Development of a tamarind-based functional beverage with partially-hydrolyzed agave syrup and the health effects of its consumption in C57BL/6 mice

Excess consumption of sweetened beverages is associated with a global rise in metabolic diseases. Tamarind and partially-hydrolyzed agave syrup have potential for developing healthier beverages. Our objective was to develop a functional beverage using these ingredients (PH-AS-B). We also evaluate shelf-life stability (physicochemical, microbiological, and antioxidant properties) and health effects in C57BL/6 mice compared with tamarind beverages sweetened with glucose or fructose. Optimal tamarind extraction conditions were a 1:10 ratio (g pulp/mL water) and boiling for 30 min, and the resulting beverage had a shelf life of two months at 4 °C. Non-volatile metabolites were identified using HPLC/MS. PH-AS-B was associated with decreased blood cholesterol (5%) and triglyceride (20-35%) concentrations in healthy mice as well as lower lipid (82%) concentrations and evidence of protein oxidation (42%) in the liver, compared with glucose- and fructose-sweetened tamarind beverages. In conclusion, PH-AS-B was stable and associated with beneficial metabolic properties in healthy mice.

Human milk sphingomyelin: Function, metabolism, composition and mimicking

Human milk, which contains various nutrients, is the "gold standard" for infant nutrition. Healthy human milk meets all the nutritional needs of early infant development. Polar lipids mainly exist in the milk fat globule membrane, accounting for approximately 1-2% of human milk lipids; sphingomyelin (SM) accounts for approximately 21-24% of polar lipids. SM plays an important role in promoting the development of the brain and nervous system, regulating intestinal flora, and improving skin barriers. Though SM could be synthesized de novo, SM nutrition from dietary is also important for infants. The content and composition of SM in human milk has been reported, however, the molecular mechanisms of nutritional functions of SM for infants required further research. This review summarizes the functional mechanisms, metabolic pathways, and compositional, influencing factors, and mimicking of SM in human milk, and highlights the challenges of improving maternal and infant early/long-term nutrition.

Insights into the role of RNA m6A modification in the metabolic process and related diseases

According to the latest consensus, many traditional diseases are considered metabolic diseases, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Currently, metabolic diseases are increasingly prevalent because of the ever-improving living standards and have become the leading threat to human health. Multiple therapy methods have been applied to treat these diseases, which improves the quality of life of many patients, but the overall effect is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, intensive research on the metabolic process and the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is imperative. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an important modification of eukaryotic RNAs. It is a critical regulator of gene expression that is involved in different cellular functions and physiological processes. Many studies have indicated that m6A modification regulates the development of many metabolic processes and metabolic diseases. In this review, we summarized recent studies on the role of m6A modification in different metabolic processes and metabolic diseases. Additionally, we highlighted the potential m6A-targeted therapy for metabolic diseases, expecting to facilitate m6A-targeted strategies in the treatment of metabolic diseases.

The acute toxic effect of Chinese medicine Fuzi is exacerbated in kidney yang deficiency mice due to metabolic difference

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The proper application of toxic medicines is one of the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines, and the use of traditional Chinese medicines follows the principle of dialectical treatment. It is necessary to combine different "syndrome" or "disease" states with the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicines to form a reliable toxicity evaluation system. Fuzi, the lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx, is recognized as a panacea for kidney yang deficiency syndrome, however, its toxic effects significantly limit its clinical application.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Herein, our research aimed to explore the toxic effects of Fuzi on syndrome models, and tried to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the mouse model of kidney yang deficiency syndrome was established through intramuscular injection of 25 mg/kg hydrocortisone per day for 10 consecutive days. Then, the acute toxicity of Fuzi in normal mice and kidney yang deficiency model mice was explored. Finally, the plasma metabolite concentrations and liver CYP3A4 enzyme activity were analyzed to reveal the possible mechanisms of the different pharmacological and toxicological effects of Fuzi in individuals with different physical constitutions.

RESULTS

It was found that the treatment with Fuzi (138 g/kg) had serious toxic effects on kidney yang deficiency mice, leading to the death of 80% of the mice, whereas it showed no lethal toxicity in normal mice. This indicates that Fuzi induced greater toxicity in kidney yang deficiency mice than in normal ones. The liver CYP3A4 enzyme activity in kidney yang deficiency mice was decreased by 20% compared to the controls, resulting in slower metabolism of the toxic diester diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study showed that changes of the metabolic enzyme activity in individuals with different syndromes led to different toxic effects of Chinese medicines, emphasizing the crucial importance of considering individual physical syndromes in the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine, and the significance of conducting safety evaluations and dose predictions on animal models with specific syndromes for traditional Chinese medicines.

Postabsorptive and postprandial glucose and fat metabolism in postmenopausal women with breast cancer-Preliminary data after chemotherapy compared to healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer survivors are a growing population due to improved treatment. It is known that postmenopausal women treated for breast cancer may experience weight gain and increased insulin resistance, but detailed knowledge on how chemotherapy impact metabolic and endocrine mechanisms remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We performed a thorough, preliminary study to elucidate the differing mechanisms of postprandial absorption and metabolism in postmenopausal early breast cancer (EBC) patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to healthy controls. We hypothesize that chemotherapy has a negative impact on metabolism in EBC patients.

METHODS

We examined four postmenopausal women shortly after treatment with chemotherapy for EBC and four age-matched healthy women who served as controls using isotopic tracers during a mixed meal-test. Blood was sampled during the 240 min meal-test to examine postprandial absorption and endogenous synthesis of lipid and carbohydrate metabolites.

RESULTS

We found that insulin concentrations were numerically higher before the meal-test in the EBC patients compared to controls (76.3 pmol/L vs 37.0 pmol/L; P = 0.06). Glucose kinetics was increased postprandial (most pronounced at 30 min, 9.46 mmol/L vs 7.33 mmol/L; P = 0.51), with no difference between the groups regarding liver glucose output. Fatty acid kinetics showed a numeric increase in oleic acid rate of appearance in BC patients, but only during the first hour after the mixed meal. There was no significant difference in VLDL-TAG synthesis between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study is unique in using advanced tracer methods to investigate in vivo metabolism of EBC patients after chemotherapy although no statistical differences in glucose and fatty acid kinetics was seen compared to controls. However, during the first two postprandial hours, oral glucose and oleic acid appearance in the systematic circulation was elevated in the EBC patients. This could be due to changes in gastrointestinal uptake and further studies with altered set-up could provide valuable insights.

Safety, tolerability and toxicokinetics of the novel mitochondrial drug SUL-138 administered orally to rat and minipig

Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCD) are a socioeconomic burden and considered one of the major health challenges for coming decades. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated mechanistically in their pathophysiology. Therefore, targeting mitochondria holds great promise to improve clinical outcomes in NCDs. SUL-138, an orally bioavailable small molecule efficacious from 0.5 mg/kg, improves mitochondrial function during disease in several preclinical animal models. As preparation for a First-in-Human (FIH) trial, SUL-138 was investigated in 30-day GLP repeated dose toxicity studies in rat and minipig, selected based on their comparability with human metabolism, to determine toxicokinetics, potential toxicity and its reversibility. Rats were allocated to either vehicle, 27, 136 or 682 mg/kg SUL-138 dose groups and minipigs were allocated to either vehicle, 16, 82 or 409 mg/kg. Treatment occurred orally for 30 days followed by a recovery period of 14 days. During these studies clinical observations, toxicokinetic, clinical pathology, necropsy and histopathology evaluations were performed. There was significant systemic exposure to SUL-138 and toxicokinetics was characterized by a rapid absorption and elimination. In the rat, toxicokinetics was dose-proportional and AUC0-tlast ratios in both species indicated that SUL-138 does not accumulate in vivo. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed for dose levels up to 136 and 82 mg/kg/day in rat and minipig respectively. In conclusion, these preclinical studies demonstrate that SUL-138 is well tolerated after repeated administration in rat and minipig, with NOAELs of 136 and 82 mg/kg/day, respectively.

Metabolic characterization of 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe phenethylamines based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS in human liver microsomes

The types and quantities of new psychoactive substances synthesized based on structural modifications have increased rapidly in recent years and pose a great challenge to clinical and forensic laboratories. N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines, 25B-NBOH, 25E-NBOH, 25H-NBOH, and 25iP-NBOMe have begun to flow into the black market and have caused several poisoning cases and even fatal cases. The aim of this study was to avoid false negative results by detecting the parent drug and its metabolites to extend the detection window in biological matrices and provide basic data for the simultaneous determination of illegal drugs and metabolites in forensic and emergency cases. To facilitate the comparison of metabolic characteristics, we divided the four compounds into two groups of types, 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe. The in vitro phase I and phase II metabolism of these four compounds was investigated by incubating 10 mg mL-1 pooled human liver microsomes with co-substrates for 180 min at 37 ℃, and then analyzing the reaction mixture using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry. In total, 70 metabolites were obtained for the four compounds. The major biotransformations were O-demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, N-dehydroxybenzyl, N-demethoxybenzyl, oxidate transformation to ketone and carboxylate, glucuronidation, and their combination reactions. We recommended the major metabolites with high peak area ratio as biomarkers, B2-1 (56.61%), B2-2 (17.43%) and B6 (17.78%) for 25B-NBOH, E2-1 (42.81%), E2-2 (34.90%) and E8-2 (10.18%) for 25E-NBOH, H5 (49.28%), H2-1 (21.54%), and H1 (18.37%) for 25H-NBOH, P3-1 (10.94%), P3-2 (33.18%), P3-3 (14.85%) and P12-2 (23.00%) for 25iP-NBOMe. This is a study to evaluate their metabolic characteristics in detail. Comparative analysis of the N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines provided basic data for elucidating their pharmacology and toxicity. Timely analysis of the metabolic profiles of compounds with abuse potential will facilitate the early development of regulatory measures.

Metabolic flux and catabolic kinetics of prebiotic-like dietary polyphenol phlorizin in association with gut microbiota in vitro

As ubiquitous components among fruits, polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, are somewhat embarrassed on their health benefits but low bioavailability, triggering a hotspot on their interaction with microbiota. Due to its structural characteristics similar to flavonoids and phenolic acids, dihydrochalcone phlorizin (PHZ) was selected as a reference, to illustrate its step-by-step metabolic fate associated with microbiota. The results confirmed that the metabolic flux of PHZ starts with its conversion to phloretin (PHT), sequentially followed by the formation of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (PHA), and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HPAA). Catabolic characteristics was comparatively elucidated by introducing apparent and potential kinetics. Besides, coupling catabolic processes with microbial changes suggested several potential bacteria involving in PHZ metabolism, as well as those regulated by PHZ and its metabolites. In particular, seven strains from Lactobacillus were selectively isolated and confirmed to be essential for deglycosylation of PHZ, implying a potential synergistic effect between PHZ and Lactobacillus.

Comparative uptake, translocation and metabolism of phenamacril in crops under hydroponic and soil cultivation conditions

Many studies investigate the plant uptake and metabolism of xenobiotics by hydroponic experiments, however, plants grown in different conditions (hydroponic vs. soil) may result in different behaviors. To explore the potential differences, a comparative study on the uptake, translocation and metabolism of the fungicide phenamacril in crops (wheat/rice) under hydroponic and soil cultivation conditions was conducted. During 7-14 days of exposure, the translocation factors (TFs) of phenamacril were greatly overestimated in hydroponic-wheat (3.6-5.2) than those in soil-wheat systems (1.1-2.0), with up to 3.3 times of difference between the two cultivation systems, implying it should be cautious to extrapolate the results obtained from hydroponic to field conditions. M-144 was formed in soil pore water (19.1-29.9 μg/L) in soil-wheat systems but not in the hydroponic solution in hydroponics; M-232 was only formed in wheat shoots (89.7-103.0 μg/kg) under soil cultivation conditions, however, it was detected in hydroponic solution (20.1-21.2 μg/L), wheat roots (146.8-166.0 μg/kg), and shoots (239.2-348.1 μg/kg) under hydroponic conditions. The root concentration factors (RCFs) and TFs of phenamacril in rice were up to 2.4 and 3.6 times higher than that in wheat for 28 days of the hydroponic exposure, respectively. These results highlighted that cultivation conditions and plant species could influence the fate of pesticides in crops, which should be considered to better assess the potential accumulation and transformation of pesticides in crops.

Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics reveals that Da Chuanxiong Formula improves vascular cognitive impairment via ACSL4/GPX4 mediated ferroptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Da Chuanxiong Formula (DCX) is a traditional herbal compound composed of Gastrodia elata Bl. and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, which could significantly enhance blood circulation and neuroprotection, showing promise in treating Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI).

AIM OF STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the potential of DCX in treating VCI and its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the cognitive behavior level, blood flow changes, and brain pathology changes were evaluated through techniques such as the Morris water maze, step-down, laser speckle, coagulation analysis, and pathological staining to appraise the DCX efficacy. Then, the DCX targeting pathways were decoded by merging metabolomics with transcriptomics. Finally, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, and lipid peroxidation related to the targeting signaling pathways of DCX were detected by kit, and the expression levels of mRNAs or proteins related to ferroptosis were determined by qPCR or Western blot assays respectively.

RESULTS

DCX improved cognitive abilities and cerebral perfusion significantly, and mitigated pathological damage in the hippocampal region of VCI model rats. Metabolomics revealed that DCX was able to call back 33 metabolites in plasma and 32 metabolites in brain samples, and the majority of the differential metabolites are phospholipid metabolites. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that DCX regulated a total of 3081 genes, with the ferroptosis pathway exhibiting the greatest impact. DCX inhibited ferroptosis of VCI rates by decreasing the levels of ferrous iron, ROS, and malondialdehyde (MDA) while increasing the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in VCI rats. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3, ALOX15, and GPX4, which are related to lipid metabolism in ferroptosis, were also regulated by DCX.

CONCLUSION

Our research findings indicated that DCX could inhibit ferroptosis through the ACSL4/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby exerting its therapeutic benefits on VCI.

Modulation of Pyruvate Export and Extracellular Pyruvate Concentration in Primary Astrocyte Cultures

Astrocyte-derived pyruvate is considered to have neuroprotective functions. In order to investigate the processes that are involved in astrocytic pyruvate release, we used primary rat astrocyte cultures as model system. Depending on the incubation conditions and medium composition, astrocyte cultures established extracellular steady state pyruvate concentrations in the range between 150 µM and 300 µM. During incubations for up to 2 weeks in DMEM culture medium, the extracellular pyruvate concentration remained almost constant for days, while the extracellular lactate concentration increased continuously during the incubation into the millimolar concentration range as long as glucose was present. In an amino acid-free incubation buffer, glucose-fed astrocytes released pyruvate with an initial rate of around 60 nmol/(h × mg) and after around 5 h an almost constant extracellular pyruvate concentration was established that was maintained for several hours. Extracellular pyruvate accumulation was also observed, if glucose had been replaced by mannose, fructose, lactate or alanine. Glucose-fed astrocyte cultures established similar extracellular steady state concentrations of pyruvate by releasing pyruvate into pyruvate-free media or by consuming excess of extracellular pyruvate. Inhibition of the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 by AR-C155858 lowered extracellular pyruvate accumulation, while inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake by UK5099 increased the extracellular pyruvate concentration. Finally, the presence of the uncoupler BAM15 or of the respiratory chain inhibitor antimycin A almost completely abolished extracellular pyruvate accumulation. The data presented demonstrate that cultured astrocytes establish a transient extracellular steady state concentration of pyruvate which is strongly affected by modulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism.

Melatonin mitigates manganese-induced neural damage via modulation of gut microbiota-metabolism in mice

Manganese (Mn), a common environmental and occupational risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), can cause central nervous system damage and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The melatonin has been shown to effectively improve neural damage and intestinal microbiota disturbances in animal models. This research investigated the mechanism by which exogenous melatonin prevented Mn-induced neurogenesis impairment and neural damage. Here, we established subchronic Mn-exposed mice model and melatonin supplement tests to evaluate the role of melatonin in alleviating Mn-induced neurogenesis impairment. Mn induced neurogenesis impairment and microglia overactivation, behavioral dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis and serum metabolic disorder in mice. All these events were reversed with the melatonin supplement. The behavioral tests revealed that melatonin group showed approximately 30 % restoration of motor activity. According to quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results, melatonin group showed remarkable restoration of the expression of dopamine neurons and neurogenesis markers, approximately 46.4 % (TH), 68.4 % (DCX in hippocampus) and 48 % (DCX in striatum), respectively. Interestingly, melatonin increased neurogenesis probably via the gut microbiota and metabolism modulation. The correlation analysis of differentially expressed genes associated with hippocampal neurogenesis indicated that Firmicutes-lipid metabolism might mediate the critical repair role of melatonin in neurogenesis in Mn-exposed mice. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin supplementation can promote neurogenesis, and restore neuron loss and neural function in Mn-exposed mice, and the multi-omics results provide new research ideas for future mechanistic studies.

Redox homeostasis in cardiac fibrosis: Focus on metal ion metabolism

Cardiac fibrosis is a major public health problem worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality, affecting almost all patients with heart disease worldwide. It is characterized by fibroblast activation, abnormal proliferation, excessive deposition, and abnormal distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The maladaptive process of cardiac fibrosis is complex and often involves multiple mechanisms. With the increasing research on cardiac fibrosis, redox has been recognized as an important part of cardiac remodeling, and an imbalance in redox homeostasis can adversely affect the function and structure of the heart. The metabolism of metal ions is essential for life, and abnormal metabolism of metal ions in cells can impair a variety of biochemical processes, especially redox. However, current research on metal ion metabolism is still very limited. This review comprehensively examines the effects of metal ion (iron, copper, calcium, and zinc) metabolism-mediated redox homeostasis on cardiac fibrosis, outlines possible therapeutic interventions, and addresses ongoing challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Edaravone counteracts redox and metabolic disruptions in an emerging zebrafish model of sporadic ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which the death of motor neurons leads to loss of muscle function. Additionally, cognitive and circadian disruptions are common in ALS patients, contributing to disease progression and burden. Most ALS cases are sporadic, and environmental exposures contribute to their aetiology. However, animal models of these sporadic ALS cases are scarce. The small vertebrate zebrafish is a leading organism to model neurodegenerative diseases; previous studies have proposed bisphenol A (BPA) or β-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) exposure to model sporadic ALS in zebrafish, damaging motor neurons and altering motor responses. Here we characterise the face and predictive validity of sporadic ALS models, showing their potential for the mechanistic study of ALS drugs. We phenotypically characterise the BPA and BMAA-induced models, going beyond motor activity and motor axon morphology, to include circadian, redox, proteostasis, and metabolomic phenotypes, and assessing their predictive validity for ALS modelling. BPA or BMAA exposure induced concentration-dependent activity impairments. Also, exposure to BPA but not BMAA induced motor axonopathy and circadian alterations in zebrafish larvae. Our further study of the BPA model revealed loss of habituation to repetitive startles, increased oxidative damage, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and metabolome abnormalities. The BPA-induced model shows predictive validity, since the approved ALS drug edaravone counteracted BPA-induced motor phenotypes, ER stress, and metabolic disruptions. Overall, BPA exposure is a promising model of ALS-related redox and ER imbalances, contributing to fulfil an unmet need for validated sporadic ALS models.

Effects of abiotic stress on chlorophyll metabolism

Chlorophyll, an essential pigment in the photosynthetic machinery of plants, plays a pivotal role in the absorption of light energy and its subsequent transfer to reaction centers. Given that the global production of chlorophyll reaches billions of tons annually, a comprehensive understanding of its biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms is important. The metabolic pathways governing chlorophyll biosynthesis and catabolism are complex, encompassing a series of interconnected reactions mediated by a spectrum of enzymes. Environmental fluctuations, particularly abiotic stressors such as drought, extreme temperature variations, and excessive light exposure, can significantly perturb these processes. Such disruptions in chlorophyll metabolism have profound implications for plant growth and development. This review delves into the core aspects of chlorophyll metabolism, encompassing both biosynthetic and degradative pathways. It elucidates key genes and enzymes instrumental in these processes and underscores the impact of abiotic stress on chlorophyll metabolism. Furthermore, the review aims to deepen the understanding of the interplay between chlorophyll metabolic dynamics and stress responses, thereby shedding light on potential regulatory mechanisms.

Impact of particulate-matter air pollution on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: a mendelian randomisation study

OBJECTIVES

In observational studies, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level in body has been found to be closely related to particulate matter (PM) air pollution. In this study, we used the two-sample mendelian randomisation (MR) method to investigate and discuss the potential causal relationship and mode of influence.

STUDY DESIGN

MR study.

METHODS

PM data (PM10, PM2.5-10, PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance) came from the UK Biobank database, and 25(OH)D data came from European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) database. The analysis was conducted utilising three prominent methods (inverse-variance-weighted [IVW], MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode). The primary emphasis was placed on IVW, accompanied by heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy tests. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

The MR analysis revealed a significant association between exposure to PM10 and a decrease in levels of 25(OH)D (odds ratio [OR]: 0.878, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.789-0.977). However, no significant relationship was observed between PM2.5 exposure and 25(OH)D (OR: 0.943, 95%CI: 0.858-1.037). Further analysis indicated that the main contributor to the decline in 25(OH)D levels is linked to PM2.5-10 exposure (OR: 0.840, 95%CI: 0.751-0.940) and PM2.5 absorbance (OR: 0.875, 95%CI: 0.824-0.929). No heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy existed.

CONCLUSIONS

The MR results suggest that PM (PM10, PM2.5-10 and PM2.5 absorbance) exposure lowers vitamin D (VD) levels, but PM2.5 was not found to have a significant effect on VD in humans.

The metabolic mechanism of flavonoid glycosides and their contribution to the flavor evolution of white tea during prolonged withering

This study was the first to comprehensively investigate the metabolic mechanism of flavonoid glycosides (FGs) and their contribution to flavor evolution during white tea processing using quantitative descriptive analysis, metabolomics, dose-over-threshold factors and pseudo-first-order kinetics. A total of 223 flavonoids were identified. Total FGs decreased from 7.02 mg/g to 4.35 mg/g during processing, compared to fresh leaves. A total of 86 FGs had a significant impact on the flavor evolution and 9 key flavor FGs were identified. The FG biosynthesis pathway was inhibited during withering, while the degradation pathway was enhanced. This promoted the degradation of 9 key flavor FGs following pseudo-first-order kinetics during withering. The degradation of the FGs contributed to increase the taste acceptance of white tea from -4.18 to 1.32. These results demonstrated that water loss stress during withering induces the degradation of key flavor FGs, contributing to the formation of the unique flavor of white tea.

Characterization of gut microbiota in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Multiple factors, such as dietary patterns, pharmaceutical interventions, and exposure to harmful substances, possess the capacity to influence gut microbiota composition. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has emerged as a significant contributor to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated complications. By comprehending the intricacies of the intestinal microbiota, this research endeavor holds the potential to offer novel perspectives on potential strategies for mitigating CKD progression.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, we assessed gut microbiota composition in CKD patients. Fecal samples were collected from a cohort of 44 patients with stage 3-4 CKD, alongside a control group consisting of 132 healthy volunteers. Subsequently, 16 s rDNA sequencing was conducted to examine the composition of the gut microbiota.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed significant alterations in the diversity of intestinal microbiota in fecal samples between patients with stage 3-4 CKD and healthy subjects. Among the 475 bacterial genera, 164 were shared, while 242 dominant genera were exclusive to healthy subjects and 69 to CKD stages 3-4 samples. Notably, healthy volunteers exhibited a prevalence of intestinal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas stage 3-4 CKD patients displayed higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The presence of uncultured Coprobacillus sp. notably contributed to distinguishing between the two groups. ROC curve analysis identified distinct microbiota with superior diagnostic efficacy for discriminating stage 3-4 CKD patients from healthy individuals. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed differing dominant pathways between the two groups-the NADH dehydrogenase pathway in healthy individuals and the phosphate acetyltransferase pathway in stage 3-4 CKD patients. Moreover, the CKD cohort displayed a higher proportion of Gram-negative bacteria and facultative anaerobes.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study underscores the profound influence of gut microbiota dysbiosis on CKD progression. The distinct microbial profiles observed in CKD patients highlight the potential efficacy of microbiota-based interventions in mitigating CKD advancement.

Advancing glioblastoma treatment by targeting metabolism

Alterations in cellular metabolism are important hallmarks of glioblastoma(GBM). Metabolic reprogramming is a critical feature as it meets the higher nutritional demand of tumor cells, including proliferation, growth, and survival. Many genes, proteins, and metabolites associated with GBM metabolism reprogramming have been found to be aberrantly expressed, which may provide potential targets for cancer treatment. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to explore the role of internal and external factors in metabolic regulation in order to identify more precise therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for GBM. In this review, we define the metabolic characteristics of GBM, investigate metabolic specificities such as targetable vulnerabilities and therapeutic resistance, as well as present current efforts to target GBM metabolism to improve the standard of care.

Role of Selenoprotein W in participating in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease worldwide. Numerous evidence has demonstrated that metabolic reprogramming serves as a hallmark associated with an elevated risk of NAFLD progression. Selenoprotein W (SelW) is an extensively expressed hepatic selenoprotein that plays a crucial role in antioxidant function. Here, we first demonstrated that SelW is a significantly distinct factor in the liver tissue of NAFLD patients through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Additionally, loss of SelW alleviated hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), and was accompanied by the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory pathways as verified by transcriptomic analysis. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and molecular docking analysis were subsequently implemented to identify Pyruvate Kinase M2 (PKM2) as a potential interacting protein of SelW. Meanwhile, SelW modulated PKM2 translocation into the nucleus to trigger transactivation of the HIF-1α, in further mediating mitochondrial apoptosis, eventually resulting in mitochondrial damage, ROS excessive production and mtDNA leakage. Additionally, mito-ROS accumulation induced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, thereby facilitating extracellular leakage of mtDNA. The escaped mtDNA then evokes the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in macrophage, thus inducing a shift in macrophage phenotype. Together, our results suggest SelW promotes hepatocyte apoptosis and pyroptosis by regulating metabolic reprogramming to activate cGAS/STING signaling of macrophages, thereby exacerbating the progression of NAFLD.

Exogenous Substrates Prevent the Decline in the Cellular ATP Content of Primary Rat Astrocytes During Glucose Deprivation

Brain astrocytes are well known for their broad metabolic potential. After glucose deprivation, cultured primary astrocytes maintain a high cellular ATP content for many hours by mobilizing endogenous substrates, but within 24 h the specific cellular ATP content was lowered to around 30% of the initial ATP content. This experimental setting was used to test for the potential of various exogenous substrates to prevent a loss in cellular ATP in glucose deprived astrocytes. The presence of various extracellular monocarboxylates, purine nucleosides or fatty acids prevented the loss of ATP from glucose-deprived astrocytes. Of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids, only alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, lysine or proline maintained high ATP levels in starved astrocytes. Among these amino acids, proline was found to be the most potent one to prevent the ATP loss. The astrocytic consumption of proline as well as the ability of proline to maintain a high cellular ATP content was prevented in a concentration-dependent manner by the proline dehydrogenase inhibitor tetrahydro-2-furoic acid. Analysis of the concentration-dependencies obtained by considering the different carbon content of the applied substrates revealed that fatty acids and proline are more potent than glucose and monocarboxylates as exogenous substrates to prevent ATP depletion in glucose-deprived astrocytes. These data demonstrate that cultured astrocytes can utilise a wide range of extracellular substrates as fuels to support mitochondrial ATP regeneration and identify proline as potent exogenous substrate for the energy metabolism of starved astrocytes.

MLKL overexpression leads to Ca2+ and metabolic dyshomeostasis in a neuronal cell model

The necroptotic effector molecule MLKL accumulates in neurons over the lifespan of mice, and its downregulation has the potential to improve cognition through neuroinflammation, and changes in the abundance of synaptic proteins and enzymes in the central nervous system. Notwithstanding, direct evidence of cell-autonomous effects of MLKL expression on neuronal physiology and metabolism are lacking. Here, we tested whether the overexpression of MLKL in the absence of cell death in the neuronal cell line Neuro-2a recapitulates some of the hallmarks of aging at the cellular level. Using genetically-encoded fluorescent biosensors, we monitored the cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels, along with the cytosolic concentrations of several metabolites involved in energy metabolism (lactate, glucose, ATP) and oxidative stress (oxidized/reduced glutathione). We found that MLKL overexpression marginally decreased cell viability, however, it led to reduced cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ elevations in response to Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space. On the contrary, Ca2+ signals were elevated after mobilizing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum. Transient elevations in cytosolic Ca2+, mimicking neuronal stimulation, lead to higher lactate levels and lower glucose concentrations in Neuro-2a cells when overexpressing MLKL, which suggest enhanced neuronal glycolysis. Despite these alterations, energy levels and glutathione redox state in the cell bodies remained largely preserved after inducing MLKL overexpression for 24-48 h. Taken together, our proof-of-concept experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that MLKL overexpression in the absence of cell death contributes to both Ca2+ and metabolic dyshomeostasis, which are cellular hallmarks of brain aging.

The role of cAMP dependent gene transcription in lupus pathophysiology

T lymphocytes play a major role in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus. T cellular dysregulation includes significant alterations in signal transduction, cytokine production and metabolic pathways. The cAMP dependent transcription factors like CREB and CREM exert pleiotropic functions as they are critically involved in epigenetic conformational changes and gene regulation of different key effector cytokines in CD4+ T cells including that of IL2, IL17 and IL21 genes. In the present review we review current knowledge on altered expression and function of these factors in T cells that promote autoimmunity in SLE patients.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 serves as a key cardiometabolic adaptation regulator in response to plateau hypoxia in mice

High-altitude heart disease (HAHD) is a complex pathophysiological condition related to systemic hypobaric hypoxia in response to transitioning to high altitude. Hypoxia can cause myocardial metabolic dysregulation, leading to an increased risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) could regulate myocardial energy metabolism and plays a protective role in various cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to determine the effects of plateau hypoxia (PH) on cardiac metabolism and function, investigate the associated role of ALDH2, and explore potential therapeutic targets. We discovered that PH significantly reduced survival rate and cardiac function. These effects were exacerbated by ALDH2 deficiency. PH also caused a shift in the myocardial fuel source from fatty acids to glucose; ALDH2 deficiency impaired this adaptive metabolic shift. Untargeted/targeted metabolomics and transmission electron microscopy revealed that ALDH2 deficiency promoted myocardial fatty-acid deposition, leading to enhanced fatty-acid transport, lipotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, results showed that ALDH2 attenuated PH-induced impairment of adaptive metabolic programs through 4-HNE/CPT1 signaling, and the CPT1 inhibitor etomoxir significantly ameliorated ALDH2 deficiency-induced cardiac impairment and improved survival in PH mice. Together, our data reveal ALDH2 acts as a key cardiometabolic adaptation regulator in response to PH. CPT1 inhibitor, etomoxir, may attenuate ALDH2 deficiency-induced effects and improved cardiac function in response to PH.

Lipidome isotope labelling of gut microbes (LILGM): A method of discovering endogenous microbial lipids

Lipidomics analysis of gut microbiome has become critical in recent surge of extensive human disease studies that investigate microbiome contributions. However, challenges remain in comprehending the origins of thousands of lipid species produced by the diverse microbes. Here, we proposed the development and utilization of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based approach, named lipidome isotope labelling of gut microbes (LILGM), which enables confident detection and identification of endogenous gut microbial lipidome via 13C/15N labeling strategy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our method leveraged in vitro microbial cultures and stable isotope-labeled 13C and 15N, allowing a reasonable degree of isotope incorporation into microbial lipids over short-term of inoculation. We then systematically detected the mass spectral patterns of 182 labeled lipid species by our in-house data analysis pipeline. Further bioinformatics analyses confidently identified biologically relevant microbial lipids from lipid classes such as diacylglycerols (DGs), fatty acids (FAs), phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) that may have profound impacts to human physiology. Our study also demonstrated the application of LILGM by showcasing the confident detection of dysregulated microbial lipids post antibiotic perturbation. The debiased sparse partial correlation analysis provides insights into lipid metabolism intricacies. Overall, our method can provide unambiguous analyses to the endogenous microbial lipids in given biological context, and can also instantly reflect the lipidomic changes of gut microbes in response to environmental factors. We believe our LILGM approach has the potential to provide new body of knowledge by combining promising analytical approaches for sensitive and specific lipid detection to support functional microbiome studies.

Data-driven analysis of regional brain metabolism in behavioral frontotemporal dementia and late-onset primary psychiatric diseases with frontal lobe syndrome: A PET/MRI study

Late-onset primary psychiatric disease (PPD) and behavioral frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) present with a similar frontal lobe syndrome. We compare brain glucose metabolism in bvFTD and late-onset PPD and investigate the metabolic correlates of cognitive and behavioral disturbances through FDG-PET/MRI. We studied 37 bvFTD and 20 late-onset PPD with a mean clinical follow-up of three years. At baseline evaluation, metabolism of the dorsolateral, ventrolateral, orbitofrontal regions and caudate could classify the patients with a diagnostic accuracy of 91% (95% CI: 0.81-0.98%). 45% of PPD showed low-grade hypometabolism in the anterior cingulate and/or parietal regions. Frontal lobe metabolism was normal in 32% of genetic bvFTD and bvFTD with motor neuron signs. Hypometabolism of the frontal and caudate regions could help in distinguishing bvFTD from PPD, except in cases with motor neuron signs and/or genetic bvFTD for which brain metabolism may be less informative.

The Sanbi Decoction alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration in rats through intestinal flora and serum metabolic homeostasis modulation

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is an essential cause of low back pain (LBP), the incidence of which has risen in recent years and is progressively younger, but treatment options are limited, placing a serious economic burden on society. Sanbi decoction (SBD) is an important classical formula for the treatment of IVDD, which can significantly improve patients' symptoms and is a promising alternative therapy.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of SBD in the treatment of IVDD and to explore the underlying mechanisms by using an integrated analytical approach of microbiomics and serum metabolomics, as well as by using molecular biology.

METHODS

A rat IVDD puncture model was established and treated by gavage with different concentrations of SBD, and clean faeces, serum, liver, kidney, and intervertebral disc (IVD) were collected after 4 weeks. We assessed the safety by liver and kidney weighing, functional tests and tissue staining, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) inflammatory factors in serum was detected by ELISA kits, and X-ray test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting (WB), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green (SO/FG) staining were used to assess the efficacy. Finally, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing analysis on the faeces of different groups and untargeted metabolomics on serum and analyzed the association between them.

RESULTS

SBD can effectively reduce the inflammatory response, regulate the metabolic balance of extracellular matrix (ECM), improve symptoms, and restore IVD function. In addition, SBD can significantly improve the diversity of intestinal flora and maintain the balance. At the phylum level, SBD greatly increased the relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidota. At the genus level, SBD significantly increased the relative abundance of Clostridia_UCG-014, Enterorhabdus, and Adlercreutzia, and decreased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 (p < 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics indicated that SBD significantly improved serum metabolites and altered serum expression of 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alphaPDD), euscaphic acid (EA), alpha-muricholic acid (α-MCA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and kynurenine (Kyn) (p < 0.05), and the metabolic pathways were mainly lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that SBD can extensively regulate intestinal flora and serum metabolic homeostasis to reduce inflammatory response, inhibit the degradation of ECM, restore IVD height and water content to achieve apparent therapeutic effect for IVDD.

Fhb7-GST catalyzed glutathionylation effectively detoxifies the trichothecene family

Trichothecene (TCN) contamination in food and feed is a serious challenge due to the negative health and economic impacts. Here, we confirmed that the glutathione S-transferase (GST) Fhb7-GST could broadly catalyze type A, type B and type D TCNs into glutathione epoxide adducts (TCN-13-GSHs). To evaluate the toxicity of TCN-13-GSH adducts, we performed cell proliferation assays in vitro, which demonstrated decreased cytotoxicity of the adducts. Moreover, in vivo assays (repeated-dose treatment in mice) confirmed that TCN-13-GSH adducts were dramatically less toxic than the corresponding TCNs. To establish whether TCN-13-GSH was metabolized back to free toxin during digestion, single-dose metabolic tests were performed in rats; DON-13-GSH was not hydrolyzed in vivo, but rather was quickly metabolized to another low-toxicity compound, DON-13-N-acetylcysteine. These results demonstrate the promise of Fhb7-GST as a candidate of detoxification enzyme potentially applied in TCN-contaminated agricultural samples, minimizing the detrimental effects of the mycotoxin.

Molecular and biological characterization of a novel partitivirus from Talaromyces pinophilus

Talaromyces spp. have a worldwide distribution, are ecologically diverse and have been isolated from numerous different substrates. Talaromyces spp. are considered biotechnologically important due to their ability to produce a range of enzymes and pigments. Talaromyces pinophilus, belonging to genus Talaromyces and family Trichocomaceae, is known for producing several important bioactive metabolites. Here we report the isolation and characterisation of a partitivirus from T. pinophilus which we have nominated Talaromyces pinophilus partitivirus-1 (TpPV-1). TpPV-1 possesses a genome consisting of three double stranded (ds) RNA segments i.e., dsRNAs1-3, 1824 bp, 1638 bp and 1451 bp respectively, which are encapsidated in icosahedral particles 35 nm in diameter. Both dsRNA1 and dsRNA2 contain a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding respectively a 572 amino acid (aa) protein of 65 kDa and a 504 aa protein of 50 kDa. The third segment (dsRNA3) is potentially a satellite RNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the TpPV-1 belongs to the family Partitiviridae in the proposed genus Zetapartitivirus. TpPV-1 infection decreases the mycelial growth rate of the host fungus and alters pigmentation as indicated by time course experiments performed on a range of different solid media comparing virus-infected and virus-free isogenic lines. This is the first report of mycovirus infection in T. pinophilus and may provide insights into understanding the effect of the mycovirus on the production of enzymes and pigments by the host fungus.

Autophagy and the unfolded protein response shape the non-alcoholic fatty liver landscape: decoding the labyrinth

The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise, mirroring a global surge in diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as its major leading causes. NAFLD represents a spectrum of liver disorders, ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can potentially progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mechanistically, we know the unfolded protein response (UPR) as a protective cellular mechanism, being triggered under circumstances of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The hepatic UPR is turned on in a broad spectrum of liver diseases, including NAFLD. Recent data also defines molecular mechanisms that may underlie the existing correlation between UPR activation and NAFLD. More interestingly, subsequent studies have demonstrated an additional mechanism, i.e. autophagy, to be involved in hepatic steatosis, and thus NAFLD pathogenesis, principally by regulating the insulin sensitivity, hepatocellular injury, innate immunity, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. All these findings suggest possible mechanistic roles for autophagy in the progression of NAFLD and its complications. Both UPR and autophagy are dynamic and interconnected fluxes that act as protective responses to minimize the harmful effects of hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as the ER stress during NAFLD. The functions of UPR and autophagy in the liver, together with findings of decreased hepatic autophagy in correlation with conditions that predispose to NAFLD, such as obesity and aging, suggest that autophagy and UPR, alone or combined, may be novel therapeutic targets against the disease. In this review, we discuss the current evidence on the interplay between autophagy and the UPR in connection to the NAFLD pathogenesis.

Microalgae for freshwater arsenic bioremediation: examining cellular toxicity, bioconcentration factor and eluding an alternative arsenic detoxification pathway

Microalgae are photoautotrophic organisms in freshwater systems known to uptake and bioremediate arsenic, a heavy metal. In this study, we compared the growth and arsenic uptake of two microalgae strains, Nostoc and Chlorella, to determine their suitability for arsenic bioremediation. As compared to the control, our results showed that treatment with As (III) enhanced the Nostoc growth by approximately 15% when grown in the absence of phosphate. The highest bioconcentration factor of Nostoc at this treatment was 1463.6, whereas 0.10 mg L-1 As (V) treatment improved the Chlorella growth by 25%, in the presence of phosphate. However, arsenic uptake reduced from 175.7 to 32.3 throughout the cultivation period for Chlorella. This suggests that Nostoc has an upper advantage in the bioremediation of arsenic as compared to the Chlorella strain. To gain insights into the potential of Nostoc in arsenic bioremediation, we further conducted SEM analysis on the vegetative cell surface. The SEM results showed that As (III) disrupted the Nostoc vegetative cell surface and structure. Further to this, pathway analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to identify the potential arsenic pathway regulated by Nostoc. The primary As (III)-related pathways elucidated include the arsA transporter and arsD complex that require ATP and As (III) methylation to S-adenosylmethionine. The phosphate deficiency condition resulting in the inability to generate ATP caused As (III) could not be excreted from the Nostoc cells, potentially contributing to the high arsenic concentration accumulated under phosphate-depleted conditions. These insights contribute to understanding the efficacy of microalgae strains in freshwater arsenic bioremediation.

Effect of antipsychotics and mood stabilisers on metabolism in bipolar disorder: a network meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials

Background

Antipsychotics and mood stabilisers are gathering attention for the disturbance of metabolism. This network meta-analysis aims to evaluate and rank the metabolic effects of the commonly used antipsychotics and mood stabilisers in treating bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods

Registries including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, and Google Scholar were searched before February 15th, 2024, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) applying antipsychotics or mood stabilisers for BD treatment. The observed outcomes were twelve metabolic indicators. The data were extracted by two reviewers independently, and confirmed by another four reviewers and a corresponding author. The above six reviewers all participated in data analyses. Data extraction was based on PRISMA guidelines, and quality assessment was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook. Use a random effects model for data pooling. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42023466669.

Findings

Together, 5421 records were identified, and 41 publications with 11,678 complete-trial participants were confirmed eligible. After eliminating possible sensitivity, risperidone ranked 1st in elevating fasting serum glucose (SUCRA = 90.7%) and serum insulin (SUCRA = 96.6%). Lurasidone was most likely to elevate HbA1c (SUCRA = 82.1%). Olanzapine ranked 1st in elevating serum TC (SUCRA = 93.3%), TG (SUCRA = 89.6%), and LDL (SUCRA = 94.7%). Lamotrigine ranked 1st in reducing HDL (SUCRA = 82.6%). Amisulpride ranked 1st in elevating body weight (SUCRA = 100.0%). For subgroup analyses, quetiapine is more likely to affect indicators of glucose metabolism among male adult patients with bipolar mania, while long-term lurasidone tended to affect glucose metabolism among female patients with bipolar depression. Among patients under 18, divalproex tended to affect glucose metabolism, with lithium affecting lipid metabolism. In addition, most observed antipsychotics performed higher response and remission rates than placebo, and displayed a similar dropout rate with placebo, while no between-group significance of rate was observed among mood stabilisers.

Interpretation

Our findings suggest that overall, antipsychotics are effective in treating BD, while they are also more likely to disturb metabolism than mood stabilisers. Attention should be paid to individual applicability in clinical practice. The results put forward evidence-based information and clinical inspiration for drug compatibility and further research of the BD mechanism.

Funding

The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2506200), and the Research Project of Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory (No. JNL-2023001B).

The Effect of Clostridium butyricum on Gut Microbial Changes and Functional Profiles of Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Rats Depending on Age and Sex

Background/Aims

A high-fat diet (HFD) causes dysbiosis and promotes inflammatory responses in the colon. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Clostridium butyricum on HFD-induced gut microbial changes in rats.

Methods

Six-week-old Fischer-344 rats with both sexes were given a control or HFD during 8 weeks, and 1-to-100-fold diluted Clostridium butyricum were administered by gavage. Fecal microbiota analyses were conducted using 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic sequencing and predictive functional profiling of microbial communities in metabolism.

Results

A significant increase in Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, which are butyric acid-producing bacterial families, was observed in the probiotics groups depending on sex. In contrast, Akkermansia muciniphila, which increased through a HFD regardless of sex, and decreased in the probiotics groups. A. muciniphila positively correlated with Claudin-1 expression in males (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the expression of Claudin-2 (P = 0.042), IL-1β (P = 0.037), and IL-6 (P = 0.044) in females. In terms of functional analyses, a HFD decreased the relative abundances of M00131 (carbohydrate metabolism module), M00579, and M00608 (energy metabolism), and increased those of M00307 (carbohydrate metabolism), regardless of sex. However, these changes recovered especially in male C. butyricum groups. Furthermore, M00131, M00579, and M00608 showed a positive correlation and M00307 showed a negative correlation with the relative abundance of A. muciniphila (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The beneficial effects of C. butyricum on HFD-induced gut dysbiosis in young male rats originate from the functional profiles of carbohydrate and energy metabolism.

Uptake, accumulation and metabolism of UV-320 in vegetables and its impact on growth and quality

UV-320 is classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) by the European Chemicals Agency and has attracted significant attention due to its presence in the environment. Understanding the uptake, translocation and metabolic patterns of UV-320 in vegetables is essential for assessing their ability to bioaccumulate and potential risks to human health. In this study, we investigated the uptake and translocation of UV-320 in lettuce and radish by hydroponic experiments. The results showed that the root concentration factors (Croot/Csolution, RCF) of lettuce and radish were in the range of 47.9 to 464 mL/g and 194 to 787 mL/g, respectively. The transfer factors (Cshoot/Croot, TF) were observed to be 0.001-0.012 for lettuce and 0.02-0.05 for radish. Additionally, non-targeted screening identified twelve phase I and one phase II metabolites of UV-320 in vegetables, which were confirmed based on their molecular formulas and structures. The metabolic pathways involving oxidation, ketonylation and deamination were proposed in vegetables. Also, we have observed that UV-320 inhibits the growth of vegetables. Meanwhile, we evaluated the health risk of UV-320 in lettuce and radish and found that the consumption of lettuce is relatively safe, while the consumption of radish has a risk of HQ >1 for both adults and children, which should be seriously considered. This study provides valuable insights into the behavior and ecological risks of UV-320 in the environment.

Alleviation of cotton growth suppression caused by salinity through biochar is strongly linked to the microbial metabolic potential in saline-alkali soil

Biochar is a typical soil organic amendment; however, there is limited understanding of its impact on the metabolic characteristics of microorganisms in saline-alkaline soil microenvironment, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of plant-microorganism interactions. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the impact of saline-alkali stress on cotton, a 6-month pot experiment was conducted, involving the sowing of cotton seedlings in saline-alkali soil. Three different biochar application levels were established: 0 % (C0), 1 % (C1), and 2 % (C2). Results indicated that biochar addition improved the biomass of cotton plants, especially under C2 treatment; the dry weight of cotton bolls were 8.15 times that of C0. Biochar application led to a rise in the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments by 8.30-51.89 % and carbohydrates by 7.4-10.7 times, respectively. Moreover, peroxidase (POD) activity, the content of glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid (ASA) were elevated by 23.97 %, 118.39 %, and 48.30 % under C2 treatment, respectively. Biochar caused a reduction in Na+ uptake by 8.21-39.47 %, relative electrical conductivity (REC) of plants, and improved K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratio indicating that biochar alleviated salinity-caused growth reduction. Additionally, the application of biochar enhanced the absorption intensity of polysaccharide fingerprints in cotton leaves and roots. Two-factor co-occurrence analysis indicated that the key differential metabolites connected to several metabolic pathways were L-phenylalanine, piperidine, L-tryptophan, and allysine. Interestingly, biochar altered the metabolic characteristics of saline-alkali soil, especially related to the biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids and purine metabolism. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that biochar may be advantageous in saline soil microenvironment; it has a favorable impact on how plants and soil microbial metabolism interact.

Microglia and macrophage metabolism: a regulator of cerebral gliomas

Reciprocal interactions between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer cells play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression of glioma. Glioma-associated macrophages (GAMs), either of peripheral origin or representing brain-intrinsic microglia, are the majority population of infiltrating immune cells in glioma. GAMs, usually classified into M1 and M2 phenotypes, have remarkable plasticity and regulate tumor progression through different metabolic pathways. Recently, research efforts have increasingly focused on GAMs metabolism as potential targets for glioma therapy. This review aims to delineate the metabolic characteristics of GAMs within the TME and provide a summary of current therapeutic strategies targeting GAMs metabolism in glioma. The goal is to provide novel insights and therapeutic pathways for glioma by highlighting the significance of GAMs metabolism.

Comprehensive analysis of m6A modification in immune infiltration, metabolism and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is important in regulating mRNA stability, splicing, and translation, and it also contributes to tumor development. However, there is still limited understanding of the comprehensive effects of m6A modification patterns on the tumor immune microenvironment, metabolism, and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we utilized unsupervised clustering based on the expression of 23 m6A regulators to identify m6A clusters. We identified differential m6A modification patterns and characterized m6A-gene-cluster A, which exhibited poorer survival rates, a higher abundance of Treg cells, and increased expression of TGFβ in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, m6A-gene-cluster A demonstrated higher levels of glycolysis activity, cholesterol metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. We also found that the m6A score was associated with prognosis and drug resistance. Patients with a low m6A score experienced worse prognoses, which were linked to an abundance of Treg cells, upregulation of TGFβ, and increased metabolic activity. HCC patients with a higher m6A score showed improved prognosis following sorafenib treatment and immunotherapy. In conclusion, we reveals the association between m6A modification patterns and the tumor immune microenvironment, metabolism, and drug resistance in HCC. Furthermore, the m6A score holds potential as a predictive factor for the efficacy of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC.

A crazy trio in Parkinson's disease: metabolism alteration, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an aging-associated neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies containing α-synuclein within these neurons. Oligomeric α-synuclein exerts neurotoxic effects through mitochondrial dysfunction, glial cell inflammatory response, lysosomal dysfunction and so on. α-synuclein aggregation, often accompanied by oxidative stress, is generally considered to be a key factor in PD pathology. At present, emerging evidences suggest that metabolism alteration is closely associated with α-synuclein aggregation and PD progression, and improvement of key molecules in metabolism might be potentially beneficial in PD treatment. In this review, we highlight the tripartite relationship among metabolic changes, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress in PD, and offer updated insights into the treatments of PD, aiming to deepen our understanding of PD pathogenesis and explore new therapeutic strategies for the disease.

Maternal serum amino acids and hydroxylated sphingomyelins at pregnancy are associated with anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and throughout the first year after delivery

BACKGROUND

Studies suggest an interplay between maternal metabolome and mental health.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association of maternal serum metabolome at pregnancy with anxiety scores during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of Brazilian women collected 119 serum metabolome at pregnancy (28-38 weeks) and anxiety scores measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at pregnancy (n = 118), 1 (n = 83), 6 (n = 68), and 12 (n = 57) months postpartum. Targeted metabolomics quantified metabolites belonging to amino acids (AA), biogenic amines/amino acid-related compounds, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, diacyl phosphatidylcholines, alkyl:acyl phosphatidylcholines, non-hydroxylated and hydroxylated sphingomyelins [SM(OH)], and hexoses classes. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the association of metabolites and STAI scores. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analyses were employed to identify clusters and metabolites, which drove their main differences. Multiple comparison-adjusted p-values (q-value) ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

AA (β = -1.44) and SM(OH) (β = -1.49) classes showed an association with STAI scores trajectory (q-value = 0.047). Two clusters were identified based on these classes. Women in cluster 2 had decreased AA and SM(OH) concentrations and higher STAI scores (worse symptoms) trajectory (β = 2.28; p-value = 0.041). Isoleucine, leucine, valine, SM(OH) 22:1, 22:2, and 24:1 drove the main differences between the clusters.

LIMITATIONS

The target semiquantitative metabolome analysis and small sample size limited our conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that AA and SM(OH) during pregnancy play a role in anxiety symptoms throughout the first year postpartum.

Molecular subtype construction and prognosis model for stomach adenocarcinoma characterized by metabolism-related genes

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is implicated in cancer progression. However, the impact of metabolism-associated genes in stomach adenocarcinomas (STAD) has not been thoroughly reviewed. Herein, we characterized metabolic transcription-correlated STAD subtypes and evaluated a metabolic RiskScore for evaluation survival.

Method

Genes related to metabolism were gathered from previous study and metabolic subtypes were screened using ConsensusClusterPlus in TCGA-STAD and GSE66229 dataset. The ssGSEA, MCP-Count, ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT determined the immune infiltration. A RiskScore model was established using the WGCNA and LASSO Cox regression in the TCGA-STAD queue and verified in the GSE66229 datasets. RT-qPCR was employed to measure the mRNA expressions of genes in the model.

Result

Two metabolism-related subtypes (C1 and C2) of STAD were constructed on account of the expression profiles of 113 prognostic metabolism genes with different immune outcomes and apparently distinct metabolic characteristic. The overall survival (OS) of C2 subtype was shorter than that of C1 subtype. Four metabolism-associated genes in turquoise model, which closely associated with C2 subtype, were employed to build the RiskScore (MATN3, OSBPL1A, SERPINE1, CPNE8) in TCGA-train dataset. Patients developed a poorer prognosis if they had a high RiskScore than having a low RiskScore. The promising effect of RiskScore was verified in the TCGA-test, TCGA-STAD and GSE66229 datasets. The prediction reliability of the RiskScore was validated by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and nomogram. Moreover, samples with high RiskScore had an enhanced immune status and TIDE score. Moreover, MATN3, OSBPL1A, SERPINE1 and CPNE8 mRNA levels were all elevated in SGC7901 cells. Inhibition of OSBPL1A decreased SGC7901 cells invasion numbers.

Conclusion

This work provided a new perspective into heterogeneity in metabolism and its association with immune escape in STAD. RiskScore was considered to be a strong prognostic label that could help individualize the treatment of STAD patients.

VHL loss reprograms the immune landscape to promote an inflammatory myeloid microenvironment in renal tumorigenesis

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by dysregulated hypoxia signaling and a tumor microenvironment (TME) highly enriched in myeloid and lymphoid cells. Loss of the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene is a critical early event in ccRCC pathogenesis and promotes stabilization of HIF. Whether VHL loss in cancer cells affects immune cells in the TME remains unclear. Using Vhl WT and Vhl-KO in vivo murine kidney cancer Renca models, we found that Vhl-KO tumors were more infiltrated by immune cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) from Vhl-deficient tumors demonstrated enhanced in vivo glucose consumption, phagocytosis, and inflammatory transcriptional signatures, whereas lymphocytes from Vhl-KO tumors showed reduced activation and a lower response to anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy in vivo. The chemokine CX3CL1 was highly expressed in human ccRCC tumors and was associated with Vhl deficiency. Deletion of Cx3cl1 in cancer cells decreased myeloid cell infiltration associated with Vhl loss to provide a mechanism by which Vhl loss may have contributed to the altered immune landscape. Here, we identify cancer cell-specific genetic features that drove environmental reprogramming and shaped the tumor immune landscape, with therapeutic implications for the treatment of ccRCC.

Altered metabolism and DAM-signatures in female brains and microglia with aging

Despite Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionately affecting women, the mechanisms remain elusive. In AD, microglia undergo 'metabolic reprogramming', which contributes to microglial dysfunction and AD pathology. However, how sex and age contribute to metabolic reprogramming in microglia is understudied. Here, we use metabolic imaging, transcriptomics, and metabolic assays to probe age- and sex-associated changes in brain and microglial metabolism. Glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in the whole brain was determined using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). Young female brains appeared less glycolytic than male brains, but with aging, the female brain became 'male-like.' Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression of disease-associated microglia (DAM) genes (e.g., ApoE, Trem2, LPL), and genes involved in glycolysis and oxidative metabolism in microglia from aged females compared to males. To determine whether estrogen can alter the expression of these genes, BV-2 microglia-like cell lines, which abundantly express DAM genes, were supplemented with 17β-estradiol (E2). E2 supplementation resulted in reduced expression of DAM genes, reduced lipid and cholesterol transport, and substrate-dependent changes in glycolysis and oxidative metabolism. Consistent with the notion that E2 may suppress DAM-associated factors, LPL activity was elevated in the brains of aged female mice. Similarly, DAM gene and protein expression was higher in monocyte-derived microglia-like (MDMi) cells derived from middle-aged females compared to age-matched males and was responsive to E2 supplementation. FLIM analysis of MDMi from young and middle-aged females revealed reduced oxidative metabolism and FAD+ with age. Overall, our findings show that altered metabolism defines age-associated changes in female microglia and suggest that estrogen may inhibit the expression and activity of DAM-associated factors, which may contribute to increased AD risk, especially in post-menopausal women.

Leptin- and cytokine-like unpaired signaling in Drosophila

Animals have evolved a multitude of signaling pathways that enable them to orchestrate diverse physiological processes to tightly regulate systemic homeostasis. This signaling is mediated by various families of peptide hormones and cytokines that are conserved across the animal kingdom. In this review, we primarily focus on the unpaired (Upd) family of proteins in Drosophila which are evolutionarily related to mammalian leptin and the cytokine interleukin 6. We summarize expression patterns of Upd in Drosophila and discuss the parallels in structure, signaling pathway, and functions between Upd and their mammalian counterparts. In particular, we focus on the roles of Upd in governing metabolic homeostasis, growth and development, and immune responses. We aim to stimulate future studies on leptin-like signaling in other phyla which can help bridge the evolutionary gap between insect Upd and vertebrate leptin and cytokines like interleukin 6.

Quinic acid regulated TMA/TMAO-related lipid metabolism and vascular endothelial function through gut microbiota to inhibit atherosclerotic

BACKGROUND

Quinic acid (QA) and its derivatives have good lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective functions, but their role in atherosclerosis remains unknown. This study attempted to investigate the mechanism of QA on atherogenesis in Apoe-/- mice induced by HFD.

METHODS

HE staining and oil red O staining were used to observe the pathology. The PCSK9, Mac-3 and SM22a expressions were detected by IHC. Cholesterol, HMGB1, TIMP-1 and CXCL13 levels were measured by biochemical and ELISA. Lipid metabolism and the HMGB1-SREBP2-SR-BI pathway were detected by PCR and WB. 16 S and metabolomics were used to detect gut microbiota and serum metabolites.

RESULTS

QA or low-frequency ABX inhibited weight gain and aortic tissue atherogenesis in HFD-induced Apoe-/- mice. QA inhibited the increase of cholesterol, TMA, TMAO, CXCL13, TIMP-1 and HMGB1 levels in peripheral blood of Apoe-/- mice induced by HFD. Meanwhile, QA or low-frequency ABX treatment inhibited the expression of CAV-1, ABCA1, Mac-3 and SM22α, and promoted the expression of SREBP-1 and LXR in the vascular tissues of HFD-induced Apoe-/- mice. QA reduced Streptococcus_danieliae abundance, and promoted Lactobacillus_intestinalis and Ileibacterium_valens abundance in HFD-induced Apoe-/- mice. QA altered serum galactose metabolism, promoted SREBP-2 and LDLR, inhibited IDOL, FMO3 and PCSK9 expression in liver of HFD-induced Apoe-/- mice. The combined treatment of QA and low-frequency ABX regulated microbe-related Glycoursodeoxycholic acid and GLYCOCHENODEOXYCHOLATE metabolism in HFD-induced Apoe-/- mice. QA inhibited TMAO or LDL-induced HCAECs damage and HMGB1/SREBP2 axis dysfunction, which was reversed by HMGB1 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

QA regulated the gut-liver lipid metabolism and chronic vascular inflammation of TMA/TMAO through gut microbiota to inhibit the atherogenesis in Apoe-/- mice, and the mechanism may be related to the HMGB1/SREBP2 pathway.

Effect of oesophagectomy on lipid profiles in patients with oesophageal cancer combined with hyperlipidaemia: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Surgery is widely regarded as a pivotal therapeutic approach for treating oesophageal cancer, and clinical observations have revealed that many oesophageal cancer patients also present with concomitant hyperlipidaemia. It is surprising that few studies have been performed to determine how blood lipid levels are affected by oesophageal cancer resection. This research was designed to assess the influence of oesophageal cancer resection on lipid profiles among individuals diagnosed with both oesophageal cancer and hyperlipidaemia.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 110 patients with hyperlipidaemia and oesophageal cancer who had undergone oesophagectomy at the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Preoperative and postoperative serological data were collected at seven-, thirty-, sixty-day-, and one-year-long intervals. Changes in lipid levels were compared, the remission of various types of hyperlipidaemia was statistically assessed, and Pearson correlation was used to analyse the association between lipid changes and preoperative body weight. The research sought to assess the reduction in body weight and the proportion of body weight lost one year following surgery.

RESULTS

Noteworthy decreases were observed in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with TC decreasing from 6.20 mmol/L to 5.20 mmol/L, TG decreasing from 1.40 mmol/L to 1.20 mmol/L, and LDL decreasing from 4.50 mmol/L to 3.30 mmol/L. Conversely, there was a notable increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which increased from 1.20 mmol/L to 1.40 mmol/L (P < 0.05) compared to the preoperative levels. Notably, the remission rates for mixed hyperlipidaemia (60.9%) and high cholesterol (60.0%) were considerably greater than those for high triglycerides (16.2%). Alterations in TC at one year postoperatively correlated with preoperative weight and weight loss (r = 0.315, -0.216); changes in TG correlated with preoperative weight, percentage of total weight loss (TWL%), and weight reduction (r = -0.295, -0.246, 0.320); and changes in LDL correlated with preoperative weight, TWL%, and weight loss (r = 0.251, 0.186, and -0.207). Changes in non-high-density lipoprotein(non-HDL) were linked to preoperative weight (r = 0.300), and changes in TG/HDL were correlated with preoperative weight and TWL% (r = -0.424, -0.251).

CONCLUSIONS

Oesophagectomy significantly improved lipid profiles in oesophageal cancer patients, potentially leading to a reduction in overall cardiovascular risk.

Sweet regulation - The emerging immunoregulatory roles of hexoses

BACKGROUND

It is widely acknowledged that dietary habits have profound impacts on human health and diseases. As the most important sweeteners and energy sources in human diets, hexoses take part in a broad range of physiopathological processes. In recent years, emerging evidence has uncovered the crucial roles of hexoses, such as glucose, fructose, mannose, and galactose, in controlling the differentiation or function of immune cells.

AIM OF REVIEW

Herein, we reviewed the latest research progresses in the hexose-mediated modulation of immune responses, provided in-depth analyses of the underlying mechanisms, and discussed the unresolved issues in this field.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Owing to their immunoregulatory effects, hexoses affect the onset and progression of various types of immune disorders, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and tumor immune evasion. Thus, targeting hexose metabolism is becoming a promising strategy for reversing immune abnormalities in diseases.

Flow cytometric assessments of metabolic activity in bacterial assemblages provide insight into ecosystem condition along the Buffalo National River, Arkansas

The Buffalo National River (BNR), on karst terrain in Arkansas, is considered an extraordinary water resource. Water collected in Spring 2017 along BNR was metagenomically analyzed using 16S rDNA, and for 17 months (5/2017-11/2018), bacterial responses were measured in relation to nutrients sampled along a stretch of BNR near a concentrated animal feed operation (CAFO) on Big Creek. Because cell count and esterase activity can increase proportionally with organic enrichment, they were hypothesized to be elevated near the CAFO. Counts (colony forming units; CFUs) were different among sites for 73 % of the months; Big Creek generated highest CFUs 27 % of the time, with the closest downstream site at 13.3 %. Esterase activity was different among sites 94 % of the time, with Big Creek exhibiting lowest activity 71 % of the time. Over the months, activity was similar across sites at ~70 % active, except at Big Creek (56 %). The α-diversity of BNR microbial consortia near a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and the CAFO was related to distance from the WWTP and CAFO. The inverse relationship between high CFUs and low esterase activity at Big Creek (r = -0.71) actuated in vitro exposures of bacteria to organic wastewater contaminants (OWC) previously identified in the watershed. Exponential-phase Escherichia coli (stock strain), Streptococcus suis (avirulent, from swine), and S. dysgalactiae (virulent, from silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) were incubated with atrazine, pharmaceuticals (17 α-ethynylestradiol and trenbolone), and antimicrobials (tylosin and butylparaben). Bacteria were differentially responsive. Activity varied with exposure time and OWC type, but not concentration; atrazine decreased it most. Taken together - the metagenomic taxonomic similarities along BNR, slightly higher bacterial growth and lower bacterial esterase at the CAFO, and the lab exposures of bacterial strains showing that OWC altered metabolism - the results indicated that bioactive OWC entering the watershed can strongly influence microbial processes in the aquatic ecosystem.

Active microbial communities facilitate carbon turnover in brine pools found in the deep Southeastern Mediterranean Sea

Discharge of gas-rich brines fuels productive chemosynthetic ecosystems in the deep sea. In these salty, methanic and sulfidic brines, microbial communities adapt to specific niches along the physicochemical gradients. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin these adaptations are not fully known. Using metagenomics, we investigated the dense (∼106 cell ml-1) microbial communities that occupy small deep-sea brine pools found in the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea (1150 m water depth, ∼22 °C, ∼60 PSU salinity, sulfide, methane, ammonia reaching millimolar levels, and oxygen usually depleted), reaching high productivity rates of 685 μg C L-1 d-1 ex-situ. We curated 266 metagenome-assembled genomes of bacteria and archaea from the several pools and adjacent sediment-water interface, highlighting the dominance of a single Sulfurimonas, which likely fuels its autotrophy using sulfide oxidation or inorganic sulfur disproportionation. This lineage may be dominant in its niche due to genome streamlining, limiting its metabolic repertoire, particularly by using a single variant of sulfide: quinone oxidoreductase. These primary producers co-exist with ANME-2c archaea that catalyze the anaerobic oxidation of methane. Other lineages can degrade the necromass aerobically (Halomonas and Alcanivorax), or anaerobically through fermentation of macromolecules (e.g., Caldatribacteriota, Bipolaricaulia, Chloroflexota, etc). These low-abundance organisms likely support the autotrophs, providing energy-rich H2, and vital organics such as vitamin B12.

Genome-Wide Genetic Analysis of Dropout in a Controlled Exercise Intervention in Sedentary Adults With Overweight or Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease

BACKGROUND

Despite the benefits of exercise, many individuals are unable or unwilling to adopt an exercise intervention.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this analysis was to identify putative genetic variants associated with dropout from exercise training interventions among individuals in the STRRIDE trials.

METHODS

We used a genome-wide association study approach to identify genetic variants in 603 participants initiating a supervised exercise intervention. Exercise intervention dropout occurred when a subject withdrew from further participation in the study or was otherwise lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

Exercise intervention dropout was associated with a cluster of single-nucleotide polymorphisms with the top candidate being rs722069 (T/C, risk allele = C) (unadjusted p = 2.2 × 10-7, odds ratio = 2.23) contained within a linkage disequilibrium block on chromosome 16. In Genotype-Tissue Expression, rs722069 is an expression quantitative trait locus of the EARS2, COG7, and DCTN5 genes in skeletal muscle tissue. In subsets of the STRRIDE genetic cohort with available muscle gene expression (n = 37) and metabolic data (n = 82), at baseline the C allele was associated with lesser muscle expression of EARS2 (p < .002) and COG7 (p = .074) as well as lesser muscle concentrations of C2- and C3-acylcarnitines (p = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations imply that exercise intervention dropout is genetically moderated through alterations in gene expression and metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. Individual genetic traits may allow the development of a biomarker-based approach for identifying individuals who may benefit from more intensive counseling and other interventions to optimize exercise intervention adoption.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION

STRRIDE I = NCT00200993; STRRIDE AT/RT = NCT00275145; STRRIDE-PD = NCT00962962.

Cellular senescence and metabolic reprogramming model based on bulk/single-cell RNA sequencing reveals PTGER4 as a therapeutic target for ccRCC

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the prevailing histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma and has unique metabolic reprogramming during its occurrence and development. Cell senescence is one of the newly identified tumor characteristics. However, there is a dearth of methodical and all-encompassing investigations regarding the correlation between the broad-ranging alterations in metabolic processes associated with aging and ccRCC. We utilized a range of analytical methodologies, such as protein‒protein interaction network analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, to form and validate a risk score model known as the senescence-metabolism-related risk model (SeMRM). Our study demonstrated that SeMRM could more precisely predict the OS of ccRCC patients than the clinical prognostic markers in use. By utilizing two distinct datasets of ccRCC, ICGC-KIRC (the International Cancer Genome Consortium) and GSE29609, as well as a single-cell dataset (GSE156632) and real patient clinical information, and further confirmed the relationship between the senescence-metabolism-related risk score (SeMRS) and ccRCC patient progression. It is worth noting that patients who were classified into different subgroups based on the SeMRS exhibited notable variations in metabolic activity, immune microenvironment, immune cell type transformation, mutant landscape, and drug responsiveness. We also demonstrated that PTGER4, a key gene in SeMRM, regulated ccRCC cell proliferation, lipid levels and the cell cycle in vivo and in vitro. Together, the utilization of SeMRM has the potential to function as a dependable clinical characteristic to increase the accuracy of prognostic assessment for patients diagnosed with ccRCC, thereby facilitating the selection of suitable treatment strategies.