γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA): Biosynthesis, Role, Commercial Production, and Applications

Sourdough fermentation for the valorization of sorghum flour: Microbiota characterization and metabolome profiling

Due to a large adaptability to different cultivation conditions and limited input compared to other cereals, sorghum is considered an emerging crop. Its antioxidant properties, high fiber content and low glycemic index also make it a valuable addition to a healthy diet, nevertheless, the presence of antinutritional factors and the lack of gluten, hamper its use as food ingredient. This study investigated the impact of sourdough fermentation on sorghum nutritional quality. Lactic acid bacteria dominating sorghum flour and sourdough were identified by culture-dependent analysis revealing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as the dominant species found in the mature sourdough, whereas Weissella cibaria and Weissella paramesenteroides were the species isolated the most after the first refreshment. Among yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the most prevalent. Lactic acid bacteria pro-technological and functional performances as starter were evaluated in sorghum type-II sourdoughs through an integrated characterization combining chromatographic and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The metabolic profile of the strains mainly grouped together W. cibaria strains and W. paramesenteroides AI7 which distinguished for the intense proteolysis but also for the presence of compounds particularly interesting from a physiological perspective (allantoin, glutathione, γ-aminobutyric acid and 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid), whose concentration increased during fermentation in a species or strain specific matter.

The renoprotective activity of amikacin-gamma-amino butyric acid-chitosan nanoparticles: a comparative study

The development of nanoparticles (NPs) with active components with upgraded stability, and prolonged release helps in enhanced tissue regeneration. In addition, NPs are feasible strategy to boost antibiotic effectiveness and reduce drug side effects. Our study focuses on the use of amikacin (AMK) and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) unloaded combinations or loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) for kidney protection. The AMK-GABA-CSNPs were prepared with the ionic gelation method, the morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zetasizer and the Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrum of the synthesized NPs was observed. The average size of AMK-GABA-CSNPs was 77.5 ± 16.5 nm. Zeta potential was + 38.94 ± 2.65 mV. AMK-GABA-CSNPs revealed significant in vitro antioxidant, anti-coagulation, non-hemolytic properties and good cell compatibility. To compare the effects of the unloaded AMK-GABA combination and AMK-GABA-CSNPs on the renal tissue, 42 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups. G1: normal control (NC), normal saline; G2: low-dose nephrotoxic group (LDN), AMK (20 mg/kg/day; i.p.); G3: unloaded AMK (20 mg/kg/day; i.p.) and GABA (50 mg/kg/day; i.p.); G4: AMK-GABA-CSNPs (20 mg/kg/day; i.p.); G5: high-dose nephrotoxic group (HDN), AMK (30 mg/kg/day; i.p.); G6: unloaded AMK (30 mg/kg/day; i.p.) and GABA (50 mg/kg/day; i.p.) and G7: AMK-GABA-CSNPs (30 mg/kg/day; i.p.). The results showed that AMK-GABA-CSNPs formulation is superior to unloaded AMK-GABA combination as it ameliorated kidney functions, oxidative stress and displayed a significant homeostatic role via suppression of inflammatory cytokines of Th1, Th2 and Th17 types. Hence, AMK-GABA-CSNPs could afford a potential nano-based therapeutic formula for the management of AMK-nephrotoxicity.

Exploring the Potential of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Major Depression: From Molecular Function to Clinical Therapy

Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents a complex and challenging mental health condition with multifaceted etiology. Recent research exploring the gut-brain axis has shed light on the potential influence of gut microbiota on mental health, offering novel avenues for therapeutic intervention. This paper reviews current evidence on the role of prebiotics and probiotics in the context of MDD treatment. Clinical studies assessing the effects of prebiotic and probiotic interventions have demonstrated promising results, showcasing improvements in depression symptoms and metabolic parameters in certain populations. Notably, prebiotics and probiotics have shown the capacity to modulate inflammatory markers, cortisol levels, and neurotransmitter pathways linked to MDD. However, existing research presents varied outcomes, underscoring the need for further investigation into specific microbial strains, dosage optimization, and long-term effects. Future research should aim at refining personalized interventions, elucidating mechanisms of action, and establishing standardized protocols to integrate these interventions into clinical practice. While prebiotics and probiotics offer potential adjunctive therapies for MDD, continued interdisciplinary efforts are vital to harnessing their full therapeutic potential and reshaping the landscape of depression treatment paradigms.

Germination-Induced Enhancement of Brown Rice Noodle Nutritional Profile and Gut Microbiota Modulation

This study explored how germination influences the starch digestion and intestinal fermentation characteristics of brown rice noodle. The study began with in vitro starch digestion tests to assess how germination affects starch digestibility in brown rice noodles, revealing an increase in rapidly digestible starch content and a decrease in resistant starch content. Subsequently, an in vitro human fecal fermentation model was used to simulate the human intestinal environment, showing that germination altered pH levels and the production of short-chain fatty acids, particularly by increasing propionate while decreasing acetate and butyrate. Additionally, the study noted a decrease in gut microbiota diversity following fermentation, accompanied by an increase in Megamonas growth and a decrease in Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium. In conclusion, these findings suggest that germination could enhance the nutritional value and intestinal probiotic properties of brown rice noodles. This research contributes valuable insights into the role of germination in improving the nutritional properties of rice-based products and provides a foundation for further exploration into the development of health-promoting rice noodles.

Effect of Additives on the Morphology of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Crystals

The effect of surfactant, polymer, and tailor-made additives on the crystallization of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in this work. Cooling crystallization of GABA in water yielded plate-like crystals. In the presence of sodium stearate, polyhedral block-like crystals of GABA were obtained. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) led to rod-like crystals, in which the morphology was associated with additive concentrations. Six kinds of amino acids were used as tailor-made additives, and they exhibit different influences on crystal shape and size. The induction time of GABA was determined in the absence and presence of additives. The results showed that sodium stearate promoted nucleation, while HEC, l-Lysine, l-histidine, and l-tyrosine inhibited nucleation. Crystal face indexing, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in aqueous solution-crystal systems were carried out to investigate the affecting factors of different crystal faces. The polymer additive was selected as an example during MD simulation to calculate intermolecular interactions between the crystal face and solvent or additive. The effect of the additive on the mobility of the solute in solution was also evaluated by mean-square displacement. The additive offers an effective approach for changing crystal morphology and particle size and adapting it to different production requirements.

Exogenous GABA Enhances Copper Stress Resilience in Rice Plants via Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms, Gene Regulation, Mineral Uptake, and Copper Homeostasis

The importance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants has been highlighted due to its critical role in mitigating metal toxicity, specifically countering the inhibitory effects of copper stress on rice plants. This study involved pre-treating rice plants with 1 mM GABA for one week, followed by exposure to varying concentrations of copper at 50 μM, 100 μM, and 200 μM. Under copper stress, particularly at 100 μM and 200 μM, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, mineral content, and antioxidant activity decreased significantly compared to control conditions. However, GABA treatment significantly alleviated the adverse effects of copper stress. It increased plant height by 13%, 18%, and 32%; plant biomass by 28%, 52%, and 60%; chlorophyll content by 12%, 30%, and 24%; and relative water content by 10%, 24%, and 26% in comparison to the C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Furthermore, GABA treatment effectively reduced electrolyte leakage by 11%, 34%, and 39%, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), by 9%, 22%, and 27%, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 12%, 38%, and 30%, and superoxide anion content by 8%, 33, and 39% in comparison to C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Additionally, GABA supplementation led to elevated levels of glutathione by 69% and 80%, superoxide dismutase by 22% and 125%, ascorbate peroxidase by 12% and 125%, and catalase by 75% and 100% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Similarly, GABA application upregulated the expression of GABA shunt pathway-related genes, including gamma-aminobutyric transaminase (OsGABA-T) by 38% and 80% and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (OsSSADH) by 60% and 94% in the C100+G and C200+G groups, respectively, as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Conversely, the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid dehydrogenase (OsGAD) was downregulated. GABA application reduced the absorption of Cu2+ by 54% and 47% in C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. Moreover, GABA treatment enhanced the uptake of Ca2+ by 26% and 82%, Mg2+ by 12% and 67%, and K+ by 28% and 128% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. These findings underscore the pivotal role of GABA-induced enhancements in various physiological and molecular processes, such as plant growth, chlorophyll content, water content, antioxidant capacity, gene regulation, mineral uptake, and copper sequestration, in enhancing plant tolerance to copper stress. Such mechanistic insights offer promising implications for the advancement of safe and sustainable food production practices.

Emerging Trends in Non-Protein Amino Acids as Potential Priming Agents: Implications for Stress Management Strategies and Unveiling Their Regulatory Functions

Plants endure the repercussions of environmental stress. As the advancement of global climate change continues, it is increasingly crucial to protect against abiotic and biotic stress effects. Some naturally occurring plant compounds can be used effectively to protect the plants. By externally applying priming compounds, plants can be prompted to trigger their defensive mechanisms, resulting in improved immune system effectiveness. This review article examines the possibilities of utilizing exogenous alpha-, beta-, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (AABA, BABA, and GABA), which are non-protein amino acids (NPAAs) that are produced naturally in plants during instances of stress. The article additionally presents a concise overview of the studies' discoveries on this topic, assesses the particular fields in which they might be implemented, and proposes new avenues for future investigation.

Synergistic effect between citalopram and muscimol upon induction of anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in male mice: An isobologram analysis

Background

There is evidence that both the GABAergic system and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram are involved in the modulation of anxiety and depression processes. In this research, we examined the effects of GABAA receptor agents and citalopram on anxiety- and depression-related behaviors and their interaction in male mice.

Methods

For intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion, a guide cannula was implanted in the left lateral ventricle. Anxiety and depression behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST).

Results

The results revealed that i.c.v. microinjection of muscimol (1 µg/mouse) enhanced % OAT (open arm time) and % OAE (open arm entries) in the EPM test and decreased immobility time in the FST without affecting locomotor activity, presenting anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors in the EPM and FST, respectively. On the other hand, i.c.v. microinjection of bicuculline (1 µg/mouse) reduced % OAT and % OAE without affecting locomotor activity and immobility time, presenting an anxiogenic-like effect. Moreover, i.p. administration of citalopram (8 mg/kg) increased %OAT and %OAE and reduced immobility time with no effect on locomotor activity, showing anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses in male mice. Furthermore, i.c.v. infusion of an ineffective dosage of muscimol potentiated the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses induced by i.p. injection of citalopram in male mice. When citalopram and bicuculline were co-injected, a non-significant dose of bicuculline reversed the anxiolytic-like effect of citalopram in male mice. Also, the data revealed synergistic anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors between citalopram and muscimol in male mice.

Conclusions

The results suggested an interaction between citalopram and GABAergic agents on the modulation of anxiety and depression behaviors in male mice.

Additive effect of histamine and muscimol upon induction of antinociceptive and antidepressant effects in mice

We investigated the effects of histamine and GABA A receptor agents on pain and depression-like behaviors and their interaction using a tail-flick test and the forced swimming test (FST) in male mice. Our data revealed that intraperitoneal administration of muscimol (0.12 and 0.25 mg/kg) increased the percentage of maximum possible effect (%MPE) and area under the curve (AUC) of %MPE, indicating an antinociceptive response. Intraperitoneal injection of bicuculline (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) decreased %MPE and AUC of %MPE, suggesting hyperalgesia. Moreover, muscimol by reducing the immobility time of the FST elicited an antidepressant-like response but bicuculline by enhancing the immobility time of the FST caused a depressant-like response. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinjection of histamine (5 µg/mouse) enhanced %MPE and AUC of %MPE. i.c.v. infusion of histamine (2.5 and 5 µg/mouse) decreased immobility time in the FST. Co-administration of different doses of histamine along with a sub-threshold dose of muscimol potentiated antinociceptive and antidepressant-like responses produced by histamine. Cotreatment of different doses of histamine plus a noneffective dose of bicuculline reversed antinociception and antidepressant-like effects elicited by histamine. Cotreatment of histamine, muscimol, and bicuculline reversed antinociceptive and antidepressant-like behaviors induced by the drugs. The results demonstrated additive antinociceptive and antidepressant-like effects between histamine and muscimol in mice. In conclusion, our results indicated an interaction between the histaminergic and GABAergic systems in the modulation of pain and depression-like behaviors.

"Deciphering the enigmatic role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants: Synthesis, transport, regulation, signaling, and biological roles in interaction with growth regulators and abiotic stresses."

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid with a four-carbon structure, widely distributed in various organisms. It exists as a zwitterion, possessing both positive and negative charges, enabling it to interact with other molecules and participate in numerous physiological processes. GABA is widely distributed in various plant cell compartments such as cytoplasm mitochondria, vacuoles, peroxisomes, and plastids. GABA is primarily synthesized from glutamate using glutamate decarboxylase and participates in the GABA shunt within mitochondria, regulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism in plants The transport of GABA is regulated by several intracellular and intercellular transporters such as aluminium-activated malate transporters (ALMTs), GABA transporters (GATs), bidirectional amino acid transporters (BATs), and cationic amino acid transporters (CATs). GABA plays a vital role in cellular transformations, gene expression, cell wall modifications, and signal transduction in plants. Recent research has unveiled the role of GABA as a signaling molecule in plants, regulating stomatal movement and pollen tube growth. This review provides insights into multifaceted impact of GABA on physiological and biochemical traits in plants, including cellular communication, pH regulation, Krebs cycle circumvention, and carbon and nitrogen equilibrium. The review highlights involvement of GABA in improving the antioxidant defense system of plants, mitigating levels of reactive oxygen species under normal and stressed conditions. Moreover, the interplay of GABA with other plant growth regulators (PGRs) have also been explored.

GABA synthesizing lactic acid bacteria and genomic analysis of Levilactobacillus brevis LAB6

This study was conducted to investigate the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production ability of 20 Lactobacillus and 25 Bifidobacterium strains which were previously isolated in our laboratory. Effect of initial pH, incubation time, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) concentration for highest GABA production by two potent bacterial strains, Levilactobacillus brevis LAB6 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum LAB19 were optimized in the MRS media. A threefold increase in GABA production at an initial pH 4.0, incubation time of 120 h in medium supplemented with 3% MSG and 400 μM of PLP for LAB6 and 300 μM for LAB19 lead to the production of 19.67 ± 0.28 and 20.77 ± 0.14 g/L of GABA, respectively. Coculturing both strains under optimized conditions led to a GABA yield of 20.02 ± 0.17 g/L. Owing to potent anti-inflammatory activity in-vitro, as reported previously, and highest GABA production ability of LAB6 (MTCC 25662), its whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis was carried out for mining genes related to GABA metabolism. LAB6 harbored a complete glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene system comprising gadA, gadB, and gadC as well as genes responsible for the beneficial probiotic traits, such as for acid and bile tolerance and host adhesion. Comparative genomic analysis of LAB6 with 28 completely sequenced Levilactobacillus brevis strains revealed the presence of 95 strain-specific genes-families that was significantly higher than most other L. brevis strains.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03918-7.

Toxicometabolomics-based cardiotoxicity evaluation of Thiazolidinedione exposure in human-derived cardiomyocytes

INTRODUCTION

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), represented by pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, are a class of cost-effective oral antidiabetic agents posing a marginal hypoglycaemia risk. Nevertheless, observations of heart failure have hindered the clinical use of both therapies.

OBJECTIVE

Since the mechanism of TZD-induced heart failure remains largely uncharacterised, this study aimed to explore the as-yet-unidentified mechanisms underpinning TZD cardiotoxicity using a toxicometabolomics approach.

METHODS

The present investigation included an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based toxicometabolomics pipeline, followed by multivariate statistics and pathway analyses to elucidate the mechanism(s)of TZD-induced cardiotoxicity using AC16 human cardiomyocytes as a model, and to identify the prognostic features associated with such effects.

RESULTS

Acute administration of either TZD agent resulted in a significant modulation in carnitine content, reflecting potential disruption of the mitochondrial carnitine shuttle. Furthermore, perturbations were noted in purine metabolism and amino acid fingerprints, strongly conveying aberrations in cardiac energetics associated with TZD usage. Analysis of our findings also highlighted alterations in polyamine (spermine and spermidine) and amino acid (L-tyrosine and valine) metabolism, known modulators of cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting a potential link to TZD cardiotoxicity that necessitates further research. In addition, this comprehensive study identified two groupings - (i) valine and creatine, and (ii) L-tryptophan and L-methionine - that were significantly enriched in the above-mentioned mechanisms, emerging as potential fingerprint biomarkers for pioglitazone and rosiglitazone cardiotoxicity, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the utility of toxicometabolomics in elaborating on mechanisms of drug toxicity and identifying potential biomarkers, thus encouraging its application in the toxicological sciences. (245 words).

Depression-associated gut microbes, metabolites and clinical trials

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders today. Over the past decade, there has been considerable attention given to the field of gut microbiota associated with depression. A substantial body of research indicates a bidirectional communication pathway between gut microbiota and the brain. In this review, we extensively detail the correlation between gut microbiota, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum, and metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concerning depression. Furthermore, we delve into the potential health benefits of microbiome-targeted therapies, encompassing probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, in alleviating depression. Lastly, we underscore the importance of employing a constraint-based modeling framework in the era of systems medicine to contextualize metabolomic measurements and integrate multi-omics data. This approach can offer valuable insights into the complex metabolic host-microbiota interactions, enabling personalized recommendations for potential biomarkers, novel drugs, and treatments for depression.

Exploitation of microbial activities at low pH to enhance planetary health

Awareness is growing that human health cannot be considered in isolation but is inextricably woven with the health of the environment in which we live. It is, however, under-recognized that the sustainability of human activities strongly relies on preserving the equilibrium of the microbial communities living in/on/around us. Microbial metabolic activities are instrumental for production, functionalization, processing, and preservation of food. For circular economy, microbial metabolism would be exploited to produce building blocks for the chemical industry, to achieve effective crop protection, agri-food waste revalorization, or biofuel production, as well as in bioremediation and bioaugmentation of contaminated areas. Low pH is undoubtedly a key physical-chemical parameter that needs to be considered for exploiting the powerful microbial metabolic arsenal. Deviation from optimal pH conditions has profound effects on shaping the microbial communities responsible for carrying out essential processes. Furthermore, novel strategies to combat contaminations and infections by pathogens rely on microbial-derived acidic molecules that suppress/inhibit their growth. Herein, we present the state-of-the-art of the knowledge on the impact of acidic pH in many applied areas and how this knowledge can guide us to use the immense arsenal of microbial metabolic activities for their more impactful exploitation in a Planetary Health perspective.

Formation of Histamine, phenylethylamine and γ-Aminobutyric acid during sprouting and fermenting of selected wholegrains

Sprouting and fermentation are known to cause hydrolysis of proteins into amino acids in grains, which in turn can be converted into some neuroactive compounds by some specific enzymes.One of these compounds is γ-aminobutyric acid, which is directly related to stress management. This study invesitgatesthe effects of sprouting and fermentation processes performed under different conditions on the formation of γ-aminobutyric acid.. Concomitant phenylethylamine and histamine formations were also investigated from the food safety point of view. The combined application of sprouting and fermentation increased the concentrations of histamine and phenylethylamine to a maximum of 44 ± 5 ​​ and 3.9 ± 0.002 mg/kg, respectively. Nevertheless, these values ​​did not reach the level that would cause undesirable effects. γ-Aminobutyric acid concentrations were found to reach levels comparable to γ-Aminobutyric acid -rich foods (maximum 674 ± 31 mg/kg) both with separate and combined application of sprouting and fermentation.

Microbial-Derived γ-Aminobutyric Acid: Synthesis, Purification, Physiological Function, and Applications

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important nonprotein amino acid that extensively exists in nature. At present, GABA is mainly obtained through chemical synthesis, plant enrichment, and microbial production, among which microbial production has received widespread attention due to its safety and environmental benefits. After using microbial fermentation to obtain GABA, it is necessary to be isolated and purified to ensure its quality and suitability for various industries such as food, agriculture, livestock, pharmaceutics, and others. This article provides a comprehensive review of the different sources of GABA, including its presence in nature and the synthesis methods. The factors affecting the production of microbial-derived GABA and its isolation and purification methods are further elucidated. Moreover, the main physiological functions of GABA and its application in different fields are also reviewed. By advancing our understanding of GABA, we can unlock its full potential and further utilize it in various fields to improve human health and well-being.

Ascertaining the Influence of Lacto-Fermentation on Changes in Bovine Colostrum Amino and Fatty Acid Profiles

The aim of this study was to collect samples of bovine colostrum (BCOL) from different sources (agricultural companies A, B, C, D and E) in Lithuania and to ascertain the influence of lacto-fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain 135 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain 244 on the changes in bovine colostrum amino (AA), biogenic amine (BA), and fatty acid (FA) profiles. It was established that the source of the bovine colostrum, the used LAB, and their interaction had significant effects (p < 0.05) on AA contents; lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used for fermentation was a significant factor for aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, alanine, methionine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, and tyrosine; and these factor's interaction is significant on most of the detected AA concentrations. Total BA content showed significant correlations with glutamic acid, serine, aspartic acid, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, histidine, and gamma amino-butyric acid content in bovine colostrum. Despite the differences in individual FA contents in bovine colostrum, significant differences were not found in total saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Finally, the utilization of bovine colostrum proved to be challenging because of the variability on its composition. These results suggest that processing bovine colostrum into value-added formulations for human consumption requires the adjustment of its composition since the primary production stage. Consequently, animal rearing should be considered in the employed bovine colostrum processing technologies.

Association of plant-based diet index with sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults: The Healthy Dance Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between plant-based diet indices and sleep quality in Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

The study included 2424 participants aged 45 years and older. Dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale. Plant-based diet was categorized based on 3 indices (score range, 17-85) covering 17 food groups: the overall plant-based diet index, healthful plant-based diet index, and unhealthful plant-based diet index. The associations between these plant-based diet indices and sleep quality were examined using logistic and linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

After controlling for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and multiple disease-related factors, participants in the highest quartile of the healthful plant-based diet index had 0.55 higher odds of better sleep quality (95% CI: 0.42, 0.72; Ptrend< .001). In contrast, participants in the highest quartile of the unhealthful plant-based diet index had 2.03 higher odds of poor sleep quality (95% CI: 1.51, 2.72; Ptrend< .001). In addition, plant-based diet index and healthful plant-based diet index were inversely associated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, while unhealthful plant-based diet index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores were positively associated.

CONCLUSIONS

We found unhealthy plant-based diets are significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Adherence to overall plant-based diets, especially healthy plant-based diets, was positively associated with optimal sleep quality.

Effect of dietary gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulated the growth performance, immune and antioxidant capacity, digestive enzymes, intestinal histology and gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus)

Dietary GABA plays an important role in a variety of physiological functions in animals, but this has been rarely reported in fish. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with GABA on growth, serum antioxidant indicators, digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, and the gene expression of Nile tilapia. Diets containing three different GABA concentrations, 0 (control), 200 mg/kg (GABA200), and 500 mg/kg (GABA500), were fed to Nile tilapia (6.97 ± 0.34 g) for 56 days. The present study found that increasing dietary GABA content could increase the fish growth performance including final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily gain, protein efficiency ratio, and feed efficiency compared to the control diet. Interestingly, the feed conversion ratio was improved by dietary GABA supplementation. The antioxidant enzyme activities against ammonia stress of fish fed the GABA diets were significantly higher than the corresponding control group throughout the 96-h ammonia exposure. Moreover, significant increases in digestive enzyme activities including protease, amylase and lipase were found in fish fed the GABA diets. Intestinal morphology analysis revealed increased heights and widths of intestinal villi as well as thickness of the intestinal muscularis in fish fed the GABA diets compared to the control diet. The supplementation of diets with GABA significantly increased the expression level of immune- and growth-related genes. The above results indicate that dietary GABA can modulate the growth, improve their immune response and antioxidant status, gut health and morphology and gene expression of Nile tilapia. Therefore, GABA is a promising feed additive for Nile tilapia aquaculture.

Omics techniques reveal the toxicity mechanisms of three antiepileptic drugs to juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain and liver

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder, is characterized by seizures that are an appearance of excessive brain activity and is symptomatically treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Oxcarbazepine (OCBZ), lamotrigine (LTG), and carbamazepine (CBZ) are widely used AEDs in clinics and are very often detected in aquatic environments. However, neither the sub-lethal effects nor the specific mechanisms of these AEDs' action on the fish are well understood. In this study, juvenile zebrafish were exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (100 μg/L) of OCBZ, LTG, and CBZ for 28 d, after which indicators of oxidative stress (i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level) and neurotoxicity (i.e. acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level, and glutamic acid (Glu) level) were measured. Brain SOD activity was significantly increased by three AEDs, while brain CAT activity was significantly inhibited by LTG and CBZ. Liver SOD activity was significantly enhanced by CBZ, and liver CAT activity was significantly induced by OCBZ and LTG. Liver MDA level was significantly increased by three AEDs. Brain AChE activity was significantly increased by LTG and CBZ, and brain GABA level was significantly enhanced by three AEDs. However, there were no significant alterations in the levels of MDA and Glu in zebrafish brain. To ascertain mechanisms of AEDs-induced toxicity, brain transcriptomics and liver metabolomics were conducted in zebrafish. The brain transcriptomics results showed that lots of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in the sensory system, the immune system, the digestive system, the metabolic processes, and others in three AEDs treated groups. The metabolomics data indicated dysregulation of glycerophospholipid signaling and lipid homeostasis in zebrafish liver after three AEDs exposure. The overall results of this study improve understanding of the sub-lethal effects and potential molecular mechanisms of action of AEDs in fish.

Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Water Extract from Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.) Seeds Fermented by Lactobacillus brevis L32

Although Ziziphus jujuba Mill (jujube) is used in folk medicine for hypnotic sedative, anxiolytic, and many other purposes, to date, only a few studies have revealed its sleep-promoting effects and related mechanisms. Currently, drugs used for the treatment of sleep disorders have various side effects, so it is essential to develop safe natural materials. Therefore, we evaluated the sleep-enhancing activity and mechanism of action of an aqueous extract of jujube seeds (ZW) fermented with Lactobacillus brevis L-32 in rodent models. The starch contained in ZW was removed by enzymatic degradation and fermented with L. brevis to obtain a fermented product (ZW-FM) with a high γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content. To evaluate the sleep-promoting effect of ZW-FM, pentobarbital-induced sleep tests were performed on ICR mice, and electroencephalography analysis was undertaken in Sprague Dawley rats. Additionally, the awakening relief effects of ZW-FM were confirmed in a caffeine-induced insomnia model. Finally, the mechanism of sleep enhancement by ZW-FM was analyzed using GABA receptor type A (GABAA) antagonists. The ZW-FM-treated groups (100 and 150 mg/kg) showed increased sleep time, especially the δ-wave time during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. In addition, the 150 mg/kg ZW-FM treatment group showed decreased sleep latency and increased sleep time in the insomnia model. In particular, NREM sleep time was increased and REM sleep time, which was increased by caffeine treatment, was decreased by ZW-FM treatment. ZW-FM-induced sleep increase was inhibited by the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin, bicuculline, and flumazenil, confirming that the increase was the result of a GABAergic mechanism. These results strongly suggest that the increased GABA in water extract from jujube seeds fermented by L. brevis acts as a sleep-promoting compound and that the sleep-promoting activity is related to GABAA receptor binding.

Effects of microbial-derived biotics (meta/pharma/post-biotics) on the modulation of gut microbiome and metabolome; general aspects and emerging trends

Potential effects of metabiotics (probiotics effector molecules or signaling factors), pharmabiotics (pro-functional metabolites produced by gut microbiota (GMB)) and postbiotics (multifunctional metabolites and structural compounds of food-grade microorganisms) on GMB have been rarely reviewed. These multifunctional components have several promising capabilities for prevention, alleviation and treatment of some diseases or disorders. Correlations between these essential biotics and GMB are also very interesting and important in human health and nutrition. Furthermore, these natural bioactives are involved in modulation of the immune function, control of metabolic dysbiosis and regulation of the signaling pathways. This review discusses the potential of meta/pharma/post-biotics as new classes of pharmaceutical agents and their effective mechanisms associated with GMB-host cell to cell communications with therapeutic benefits which are important in balance and the integrity of the host microbiome. In addition, cutting-edge findings about bioinformatics /metabolomics analyses related to GMB and these essential biotics are reviewed.

Metabolites Potentially Determine the High Antioxidant Properties of Limosilactobacillus fermentum U-21

Many kinds of Lactobacillus are common occupants of humans' digestive tract that support the preservation of a balanced microbial environment that benefits host health. In this study, the unique lactic acid bacterium strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum U-21, which was isolated from the feces of a healthy human, was examined for its metabolite profile in order to compare it to that of the strain L. fermentum 279, which does not have antioxidant (AO) capabilities. By using GC × GC-MS, the metabolite fingerprint of each strain was identified, and the data were then subjected to multivariate bioinformatics analysis. The L. fermentum U-21 strain has previously been shown to possess distinctive antioxidant properties in in vivo and in vitro studies, positioning it as a drug candidate for the treatment of Parkinsonism. The production of multiple distinct compounds is shown by the metabolite analysis, demonstrating the unique characteristics of the L. fermentum U-21 strain. According to reports, some of the L. fermentum U-21 metabolites found in this study have health-promoting properties. The GC × GC-MS-based metabolomic tests defined strain L. fermentum U-21 as a potential postbiotic with significant antioxidant potential.

Continuous production of gamma aminobutyric acid by engineered and immobilized Escherichia coli whole-cells in a small-scale reactor system

γ-Amino butyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid and a human neurotransmitter. Recently, increasing demand for food additives and biodegradable bioplastic monomers, such as nylon 4, has been reported. Consequently, considerable efforts have been made to produce GABA through fermentation and bioconversion. To realize bioconversion, wild-type or recombinant strains harboring glutamate decarboxylase were paired with the cheap starting material monosodium glutamate, resulting in less by-product formation and faster production compared to fermentation. To increase the reusability and stability of whole-cell production systems, this study used an immobilization and continuous production system with a small-scale continuous reactor for gram-scale production. The cation type, alginate concentration, barium concentration, and whole-cell concentration in the beads were optimized and this optimization resulted in more than 95 % conversion of 600 mM monosodium glutamate to GABA in 3 h and reuse of the immobilized cells 15 times, whereas free cells lost all activity after the ninth reaction. When a continuous production system was applied after optimizing the buffer concentration, substrate concentration, and flow rate, 165 g of GABA was produced after 96 h of continuous operation in a 14-mL scale reactor. Our work demonstrates the efficient and economical production of GABA by immobilization and continuous production in a small-scale reactor.

Fermented Vegetables and Legumes vs. Lifestyle Diseases: Microbiota and More

Silages may be preventive against lifestyle diseases, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic syndrome. Fermented vegetables and legumes are characterized by pleiotropic health effects, such as probiotic or antioxidant potential. That is mainly due to the fermentation process. Despite the low viability of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, their probiotic potential was confirmed. The modification of microbiota diversity caused by these food products has numerous implications. Most of them are connected to changes in the production of metabolites by bacteria, such as butyrate. Moreover, intake of fermented vegetables and legumes influences epigenetic changes, which lead to inhibition of lipogenesis and decreased appetite. Lifestyle diseases' feature is increased inflammation; thus, foods with high antioxidant potential are recommended. Silages are characterized by having a higher bioavailable antioxidants content than fresh samples. That is due to fermentative microorganisms that produce the enzyme β-glucosidase, which releases these compounds from conjugated bonds with antinutrients. However, fermented vegetables and legumes are rich in salt or salt substitutes, such as potassium chloride. However, until today, silages intake has not been connected to the prevalence of hypertension or kidney failure.

Integrating Enzyme Evolution and Metabolic Engineering to Improve the Productivity of Γ-Aminobutyric Acid by Whole-Cell Biosynthesis in Escherichia Coli

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is used widely in various fields, such as agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, and biobased chemicals. Based on glutamate decarboxylase (GadBM4) derived from our previous work, three mutants, GadM4-2, GadM4-8, and GadM4-31, were obtained by integrating enzyme evolution and high-throughput screening methods. The GABA productivity obtained through whole-cell bioconversion using recombinant Escherichia coli cells harboring mutant GadBM4-2 was enhanced by 20.27% compared to that of the original GadBM4. Further introduction of the central regulator GadE of the acid resistance system and the enzymes from the deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate-independent pyridoxal 5'-phosphate biosynthesis pathway resulted in a 24.92% improvement in GABA productivity, reaching 76.70 g/L/h without any cofactor addition with a greater than 99% conversion ratio. Finally, when one-step bioconversion was applied for the whole-cell catalysis in a 5 L bioreactor, the titer of GABA reached 307.5 ± 5.94 g/L with a productivity of 61.49 g/L/h by using crude l-glutamic acid (l-Glu) as the substrate. Thus, the biocatalyst constructed above combined with the whole-cell bioconversion method represents an effective approach for industrial GABA production.

Antidepressant Activities of Synthesized Benzodiazepine Analogues in Mice

Depression is a serious psychological disorder which negatively affects human feelings and actions. The use of antidepressants is the therapy of choice while treating depression. However, such drugs are associated with severe side effects. There is a need for efficient and harmless drugs. In this connection, the present study was designed to synthesize several substituted benzodiazepine derivatives and explore their antidepressant potentials in an animal model. The chalcone backbone was initially synthesized, which was then converted into several substituted benzodiazepine derivatives designated as 1-6. The synthesized compounds were identified using spectroscopic techniques. The experimental animals (mice) after acclimatation were subjected to forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) after oral administration of the synthesized compounds to evaluate their antidepressant potentials. At the completion of the mentioned test, the animals were sacrificed to determine GABA level in their brain hippocampus. The chloro-substituent compound (2) significantly reduced the immobility time (80.81 ± 1.14 s; p < 0.001 at 1.25 mg/kg body weight and 75.68 ± 3.73 s with p < 0.001 at 2.5 mg/kg body weight dose), whereas nitro-substituent compound (5) reduced the immobility time to 118.95 ± 1.31 and 106.69 ± 3.62 s (p < 0.001), respectively, at the tested doses (FST). For control groups, the recorded immobility time recorded was 177.24 ± 1.82 s. The standard drug diazepam significantly reduced immobility time to 70.13 ± 4.12 s while imipramine reduced it to 65.45 ± 2.81 s (p < 0.001). Similarly, in the TST, the compound 2 reduced immobility time to 74.93 ± 1.14 s (p < 0.001) and 70.38 ± 1.43 s (p < 0.001), while compound 5 reduced it to 88.23 ± 1.89 s (p < 0.001) and 91.31 ± 1.73 s (p < 0.001) at the tested doses, respectively, as compared to the control group immobility time (166.13 ± 2.18 s). The compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 showed weak antidepressant responses as compared to compounds 2 and 5. The compounds 2 and 5 also significantly enhanced the GABA level in the brain's hippocampus of experimental animals, indicating the possible involvement of GABAergic mechanism in alleviating the depression which is evident from the significant increase in mRNA levels for the α subunit of the GABA_A receptors in the prefrontal cortex of mice as well. From the results, it can be concluded that compound 2 and 5 could be used as alternative drugs of depression. However, further exploration in this connection is needed in other animal models in order to confirm the observed results in this study.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Increases the GABA in Rice Seed for Upregulation of Type I Collagen in the Skin

Biosynthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be achieved by naturally occurring microorganisms with the advantages of cost-effectiveness and safety. In this study, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens EH-9 strain (B. amyloliquefaciens EH-9), a soil bacterium, was used to promote the accumulation of GABA in germinated rice seed. Further, the topical application of supernatant from rice seed co-cultivated with soil B. amyloliquefaciens EH-9 can significantly increase the production of type I collagen (COL1) in the dorsal skin of mice. The knocking down of the GABA-A receptor (GABA_A) significantly reduced the production of COL1 in the NIH/3T3 cells and in the dorsal skin of mice. This result suggests that topical application of GABA can promote the biosynthesis of COL1 via its interaction with the GABA_A receptor in the dorsal skin of mice. In summary, our findings illustrate for the first time that soil B. amyloliquefaciens EH-9 elicits GABA production in germinated rice seed to upregulate the formation of COL1 in the dorsal skin of mice. This study is translational because the result shows a potential remedy for skin aging by stimulating COL1 synthesis using biosynthetic GABA associated with B. amyloliquefaciens EH-9.

High Production of γ-Aminobutyric Acid by Activating the xyl Operon of Lactobacillus brevis

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with important physiological functions such as sleep assistance and anti-depression. In this study, we developed a fermentation process for the high-efficiency production of GABA by Lactobacillus brevis (Lb. brevis) CE701. First, xylose was found as the optimal carbon source that could improve the GABA production and OD₆₀₀ in shake flasks to 40.35 g/L and 8.64, respectively, which were 1.78-fold and 1.67-fold of the glucose. Subsequently, the analysis of the carbon source metabolic pathway indicated that xylose activated the expression of the xyl operon, and xylose metabolism produced more ATP and organic acids than glucose, which significantly promoted the growth and GABA production of Lb. brevis CE701. Then, an efficient GABA fermentation process was developed by optimizing the medium components using response surface methodology. Finally, the production of GABA reached 176.04 g/L in a 5 L fermenter, which was 336% higher than that in a shake flask. This work enables the efficient synthesis of GABA using xylose, which will provide guidance for the industrial production of GABA.

Changes in Bio-Functional Compounds, ACE Inhibition, and Antioxidant Capacity after Mixed Fermentation of Eight Whole Grains

Whole grains are rich in nutrients and antioxidants and can be fermented to increase their biological functions. This study used two fermentation steps to ferment eight whole grains. The bio-functional compounds, ACE inhibition, and antioxidant capacity were measured during the second fermentation step. The results indicate that the total phenols content increased by 2605%, total flavonoid content increased by 1707%, ABTS radical scavenging capacity increased by 239%, DPPH radical scavenging capacity increased by 325%, GABA increased by 4810%, glucuronic acid increased by 4278%, ACE inhibition increased by 69.28%, and total amino acids increased by 2197.72% after 13 weeks of fermentation. These results showed that a fermentation beverage with eight whole grains could be considered a drink with health benefits.

Effects of fungal based bioactive compounds on human health: Review paper

Since the first years of history, microbial fermentation products such as bread, wine, yogurt and vinegar have always been noteworthy regarding their nutritional and health effects. Similarly, mushrooms have been a valuable food product in point of both nutrition and medicine due to their rich chemical components. Alternatively, filamentous fungi, which can be easier to produce, play an active role in the synthesis of some bioactive compounds, which are also important for health, as well as being rich in protein content. Therefore, this review presents some important bioactive compounds (bioactive peptides, chitin/chitosan, β-glucan, gamma-aminobutyric acid, L-carnitine, ergosterol and fructooligosaccharides) synthesized by fungal strains and their health benefits. In addition, potential probiotic- and prebiotic fungi were researched to determine their effects on gut microbiota. The current uses of fungal based bioactive compounds for cancer treatment were also discussed. The use of fungal strains in the food industry, especially to develop innovative food production, has been seen as promising microorganisms in obtaining healthy and nutritious food.

Endocytosis of GABA receptor: Signaling in nervous system

GABA (ᵞ-aminobutyric acid), is the principal neurotransmitter known for its inhibitory role in chemical synapses. Being localized primarily in the central nervous system (CNS) it maintains a balance between excitatory (regulated by another neurotransmitter, glutamate) and inhibitory impulses. GABA acts by binding to their specific receptors GABA_A and GABA_B when released into the post-synaptic nerve terminal. Both of these receptors are responsible for fast and slow inhibition of neurotransmission, respectively. GABA_A is a ligand-gated ionopore receptor which opens the Cl^- ion channel and decreases the resting potential of the membrane resulting into inhibition of the synapse. On the other hand, GABA_B is a metabotropic receptor which increases the K⁺ ion levels preventing Ca⁺ ion release inhibiting the release of other neurotransmitters into the presynaptic membrane. The internalization and trafficking of these receptors is also conducted through distinct pathways and mechanism, discussed in detail in the chapter. Without the desired levels of GABA in the body, the psychological and neurological states of brain get hard to maintain. Various neurodegenerative diseases/disorders have been associated to low levels of GABA, such as anxiety, mood disorders, fear, schizophrenia, hungtington's chorea, seizures, epilepsy, etc. The allosteric sites present on GABA receptors have been proved to be potent drug targets to pacify the pathological states of these brain related disorders to an extent. Further in depth studies focussing on the subtypes of GABA receptors and their comprehensive mechanism are required to explore new drug targets and therapeutic avenues for effectual management of GABA related neurological diseases.

The Production of γ-Aminobutyric Acid from Free and Immobilized Cells of Levilactobacillus brevis Cultivated in Anaerobic and Aerobic Conditions

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has several beneficial effects on human health. GABA may be produced via chemical synthesis or through microbial metabolism, and Levilactobacillus brevis is recognized as a GABA-producing species. In this study, 11 Lvb. brevis strains were screened for GABA production, and the best producers were selected to verify the effect of aerobic (AE) and respiratory (RS) cultivations on growth parameters, biomass, and GABA accumulation. Lvb. brevis LB12 was then used to evaluate the combined effect of the incubation atmosphere (anaerobiosis vs. aerobiosis), cell protection (free vs. immobilized cells), and cell recycling (fresh vs. starved cells) on GABA production. Glutamate (GLU) consumption and GABA accumulation were detected by Thin-layer Chromatography (TLC) and RP-HPLC analyses. The ability to produce GABA was widespread among the strains. AE and RS growth improved biomass production, but oxygen availability impaired GLU to GABA conversion, and the anaerobically growing cells had the highest GABA productivity. Immobilized strains had lower efficiency in both GLU uptake and conversion compared to free cells, probably due to the poor diffusion in alginate beads. The use of resting cells allowed further GABA production without the cultivation step, but cell activity was exhausted after three cycles of reutilization. Lvb. brevis LB12 is an excellent GABA producer, and AE cultivation can be exploited to improve the final cell density; however, the conditions for boosting GLU to GABA conversion and cell regeneration need to be further investigated.

Metabolomics-based investigation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (Sinovac) reveals an immune-dependent metabolite biomarker

SARS-CoV-2 and its mutant strains continue to rapidly spread with high infection and fatality. Large-scale SARS-CoV-2 vaccination provides an important guarantee for effective resistance to existing or mutated SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. However, whether the host metabolite levels respond to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-influenced host immunity remains unclear. To help delineate the serum metabolome profile of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated volunteers and determine that the metabolites tightly respond to host immune antibodies and cytokines, in this study, a total of 59 sera samples were collected from 30 individuals before SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and from 29 COVID-19 vaccines 2 weeks after the two-dose vaccination. Next, untargeted metabolomics was performed and a distinct metabolic composition was revealed between the pre-vaccination (VB) group and two-dose vaccination (SV) group by partial least squares-discriminant and principal component analyses. Based on the criteria: FDR < 0.05, absolute log2 fold change greater than 0.25, and VIP >1, we found that L-glutamic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), succinic acid, and taurine showed increasing trends from SV to VB. Furthermore, SV-associated metabolites were mainly annotated to butanoate metabolism and glutamate metabolism pathways. Moreover, two metabolite biomarkers classified SV from VB individuals with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96. Correlation analysis identified a positive association between four metabolites enriched in glutamate metabolism and serum antibodies in relation to IgG, IgM, and IgA. These results suggest that the contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid and indole in serum could be applied as biomarkers in distinguishing vaccinated volunteers from the unvaccinated. What’s more, metabolites such as GABA and taurine may serve as a metabolic target for adjuvant vaccines to boost the ability of the individuals to improve immunity.

Hypertension of liver-yang hyperactivity syndrome induced by a high salt diet by altering components of the gut microbiota associated with the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle

The gut microbiota and metabolites are closely related to hypertension; however, the changes in the composition of the gut microbiome and metabolites linking a high salt diet to elevated blood pressure are not established. In this study, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of hypertension caused by high salt had been diagnosed and the pathogenesis of hypertension was explored from the perspective of intestinal microecology. Rats in a high salt diet-induced hypertension group (CG) and normal group (CZ) were compared by 16S rRNA gene full-length sequencing and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify differences in the bacterial community structure, metabolites, and metabolic pathways. Hypertension induced by a high salt diet belongs to liver-Yang hyperactivity syndrome. Alpha and beta diversity as well as the composition of microbiota from the phylum to species levels differed substantially between the CG and CZ groups. In an analysis of differential metabolites in the intestines, a high salt diet mainly affected the metabolism of amino acids and their derivatives; in particular, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was down-regulated and glutamic acid and its derivatives were up-regulated under a high salt diet. Based on a KEGG analysis, high salt intake mainly altered pathways related to GABA and the glutamate/glutamine metabolism, such as the GABAergic synapse pathway and glutamatergic synapse pathway. The correlation analysis of differential gut microbes and differential metabolites suggested that a high salt diet promoted hypertension via the inhibition of Clostridiaceae_1 growth and alterations in the GABA metabolic pathway, leading to increased blood pressure. These findings suggest that a high salt diet induces hypertension of liver-Yang hyperactivity syndrome by mediating the microbiota associated with the glutamate/GABA-glutamine metabolic cycle via the gut–brain axis.

Development of Functional Fermented Dairy Products Containing Taiwan Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) in Regulating Glucose Utilization

Taiwan djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is a plant native to Taiwan and is a grain rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals with antioxidant properties. This paper aimed to use appropriate processing technology and incorporate probiotics, thus combining Taiwan’s high-quality milk sources to develop Taiwan djulis fermented dairy products. Later, FL83B cells have used to evaluate the glucose utilization ability after the administration of djulis. We first screened Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and combined it with the traditional yogurt strains Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus for cultivation. Further, the fermentation process was optimized where 7.5% djulis and an inoculum of 107 colony forming unit/mL were fermented at 40 °C for 18 h. Compared to fermented milk without djulis, the analysis of various nutrients and active ingredients showed that free radical scavenging abilities of DPPH and ABTS reached 2.3 and 2.0 times (752.35 ± 29.29 µg and 771.52 ± 3.79 µg TE/g, respectively). The free phenol content increased 2.5 times (169.90 ± 14.59 mg gallic acid/g); the total flavonoid content enhanced 4.8 times (3.05 ± 0.03 mg quercetin/g), and the gamma-aminobutyric acid content was 3.07 ± 0.94 mg/g. In a co-culture of mouse liver cells with fermented products, 100 ppm ethanol extract of fermented products effectively improved glucose utilization with increased glucose transporter expression. This functional fermented dairy product can be developed into the high value added local agricultural products and enhance multiple applications including medical and therapeutic fields.

Pharmacotherapeutic management of insomnia and effects on sleep processes, neural plasticity, and brain systems modulating stress: A narrative review

Introduction

Insomnia is a stress-related sleep disorder, may favor a state of allostatic overload impairing brain neuroplasticity, stress immune and endocrine pathways, and may contribute to mental and physical disorders. In this framework, assessing and targeting insomnia is of importance.

Aim

Since maladaptive neuroplasticity and allostatic overload are hypothesized to be related to GABAergic alterations, compounds targeting GABA may play a key role. Accordingly, the aim of this review was to discuss the effect of GABAA receptor agonists, short-medium acting hypnotic benzodiazepines and the so called Z-drugs, at a molecular level.

Method

Literature searches were done according to PRISMA guidelines. Several combinations of terms were used such as “hypnotic benzodiazepines” or “brotizolam,” or “lormetazepam” or “temazepam” or “triazolam” or “zolpidem” or “zopiclone” or “zaleplon” or “eszopiclone” and “insomnia” and “effects on sleep” and “effect on brain plasticity” and “effect on stress system”. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of existing literature, we ended up with a narrative review.

Results

Among short-medium acting compounds, triazolam has been the most studied and may regulate the stress system at central and peripheral levels. Among Z-drugs eszopiclone may regulate the stress system. Some compounds may produce more “physiological” sleep such as brotizolam, triazolam, and eszopiclone and probably may not impair sleep processes and related neural plasticity. In particular, triazolam, eszopiclone, and zaleplon studied in vivo in animal models did not alter neuroplasticity.

Conclusion

Current models of insomnia may lead us to revise the way in which we use hypnotic compounds in clinical practice. Specifically, compounds should target sleep processes, the stress system, and sustain neural plasticity. In this framework, among the short/medium acting hypnotic benzodiazepines, triazolam has been the most studied compound while among the Z-drugs eszopiclone has demonstrated interesting effects. Both offer potential new insight for treating insomnia.

Dietary Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Induces Satiation by Enhancing the Postprandial Activation of Vagal Afferent Nerves

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is present in the mammalian brain as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and in foods. It is widely used as a supplement that regulates brain function through stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing effects. However, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, as it is reportedly unable to cross the blood–brain barrier. Here, we explored whether a single peroral administration of GABA affects feeding behavior as an evaluation of brain function and the involvement of vagal afferent nerves. Peroral GABA at 20 and 200 mg/kg immediately before refeeding suppressed short-term food intake without aversive behaviors in mice. However, GABA administration 30 min before refeeding demonstrated no effects. A rise in circulating GABA concentrations by the peroral administration of 200 mg/kg GABA was similar to that by the intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg GABA, which did not alter feeding. The feeding suppression by peroral GABA was blunted by the denervation of vagal afferents. Unexpectedly, peroral GABA alone did not alter vagal afferent activities histologically. The coadministration of a liquid diet and GABA potentiated the postprandial activation of vagal afferents, thereby enhancing postprandial satiation. In conclusion, dietary GABA activates vagal afferents in collaboration with meals or meal-evoked factors and regulates brain function including feeding behavior.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Onion in Response to Infection by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cifferi

Purple blotch (PB) is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of onion and other alliums, caused by a necrotrophic fungal pathogen Alternaria porri. There are no reports on the molecular response of onion to PB infection. To elucidate the response of onion to A. porri infection, we consequently carried out an RNAseq analysis of the resistant (Arka Kalyan; AK) and susceptible (Agrifound rose; AFR) genotype after an artificial infection. Through differential expression analyses between control and pathogen-treated plants, we identified 8,064 upregulated and 248 downregulated genes in AFR, while 832 upregulated and 564 downregulated genes were identified in AK. A further significant reprogramming in the gene expression profile was also demonstrated by a functional annotation analysis. Gene ontology (GO) terms, which are particularly involved in defense responses and signaling, are overrepresented in current analyses such as "oxidoreductase activity," "chitin catabolic processes," and "defense response." Several key plant defense genes were differentially expressed on A. porri infection, which includes pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, receptor-like kinases, phytohormone signaling, cell-wall integrity, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and transcription factors. Some of the genes were exclusively overexpressed in resistant genotype, namely, GABA transporter1, ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase, and PR-5 (thaumatin-like). Antioxidant enzyme activities were observed to be increased after infection in both genotypes but higher activity was found in the resistant genotype, AK. This is the first report of transcriptome profiling in onion in response to PB infection and will serve as a resource for future studies to elucidate the molecular mechanism of onion-A. porri interaction and to improve PB resistance in onions.

Therapeutic Anti-Depressant Potential of Microbial GABA Produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains for GABAergic Signaling Restoration and Inhibition of Addiction-Induced HPA Axis Hyperactivity

The role of the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis in mood regulation and depression treatment has gained attention in recent years, as evidenced by the growing number of animal and human studies that have reported the anti-depressive and associated gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) effects of probiotics developed from Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacterial strains in the gut microbiome. The depressive states attenuated by these probiotics in patients suffering from clinical depression also characterize the severe and relapse-inducing withdrawal phase of the addiction cycle, which has been found to arise from the intoxication-enabled hyperregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s major stress response system, and a corresponding attenuation of its main inhibitory system, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system. Therefore, the use of probiotics in the treatment of general cases of depression provides hope for a novel therapeutic approach to withdrawal depression remediation. This review discusses potential therapeutic avenues by which probiotic application of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains can be used to restore the central GABAergic activity responsible for attenuating the depression-inducing HPA axis hyperactivity in addiction withdrawal. Also, information is provided on brain GABAergic signaling from other known GABA-producing strains of gut microbiota.

Recent advances in the utilization of tea active ingredients to regulate sleep through neuroendocrine pathway, immune system and intestinal microbiota

Sleep disorders have received widespread attention nowadays, which have been promoted by the accelerated pace of life, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise in modern society. The chemical medications to improve sleep has shown serious side effects and risks with high costs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop efficient nutraceuticals from natural sources to ensure sleep quality as a sustainable strategy. As the second most consumed beverage worldwide, the health-promoting effects of tea have long been widely recognized. However, the modulatory effect of teas on sleep disorders has received much less attention. Tea contains various natural sleep-modulating active ingredients such as L-theanine (LTA), caffeine, tea polyphenols (TPP), tea pigments, tea polysaccharides (TPS) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This review focuses on the potential influence and main regulating mechanisms of different tea active ingredients on sleep, including being absorbed by the small intestine and then cross the blood-brain barrier to act on neurons in the brain as neurotransmitters, manipulating the immune system and further affect sleep-wake cycle by regulating the levels of cytokines, and controlling the gut microbes to maintain the homeostasis of circadian rhythm. Current research progress and limitations are summarized and several future development directions are also proposed. This review hopes to provide new insights into the future elucidation of the sleep-regulating mechanisms of different teas and their natural active ingredients and the development of tea-based functional foods for alleviating sleep disorders. HighlightsNatural sleep-modulating active ingredients in tea have been summarized.Influences of drinking tea or tea active ingredients on sleep are reviewed.Three main regulating mechanisms of tea active ingredients on sleep are explained.The associations among nervous system, immune system and intestinal microbiota are investigated.The potential of developing delivery carriers for tea active ingredients is proposed.

Association of Maternal Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: a Study in a Rodent Model of Autism

The present study investigated that maternal type 1 diabetes may contribute to autism pathogenesis in offspring, and that insulin therapy during pregnancy may prevent the onset of autism. As evidenced, selected brain biomarkers representing the accepted etiological mechanism of autism in newborn rats from diabetic mothers and diabetic mothers receiving insulin therapy compared to the propionic acid (PPA) rodent model of autism were screened. Female Wistar rats with a controlled fertility cycle were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group treated with a single dose of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D), and a group treated with a single dose of STZ to induce T1D along with insulin therapy. Neonatal rats from these groups were divided into four experimental groups of six animals each: the control group, oral buffered PPA-treated group administered a neurotoxic dose of 250 mg/kg PPA for 3 days to induce autism, neonatal rats from mothers with T1D, and neonatal rats from mothers with T1D receiving insulin therapy. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and glutamate excitotoxicity were examined in brain homogenates from all neonatal rats. The development of pathogenic bacteria was monitored in stool samples from all rat groups. Descriptive analyses of changes in fecal microbiota and overgrowth of Clostridium species were performed in diabetic mothers, diabetic mothers treated with insulin therapy, and their offspring. Clostridium species may induce autism-relevant behaviors in offspring from mothers with T1D. Maternal T1D without insulin therapy increased lipid peroxidation levels, reduced GST activity, and lower offspring' vitamin C and GSH levels. Increased IL-6 levels and reduced GABA levels were detected in brain homogenates from neonatal rats whose mothers had T1D. Interestingly, insulin therapy reduced MDA and IL-6 levels and increased GST, GSH, and vitamin C levels in brain homogenates of neonatal rats from mothers with T1D receiving insulin therapy compared to the PPA-treated group. Based on our results, the PPA-treated group and neonatal rats from mothers with T1D exhibited similar results. These findings suggest that neonatal rats from mothers with T1D may develop autism-relevant biochemical autistic features and that insulin therapy may ameliorate oxidative stress, poor detoxification, inflammation, and excitotoxicity as ascertained mechanisms involved in the etiology of autism.