High-fructose corn syrup promotes proinflammatory Macrophage activation via ROS-mediated NF-κB signaling and exacerbates colitis in mice

Comparison of Storage-Related Volatile Profiles and Sensory Properties of Cookies Containing Xylitol or Sucrose

Excessive consumption of simple sugars is responsible for non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Xylitol has anticarcinogenic, prebiotic-like characteristics and a lower glycaemic index and caloric value than sugars, which makes it a valuable alternative sweetener. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of storage of volatile compounds and sensory profiles of cookies containing xylitol as a sucrose alternative or sucrose by applying solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and quantitative descriptive analysis. The volatile compound profiles of both kinds of cookies were similar, especially regarding markers of Maillard reactions (Strecker aldehydes, pyrazines) and unfavourable compounds (aldehydes, hydrocarbons, and organic acids). Throughout the period of storage lasting 0-9 months, the total content of hydrocarbons was stable and averaged 10.2% in xylitol cookies and 12.8% in sucrose cookies; their storage for 12 months significantly (p < 0.05) increased the contents to 58.2% and 60.35%, respectively. Unlike sucrose, xylitol improved the stability of the pH and water activity of cookies and sensory attributes such as buttery aroma and texture characteristics during 12 months of storage. The results indicated that 9 months of cookie storage was the maximum recommended period. The inclusion of xylitol in cookies might replace sucrose and high-fructose-corn syrup and synthetic additives commonly used in industrial production.

Long-term oral administration of burdock fructooligosaccharide alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by mediating anti-inflammatory effects and protection of intestinal barrier function

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis, a typical subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, can cause many serious complications. Burdock fructooligosaccharide (BFO), a linear inulin with a purity of 99.439% and a molecular weight of 2345 Da, demonstrates anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

METHODS

The Kunming mice were divided into two experimental models: a normal pretreatment model and a colitis experimental model. During the experimental treatment period, we assessed changes in weight and disease activity index (DAI), quantified the intestinal index, and determined myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and reactive oxide species (ROS) levels in colitis mice. We also photographed colon morphology to investigate alterations in the integrity of the intestinal barrier function. Finally, we performed ELISA and qRT-PCR to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of BFO treatment on colitis mice.

RESULT

The long-term oral administration of BFO alone exhibited protective effects by preventing disruption of the intestinal functional structure and increasing the colon index in mice. However, in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, BFO administration facilitated quick recovery of body weight and effectively reduced the DAI, especially in the BFO-H group (500 mg/kg/day). BFO treatment maintained the integrity of the intestinal barrier by attenuating the crypt distortion and increasing the goblet cells count It restored the DSS-induced colon shortening and reduced the symptoms of colitis. These effects may be attributed to the appropriate concentrations of BFO effectively inhibiting MPO activity, clearing excessive ROS, and relieving spleen abnormalitie. BFO also attenuated the overexpression and excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1) induced by DSS, reduced intestinal inflammation, and consequently protected the intestinal barrier function.

CONCLUSION

BFO effectively alleviated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis by mediating anti-inflammatory effects and protecting the intestinal barrier integrity, thereby potentially facilitating the utilization of safer and more efficacious polysaccharides for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.

High-fructose corn syrup aggravates colitis via microbiota dysbiosis-mediated Th17/Treg imbalance

Dietary fructose is widely used in beverages, processed foods, and Western diets as food additives, and is closely related to the increased prevalence of multiple diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the detailed mechanism by which high fructose disrupts intestinal homeostasis remains elusive. The present study showed that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) administration exacerbated intestinal inflammation and deteriorated barrier integrity. Several in vivo experimental models were utilized to verify the importance of gut microbiota and immune cells in HFCS-mediated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. In addition, untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed the imbalance between primary bile acids (PBAs) and secondary bile acids (SBAs) in feces. Hence, high fructose was speculated to modulate gut microbiota community and reduced the relative abundance of Clostridium and Clostridium scindens at genus and species level respectively, followed by a decrease in SBAs, especially isoalloLCA, thereby affecting Th17/Treg cells equilibrium and promoting intestinal inflammation. These findings provide novel insights into the crosstalk between gut flora, bile acids, and mucosal immunity, and highlight potential strategies for precise treatment of IBD.

Extraintestinal Manifestations in Induced Colitis: Controversial Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Colon, Liver, and Kidney

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by continuous inflammation in the colonic mucosa. Extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) occur due to the disruption of the intestinal barrier and increased permeability caused by redox imbalance, dysbiosis, and inflammation originating from the intestine and contribute to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on colonic, hepatic, and renal tissues in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Male Swiss mice received NAC (150 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water for 30 days before and during (DSS 5% v/v; for 7 days) colitis induction. On the 38th day, colon, liver, and kidney were collected and adequately prepared for the analysis of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reduced (GSH), glutathione oxidized (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) and inflammatory biomarkers (myeloperoxidase (MPO) -, tumor necrosis factor alpha - (TNF-α, and interleukin-10 (IL-10)). In colon, NAC protected the histological architecture. However, NAC did not level up SOD, in contrast, it increased MDA and pro-inflammatory effect (increased of TNF-α and decreased of IL-10). In liver, colitis caused both oxidative (MDA, SOD, and GSH) and inflammatory damage (IL-10). NAC was able only to increase GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio. Kidney was not affected by colitis; however, NAC despite increasing CAT, GSH, and GSH/GSSG ratio promoted lipid peroxidation (increased MDA) and pro-inflammatory action (decreased IL-10). Despite some beneficial antioxidant effects of NAC, the negative outcomes concerning irreversible oxidative and inflammatory damage in the colon, liver, and kidney confirm the nonsafety of the prophylactic use of this antioxidant in models of induced colitis, suggesting that additional studies are needed, and its use in humans not yet recommended for the therapeutic routine of this disease.

Galactooligosaccharide or 2'-Fucosyllactose Modulates Gut Microbiota and Inhibits LPS/TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway to Prevent DSS-Induced Colitis Aggravated by a High-Fructose Diet in Mice

A high-fructose diet (HFrD) has been reported to exacerbate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. 2'-Fucosyllactose (FL) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) have been shown, respectively, to have preventive and ameliorative effects on colitis, while limited research has explored whether GOS and FL may be equally protective or preventive in mice with HFrD. Here, we evaluated the protective effects of FL and GOS on colitis exacerbated by feeding HFrD and explored the underlying mechanisms. DSS-induced colitis was studied in four randomized C57BL/6J male mice (n = 8 mice/group). Among them, three groups were fed with HFrD, and two received either GOS or FL treatment, respectively. Gut microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Intestinal barrier integrity and inflammatory pathway expression were measured using qPCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot methods. Compared to the HFrD group, GOS or FL treatment increased the α-diversity of the gut microbiota, reduced the relative abundance of Akkermansia, and increased the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), respectively. Compared with the HFrD group, GOS or FL treatment improved the loss of goblet cells and the reduction of tight junction protein expression, thereby improving intestinal barrier integrity. Also, GOS or FL inhibited the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and oxidative stress to suppress the inflammatory cascade compared with the HFrD group. These findings suggest that GOS or FL intake can alleviate HFrD-exacerbated colitis, with no significant difference observed between GOS and FL treatments.

Arthritic Microenvironment Actuated Nanomotors for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy

Increasing O₂ demand and excessive ROS production are the main features of arthritic microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints and further play pivotal roles in inflammation exacerbation. In this work, a system of in situ regulation of arthritic microenvironment based on nanomotor strategy is proposed for active RA therapy. The synthesized MnO₂ -motors enable catalytic regulation of RA microenvironment by consuming the overproduced H₂ O₂ and generating O₂ synergistically. The generated O₂ under H₂ O₂ -rich conditions functions as inflammation detector, propellant for enhanced diffusion, as well as ameliorator for the hypoxic synovial microenvironment. Owing to O₂ generation and inflammation scavenging, the MnO₂ -motors block the re-polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages, which results in significantly decreased secretion of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, intra-articular administration of MnO₂ -motors to collagen-induced arthritis rats (CIA rats) effectively alleviates hypoxia, synovial inflammation, bone erosion, and cartilage degradation in joints. Therefore, the proposed arthritic regulation strategy shows great potential to seamlessly integrate basic research of RA with clinical translation.