Omega-3 Fatty Acids-Enriched Fish Oil Activates AMPK/PGC-1α Signaling and Prevents Obesity-Related Skeletal Muscle Wasting

Role of Fish Oil in Preventing Paternal Obesity and Improving Offspring Skeletal Muscle Health

This study investigates the effects of fish oil supplementation during the periconceptional period in male mice. Specifically, it examines the impact of fish oil on intergenerational health, as determined by skeletal muscle markers. To mimic paternal obesity, thirty mice were separated into three groups with distinct dietary regimes for 10 weeks: a high-fat diet (HF), a high-fat diet supplemented with fish oil (FO), and a low-fat diet (LF). Then, these mice mated with control female mice. Dams and offspring consumed a chow diet during gestation and lactation, and the offspring continued on a chow diet. To study short-term (8 weeks) and long-term (16 weeks) effects of FO, skeletal muscle was isolated at the time of sacrifice, and gene analyses were performed. Results suggest that offspring born to FO-supplemented sires exhibited a significant, short-term upregulation of genes associated with insulin signaling, fatty acid oxidation, and skeletal muscle growth with significant downregulation of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis at 8 weeks. Prominent differences in the above markers were observed at 8 weeks compared to 16 weeks. These findings suggest the potential benefits of FO supplementation for fathers during the periconceptional period in reducing the health risks of offspring due to paternal obesity.

Targeted proteomic analysis reveals that crocodile oil from Crocodylus siamensis may enhance hepatic energy metabolism in rats

The liver is a key organ governing body energy metabolism. Dietary fats influence energy metabolism and mitochondrial functioning. Crocodile oil (CO) is rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids that contain natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Our study examined how CO affects the expressions of liver proteins involved in energy metabolism in rats. Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups and underwent oral gavage with 3 ml/kg of sterile water (N group), CO (CO group), or palm oil (PO group) for 7 weeks. Body weight, energy intake, liver weight, liver indexes, blood lipid profiles, and liver-energy intermediates were measured. The liver proteome was analyzed using shotgun proteomics, and the functions and network interactions of several candidate proteins were predicted using the STITCH v.5.0 software. Body weights, energy intake, liver contents, and lipid profiles did not differ between the groups. However, hepatic oxaloacetate and malate levels were significantly higher in the CO group than in the PO group. Targeted proteomics reveals that 22 out of 1,790 unique proteins in the CO group were involved in energy-generating pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and were correlated with the AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Cluster analysis of 59 differentially expressed proteins showed that OXPHOS-associated proteins were upregulated in the CO group and that three glycolytic metabolism-related proteins were downregulated in the CO group. CO may enhance hepatic energy metabolism by regulating the expressions of energy expenditure-related proteins.

Microalgae Produce Antioxidant Molecules with Potential Preventive Effects on Mitochondrial Functions and Skeletal Muscular Oxidative Stress

In recent years, microalgae have become a source of molecules for a healthy life. Their composition of carbohydrates, peptides, lipids, vitamins and carotenoids makes them a promising new source of antioxidant molecules. Skeletal muscle is a tissue that requires constant remodeling via protein turnover, and its regular functioning consumes energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is produced by mitochondria. Under conditions of traumatic exercise or muscular diseases, a high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the origin of oxidative stress (OS) will lead to inflammation and muscle atrophy, with life-long consequences. In this review, we describe the potential antioxidant effects of microalgae and their biomolecules on mitochondrial functions and skeletal muscular oxidative stress during exercises or in musculoskeletal diseases, as in sarcopenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), through the increase in and regulation of antioxidant pathways and protein synthesis.

Fish oil and chicoric acid combination protects better against palmitate-induced lipid accumulation via regulating AMPK-mediated SREBP-1/FAS and PPARα/UCP2 pathways

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the synergistic treatment effect of fish oils (FOs) and chicoric acid (CA) in palmitate (PA)-induced NAFLD HepG2 model. HepG2 cells were pre-treated with palmitate (0.75 mM) for 24 h, and then were exposed to CA, FOs and combination of these chemicals for another 24 h. Gene expression and protein levels were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting or ELISA analysing, respectively. The combination index (CI) values of FOs and CA in HepG2 cells were calculated according to the Chou-Talalay equation using the CompuSyn software. FOs and CA acid together synergistically reduced lipid accumulation as indicated by decreased oil red O staining (vehicle-treated control: 1 ± 0.1; PA-treated control: 4.7 ± 0.4; PA + CA100: 3.9 ± 0.4; PA + CA200: 2.4 ± 0.3; PA + FOs: 2.7 ± 0.1; PA + CA200 + FOs: 1.5 ± 0.1) and triglyceride (vehicle-treatedcontrol:10 ± 1.2; PA-treated control: 25.8 ± 2.7; PA + CA100: 18.9 ± 2.5; PA + CA200: 14.4 ± 1.8; PA + FOs: 15.2 ± 2.4; PA + CA200 + FOs: 11.9 ± 1.5) levels in PA-treated HepG2 cells. Gene expression and Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the combination effect of FOs and CA in up-regulation of AMPK-mediated PPARα/UCP2 and down-regulation of AMPK-mediated SREBP-1/FAS signalling pathways. Collectively, these results suggest that combining FOs with CA can serve as a potential combination therapy for NAFLD.

PPARγ Gene as a Possible Link between Acquired and Congenital Lipodystrophy and its Modulation by Dietary Fatty Acids

Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare diseases that could be of genetic or acquired origin. The main complication of lipodystrophy is the dysfunction of adipose tissue, which leads to an ectopic accumulation of triglycerides in tissues such as the liver, pancreas and skeletal muscle. This abnormal fat distribution is associated with hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, liver steatosis, cardiomyopathies and chronic inflammation. Although the origin of acquired lipodystrophies remains unclear, patients show alterations in genes related to genetic lipodystrophy, suggesting that this disease could be improved or aggravated by orchestrating gene activity, for example by diet. Nowadays, the main reason for adipose tissue dysfunction is an imbalance in metabolism, caused in other pathologies associated with adipose tissue dysfunction by high-fat diets. However, not all dietary fats have the same health implications. Therefore, this article aims to summarize the main genes involved in the pathophysiology of lipodystrophy, identify connections between them and provide a systematic review of studies published between January 2017 and January 2022 of the dietary fats that can modulate the development of lipodystrophy through transcriptional regulation or the regulation of protein expression in adipocytes.

Naringin Ameliorates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Improves Insulin Resistance in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance in Obese Rats

Obesity causes progressive lipid accumulation and insulin resistance within muscle cells and affects skeletal muscle fibres and muscle mass that demonstrates atrophy and dysfunction. This study investigated the effects of naringin on the metabolic processes of skeletal muscle in obese rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: the control group with normal diet and the obese groups, which were induced with a high-fat diet (HFD) for the first 4 weeks and then treated with 40 mg/kg of simvastatin and 50 and 100 mg/kg of naringin from week 4 to 8. The naringin-treated group showed reduced body weight, biochemical parameters, and the mRNA expressions of protein degradation. Moreover, increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, glycogen, glucose uptake, the expression of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and the mRNA expressions of protein synthesis led to improved muscle mass in the naringin-treated groups. The in vitro part showed the inhibitory effects of naringin on digestive enzymes related to lipid and glucose homeostasis. This study demonstrates the potential benefits of naringin as a supplement for treating muscle abnormalities in obese rats by modulating the antioxidative status, regulating protein metabolism, and improved insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of HFD-induced insulin resistance in obese rats.

PGC-1α activity and mitochondrial dysfunction in preterm infants

Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) are born in a relatively hyperoxic environment with weak antioxidant defenses, placing them at high risk for mitochondrial dysfunction affecting multiple organ systems including the nervous, respiratory, ocular, and gastrointestinal systems. The brain and lungs are highly affected by mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation in the neonate, causing white matter injury (WMI) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), respectively. Adequate mitochondrial function is important in providing sufficient energy for organ development as it relates to alveolarization and axonal myelination and decreasing oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) detoxification. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is at the root of WMI and BPD pathobiology, exploring therapies that can regulate PGC-1α activity may be beneficial. This review article describes several promising therapeutic agents that can mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction through direct and indirect activation and upregulation of the PGC-1α pathway. Metformin, resveratrol, omega 3 fatty acids, montelukast, L-citrulline, and adiponectin are promising candidates that require further pre-clinical and clinical studies to understand their efficacy in decreasing the burden of disease from WMI and BPD in preterm infants.

n-3 PUFA dietary lipid replacement normalizes muscle mitochondrial function and oxidative stress through enhanced tissue mitophagy and protects from muscle wasting in experimental kidney disease

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction may cause tissue oxidative stress and consequent catabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to patient mortality. We investigated in 5/6-nephrectomized (Nx) rats the impact of n3-polyunsaturated fatty-acids (n3-PUFA) isocaloric partial dietary replacement on gastrocnemius muscle (Gm) mitochondrial master-regulators, ATP production, ROS generation and related muscle-catabolic derangements.

RESULTS

Nx had low Gm mitochondrial nuclear respiratory factor-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha, low ATP production and higher mitochondrial fission-fusion protein ratio with ROS overproduction. n3-PUFA normalized all mitochondrial derangements and pro-oxidative tissue redox state (oxydized to total glutathione ratio). n3-PUFA also normalized Nx-induced muscle-catabolic proinflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance and low muscle weight. Human uremic serum reproduced mitochondrial derangements in C2C12 myotubes, while n3-PUFA coincubation prevented all effects. n3-PUFA also enhanced muscle mitophagy in-vivo and siRNA-mediated autophagy inhibition selectively blocked n3-PUFA-induced normalization of C2C12 mitochondrial ROS production.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, dietary n3-PUFA normalize mitochondrial master-regulators, ATP production and dynamics in experimental CKD. These effects occur directly in muscle cells and they normalize ROS production through enhanced mitophagy. Dietary n3-PUFA mitochondrial effects result in normalized catabolic derangements and protection from muscle wasting, with potential positive impact on patient survival.

Repurposing of Marine Raw Materials in the Formulation of Innovative Plant Protection Products

Over the years, the growth of the world population has caused a huge agricultural production to support the population's needs. Since plant protection products are essential to preserve agricultural crops and to optimize vital plant processes, it is crucial to use more sustainable, biodegradable, and biocompatible raw materials, without harming the environment and human health. Although the development of new plant protection products is a costly process, the environmental benefits should be considered. In this context, marine raw materials obtained as byproducts of fishing industries, possessing a wide variety of physicochemical and biological properties, can serve as a promising source of such materials. They have a high potential for developing alternative and safe formulations for agricultural applications, not only as biocompatible excipients but also as effective and selective, or even both. It is also possible to promote a synergistic effect between an active substance and the biological activity of the marine polymer used in the formulation, enabling plant protection products with lower concentrations of the active substances. Thus, this review addresses the repurposing of marine raw materials for the development of innovative plant protection products, focusing on micro- and nanoparticulate formulations, to protect the environment through more ecological and sustainable strategies.

Candidate Genes and Their Expressions Involved in the Regulation of Milk and Meat Production and Quality in Goats (Capra hircus)

Simple Summary

During the present decade, highly selected caprine farming has increased in popularity due to the hardiness and adaptability inherent to goats. Recent advances in genetics have enabled the improvement in goat selection efficiency. The present review explores how genetic technologies have been applied to the goat-farming sector in the last century. The main candidate genes related to economically relevant traits are reported. The major source of income in goat farming derives from the sale of milk and meat. Consequently, yield and quality must be specially considered. Meat-related traits were evaluated considering three functional groups (weight gain, carcass quality and fat profile). Milk traits were assessed in three additional functional groups (milk production, protein and fat content).

Abstract

Despite their pivotal position as relevant sources for high-quality proteins in particularly hard environmental contexts, the domestic goat has not benefited from the advances made in genomics compared to other livestock species. Genetic analysis based on the study of candidate genes is considered an appropriate approach to elucidate the physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of the expression of functional traits. This is especially relevant when such functional traits are linked to economic interest. The knowledge of candidate genes, their location on the goat genetic map and the specific phenotypic outcomes that may arise due to the regulation of their expression act as a catalyzer for the efficiency and accuracy of goat-breeding policies, which in turn translates into a greater competitiveness and sustainable profit for goats worldwide. To this aim, this review presents a chronological comprehensive analysis of caprine genetics and genomics through the evaluation of the available literature regarding the main candidate genes involved in meat and milk production and quality in the domestic goat. Additionally, this review aims to serve as a guide for future research, given that the assessment, determination and characterization of the genes associated with desirable phenotypes may provide information that may, in turn, enhance the implementation of goat-breeding programs in future and ensure their sustainability.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent the D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment by up-regulating the levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the mouse brain

Decreased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels caused by mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain are closely associated with the development of neurodegenerative disease. It has been reported that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) prevent cognitive dysfunction by improving mitochondrial function in the brain. However, whether n-3 PUFA prevents cognitive dysfunction by increasing the levels of 5hmC in the brain is undisclosed. Mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), injected with D-galactose (200 mg kg-1 day-1) for the model group and given different oils [0.1 mL per 10 g body weight per day, fish oil (FO), peony seed oil (PSO), corn oil (CO) and olive oil (OO)] for the prevention groups, and injected with the same dose of saline for the normal control group (NC) for 10 weeks, respectively. Peony seed oil and fish oil have shown preventive effects on D-galactose-induced cognitive dysfunction in behavioral tests. The content of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA content) in the brain was significantly higher in FO and PSO groups than in the other groups. Brain oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis were significantly lower in PSO and FO groups than in the other groups. RNA-seq results showed that the different genes between PSO and FO compared with the model group were involved in the DNA demethylation process and the 5-methylcytosine metabolic process. The brain levels of 5hmC and the ten-eleven translocation family of dioxygenases (TETs) were significantly higher in FO and PSO groups compared with the model group, as analyzed by dot-blot and western blot. In conclusion, peony seed oil and fish oil increased the C22:6n-3 content, which activated the TET activity, led to up-regulation of the 5hmc level, resulted in inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and then improved the cognitive function in D-gal-induced mice.

Dietary Alaska Pollack Protein Induces Acute and Sustainable Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Rats

Our previous studies suggested that Alaska pollack protein (APP) intake increases skeletal muscle mass and that it may cause a slow-to-fast shift in muscle fiber type in rats fed a high-fat diet after 56 days of feeding. In this study, we explored whether dietary APP induces acute and sustainable skeletal muscle hypertrophy in rats fed a normal-fat diet. Male 5-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups and fed a purified ingredient-based high-fat diet or a purified ingredient-based normal-fat diet with casein or APP, containing the same amount of crude protein. Dietary APP significantly increased gastrocnemius muscle mass (105~110%) after 2, 7 days of feeding, regardless of dietary fat content. Rats were separated into two groups and fed a normal-fat diet with casein or APP. Dietary APP significantly increased gastrocnemius muscle mass (110%) after 56 days of feeding. Dietary APP significantly increased the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle and collagen-rich connective tissue after 7 days of feeding. It decreased the gene expression of Mstn /Myostatin, Trim63/MuRF1, and Fbxo32/atrogin-1, but not other gene expression, such as serum IGF-1 after 7 days of feeding. No differences were observed between casein and APP groups with respect to the percentage of Type I, Type IIA, and Type IIX or IIB fibers, as determined by myosin ATPase staining after 7 days of feeding. In the similar experiment, the puromycin-labeled peptides were not different between dietary casein and APP after 2 days of feeding. These results demonstrate that APP induces acute and sustainable skeletal muscle hypertrophy in rats, regardless of dietary fat content. Dietary APP, as a daily protein source, may be an approach for maintaining or increasing muscle mass.

Flavonoids modulate AMPK/PGC-1α and interconnected pathways toward potential neuroprotective activities

As progressive, chronic, incurable and common reasons for disability and death, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are significant threats to human health. Besides, the increasing prevalence of neuronal gradual degeneration and death during NDDs has made them a global concern. Since yet, no effective treatment has been developed to combat multiple dysregulated pathways/mediators and related complications in NDDs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create influential and multi-target factors to combat neuronal damages. Accordingly, the plant kingdom has drawn a bright future. Among natural entities, flavonoids are considered a rich source of drug discovery and development with potential biological and medicinal activities. Growing studies have reported multiple dysregulated pathways in NDDs, which among those mediator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) play critical roles. In this line, critical role of flavonoids in the upregulation of AMPK/PGC-1α pathway seems to pave the road in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), aging, central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) damages, stroke, and other NDDs. In the present study, the regulatory role of flavonoids in managing various NDDs has been shown to pass through AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Trimetazidine and exercise provide comparable improvements to high fat diet-induced muscle dysfunction through enhancement of mitochondrial quality control

Obesity induces skeletal muscle dysfunction. The pathogenesis of which appears to substantially involve mitochondrial dysfunction, arising from impaired quality control. Exercise is a major therapeutic strategy against muscle dysfunction. Trimetazidine, a partial inhibitor of lipid oxidation, has been proposed as a metabolic modulator for several cardiovascular pathologies. However, the effects of Trimetazidine on regulating skeletal muscle function are largely unknown. Our present study used cell culture and obese mice models to test a novel hypothesis that Trimetazidine could improve muscle atrophy with similar results to exercise. In C2C12 cells, high palmitic acid-induced atrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction, which could be reversed by the treatment of Trimetazidine. In our animal models, with high-fat diet-induced obesity associated with skeletal muscle atrophy, Trimetazidine prevented muscle dysfunction, corrected metabolic abnormalities, and improved mitochondrial quality control and mitochondrial functions similarly to exercise. Thus, our study suggests that Trimetazidine successfully mimics exercise to enhance mitochondrial quality control leading to improved high-fat diet-induced muscle dysfunction.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and metformin combination on diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats through autophagic pathway

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a primary cause of increased morbidity and mortality in diabetics. Evidence has suggested a pivotal role for interrupted mitochondrial dynamics and quality control machinery in the onset and development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) is a major reporter of selective autophagic activity. Other than controlling the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, recently peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) was reported to directly affect SQSTM1 gene expression. Calcineurin, a pivotal mediator of cardiac hypertrophy, has been also linked to enhanced expression of SQSTM1. This study aimed to test the cardioprotective effects of adding ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to metformin in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying their effects on mitochondrial quality. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by a high-fat diet for 6 weeks, followed by a low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were either treated with metformin (150 mg/kg/d), ω-3 PUFAs (300 mg/kg/d), or their combination in the same doses for further 8 weeks. Along with metabolic and pathological derangements, we report that correlating with electron microscopic evidence of mitochondrial degeneration, gene expression of the autophagic indicators SQSTM1, PGC-1α, and calcineurin were decreased in the hearts of diabetic rats. Independent of its anti-hyperglycemic effects, metformin successfully preserved mitochondrial integrity and upregulated myocardial PGC-1α, calcineurin, and SQSTM1 gene expression. ω-3 PUFAs possess synergistic cardioprotection when added to metformin, suggested by improvements in myocardial ultrastructure, autophagic activity, and SQSTM1 gene expression.

FGF19 protects skeletal muscle against obesity-induced muscle atrophy, metabolic derangement and abnormal irisin levels via the AMPK/SIRT-1/PGC-α pathway

Obesity is associated with biological dysfunction in skeletal muscle. As a condition of obesity accompanied by muscle mass loss and physical dysfunction, sarcopenic obesity (SO) has become a novel public health problem. Human fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) plays a therapeutic role in metabolic diseases. However, the protective effects of FGF19 on skeletal muscle in obesity and SO are still not completely understood. Our results showed that FGF19 administration improved muscle loss and grip strength in young and aged mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). Increases in muscle atrophy markers (FOXO‐3, Atrogin‐1, MuRF‐1) were abrogated by FGF19 in palmitic acid (PA)‐treated C2C12 myotubes and in the skeletal muscle of HFD‐fed mice. FGF19 not only reduced HFD‐induced body weight gain, excessive lipid accumulation and hyperlipidaemia but also promoted energy expenditure (PGC‐1α, UCP‐1, PPAR‐γ) in brown adipose tissue (BAT). FGF19 treatment restored PA‐ and HFD‐induced hyperglycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (IRS‐1, GLUT‐4) and mitigated the PA‐ and HFD‐induced decrease in FNDC‐5/irisin expression. However, these beneficial effects of FGF19 on skeletal muscle were abolished by inhibiting AMPK, SIRT‐1 and PGC‐1α expression. Taken together, this study suggests that FGF19 protects skeletal muscle against obesity‐induced muscle atrophy, metabolic derangement and abnormal irisin secretion partially through the AMPK/SIRT‐1/PGC‐α signalling pathway, which might be a potential therapeutic target for obesity and SO.

The Effects of the Combination of Buckwheat D-Fagomine and Fish Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Oxidative Stress and Related Risk Factors in Pre-Obese Rats

The combined supplementation of buckwheat D-fagomine (FG) and fish omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) attenuates the development of insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. This study aimed to examine the effects of combined supplementation with FG and ω-3 PUFA on dyslipidemia, transaminases, interleukin-6, and oxidative stress. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard diet, an HF diet, an HF diet supplemented with FG, an HF diet supplemented with ω-3 PUFA, or an HF diet supplemented with FG and ω-3 PUFA for 21 weeks. Triacylglycerol, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and interleukin-6 were measured. The assessment of oxidative stress included plasma antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione content, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. The combined supplementation with FG and ω-3 PUFA did not attenuate the slight accumulation of liver cholesterol induced by the HF diet but normalized the plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. Rats fed the HF diet supplemented with the combination showed a lower amount of plasma interleukin-6 than those fed a standard diet. The combination attenuated oxidative damage induced by the HF diet, decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, and enhanced glutathione status. The beneficial effects of the combination of FG and ω-3 PUFA on oxidative stress and related risk factors in pre-obese rats were mainly modulated by ω-3 PUFA.

The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between gut microbiota and diet in cardio-metabolic health

The gut microbiota plays an important role in cardio-metabolic diseases with diet being among the strongest modulators of gut microbiota composition and function. Resistant dietary carbohydrates are fermented to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut bacteria. Fiber and omega-3 rich diets increase SCFAs production and abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria. Likewise, SCFAs can improve gut barrier integrity, glucose, and lipid metabolism, regulate the immune system, the inflammatory response, and blood pressure. Therefore, targeting the gut microbiota with dietary strategies leading to increased SCFA production may benefit cardio-metabolic health. In this review, we provide an overview of the association between diet, SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota and cardio-metabolic diseases. We first discuss the association between the human gut microbiota and cardio-metabolic diseases, then investigate the role of SCFAs and finally explore the beneficial effects of specific dietary interventions that can improve cardio-metabolic outcomes through boosting the SCFA production.

Beneficial Effects of a Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils on the Age-Induced Alterations of Rodent Skeletal Muscle: Role of HDAC-4

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and function (sarcopenia). We have investigated whether a mixture of algae oil (25%) and extra virgin olive oil (75%) could exert beneficial effects on sarcopenia. Young (3 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or with the oil mixture (OM) (2.5 mL/kg) for 21 days. Aging decreased gastrocnemius weight, total protein, and myosin heavy chain mRNA. Treatment with the OM prevented these effects. Concomitantly, OM administration decreased the inflammatory state in muscle; it prevented the increase of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the decrease in anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in aged rats. The OM was not able to prevent aging-induced alterations in either the insulin-like growth factor I/protein kinase B (IGF-I/Akt) pathway or in the increased expression of atrogenes in the gastrocnemius. However, the OM prevented decreased autophagy activity (ratio protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3b) II/I) induced by aging and increased expression of factors related with muscle senescence such as histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC-4), myogenin, and IGF-I binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5). These data suggest that the beneficial effects of the OM on muscle can be secondary to its anti-inflammatory effect and to the normalization of HDAC-4 and myogenin levels, making this treatment an alternative therapeutic tool for sarcopenia.

2-Hydroxylation of Fatty Acids Represses Colorectal Tumorigenesis and Metastasis via the YAP Transcriptional Axis

Alteration in lipid composition is an important metabolic adaptation by cancer cells to support tumorigenesis and metastasis. Fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) introduces a chiral hydroxyl group at the second carbon of fatty acid (FA) backbones and influences lipid structures and metabolic signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms through which FA 2-hydroxylation is coupled to metabolic adaptation and tumor growth remain elusive. Here, we show that FA2H regulates specific metabolic reprogramming and oncogenic signaling in the development of colorectal cancer. FA2H is highly expressed in normal colorectal tissues. Assessments through deciphering both published high-throughput data and curated human colorectal cancer samples revealed significant suppression of FA2H in tumors, which is correlated with unfavorable prognosis. Experiments with multiple models of genetic manipulation or treatment with an enzymatic product of FA2H, (R)-2-hydroxy palmitic acid, demonstrated that FA 2-hydroxylation inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition progression, and tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that FA2H functions through AMP-activated protein kinase/Yes-associated protein (AMPK/YAP) pathway, which was confirmed in colorectal cancer cells, as well as in tumors. Lipidomics analysis revealed an accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cells with FA2H overexpression, which may contribute to the observed nutrient deficiency and AMPK activation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that FA 2-hydroxylation initiates a metabolic signaling cascade to suppress colorectal tumor growth and metastasis via the YAP transcriptional axis and provides a strategy to improve colorectal cancer treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify a novel metabolic mechanism regulating the tumor suppressor function of FA 2-hydroxylation in colorectal cancer.

Cachexia, muscle wasting, and frailty in cardiovascular disease

The last several years have seen increasing interest in understanding cachexia, muscle wasting, and physical frailty across the broad spectrum of patients with cardiovascular illnesses. This interest originally started in the field of heart failure, but has recently been extended to other areas such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease as well as to patients after cardiac surgery or transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Tissue wasting and frailty are prevalent among many of the affected patients. The ageing process itself and concomitant cardiovascular illness decrease lean mass while fat mass is relatively preserved, making elderly patients particularly prone to develop wasting syndromes and frailty. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the available knowledge of body wasting and physical frailty in patients with cardiovascular illness, particularly focussing on patients with heart failure in whom most of the available data have been gathered. In addition, mechanisms of wasting and possible therapeutic targets are discussed.

Krill Oil Perturbs Proliferation and Migration of Mouse Colon Cancer Cells in vitro by Impeding Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway

The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to increase. Treatment of CRC remains a significant clinical challenge, and effective therapies for advanced CRC are desperately needed. Increasing attention and ongoing research efforts have focused on krill oil that may provide health benefits to the human body. Here we report that krill oil exerts in vitro anticancer activity through a direct inhibition on proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of mouse colon cancer cells. Krill oil inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of CT-26 colon cancer cells by causing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cell cycle arrest was attributable to reduction of cyclin D1 levels in krill oil-treated cells. Further studies revealed that krill oil induced mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis of CT-26 cells, including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased cytosolic calcium levels, activation of caspase-3, and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1 and BCL-XL. Krill oil suppressed migration of CT-26 cells by disrupting the microfilaments and microtubules. Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) plays crucial roles in regulating proliferation and migration of cancer cells. We found that krill oil attenuated the activation of ERK signaling pathway to exert the effects on cell cycle, apoptosis, and migration of colon cancer cells. We speculate that polyunsaturated fatty acids of krill oil may dampen ERK activation by decreasing the phospholipid saturation of cell membrane. Although findings from in vitro studies may not necessarily translate in vivo, our study provides insights into the possibility that krill oil or its components could have therapeutic potential in colon cancer.

Synthesis of DHA/EPA Ethyl Esters via Lipase-Catalyzed Acidolysis Using Novozym® 435: A Kinetic Study

DHA/EPA ethyl ester is mainly used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. In this study, DHA+EPA ethyl ester was synthesized via lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of ethyl acetate (EA) with DHA+EPA concentrate in n-hexane using Novozym® 435. The DHA+EPA concentrate (in free fatty acid form), contained 54.4% DHA and 16.8% EPA, was used as raw material. A central composite design combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the relationship between substrate concentrations and initial rate of DHA+EPA ethyl ester production. The results indicated that the reaction followed the ordered mechanism and as such, the ordered mechanism model was used to estimate the maximum reaction rate (Vmax) and kinetic constants. The ordered mechanism model was also combined with the batch reaction equation to simulate and predict the conversion of DHA+EPA ethyl ester in lipase-catalyzed acidolysis. The integral equation showed a good predictive relationship between the simulated and experimental results. 88–94% conversion yields were obtained from 100–400 mM DHA+EPA concentrate at a constant enzyme activity of 200 U, substrate ratio of 1:1 (DHA+EPA: EA), and reaction time of 300 min.

Is inflammatory signaling involved in disease-related muscle wasting? Evidence from osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type II diabetes

Muscle loss is an important feature that occurs in multiple pathologies including osteoarthritis (OA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type II diabetes (T2D). Despite differences in pathogenesis and disease-related complications, there are reasons to believe that some fundamental underlying mechanisms are inherent to the muscle wasting process, irrespective of the pathology. Recent evidence shows that inflammation, either local or systemic, contributes to the modulation of muscle mass and/or muscle strength, via an altered molecular profile in muscle tissue. However, it remains ambiguous to which extent and via which mechanisms inflammatory signaling affects muscle mass in disease. Therefore, the objective of the present review is to discuss the role of inflammation on skeletal muscle anabolism, catabolism and functionality in three pathologies that are characterized by an eventual loss in muscle mass (and muscle strength), i.e. OA, COPD and T2D. In OA and COPD, most rodent models confirmed that systemic (COPD) or muscle (OA) inflammation directly induces muscle loss or muscle dysfunctionality. However, in a patient population, the association between inflammation and muscular maladaptations are more ambiguous. For example, in T2D patients, systemic inflammation is associated with muscle loss whereas in OA patients this link has not consistently been established. T2D rodent models revealed that increased levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and a decreased mTORC1 activation play a key role in muscle atrophy, but it remains to be elucidated whether AGEs and mTORC1 are interconnected and contribute to muscle loss in T2D patients. Generally, if any, associations between inflammation and muscle are mainly based on observational and cross-sectional data. There is definitely a need for longitudinal evidence through well-powered randomized control trials that take into account confounders such as age, disease-phenotypes, comorbidities, physical (in) activity etc. This will allow to improve our understanding of the complex interaction between inflammatory signaling and muscle mass loss and hence contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies to combat muscle wasting in these diseases.

MSC-induced lncRNA HCP5 drove fatty acid oxidation through miR-3619-5p/AMPK/PGC1α/CEBPB axis to promote stemness and chemo-resistance of gastric cancer

Chemotherapy is the first-tier treatment regime for gastric cancer (GC) patients at advance stages. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cam affect drug-resistance of GC cells in tumor microenvironment, but the detailed mechanism remains poorly understood. Present study aimed to investigate the regulation of MSC-induced long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in GC. Dysregulated lncRNAs in GC were analyzed based on GEO data. Stemness and drug-resistance of GC cells were detected by sphere formation, colony formation, CCK-8, and flow cytometry analyses. MicroRNA (miRNA)-related pathways were analyzed by online KEGG analysis tool DAVID6.8. Molecular interactions were determined by luciferase reporter assay, pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP). Results revealed that MSC co-culture improved stemness and drug-resistance of GC cells. LncRNA histocompatibility leukocyte antigen complex P5 (HCP5) was induced in GC cells by MSC co-culture, contributing to stemness and drug-resistance. Mechanistically, HCP5 sequestered miR-3619-5p and upregulated PPARG coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A), increasing transcription complex Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) coactivator-1α (PGC1α)/CEBPB and transcriptionally inducing carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), which prompted the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in GC cells. In conclusion, MSC-induced lncRNA HCP5 drove FAO through miR-3619-5p/AMPK/PGC1α/CEBPB axis to promote stemness and chemo-resistance of GC, indicating that targeting HCP5 was a novel approach to enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy in GC.