Metabolomic study reveals the acute hypotensive effect of S-1-propenylcysteine accompanied by alteration of the plasma histidine level in spontaneously hypertensive rats

S-1-Propenylcysteine Enhances Endurance Capacity of Mice by Stimulating Fatty Acid Metabolism via Muscle Isoform of Carnitine Acyltransferase-1

BACKGROUND

Endurance is an important capacity to sustain healthy lifestyles. Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to exert an endurance-enhancing effect in clinical and animal studies, although little is known about its active ingredients and mechanism of action.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the potential effect of S-1-propenylcysteine (S1PC), a characteristic sulfur amino acid in AGE, on the swimming endurance of mice, and examined its mechanism of action by a metabolomics-based approach.

METHODS

Male ICR mice (6 wk old) were orally administered either water (control) or S1PC (6.5 mg/kg/d) for 2 wk. The swimming duration to exhaustion was measured at 24 h after the final administration. Nontargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on the plasma samples obtained from mice after 40-min submaximal swimming bouts. Subsequently, the enzyme activity of carnitine acyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and the content of malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA), acetyl-CoA, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were quantified in heart, skeletal muscles, and liver of mice.

RESULTS

The duration time of swimming was substantially increased in the S1PC-treated mice as compared with the control group. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant alterations in the plasma concentration of the metabolites involved in fatty acid metabolism, in particular medium- or long-chain acylcarnitines in the mice treated with S1PC. Moreover, the administration of S1PC significantly enhanced the CPT-1 activity with the concomitant decrease in the malonyl-CoA content in the heart and skeletal muscles. These effects of S1PC were accompanied by the elevation of the acetyl-CoA and ATP levels to enhance the energy production in those tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

S1PC is a key constituent responsible for the endurance-enhancing effect of AGE. This study suggests that S1PC helps provide energy during endurance exercise by increasing fatty acid metabolism via CPT-1 activation in the heart and skeletal muscles.

Sulfur compounds: From plants to humans and their role in chronic disease prevention

Sulfur is essential for the health of plants and is an indispensable dietary component for human health and disease prevention. Its incorporation into our food supply is heavily reliant upon the uptake of sulfur into plant tissue and our subsequent intake. Dietary requirements for sulfur are largely calculated based upon requirements for the sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), cysteine and methionine, to meet the demands for synthesis of proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, vitamins, and hormones. SAA are found in abundance in animal sources and are relatively low in plants. However, some plants, particularly cruciferous and allium vegetables, produce many protective sulfur-containing secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates and cysteine sulfoxides. The variety and quantity of these sulfur-containing metabolites are extensive and their effects on human health are wide-reaching. Many benefits appear to be related to sulfur's role in redox biochemistry, protecting against uncontrolled oxidative stress and inflammation; features consistent within cardiometabolic dysfunction and many chronic metabolic diseases of aging. This narrative explores the origins and importance of sulfur, its incorporation into our food supply and dietary sources. It also explores the overarching potential of sulfur for human health, particularly around the amelioration of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and subsequent chronic disease prevention.

Metallothionein Attenuated Arsenic-Induced Cytotoxicity: The Underlying Mechanism Reflected by Metabolomics and Lipidomics

Arsenic ions (As³⁺) have been recognized as a hazard that threatens the health of humans. Metallothionein (MT) rich in cysteine may provide favorable binding sites for chelation of As³⁺. However, the influence of MT on As³⁺-induced toxicity and the underlying mechanism are poorly understood, especially at the metabolic level. Herein, the effects of MT on As³⁺-induced toxicity were evaluated. Cell viability analysis suggested that MT alleviated As³⁺-induced cytotoxicity. The metabolic response of PC12 cells to As³⁺ investigated by lipidomics and metabolomics indicated that the presence of As³⁺ disrupted phospholipids metabolism and induced cell membrane damage. Moreover, energy and amino acid metabolism were perturbed by As³⁺. The perturbation of As³⁺ on metabolism was further illustrated by the decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the rise of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the contrary, MT rescued As³⁺-induced metabolic disorder and suppressed ROS accumulation. In addition, the binding process between As³⁺ and MT was characterized. The results proved that the As³⁺-MT complex was formed and chelated As³⁺-scavenged ROS, thus alleviating the toxic effects of As³⁺. These results revealed that MT would be a potential agent to reduce As³⁺-induced cytotoxicity.

-1-Propenylcysteine, a sulfur compound in aged garlic extract, alleviates cold-induced reduction in peripheral blood flow in rat via activation of the AMPK/eNOS/NO pathway

Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been shown to improve peripheral circulatory disturbances in both clinical trials and experimental animal models. To investigate the effect of S-1-propenylcysteine (S1PC), a characteristic sulfur compound in AGE, on cold-induced reduction in tail blood flow of rat, Wistar rats were individually placed in a restraint cage and given the treatment with cold water (15˚C) after the oral administration of AGE or its constituents S1PC, S-allylcysteine (SAC) and S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC). After the cold-treatment the tail blood flow of rats was measured at the indicated times. The pretreatment with AGE (2 g/kg BW) and S1PC (6.5 mg/kg BW) significantly alleviated the reduction of rat tail blood flow induced by cold treatment. The effect of S1PC was dose-dependent and maximal at the dose of 6.5 mg/kg BW, whereas SAC and SAMC were ineffective. To gain insight into the mechanism of S1PC action, the concentration of nitrogen oxide metabolites (NOx) in the plasma and the levels of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the aorta were measured. The pretreatment with S1PC significantly increased the plasma concentration of NOx as well as the level of phosphorylated form of AMPK and eNOS in the aorta after cold-treatment. The present findings suggest that S1PC is a major constituent responsible for the effect of AGE to alleviate the cold-induced reduction of peripheral blood flow in rat by acting on the AMPK/eNOS/NO pathway in the aorta.

Potential benefits of garlic and other dietary supplements for the management of hypertension

Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Although some effective drug treatments are available, a relatively large proportion of patients have uncontrolled blood pressure. Dietary supplements are used for the prevention and treatment of hypertension as complementary and alternative medicines. Of the various dietary supplements, antioxidants, fish oil and diverse herbal products are commonly used. Within this context, it is important to determine the actual effectiveness and possible side-effects of these supplements; however, some of the products have been poorly investigated for their effects and safety. In the current review, we focus on garlic and several other dietary supplements, such as coenzyme Q10, fish oil and probiotics, that have exhibited significant beneficial effects on blood pressure in clinical trials. In addition, we discuss the possible mechanisms of action responsible for their anti-hypertensive effects, as well as the safety, active ingredients and their potential use as adjunct therapies for uncontrolled hypertension.

Regulation of immune response by S-1-propenylcysteine through autophagy-mediated protein degradation

Autophagy is a key event in cellular recycling processes due to its involvement in the intracellular degradation of proteins. It has been demonstrated that S−1-propenylcysteine (S1PC), a characteristic sulfur compound in aged garlic extract, induces the activation of autophagy. S1PC degrades the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation response protein 88 (MyD88) of downstream of Toll-like receptor (TLR) by activating autophagy in vitro and in vivo. The degradation of MyD88 inhibits the TLR signaling pathway, including the phosphorylation of interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in vitro, and eventually leads to the inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6 production in vitro and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2) mRNA expression in vivo. S1PC also increases the level of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and the number of IgA-producing cells in Peyer's patches in vivo. In addition, S1PC triggers the mRNA expression of X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1), an inducer of IgA-producing cell differentiation via the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and the degradation of paired box protein 5 (Pax5), a suppressor of Xbp1 mRNA expression. The present review summarizes the mechanisms through which the activation of autophagy by S1PC modulates the immune response.

Metabolomics biotechnology, applications, and future trends: a systematic review

Given the highly increased incidence of human diseases, a better understanding of the related mechanisms regarding endogenous metabolism is urgently needed. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has been used in a variety of disease research areas. However, the deep research of metabolites remains a difficult and lengthy process. Fortunately, mass spectrometry is considered to be a universal tool with high specificity and sensitivity and is widely used around the world. Mass spectrometry technology has been applied to various basic disciplines, providing technical support for the discovery and identification of endogenous substances in living organisms. The combination of metabolomics and mass spectrometry is of great significance for the discovery and identification of metabolite biomarkers. The mass spectrometry tool could further improve and develop the exploratory research of the life sciences. This mini review discusses metabolomics biotechnology with a focus on recent applications of metabolomics as a powerful tool to elucidate metabolic disturbances and the related mechanisms of diseases.

Given the highly increased incidence of human diseases, a better understanding of the related mechanisms regarding endogenous metabolism is urgently needed.