The effect of single dietary fibre (DF) on lowering uric acid (UA) level has been reported in the literature. However, the potential protective mechanism of DF against potassium oxybate-induced hyperuricaemia (HUA), as modelled by prophylactic administration, remains unclear. The data demonstrate that DF significantly decreased serum and cerebral tissue UA concentrations, inhibited xanthine oxidase expression and activity in the liver and reduced levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen in the serum. Additionally, it mitigated the deposition of amyloid-β in cerebral tissue. Correlation analysis showed that DF modulated the Toll-like receptor 4/NF-κB signalling pathway, attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in HUA mice. Additionally, DF helps to maintain the composition of the gut microbiota, reducing harmful Desulfovibrio and enriching beneficial Akkermansia and Ruminococcus populations. The results of the faecal metabolomics analysis indicate that DF facilitates the regulation of metabolic pathways involved in oxidative stress and inflammation. These pathways include pyrimidine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and vitamin B6 metabolism. Additionally, the study found that DF has a preventive effect on anxiety-like behaviour induced by HUA. In summary, DF shows promise in mitigating HUA and cognitive deficits, primarily by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an egg white hydrolysate (EWH) to protect white adipose tissue damage from cardiometabolic changes induced by severe hypertension. Male Wistar rats were uninephrectomised and divided: SHAM (weekly subcutaneous vehicle (mineral oil + propylene glycol, 1:1)), SHAM + EWH (subcutaneous vehicle plus EWH via gavage, 1 g/kg per day), DOCA (deoxycorticosterone acetate diluted in vehicle subcutaneously weekly in subsequent doses of 20 mg/kg -1st week, 12 mg/kg - 2–3th week, and 6 mg/kg -4–8th week, respectively, plus 1 % NaCl and 0·2 % KCl in drinking water), and DOCA + EWH. Body weight gain, food and water intake, glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated. Oxidative stress was assessed by biochemical assay and immunofluorescence for NOX-1, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and caspase-3 in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (rtWAT). Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and 1β), CD163+ macrophage infiltration, and immunohistochemistry for TNFα and uncoupling protein-1 were evaluated, as well as histological analysis on rtWAT. Glutathione peroxidase and reductase were also determined in plasma. EWH showed hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties in the arterial hypertension DOCA-salt model. The results demonstrated the presence of functional changes in adipose tissue function by a decrease in macrophage infiltration and in the fluorescence intensity of NFκB, NOX-1, and caspase-3. A reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and restoration of antioxidant enzymatic activity and mitochondrial oxidative damage by reducing uncoupling protein-1 fluorescence intensity were also observed. EWH could be used as a potential alternative therapeutic strategy in the treatment of cardiometabolic complications associated with malignant secondary arterial hypertension.

The effects of monolaurin (ML) on the health of piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) have not been fully understood. This study aimed to investigate its role in blood biochemical profile, intestinal barrier function, antioxidant function and the expression of antiviral genes in piglets infected with PEDV. Thirty-two piglets were randomly divided into four groups: control group, ML group, PEDV group and ML + PEDV group. Piglets were orally administrated with ML at a dose of 100 mg/kg·BW for 7 d before PEDV infection. Results showed that PEDV infection significantly decreased D-xylose content and increased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein content, indicating that PEDV infection destroyed intestinal barrier and absorption function. While it could be repaired by ML administration. Moreover, ML administration significantly decreased plasma blood urea nitrogen and total protein content upon PEDV infection. These results suggested ML may increase protein utilisation efficiency. ML administration significantly decreased the number of large unstained cells and Hb and increased the number of leucocytes and eosinophils in the blood of PEDV-infected piglets, indicating ML could improve the immune defense function of the body. In the presence of PEDV infection, ML administration significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in blood and colon, respectively, indicating ML could improve antioxidant capacity. Besides, ML administration reversed the expression of ISG15, IFIT3 and IL-29 throughout the small intestine and Mx1 in jejunum and ileum, indicating the body was in recovery from PEDV infection. This study suggests that ML could be used as a kind of feed additive to promote swine health upon PEDV infection.

Zn is an important trace element involved in various biochemical processes in aquatic species. An 8-week rearing trial was thus conducted to investigate the effects of Zn on juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by feeding seven diets, respectively, supplemented with no Zn (Con), 60 and 120 mg/kg inorganic Zn (Sul60 and Sul120), and 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg organic Zn (Bio30, Bio60, Bio90 and Bio120). Sul120 and Bio120 groups showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate than Con group, with Bio60 group obtaining the lowest viscerosomatic index and hepatosomatic index. 60 or 90 mg/kg organic Zn significantly facilitated whole body Zn retention. Up-regulation of hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and decline of malondialdehyde contents indicated augmented antioxidant capacities by organic Zn. Zn treatment also lowered plasma aminotransferase levels while promoting acid phosphatase activity and hepatic transcription levels of alp1, acp1 and lyz-c than deprivation of Zn. The alterations in whole body and liver crude lipid and plasma TAG contents illustrated the regulatory effect of Zn on lipid metabolism, which could be possibly attributed to the changes in hepatic expressions of acc1, pparγ, atgl and cpt1. These findings demonstrated the capabilities of Zn in potentiating growth and morphological performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity as well as regulating lipid metabolism in M. salmoides. Organic Zn could perform comparable effects at same or lower supplementation levels than inorganic Zn, suggesting its higher efficiency. 60 mg/kg supplementation of organic Zn could effectively cover the requirements of M. salmoides.

For the omnivorous Cherax quadricarinatus crayfish, plant raw materials can be good alternatives to dietary fish meal (FM). A 56-d feeding trial was conducted in C. quadricarinatus (11·70 (se 0·13) g). Diet with 100 % FM as the protein source was the control. Seven experimental diets were formulated by replacing 75 or 100 % of FM with soyabean meal (SM75, SM100) or cottonseed meal (CM75 and CM100), and a mixture of SM and CM (protein content is 1:1) replacing 50, 75 or 100 % of FM (SC50, SC75 and SC100). Crayfish fed the CM100 and SC100 showed significantly lower weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, trypsin and pepsin activities compared with the control diet. Crayfish in CM100 group showed significantly higher GPx, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase activities and malondialdehyde content than the control. SM100 and CM100 diets can cause slight separation of the peritrophic membrane from the intestinal folds. The pepsin activity of crayfish in SC50 was significantly higher than those in other experimental diets. The highest WG and muscle arginine content were also found in crayfish fed SC50. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Candidatus Bacilloplasma was significantly higher, but Actinobacteriota was significantly lower in SM100, CM100 and SC100 than in control. Microbiota functional prediction indicated that the relative abundance of ‘cell motility’ pathway in crayfish fed CM100 was significantly decreased compared with the control. In conclusion, only half of the FM can be effectively substituted with a mixture of SM and CM (protein content is 1:1) for C. quadricarinatus.

Overexposure to Se is detrimental to glucose metabolism, mainly because of its pro-oxidant effects and the overexpression of selenoproteins. This systematic review evaluated the effects of Se supplementation on glycaemic control in healthy rodents. The methodology followed the PRISMA. We searched the databases for articles published up to May 2022. The risk of bias and the methodological quality were assessed using the SYRCLE and CAMARADES. The results are presented as meta-analytic estimates of the overall standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95 % CI. Of the 2359 records retrieved, thirteen studies were included, of which eleven used sodium selenite and two used zero-valent Se nanoparticles as supplement. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Generally, the risk of bias was high, and 23·1 % of the studies were of high quality. Supplementation with sodium selenite significantly increased fasting blood glucose (SMD = 2·57 (95 % CI (1·07, 4·07)), I2 = 93·5 % (P = 0·001). Subgroup analyses showed effect size was larger for interventions lasting between 21 and 28 d (SMD = 25·74 (95 % CI (2·29, 9·18)), I2 = 96·1 % (P = 0·001)) and for a dose of 864·7 μg/kg/d of sodium selenite (SMD = 10·26 (95 % CI (2·42, 18·11), I2 = 97·1 % (P = 0·010)). However, it did not affect glutathione peroxidase activity (SMD = 0·60 (95 % CI (-0·71, 1·91)), I2 = 83·2 % (P = 0·37)). The current analysis demonstrated the adverse effects of sodium selenite supplementation on glycaemic control in healthy rodents.

Selenium is found at the active centre of twenty-five selenoproteins which have a variety of roles, including the well-characterised function of antioxidant defense, but it also is claimed to be involved in the immune system. However, due to limited and conflicting data for different parameters of immune function, intakes of selenium that have an influence on immune function are uncertain. This review covers the relationship between selenium and immune function in man, focusing on the highest level of evidence, namely that generated by randomised controlled trials (RCT), in which the effect of selective administration of selenium, in foods or a supplement, on immune function was assessed. A total of nine RCT were identified from a systematic search of the literature, and some of these trials reported effects on T and natural killer cells, which were dependent on the dose and form of selenium administered, but little effect of selenium on humoral immunity. There is clearly a need to undertake dose–response analysis of cellular immunity data in order to derive quantitative relationships between selenium intake and measures of immune function. Overall, limited effects on immunity emerged from experimental studies in human subjects, though additional investigation on the potential influence of selenium status on cellular immunity appears to be warranted.

In this review, the relevance of selenium (Se) to viral disease will be discussed paying particular attention to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Se, the active centre in selenoproteins has an ongoing history of reducing the incidence and severity of viral infections. Host Se deficiency increased the virulence of RNA viruses such as influenza A and coxsackievirus B3, the latter of which is implicated in the development of Keshan disease in north-east China. Significant clinical benefits of Se supplementation have been demonstrated in HIV-1, in liver cancer linked to hepatitis B, and in Chinese patients with hantavirus that was successfully treated with oral sodium selenite. China is of particular interest because it has populations that have both the lowest and the highest Se status in the world. We found a significant association between COVID-19 cure rate and background Se status in Chinese cities; the cure rate continued to rise beyond the Se intake required to optimise selenoproteins, suggesting an additional mechanism. Se status was significantly higher in serum samples from surviving than non-surviving COVID-19 patients. As regards mechanism, SARS-CoV-2 may interfere with the human selenoprotein system; selenoproteins are important in scavenging reactive oxygen species, controlling immunity, reducing inflammation, ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We found that SARS-CoV-2 significantly suppressed mRNA expression of GPX4, of the ER selenoproteins, SELENOF, SELENOM, SELENOK and SELENOS and down-regulated TXNRD3. Based on the available data, both selenoproteins and redox-active Se species (mimicking ebselen, an inhibitor of the main SARS-CoV-2 protease that enables viral maturation within the host) could employ their separate mechanisms to attenuate virus-triggered oxidative stress, excessive inflammatory responses and immune-system dysfunction, thus improving the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an efficient method to improve vascular function, maximal oxygen consumption, and muscle mitochondrial capacity. However, acute HIIT overstresses the oxidative system and causes muscle soreness and damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of date seeds on exercise-induced oxidative stress and aerobic and anaerobic performance following HIIT sessions. Thirty-six physically active men and women aged 18–35 years were assigned to take 26 g/d of date seed powder (DSP, n 18) or wheat bran powder (placebo, n 18) before and after HIIT workouts for 14 d. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), total oxidant status (TOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-iso-PGF2α were determined at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and 24-h post-intervention. We used the Cooper and running-based anaerobic sprint test to assess aerobic and anaerobic performance at the study’s beginning and end. Independent-samples Student’s t tests, ANCOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to compare the quantitative variables. Positive changes were observed in TAC, TOS, OSI, GPx, MDA and visual analogue scale after intervention and at 24-h post-exercise (P < 0·05). Likewise, peak power and fatigue index were significantly improved in DSP in comparison with the placebo group. Levels of SOD, uric acid, 8-iso-PGF2α, VO2 max and average power were not changed after training. Our results showed that date seed supplementation in active participants performing HIIT bouts ameliorated oxidative stress and improved performance parameters.

Atlantic salmon were fed diets containing graded levels of EPA + DHA (1·0, 1·3, 1·6 and 3·5 % in the diet) and one diet with 1·3 % of EPA + DHA with reduced total fat content. Fish were reared in sea cages from about 275 g until harvest size (about 5 kg) and were subjected to delousing procedure (about 2·5 kg), with sampling pre-, 1 h and 24 h post-stress. Delousing stress affected plasma cortisol and hepatic mRNA expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and immune response, but with no dietary effects. Increasing EPA + DHA levels in the diet increased the trace mineral levels in plasma and liver during mechanical delousing stress period and whole body at harvest size. The liver Se, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn and plasma Se levels were increased in fish fed a diet high in EPA + DHA (3·5 %) upon delousing stress. Furthermore, increased dietary EPA + DHA caused a significant increase in mRNA expression of hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (HAMP), which is concurrent with downregulated transferrin receptor (TFR) expression levels. High dietary EPA + DHA also significantly increased the whole-body Zn, Se, and Mn levels at harvest size fish. Additionally, the plasma and whole-body Zn status increased, respectively, during stress and at harvest size in fish fed reduced-fat diet with less EPA + DHA. As the dietary upper limits of Zn and Se are legally added to the feeds and play important roles in maintaining fish health, knowledge on how the dietary fatty acid composition and lipid level affect body stores of these minerals is crucial for the aquaculture industry.

Aerobic organisms need antioxidant defense systems to deal with free radicals which either are produced during aerobic respiration or may have an external origin. Oxidative stress, which is resulted from an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of antioxidant defense mechanism to deactivate them, is involved in the development of many chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, CVD and some neurodegenerative diseases. Reinforcing the antioxidant potential of the body has been considered as a strategy that could prevent and manage such conditions. In the previous review article published by British Journal of Nutrition, in 2014, for the first time, we concluded that riboflavin could alleviate oxidative stress. Although riboflavin can serve as a prooxidant when exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, the literature is replete with studies that support its antioxidant properties. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that riboflavin may have a therapeutic potential in many conditions in which oxidative stress is involved, although the therapeutic efficacy of riboflavin as an antioxidant requires further study under conditions of wellness and clinical disease.

Consumption of edible insects has been widely suggested as an environmentally sustainable substitute for meat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the novel research field for edible insects relies on the content of bioactive ingredients and on the ability to induce a functional effect in humans. The goal of this manuscript is to review the available body of evidence on the properties of edible insects in modulating oxidative and inflammatory stress, platelet aggregation, lipid and glucose metabolism and weight control. A search for literature investigating the functional role of edible insects was carried out in the PubMed database using specific keywords. A total of 55 studies, meeting inclusion criteria after screening, were divided on the basis of the experimental approach: in vitro studies, cellular models/ex vivo studies or in vivo studies. In the majority of the studies, insects demonstrated the ability to reduce oxidative stress, modulate antioxidant status, restore the impaired activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce markers of oxidative damage. Edible insects displayed anti-inflammatory activity reducing cytokines and modulating specific transcription factors. Results from animal studies suggest that edible insects can modulate lipid and glucose metabolism. The limited number of studies focused on the assessment of anti-coagulation activity of edible insects makes it difficult to draw conclusions. More evidence from dietary intervention studies in humans is needed to support the promising evidence from in vitro and animal models about the functional role of edible insect consumption.

To understand why Procapra przewalskii does not show the same white myopathy as sheep in Se-deficient regions and to provide reference for feeding nutrition level of artificial population and selection of wild reintroduction areas in the later period, a Se-deficient model was established. The mineral elements content, physiological and biochemical parameters in blood and serum metabonomics were determined. In the Se-deficient group compared with the control group, the Se content was highly significantly lower (P < 0·01), and the Cu content was significantly higher (P < 0·05). The activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly lower (P < 0·05), but total superoxide dismutase was significantly higher (P < 0·05). By matching the mass spectrum data of compounds with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG database), eighty-six types of differential metabolites in the serum were identified. The main metabolic pathways included secondary bile acid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and pyrimidine metabolism. Further analysis showed that there were seven different metabolites in pyrimidine metabolism pathway between the two groups. And there was no significant difference in erythrocyte, Hb and total antioxidant capacity between the two groups (P > 0·05). The above results showed that the differential metabolism of substances exhibited complementary functions, thus alleviating some adverse effects and resulting normal activities of P. przewalskii can be carried out under the condition of dietary Se content lower than 0·05 mg/kg.

The present study evaluated effects of dietary supplementation with tryptophan (Trp) on muscle growth, protein synthesis and antioxidant capacity in hybrid catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli♀ × Leiocassis longirostris♂. Fish were fed six different diets containing 2·6 (control), 3·1, 3·7, 4·2, 4·7 and 5·6 g Trp/kg diet for 56 d, respectively. Results showed that dietary Trp significantly (1) improved muscle protein content, fibre density and frequency of fibre diameter; (2) up-regulated the mRNA levels of PCNA, myf5, MyoD1, MyoG, MRF4, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, PIK3Ca, TOR, 4EBP1 and S6K1; (3) increased phosphorylation levels of AKT, TOR and S6K1; (4) decreased contents of MDA and PC, and increased activities of CAT, GST, GR, ASA and AHR; (5) up-regulated mRNA levels of CuZnSOD, CAT, GST, GPx, GCLC and Nrf2, and decreased Keap1 mRNA level; (6) increased nuclear Nrf2 protein level and the intranuclear antioxidant response element-binding ability, and reduced Keap1 protein level. These results indicated that dietary Trp improved muscle growth, protein synthesis as well as antioxidant capacity, which might be partly related to myogenic regulatory factors, IGF/PIK3Ca/AKT/TOR and Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathways. Finally, based on the quadratic regression analysis of muscle protein and MDA contents, the optimal Trp requirements of hybrid catfish (21·82–39·64 g) were estimated to be 3·94 and 3·93 g Trp/kg diet (9·57 and 9·54 g/kg of dietary protein), respectively.

l-Citrulline (l-Cit) is a non-essential amino acid that stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production and improves exercise performance by reducing muscle damage indices; however, the direct benefits of l-Cit on antioxidant markers are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine antioxidant responses to high-intensity interval exercise following acute l-Cit supplementation. Nine young men (21 (sd 1) years) participated in a double-blind crossover study in which they received 12 g of l-Cit and placebo (PL) an hour prior to high-intensity interval exercise on two occasions, separated by a 7-d washout period. Blood samples were obtained before (PRE), immediately after (IP), 10 (10P) and 30 min after exercise (30P) from the cubital vein using standard procedures. Serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and NO metabolites (NOx) were measured. The exercise protocol significantly elevated SOD (P = 0·01) and GPx (P = 0·048) from PRE to 10P in the l-Cit group with greater changes than the PL group. CAT concentrations increased IP (P = 0·014) and remained elevated at 10P (P = 0·03) and 30P (P = 0·015) in both the l-Cit and PL conditions. NOx concentrations increased IP (P = 0·05) in the l-Cit group with greater changes than PL group in PRE to IP, PRE to 10P and PRE to 30P (P < 0·05). Our data indicate that l-Cit supplementation (single 12 g dose pre-exercise) induces improvements in antioxidant markers following a session of high-intensity interval exercise in young men.

The study was conducted to determine the effects of three dietary Se sources, such as sodium-selenite (S-S), seleno-yeast (S-Y) and seleno-methionine (S-M), on Se concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and TXNRD activities, and mRNA expression of fifteen representative selenoproteins, and protein expression of four endoplasmic reticulum-resided selenoproteins in a wide range of tissues of yellow catfish. Compared with S-S and S-M groups, dietary S-Y significantly decreased growth performance and feed utilisation of yellow catfish. Dietary Se sources significantly influenced Se contents in the spleen, dorsal muscle and the kidney, GPX activities in spleen, kidney, intestine, muscle and mesenteric fat, and TXNRD activities in the heart, intestine and mesenteric fat. Among ten tested tissues, dietary Se sources influenced mRNA expression of GPX4 and SELENOK in three tissues; GPX3, SELENOS and TXNRD2 in four tissues; SELENOF, SELENON and DIO2 in five tissues; SELENOM, GPX1/2 and TXNRD3 in six tissues; SELENOW in seven tissue and SELENOP and SELENOT in eight tissues. Based on these observations above, S-S and S-M seem to be suitable Se sources for improving growth performance and feed utilisation of yellow catfish. Dietary Se sources differentially influence the expression of selenoproteins in various tissues of yellow catfish. For the first time, we determined the expression of selenoproteins in fish in responses to dietary Se sources, which contributes to a better understanding of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of selenoporteins.

Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could indirectly, as well directly, influence metabolic parameters related to health effects in response to selenium (Se) supplementation. This study aimed to investigate whether the selenoprotein SNPs were associated with the response of Se status biomarkers to the Brazil nut consumption in patients using statins and if the variation in Se homoeostasis could affect antioxidant protection, lipid profile, muscle homoeostasis and selenoproteins mRNA. The study was performed in the Ribeirão Preto Medical School University Hospital. Thirty-two patients using statins received one unit of Brazil nut daily for 3 months. Body composition, blood Se concentrations, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triacylglycerol (TAG), creatine kinase (CK) activity and gene expression of GPX1 and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) were evaluated before and after Brazil nut consumption. The volunteers were genotyped for SNP in GPX1 (rs1050450) and SELENOP (rs3877899 and rs7579). SNPs in selenoproteins were not associated with plasma and erythrocyte Se, but SNPs in SELENOP influenced the response of erythrocyte GPX activity and CK activity, TAG and LDL after Brazil nut consumption. Also, Brazil nut consumption increased GPX1 mRNA expression only in subjects with rs1050450 CC genotype. SELENOP mRNA expression was significantly lower in subjects with rs7579 GG genotype before and after the intervention. Thus, SNP in SELENOP could be associated with interindividual differences in Se homeostasis after Brazil nut consumption, emphasising the involvement of genetic variability in response to Se consumption towards health maintenance and disease prevention.

Obesity is often introduced as one of the metabolic disorders caused by imbalance between energy consumption and metabolisable energy intake. Experts in the field considered obesity as one of the robust risk factors for the lifestyle-associated diseases. The present research examined interventional effects of marine chitosan (CS), swimming training (ST) and combination of CS and ST (CS + ST) in the mice fed with high-fat diets (HFD). In this study, sample size was considered more than three in groups. Forty mice were randomly divided into five groups (n 8 per group) including control group (received the standard diet), HFD group (received high-fat food with 20 % fat), HFD + CS group (treated with high-fat food with 5 % CS), HFD + ST group (treated with HFD and ST) and HFD + CS + ST group (treated with high-fat food with 5 % CS and ST). After 8 weeks, the blood glucose, oxidative stress (OS) and lipid profile were measured. The results showed that CS + ST group has more effects in the control of body weight with the increased concentration of HDL-cholesterol, OS inhibition via enhancing the body antioxidant capacity in comparison with the ST or CS alone in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, lipid profile was improved in CS + ST-treated mice compared with HFD-treated mice, and OS inhibition correlated with the greater activities of the antioxidant enzyme enhances the lipid oxidation, cholesterol and fatty acid homoeostasis. The results suggested that a dietary intervention with a combined ST and CS can be a feasible supplementary for human prevention of obesity.

Alcohol abuse causes severe metabolic abnormalities inducing hepatic damage and malnutrition. Since higher Fischer ratio proteins have therapeutic value in liver diseases, an investigation was undertaken to study the ameliorative effect of the enhanced Fischer ratio flaxseed protein hydrolysate (EFR-FPH) alone and in combination with antioxidant micronutrients on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. The EFR-FPH was prepared by dual enzymatic hydrolysis and charcoal treatment of flaxseed protein. The ratio of the branched-chain:aromatic amino acids (Fischer ratio) was found to be 7·08. The EFR-FPH, characterised using LC-MS/MS, showed the abundance of free leucine and isoleucine compared with phenylalanine and tyrosine. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight MS analysis revealed the larger peptides present in EFR-FPH with mass 2·3 kDa. The EFR-FPH improved the nutritional status, liver function and antioxidant defense in the ethanol hepatotoxicity-induced rat model. The hepatoprotective effect of EFR-FPH was significantly enhanced when combined with selenium or vitamin E. Ethanol-induced changes in the liver tissue were effectively suppressed in the groups receiving EFR-FPH. Flaxseed-based hepatoprotective dietary supplement was formulated incorporating an optimum level of EFR-FPH (10 %) based on sensory acceptability and was fortified with selenium and vitamin E. The hepatoprotective formulation significantly lowered aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin by 47, 61, 55 and 78 %, respectively, and improved the antioxidant defense in the ethanol hepatotoxicity-induced rat model. The current investigation suggests that EFR-FPH in synergy with antioxidant micronutrients is potent in ameliorating ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and has a potential to form a hepatoprotective dietary supplement.

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate and confront the putative functions of chitosan (CTS) and chitooligosaccharide (COS) in the growth and homoeostasis of distal intestine in juvenile turbots fed diets containing soyabean meal (SBM). Three isolipidic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated by supplemented basal diet (based on a 400 g/kg SBM) with 7·5 g/kg CTS or with 2·0 g/kg COS. Our results indicated that both CTS and COS supplementation could significantly improve (i) the growth performance and feed efficiency ratio; (ii) antioxidant activity driven by metabolic enzymes (i.e. catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase); (iii) glutathione levels; (iv) acid phosphatase and lysozyme activity and (v) IgM content. As a result, these two particular prebiotics were able to significantly attenuate the histological alterations due to local inflammation as well as to decrease the transcriptional levels of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α) and major pathway effectors (i.e. activator protein-1 (AP-1), NF-кB, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular regulated kinase). High-throughput sequencing data indicated that dietary CTS and COS could significantly decrease the diversity of intestinal bacteria but elevate the relative abundances of Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas genera. Altogether, these findings suggest that CTS and COS can improve growth of turbot, enhance intestinal immune and anti-oxidant systems and promote the balance of intestinal microbiota. The protective effects, elicited by these two prebiotics, against SBM-induced inflammation could be attributed to their roles in alleviating the overexpression of inflammatory cytokines by possibly down-regulating NF-кB, AP-1 and/or mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways.