Search Results (361)

Consumers increasingly seek clean-label meat products with improved nutrition and stability. We evaluated a collagen hydrolysate–cranberry mixture (CH-CR) as a functional additive in cooked sausages. Two formulations—control and CH-CR—were assessed for fatty acid profile; lipid and protein oxidation during storage; antioxidant capacity ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50); amino acid composition; and instrumental color. Relative to the control, CH-CR produced a more favorable lipid profile: lower saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 23.9% vs. 28.0%, higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) 53.2% vs. 49.3%, slightly higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) 23.3% vs. 22.7%, a higher PUFA/SFA ratio of 0.97 vs. 0.81, and a lower omega-6/omega-3 (n-6/n-3) ratio of 13.5 vs. 27.1, driven by higher alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) 1.6% vs. 0.8%, with trans fats <0.1%. Storage studies showed attenuated oxidation in CH-CR: lower peroxide value (PV) at day 10 8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 9.8 ± 0.5 meq/kg and lower thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) at day 6 0.042 ± 0.004 vs. 0.055 ± 0.006 mg MDA/kg and day 10 0.156 ± 0.016 vs. 0.590 ± 0.041 mg MDA/kg); the acid value at day 10 was similar. Antioxidant capacity increased with CH-CR FRAP 30.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g vs. not detected; DPPH inhibition was 29.88% vs. 10.23%; IC50 56.22 vs. 149.51 µg/mL. The amino acid profile reflected collagen incorporation—higher glycine+proline+hydroxyproline 2.37 vs. 1.38 g/100 g and a modest rise in indispensable amino acids (IAAs) 5.72 vs. 5.42 g/100 g, increasing the IAA/total amino acid (TAA) ratio to 0.411 vs. 0.380. CH-CR samples were lighter and retained redness better under light, with comparable overall color stability. Overall, CH-CR is a natural strategy to improve fatty acid quality and oxidative/color stability in sausages. Full article

This paper presents an innovative protocol for fabric functionalization using Tormentillae rhizoma extract, the chemical composition of which was proved via LC/MS analysis. The extract demonstrated antioxidant activity > 99%, and antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus > 99%. Cotton, wool, polyamide, and cellulose acetate were functionalized with the prepared extract, all showing > 90% antioxidant activity. Functionalized cotton, wool, and polyamide exhibited > 99% antibacterial activity against both bacteria. Based on these findings and the fabrics’ ability to release bioactive compounds, functionalized cotton and polyamide fabrics having excellent bioactivity but a lower ability to release bioactive compounds can serve as protective fabrics for people with sensitive skin prone to wounds, and various products for hospitals. Functionalized wool was identified as the most suitable wound dressing for in vivo preclinical investigation on Wistar albino rats. The obtained results showcased a wound-healing rate of 95.54%, and hydroxyproline content of 8.08 µg/mg dry tissue for rats treated with functionalized wool. Compared to negative, positive, and a group of rats treated with non-functionalized wool, those treated with functionalized wool demonstrated elevated values of tissue redox state parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and a notable reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value. Analysis of the blood samples of rats treated with functionalized wool indicated increased levels of antioxidant defense system parameters (SOD and CAT) and decreased pro-oxidative markers superoxide (O₂⁻) and TBARS. Further clinical trials are needed to validate these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease characterized by progressive loss of lung function and poor prognosis. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a small-molecule compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, possesses diverse pharmacological activities but suffers from poor oral bioavailability, which restricts its clinical development, particularly in pulmonary fibrosis. DST-3, a newly synthesized derivative of CTS, was designed to overcome these limitations. Methods: The antifibrotic effects of DST-3 were investigated in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in C57BL/6 mice through lung function assessment, histopathological evaluation, hydroxyproline quantification, and cytokine profiling. In vitro, TGF-β1-stimulated MRC5 fibroblasts were employed to explore the mechanism of action, focusing on STAT3/Smad signaling via Western blotting and molecular binding assays. Furthermore, a validated HPLC–MS/MS method was developed for DST-3, and its pharmacokinetic profile was characterized in Sprague–Dawley rats and compared with that of CTS. Results: DST-3 markedly attenuated pulmonary fibrosis in vivo, as evidenced by improved lung function, reduced collagen deposition, and decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels. In vitro, DST-3 inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation by directly binding to STAT3 and suppressing STAT3/Smad signaling. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that, compared with CTS, DST-3 exhibited more rapid absorption, a higher peak plasma concentration, a greater area under the curve (AUC), improved hepatic metabolic stability, and enhanced lung tissue exposure. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that DST-3 exerts potent antifibrotic effects in vivo and in vitro, primarily through STAT3 pathway inhibition. Its improved pharmacokinetic characteristics further support its potential as a promising candidate for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Full article

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is significantly associated with multiple metabolic diseases, with plasma metabolites potentially mediating this relationship. This large-scale metabolomics study aims to (1) quantify the genetic correlations and causal effects between 10 metabolic disease-related phenotypes and CRC risk; (2) identify the plasma metabolites mediating these effects; and (3) explore downstream regulatory genes and druggable targets. Methods: Using linkage disequilibrium score regression and two-sample Mendelian randomization, we assessed the causal relationships between each metabolic trait and CRC. A total of 1091 plasma metabolites and 309 metabolite ratios were identified and analyzed for mediating effects by a two-step MR approach. Colocalization analyses evaluated shared genetic loci. The findings were validated in the UK Biobank for metabolite-trait associations. The expression of candidate genes was explored using data from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO. A FADS1-centered protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via STRING. Results: BMI, waist circumference, basal metabolic rate, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome exhibited both genetic correlation and causal effects on CRC. Five plasma metabolites—mannonate, the glucose/mannose ratio, plasma free asparagine, 1-linolenoyl-2-linolenoyl-GPC (18:2/18:3), and the mannose/trans-4-hydroxyproline ratio—were identified as shared central mediators. A colocalization analysis showed rs174546 linked CRC and 1-linolenoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPC. Validation in the UK Biobank confirmed the associations between phosphatidylcholine (the lipid class of this metabolite), adiposity measures, and CRC risk. An integrative analysis of TCGA, GTEx, and GEO revealed consistent upregulation of FADS1/2/3 and FEN1 in CRC, with high FADS1 expression predicting a poorer prognosis and showing the distinct cell-type expression in adipose and colon tissue. The PPI network mapping uncovered nine FADS1 interacting proteins targeted by supplements such as α-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Conclusions: This study systematically reveals, for the first time, the shared intermediary plasma metabolites and their regulatory genes in the causal pathway from metabolic diseases to CRC. These findings provide candidate targets for subsequent functional validation and biomarker development. Full article

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs: hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins) are ubiquitous in plants and play various functions in cases of development and reproduction. In Arabidopsis thaliana some AGPs can work as markers for gametophytic cell differentiation (among others embryological structures they mark generative cell wall and/or plasma membrane, and also sperm cells). However, apart from Arabidopsis, this labeling of generative cell and sperm cells in pollen grains has only been observed in a few flowering plant species belonging to dicotyledons. No such studies are available in monocotyledons. The main aim of our study was to see whether AGPs would be present at the generative cell–vegetative cell interface in different monocotyledons (representatives of Asparagaceae, Amarylidaceae and Liliaceae), and we also wanted to test whether they would be the same AGPs as in dicotyledons. For the study, we selected Gagea lutea (L.) Ker Gawl., Ornithogalum nutans L. and Galanthus nivalis L. species that differ in shape and size of generative cells. Antibodies against arabinogalactan proteins AGPs were used, including JIM8, JIM13, JIM14, MAC207, LM2, LM14, JIM15 and JIM4. The localization of the examined compounds was determined using immunohistochemistry techniques. The key finding was that AGPs (detected with JIM8 and JIM13 antibodies) consistently mark the boundary between the generative cell and the surrounding vegetative cytoplasm, suggesting their association with the generative cell–vegetative cell interface in all species studied. Identifying such molecular markers in male gametophyte may enhance the understanding of gametophytic cell fate, sperm cell identity and the molecular mechanisms underlying fertilization. Such labeling may also be useful in studies on pollen development, species comparisons, or responses to environmental stresses. Full article

Bulbine species (Asphodelaceae) are routinely used in many African communities to treat various dermatological disorders, including wounds, due to their relative accessibility, affordability, safety records, and reported efficacies. However, these reported biological activities lack robust empirical evidence and well-validated cellular mechanisms for plausible applications. Hence, this review was aimed at investigating the bioactive compounds of Bulbine species linked to their cellular wound healing attributes, their toxicity, and cytotoxicity. A detailed literature search was conducted using Web of Science, Google scholar, and PubMed, followed by Scopus and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) bibliographic analyses. Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd. and Bulbine natalensis Baker safely mediate tissue healing and coagulation cascade as adaptogens and cytotoxic agents. The wound healing activities of the Bulbine species were linked to the synergistic wound healing or tissue repair properties of bioactive compounds (such as saponins, terpenoids, luteolin, and apigenin) via the expression of collagen type-I, alpha-2 (COL1A2) gene, collagen III, increase in the wound tensile strength, and anti-cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA. Bulbine species were also reported to contain specialised biomarker compounds (such as naphthoquinones, bulbine-emodin, and aloe-emodin) which mediate the activation of hydroxyproline, Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, transforming growth factor beta—β1 (TGFβ1), and the suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic proteins (SMAD), which ultimately induce tissue granulation, myofibroblast differentiation, re-epithelialization, higher protein complexes, and scar tissue formations. These findings give credence to the wound healing therapeutic potential of Bulbine species. However, additional clinical studies are necessary to further ascertain the reported efficacies of Bulbine species’ bioactive principles, their overall safety, and the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in the wound healing process and carcinogenesis. Full article

High-fat diets are increasingly used to improve feed efficiency in aquaculture but may deteriorate fillet quality and health; soy isoflavones, plant-derived polyphenols, have emerged as promising modulators of muscle growth, antioxidant defense, and lipid metabolism in fish. This study investigated the effects of dietary soy isoflavone supplementation on myogenesis, collagen synthesis, fatty-acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in muscle of Monopterus albus fed a high-fat diet. Fish were assigned to four diets: control (CON, 6.16% crude fat), high-fat without soy isoflavones (HSIF0, 11.98% crude fat), and high-fat with 50 mg/kg (HSIF50) or 100 mg/kg (HSIF100) soy isoflavones. HSIF0 significantly elevated whole-body/muscle lipids, reduced ΣSFA/ΣMUFA/Σn-3/Σn-6 ratios (p < 0.05), increased Σn-6 (p < 0.05), impaired water-holding capacity/texture (higher losses, lower hardness/cohesiveness/gumminess/chewiness/resilience) (p < 0.05), induced loosely arranged myofibers with enlarged inter-fiber spaces, downregulated myogenesis (upregulated mstn; downregulated myod/tcap/mrf4/mrf5) and collagen genes (ets1/sp1/p4ha1) (p < 0.05), decreased collagen/hydroxyproline (p < 0.05), and weakened antioxidants (higher MDA/H₂O₂; lower T-AOC/GSH; downregulated nrf2/sod/cat/gpx1/gpx8) (p < 0.05). HSIF50 reversed these effects, enhancing ΣPUFA/Σn-3/EPA+DHA (p < 0.05), restoring structure/gene expression (p < 0.05), and boosting antioxidants (p < 0.05). In contrast, HSIF100 partially diminished benefits, indicating dose-dependency. Overall, 50 mg/kg soy isoflavones optimally mitigated high-fat-induced muscle quality decline via lipid remodeling, structural improvement, collagen promotion, and antioxidant enhancement. Full article

Food waste from fish processing contributes significantly to environmental pollution, and fish skin is often discarded despite being a rich collagen source. This study evaluated the efficacy and consumer satisfaction of a ready-to-drink collagen supplement made from hydrolyzed collagen derived from seabass skin. The compositional analysis of this study revealed α-amino groups, hydroxyproline, and amino acids essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and tissue repair. A 30-day clinical trial was conducted in 36 Thai volunteers who were aged between 20 to 70 years, and their skin condition was assessed using a facial skin analyzer and a moisture analyzer on days 0, 15, and 30. Participants also completed self-perception and sensory satisfaction questionnaires. The results showed improved skin moisture, reduced pore size, and smoother skin texture. Participants reported high satisfaction, especially regarding increased moisture and skin smoothness. Sensory score evaluation showed favorable scores for color and taste; however, odor was the least preferred attribute with the lowest score. Notably, no adverse effects were reported throughout this study. The findings suggest that fish skin-derived collagen supplements can enhance skin appearance while offering a sustainable approach that converts fish by-products into functional skincare solutions aligned with global sustainability goals. Full article

This study aims to elucidate the active components and underlying molecular mechanisms by which the ethanol-water extract of Cinnamomum migao H.W. Li (MG-EWE) inhibits cardiac fibroblast (CF) transdifferentiation and IL-6 production, providing insights into its anti-myocardial fibrosis effects. The chemical composition of MG-EWE was characterized using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Network pharmacology analysis identified active constituents and their mechanisms in inhibiting IL-6 production in CFs. An isoproterenol (ISO)-induced rat CF model was established to evaluate the effects of MG-EWE and its main monomers, Laurolitsine and Hecogenin, on cell proliferation, migration, collagen metabolism, IL-6 production, and key proteins in the ADRB2/JNK signaling pathway. A total of 173 compounds were identified in MG-EWE, with 14 core constituents regulating IL-6 synthesis via 16 key targets, including ADRB2 and MAPK9. Gene Ontology enrichment indicated that MG-EWE affects phosphorylation and the JNK signaling cascade. Molecular docking showed strong binding affinities between Laurolitsine, Hecogenin, and their targets ADRB2 and JNK. Experimentally, MG-EWE, Laurolitsine, and Hecogenin significantly inhibited ISO-induced CF proliferation, migration, and hydroxyproline synthesis, as well as the expression of p-ADRB2, p-JNK, p-c-Jun, and IL-6. MG-EWE inhibits CF transdifferentiation and IL-6 production via the ADRB2/JNK/c-Jun signaling axis, mediated by its constituents Laurolitsine and Hecogenin, highlighting its potential for drug development targeting myocardial fibrosis. Full article

Collagens make up the main components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and, in cancer, are often aberrantly secreted by both tumor cells and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H), an enzyme that hydroxylates proline into 4-hydroxyproline at the Y position of the collagen -X-Y-Gly- triplet motif, is essential for the stability of the mature collagen trimer and collagen secretion. In this review, we summarize the research on the structure and function of C-P4H, the regulation of C-P4H enzyme activity, and the role of overexpression of its α-subunit, P4HA1, in promoting cancer progression as well as its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target. Overexpression of P4HA1 is displayed in almost all solid cancers, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, and is associated with cancer progression, worse response to therapy, and poorer patient survival. Characterization of P4HA1 overexpression has demonstrated links to key hallmarks of cancer, not only in the canonical collagen deposition role, but also in non-canonical functions, such as cell stemness, hypoxic response, glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, and modulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment. P4HA1 is thus an attractive target for developing novel targeted therapies to improve treatment response in many cancer types. Full article

The diagnosis of early-stage osteoarthritis (eOA) is important in disease management and outcomes. Herein we report the clinical validation of a blood test for the diagnosis of eOA in a large patient cohort using trace-level glycated and oxidized amino acid analytes. Subjects were recruited and enrolled in two study groups: subjects with eOA of the hip (n = 110) and asymptomatic controls (n = 120). Their plasma was analyzed for glycated and oxidized amino acids by quantitative liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Algorithms were developed using plasma hydroxyproline and 12 glycated and oxidized amino acid analyte features to classify the subjects with eOA and asymptomatic controls. The accuracy was defined as the percentage of the subjects correctly classified in the test set validation. The minimum number of analyte features required for the optimum accuracy was five glycated amino acid analytes: N_ω-carboxymethyl-arginine, hydroimidazolones derived from glyoxal, methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone, and glucosepane. The classification performance metrics included an accuracy of 95%, sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 94%, area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve of 99%, and positive and negative predictive values of 94% and 97%. We concluded that an assay of five trace-level glycated amino acids present in plasma can provide a simple blood test for the screening of eOA. This is predicted to improve the case identification for expert referral 9-fold. Full article

Collagen content is a key determinant of flesh quality and directly influences consumer acceptance. This study investigated the effects of the main collagen amino acids, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, on the growth performance and flesh quality of mirror carp. A total of 240 fish (initial weight: 174.4 g) were randomly assigned to a control and three treatment groups, each receiving 5 g of glycine, proline, or hydroxyproline per kilogram of feed for eight weeks. Measured parameters included growth performance, serum hormones, flesh quality traits, free amino acid profiles, and proteomics. Glycine and hydroxyproline increased serum GH and IGF-1 levels (p < 0.001), while somatostatin was differentially regulated across treatments. Hydroxyproline notably improved flesh quality by reducing drip loss and increasing muscle moisture and protein content (p = 0.022; p = 0.040; p = 0.026). Collagen levels in muscle and skin were elevated in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). Free amino acid analysis revealed elevated levels of leucine and taurine in the glycine group, increased taurine in the proline group, and elevated methionine and taurine in the hydroxyproline group (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis identified differentially expressed proteins enriched in pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione metabolism, and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation. These findings suggest that hydroxyproline plays a regulatory role in hormone secretion and muscle quality enhancement, offering new insights for optimizing aquafeed formulations. Full article

Immunoregulation is an emerging treatment strategy to promote wound healing by modulating the local immune system at the wound site. In this study, an extracellular matrix biomimetic and polysaccharide-based hydrogel was engineered to regulate the wound immune environment through Michael-type addition between maleimidyl pullulan and chitosan modified with hydroxyproline. The proposed hydrogel exhibited favorable injectable and self-healing properties, which facilitated the full coverage of irregularly shaped wounds. A natural polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), was incorporated into hydrogels, which thereby exhibited excellent biocompatibility, good reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability, anti-inflammatory activity, and antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli. Furthermore, evaluations of a full-thickness skin defect mice model showed that the hydrogel with EGCG effectively alleviated the inflammatory response by reducing pro-inflammatory cellular infiltration and down-regulating the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Notably, a faster wound healing rate was also achieved by the better promotion effect of the hydrogel on increasing the formation of re-epithelialization, granulation tissue generation, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. Therefore, our immunoregulatory strategy showed great potential in the design of biomaterials for wound management. Full article

Animal tissue by-products, rich in collagen, represent a valuable source of biomaterials. Understanding their physicochemical and thermal behavior is essential for expanding their applications. In this study, pigskin gelatin was extracted through acid hydrolysis using a combination of acetic acid (AH) and either lactic, citric, or ascorbic acid (75:25, v:v, [0.5 M]), followed by thermal denaturation. We evaluated the physicochemical properties of the gelatin solutions (pH, hydroxyproline content, and extraction yield), as well as the macroscopic gel characteristics. Gelatin films were then prepared and analyzed for moisture content, color, and thermal properties. One-way ANOVA was applied to compare treatments, and Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the relationship between the solution pH and physicochemical parameters. Significant differences in the final pH of the solutions were observed among the acid mixture treatments, though the hydroxyproline content and extraction yield were not significantly affected. All gelatin solutions formed stable gels, and the resulting films exhibited similar moisture content. Thermal analysis revealed treatment-dependent variations. Specifically, a significant negative correlation (p < 0.005) was found between the gelatin solution pH and the melting temperature. These results suggest that the use of organic acid mixtures can effectively modulate gelatin properties, offering a versatile approach for tailoring biomaterials for both food and non-food applications. Full article

Objectives: Skin aging, often accelerated by dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs), poses both cosmetic and health challenges. This study explores the protective effects of hydroxytyrosol (HT), a potent antioxidant found in olives, against AGEs-induced skin aging in mice. Methods: A total of forty-eight 8-month-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control, model, low-dose hydroxytyrosol (HT25), and high-dose hydroxytyrosol (HT50). An additional group of six 6-week-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice served as the youth group. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks. Following the intervention, skin, serum, and ileum samples were collected. Results: The results demonstrated that HT50 significantly increased skin moisture, epidermal thickness, and dermal thickness (p < 0.05). HT50 also significantly elevated hydroxyproline levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the skin while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HT50 significantly reduced the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.05). Regarding intestinal integrity, hydroxytyrosol intervention (either HT25 or HT50) significantly increased the positive staining ratios of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the ileum (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HT improves skin hydration, thickness, and collagen levels while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Notably, HT also enhances intestinal barrier function, suggesting a role for the gut–skin axis. These findings highlight HT’s potential as a natural intervention for skin aging. Full article