Modulatory effect of fructooligosaccharide against triphenyltin-induced oxidative stress and immune suppression in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

TPT disrupts early embryonic development and glucose metabolism of marine medaka in different salinites

Triphenyltin (TPT) is an organotin compound frequently detected in coastal estuaries, yet studies on TPT's effects in regions with significant salinity fluctuations, such as coastal estuaries, are currently limited. To investigate the toxic effects of TPT under different salinity conditions, this study focused on marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) embryos. Through early morphological observations, RNA-seq analysis, biochemical marker assays, and qPCR detection, we explored the impact of TPT exposure on the early embryonic development of marine medaka under varying salinities. The study found that TPT exposure significantly increased embryo mortality at salinities of 0 ppt and 30 ppt. RNA-seq analysis revealed that TPT primarily affects glucose metabolism and glycogen synthesis processes in embryos. Under high salinity conditions, TPT may inhibit glucose metabolism by suppressing glycolysis and promoting gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, TPT exposure under different salinities led to the downregulation of genes associated with the insulin signaling pathway (ins, insra, irs2b, pik3ca, pdk1b, akt1, foxo1a), which may be linked to suppressed glucose metabolism and increased embryonic mortality. In summary, TPT exposure under different salinities affects the early development of marine medaka embryos and inhibits glucose metabolism. This study provides additional data to support research on organotin compounds in coastal estuaries.

Sulforaphane modulates some stress parameters in TPT-exposed Cyprinus carpio in relation to liver metabolome

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on liver injury induced by triphenyltin (TPT) in Cyprinus carpio (C. carpio). The fish (average weight of 56.9±0.4 g) were divided into 4 groups with four replicates: the control, TPT, SFN+TPT and SFN groups. Twenty fish were selected from each tank and cultured for 8 weeks. Then, serum and liver samples were collected for physiological, biochemical and metabolomic analyses. In the present study, TPT downregulated the expression of the lysozyme gene, upregulated HSP70 and Hsp90 gene expression, and decreased the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX). However, dietary SFN alleviated oxidative stress, and prevented changes in immune genes. Metabolomic analysis revealed that TPT exposure changed key metabolites in the main phenylalanine, fatty acid and glycerophosphatide metabolic pathways, which are related to inflammation, oxidative stress and immunity and might also lead to an imbalance of liver energy and lipid metabolism. Dietary SFN promoted amino acid metabolism and increased metabolites related to immunity, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and protein synthesis in liver of C. carpio. In summary, dietary SFN supplementation reversed TPT-induced decreases in immunity and oxidative stress and regulated amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation and immunity-related metabolic pathways.

Protective Role of Sulforaphane against Physiological Toxicity of Triphenyltin in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus)

This experiment mainly explored the protective role of sulforaphane (SFN) against physiological toxicity of triphenyltin (TPT) in Cyprinus carpio haematopterus. In total, 320 Fish (56.90 ± 0.40 g) were randomly divided into four groups with four replicates each. The control group was fed the basal diet, the TPT group (TPT) was exposed to 10 ng L-1 TPT on the basis of the control group, the SFN + TPT group (TPT + SFN) was fed a diet supplemented with 10 mg kg-1 SFN on the TPT group, and the SFN group (SFN) was fed a diet supplemented with 10 mg kg-1 SFN. After 56 days of breeding trials, the results showed that TPT exposure resulted in a remarkable decrease (p < 0.05) in final weight, weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (CF), but an increase (p < 0.05) in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of fish. TPT treatment decreased (p < 0.05) the amounts of hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb), plasma complement component 3 (C3) and C4 contents, alternative complement pathway (ACH50), acid phosphatase (ACP) and lysozyme (LZM) activities, liver glutathione (GSH) content, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and SOD mRNA expressions, but increased (p < 0.05) plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, liver malonaldehyde (MDA) content, tumor Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL-1β, and MDA mRNA expressions. A histological analysis of the liver showed that a higher occurrence rates of the hepatocyte hypertrophy, nuclear disappearance and hepatocyte vacuolization was observed in the hepatocytes of fish exposed to TPT, and it was accompanied by the dilation of hepatic sinusoids. In addition, the toxicity induced by TPT was significantly improved in the groups that were treated with SFN, and SFN was able to improve growth performance and immunity, alleviate TPT-induced changes in inflammatory factors, ameliorate oxidative stress, and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes (p < 0.05). The addition of SFN also alleviated liver damage caused by TPT and protected the structural integrity of the liver. Overall, these findings suggest that TPT inhibited the growth, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of Cyprinus carpio haematopteru. Dietary SFN could be beneficial for growth promotion, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and protection of liver structural integrity. Therefore, SFN is a prospective feed supplement for ameliorating the damage caused to fish by TPT contamination.

Recent developments in the production of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides using fungal fructosyltransferases

Prebiotic nutritional ingredients have received attention due to their health-promoting potential and related uses in the food and nutraceutical industries. Recent times have witnessed an increasing interest in the use of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) as prebiotics and their generation using microbial enzymes. FOS consumption is known to confer health benefits such as protection against colon cancer, improved mineral absorption, lowering effect on serum lipid and cholesterol concentration, antioxidant properties, favourable dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota, and immuno-modulatory effects. Comparative analysis of molecular models of various fructosyltransferases (FTases) reveals the mechanism of action and interaction of substrate with the active site. Microbial FTases carry out transfructosylation of sucrose into fructooligosaccharides (kestose, nystose, and fructofuranosylnystose), the most predominantly used prebiotic oligosaccharides. Furthermore, FOS has also been used for other purposes, such as low-calorie sweeteners, dietary fibres, and as the substrates for fermentation. This review highlights the occurrence, characteristics, immobilisation, and potential applications of FOS-generating fungal FTases. Production, heterologous expression, molecular characteristics, and modelling of fungal FTases underpinning their biotechnological prospects are also discussed.

Fecal transplantation of young mouse donors effectively improves enterotoxicity in elderly recipients exposed to triphenyltin

Triphenyltin (TPT) is a widely used biocide known for its high toxicity to various organisms, including humans, and its potential contribution to environmental pollution. The aging process leads to progressive deterioration of physiological functions in the elderly, making them more susceptible to the toxic effects of environmental pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the mitigating effect of fecal transplantation in young mice on the toxicological impairment caused by TPT exposure. For the study, 18-month-old mice were divided into four groups with six replicates each. The control group was fed a basal diet, the TPT group was exposed to 3.75 mg/Kg TPT, the feces group received fecal transplantation from 8-week-old young mice, and the combined group was exposed to 3.75 mg/Kg TPT after receiving fecal transplantation. Compared with the elderly control group, TPT induced significant upregulation of mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), while the anti-inflammatory factor gene IL-10 was significantly suppressed. The mRNA expression of intestinal barrier proteins (Claudin, Occludin, Muc2) was also significantly downregulated. However, fecal transplantation in young mice alleviated TPT-induced changes in inflammatory factors, ameliorated oxidative stress, and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (including SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). Further analysis using 16 s RNA showed that exposure to TPT led to changes in the composition of the intestinal flora. Untargeted metabolomics observations of feces from older mice revealed that exposure to TPT resulted in altered fecal metabolites. Fecal transplantation in young mice altered the microbiota of TPT-exposed older mice, especially by enhancing the levels of core probiotics. Similar beneficial effects were observed through untargeted metabolomics. Overall, this study highlights the potential benefits of young fecal transplantation in protecting the elderly from the toxicity of TPT, offering a promising approach to improve healthy aging.

Fish Responses to Alternative Feeding Ingredients under Abiotic Chronic Stress

Aquaculture has become one of the most attractive food production activities as it provides high-quality protein for the growing human population. However, the abiotic chronic stress of fish in intensive fish farming leads to a detrimental condition that affects their health and somatic growth, comprising productive performance. This work aims to comprehensively review the impact of alternative and novel dietary protein sources on fish somatic growth, metabolism, and antioxidative capacity under environmental/abiotic stressors. The documental research indicates that ingredients from rendered animal by-products, insects, bacteria as single-cell proteins, and fungal organisms (e.g., yeast, filamentous fungus, and mushrooms) benefit fish health and performance. A set of responses allows fish growth, health, and survival to remain unaffected by feeding with alternative ingredients during chronic environmental stress. Those ingredients stimulate the production of enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and selenoproteins that counteract ROS effects. In addition, the humoral immune system promotes immunoglobulin production (IgM) and cortisol plasmatic reduction. Further investigation must be carried out to establish the specific effect by species. Additionally, the mixture and the pre-treatment of ingredients such as hydrolysates, solid fermentations, and metabolite extraction potentialize the beneficial effects of diets in chronically stressed fish.

TMT-based quantitative proteomics analysis of Sprague-Dawley rats liver reveals Triphenyltin induced liver damage and lipid metabolism disorders

Triphenyltin (TPT) is a widely used pesticide that has a negative impact on biological health and production efficiency. In addition, TPT poses a threat to human health through the food chain and environmental pollution. However, the exact mechanism of TPT toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the hepatotoxicity of TPT and its effects on lipid metabolism using male SD rats as an animal model. Our results from HE and serum biochemical analysis suggested that TPT could damage liver structure and function, resulting in disruption of lipid metabolism. We therefore proceeded to analyze the proteomic response of rat liver tissue after 28 days of treatment with 2 mg/kg/d TPT. Our study demonstrates that TPT has a variety of effects on liver protein expression in rats. Through bioinformatic analysis, we observed significant changes in proteins related to fatty acid oxidation and synthesis due to TPT exposure. Furthermore, western blot and RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that TPT can affect lipid metabolism through the PPAR pathway. These findings suggest that TPT exposure can lead to liver damage, lipid accumulation and metabolic disorders.

Toxic effects of triphenyltin on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Triphenyltin (TPT) is known to be an environmental endocrine disruptor and has adverse effects on aquatic animals. In this study, zebrafish embryos were treated with three different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50 nmol/L) based on the LC₅₀ value at 96 h post fertilization (96 hpf), after TPT exposure. The developmental phenotype and hatchability were observed and recorded. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in zebrafish were detected at 72 hpf and 96 hpf using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a probe. The number of neutrophils after exposure was observed using transgenic zebrafish Tg (lyz: DsRed). RNA-seq analysis was used to compare the gene expression changes in zebrafish embryos at 96 hpf in the control group and 50 nmol/L TPT exposure group. The data revealed that TPT caused a delay in hatching of zebrafish embryos in a time- and dose-dependent manner, as well as causing pericardial edema, spinal curvature and melanin reduction. ROS levels in embryos exposed to TPT increased, and the number of neutrophils increased after TPT exposure to Tg (lyz: DsRed) in transgenic zebrafish. RNA-seq results were also analyzed, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that significant differential genes were enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway (P < 0.05), and the PPAR signaling pathway mainly affected genes related to lipid metabolism. The RNA-seq results were verified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Oil red O and Nile red staining showed increased lipid accumulation after TPT exposure. These findings suggest that TPT affects the development of zebrafish embryos even at relatively low concentrations.

Systematic toxicological analysis of the effect of salinity on the physiological stress induced by triphenyltin in Nile tilapia

Triphenyltin (TPT), a synthetic chemical, is prevalent in complex salinity areas, including estuaries and coastal regions. However, current studies on the toxicological effects of TPT relevant to the environment at different salinities are limited. In the study, biochemical, histological, and transcriptional analyses of TPT and salinity alone, or in combination, was performed on the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) liver. Nile tilapia exhibited weakened antioxidant defenses and liver damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that TPT exposure primarily affected lipid metabolism and immunity; salinity exposure alone particularly affected carbohydrate metabolism; combined exposure primarily immune- and metabolic-related signaling pathways. In addition, the single exposure to TPT or salinity induced inflammatory responses by up-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas combined exposure suppressed inflammation by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. These findings are beneficial to understand the negative effects of TPT exposure in Nile tilapia in the broad salinity zones and its potential defense mechanisms.

Assessing the ecotoxicity of combined exposure to triphenyltin and norfloxacin at environmental levels: A case study of immunotoxicity and metabolic regulation in carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This paper evaluates the coexistence risks of triphenyltin (TPT) and norfloxacin (NOR) to aquatic organisms in the aquatic environment. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) was used as the test organism, the control and exposure groups (1 μg/L TPT), 1 mg/L (NOR), 1 μg/LTPT+1 mg/LNOR (TPT_NOR)) were set up according to the environmental concentration in the severely polluted area for 42 days. The single/combined toxic effects of TPT and NOR on aquatic organisms were evaluated by analyzing carp brain transcriptome sequencing, gut microbiota structure, and detection of biochemical indicators and RT-qPCR. Our results show that TPT and NOR induce lipid metabolism disorder in carp brain tissue, affecting the metabolism of cytochrome P450 to exogenous substances, and NOR also induces immunosuppression in carp. Long-term exposure to TPT combined with NOR amplifies the monotoxicity of TPT or NOR on lipid metabolism and immunosuppression in carp, induces immune dysfunction in brain tissue and changes in gut microbiota structure. However, TPT_NOR has no obvious neurotoxicity on the brain, but it can inhibit the level of intestinal MDA. This highlights that co-exposure of TPT and NOR amplifies metabolic disorders and immunosuppressive functions in carp.

Aflatoxin B1 Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Disorder to Increase the Infection of Cyprinid Herpesvirus 2 in Gibel Carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Aflatoxin contamination of food and water is a serious problem worldwide. This study investigated the defensive ability of gibel carp exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by challenging it with cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) infection. The data showed that AFB1 exposure significantly increased the mortality of CyHV-2-infected gibel carp, and enhanced the viral load in the fish liver, kidney, and spleen. The oxidative-antioxidant balance suggested that AFB1 induced severe oxidative stress, including increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the AFB1 exposed group, and the reduced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) in the AFB1 exposed group. Meanwhile, the related expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the type 1 interferon (IFN1) were noticeably down-regulated, but caspase-1 was up-regulated, after exposure to AFB1, demonstrating that fish are unable to avoid the virus infection. It should be noted that the intestinal microbiota diversity and richness were lower in the AFB1 exposed group, and the composition of intestinal microbiota was affected by AFB1, resulting in the higher abundance of bacteria (such as Aeromonas and Bacteroides) and the lower abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (such as Cetobacterium and Clostridium) in the AFB1 exposed group. This research provides insight into the possibility that AFB1 may increase the susceptibility of C. gibelio to CyHV-2 infection, and thus amplify the viral outbreak to endanger ecological safety in aquatic environment.

Essential Roles of Peroxiredoxin IV in Inflammation and Cancer

Peroxiredoxin IV (Prx4) is a 2-Cysteine peroxidase with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prx4 scavenges hydrogen peroxide and participates in oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, Prx4 is secreted outside the cell. Prx4 is upregulated in several cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. We have summarized historical and recent advances in the structure, function and biological roles of Prx4, focusing on inflammatory diseases and cancer. Oxidative stress is known to activate pro-inflammatory pathways. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cancer development. Hence, redox enzymes such as Prx4 are important players in the crosstalk between inflammation and cancer. Understanding molecular mechanisms of regulation of Prx4 expression and associated signaling pathways in normal physiological and disease conditions should reveal new therapeutic strategies. Thus, although Prx4 is a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer, further research needs to be conducted to bridge the gap to clinical application.

The Purification and Biochemical Characterization of a Weissella cibaria F1 Derived β-Mannanase for Its Use in the Preparation of Konjac Oligo-Glucomannan with Immunomodulatory Properties

Mannanase with a molecular weight of 33.1 kDa was purified from Weissella cibaria F1. The F1 mannanase contained 289 amino acid residues and shared 70.0% similarity with mannanase from Bacillus subtilis (P55278 (MANB_BACIU)). The optimum reaction conditions of F1 mannanase were 50 °C and pH 6.5. After incubation at pH 4.5–8.0 and 30–60 °C for 2 h, the enzyme activity remained above 60%. The effects of metal ions on mannanase enzyme activity were measured, and Mn2+, Mg2+, and Cu2+ increased enzyme activity. The Km (16.96 ± 0.01 μmol·mL−1) and Vmax (1119.05 ± 0.14 μmol·min−1) values showed that the enzyme exhibited high affinity for locust bean gum. Mannanase was used to hydrolyze konjac glucomannan to produce konjac oligo-glucomannan (KOGM). KOGM increased the proliferation and phagocytosis of RAW264.7 macrophages and enhanced nitric oxide, and cytokine production in macrophages, which showed potent immunostimulatory activity. In this study, the advantages of mannanase derived from lactic acid bacteria were utilized to expand the application of KOGM in the medical field, which is helpful to explore the broad prospects of KOGM in functional food or medicine.

Physiological responses in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) induced by combined stress of environmental salinity and triphenyltin

Triphenyltin (TPT) has attracted considerable attention owing to its vitality, bioaccumulation, and lurking damage. TPT widely exists in complex salinity areas such as estuaries and coastal regions. However, there are few studies on the toxicological behavior of TPT under different salinity. In the study, juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were utilized as model animals to investigate the effects of environmental relevant TPT exposure on the osmoregulation and energy metabolism in gill under different salinity. The results showed that salinity and TPT single or combined exposure affected the morphology of the gill tissue. After TPT exposure, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity significantly decreased at 0 ppt, while NKA and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase (CMA) activities significantly increased at 15 ppt. In addition, significantly higher succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were found in the control fish compared to the TPT-exposed ones at 15 ppt. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that TPT exposure affected the expression of osmoregulation and energy metabolism-related genes under different salinity. Overall, TPT exposure interfered with osmoregulation and energy metabolism under different salinity. The study will provide reference data for assessing the toxicity of organotin compounds in complex-salinity areas.

Melatonin enhances the antioxidant capacity to rescue the honey bee Apis mellifera from the ecotoxicological effects caused by environmental imidacloprid

Imidacloprid severely poisons the nontarget insect honey bee Apis mellifera. Few treatments are available to mitigate the adverse effects of imidacloprid. The primary concern is that the molecular understanding of imidacloprid toxicity is not comprehensive enough. Oxidative stress is the primary pathophysiological mechanism by which pesticides cause high mortality. Our pilot study found for the first time that imidacloprid stimulates bee brains to secrete melatonin, a free radical scavenger. However, the molecular basis for imidacloprid toxicity and the role of melatonin in coping with imidacloprid have not been systematically investigated in bees. This study administered an environmental dose of imidacloprid (36 ng/bee) orally to A. mellifera. The detoxification gene cytochrome P450 CYP4G11 was significantly induced. However, potent cytotoxicity of imidacloprid suppressed the expression of the antioxidants catalase (CAT) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) was not induced. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased. The expression of the apoptotic genes cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase-3) and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) increased, and the apoptotic features of midgut cells were prominently apparent. These results suggest that imidacloprid disrupts the bee antioxidant system, causing severe oxidative stress and tissue damage and ultimately leading to apoptosis. Significantly, however, imidacloprid exposure also stimulated bee brains to continuously secrete melatonin. Further preadministration of exogenous melatonin (200 ng/bee) orally to bees significantly reversed and enhanced the activity of the imidacloprid-suppressed antioxidants CAT, SOD, and GSH, which allowed imidacloprid-induced ROS accumulation to be effectively alleviated. The MDA content, apoptotic genes Caspase-3 and AIF, and detoxification gene CYPG411 expression were restored to normalization; midgut cell damage, apoptosis, and mortality were significantly reduced. These findings strongly suggest that melatonin enhanced bee antioxidant capacity, thus attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis to confer imidacloprid tolerance to honey bees. Melatonin secretion may be a defense mechanism to mitigate imidacloprid toxicity.

Protective Effects of 6-Gingerol on Cardiotoxicity Induced by Arsenic Trioxide Through AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway

Background and Objective: Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) induced cardiotoxicity to limit the clinical applications of the effective anticancer agent. 6-Gingerol (6G) is the main active ingredient of ginger, a food with many health benefits. The present study aims to investigate the potential pharmacological mechanisms of 6G on As₂O₃-induced myocardial injury.

Methods and Results: Fifty KunMing mice were divided into five groups (n = 10) receiving: 1) physiological saline; 2) 6G (20 mg/kg) alone; 3) As₂O₃ (5 mg/kg); 4) 6G (10 mg/kg) and As₂O₃ (5 mg/kg); 5) 6G (20 mg/kg) and As₂O₃ (5 mg/kg). 6G was given orally and As₂O₃ was given intraperitoneally once per day for seven consecutive days. Biochemical, histopathological, transmission electron microscopy, ELISA, and western blotting analyses were then performed. Based on the resultant data, As₂O₃ was found to induce cardiotoxicity in mice. 6G significantly ameliorated As₂O₃-induced heart injury, histopathological changes, oxidative stress, myocardial mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, while reversed As₂O₃-induced inhibition of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.

Conclusion: Our experimental results reveal that 6G effectively counteracts As₂O₃-induced cardiotoxicity including oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, which might be attributed to its activation action on AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Fructooligosaccharides on inflammation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and gut immune response: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Evidence shows that fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) can modulate inflammatory, oxidative, and immune activity in the gut, possibly leading to a systemic response, improving human health.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the present knowledge of the effects of FOSs on inflammation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and gut immune response.

DATA SOURCES

Studies published between December 2000 and January 2020 were systematically searched in four databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, and Scopus. After the screening of 1316 articles, 8 human studies and 20 animal models were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted separately by 2 reviewers. For each study, the design, population, exposures, main results, and conclusion were extracted. The research questions and the risk-of-bias information were also extracted. Additionally, the risk-of-bias were analyzed to guarantee the reliability of this review.

DATA ANALYSIS

A qualitative analysis revealed that FOSs can increase bifidobacteria counts and short-chain fatty acids in the gut, stimulate IgA secretion in the colon, and decrease proinflammatory cytokines, thus influencing metabolic diseases.

CONCLUSION

Studies suggest that FOS supplementation is positively associated with an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, thus enhancing the gut immune system, which may be beneficial for the host's health.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration nos 42020209865 and 42020220369.

Liquiritigenin protects against arsenic trioxide-induced liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and enhancing mTOR-mediated autophagy

Liquiritigenin (LQ) has protective effects against various hepatotoxicities. However, its specific role on arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced hepatotoxicity and the related biomolecular mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the protective actions of LQ on ATO-induced hepatotoxicity and its biomolecular mechanisms in mice. LQ was administered orally at 20 and 40 mg/kg per day for seven consecutive days with an intraperitoneal injection of ATO (5 mg/kg). Liver injury was induced by ATO and was alleviated by treatment with LQ as reflected by reduced histopathological damage of liver and decreased serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels. The generation of intracellular ROS induced by ATO was attenuated after LQ treatment. The levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH were elevated with LQ administration while MDA levels decreased. LQ mitigated elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels as well as the hepatic mitochondrial damage caused by ATO. Moreover, LQ upregulated the expression of LC3-II and enhanced autophagy in the liver of ATO-induced mice. Further studies indicated that LQ significantly suppressed the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in ATO-induced mice. In conclusion, our findings show that LQ protects against ATO-induced hepatotoxicity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and enhancement of autophagy mediated by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in mice.