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Chen S, Zhong K, Li Y, Bai C, Xue Z, Wu Y. Joint transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis provides new insights into drought resistance in watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1364631. [PMID: 38766468 PMCID: PMC11102048 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1364631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Watermelon is an annual vine of the family Cucurbitaceae. Watermelon plants produce a fruit that people love and have important nutritional and economic value. With global warming and deterioration of the ecological environment, abiotic stresses, including drought, have become important factors that impact the yield and quality of watermelon plants. Previous research on watermelon drought resistance has included analyzing homologous genes based on known drought-responsive genes and pathways in other species. Methods However, identifying key pathways and genes involved in watermelon drought resistance through high-throughput omics methods is particularly important. In this study, RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis were performed on watermelon plants at five time points (0 h, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h) before and after drought stress. Results Transcriptomic analysis revealed 7829 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the five time points. The DEGs were grouped into five clusters using the k-means clustering algorithm. The functional category for each cluster was annotated based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database; different clusters were associated with different time points after stress. A total of 949 metabolites were divided into 10 categories, with lipids and lipid-like molecules accounting for the most metabolites. Differential expression analysis revealed 22 differentially regulated metabolites (DRMs) among the five time points. Through joint analysis of RNA-seq and metabolome data, the 6-h period was identified as the critical period for watermelon drought resistance, and the starch and sucrose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction and photosynthesis pathways were identified as important regulatory pathways involved in watermelon drought resistance. In addition, 15 candidate genes associated with watermelon drought resistance were identified through joint RNA-seq and metabolome analysis combined with weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Four of these genes encode transcription factors, including bHLH (Cla97C03G068160), MYB (Cla97C01G002440), HSP (Cla97C02G033390) and GRF (Cla97C02G042620), one key gene in the ABA pathway, SnRK2-4 (Cla97C10G186750), and the GP-2 gene (Cla97C05G105810), which is involved in the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway. Discussion In summary, our study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying drought resistance in watermelon plants and provides new genetic resources for the study of drought resistance in this crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chen
- Crops Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Kaiqin Zhong
- Fuzhou Institute of Vegetable Science, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yongyu Li
- College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Changhui Bai
- Crops Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhuzheng Xue
- Crops Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yufen Wu
- Crops Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China
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Karimi E, Abaj F, Gholizadeh M, Asbaghi O, Amini M, Ghaedi E, Hadi A. Watermelon consumption decreases risk factors of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2023:110801. [PMID: 37369281 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of watermelon supplementation on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The comprehensive search was done in Cochrane Library databases, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus up to March 2022. A random-effect model was used for computing weighted mean differences (WMD). Standard methods were applied to examine publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and heterogeneity. Of the 8962 identified studies, 9 RCTs were included in the final analysis. Watermelon consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition, watermelon consumption led to a significant increase in fasting blood sugar (FBS). However, there was not any significant difference in other outcomes of interest including diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), BMI, body fat, and serum levels of arginine, insulin, and CRP after watermelon supplementation. The current findings provide promising evidence of the antihypertensive effect of watermelon. However, due to the lack of evidence in human research, the result regarding the remaining outcomes needs to be used with caution. Furter RCTs with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes should be done to confirm the current findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Karimi
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Faezeh Abaj
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Gholizadeh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Asbaghi
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ehsan Ghaedi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Hadi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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da Silva DVT, Baião DDS, Almeida CC, Paschoalin VMF. A Critical Review on Vasoactive Nutrients for the Management of Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Stiffness in Individuals under Cardiovascular Risk. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112618. [PMID: 37299579 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathophysiological conditions such as endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness, characterized by low nitric oxide bioavailability, deficient endothelium-dependent vasodilation and heart effort, predispose individuals to atherosclerotic lesions and cardiac events. Nitrate (NO3-), L-arginine, L-citrulline and potassium (K+) can mitigate arterial dysfunction and stiffness by intensifying NO bioavailability. Dietary compounds such as L-arginine, L-citrulline, NO3- and K+ exert vasoactive effects as demonstrated in clinical interventions by noninvasive flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) prognostic techniques. Daily L-arginine intakes ranging from 4.5 to 21 g lead to increased FMD and reduced PWV responses. Isolated L-citrulline intake of at least 5.6 g has a better effect compared to watermelon extract, which is only effective on endothelial function when supplemented for longer than 6 weeks and contains at least 6 g of L-citrulline. NO3- supplementation employing beetroot at doses greater than 370 mg promotes hemodynamic effects through the NO3--NO2-/NO pathway, a well-documented effect. A potassium intake of 1.5 g/day can restore endothelial function and arterial mobility, where decreased vascular tone takes place via ATPase pump/hyperpolarization and natriuresis, leading to muscle relaxation and NO release. These dietary interventions, alone or synergically, can ameliorate endothelial dysfunction and should be considered as adjuvant therapies in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi Vieira Teixeira da Silva
- Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência de Alimentos e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, sala 545, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diego Dos Santos Baião
- Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência de Alimentos e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, sala 545, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cristine Couto Almeida
- Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência de Alimentos e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, sala 545, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vania Margaret Flosi Paschoalin
- Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência de Alimentos e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, sala 545, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
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Li X, Bazer FW, Johnson GA, Burghardt RC, Wu G. Dietary supplementation with L-citrulline improves placental angiogenesis and embryonic survival in gilts. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:702-711. [PMID: 37012677 PMCID: PMC10408550 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231157943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted with gilts as an animal model to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with L-citrulline (Cit) improves placental angiogenesis and embryonic survival. Between Days 14 and 25 of gestation, each gilt was fed a corn- and soybean-meal-based diet (2 kg/day) supplemented with 0.4% Cit or an isonitrogenous amount of L-alanine (Control). On Day 25 of gestation, gilts were hysterectomized to obtain conceptuses. Amniotic and allantoic fluids and placentae were analyzed for NOx [stable oxidation products of nitric oxide (NO)], polyamines, and amino acids (AAs). Placentae were also analyzed for syntheses of NO and polyamines; concentrations of AAs and related metabolites; and the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins (AQPs). Compared to the control group, Cit supplementation increased (P < 0.01) the number of viable fetuses by 2.0 per litter, the number and diameter of placental blood vessels (21% and 24%, respectively), placental weight (15%), and total allantoic and amniotic fluid volumes (20% and 47%, respectively). Cit supplementation also increased (P < 0.01) enzymatic activities of GTP-cyclohydrolase-1 (32%) and ornithine decarboxylase (27%) in placentae; syntheses of NO (29%) and polyamines (26%); concentrations of NOx (19%), tetrahydrobiopterin (28%), polyamines (22%), cAMP (26%), and cGMP (24%) in placentae; total amounts of NOx (22-40%), polyamines (23-40%), AAs (16-255%), glucose (22-44%), and fructose (22-43%) in allantoic and amniotic fluids. Furthermore, Cit supplementation increased (P < 0.05) placental mRNA levels for angiogenic factors (eNOS [84%], GTP-CH1 [55%], PGF [61%], VEGFA120 [26%], and VEGFR2 [137%], as well as AQPs - AQP1 [105%], AQP3 [53%], AQP5 [77%], AQP8 [57%], and AQP9 [31%]). Collectively, dietary Cit supplementation enhanced placental NO and polyamine syntheses as well as angiogenesis to improve conceptus development and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilong Li
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Gregory A Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Robert C Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
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Figueroa A, Wong A. Editorial for the Special Issue "Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health". Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061491. [PMID: 36986220 PMCID: PMC10051172 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium is crucial in controlling blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Figueroa
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Alexei Wong
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, Arlington, VA 22207, USA
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Bagheripour F, Jeddi S, Kashfi K, Ghasemi A. Metabolic effects of L-citrulline in type 2 diabetes. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 237:e13937. [PMID: 36645144 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is involved in the pathophysiology of T2D and its complications. L-citrulline (Cit), a precursor of NO production, has been suggested as a novel therapeutic agent for T2D. Available data from human and animal studies indicate that Cit supplementation in T2D increases circulating levels of Cit and L-arginine while decreasing circulating glucose and free fatty acids and improving dyslipidemia. The underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects of Cit include increased insulin secretion from the pancreatic β cells, increased glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle, as well as increased lipolysis and β-oxidation, and decreased glyceroneogenesis in the adipose tissue. Thus, Cit has antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, and antioxidant effects and has the potential to be used as a new therapeutic agent in the management of T2D. This review summarizes available literature from human and animal studies to explore the effects of Cit on metabolic parameters in T2D. It also discusses the possible mechanisms underlying Cit-induced improved metabolic parameters in T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Bagheripour
- Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Jeddi
- Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosrow Kashfi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Asghar Ghasemi
- Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ortiz-Cerda T, Mosso C, Alcudia A, Vázquez-Román V, González-Ortiz M. Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia and L-Arginine/L-Citrulline Supplementation as a Potential Strategy to Improve Birth Outcomes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:127-148. [PMID: 37466772 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
In preeclampsia, the shallow invasion of cytotrophoblast cells to uterine spiral arteries, leading to a reduction in placental blood flow, is associated with an imbalance of proangiogenic/antiangiogenic factors to impaired nitric oxide (NO) production. Proangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF), require NO to induce angiogenesis through antioxidant regulation mechanisms. At the same time, there are increases in antiangiogenic factors in preeclampsia, such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase type 1 receptor (sFIt1) and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), which are mechanism derivates in the reduction of NO bioavailability and oxidative stress in placenta.Different strategies have been proposed to prevent or alleviate the detrimental effects of preeclampsia. However, the only intervention to avoid the severe consequences of the disease is the interruption of pregnancy. In this scenario, different approaches have been analysed to treat preeclamptic pregnant women safely. The supplementation with amino acids is one of them, especially those associated with NO synthesis. In this review, we discuss emerging concepts in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia to highlight L-arginine and L-citrulline supplementation as potential strategies to improve birth outcomes. Clinical and experimental data concerning L-arginine and L-citrulline supplementation have shown benefits in improving NO availability in the placenta and uterine-placental circulation, prolonging pregnancy in patients with gestational hypertension and decreasing maternal blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ortiz-Cerda
- Departamento de Citología e Histología Normal y Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Constanza Mosso
- Departamento de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ana Alcudia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Victoria Vázquez-Román
- Departamento de Citología e Histología Normal y Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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The Role of By-Products of Fruit and Vegetable Processing for the Dietary Treatment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Narrative Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11112170. [DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyphenols-rich food has been utilized to induce a positive effect on human health. Considering that fruit and vegetable by-products (seeds, pomace, and peels) are sources of polyphenols, previous studies have investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with food by-products on cardiometabolic disorders, such as high fasting blood glucose, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Endothelial dysfunction has also been considered a cardiometabolic parameter, given that it precedes cardiovascular disease. However, there is a scarcity of narrative reviews reporting the effect of food by-product supplementation on cardiometabolic disorders in animal and human clinical trials. In this sense, the present narrative review aims to investigate the impact of fruit and vegetable by-product supplementation on cardiometabolic disorders in humans and animals, exploring the possible mechanisms whenever possible. Research articles were retrieved based on a search of the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the following keywords and synonyms combined: (“fruit by-products” or “food waste” or “pomace” or “bagasse” or “seeds” or “waste products”) AND (“heart disease risk factors” or “endothelial dysfunction” or “atherosclerosis”). It was shown that fruit and vegetable by-products could efficiently improve cardiometabolic disorders in patients with chronic diseases, including hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Such effects can be induced by the polyphenols present in food by-products. In conclusion, food by-product supplementation has a positive effect on cardiometabolic disorders. However, further studies investigating the effect of food by-products on cardiometabolic disorders in humans are still necessary so that solid conclusions can be drawn.
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