Objective To explore the effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 on liver lipid metabolism in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its possible mechanism. Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control group, MS model group and three TMC0356 test groups (low-, medium- and high-dose groups). The rats in each group were fed with different diets for 7 days, and the liver was dissected and removed after 15 weeks. The mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome hyperbioactive receptor-α (PPAR-α), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (REBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and carnitine lipoacyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) genes in liver were detected. Results There was no significant difference in the mRNA expression of PPAR-α, SREBP-1c or CPT-1 among the five groups (P>0.05). The mRNA expression of FAS in low-dose TMC0356 test group was lower than that in MS model group (P=0.011), medium-dose TMC0356 test group (P=0.042) and high-dose TMC0356 test group (P=0.009). There was no significant difference in the expression of FAS mRNA between other groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the protein expression of PPAR-α, SREBP-1c or FAS among the five groups (P>0.05). The protein expression of CPT-1 in low-dose TMC0356 test group was higher than that in control group (P=0.033) and high-dose TMC0356 test group (P=0.043). There was no significant difference in the protein expression of CPT-1 between the other groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 may improve the symptoms of metabolic disorder in rats by suppressing appetite, improving insulin resistance, and downregulating the expression of key fat metabolism genes such as FAS and SREBP-1c.
Objective To explore the effect of corn oligopeptide (COP) on dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Methods Forty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were divided into blank group (n=10) and model group (n=39). The rats in the model group were intraperitoneally injected with dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg), and the rats in the blank group were injected with normal saline. After 19 days, one rat in the blank group and three rats in the model group were taken to observe whether the model was successfully constructed. After successful modeling, the rats in the model group were randomly divided into model control group, COP low-dose group (COP-L group, 0.5 g/kg), COP medium-dose group (COP-M group, 1.0 g/kg) and COP high-dose group (COP-H group, 2.0 g/kg), with 9 rats in each group. After 33 days, the grip strength of the rats was measured, and then the gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior and metatarsal muscles were separated and weighed, and muscle fiber diameter, relative expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA were measured. Non-targeted metabolomics of gastrocnemius muscle were measured. Results Compared with that in the blank group, the body weight of rats in the model group reduced (P<0.05), and myofibril rupture was observed, indicating that the model was successful. Compared with those in the model control group, the grip strength increased in the COP-L and COP-M groups (P<0.05); the muscle coefficients of gastrocnemius and soleus in the COP-L and COP-H groups increased (P<0.05), and the muscle coefficients of plantaris in the COP-L and COP-M groups increased (P<0.05); the muscle fiber diameter of the tibial anterior muscle increased in the three doses of COP groups (P<0.05), and the muscle fiber diameter of the plantaris muscle increased in the COP-M and COP-H groups (P<0.05); the relative expression of Atrogin-1 mRNA decreased in the three doses of COP groups (P<0.05), while the relative expression of MurF-1 mRNA in the COP-L and COP-H groups decreased (P<0.05). The amino acid synthesis pathway, glycolysis pathway, and acid metabolism pathway were activated in gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusions COP can significantly improve the muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone. The mechanism may be related to the decrease of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression in ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and the increase of amino acid biosynthesis.
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the diet during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and analyze the effect of GDM on weight gain, outcome and complication of mother and infant. MethodsWe selected 128 GDM pregnant women and 267 non-GDM pregnant women who were investigated by semi-quantitative food frequency method during September 2009 to March 2011. Then, we collected relevant information and the data were analyzed by t-test and chi-square test. ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between the two groups in total calorie, carbohydrate, fat and protein intakes per day (P<0.05). In general, the rates of insufficient weight gain and excessive weight gain during pregnancy in the GDM group were significantly higher than the non-GDM group (P<0.05), while proper weight gain rate was significantly lower (P<0.01). The risk of hydramnion, intrahepatic cholestasis and pregnancy-induced hypertension in the GDM group was significantly higher than the non-GDM group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in premature delivery, cesarean section or premature membrane ruptures (P>0.05). Apgar scores were significantly different at minute 1 and 5 between the infants in the two groups (P<0.05). The incidence of fetal death, malformation, mild neonatal asphyxia and fetal macrosomia in the GDM group was significantly higher than the non-GDM group (P<0.05). No significant differences between the two groups in low birth weight infant, cord entanglement and fetal distress were detected (P>0.05). ConclusionGDM can lead to high incidence of poor outcome and complication. It is vital to strengthen the examination and keep balanced dietary structure, in order to reduce the complication and improve the health of mother and child.