Suppressive Effect of Shiitake Extract on Plasma Ethanol Elevation

Therapeutic Potential of Foodborne Indole Derived from Chinese Stinky Tofu in Reducing Intestinal Inflammation and Enhancing Barrier Function to Mitigate Alcoholic Liver Injury

Indole, a compound in Chinese stinky tofu (ST), acts as a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Despite extensive research on prebiotic compounds, indole's specific role in ST remains unexplored. This study used an ethanol gavage method to create an ALD (alcoholic liver disease) mouse model and investigate dietary indole's effects on the intestinal barrier. Our findings indicate that after 6 weeks of being fed ST, the indole present (2 mg/day) robustly activated the intestinal AHR, upregulating its target gene, CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450 1A1 enzyme). This activation significantly reduced intestinal permeability, mitigated alcohol-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, and restored intestinal barrier function. Consequently, the study demonstrates that foodborne indole substantially reduces alcohol absorption and lowers the expression levels of liver inflammation-related factors, thereby slowing the progression of ALD. These results highlight indole's therapeutic potential for treating ALD and its role in developing functional foods.

Detoxification activity of bioactive food compounds against ethanol-induced injuries and hangover symptoms: A review

Alcohol drinking is a popular activity among adolescents in many countries, largely due to its pleasant, relaxing effects. As a major concern, ethanol consumption put the drinkers at risk of nutrients' deficiency due to the disordered eating, anorexia, and malabsorption of nutrients. Moreover, alcohol drinking may lead to the development of hangover symptoms including diarrhea, thirsty, fatigue, and oxidative stress. A broad range of functional food components with antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties including pectin, aloe vera polysaccharides, chito-oligosaccharides, and other herbal components have been explored due to their detoxification effects against ethanol. The underlying anti-hangover mechanisms include reducing the intestinal absorption of ethanol or its metabolites, increasing the activity of ethanol metabolizing enzymes, development of fatty acid β-oxidation in mitochondria, inhibition of inflammatory response, blocking the target receptors of ethanol in the body, and possession of antioxidant activity under the oxidative stress developed by ethanol consumption. Therefore, the development of bioactive food-based therapeutic formula can assist clinicians and also drinkers in the alleviation of alcohol side effects.

A New Method for Breath and Blood Alcohol Determination in Rats Using a Breath Alcohol Meter: An Experimental Study

Background

The use of police breath alcohol detectors in rat breath alcohol detection experiments has always been a challenge because of the small lung capacity and inability of rats to actively inhale. However, the method of using gas chromatography to detect blood alcohol concentration is time-consuming, complex, relatively expensive, and cannot achieve on-site detection and multi-point unlimited non-invasive detection.

Objectives

In this study, a laboratory method was validated for rat breath ethanol concentration (BrAC) measurement to estimate blood ethanol concentration (BAC) in rats.

Methods

The rats were placed in a gas collection bottle, the breath sample was drawn out with a syringe, and injected into the mouthpiece of the breath alcohol detector through a rubber tube. The results were immediately detected and automatically converted to BAC. Male rats were randomly divided into three groups. The control group received an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, the liver injury group received an intraperitoneal injection of 50% Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4 1 mL.kg^-1), and the induction group received an intraperitoneal injection of phenobarbital sodium (75 mg.kg^-1). Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of CYP2E1. Similar grouping and experimental methods were used for female rats.

Results

This method was reproducible. The metabolic activity of CYP2E1 was downregulated in the injury group and upregulated in the induction group, which was consistent with the results obtained for CYP2E1 protein expression.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that the rat gas cylinder breath alcohol assay can be used for multiple detections with immediate and non-invasive determination of alcohol metabolizing capacity. This is important for studies that require repeated assessment of blood alcohol levels.