Considering that obesity increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, it is important to reduce the accumulation of excess body fat. Using gongmi tea and its extract, this study explored their capacity to inhibit adipogenesis and curb obesity. Using Western blot analysis, the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR), adiponectin, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) were measured in the Oil red O-stained 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line. To develop a mouse model of obesity, C57BL/6 male mice were given a high-fat diet (HFD). Gongmi tea or gongmi extract, administered orally, was given at a dose of 200 mg/kg for a period of six weeks. The study period saw weekly monitoring of mouse body weight, with the evaluation of epididymal adipose tissue weight and blood serum composition being performed at the study's conclusion. The gongmi tea and gongmi extract showed no toxicity in the mice. Oil Red O staining confirmed that gongmi tea consumption led to a significant reduction in the buildup of excessive body fat. Importantly, gongmi tea (300 g/mL) led to a significant decrease in adipogenic transcription factors, specifically PPAR, adiponectin, and FABP4. Oral administration of gongmi tea or gongmi so extract to HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 mice resulted in a reduction of body weight and epididymal adipose tissue, as observed in in vivo tests. In vitro studies on 3T3-L1 cells using gongmi tea and its concentrated extract show potent anti-adipogenic properties, which are further supported by in vivo anti-obesity findings in HFD-induced obese mice.

Colorectal cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers encountered in medical practice. Nonetheless, conventional cancer treatments frequently exhibit adverse effects. Subsequently, the search for novel chemotherapeutic agents that cause fewer side effects remains ongoing. Recent studies have focused on the anticancer activity of Halymenia durvillei, a marine red seaweed, which has generated much interest. This research investigated how ethyl acetate extract of H. durvillei (HDEA) impacts HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, considering the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as a key factor in its anticancer mechanism. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was applied to determine the viability of HDEA-treated HT-29 and OUMS-36 cells. To determine the influence of HDEA, apoptosis and cell cycle were measured. By means of Hoechst 33342 staining, nuclear morphology was examined, and JC-1 staining was used for the determination of the mitochondrial membrane potential (m). By means of a real-time semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, the expression levels of the PI3K, AKT, and mTOR genes were determined. The corresponding protein expressions were scrutinized via western blot analysis. The study's results revealed a decrease in the viability of treated HT-29 cells, in contrast to the statistically insignificant alteration in the viability of OUMS-36 cells. HDEA-treated HT-29 cells experienced a halt in the G0/G1 phase due to the down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and cyclin D1. The upregulation of cleaved poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and Bax within HDEA-treated HT-29 cells contributed to apoptosis, a process also accompanied by decreased Bcl-2 expression and a disturbance in nuclear morphology. The HT-29 cells, following treatment, exhibited autophagy, as indicated by the upregulation of light chain 3-II and beclin-1. In the end, HDEA blocked the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Consequently, HDEA demonstrates anti-cancer activity against HT-29 cells, evidenced by apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, mediated by modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Sacha inchi oil (SI) was evaluated in this study to determine its potential role in mitigating hepatic insulin resistance and enhancing glucose metabolism, achieved through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in a type 2 diabetic rat model. The model was created by subjecting rats to a high-fat diet, combined with streptozotocin, to induce diabetes. For five weeks, a daily oral treatment protocol was implemented on diabetic rats, administering either 0.5, 1, or 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of SI, or 30 mg/kg b.w. of pioglitazone. read more Blood and hepatic tissues provided the necessary material for measuring insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response parameters. SI therapy, administered to diabetic rats, effectively reduced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance markers, demonstrably improving hepatic histopathological attributes in a dose-dependent manner, directly linked to the decrease in serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels. Through inhibition of malondialdehyde and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, SI substantially reduced the hepatic oxidative status in diabetic rats. The SI intervention resulted in a substantial decline in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 pro-inflammatory cytokine levels within the diabetic rat livers. Concurrently, SI treatment strengthened hepatic insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats, as shown by an upregulation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and p-Akt protein, a downregulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1 and glucose-6-phosphatase protein, and an increase in hepatic glycogen content. SI's impact on the liver is potentially insulin-sensitizing, and it appears to boost glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. This improvement may stem from the enhancement of insulin signaling cascades, fortified antioxidant mechanisms, and diminished inflammatory processes within the liver.

The National Dysphagia Diet (NDD) and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) dictate the appropriate fluid consistencies for individuals with dysphagia. NDD's nectar- (level 2), honey- (level 3), and pudding-like (level 4) fluids exhibit a direct correlation with the mildly (level 2), moderately (level 3), and extremely (level 4) thick fluids, respectively, in IDDSI. In this study, thickened drinks made with a commercial xanthan gum-based thickener, at concentrations of 0.131% (w/w), had their apparent viscosity (a,50) and residual volume (mL) in the IDDSI syringe flow test evaluated to compare NDD levels to IDDSI levels. Following the order of water, orange juice, and milk, the thickener concentration in thickened drinks saw a gradual rise across all IDDSI and NDD classifications. There was a subtle difference in the range of thickener concentration for thickened milk, when considering products within the same NDD and IDDSI levels as other thickened beverages. Thickened drinks intended to meet different nutritional needs (as assessed by NDD and IDDSI classifications) displayed varying thickener concentrations, and the drink type played a significant role in these differences. These research results could lead to practical application of the IDDSI flow test, enabling more precise determination of thickness levels in clinical settings.

Osteoarthritis, a common degenerative condition, frequently affects individuals aged 65 and older. OA is defined by the inflammatory breakdown of the cartilage matrix, resulting from relentless wear and tear. The active components of Ulva prolifera, a green macroalgae species, include polysaccharides, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polyphenols, making it a potent source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The effectiveness of a 30% prethanol extract of U. prolifera (30% PeUP) in protecting cartilage was explored in this study. A one-hour pre-treatment of rat primary chondrocytes with 30% PeUP preceded their stimulation with interleukin-1 (10 ng/mL). Through the utilization of Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the production of nitrite, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), collagen type II (Col II), and aggrecan (ACAN) was measured. To assess the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin (ADAMTS)-4, ADAMTS-5, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), encompassing extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38, western blot analysis was conducted. Exposure of interleukin (IL)-1-stimulated chondrocytes to 30% PeUP resulted in a substantial suppression of nitrite, iNOS, PGE2, COX-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADMATS-4, and ADMATS-5 expression. Subsequently, a 30% decrease in PeUP halted the IL-1-induced deterioration of Col II and ACAN. read more Moreover, PeUP suppressed IL-1-triggered MAPK phosphorylation in 30% of cases. Therefore, PeUP at a 30% concentration has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent in addressing the advancement of osteoarthritis.

The research aimed to ascertain whether low molecular weight fish collagen peptides (FC) from the Oreochromis niloticus species could offer protective benefits for skin in models mimicking photoaging. The application of FC supplementation led to enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and a controlled inflammatory cytokine response (including tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6) in both in vitro and in vivo UV-B irradiated systems. This was reflected in the reduced protein expression of pro-inflammatory factors IB, p65, and cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, FC boosted hyaluronic acid, sphingomyelin, and skin hydration by modifying the mRNA expression levels of hyaluronic acid synthases 13, serine palmitoyltransferase 1, delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1, and the protein expressions of ceramide synthase 4, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, and -9. Following UV-B irradiation in vitro and in vivo, FC suppressed the protein expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Fos, c-Jun, and MMP pathways, concurrently increasing expression of transforming growth factor- receptor I, collagen type I, procollagen type I, and small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog pathways. read more FC's efficacy against UV-B-induced skin photoaging is implied by its positive impact on skin hydration and wrinkle reduction, which may stem from its inherent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.