Protective effects of polysaccharides from soybean meal against X-ray radiation induced damage in mouse spleen lymphocytes

Polysaccharide from Helianthus tuberosus L. as a potential radioprotector

INTRODUCTION

Radioprotectors help to protect the body or at least minimize the negative consequences of radiation exposure. The present study aimed to assess the radioprotective potential of Helianthus tuberosus L. polysaccharide (HTLP) in vitality and micronuclei tests. To assess the cytotoxic effects of HTLP, both vitality and MTT reductase assays were conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RAW 264.7 cells viability was assessed 24 h after adding 200 μg/ml HTLP solution by staining cell cultures with propidium iodide and bis-benzimide to detect the nuclei of dead cells and the total number of cells in culture. To assess cell viability via cellular metabolic activity MTT test was used. In this work outbred 24-30 g 5-months old SHK mice have been used. Irradiation was provided with proton beams with an energy of 660 MeV at a dose rate of 80 Gy with doses 1.5 Gy for micronuclei test and 8.5 Gy for survival test. Whole body X-ray irradiation was conducted using the RUT-15 therapeutic X-ray unit with doses of 1.5 Gy for MN test and 6.5 Gy for survival. The HTLP sterile solution in dose 100 μg/animal was injected into the tail vein 15 min before X-ray or proton irradiation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

s: Vitality test showed no significant differences between the control group and cells treated with 200 μl of 200 μg/ml HTLP solution, though a greater variability was noted. In contrast, the MTT assay indicated enhanced cell viability in the HTLP-treated cells. HTLP does not exert any toxic effects in cell culture. Moreover, results of MTT reductase assay shows, that HTLP may enhance the cells' metabolic activity. Animals pre-treated with HTLP displayed a significant reduction in micronuclei formation, showing five times fewer micronuclei in bone marrow cells compared to the non-treated group. This comparison highlights HTLP's potential protective effect against radiation-induced chromosomal damage. HTLP treatment demonstrates a significant reduction in hazard compared to the control, indicating its protective effects against irradiation. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of HTLP increases the likelihood of animal survival under the ionizing effects of X-rays and protons. The survival analysis reveals that the HTLP-treated groups exhibit a higher survival rate compared to both the control and Cysteamine-treated groups, suggesting a significant protective effect of HTLP against irradiation, regardless of the type of irradiation (proton or X-ray) with p < 0.0001.

Chitosan-based nano-micelles for potential anti-tumor immunotherapy: Synergistic effect of cGAS-STING signaling pathway activation and tumor antigen absorption

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signaling pathway is an essential DNA-sensing pathway to regulate the innate and adaptive immune response, which plays an important role in tumor immunotherapy. Although the STING agonists can be used, they are limited by their inability to target immune cells and systemic immunotoxicity, calling for novel strategies to accurately and effectively activate the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Herein, mannose-modified stearic acid-grafted chitosan (M-CS-SA) micelles with the ability to activate the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and absorb tumor antigens were constructed. The chitosan-based nano-micelles showed valid dendritic cell (DCs) targeting and could escape from lysosomes leading to the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and the maturation of DCs. In addition, a combinatorial therapy was presented based on the programmed administration of oxaliplatin and M-CS-SA. M-CS-SA adsorbed tumor antigens released by chemotherapy to construct an autologous tumor vaccine and built a comprehensive antitumor immune response. In vivo, the combinatorial therapy achieved a tumor inhibition rate of 76.31 % at the oxaliplatin dose of 5 mg/kg and M-CS-SA dose of 15 mg/kg, and increased the CD3+ CD8+ T cell infiltration. This work demonstrated that M-CS-SA and its co-treatment with oxaliplatin showed great potential in tumor immunotherapy.

Effect of extraction method on the chemical profiles and bioactivities of soybean hull polysaccharides

The yields, properties, and bioactivities of polysaccharides extracted by three methods from soybean hulls (SSCPs) were evaluated: hot water extraction (H-SSCP), microwave-assisted ammonium oxalate extraction (A-SSCP), and microwave-assisted sodium citrate extraction (S-SSCP). A-SSCP gave the highest yield of polysaccharides (9.3 ± 0.5%) although all three products had similar physicochemical characteristics and FT-IR spectra. A-SSCP and S-SSCP produced polysaccharides with lower molecular weight distributions and higher total reducing power and scavenging ability for ABTS+• and DPPH• free radicals. Furthermore, the effect of SSCPs on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury was investigated in the mice. When compared with H-SSCP and S-SSCP, A-SSCP significantly decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen (ROS) to normal (p < .05) and increased the level of glutathione (GSH) to normal (p < .05). A-SSCP was the most effective polysaccharide, yielding an approximately normal hepatic appearance with well-preserved cytoplasm, obvious cell boundaries, with legible nuclei and nucleoli. This study indicates that polysaccharides extracted from soybean hulls via microwave-assisted ammonium oxalate extraction have the potential to be developed as a new functional food contributing to the alleviation of liver damage.

Exposure to radioactive rocks from the Egyptian eastern desert attenuates the efficiency of the immune organs and induces apoptosis of blood lymphocytes in rat model

Exposure to ionizing radiation emitted from natural sources induces many health hazards. The response to ionizing radiation involves a number of mediators including inflammatory cytokines and free radicals which mediate immunosuppression. The present study aimed to monitor the impact of exposure to natural radioactive rocks from the Egyptian eastern desert on the primary immune organs. Therefore, three experimental groups (15 rats per group) were used: group I included the control non-irradiated rats; group II included rats that were exposed for 28 consecutive days to natural radioactive rocks from the Egyptian eastern desert (IR/R group); and group III (positive control group) included rats that were exposed to high dose of γ-rays (4 Gy/14 days for 28 days) (IR/γR group). We found that rats of both the IR/R and IR/γR groups exhibited pathological alterations in the architecture of the primary immune organs (bone marrow and thymus). Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly increased in the IR/R and IR/γR groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, rats from the IR/R and IR/γR groups exhibited significant increase in the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and subsequently exhibited a significant increase in the apoptosis of PBMCs compared with the control group. Most importantly, apoptosis induction in the PBMCs was associated with increased expression of cyclin B1 and decreased expression of cyclin D1 and survivin compared with the control non-irradiated group. Taken together, our data demonstrated that consecutive exposure to natural radioactive rocks from the Egyptian eastern desert could dampen the immune response through damaging the architectures of the immune system and mediating serious health problems to the population inhabiting this region.

Protection of Spleen Tissue of γ-ray Irradiated Mice against Immunosuppressive and Oxidative Effects of Radiation by Adenosine 5'-Monophosphate

The immune system is very sensitive to radiation. This study revealed that adenosine 5′-monophosphate (5′-AMP) increased the DNA contents of the spleen and the spleen index of irradiated mice. Moreover, the exogenous 5′-AMP could significantly repair the ultra-structure of the damaged spleen through transmission electron microscopy. When indicators of the mouse immune system were assessed, the flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the administration of exogenous 5′-AMP could reduce the apoptosis in the splenic cells. It could also regulate the transition of cells towards S phase, increase the proportion of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cellular subsets, and enhance the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). These effects were associated with a decrease in oxidative stress, as evidenced by changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of spleen tissues. These results suggested that exogenous 5′-AMP could repair the damaged spleen, increase the spleen index, and regulate the cell cycles and apoptosis. There was an increase in the production of various cytokines and play a protective role on the immune system of irradiated mice by dynamically adjusting the REDOX balance.

Saccharum Alhagi polysaccharide-1 and -2 promote the immunocompetence of RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro

The in vitro immune activities of Saccharum Alhagi polysaccharides (SAP) have been previously studied. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of SAP-1 and SAP-2 on the activity of RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. RAW264.7 cells were treated with 150, 300 and 600 mg/l concentrations of SAP-1 (a 50% alcohol precipitation) and SAP-2 (an 80% alcohol precipitation) or with 10 mg/l lipopolysaccharide. Untreated cells were used as a negative control. An MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells, and Hoechst 33528 staining was conducted in order to visualize the cell nuclei. Additionally, the Griess method was used to measure nitric oxide (NO) levels. A neutral red uptake assay was performed to determine the phagocytic activity of the macrophages, and ELISAs were performed to detect cytokine levels. Furthermore, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA expression of certain cytokines. The results demonstrated that SAP increased the proliferative activity and activated the immune function of RAW264.7 cells, and was lacking in cytotoxicity. In addition, SAP-1 exhibited a stronger effect in promoting RAW264.7 cell proliferation than did SAP-2. Furthermore, SAP-1 and SAP-2 significantly increased the level of NO, with the effect of SAP-1 being stronger than that of SAP-2. SAP-1 increased the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells and promoted the secretion of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by RAW264.7 cells, with an effect that was stronger than that of SAP-2. Finally, different concentrations of SAP-1 or SAP-2 had distinct effects in upregulating the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, nuclear factor-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA. The results of the present study demonstrate that SAP is capable of enhancing the immune activity of mouse macrophages.

Effect of different soybean meal type on ileal digestibility of amino acid in weaning pigs

An experiment was conducted to evaluate apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) with 6 soybean products in weaning pigs. A total of 14 weaning barrows with an initial body weight of 6.54 ± 0.34 kg were fitted with T-cannula at the distal ileum and allotted to 7 diets containing various soybean products. The soybean products used in the experiment were conventional soybean meal (CSBM), SBM fermented by Aspergillus oryzae GB-107 (FSBMA), SBM fermented by Bacillus subtilis PP6 (FSBMB), UV sterilized SBM fermented by Bacillus subtilis PP6 (UVFSBMB), SBM containing Bacillus subtilis PP6 (PSBM), and soy protein concentrate (SPC). Six corn-based diets were used and each of soybean products was added. All diets contained 5.0 g/kg of chromic oxide as an indigestible indicator and an N-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of CP and AAs. Ileal CP digestibility did not differ by different soybean products. However, SIDs of Ile, Phe and Val were improved in pigs fed the FSBMB, UVFSBMB and SPC diets and the pigs fed the FSBMA diet showed higher SIDs of Phe and Val compared with those fed the CSBM diet (P < 0.05). The FSBMB diet had higher SIDs in most AAs compared with the FSBMA diet (P < 0.05), and higher SIDs of Lys, Ala, Pro, Ser, and Tyr compared with PSBM diet (P < 0.05). However, there was no response of UV-sterilization on the FSBMB in the SIDs of AAs. These results suggest that SIDs of AAs could be improved by the supplementation of fermented soybean products in the diet for weaning pigs but fermentation with Bacillus subtilis is more efficient in improving ileal AA digestibility than that with Aspergillus oryzae. Furthermore, probiotics supplementation in the CSBM and UV-sterilization of the FSBMB had no effects on chemical composition and ileal AA digestibility.

Review on the extraction, characterization and application of soybean polysaccharide

In this review, we critically appraise the latest literature on the extraction and the structural features of SPS, and provide a perspective on the biological applications of SPS.

Protective effect of anthocyanins from lingonberry on radiation-induced damages

There is a growing concern about the serious harm of radioactive materials, which are widely used in energy production, scientific research, medicine, industry and other areas. In recent years, owing to the great side effects of anti-radiation drugs, research on the radiation protectants has gradually expanded from the previous chemicals to the use of natural anti-radiation drugs and functional foods. Some reports have confirmed that anthocyanins are good antioxidants, which can effectively eliminate free radicals, but studies on the immunoregulatory and anti-radiation effects of anthocyanins from lingonberry (ALB) are less reported. In this experiment, mice were given orally once daily for 14 consecutive days before exposure to 6 Gy of gamma-radiation and were sacrificed on the 7th day post-irradiation. The results showed that the selected dose of extract did not lead to acute toxicity in mice; while groups given anthocyanins orally were significantly better than radiation control group according to blood analysis; pretreatment of anthocyanins significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the thymus and spleen indices and spleen cell survival compared to the irradiation control group. Pretreatment with anthocyanins before irradiation significantly reduced the numbers of micronuclei (MN) in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). These findings indicate that anthocyanins have immunostimulatory potential against immunosuppression induced by the radiation.

Protective effect of anthocyanin from Lonicera Caerulea var. Edulis on radiation-induced damage in mice

The radioprotective effect of anthocyanin extracted from Lonicera caerulea var. edulis (ALC), was studied in ICR mice. Different doses of ALC were intragastrically administered to mice once a day, prior to radiation. After two weeks, the mice received a one-time 5 Gy whole body (60)Coγ radiation. The spleen index, thymus index, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and glutathione (GSH) content in liver tissue were measured. Compared with the radiation control group, the levels of MDA in all ALC treated groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, the GSH content, activities of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue were enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) in all ALC groups. These results demonstrate that ALC may be a potential radioprotector, and a further study of the molecular mechanism is needed for further application.