Obesity is a health condition that has reached pandemic levels and is implicated in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer and heart failure. A key characteristic of ...obesity is the activation of stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), such as the p38 and JNK stress kinases, in several organs, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, immune organs and the central nervous system. The correct timing, intensity and duration of SAPK activation contributes to cellular metabolic adaptation. By contrast, uncontrolled SAPK activation has been proposed to contribute to the complications of obesity. The stress kinase signalling pathways have therefore been identified as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for metabolic syndrome. The past few decades have seen intense research efforts to determine how these kinases are regulated in a cell-specific manner and to define their contribution to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Several studies have uncovered new and unexpected functions of the non-classical members of both pathways. Here, we provide an overview of the role of SAPKs in metabolic control and highlight important discoveries in the field.
The aim of this paper is to present results of the influence of different xanthan gum concentrations (from 0.01% to 0.2% w/w) on properties of the oil-in-water emulsions by applying different ...techniques. The octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starch was used as emulsifier at constant concentration 10%. Rheology, microphotography, SEM and creaming studies were used in order to obtain the emulsions' characteristics. The results showed that the increase in xanthan gum concentration led to the decrease in droplets Sauter mean diameter and made droplet size distribution of the emulsions narrower. All determined emulsions showed shear-thinning flow behavior. The increase in xanthan gum concentration led to the decrease in flow behavior index n as well as the increase in consistency index K. Presence of xanthan gum in the emulsions with OSA starch as emulsifier enhances their stability due to formation of oil droplets network as consequence of depletion flocculation as well as due to modification of continuous phase viscosity.
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•Emulsions stabilized by OSA starch and xanthan gum were examined.•OSA starch concentration was constant while influence of xanthan gum was determined.•Increase in xanthan gum concentration led to decrease in droplets mean diameter.•Rheological characteristics of emulsions are influenced by xanthan gum content.•Presence of xanthan gum enhances emulsion stability.
The aim of this work was to determine rheological and disperse characteristics and stability of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by soy protein isolate (SPI) and xanthan gum (XG), as natural ...components. The effects of their combination on emulsion stabilization have not been investigated yet. The existence of interactions between the two macromolecules were indicated by the influence of XG on SPI surface hydrophobicity and surface tension values. Increase in SPI concentration from 1 to 3 % shift of distribution curves towards smaller particle size, while the opposite effects of further increase of SPI was obtained. The emulsions stabilized by SPI showed shear-thinning flow behavior, which changed to thixotropic at 5 % of SPI concentration. The presence of XG in emulsions at low concentrations did not affect the size distribution of the droplets, while at 0.1 % of XG Sauter mean diameter value raised and distribution curves were shifted towards a higher particle size. The presence of XG at higher concentration resulted in thixotropic flow behavior of emulsions. Also, increase in XG concentration led to the increase in consistency index and extent of non-Newtonian behavior of emulsions and enhanced the influence of the elastic modulus and creaming stability of the systems.
•Surface hydrophobicity and surface tension indicated SPI-xanthan gum interactions.•Increase in SPI concentration led to change the type of flow behavior of emulsions.•Increase in xanthan gum led to increase in non-Newtonian character of emulsions.•Presence of xanthan gum enhances emulsions stability.
Obesity-induced diabetes is associated with low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue and macrophage infiltration of islets. We show that ablation of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a galactoside-binding lectin, ...accelerates high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. Obese LGALS3(-/-) mice have increased body weight, amount of total visceral adipose tissue (VAT), fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and markers of systemic inflammation compared with diet-matched wild-type (WT) animals. VAT of obese LGALS3(-/-) mice exhibited increased incidence of type 1 T and NKT lymphocytes and proinflammatory CD11c(+)CD11b(+) macrophages and decreased CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages. Pronounced mononuclear cell infiltrate, increased expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in macrophages, and increased accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression were present in pancreatic islets of obese LGALS3(-/-) animals accompanied with elevated phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and mature caspase-1 protein expression in pancreatic tissue and VAT. In vitro stimulation of LGALS3(-/-) peritoneal macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and saturated fatty acid palmitate caused increased caspase-1-dependent IL-1β production and increased phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 compared with WT cells. Transfection of LGALS3(-/-) macrophages with NLRP3 small interfering RNA attenuated IL-1β production in response to palmitate and LPS plus palmitate. Obtained results suggest important protective roles for Gal-3 in obesity-induced inflammation and diabetes.
The complex functions of adipose tissue have been a focus of research interest over the past twenty years. Adipose tissue is not only the main energy storage depot, but also one of the largest ...endocrine organs in the body and carries out crucial metabolic functions. Moreover, brown and beige adipose depots are major sites of energy expenditure through the activation of adaptive, non-shivering thermogenesis. In recent years, numerous signaling molecules and pathways have emerged as critical regulators of adipose tissue, in both homeostasis and obesity-related disease. Among the best characterized are members of the p38 kinase family. The activity of these kinases has emerged as a key contributor to the biology of the white and brown adipose tissues, and their modulation could provide new therapeutic approaches against obesity. Here, we give an overview of the roles of the distinct p38 family members in adipose tissue, focusing on their actions in adipogenesis, thermogenic activity, and secretory function.
Aims/hypothesis
Recent studies have identified carbon monoxide (CO) as a potential therapeutic molecule for the treatment of autoimmune diseases owing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic ...properties. We explored the efficacy and the mechanisms of action of the CO-releasing molecule (CORM)-A1 in preclinical models of type 1 diabetes.
Methods
The impact of CORM-A1 on diabetes development was evaluated in models of spontaneous diabetes in NOD mice and in diabetes induced in C57BL/6 mice by multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS). Ex vivo analysis was performed to determine the impact of CORM-A1 both on T helper (Th) cell and macrophage differentiation and on their production of soluble mediators in peripheral tissues and in infiltrates of pancreatic islets. The potential effect of CORM-A1 on cytokine-induced apoptosis in pancreatic islets or beta cells was evaluated in vitro.
Results
CORM-A1 conferred protection from diabetes in MLDS-induced mice and reduced diabetes incidence in NOD mice as confirmed by preserved insulin secretion and improved histological signs of the disease. In MLDS-challenged mice, CORM-A1 attenuated Th1, Th17, and M1 macrophage response and facilitated Th2 cell differentiation. In addition, CORM-A1 treatment in NOD mice upregulated the regulatory arm of the immune response (M2 macrophages and FoxP3
+
regulatory T cells). Importantly, CORM-A1 interfered with in vitro cytokine-induced beta cell apoptosis through the reduction of cytochrome
c
and caspase 3 levels.
Conclusions/interpretation
The ability of CORM-A1 to protect mice from developing type 1 diabetes provides a valuable proof of concept for the potential exploitation of controlled CO delivery in clinical settings for the treatment of autoimmune diabetes.
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•Sugar beet and apple fibre coupled with HPMC increased gluten-free batter consistency.•Gluten-free breads with apple fibre expressed higher volumes and softer crumb.•Breads ...containing 3, 5, 7 g/100 g fibres and 4 g/100 g HPMC had the best sensory quality.•Sugar beet and apple fibre addition enhanced fibre content in gluten-free breads.
The presented study examined the influence of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), sugar beet fibre (SBF) and apple fibre (AF) incorporation coupled with adequate water levels on gluten-free (GF) batter rheology, bread quality and sensory characteristics. A Box-Behnken experimental design with independent variables: HPMC quantity (2–4 g/100 g), SBF and AF quantity (3–7 g/100 g) and water quantity (180–230 g/100 g depending on the fibre type) based on a maize flour/starch mixture was applied. GF breads with 4 g/100 g HPMC coupled with 3 g/100 g SBF and 7 g/100 g AF reached the highest specific volumes (2.44 cm3/g and 3.97 cm3/g) accompanied with the lowest crumb hardness (2.29 and 2.10 N, respectively). Appealing crust and crumb colour and good sensory characteristics were achieved in GF breads with 4 g/100 g HPMC and 3, 5 and 7 g/100 g SBF or AF. The corresponding GF breads showed enhanced fibre content (4.56–6.07 g/100 g).
This work contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between the rheological performance of dough and puff pastry quality, considering the lack of literature in corresponding field. ...The aim was to examine the effect of vital gluten addition (1, 1.5, 2 g/100 g on flour weight) on the viscoelastic properties of the base dough (without roll-in fat) and laminated dough (with roll-in fat) using fundamental rheological methods. Vital gluten was added into the dough made from a blend of white and whole wheat flour (70:30) in order to enhance its rheological performance. The viscoelastic parameter Tan δ pointed to the dominant influence of the laminating process compared to the influence of vital gluten addition. Although the laminating process decreased the viscoelastic compliance of all dough samples, Jmax of the laminated dough with 1 g/100 g of vital gluten increased by 63.2% and the Newtonian viscosity decreased by 38.7%, compared to the control laminated dough. Good extensibility and adaptability to applied stress of the sample with 1 g/100 g of vital gluten resulted in the best quality of the puff pastry: increase in volume of about 20% and decrease in firmness of about 30% compared to other samples.
•Effect of vital gluten on rheological behavior of puff pastry dough was studied.•Dynamic oscillatory measurements and creep and recovery analysis were used.•The optimal amount of vital gluten for puff pastry production was 1 g/100 g.•Laminated dough with good extensibility and adaptability to stress was obtained.•The puff pastry with increased volume and decreased firmness was produced.
Pulmonary endothelial permeability contributes to the high-permeability pulmonary edema that characterizes acute respiratory distress syndrome. Circulating BMP9 (bone morphogenetic protein 9) is ...emerging as an important regulator of pulmonary vascular homeostasis.
To determine whether endogenous BMP9 plays a role in preserving pulmonary endothelial integrity and whether loss of endogenous BMP9 occurs during LPS challenge.
A BMP9-neutralizing antibody was administrated to healthy adult mice, and lung vasculature was examined. Potential mechanisms were delineated by transcript analysis in human lung endothelial cells. The impact of BMP9 administration was evaluated in a murine acute lung injury model induced by inhaled LPS. Levels of BMP9 were measured in plasma from patients with sepsis and from endotoxemic mice.
Subacute neutralization of endogenous BMP9 in mice (
= 12) resulted in increased lung vascular permeability (
= 0.022), interstitial edema (
= 0.0047), and neutrophil extravasation (
= 0.029) compared with IgG control treatment (
= 6). In pulmonary endothelial cells, BMP9 regulated transcriptome pathways implicated in vascular permeability and cell-membrane integrity. Augmentation of BMP9 signaling in mice (
= 8) prevented inhaled LPS-induced lung injury (
= 0.0027) and edema (
< 0.0001). In endotoxemic mice (
= 12), endogenous circulating BMP9 concentrations were markedly reduced, the causes of which include a transient reduction in hepatic BMP9 mRNA expression and increased elastase activity in plasma. In human patients with sepsis (
= 10), circulating concentratons of BMP9 were also markedly reduced (
< 0.0001).
Endogenous circulating BMP9 is a pulmonary endothelial-protective factor, downregulated during inflammation. Exogenous BMP9 offers a potential therapy to prevent increased pulmonary endothelial permeability in lung injury.
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