bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fermented Korean red ginseng ameliorates 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene‐induced atopic dermatitis via MAPKs/NF‐κB pathway in mice
Authors: Sohn Eunhwa , Kang Se Chan , Jang Seon‐A , Kwon Jung Eun , Pyo Suhkneung , Koo Hyun Jung 
Published: November 2023

Fermented red ginseng (FRG) are known to show different pharmacological effects by changed composition of saponins through fermentation, but the effect of FRG on allergic responses is not known yet. The present study investigated the effect of FRG on atopic dermatitis or skin allergic inflammation by examining the frequency of scratching and detecting representative allergic markers in 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene(DNCB)‐stimulated mice. The anti‐atopic activities were examined in a DNCB‐induced atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like mouse model, and mice were treated with subcutaneous of FRG. Following application of FRG, scratching behavior and serum IgE level were measured. We also identified NF‐κB activity as a possible transcription factor and MAPKs as intracellular signal pathways triggered by FRG in DNCB‐treated primary splenocytes in mice. FRG administration significantly suppressed the atopic dermatitis lesion, scratching behaviors and serum IgE levels. In FRG‐treated mice splenocytes, the mRNA expression levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10 were significantly decreased, as well as IL‐4 production compared to the AD‐like mice. The FRG also suppressed the DNCB‐induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. These results demonstrated that FRG may be useful in prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis.Support or Funding InformationThis work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ01128102)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
In vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of pistachios (Pistacia vera L.)
Authors: Mandalari Giuseppina , Paterniti Irene , Esposito Emanuela , Carughi Arianna , Cuzzocrea Salvatore 
Published: November 2023

Acute inflammation occurs as a defensive response to invasion, often microbial in nature. It is generally a localised protective response involving a complex series of events, including dilatation of arterioles, venules and capillaries, exudation of fluids such as plasma proteins, and leukocyte migration into the inflammatory area. Certain polyphenols have been found to possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of a polyphenol‐rich extract from natural raw pistachios (NP) and roasted salted pistachios (RP) on cell cultures in vivo. The monocyte/macrophage cell line J774 was used to assess the extent of protection exerted by NP and RP against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation. Antioxidant activity was assessed by NO production and iNOS expression. NP and RP were also tested for their protective role against carrageenan‐induced paw edema in rats, a model of acute inflammation.Results from the in vitro study demonstrated that pre‐treatment with NP at the concentration of 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/ml and RP at the concentration of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/ml exerted a significant protection against LPS induced inflammation. Western blot analysis showed NP reduced the degradation of IkB‐a, although not significantly, whereas both NP and RP decreased the TNF‐a and IL‐1b production in a dose‐dependent way. Pre‐treatment with NP and RP significantly reduced the iNOS expression, COX‐2 levels and NO production.A significant reduction of paw edema volume was observed in the rats treated with NP compared to the vehicle group. Treatment with RP did not reduce paw edema significantly.This data demonstrated polyphenols present in pistachios possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This contributes towards a better understanding to the beneficial health effects associated with consumption of pistachios.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by American Pistachio Growers (USA).
Simultaneous determination of 30 phenolic compounds in Epimedium herb using HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Jang Miran , Kim Gun‐Hee 
Published: November 2023

Herba Epimedii (family Berberidaceae), is one of the commonly used Asia traditional medicines. Phenolic compounds; Flavonoids are considered as its active components. In this study, HPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination of 30 phenolic compounds in five different species of Epimedium. The analysis was performed by using a Symmetry‐C18 analytical column (250mm×4.6mm I.D., 5 μm) at gradient elution of water (with formic acid) and acetonitrile (with formic acid) with diode‐array detection (270 nm). This method was successfully applied for the analysis of 30 phenolic compounds in different species of Epimedium which had great variation on the contents of investigated phenolic compounds. Hierarchical clustering analysis based on the characteristics of 30 investigated compound peaks in HPLC profiles showed that 5 samples were divided into three main clusters, which were in accordance with their phenolic contents.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by a grant (14162MFD971) from Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, in 2015
Fresh pear (Pyrus communis) consumption may improve blood pressure in middle‐aged men and women with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Johnson Sarah A. , Navaei Negin , Pourafshar Shirin , Akhavan Neda S. , Elam Marcus L. , Foley Elizabeth , Clark Elizabeth A. , Payton Mark E. , Arjmandi Bahram H. 
Published: November 2023

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of major cardiovascular risk factors including abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, atherogenic dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and a pro‐inflammatory and pro‐thrombotic state, and is highly associated with the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. The primary treatment goals for individuals with MetS is to improve modifiable underlying risk factors such as body weight, physical activity, and diet through lifestyle changes. Pears (Pyrus communis) are a commonly consumed fruit and are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, a good source of vitamin C and contains potassium and vitamin K, and bioactive compounds including flavonoids (e.g. anthocyanins and flavanols) and phenolic acids (e.g. gallic acid and chlorogenic acid). Although there is a paucity of clinical research that has investigated the impact of pear consumption on human health, previous research with pears supports their potential as a functional food for promoting overall health, especially with respect to the characteristics of MetS. One of the objectives of this randomized, placebo‐controlled crossover clinical trial was to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of fresh pear consumption in middle‐aged men and women with MetS. Fifty men and women aged 45 to 65 years with three of the five features of MetS were randomly assigned to receive either 2 medium‐sized fresh pears (~178 g) or 50 g pear‐flavored drink mix (placebo) per day for 12 weeks. Resting seated brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, and pulse pressure were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Preliminary analyses of 36 participants show that after 12 weeks of fresh pear consumption, systolic blood pressure (− 5 mmHg, P < 0.05) and pulse pressure (−5 mmHg, P < 0.01) were significantly lower than baseline levels whereas there were no changes in the control group. No changes were noted in diastolic blood pressure or heart rate for either group at any time point. The results of this study indicate that regular fresh pear consumption may improve blood pressure and vascular function in older men and women with MetS. Future research is needed to confirm the antihypertensive effects of fresh pears as well as to assess their impact on vascular function.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Pear Bureau Northwest and the Fresh Pear Committee of Federal Marketing Order 927.
Effects of almonds on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Koreans
Authors: Jung Hana , Chen C‐Y. Oliver , Blumberg Jeffrey B. , Kwak Ho‐Kyung 
Published: November 2023

Clinical studies conducted in Americans, Britons, Canadians, and Chinese suggest that almond consumption decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through beneficial actions on blood glucose and lipids, inflammation, and/or oxidative stress. As background diet and ethnicity can modulate these benefits, we examined whether daily consumption of almonds would improve vitamin E status, lipid profile, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in free‐living overweight/obese Korean adults in a randomized, crossover clinical trial. The protocol included a 2‐wk run‐in period, two 4‐wk intervention phases, and a 2‐wk washout period between the crossover. Of 90 eligible participants who were randomly assigned to consume either 56 g almonds or isocaloric cookies daily for 4‐wk, 85 (10 M/75 F; 52.4 ± 0.6 y; 25.4 ± 0.22 kg/m2) completed the trial. Mean % daily energy intake was 32 vs. 26% from fat and 55 vs. 61% from carbohydrates during the almond and cookie phases, respectively. Energy from protein was similar between the 2 groups. The addition of almonds to habitual diet of the participants increased the intake of poly‐(13.1 vs. 7.8 mg/d) and mono‐unsaturated (26.6 vs. 12.8 mg/d) fat, dietary fiber (25.5 vs. 20.9 g/d), and α‐tocopherol (29.7 vs. 14.0 mg/d) compared to the cookie control (P ≤ 0.001). Neither treatment affected body weight. Almonds tended to decrease serum triglycerides, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1. In conclusion, the addition of 56 g/d almonds to Korean diet improves nutrition status and tends to improve selected CVD risk factors.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Almond Board of California and USDA
Fermented Soybean Products Chungkookjang And Nattδ Inhibits Intracellular Lipid Accumulation in Adipocyte And Prevents Weight Gain in High‐Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Byun Moon‐Sun , Yu Ok‐Kyeong , Baek Hyun‐Hwa , Cha Youn‐Soo 
Published: November 2023

In this study, we investigated the anti‐obesity effects and the mechanism of action of two fermented soybean products Chungkookjang (CKJ) and Nattδ (NT) extract in 3T3‐L1 cell line and high‐fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. In vitro, CKJ and NT were examined for their anti‐adipogenic effects using Oil‐Red O staining method. For in‐vivo study the C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HD), high fat diet plus 20% CKJ (CKJ20), high fat diet plus 20% NT (NT20) for 12 weeks and were sacrificed. Both of the extracts without exerting any cell cytotoxicity inhibited the intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells, visualized using Oil Red O stains. Bodyweight, bodyweight gain, serum lipid profiles, and serum insulin, leptin level were reduced in the CKJ and NT groups compared to the HD group. CKJ and NT treatment resulted in a significant amelioration in the mRNA levels of adipogenesis‐related genes, such as PPARγ and SREBP‐1c along with anti‐lipogenic genes such as PPARα, CPT1α in 3T3‐L1 cell line and white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD‐induced obese mice. These results suggested that the supplementation of CKJ and NT have an anti‐obesity effect on high fat diet induced obesity in the mouse model.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by the Globalization of Korean Foods R&D program, funded by the Korean Institute of Planning & Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries (iPET), Republic of Korea
Protective effect of Pteropyrum scoparium and Oxalis corniculata against streptozotocin‐ induced diabetes in rats
Authors: Al‐Qalhati Iman Rashid Sultan , Waly Mostafa , Al‐Attabi Zahir , Al‐Subhi Lyutha Khalfan 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundType 2 diabetes represents a major health concern among Omani adults population, and it is perceived as a lifestyle‐related disease. There is a lack of research that identifies the potential anti‐diabetic effects of edible wild Omani plants. Therefore understanding the value and usability of edible wild Omani plants in the food chain of Omani adults might be considered as an effective intervention for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the in‐vivo potential anti‐diabetic and antioxidants effects of Pteropyrum scoparium and Oxalis corniculata plants or their mixture.MethodsForty five adult Sprague Dawley rats, weighting 250–300 grams, were allocated as into 5 groups (9 rats/group): non‐diabetic control that received chow diet; diabetic group that received chow diet; and diabetic groups that received chow diet plus oral feeding of Pteropyrum scoparium, Oxalis corniculata extracts or their mixture. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection dose of streptozotocin (STZ) drug, 60 gm/kg body weight. At the end of the experimental trial, after 8 weeks, all rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed; serum was collected for measurement of glucose, meanwhile pancreatic tissues was dissected and homogenized for the biochemical assessment of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) and oxidative stress markers (glutathione and total antioxidant capacity).ResultsDiabetic rats treated with plants extracts had shown a significant protective effect against STZ‐induced hyperglycemia and oxidative stress as compared with the control group. Microscopic examination of pancreatic diabetic treated groups showed no histopathological changes indicating that the treatment with plants extracts or their mixture have no effect on the pancreatic tissues.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that Pteropyrum scoparium and Oxalis corniculata combated the STZ‐mediated hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Histopathological examination revealed that there was no observed effect on the cellular pancreatic moiety, indicating safety of the used plants extracts.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by internal grant funding, IG/AGR/FOOD/14/2, from Sultan Qaboos University
Comparison of Estimated and Measured Isoflavone Content of Foods Commonly Consumed by Adventists in the United States and Canada
Authors: Heskey Celine , Sirirat Rawiwan , Franke Adrian , Jaceldo‐Siegl Karen 
Published: November 2023

Agricultural, growth, and genetic factors; storage, and processing techniques can have an effect on isoflavone content in foods, and may contribute to differences between food composition databases and content measured by chemical analyses. Errors in estimating nutrient composition of dietary exposure variables can contribute to mixed research findings in evaluating the association between diet and disease. The objective of this study was to compare estimated and measured soy isoflavone content of soy food products.Thirty‐eight most frequently consumed soy food items were identified based on 40,000 responses to the Adventist Health Study‐2 food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The FFQ included 51 soy‐containing food items and open‐ended questions about the use of meat analogues and soy milk. Soy protein and isoflavone content (in aglycone equivalents) estimates were based on the soy ingredients contained in recipes. The isoflavone content of these 38 food items was measured by liquid chromatography methods on two samples of each food. Corrected (to remove the measured isoflavone between and within variance) Spearman correlations were calculated between estimated and measured isoflavone content.The estimated total isoflavones from meat analogs and soymilk ranged from 0.19 to 225 μg/g. Estimates for daidzein, genistein, and glycitein were 0.08 to 82, 0.07 to 116 and 0.04 to 27 μg/g respectively. Mean laboratory measures of aglycone content ranged from 0.00 to 24 μg/g for daidzein, 0.00 to 31 μg/g for genistein, and 0.00 to 5 μg/g for glycitein. Mean measured glucosides ranged from 0.00 to 292, 0.14 to 345, and 0.00 to 28 μg/g for daidzin, genistin, and glycitin respectively. Mean measures of total isoflavone (aglycones plus glucosides) content was 0.45 to 699 μg/g.Estimated isoflavone content was moderately correlated with measured aglycones (r=0.56 for total; r=0.53 for daidzein, r=0.66 for genistein), except for a weak correlation with glycitein (r=0.32). Estimated isoflavone content was moderately correlated with measured glucosides (r=0.63) and total measured isoflavones (r=0.64). The correlation between estimated soy protein and total measured isoflavones was 0.61.Observed moderate correlations, indicate that our estimated isoflavone content may be a good measure of actual content.Support or Funding InformationMcClean Funds for Nutrition Research
The Total Phenolics Content of Fruit & Vegetable Extracts Does Not Correlate with Activation of the Anti‐Oxidant Response in Human Cells
Authors: Orena Stephen Joseph , Owen Jennifer , Jin Fuxia , Fabian Morgan , Gillitt Nicholas , Zeisel Steven 
Published: November 2023

Anti‐oxidants in foods are traditionally thought to act by trapping free radicals thereby preventing cellular damage to organelles, membranes and DNA. However the structures and properties of many of these molecules suggest they are poor free radical scavengers and may even function as weak pro‐oxidants (electrophiles) that can activate the NRF2/anti‐oxidant response element (ARE) pathway in cells. Traditional approaches for identifying anti‐oxidant molecules in foods, such as total phenolics (TP) content or oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) do not measure the capacity to activate AREs.Fruits and vegetables were homogenized, extracted with acidified ethanol, lyophilized, and resuspended in growth medium. The TP content and ORAC activity were measured for each extract. Extracts were screened for activation of the anti‐oxidant response element (ARE)‐Firefly luciferase reporter in transiently transfected human IMR‐32 neuroblastoma cells treated for 5 hours. Firefly luciferase was normalized to constitutively expressed Renilla luciferase with tertiary‐butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) as a positive control. Relationships between TP and ORAC with ARE activity were determined. Extracts identified as active in the ARE reporter screen were then tested for activation of anti‐oxidant genes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). After a 5 hour exposure, total RNA was purified and RT‐PCR performed to assess expression of the anti‐oxidant genes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Relationships between TP and gene expression activity were determined.107 of 134 extracts tested significantly activated the ARE luciferase reporter from 1.2 to 58 fold above that of the solvent control (P<0.05) in human IMR‐32 cells. ARE activity, TP content, and ORAC ranked higher in peels versus associated flesh. Despite this relation, ARE activity did not correlate with TP content (Spearman rho=0.05, P=0.6) and only modestly but negatively correlated with ORAC (Spearman rho=−0.2, P<0.01). Many extracts activated the ARE more than predicted by the TP content or ORAC. Active extracts from the ARE screen significantly increased expression of anti‐oxidant genes in PBMCs. As with the ARE reporter, TP content of the extracts did not correlate with extract‐induced expression of NQO1 (Spearman rho=−0.3, P=0.3), GCLM (Spearman rho=−0.2, P=0.5), TXNRD1 (Spearman rho=−0.1, P=0.8) and GSR (Spearman rho=−0.3, P=0.3).These data suggest that measuring the endogenous anti‐oxidant gene expression response is likely a better predictor of the anti‐oxidant benefits of fruits and vegetables than TP content or ORAC.Support or Funding InformationDole Food Company
Clinical Evidence of a Protective Role for CXCL5 in Coronary Artery Disease Progression in the Elderly
Authors: Schisler Jonathan C. , Schuck Robert , Dai Xuming , Lenhart Kaitlin , Lee Craig R. , Stouffer George A. , Patterson Cam 
Published: November 2023

Advanced age is associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease and poor prognosis in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the pathophysiology underlying CAD in older individuals may be distinct from that in younger individuals. Therefore, we utilized candidate biomarker and systems biology approaches to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of CAD in older adults. We enrolled individuals who were at least 65 years of age and undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Coronary artery disease (CAD) severity was quantified in each subject via coronary angiography by calculating a CAD score. Circulating biomarkers of inflammation and mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified. We identified 553 genes (FDR<7%) that correlated with CAD severity and consisted of clusters of inflammatory genes, p38 MAPK signaling genes, and leukocyte activation, consistent with a heightened inflammatory state. The enriched expression of genes related to leukocyte activation suggested that inflammation mediated by the mobilization of leukocytes impacts the CAD gene expression signature and perhaps the extent of disease. We used the functional gene expression analysis to identify candidate circulating molecules that could propagate the CAD‐associated inflammatory response through recruitment of leukocytes to the area of injury. One class of molecules known to recruit leukocytes is the ELR+‐CXCL chemokine family. One chemokine of interest was the leukocyte‐derived CXCL5 (initially described as ENA‐78) in particular due to its ability to activate p38 and its proposed role as a key mediator in the formation of a inflammatory microenvironment in cancer and tuberculosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that the CXCL5 levels would be higher in patients with obstructive CAD and with increased CAD severity. We performed the analyses on CXCL5 plasma levels and surprisingly we observed a negative association of CXCL5 levels with CAD at an odds ratio (OR) of 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.27 − 0.75). Controlling for known covariates including gender and statin use, the OR was not significantly affected, 0.54 (0.30 − 0.91), consistent with a protective role for CXCL5 in coronary atherosclerosis. Our data are consistent with a recent study in a mouse model of atherosclerosis that demonstrated that CXCL5 is protective in atherosclerosis by limiting foam cell accumulation at the site of injury (doi:10.1172/JCI66580). It is unclear if CXCL5 limits foam cell formation in humans, however our clinical findings are consistent with the emerging link between chemokines and foam cell formation and represents a new therapeutic target for CAD.Support or Funding Information5R01HL065619‐13 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute