The effect of shark liver oil on the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and cytokine pattern in mice

Hg and Se in Muscle and Liver of Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) from the Entrance of the Gulf of California: An Insight to the Potential Risk to Human Health

The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is the most commonly caught species of Elasmobranchii at the entrance to the Gulf of California. Although fins are the primary target commodity, the entire organism is consumed. This study examined the concentration of Hg and Se in muscle and liver to understand the antagonistic process that occurs between these two elements within the organism. Twenty-two individuals were captured at the Gulf of California inlet between September 2019 and March 2021. Hg was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption, and Se by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a graphite furnace. All individuals studied showed higher concentrations (µg g-1 wet weight) of Hg (0.69) and Se (2.49) in liver than in muscle (Hg 0.63 and Se 0.08). Although the mean Hg values were below the maximum allowable limits (Hg 1.0 µg g-1 wet weight), the molar ratio (< 1.0) and the negative health benefit value of selenium (HBVSe) in muscle show that additional caution should be taken when consuming this species. We recommend a more thorough study of the antagonistic interaction between Hg and Se to accurately assess the health risk for consumers of blue shark.

Applications of lipidomics in marine organisms: Progresses, challenges and future perspectives

Marine ecosystems comprise a high diversity of life forms, such as algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates. These organisms have adapted their physiology according to the conditions of the environments in which...

The Therapeutic Effect of Shark Liver Oil in a Rat Model of Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most well-known types of inflammatory bowel disease that manifests as recurrent inflammation of rectum and colon. The goal of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of shark liver oil (SLO) on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Eighty induced UC rats were randomly divided into ten equal groups and received the following treatments for seven days: 1 ml of normal saline rectally, 1 ml of gel base (carboxymethyl cellulose) rectally, 10 mg/kg of Asacol rectally, 10 mg/kg of mesalazine orally, 5% gel form of SLO rectally, 10% gel form of SLO rectally, 200 mg of SLO orally, and 400 mg of SLO orally. We examined the oxidative stress indices, histopathological features, and body weight changes, as well as the function of the liver and kidneys at the end of treatment. Administration of 10% rectal and 400 mg oral SLO resulted in a significant weight gain. Also, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in 5% and 10% SLO-treated groups, and elevated superoxide dismutase activity in rats that received 5% SLO was observed compared to negative control and Asacol groups. While no significant changes were observed in most of the kidney and liver function markers, higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase were detected in the group that received 400 mg SLO orally compared to negative control and Asacol groups. Many histopathological signs of improvement were observed in mesalazine, Asacol, and SLO groups. There were no significant changes detected in the mean rank among different groups. Our data indicate that SLO supplementation could improve the amelioration of acetic acid-induced UC in rats due to its antioxidant effects.

Neuroinflammation and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in neuropathic pain and alkyl glycerol ethers treatment in aged mice

Neuropathic pain is a condition characterized by unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences associated with a number of diseases or injuries affecting the sensory system through various mechanisms. In this study, we focused on the impact of chronic neuropathic pain on the microglial state and hippocampal neurogenesis in aged mice. In addition, we examined the effects of alkyl glycerol ethers (AGE) treatment on behavioral parameters, hippocampal neuronal and microglial plasticity in aged C57BL/6 mice with neuropathic pain. For the induction of neuropathic pain, we used the model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. We observed painful behavior in animals subjected to CCI, expressed as a decrease in locomotor activity and the development of cold allodynia. A violation of working and long‑term memory was also observed. AGE administration reduced the severity of cold allodynia and prevented memory impairment. In addition to behavioral changes, neuropathic pain was accompanied by microglial activation, changes in the hippocampal production of pro‑ and anti‑inflammatory cytokines, as well as a decrease in neurogenesis. The administration of AGE prevented the neuropathic pain‑derived effects, including M1 microglial activation and neurogenesis disruption. However, in vitro experiments demonstrated the pro‑inflammatory activation of microglial cells, emphasizing the complexity of the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of AGE. On the whole, the findings of this study demonstrate that AGE treatment prevented behavioral effects of neuropathic pain in mice, and AGE may thus have potential for use in the prevention or treatment of neuropathic pain cognitive and emotional effects. However, as the mechanisms underlying this type of pain are complex, further studies are required to determine the detailed pharmacological effects of AGE.

Immunotherapy using regulatory T cells in cancer suggests more flavors of hypersensitivity type IV

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) profoundly affect tumor microenvironment and exert dominant suppression over antitumor immunity in response to self-antigen expressed by tumor. Immunotherapy targeting Tregs lead to a significant improvement in antitumor immunity. Intradermal injection of tumor antigen results in negative delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) type IV. However, anti-Tregs treatment/use of adjuvant along with tumor antigens turns DTH to positive. Considering Tregs as the earliest tumor sensor/responders, tumor can be regarded as Treg-mediated type IV hypersensitivity and negative DTH to tumor antigen is due to anti-inflammatory action of Tregs to tumor antigens at the injection site. Such a view would help us in basic and clinical situations to testify a candidate vaccine via dermal administration and evaluation of Treg proportion at injection site.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in neuropathic pain and alkyl glycerol ethers treatment

Neuropathic pain manifested by a number of sensory symptoms is often accompanied by disorders of higher nervous activity, such as memory impairment, depression, anxiety, anhedonia, etc. This emphasizes the involvement of supraspinal structures including the hippocampus in neuropathic pain pathogenesis. In the present study, we focused on the impact of chronic neuropathic pain on hippocampal neurogenesis and microglial state. In addition, we test the effect of alkyl glycerol ethers on hippocampal neuronal and microglial plasticity as well as behavioral parameters. Neuropathic pain was induced using the model of sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury. We found an impairment of working memory and locomotor activity in animals with neuropathic pain, which was prevented by alkyl glycerol ethers treatment. Sciatic nerve ligation in mice contributed to the decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis intensity. Alkyl glycerol ethers administration significantly reduced this effect. Neuropathic pain-associated neurogenesis reduction was accompanied by an increased percentage of Iba1-labeled area in the CA1 hippocampal region on the 14th and 28th days after surgery. In addition, we observed a decrease in hippocampal pro-inflammatory microglia marker CD86 immunostaining on day 28 after surgery in alkyl glycerol ethers-treated mice with sciatic nerve ligation. These results are consistent with data on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines expression in the hippocampus. Alkyl glycerol ethers administration increased IL-10 and decreased IL-1β hippocampal expression in animals with neuropathic pain. Taken together, these data suggest that neuropathic pain-behavior in rodents is accompanied by changes in microglia polarization, thereby contributing to neurogenesis impairment and cognitive disturbances. Alkyl glycerol ethers prevented M1 microglial activation, contributing to the maintenance of normal neurogenesis levels within the hippocampus and normalizing working memory.

Comparative transcriptome analysis on the alteration of gene expression in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) larvae associated with salinity change

Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) fish, which are an amphidromous species distributed in East Asia, live in brackish water (BW) during their larval stage and in fresh water (FW) during their adult stage. In this study, we found that FW-acclimated ayu larvae exhibited a slower growth ratio compared with that of BW-acclimated larvae. However, the mechanism underlying FW acclimation on growth suppression is poorly known. We employed transcriptome analysis to investigate the differential gene expression of FW acclimation by RNA sequencing. We identified 158 upregulated and 139 downregulated transcripts in FW-acclimated ayu larvae compared with that in BW-acclimated larvae. As determined by Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping, functional annotation of the genes covered diverse biological functions and processes, and included neuroendocrinology, osmotic regulation, energy metabolism, and the cytoskeleton. Transcriptional expression of several differentially expressed genes in response to FW acclimation was further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. In accordance with transcriptome analysis, iodothyronine deiodinase (ID), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase 1(BHMT), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B (aldolase B), tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), and Na(+)-K(+) ATPase (NKA) were upregulated after FW acclimation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and transgelin were downregulated after FW acclimation. Our data indicate that FW acclimation reduced the growth rate of ayu larvae, which might result from the expression alteration of genes related to endocrine hormones, energy metabolism, and direct osmoregulation.

Sphingolipids and phospholipids in insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders

Obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease form a metabolic disease continuum that has seen a dramatic increase in prevalence in developed and developing countries over the past two decades. Dyslipidaemia resulting from hypercaloric diets is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of metabolic disease, and lipid-lowering therapies are the main therapeutic option for this group of disorders. However, the fact that dysfunctional lipid metabolism extends far beyond cholesterol and triglycerides is becoming increasingly clear. Lipidomic studies and mouse models are helping to explain the complex interactions between diet, lipid metabolism and metabolic disease. These studies are not only improving our understanding of this complex biology, but are also identifying potential therapeutic avenues to combat this growing epidemic. This Review examines what is currently known about phospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism in the setting of obesity and how metabolic pathways are being modulated for therapeutic effect.

Experimental treatment of breast cancer-bearing BALB/c mice by artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes

Background:

The combination of artemisinin and transferrin exhibits versatile anticancer activities. In previous, we successfully prepared artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes and evaluated their anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines in vitro. In this study, we investigate the in vivo anti-breast cancer activity of artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposome against breast transplanted tumors in BALB/c mice model.

Materials and Methods:

Artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes were prepared and characterized for some physiochemical properties. Pieces of tumor tissue from the breast cancer-bearing BALB/c mice were transplanted subcutaneously to the syngeneic female BALB/c mice. In the presence of the external magnet that placed at the breast tumor site, the tissue distribution and tumor-suppressing effects of prepared nanoliposomes on tumor growth was evaluated.

Results:

The prepared nanoliposomes have fine spherical shape, rough surface, nano-sized diameter and magnetic properties. At 2 h after treatment, the intravenous administration of artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes followed using the magnetic field approximately produced 10- and 5.5-fold higher levels of artemisinin and transferrin in the tumors, respectively, compared with free artemisinin and transferrin. Moreover, in the presence of an external magnetic field, the prepared nanoliposomes could significantly induce apoptosis in the mice breast cancer cells as well as could reduce tumor volume in tumorized mice at 15 days after treatment.

Conclusion:

The data suggested that the artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes would be a good choice for the breast tumor-targeted therapy, due to its high targeting efficiency.

An update on the therapeutic role of alkylglycerols

Scandinavian folk medicine used shark liver oil for the treatment of cancers and other ailments based on the rarity of tumors in sharks and their ability to resist infections. Shark liver oil is a source of alkylglycerols which have been studied as anti-cancer agents in several clinical trials. Moreover, alkylglycerols have been investigated for the treatment of radiation induced side effects and for their ability to boost the immune system. Several experimental studies have shown the ability of alkylglycerols to open the blood brain barrier to facilitate the access of therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system. This review covers the most important studies of alkylglycerols in both animals and humans.

Effect of chronic supplementation with shark liver oil on immune responses of exercise-trained rats

Previous studies have reported that chronic supplementation with shark liver oil (SLO) improves immune response of lymphocyte, macrophage and neutrophil in animal models and humans. In a similar manner, exercise training also stimulates the immune system. However, we are not aware of any study about the association of exercise and SLO supplementation on immune response. Thus, our main goal was to investigate the effect of chronic supplementation with SLO on immune responses of exercise-trained rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary with no supplementation (SED, n = 20), sedentary with SLO supplementation (SEDslo, n = 20), exercised (EX, n = 17) and exercised supplemented with SLO (EXslo, n = 19). Rats swam for 6 weeks, 1.5 h/day, in water at 32 +/- 1 degrees C, with a load of 6.0% body weight attached to the thorax of rat. Animals were killed 48 h after the last exercise session. SLO supplementation did not change phagocytosis, lysosomal volume, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production by peritoneal macrophages and blood neutrophils. Thymus and spleen lymphocyte proliferation were significantly higher in SEDslo, EX, and EXslo groups compared with SED group (P < 0.05). Gut-associated lymphocyte proliferation, on the other hand, was similar between the four experimental groups. Our findings show that SLO and EX indeed are able to increase lymphocyte proliferation, but their association did not induce further stimulation in the adaptive immune response and also did not modify innate immunity.