. In this study, we found that a LysR family transcriptional regulator, LTTR, directly bound to the promoter region of the cla operon and activated the transcription of cla-dh and cla-dc. The binding motif was also predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and DNase I footprinting assays. The lttR overexpression strain showed a 5-fold increase in CLA production. Moreover, we uncovered that the transcription of lttR is activated by LA. These results indicate that LttR senses LA and promotes CLA production by activating the transcription of cla-dh and cla-dc. This study reveals a new regulatory mechanism in CLA biotransformation and provides a new potential metabolic engineering strategy to increase the yield of CLA.IMPORTANCE Our work has identified a novel transcriptional regulator, LTTR, that regulates the production of CLA by activating the transcription of cla-dh and cla-dc, essential genes participating in CLA synthesis in Lactobacillus plantarum This study provides insight into the regulatory mechanism of CLA synthesis and broadens our understanding of the synthesis and regulatory mechanisms of the biosynthesis of CLA.

Assessment of the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of Gastrodia elata (tian-ma) and Radix aconitic lateralis preparata (fu-zi) via network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomics analyses

AIM

Gastrodia elata and Radix aconiti lateralis preparrata are respectively named as Tian-Ma and Fu-Zi (TF) in Chinese. We explored the active components against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from an extensively used couplet of Chinese herbs, Gastrodia elata and Radix aconiti lateralis preparata (TF) via untargeted metabolomics and network pharmacological approaches.

METHODS

Water extracts of TF were mixed at ratios 1:1, 3:2 and 2:3 (w/w). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was then utilized as metabolomics screening. Human Metabolome (http://www.hmdb.ca/) and Lipidmaps (http://www.lipidmaps.org/) databases were used to annotate detected compounds. Further identification of vital genes and important pathways associated with the anti-RA properties of the TF preparations was done via network pharmacology, and verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

Four key compounds involved in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were identified through metabolomics analyses. Three key components of TF associated with anti-RA activity were linoleic acid, daidzein, and daidzin. Results of RT-qPCR revealed that all 3 tested TF couplets (1:1, 3:2, and 2:3) markedly suppressed the transcription of PTGS2. These results were consistent with our network pharmacological predictions.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-RA properties of Tian-Ma and Fu-Zi are associated with the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism pathway.

Conjugated linoleic acid as a novel insecticide targeting the agricultural pest Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is a major agricultural pest of solanaceous crops in the United States. Historically, a multitude of insecticides have been used to control problematic populations. Due to increasing resistance to insecticides, novel compounds and methodologies are warranted for the control of beetle populations. Mixed-isomer conjugated linoleic acid has been studied in-depth for its beneficial properties to mammalian systems. At the same time, studies have demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid can manipulate fatty acid composition in non-mammalian systems, resulting in embryo mortality. Consequently, experiments were conducted to assess the effects of foliar-applied conjugated linoleic acid on larval growth, embryogenesis, and feeding preference in Colorado potato beetle. Both maternal and deterrent effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid were assessed. Conjugated linoleic acid demonstrated desirable insecticidal properties, including increased larval mortality, slowed larval development, antifeedant effects, and decreased egg viability after maternal ingestion.

Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition slows disease progression and improves the altered renal lipid mediator profile in the Pkd2WS25/- mouse model of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Increased levels of cyclooxygenase (COX) derived oxylipins is the earliest and most consistent alteration in the renal oxylipin profile in diverse models of cystic kidney diseases. Therefore, we examined whether a COX2 inhibitor would reduce disease progression in the Pkd2WS25/- mouse model of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

METHODS

Weanling normal and diseased male Pkd2 mice were provided diets that provided 0 or 50 mg celecoxib/kg body weight/day, for 13 weeks. Renal disease and function were assessed by histomorphometric analysis of renal cysts and measurement of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen (SUN) levels. Targeted lipidomic analysis of renal oxylipins was performed by HPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

Diseased mice had significant cyst involvement and reduced renal function as indicated by elevated serum creatinine and SUN. Celecoxib reduced cyst area by 48%, cyst volume by 70%, and serum creatinine and SUN by 20% and 16%, respectively. Consistent with our previous studies, 8 of the 11 COX derived oxylipins were higher in diseased kidneys. In addition, 24 of 33 lipoxygenase (LOX) derived oxylipins and 7 of 16 cytochrome P450 (CYP) derived oxylipins were lower in diseased kidneys. Celecoxib reduced total and five of the eight individual elevated COX oxylipins and increased 5 of 24 LOX and 5 of 7 CYP oxylipins that were reduced by disease.

CONCLUSIONS

COX2 inhibition ameliorates disease progression, improves renal function and improves the altered oxylipins in Pkd2 mice. This represents a potential new approach for treatment of ADPKD, a disorder for which no effective treatment currently exists.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers Trans-10, Cis-12 and Cis-9, Trans-11 Prevent Collagen-Induced Arthritis in a Direct Comparison

Mixed-isomer conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the individual isomers, trans-10, cis-12 (CLAt10c12) and cis-9, trans-11 (CLAc9t11), decrease severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CA) when consumed after disease onset. Few studies have been conducted exploring the role of CLA in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. These studies suggest that isomer-specific effects may be occurring; however, a direct comparison of CLAt10c12 and CLAc9t11 has yet to be conducted. A study to compare the ability of CLAt10c12 and CLAc9t11 to prevent CA and assess their effects on early inflammation was performed. DBA/1 mice were fed a semipurified diet containing 6% corn oil (CO), 5.5% CO and 0.5% CLAt10c12, or 5.5% CO and 0.5% CLAc9t11 (n = 27 per diet) starting three weeks before CA primary immunization. Effects on disease incidence and severity, anticollagen antibodies, plasma and paw cytokines, and hepatic fatty acids were measured. Arthritis incidence was reduced by a minimum of 34% in mice fed either CLA isomer compared to those fed CO diet (p = 0.06). In mice that did develop arthritis (n = 9-12 mice per treatment), CLAt10c12 reduced arthritic severity to a greater extent than CLAc9t11 and CO (p = 0.03). CLA isomer treatment attenuated the increased hepatic arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) observed with arthritis at one-week postonset (p = 0.03), while no differences in anticollagen antibodies or cytokines were observed between dietary treatments. These results suggest that CLA isomers may be effective at preventing specific immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, in part, through modulation of the ARA cascade.

Milk fat components with potential anticancer activity-a review

During many years, the milk fat has been unfairly undervalued due to its association with higher levels of cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidaemia or obesity, among others. However, currently, this relationship is being re-evaluated because some of the dairy lipid components have been attributed potential health benefits. Due to this, and based on the increasing incidence of cancer in our society, this review work aims to discuss the state of the art concerning scientific evidence of milk lipid components and reported anticancer properties. Results from the in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that specific fatty acids (FA) (as butyric acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), among others), phospholipids and sphingolipids from milk globule membrane are potential anticarcinogenic agents. However, their mechanism of action remains still unclear due to limited and inconsistent findings in human studies.

Bacterial conjugated linoleic acid production and their applications

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to exert various potential physiological properties including anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity, anti-cardiovascular and anti-diabetic activities, and consequently has been considered as a promising food supplement. Bacterial biosynthesis of CLA is an attractive approach for commercial production due to its high isomer-selectivity and convenient purification process. Many bacterial species have been reported to convert free linoleic acid (LA) to CLA, hitherto only the precise CLA-producing mechanisms in Propionibacterium acnes and Lactobacillus plantarum have been illustrated completely, prompting the development of recombinant technology used in CLA production. The purpose of the article is to review the bacterial CLA producers as well as the recent progress on describing the mechanism of microbial CLA-production. Furthermore, the advances and potential in the heterologous expression of CLA genetic determinants will be presented.