Identification of Molecules from Coffee Silverskin That Suppresses Myostatin Activity and Improves Muscle Mass and Strength in Mice

Coffee has been shown to attenuate sarcopenia, the age-associated muscle atrophy. Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the TGF-β growth/differentiation factor superfamily, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, and MSTN-inhibition increases muscle mass or prevents muscle atrophy. This study, thus, investigated the presence of MSTN-inhibitory capacity in coffee extracts. The ethanol-extract of coffee silverskin (CSE) but not other extracts demonstrated anti-MSTN activity in a pGL3-(CAGA)₁₂-luciferase reporter gene assay. CSE also blocked Smad3 phosphorylation induced by MSTN but not by GDF11 or Activin A in Western blot analysis, demonstrating its capacity to block the binding of MSTN to its receptor. Oral administration of CSE significantly increased forelimb muscle mass and grip strength in mice. Using solvent partitioning, solid-phase chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, two peaks having MSTN-inhibitory capacity were purified from CSE. The two peaks were identified as ^βN-arachinoyl−5-hydroxytryptamide (C₂₀−5HT) and ^βN-behenoyl−5-hydroxytryptamide (C₂₂−5HT) using mass spectrometry and NMR analysis. In summary, the results show that CSE has the MSTN-inhibitory capacity, and C₂₀−5HT and C₂₂−5HT are active components of CSE-suppressing MSTN activity, suggesting the potential of CSE, C₂₀−5HT, and C₂₂−5HT being developed as agents to combat muscle atrophy and metabolic syndrome.     

Identification of bioactive compounds in Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction using β2‐adrenoceptor affinity chromatography

Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction, a Chinese herbal formula, is composed of Paeoniae Radix alba and Glycyrrhiza Radix et rhizoma . It has been widely used to treat muscle spasms and asthma. However, little is known about the bioactive components of Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction. In the present study, the bioactive compounds in water‐extract of Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction were separated by the immobilized β₂‐adrenoceptor affinity column and identified using quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The affinity constants of the separated compounds that bind to β₂‐adrenoceptor were determined by frontal analysis. Compound bioactivity was tested in a rat tracheal smooth muscle relaxation assay. We identified the bioactive compounds in the water extract of Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction that bound to the β₂‐adrenoceptor as paeoniflorin and liquiritin. Paeoniflorin and liquiritin had only one binding site on the immobilized β₂‐adrenoceptor, and the affinity constants were (2.16 ± 0.10) × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and (2.95 ± 0.15) × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. Both compounds induced a concentration‐dependent relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle following K⁺‐stimulated contraction, and the relaxation effects were abrogated by the β₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118551. Therefore, paeoniflorin and liquiritin are bioactive compounds in Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction and the β₂‐adrenoceptor affinity chromatography is a useful tool for identifying potential β₂‐adrenoceptor ligands in natural products used in traditional Chinese medicine.     

Lymph Nodes Draining Infections Investigated by PET and Immunohistochemistry in a Juvenile Porcine Model

Background: [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹¹C]methionine accumulate in lymph nodes draining S. aureus -infected foci. The lymph nodes were characterized by weight, [¹¹C]methionine- and [¹⁸F]FDG-positron emissions tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), and immunohistochemical (IHC)-staining. Methods: 20 pigs inoculated with S. aureus into the right femoral artery were PET/CT-scanned with [¹⁸F]FDG, and nine of the pigs were additionally scanned with [¹¹C]methionine. Mammary, medial iliac, and popliteal lymph nodes from the left and right hind limbs were weighed. IHC-staining for calculations of area fractions of Ki-67, L1, and IL-8 positive cells was done in mammary and popliteal lymph nodes from the nine pigs. Results: The pigs developed one to six osteomyelitis foci. Some pigs developed contiguous infections of peri-osseous tissue and inoculation-site abscesses. Weights of mammary and medial iliac lymph nodes and their [¹⁸F]FDG maximum Standardized Uptake Values (SUV_FDGmax) showed a significant increase in the inoculated limb compared to the left limb. Popliteal lymph node weight and their FDG uptake did not differ significantly between hind limbs. Area fractions of Ki-67 and IL-8 in the right mammary lymph nodes and SUV_Metmax in the right popliteal lymph nodes were significantly increased compared with the left side. Conclusion: The PET-tracers [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹¹C]methionine, and the IHC- markers Ki-67 and IL-8, but not L1, showed increased values in lymph nodes draining soft tissues infected with S. aureus. The increase in [¹¹C]methionine may indicate a more acute lymph node response, whereas an increase in [¹⁸F]FDG may indicate a more chronic response.     

Comparative studies on soluble and immobilized rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase

Rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase was immobilized by covalent attachment to a polyacrylamide support (Akrilex C) containing carboxylic functional groups. As a result of immobilization, the pH optimum for catalytic activity shifted into a more alkaline direction. The apparentK _m value with phosphoenolpyruvate increased, and that with ADP slightly decreased. With respect to the stability against urea and thermal inactivation, the immobilized pyruvate kinase seemed to be the more stable at lower urea concentrations and between 45 and 55°C. At 1.5 and 2.5M urea and at higher temperature, there were no marked differences between the soluble and the immobilized enzyme.     

用反相高效液相色谱法测定小鼠心肌、骨骼肌中AT P、AD P和AM P的含量

采用反相高效液相色谱法同时测定小鼠心肌、骨骼肌组织中ATP(三磷酸腺苷 )、ADP(二磷酸腺苷 )、AMP(一磷酸腺苷 )的含量。以150mmol/L磷酸二氢钾缓冲液 (pH=6.25)为流动相 ,采用BDShypersilC18 不锈钢色谱柱 ,紫外检测波长为254nm ,线性范围为1～200mg/L。ATP、ADP和AMP的平均加标回收率均在90 %以上 ,检出限分别为10ng、10ng、15ng。该法灵敏、准确 ,试剂费用低。     

Thermal stability of rat uterus during development

Summary The age dependence of thermal denaturation was monitored in rats anaesthetized after they're born at 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th, 35^thand 42^nddays. The samples were stored in rigor or physiological saline solution. The DSC scans in the early age groups show a low temperature exotherm (connective tissues: from gel to liquid crystal transition) and one endotherm (it is very probably the myosin). During further development the endotherms became more and more complex (due to the development of contractile system). At 42 days the scans seem to be similar to the adult ones. In the two buffers the endotherms markedly differ showing that the ATPase activity is present. In adult uterus, treated with nucleotides or estrogen, this activity significantly differs from the skeletal muscle. On the basis of our results we suppose, that the age dependent changes are decisive processes in the development of rat uterus.     

丝素蛋白修饰改性的聚羟基脂肪酸酯支架上人体平滑肌细胞的生长

聚三羟基丁酸脂和聚三羟基己酸脂的共聚物(PHBHH_x)是一种具有良好强度和韧性的生物可降解高分子材料, 可作为组织工程心脏瓣膜支架的选择材料之一. 但其生物相容性尚不甚理想. 为此, 本工作利用丝素蛋白修饰改性高分子多孔支架, 以提高支架的生物相容性. 并将人体平滑肌细胞接种在该复合支架上进行体外培养, 以证实改性效果. 其中, 用3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐(MTT)方法测试细胞生长, 评估复合支架的细胞相容性. 并用扫描电子显微镜观察细胞在支架上的生长形态. 结果显示, 丝素蛋白修饰改性后的复合支架更有利于细胞的粘附与生长, 平滑肌细胞在支架上表现出良好的生长形态. 这表明, 丝素能够改善多孔支架的生物相容性, 使PHBHH_x/丝素蛋白复合物能更适宜作为组织工程心脏瓣膜的支架材料. 结果对于进一步研究细胞外间质在复合支架上的生长以及体外培养的组织重建有重要的参考意义.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定育肥猪配合饲料中的阿奇霉素

通过对提取溶剂、净化方法及色谱-质谱条件的优化,建立了配合饲料中阿奇霉素(AZM)的液相色谱-串联质谱测定方法。样品经乙腈超声波提取,MCX固相萃取柱净化,BDS Hypersil C_(18)(2.4μm,100 mm×2.1 mm)色谱柱分离,以甲醇-0.05 mol/L乙酸铵水溶液为流动相梯度洗脱,正离子模式电离,多反应监测模式检测,同位素内标法定量。在优化条件下,AZM在1~250μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r~2)为0.999 1,检出限(S/N≥3)为2.8μg/kg,定量下限(S/N≥10)为8.4μg/kg;在0.5,1,5,10 mg/kg加标水平下,回收率为87.0%~106.6%,批内相对标准偏差为0.58%~5.4%,批间相对标准偏差为3.1%~5.4%。该方法准确、灵敏,选择性强,基质干扰小,可用于配合饲料中AZM的测定。     

Simple extraction method for quantification of phenothiazine residues in pork muscle using liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, an analytical method was developed for quantification of residues of the anthelmintic drug phenothiazine (PTZ) in pork muscle using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Muscles were extracted using 0.2% formic acid and 10 mm ammonium formate in acetonitrile, defatted and purified using n ‐hexane. The drug was well separated on a Waters XBridge™ C₁₈ analytical column using a binary solvent system consisting of 0.2% formic acid and 10 mm ammonium formate in ultrapure water (A) and acetonitrile (B). Good linearity was achieved over a six‐point concentration range in matrix‐matched calibration with determination coefficient =0.9846. Fortified pork muscle having concentrations equivalent to and double the limit of quantification (1 ng/g) yielded recovery ranges between 100.82 and 104.03% and relative standard deviations <12%. Samples (n = 5) collected from large markets located in Seoul City tested negative for PTZ residue. In conclusion, 0.2% formic acid and ammonium formate in acetonitrile can effectively extract PTZ from pork muscle without solid‐phase extraction, a step normally required for cleanup before analysis and the validated method can be used for routine analysis to ensure the quality of animal products.     

Enzymatic Preparation of Coniferaldehyde from Coniferyl Benzoate ex. Siam Benzoin

Siam benzoin is a natural resin that contains up to 65% of coniferyl benzoate. Treatment of this material with an esterase followed by an alcohol dehydrogenase in a one-pot procedure gave 1.5 g/L coniferaldehyde in 36% molar yield. Several lipases and esterases were tested, but only pig liver esterase gave significant results. Various alcohol oxidases and alcohol dehydrogenases were screened for their ability to oxidize coniferyl alcohol to coniferaldehyde. Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase coupled with a cofactor regeneration system was the most efficient of the enzymes tested.