Epigallocatechin Gallate Can Protect Mice From Acute Stress Induced by LPS While Stabilizing Gut Microbes and Serum Metabolites Levels

Signaling controversy and future therapeutical perspectives of targeting sphingolipid network in cancer immune editing and resistance to tumor necrosis factor-α immunotherapy

Anticancer immune surveillance and immunotherapies trigger activation of cytotoxic cytokine signaling, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathways. The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may be secreted by stromal cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and by cancer cells, indicating a prominent role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, tumors manage to adapt, escape immune surveillance, and ultimately develop resistance to the cytotoxic effects of TNF-α. The mechanisms by which cancer cells evade host immunity is a central topic of current cancer research. Resistance to TNF-α is mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms, such as mutation or downregulation of TNF/TRAIL receptors, as well as activation of anti-apoptotic enzymes and transcription factors. TNF-α signaling is also mediated by sphingosine kinases (SphK1 and SphK2), which are responsible for synthesis of the growth-stimulating phospholipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Multiple studies have demonstrated the crucial role of S1P and its transmembrane receptors (S1PR) in both the regulation of inflammatory responses and progression of cancer. Considering that the SphK/S1P/S1PR axis mediates cancer resistance, this sphingolipid signaling pathway is of mechanistic significance when considering immunotherapy-resistant malignancies. However, the exact mechanism by which sphingolipids contribute to the evasion of immune surveillance and abrogation of TNF-α-induced apoptosis remains largely unclear. This study reviews mechanisms of TNF-α-resistance in cancer cells, with emphasis on the pro-survival and immunomodulatory effects of sphingolipids. Inhibition of SphK/S1P-linked pro-survival branch may facilitate reactivation of the pro-apoptotic TNF superfamily effects, although the role of SphK/S1P inhibitors in the regulation of the TME and lymphocyte trafficking should be thoroughly assessed in future studies.

Immunomodulation of nutritional formula containing epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginseng extract, and polydextrose on inflammation and macrophage polarization

Single nutrient likes polyphenol or dietary fiber have been exhaustively investigated to validate their positive intervention in health or disease. Meanwhile, the common interaction of inner systems with the nutrient complex has not been well elucidated, which raises the scientific issue of the modulatory effect of the nutrient complex on immunity. The representative prebiotics of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), ginseng extract, and polydextrose (PDX) were selected on behalf of the classification of polyphenol, flavone or polysaccharides, and dietary fiber to generally cover the daily food intake in this study to explore their intervention in inflammation and macrophage polarization. The intervention of selected nutrients on inflammation and macrophage polarization has been evaluated against macrophages to unveil their comprehensive effects. The synergistic effect of selected nutrients was demonstrated by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and the promotion of M2 macrophage polarization. Then, the nutrient formula was set up to verify the intervention effect, and the results revealed the significant inhibition of cell inflammation and the effect on cell proliferation through promoting the cell cycle in the G2 phase. The nutrient complex could inhibit M1 macrophage polarization to inhibit M1-mediated inflammation and promote M2 macrophages for anti-inflammatory effect and enhance cell phagocytosis. Moreover, the varied intervention effects of the nutrient complex with different formulas could be summarized. In general, the formula containing EGCG, ginseng extract, and PDX was demonstrated to possess an enhanced immunomodulatory effect on cell inflammation and macrophage polarization, which could potentially inspire the investigation of complex nutrients in health and diseases.

The effect of epigallocatechin gallate on laying performance, egg quality, immune status, antioxidant capacity, and hepatic metabolome of laying ducks reared in high temperature condition

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a main component in green tea extract, which possesses multiple bioactivities. The present research studied the effects of EGCG on the laying performance, egg quality, immune status, antioxidant capacity, and hepatic metabolome of Linwu laying ducks reared under high temperature. A total of 180 42-w-old healthy Linwu laying ducks were allocated into control or EGCG-treated groups. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 15 ducks in each replicate. Diets for the two groups were basal diets supplemented with 0 or 300 mg/kg EGCG, respectively. All ducks were raised in the high temperature condition (35 ± 2 °C for 6 h from 10:00 to 16:00, and 28 ± 2 °C for the other 18 h from 16:00 to 10:00 the next day) for 21 days. Results showed that EGCG increased the egg production rate (p = 0.014) and enhanced the immunocompetence by improving serum levels of immunoglobulin A (p = 0.008) and immunoglobulin G (p = 0.006). EGCG also fortified the antioxidant capacity by activating superoxide dismutase (p = 0.012), catalase (p = 0.009), and glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.021), and increasing the level of heat-shock protein 70 (p = 0.003) in laying ducks' liver. At the same time, hepatic metabolomics result suggested that EGCG increased the concentration of several key metabolites, such as spermidine (p = 0.031), tetramethylenediamine (p = 0.009), hyoscyamine (p = 0.026), β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (p = 0.038), and pantothenic acid (p = 0.010), which were involved in the metabolic pathways of glutathione metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, and tropane, piperidine, and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis. In conclusion, 300 mg/kg dietary EGCG showed protection effects on the laying ducks reared in high temperature by improving the immune and antioxidant capacities, which contributed to the increase of laying performance of ducks. The potential mechanism could be that EGCG modulate the synthesis of key metabolites and associated metabolic pathways.

Neuron-immunity communication: mechanism of neuroprotective effects in EGCG

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a naturally occurring active ingredient unique to tea, has been shown to have neuroprotective potential. There is growing evidence of its potential advantages in the prevention and treatment of neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurological damage. Neuroimmune communication is an important physiological mechanism in neurological diseases, including immune cell activation and response, cytokine delivery. EGCG shows great neuroprotective potential by modulating signals related to autoimmune response and improving communication between the nervous system and the immune system, effectively reducing the inflammatory state and neurological function. During neuroimmune communication, EGCG promotes the secretion of neurotrophic factors into the repair of damaged neurons, improves intestinal microenvironmental homeostasis, and ameliorates pathological phenotypes through molecular and cellular mechanisms related to the brain-gut axis. Here, we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of inflammatory signaling exchange involving neuroimmune communication. We further emphasize that the neuroprotective role of EGCG is dependent on the modulatory role between immunity and neurology in neurologically related diseases.

Norbergenin prevents LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages through inhibiting NFκB, MAPK and STAT3 activation and blocking metabolic reprogramming

Inflammation is thought to be a key cause of many chronic diseases and cancer. However, current therapeutic agents to control inflammation have limited long-term use potential due to various side-effects. This study aimed to examine the preventive effects of norbergenin, a constituent of traditional anti-inflammatory recipes, on LPS-induced proinflammatory signaling in macrophages and elucidate the underlying mechanisms by integrative metabolomics and shotgun label-free quantitative proteomics platforms. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we identified and quantified nearly 3000 proteins across all samples in each dataset. To interpret these datasets, we exploited the differentially expressed proteins and conducted statistical analyses. Accordingly, we found that LPS-induced production of NO, IL1β, TNFα, IL6 and iNOS in macrophages was alleviated by norbergenin via suppressed activation of TLR2 mediated NFκB, MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, norbergenin was capable of overcoming LPS-triggered metabolic reprogramming in macrophages and restrained the facilitated glycolysis, promoted OXPHOS, and restored the aberrant metabolites within the TCA cycle. This is linked to its modulation of metabolic enzymes to support its anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, our results uncover that norbergenin regulates inflammatory signaling cascades and metabolic reprogramming in LPS stimulated macrophages to exert its anti-inflammatory potential.

Interplay between Phytochemicals and the Colonic Microbiota

Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in food ingredients with a variety of health-promoting properties. Phytochemicals improve host health through their direct systematic absorption into the circulation and modulation of the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota increases the bioactivity of phytochemicals and is a symbiotic partner whose composition and/or diversity is altered by phytochemicals and affects host health. In this review, the interactions of phytochemicals with the gut microbiota and their impact on human diseases are reviewed. We describe the role of intestinal microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, amino acid derivatives, and vitamins, from a therapeutic perspective. Next, phytochemical metabolites produced by the gut microbiota and the therapeutic effect of some selected metabolites are reviewed. Many phytochemicals are degraded by enzymes unique to the gut microbiota and act as signaling molecules in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and metabolic pathways. Phytochemicals can ameliorate diseases by altering the composition and/or diversity of the gut microbiota, and they increase the abundance of some gut microbiota that produce beneficial substances. We also discuss the importance of investigating the interactions between phytochemicals and gut microbiota in controlled human studies.

Green tea EGCG effectively alleviates experimental colitis in middle-aged male mice by attenuating multiple aspects of oxi-inflammatory stress and cell cycle deregulation

Age-dependent increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis is being increasingly realized, and yet therapies targeting this disorder within the purview of aging are limited. The present study attempted to assess the efficacy of green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) consumption in preventing the severity and progression of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in 18 months old middle-aged male mice. Acute colitis was induced in animals using DSS and protective effects of EGCG consumption were examined. Different parameters related to disease progression and molecular markers related to oxi-inflammatory stress, localized and systemic cytokine response, epithelial barrier integrity, and cell cycle progression profile were evaluated. DSS treatment induced rapid and severe symptoms of colitis such as consistently increased DAI score, shortened and inflamed colon accompanied by increased levels of inflammatory proteins (TNFα/IL-6/IL-1β) in both the colon tissue and cultured splenocytes indicating exaggerated Th1 immune response. Markers of oxidative stress increased while antioxidant defences and the expression of tight junction genes in the colonic cells were attenuated. Dysregulation in the expression of cell cycle inhibitory genes (p53/p21^WAF1/p16^Ink4a) indicated possible induction of colitis-induced dysplasia. On the other hand, EGCG consumption strongly attenuated all the measured ostensible as well as molecular markers of the disease progression as evidenced by improved DAI score, cellular antioxidant capacity, attenuated Th1 cytokine response both in the colon and cultured splenocytes, enhanced expression of tight junction genes, and cell cycle inhibitors thereby suggesting systemic effects of EGCG. Together, these observations suggest that drinking EGCG-rich green tea can be a significant way of managing the severity of colitis during aging.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) attenuates inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endometritis via silent information regulator transcript-1 (SIRT1)/nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway

The protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endometritis in vivo and in vitro will be explored in this study. The endometritis model was induced in female BALB/c mice uterus by perfusion with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and EGCG were administered at 1 h before LPS induction. The primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs) were treated with EGCG for 1 h before LPS stimulation. Uterine histopathological changes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress markers were determined. The extent of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, silent information regulator transcript-1 (SIRT1), nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and Caspase1 was detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR assays. The results showed that EGCG significantly reversed the LPS-induced uterine histopathological changes, MPO activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, EGCG decreased oxidative stress and reduced cell apoptosis by upregulating SIRT1 expression, downregulating the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These findings indicated that EGCG exerted its greatest protective effects by blocking inflammatory responses, lowering oxidative stress, and reducing apoptosis via the SIRT1/NLRP3, making its promising candidate treatment for endometritis.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate selenium nanoparticles for neuroprotection by scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing inflammation

Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severely crippling injury. Scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressing inflammation to ameliorate secondary injury using biomaterials has turned into a promising strategy for SCI recuperation. Herein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate selenium nanoparticles (EGCG-Se NP) that scavenge ROS and attenuate inflammation were used for neuroprotection in SCI.

Methods: EGCG-Se NP were arranged using a simple redox framework. The size, morphology, and chemical structure of the EGCG-Se NP were characterized. The protective effect of EGCG-Se NP for neuroprotection was examined in cell culture and in an SCI rat model.

Results: EGCG-Se NP could promptly scavenge excess ROS and safeguard PC12 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative harm in vitro. After intravenous delivery in SCI rats, EGCG-Se NP significantly improved locomotor capacity and diminished the injury region by safeguarding neurons and myelin sheaths. Component studies showed that the main restorative impact of EGCG-Se NP was due to their ROS-scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Conclusion: This study showed the superior neuroprotective effect of EGCG-Se NP through ROS sequestration and anti-inflammatory capabilities. EGCG-Se NP could be a promising and effective treatment for SCI.

Preventive Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate, the Main Component of Green Tea, on Acute Lung Injury Caused by Air Pollutants

Reducing the health hazards caused by air pollution is a global challenge and is included in the Sustainable Development Goals. Air pollutants, such as PM_2.5, induce respiratory and cardiovascular disorders by causing various inflammatory responses via oxidative stress. Catechins and polyphenols, which are components of green tea, have various protective effects, owing to their antioxidant ability. The main catechin in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is potentially effective against respiratory diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asthma, but its effectiveness against air-pollution-dependent lung injury has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of EGCG on urban aerosol-induced acute lung injury in mice. Urban aerosol treatment caused increases in inflammatory cell counts, protein levels, and inflammatory cytokine expression in the lungs of ICR mice, but pretreatment with EGCG markedly suppressed these responses. Analyses of oxidative stress revealed that urban aerosol exposure enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the formation of ROS-activated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the lungs of mice. However, ROS production and NETs formation were markedly suppressed by pretreating the mice with EGCG. Gallocatechin gallate (GCG), a heat-epimerized form of EGCG, also markedly suppressed urban aerosol-dependent inflammatory responses and ROS production in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that EGCG and GCG prevent acute lung injury caused by urban aerosols through their inhibitory effects on ROS production. Thus, we believe that foods and medications containing EGCG or GCG may be candidates to prevent the onset and progression of acute lung injury caused by air pollutants.

Impact of Highly Saturated versus Unsaturated Fat Intake on Carbohydrate Metabolism and Vascular Reactivity in Rat

Palm olein (PO) and lard are considered harmful to health because of their highly saturated fatty acid content. On the contrary, olive oil (OO) with its high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids is considered healthier. This study aims to evaluate the effects of high consumption of these oils on carbohydrate metabolism and vascular function. Male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum for 12 weeks with different high fat diets (HFD) containing 30% of each oil. Systemic glycemia, insulinemia, and lipidemia were assessed by routine methods or by ELISA. GLUT4 muscular expression and hepatic and muscular Akt phosphorylation were analyzed by western blot. Vascular function was evaluated, ex vivo, on aortic rings and on the variations of isometric tensions. The results show that fasting blood glucose was increased with PO and OO diets and decreased with lard. Compared to control diet, this increase was significant only with PO diet. The area under the curve of IPGTT was increased in all HFD groups. Compared to control diet, this increase was significant only with PO. In contrast, stimulation of the pathway with insulin showed a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation in all HFD compared to control diet. KCl and phenylephrine induced strong, dose-dependent vasoconstriction of rat aortas in all groups, but KCl EC₅₀ values were increased with lard and OO diets. The inhibitory effect of tempol was absent in PO and lard and attenuated in OO. Vascular insulin sensitivity was decreased in all HFD groups. This decreased sensitivity of insulin was more important with PO and lard when compared to OO diet. In conclusion, the results of this study clearly show that high consumption of palm olein, olive oil, and lard can compromise glucose tolerance and thus insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, palm olein and lard have a more deleterious effect than olive oil on the contractile function of the aorta. Excessive consumption of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids is harmful to health, regardless of their vegetable or animal origin.

Plasma metabolomics in a deep vein thrombosis rat model based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry

深静脉血栓(DVT)是一种血栓栓塞性疾病,具有高发病率、高死亡率和高后遗症3大特点。采用左股静脉不完全结扎加高渗盐水刺激建立DVT大鼠模型,使用超高效液相色谱-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS)检测假手术组与DVT模型组的血浆代谢谱,用主成分分析(PCA)及正交偏最小二乘-判别分析(OPLS-DA)对代谢组数据进行多元统计分析,观察两组间的代谢表型差异,将多变量模型分析中的变量重要性值(VIP>1)以及代谢物在模型组中的变化倍数(FC≤0.5或FC≥2,且P<0.05)作为差异代谢物筛选条件。最终在DVT模型组与假手术组间筛选得到27种差异代谢物,这些代谢物反映了DVT大鼠的代谢紊乱情况。具体表现为与假手术组相比,DVT模型组中三甲基胺氮氧化物(TMAO)、维生素K、鹅去氧胆酸、牛磺酸、1-甲基烟酰胺、7-酮胆固醇、反式十六烷基-2-烯醇肉碱、乙烯基乙酰甘氨酸、丙酰脯氨酸、咪唑乙酸、咪唑乙酸核糖苷、1,3,7-三甲基尿酸、1-丁胺、2-羟基异丙酸、吡哆醛、5α-四氢皮质酮、苯乳酸的水平显著升高;而3-脱氢肉碱、磷脂酰胆碱22∶6/20∶2(PC 22∶6/20∶2)、甘油二酯18∶3/20∶4(DG 18∶3/20∶4)、溶血磷脂酰胆碱20∶2(LysoPC 20∶2)、波维酸、鹅肌肽、L-肌肽、辛酸、羟基丙酮酸、3-羟基癸酸的水平显著降低。基于京都基因与基因组百科全书数据库(KEGG)代谢通路的差异丰度(DA)分析显示DVT模型大鼠与假手术组的代谢通路差异主要集中在初级胆汁酸生物合成、胆汁分泌、组氨酸代谢、亚油酸代谢、甘油磷脂代谢和β-丙氨酸代谢。紊乱的代谢物和代谢途径可为进一步深入理解DVT的病理机制、寻找诊断标志物及药物作用靶点提供参考。

Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Therapeutic Perspectives of Phytochemicals

Low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide that declines the quality of life; it poses a substantial economic burden for the patient and society. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain, and it is also the pathological basis of several spinal degenerative diseases, such as intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis. The current clinical drug treatment of IDD focuses on the symptoms and not their pathogenesis, which results in frequent recurrence and gradual aggravation. Moreover, the side effects associated with the long-term use of these drugs further limit their use. The pathological mechanism of IDD is complex, and oxidative stress and inflammation play an important role in promoting IDD. They induce the destruction of the extracellular matrix in IVD and reduce the number of living cells and functional cells, thereby destroying the function of IVD and promoting the occurrence and development of IDD. Phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, grains, and other herbs play a protective role in the treatment of IDD as they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This article reviews the protective effects of phytochemicals on IDD and their regulatory effects on different molecular pathways related to the pathogenesis of IDD. Moreover, the therapeutic limitations and future prospects of IDD treatment have also been reviewed. Phytochemicals are promising candidates for further development and research on IDD treatment.

Beneficial Effects of Theaflavins on Metabolic Syndrome: From Molecular Evidence to Gut Microbiome

In recent years, many natural foods and herbs rich in phytochemicals have been proposed as health supplements for patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Theaflavins (TFs) are a polyphenol hydroxyl substance with the structure of diphenol ketone, and they have the potential to prevent and treat a wide range of MetS. However, the stability and bioavailability of TFs are poor. TFs have the marvelous ability to alleviate MetS through antiobesity and lipid-lowering (AMPK-FoxO3A-MnSOD, PPAR, AMPK, PI3K/Akt), hypoglycemic (IRS-1/Akt/GLUT4, Ca²⁺/CaMKK2-AMPK, SGLT1), and uric-acid-lowering (XO, GLUT9, OAT) effects, and the modulation of the gut microbiota (increasing beneficial gut microbiota such as Akkermansia and Prevotella). This paper summarizes and updates the bioavailability of TFs, and the available signaling pathways and molecular evidence on the functionalities of TFs against metabolic abnormalities in vitro and in vivo, representing a promising opportunity to prevent MetS in the future with the utilization of TFs.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 Improves LPS-Induced Lipid Disorder and Organ Injury by Regulating Metabolomic Characteristics in Mice

Sepsis is extremely heterogeneous pathology characterized by complex metabolic changes. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a well-known intestine-derived inhibitor of bile acid biosynthesis. However, it is largely unknown about the roles of FGF19 in improving sepsis-associated metabolic disorder and organ injury. In the present study, mice were intravenously injected recombinant human FGF19 daily for 7 days followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. At 24 hours after LPS stimuli, sera were collected for metabolomic analysis. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) network based on differential metabolites (DMs) was conducted. Here, metabolomic analysis revealed that FGF19 pretreatment reversed the increase of LPS-induced fatty acids. IPA network indicated that altered linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) were involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function and were closely related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further investigation proved that FGF19 pretreatment decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased serum catalase (CAT) levels. In livers, FGF19 suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and enhanced the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). Finally, FGF19 pretreatment protected mice against LPS-induced liver, ileum, and kidney injury. Taken together, FGF19 alleviates LPS-induced organ injury associated with improved serum LA and GLA levels and oxidative stress, suggesting that FGF19 might be a promising target for metabolic therapy for sepsis.

Bio-functional hydrogel with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory dual properties to combat with burn wound infection

Burn infection delays wound healing and increases the burn patient mortality. Consequently, a new dressing with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory dual properties is urgently required for wound healing. In this study, we propose a combination of methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel system with silver nanoparticles embed in γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (Ag@MOF) and hyaluronic acid-epigallocatechin gallate (HA-E) for the burn wound infection treatment. Ag@MOF is used as an antibacterial agent and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has exhibited biological properties of anti-inflammation and antibacterial. The GelMA/HA-E/Ag@MOF hydrogel enjoys suitable physical properties and sustained release of Ag⁺. Meanwhile, the hydrogel has excellent biocompatibility and could promote macrophage polarization from M1 to M2. In vivo wound healing evaluations further demonstrate that the GelMA/HA-E/Ag@MOF hydrogel reduces the number of the bacterium efficiently, accelerates wound healing, promotes early angiogenesis, and regulates immune reaction. A further evaluation indicates that the noncanonical Wnt signal pathway is significantly activated in the GelMA/HA-E/Ag@MOF hydrogel treated group. In conclusion, the GelMA/HA-E/Ag@MOF hydrogel could serve as a promising multifunctional dressing for the burn wound healing.

The Inhibition of LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses Is Associated with the Protective Effect of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Bovine Hepatocytes and Murine Liver

This study aimed to evaluate whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) alleviates hepatic responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and oxidation. Isolated bovine hepatocytes and BALB/c mice were used for LPS challenge and EGCG pretreatment experiments in vitro and in vivo. LPS-challenged (6 μg/mL) hepatocytes exhibited increased levels of NF-κB (p65 and IκBα) and MAPK (p38, ERK, JNK) phosphorylation as well as increased binding activity of p65 to target pro-inflammatory gene promoters, and these effects were suppressed by pretreatment with 50 μM EGCG. Moreover, the reduction in Nrf2 signaling and antioxidant enzyme activities induced by LPS stimulation were reversed upon EGCG treatment. In vivo experiments demonstrated the protective role of EGCG in response to GalN/LPS-induced mortality and oxidative damage. Together, our results suggest that EGCG is hepatoprotective via inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB signaling and activation of the Nrf2 cascade. This information might help design strategies for counteracting hepatitis in ruminants and monogastric animals.

Analysis of the role and mechanism of EGCG in septic cardiomyopathy based on network pharmacology

Background

Septic cardiomyopathy (SC) is a common complication of sepsis that leads to an increase in mortality. The pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy is unclear, and there is currently no effective treatment. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is a polyphenol that has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidative stress effects. However, the role of EGCG in septic cardiomyopathy is unknown.

Methods

Network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of EGCG in the treatment of septic cardiomyopathy, including the construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and molecular docking. The mouse model of septic cardiomyopathy was established after intraperitoneal injection of LPS (lipopolysaccharide). The myocardial protective effect of EGCG on septic mice is observed by cardiac ultrasound and HE staining. RT-PCR is used to verify the expression level of the EGCG target in the septic cardiomyopathy mouse model.

Results

A total of 128 anti-SC potential targets of EGCGareselected for analysis. The GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis results indicated that the anti-SC targets of EGCG mainly participate in inflammatory and apoptosis processes. Molecular docking results suggest that EGCG has a high affinity for the crystal structure of six targets (IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), Caspase3, MAPK3 (Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3), AKT1, and VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor)), and the experimental verification result showed levated expression of these 6 hub targets in the LPS group, but there is an obvious decrease in expression in the LPS + EGCG group. The functional and morphological changes found by echocardiography and HE staining show that EGCG can effectively improve the cardiac function that is reduced by LPS.

Conclusion

Our results reveal that EGCG may be a potentially effective drug to improve septic cardiomyopathy. The potential mechanism by which EGCG improves myocardial injury in septic cardiomyopathy is through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. The anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of EGCG occur not only through direct binding to six target proteins (IL-6,TNF-α, Caspase3, MAPK3, AKT1, and VEGFA) but also by reducing their expression.

Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis Alleviate Intestinal Inflammation and Microbial Disorder Induced by ETEC in a Murine Model

The purpose of this research is to explore the positive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis on the tissue damage and microbial community in mice challenged by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups randomly: the CON group, ETEC group, LP-ETEC group and LB-ETEC group. Our results demonstrated that, compared with the ETEC group, the LP-ETEC and LB-ETEC groups experienced less weight loss and morphological damage of the jejunum. We measured proinflammatory factors of colonic tissue and found that L. plantarum and L. brevis inhibited the expression of proinflammatory factors such as IL-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 and promoted that of the tight junction protein such as claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1. Additionally, L. plantarum and L. brevis altered the impact of ETEC on the intestinal microbial community of mice, significantly increased the abundance of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, and reduced that of pathogenic bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Epsilonproteobacteria, and Helicobacter. Therefore, we believe that L. plantarum and L. brevis can stabilize the intestinal microbiota and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, thus protecting mice from the gut inflammation induced by ETEC.

Role of Food Antioxidants in Modulating Gut Microbial Communities: Novel Understandings in Intestinal Oxidative Stress Damage and Their Impact on Host Health

Dietary components have an important role on the structure and function of host gut microbial communities. Even though, various dietary components, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibers, and vitamins, have been studied in depth for their effect on gut microbiomes, little attention has been paid regarding the impact of several food antioxidants on the gut microbiome. The long-term exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause microbial dysbiosis which leads to numerous intestinal diseases such as microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal injury, colorectal cancers, enteric infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Recently, it has been shown that the food derived antioxidant compounds might protect the host from intestinal oxidative stress via modulating the composition of beneficial microbial species in the gut. The present review summarizes the impact of food antioxidants including antioxidant vitamins, dietary polyphenols, carotenoids, and bioactive peptides on the structure as well as function of host gut microbial communities. Several in vitro, animal model, and clinical studies indicates that food antioxidants might modify the host gut microbial communities and their health status. However, still further clarification is needed as to whether changes in certain microbial species caused by food additives may lead to changes in metabolism and immune function.