0 Glyconutrients

As the fourth-largest global food crop, the quality and functional characteristics of processed potato products are closely linked to endogenous sugar metabolism in tubers, with the trehalose–sucrose metabolism playing a key role in processing adaptability. This study analyzed 333 accessions from a tetraploid potato natural population. The trehalose and sucrose content of potato tubers at harvest was quantified using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Combined with whole-genome resequencing, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to map regulatory loci and identify candidate genes. The results showed that relative trehalose content in tubers was 20.38–24.78, while relative sucrose content was 10.32–19.50. Frequency histograms for both sugars exhibited normal distributions characteristic of quantitative traits, and a positive correlation was observed between them. GWAS for trehalose identified 111 significant SNP loci, mainly on chromosomes 10 and 12, leading to the identification of 88 candidate genes. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis (KEGG) revealed that trehalose-related genes were primarily involved in pathways such as ABC transporters, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Candidate genes potentially regulating tuber trehalose content included GH10, GH28, GH127, UXS, UGT, PMEI, and MYB108. For sucrose, GWAS identified 279 significant SNP loci, mainly on chromosomes 5, 6, and 12, resulting in 111 candidate genes. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that sucrose-related genes were enriched in pathways including starch and sucrose metabolism, cyanoamino acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Candidate genes potentially regulating tuber sucrose content included GH17, GH31,GH47, GH9A4, SPP1, BGLU12, GSA1, TPS8, cwINV4, HXK, UST, MYB5, MYB14, and WRKY11. Therefore, this study provides marker loci for trehalose and sucrose metabolism research, aiming to clarify their regulatory mechanisms and support potato variety improvement and superior germplasm development.

Regular use of glucosamine was associated with a reduced risk of several age-related chronic diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify its potential role in supporting healthy aging.

This study aimed to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of Fucoidan (FCD) in Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced lung cancer, especially its effect on club …

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joint bones, impacting approximately 0.5–1.0% of the global population. People with RA are 1.5 times more likely to develop cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis. This study explored the therapeutic potential of GAc in a rat model of RA induced by CFA, focusing on its impact on biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis. Molecular docking studies indicated strong binding affinities of GAc with key inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB and PRMT-1. The experimental model of 23 days involved the induction of arthritis by injecting 0.15 mL of CFA into the sub-plantar region of the rats’ left hind paws. GAc was dissolved in distilled water and administered to rats via oral gavage. Our results revealed that the administration of GAc, particularly in combination with MtxSt (GAc 10 g/kg + MtxSt), significantly (p < 0.001) reduced arthritic scores, joint stiffness scores, paw thickness, levels of lipids (LDL, VLDL, TG, and TC), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, GAc markedly (p < 0.001) improved body weight, hematological parameters (RBC, %HCT and Hb), HDL, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1(DDAH-1), and CST levels. Histopathological assessments showed that GAc 10 g/kg + MtxSt significantly alleviated bone and cartilage erosion (p < 0.001), pannus formation (p < 0.001), synovial hyperplasia (p < 0.01), vascular congestion (p < 0.001) and inflammatory cell infiltration (p < 0.001). The therapeutic efficacy of GAc is ascribed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. This study suggested that combining GAc with MtxSt exerts a synergistic effect in mitigating inflammation and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis associated with RA.

This study clarified the structure and digestive properties of the Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP). It was demonstrated that LJP belongs to a heteropolysaccharide composed of mannuronic acid, fucose, galactose, glucuronic acid, mannose, xylose, glucose, and guluronic acid in the proportion of 34.56%: 30.55%: 10.63%: 7.52%: 6.66%: 3.74%: 3.62%: 2.72%, with a backbone chain composed of →4)-β-d-ManA-(1→, →3)-α-l-Fucp-(1→, →4)-α-GulA-(1→, →3,4)-α-GlcA-(1→, and →4)-β-d-GlcA-(1→. In vivo fluorescence imaging indicated that LJP was mainly distributed in the stomach and intestinal segments of mice, and the fluorescence signal gradually disappeared after 12 h of digestion. In addition, LJP had no effect on the phenotype and general health of mice while promoting the proliferation of the beneficial bacteria Rikenella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Notably, 100 mg/kg LJP significantly increased the levels of acetic and butyric acid in the mice feces, which were 1.51 and 2.65 folds higher than the controls, respectively. Our study illuminated the absorption and distribution mechanism of LJP, providing a scientific reference for revealing LJP as a potential prebiotic.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, demonstrates many biological activities. It has found extensive applications across medicine, food, cosmetics, an…

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a bioactive sulphated polysaccharide, is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms by which UPF ...

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a sulphated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, has attracted increasing scientific interest for its wide-ranging anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Previous studies have demonstrated that UPF exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibition of key signalling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPKs, suppression of oxidative stress, and modulation of immune mediators and gut microbiota. In parallel, emerging evidence highlights UPF's neuroprotective potential, characterised by reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative damage, and amyloid-beta accumulation, alongside enhanced antioxidant defence and neuronal function. Current investigations reinforce these findings, suggesting that UPF may serve as a valuable adjunct in managing inflammation-related disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. This review summarises the current knowledge on UPF’s mechanisms of action, with a particular focus on its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pathways and implications for brain health, while also identifying gaps for future research and clinical translation.

Aloe vera (Av) is revered in Ayurveda as the "wand of heaven" or "heaven's blessing" and precisely the "silent healer". This herbaceous plant belongs …

And Why Matcha Might Be the Far Smarter & Healthier Fix

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence.Currently, no effective tre…

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., (AE) herb has been shown to have osteogenic, anti‐diabetic, and prebiotic activities in animal and human studies. Postmenopausal women generally exhibit massive bone loss, impaired intestinal calcium absorption, ...

Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF), a depolymerized form, is known to possess superior bioactivities compared to its high molecular weight counterpa…

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease driven by gut dysbiosis, immune dysregulation, and oxidative stress, lacks universally effectiv...

This study investigates the anti-lung cancer activities of polysaccharides extracted from Laminaria japonica, focusing on their bioactive components a…

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses significant health challenges worldwide, with limited effective natural therapies targeting its progression through antioxidant mechanisms. Although gum acacia (GA) has shown general metabolic benefits, its dose-dependent therapeutic efficacy in CKD and its effects on key antioxidant pathways remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of gum acacia (GA) in an adenine (AD)-induced CKD rat model. Methods Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 7 per group): Group I (control), Group II (GA at 600 mg/kg for 14 days), Group III (AD at 600 mg/kg for 10 days), and Groups IV and V (AD for 10 days followed by GA at 300 mg/kg or 600 mg/kg for 14 days). All treatments were administered daily by oral gavage. Results AD treatment led to significant reductions in body weight, increased relative kidney weight, and disrupted kidney and liver function markers, including elevated urea, creatinine, ALT, GGT, and glucose levels. AD also increased oxidative stress, altered blood parameters, and caused downregulation of APRT mRNA expression and upregulation of FGF-23 expression. GA treatment at both doses (300 and 600 mg/kg) mitigated these abnormalities, significantly improving kidney and liver function, enhancing antioxidant status, and ameliorating hematological and metabolic disturbances. The most pronounced effects were observed with the 600 mg/kg dose. Conclusions Building on prior indications of GA’s benefits, our findings offer new and comprehensive evidence of its dose-dependent therapeutic effects in adenine-induced CKD, particularly through the modulation of oxidative stress pathways and regulation of APRT and FGF-23 expression. These insights lay the groundwork for future clinical translation.

Fucoidans have demonstrated a wide range of bioactivities including immune modulation and benefits in gut health. To gain a deeper understanding on the effects of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) on the colonic microbiome, the short-term Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem®, a validated in vitro gut model, was applied. Following a three-week intervention period on adult faecal samples from three healthy donors, microbial community activity of the colonic microbiota was assessed by quantifying short-chain fatty acids while composition was analysed utilising 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing. Metagenomic data were used to describe changes in community structure. To assess the secretion of cytokines, co-culture experiments using Caco-2 and THP1-Blue™ cells were performed. UPF supplementation over a three-week period had a profound butyrogenic effect while also enriching colonic microbial diversity, consistently stimulating saccharolytic genera, and reducing genera linked with potentially negative health effects in both regions of the colon. Mild immune modulatory effects of UPF were also observed. Colonic fermentation of UPF showed anti-inflammatory properties by inducing the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 in two out of three donors in the proximal and distal colon. In conclusion, UPF supplementation may provide significant gut health benefits.

We have clearly entered a new era when mainstream science has come to embrace the notion that nutrition exerts significant influence over various physiological functions, including immune regulation, and may …

Fructose and Metabolic SyndromeCell Metabolism: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32502381/ Fructose, intracellular pathwayJ. Biol Chem: https://pubmed.ncbi.nl...

Purpose We aim to evaluate the association between the use of glucosamine, a widely used dietary supplement, and the risk of IBD-related surgery in a prospective cohort study. Methods We leveraged data from 6059 individuals with IBD from the UK Biobank. Habitual use, frequency of use, and the dose of glucosamine were evaluated using self-reported records, multiple rounds of dietary recall, and prescription information from primary care data, respectively. IBD-related surgery was identified through inpatient data. Cox proportional-hazard model and logistic regression model were applied to examine the associations. Results During a mean follow-up of 12.2 years, we documented 684 incident IBD-related surgery events. Compared with non-users, habitual glucosamine users presented (66.6 vs 97.1 cases/10,000 person-years, HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58–0.92, P = 0.009) lowered risk of IBD-related surgery, decreased risk in Crohn’s disease (80.6 vs 131.0 cases/10,000 person-years, HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41–0.89, P = 0.011), while it was not significant in ulcerative colitis (61.1 vs 79.5 cases/10,000 person-years, HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.65–1.18, P = 0.386). The risks of IBD-related surgery were also lower among occasional users (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15–0.77, P = 0.010) and constant users (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.90, P = 0.022) than non-users. For those using prescribed glucosamine, a higher prescription dose was associated with a lower risk of related surgery (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.02–0.86, P = 0.034). Conclusion Use of glucosamine, as a safe dietary supplement, is associated with a lower risk of IBD-related surgery, which would be a promising strategy in IBD management.

Allulose is on the top of my sweetener preference list for both objective and subjective reasons.

Allulose, a rare sugar, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous health benefits, primarily concerning metabolic health. To be sure, it seems like it is everywhere …

Allulose, a rare sugar, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous health benefits, primarily concerning metabolic health. To be sure, it seems like it is everywhere …

This video reviews the connection of the glycocalyx and vascular health.Information about GlycoCheck at https://glycocheckpro.com/.Information about Endocaly...

Disruption of mucin-domain glycoprotein expression and function in the endothelial glycocalyx are associated with ageing and Alzheimer’s disease, leading to dysregulated blood–brain barrier function.