Butyric acid

Colonic metabolites from digested Moringa oleifera leaves induced HT-29 cell death via apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy.[Pubmed:33302731]

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Dec 10:1-14.

Colorectal cancer is an important concern in modern society. Risk factors such as the diet indicate the need to find healthy food products displaying additional health benefits. This study aimed to characterise and evaluate the impact of the colonic metabolites from the fermented non-digestible fraction of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves (FNFM) on cell death mechanisms from HT-29 cells. MO leaves were digested in vitro, and the 12 h-colonic extract was obtained. FNFM mainly contained morin and chlorogenic acids (41.97 and 25.33 microg/g sample). Butyric acid was ranked as the most important metabolite of FNFM. The FNFM exerted antiproliferative effect against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells (half lethal concentration, LC50: 5.9 mL/100 mL). Compared to untreated control, LC50 increased H2O2 production (149.43%); induced apoptosis (119.02%), autophagy (75.60%), and necrosis (87.72%). These results suggested that digested MO colonic metabolites exert antiproliferative effect against HT-29 cells, providing additional health benefits associated with MO consumption.

Biostimulating effect of L-tryptophan on the yield and chemical and microbiological quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) herbage and silage for ruminant.[Pubmed:33301184]

J Sci Food Agric. 2020 Dec 10.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-tryptophan (L-TRP) used in the cultivation of Lolium perenne on the yield, chemical and microbiological quality of its herbage and silage. L-TRP was applied in doses of 5 kg ha(-1) , 0.5 kg ha(-1) , 0.05 kg ha(-1) . The experiment was conducted with a control group (C) and a comparative control group (C+) with higher nitrogen fertilization. RESULTS: The dose of 5 kg ha(-1) had a significant effect on its herbage yield, which increased by 15% compared to group C and approximated the value achieved in group C+. The treatment with L-TRP caused a significant increase in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content only in Tr5 (165g kg(-1) DM), which was reflected in a more beneficial course of fermentation, lower pH (4.59), and a higher sum of fermentation acids, including lactic acid (94.7 g kg(-1) DM). Ryegrass treatment with the high L-TRP dose effectively reduced loads of Clostridium spp. and fungi, and increased the count of Bacillus spp. The L-TRP significantly reducing N-NH3 content in Tr05 (98.6 g kg(-1) TN) compared to C+ (123g kg(-1) TN) and Butyric acid content in Tr05 (from 1.35 g kg(-1) DM in the C to 0.38 g kg(-1) DM). CONCLUSION: The most effective turned out to be dose of 5 kg ha(-1) , which allowed achieving higher yield and a better fermentation course. This work presents the feasibility of using L-TRP to optimize nutrient consumption by Lolium perenne and ultimately affect the quality of its silage as a feedstuff. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of thiophene-phenylene based Shiff-bases with alkoxy side groups, towards photovoltaic applications.[Pubmed:33296751]

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2020 Nov 28;248:119242.

The influence of presence and elongation of alkoxy side chains in the pi-conjugated Schiff-bases has been considered on the basis of UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra of model compounds and polymers solutions in chloroform and binary solvents of different polarity. The results of these investigations have been supported by electrochemical data. It has been demonstrated that introduction of electron donating methoxy side groups decreases the energy gap, however the elongation of alkyl chains only slightly affects the electronic structure of model compounds. In the case of polymers, such octyloxy side chains improves the solubility, enabling formation of longer polymer chains, with the enhanced effective pi-conjugation length and narrower energy gap, however the intensity of emission band clearly decreased. Positive solvatochromism has been observed in both absorbance and photoluminescence spectra for all investigated compounds. As the concluding task, bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic (PV) structures, consisting of polyazomethines blended with the fullerene derivative, [6,6]-phenyl-C61-Butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) have been prepared and tested in the context of potential application in solar cells. All investigated polymers have shown the photovoltaic effect, but the best power conversion efficiency and other PV parameters have been obtained for polyazomthine with octyloxy side chains.

GABA Receptor Inhibition and Severe Hypoxia Induce a Paroxysmal Depolarization Shift in Goldfish Neurons.[Pubmed:33296606]

J Neurophysiol. 2020 Dec 9.

Mammalian neurons undergo rapid excitotoxic cell death when deprived of oxygen; however, the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) has the unique ability of surviving in oxygen-free waters. This organism utilizes gamma-amino Butyric acid (GABA) signaling to suppress excitatory glutamatergic activity during anoxic periods. Although GABAA receptor antagonists are not detrimental to the cell, co-inhibition of GABAA and GABAB receptors is detrimental by abolishing anoxia-induced neuro-protective mechanisms. In this article we show that blocking anoxic GABAergic neurotransmission induces seizure-like activity (SLA) analogous to a paroxysmal depolarization shift (PDS), with an elevation in action potential (AP) threshold and threshold current. The observed PDS was attributed to an increase in excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) currents that are normally attenuated with decreasing oxygen levels. Furthermore, for the first time, we show that in addition to PDS, some neurons undergo depolarization block and do not generate AP despite a supra threshold membrane potential. In conclusion, our results indicate that with anoxia and absence of GABA receptor activity, telencephalic neurons of Carassius auratus manifest a paroxysmal depolarization shift, a key feature of epileptic discharge.

Evaluation of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) and Glibenclamide Combination Therapy in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes.[Pubmed:33292127]

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2020 Dec 7. pii: EMIDDT-EPUB-112174.

BACKGROUND: Type 1-diabetes (T1D) is characterized by autoimmune destruction of beta-cells and loss of endogenous insulin. Lifelong dependency on exogenous supply of insulin presents a great challenge in pharmacotherapy of T1D that elicits quest for alternative therapies, which can protect beta-cells and revive their insulinogenic functions. GABA (gammaaminoButyric acid) has immuno-protective and beta-cell regenerative capabilities. Co-administration of an insulin secretagogue such as glibenclamide (Glib) along with GABA may enhance the pancreatic insulin output in T1D. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the possible mechanism of GABA in improvement of glucose tolerance and its effects in streptozotocin (STZ) induced T1D along with Glib. METHODS: Wistar rats (180-220 g) were administered a single dose of STZ (55 mg/kg, i.p.). GABA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and Glib (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in combination were administered for 28 days. Body weight (b.w.), water consumption, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, insulin and muscle GLUT-4 (glucose transporters) protein level were assessed. RESULTS: T1D significantly decreased b.w. and increased water-intake in rats. An increase in FBG, and decrease in plasma insulin and muscle GLUT-4 indicated STZ-triggered destruction of beta-cells in diabetic rats accompanied with dyslipidaemia. GABA or Glib (10 mg/kg) significantly improved b.w., plasma insulin and GLUT-4 levels, and ameliorated FBG and blood lipid profile in diabetic rats. GABA and Glib (5 mg/kg) combination therapy achieved far better control over hyperglycaemia and related pathogenic conditions (b.w., water-intake, insulin, GLUT-4, lipids). The anti-diabetic effect of combination therapy was significantly more pronounced in comparison to individual drug treatments. Histopathological analysis revealed an increase in number of functional pancreatic-islets by combination therapy. CONCLUSION: GABA revitalized beta-cells against STZ-toxicity. GABA and Glib synergistically augmented insulin secretion that can be used to manage T1D and its complications. GABA has the potential to remarkably enhance the therapeutic outcome in diabetic patients and reduce the dose of existing anti-diabetic drugs such as Glib.

Assessing the potential of waste activated sludge and food waste co-fermentation for carboxylic acids production.[Pubmed:33288258]

Sci Total Environ. 2020 Nov 26:143763.

This study investigated waste activated sludge (WAS) and food waste (FW) co-fermentation in batch assays to produce carboxylic acids. Three mixtures (50%, 70% and 90% WAS in VS basis) were studied under different conditions: with and without extra alkalinity, and with and without WAS auto-hydrolysis pre-treatment. All tests were carried out at 35 degrees C, without pH adjustment and without external inoculum. Experimental results showed that co-fermentation yields, including volatile fatty acids and lactic acid, were always higher than WAS and FW mono-fermentation yields (ca. 100 and 80 mgCOD/gVS, respectively). Co-fermentation yields increased as the proportion of FW in the mixture increased, indicating that the improvement was primarily due to a higher FW degradation under co-fermentation conditions. The maximum co-fermentation yield was on average 480 mgCOD/gVS for the WAS/FW_50/50 mixture. The importance of pH on co-fermentation performance was evident in the experiments carried out with extra alkalinity, which showed that the proportion of WAS in the mixture should be high enough to keep the pH above 5.0. However, fermenters operational conditions should also prevent the enrichment of acetic acid consuming microorganisms. WAS auto-hydrolysis pre-treatment did not enhance co-fermentation yields but showed minor kinetic improvements. Regarding the product profile, Butyric acid was enriched as the proportion of FW in the mixture increased and the concomitant pH decreased to the detriment of propionic acid. Propionic acid prevailed under neutral pH in the WAS mono-fermentation and the WAS/FW_90/10 mixture.

Microcystin-leucine arginine exposure contributes to apoptosis and follicular atresia in mice ovaries by endoplasmic reticulum stress-upregulated Ddit3.[Pubmed:33288253]

Sci Total Environ. 2020 Nov 26:144070.

Microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR), an intracellular toxin to cause reproduction toxicity, is produced by blooming cyanobacteria and widely distributed in eutrophic waters. It is revealed that MC-LR-induced female reproductive toxicity is more severe than male reproductive toxicity. Previous studies mainly focused on male reproductive toxicity, and the molecular mechanisms of MC-LR-induced apoptosis, follicular atresia and infertility in female remain largely unclear. Here, it was found that MC-LR treatment could induce apoptosis, inflammation, follicular atresia, and decrease of gonadal index in mice ovaries. RNA-Seq data showed that the up-regulation of DNA-damage inducible transcript 3 (Ddit3) under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress had predominantly regulatory role in MC-LR-induced apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, MC-LR exposure promoted cleavage of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6, 50kd), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (Ire1) expression, phosphorylation of IRE1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (Map3k5) and Ddit3 expression, which was accompanied by the upregulation of death receptor 5 (Dr5) and active-caspase-3, and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression. ER stress inhibitor 4-Phenyl Butyric acid (4-PBA) ameliorated these MC-LR-induced changes in protein or mRNA level. More importantly, knockdown of Ddit3 suppressed MC-LR-induced cell apoptosis and follicular atresia by directly regulating Dr5 and Bcl-2. Additionally, it was also found that MC-LR increased Map3k5 phosphorylation by inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity, and then promoted Ddit3 expression. In short, our data suggests that Ddit3 promotes MC-LR-induced mice ovarian cells apoptosis and follicular atresia via ER stress activation, which provides a new insight into the relation between infertility in females and the emerging water pollutant MC-LR.

Perfluorooctanoic acid-induced liver injury is potentially associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis.[Pubmed:33279240]

Chemosphere. 2020 Nov 18:129004.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an environmental pollutant, is widely engaged in industrial products and tends to accumulate in the liver. Emerging evidence has suggested that the gut microbiome is a pivotal player in maintaining animal health and can potentially altered by xenobiotic. However, few studies explored whether PFOA-induced liver injury is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. In the present study, the effects of subacute and subchronic PFOA exposure on liver and gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice were investigated. Our findings showed that both subacute and subchronic exposure to PFOA induced the liver inflammation, disrupted antioxidative homeostasis and caused liver histological abnormalities with detectable hepatomegaly, ultimately triggering liver injury. Besides, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that subacute PFOA exposure caused significant changes in the abundances of intestinal flora known to contribute to liver inflammation and oxidative stress, such as the Dehalobacterium and Bacteroides genera. Exposure to subchronic toxicity mainly induced the decrease in commensal probiotics including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, which are potentially beneficial to liver damage, compared with that in the untreated group. They also resulted in disturbed functional capabilities of the microbial communities by a Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis. Additionally, the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially Butyric acid, were significantly reduced by PFOA administration. Collectively, our observations suggested that liver damage induced by both subacute and subchronic PFOA exposures probably partly related to the gut microbiota dysbiosis and provided a new insight into the role of PFOA in liver injury.

A survey of a blown pack spoilage produced by Clostridium perfringens in vacuum-packaged wurstel.[Pubmed:33279079]

Food Microbiol. 2021 Apr;94:103654.

Three hundred Clostridium strains were isolated from spoiled wurstels and were identified by traditional and molecular methods as Clostridium perfringens. The phenotypic characteristics of the strains were studied. All the strains produced acetic and Butyric acids and enterotoxin. C. perfringens grew in the spoiled wurstels because it was present in raw meat (Lot 150) at a level of 3.2 log CFU/g due to an unchecked cooling phase that took 28 h to decrease the temperature of the wurstels from 60 to 9-10 degrees C, which is the lower limit for C. perfringens growth. During the 28 h of cooling, the concentration of C. perfringens increased to 6.5 CFU/g. It was concluded that its presence and the long cooling time were the main factors responsible for the spoilage. Wurstels intentionally made with contaminated meat (3 log CFU/g) but cooled after cooking for 17 h to 9 degrees C did not support C. perfringens growth; consequently, these wurstels remained unspoiled. The packages of the spoiled wurstels were blown, and the products were soft (soggy), textureless and had the odour of acetic acid, ethanol and sulfur.

The associations of the gut microbiome composition and short-chain fatty acid concentrations with body fat distribution in children.[Pubmed:33277072]

Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 20. pii: S0261-5614(20)30618-X.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous studies linking the gut microbiome with childhood obesity largely used the body mass index to measure obesity and reached inconsistent findings. Little evidence has linked the gut microbiome to regional body fat deposition. We investigated whether the abundance of specific taxa in the gut microbiota and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were associated with the content and regional deposition of body fat in children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 236 children aged 6-9 years. The fat mass contents/percentages in the total body and the android, gynoid, and limb regions were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio and fat-to-lean mass ratios were calculated. Fecal samples were subjected to16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and the fecal SCFA concentrations were quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: A weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified seven modules of co-expressed operational taxonomic units (OTUs). A total of 57 OTUs from 4 key modules were selected for further analysis. After adjustment of covariates and controlling for the false discovery rate (FDR), a multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant correlations of the abundances of some OTUs with obesity and body fat measures. For instance, the OTUs classified to the species Ruminococcus gnavus and Flavonifractor plautii showed significant negative correlations with the total and regional body fat (beta: -0.250 to -0.180, PFDR: 0.041-0.049), whereas OTUs belonging to the genera Blautia and Romboutsia exhibited positive correlations with body fat measures (beta: 0.184-0.222, PFDR: 0.041-0.049). The fecal concentrations of acetic, propionic, and Butyric acids and total SCFAs were significantly positively correlated with various parameters of body fat distribution (beta: 0.160-0.275, PFDR: <0.001-0.042). CONCLUSION: The gut microbiome and SCFAs are significantly associated with obesity and body fat distribution in pediatric population.

Fermentative profile, losses and chemical composition of silage soybean genotypes amended with sugarcane levels.[Pubmed:33273674]

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 3;10(1):21064.

The experiment aimed to evaluate the fermentative and nutritional profile of the silage of four soybean plant genotypes (BRS 333 RR, Pampeanas: C50, C60, and C70) ensiled with levels of sugarcane (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, in factorial scheme 4 x 5 (four soybean genotypes and five levels of sugarcane inclusion) with four replicates. Silages with 100% soybean plant presented the highest levels of Butyric acid (P < 0.001) and ammoniacal nitrogen (P < 0.047); however, the intermediate addition of sugarcane contributed to lactic fermentation (P < 0.001). Besides, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for the recovery of dry matter, which ranged from 83.28 to 95.29%, with higher values observed for silage with the same proportions of soybean plant and sugarcane. It was verified that the crude protein content exhibited decreasing linear effects (P < 0.001), varying among 4.60 to 7.48% in the silages. It was concluded that the highest recovery of dry matter, the best fermentation profile, and the highest levels of crude protein and digestibility occurred in the inclusion between 25 and 50% of sugarcane in soybean silage, with the superiority of the C50 soybean genotype.

Effects of Wheat Bran and Clostridium butyricum Supplementation on Cecal Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acid Concentration, pH and Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens.[Pubmed:33261054]

Animals (Basel). 2020 Nov 27;10(12). pii: ani10122230.

Feed additives that can improve intestinal health and maintain a diverse and resilient intestinal microbiota of poultry are of great importance. Thus, the current study investigated the effects of a single strain Butyric acid-producing Clostridium (C. butyricum) with (symbiotic) or without wheat bran supplementation on cecal microbiota composition and gut health characteristics of broiler chickens. In total, 384 male Ross 308 day-old chickens were divided into four dietary treatment groups and fed ad libitum until day 37 of life. Cecal samples were taken for Illumina sequencing and pH and short-chain fatty acid analyses, as well as for histological analysis at the end of the experimental period. Neither of the supplemented diets improved chicken growth performance. Caecum was dominated by the members of Bacteroidetes phyla followed by Firmicutes in each dietary group. At the genus level, Bacteroides, Oscillospira, Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus and Streptococcus genera exceeded 1% relative abundance. Dietary treatment influenced the relative abundance of the Akkermansia genus, which had a lower relative abundance in the C. butyricum group than in the other groups and in the symbiotic group compared to the wheat bran supplemented group. Dietary treatment also altered cecal crypt depth and had a trend to modify the cecal fermentation profile. Additive effects of wheat bran and C. butyricum supplementation were not detected. Our results suggest that Akkermansia muciniphila colonization in chicken can be influenced by diet composition.

Cytokinin-Facilitated Plant Regeneration of Three Brachystelma Species with Different Conservation Status.[Pubmed:33256169]

Plants (Basel). 2020 Nov 26;9(12). pii: plants9121657.

In Africa and Asia, members of the genus Brachystelma are well-known for their diverse uses, especially their medicinal and nutritional values. However, the use of many Brachystelma species as a valuable resource is generally accompanied by the concern of over-exploitation attributed to their slow growth and general small size. The aim of the current study was to establish efficient micropropagation protocols for three Brachystelma species, namely Brachystelma ngomense (endangered), Brachystelma pulchellum (vulnerable) and Brachystelma pygmaeum (least concern), as a means of ensuring their conservation and survival. This was achieved using nodal segments (~10 mm in length) as the source of explants in the presence of different concentrations of three cytokinins (CK) namely N(6)-benzyladenine (BA), isopentenyladenine (iP) and meta-topolin riboside (mTR), over a period of 6 weeks. The highest (25 microM) concentration of cytokinin treatments typically resulted in significantly higher shoot proliferation. However, each species differed in its response to specific CK: the optimal concentrations were 25 microM mTR, 25 microM iP and 25 microM BA for Brachystelma ngomense, Brachystelma pulchellum and Brachystelma pygmaeum, respectively. During the in vitro propagation, both Brachystelma ngomense and Brachystelma pygmaeum rooted poorly while regenerated Brachystelma pulchellum generally lacked roots regardless of the CK treatments. Following pulsing (dipping) treatment of in vitro-regenerated shoots with indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA), acclimatization of all three Brachystelma species remained extremely limited due to poor rooting ex vitro. To the best of our knowledge, the current protocols provide the first successful report for these Brachystelma species. However, further research remains essential to enhance the efficiency of the devised protocol.