PMID: 

Food Funct. 2016 Dec 7 ;7(12):4869-4879. PMID: 27812583

Abstract Title: 

The modulatory effect of infusions of green tea, oolong tea, and black tea on gut microbiota in high-fat-induced obese mice.

Abstract: 

Tea consumption has been identified to have an anti-obesity effect. Whether it is associated with gut microbiota modulation is investigated in this study. Phenolic profiles of infusions of green tea, oolong tea and black tea were comprehensively compared first, by utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOFMS). Subsequently, high-fat-diet induced obese C57BL/6J mice were orally administered these three types of tea infusions for 13 weeks to evaluate their anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulatory effects. In general, 8 phenolic acids, 12 flavanols, 9 flavonols, 2 alkaloids and 1 amino acid were identified from the three types of tea infusions. Though they possess diverse phenolic compounds, no significant differences in the prevention of the development of obesity in high-fat-fed mice were discovered among the three types of tea. Based on high-throughput MiSeq sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis, it was revealed that tea infusion consumption substantially increased diversity and altered the structure of gut microbiota. The linear discriminant analysis effect size algorithm identified 30 key phylotypes in response to high-fat diet and tea, including Alistipes, Rikenella, Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Allobaculum, Parabacteroides, etc. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that these key phylotypes might have a close association with the obesity related indexes of the host. This study provides detailed information regarding the impact of tea consumption on gut microbiota, which may be helpful in understanding the anti-obesity mechanisms of tea.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Health Aging. 2016 ;20(10):1002-1009. PMID: 27925140

Abstract Title: 

Tea Consumption Reduces the Incidence of Neurocognitive Disorders: Findings from the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships between tea consumption habits and incident neurocognitive disorders (NCD) and explore potential effect modification by gender and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.DESIGN: Population-based longitudinal study.SETTING: The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study (SLAS).PARTICIPANTS: 957 community-living Chinese elderly who were cognitively intact at baseline.MEASUREMENTS: We collected tea consumption information at baseline from 2003 to 2005 and ascertained incident cases of neurocognitive disorders (NCD) from 2006 to 2010. Odds ratio (OR) of association were calculated in logistic regression models that adjusted for potential confounders.RESULTS: A total of 72 incident NCD cases were identified from the cohort. Tea intake was associated with lower risk of incident NCD, independent of other risk factors. Reduced NCD risk was observed for both green tea (OR=0.43) and black/oolong tea (OR=0.53) and appeared to be influenced by the changing of tea consumption habit at follow-up. Using consistent non-tea consumers as the reference, only consistent tea consumers had reduced risk of NCD (OR=0.39). Stratified analyses indicated that tea consumption was associated with reduced risk of NCD among females (OR=0.32) and APOEε4 carriers (OR=0.14) but not males and non APOE ε4 carriers.CONCLUSION: Regular tea consumption was associated with lower risk of neurocognitive disorders among Chinese elderly. Gender and genetic factors could possibly modulate this association.

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PMID: 

Food Chem. 2017 Dec 15 ;237:645-653. Epub 2017 May 5. PMID: 28764047

Abstract Title: 

An integrated antioxidant activity fingerprint for commercial teas based on their capacities to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Abstract: 

An integrated antioxidant activity fingerprint, based on on-line screening methods for three reactive oxygen species (ROS: superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical) was developed to comprehensively evaluate the quality of 12 batches of commercial tea. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a chemiluminescent detector was used to determine the antioxidant characteristics of a selection of teas as bioactivity fingerprints. An HPLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine the chemical profiles of the teas in the chromatographic fingerprints. All of the green teas (S01-S08) were better scavengers of the three ROS compared to the oolong teas (S09-S12). The main scavengers of the three ROS in green tea were 5-galloylquinic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, and (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate, whereas in oolong tea, they were (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin. This study demonstrates that comprehensive fingerprinting is a potentially meaningful method for evaluating the quality of food products.

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2018 Feb 21 ;9(2):1079-1087. PMID: 29355278

Abstract Title: 

A metagenomics approach to the intestinal microbiome structure and function in high fat diet-induced obesity mice fed with oolong tea polyphenols.

Abstract: 

To investigate the modulatory effect of oolong tea polyphenols (OTP) on intestinal microbiota, OTP was prepared by column chromatography and its influence on the gut flora structure was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing with a human flora-associated high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity mouse model. We observed a robust increase in bacterial biodiversity and the abundance of genera known to be butyrate- and acetate-producing bacteria. A large increase in Bacteroidetes with a decrease in Firmicutes was observed after the administration of OTP for 4 weeks, and the corresponding decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio reflected the positive modulatory effect of OTP on the intestinal microbiota. In addition, KEGG pathways for the biosynthesis of amino acids, carbon metabolism, and the ribosome were among the most differentially expressed genes after OTP intervention. The current study revealed that OTP rich in tea catechins, especially O-methylated derivatives, may have prebiotic-like activity and can be used as a functional food component with potential therapeutic utility to prevent obesity-related metabolic disorders by manipulating the intestinal microbiota.

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PMID: 

Front Physiol. 2018 ;9:1347. Epub 2018 Sep 26. PMID: 30319450

Abstract Title: 

Basal Mild Dehydration Increase Salivary Cortisol After a Friendly Match in Young Elite Soccer Players.

Abstract: 

A soccer match induce changes in physiological stress biomarkers as testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and testosterone:cortisol (T:C) ration. Hydration state may also modulate these hormones, and therefore may alter the anabolic/catabolic balance in response to soccer match. The role of hydration status before the match in this biomarkers has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary T, C, and the T:C ratio responses after two friendly matches in well-hydrated and mild-dehydrated (MD) elite young male soccer player. Seventeen players (age, 16.8± 0.4 years; VOmax 57.2± 3.6 ml/kg/min) were divided into two teams. Before the matches the athletes were assessed for hydration level by the urine specific gravity method and divided for the analysis into well-hydrated (WH;= 9; USG

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PMID: 

Cancer Manag Res. 2020 ;12:641-651. Epub 2020 Jan 29. PMID: 32099461

Abstract Title: 

Paeonol Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion Through the Inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad Signaling and Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition.

Abstract: 

Purpose: Paeonol, a natural product derived from the root of(Bunge) K. Schum and the root ofAndr. (Ranunculaceae) has attracted extensive attention for its anti-cancer proliferation effect in recent years. The present study examined the role of paeonol in suppressing migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling.Methods: Cell viability was evaluated by MTT and colonial formation assay. Migration and invasion capabilities were examined by cell scratch-wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber invasion assay. Western Blot and qRT-PCR were used to measure the protein and RNA levels of vimentin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and TGF-β1/Smad signaling.Results: At non-cytotoxic dose, 100μΜ and 150 μΜ of paeonol showed significant anti-migration and anti-invasion effects on Panc-1 and Capan-1 cells (p

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PMID: 

Mediators Inflamm. 2020 ;2020:8641026. Epub 2020 Feb 10. PMID: 32104151

Abstract Title: 

Paeonol Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Rats by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Suppressing TLR4-Induced NF-B Inflammatory Pathway.

Abstract: 

Methotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been proved in the development of MTX toxicity. Paeonol is a natural phenolic compound with various pharmacological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of paeonol against MTX-induced cardiac toxicity in rats and to evaluate the various mechanisms that underlie this effect. Paeonol (100 mg/kg) was administered orally for 10 days. MTX cardiac toxicity was induced at the end of the fifth day of the experiment, with or without paeonol pretreatment. MTX-induced cardiac damage is evidenced by a distortion in the normal cardiac histological structure, with significant oxidative and nitrosative stress shown as a significant increase in NADPH oxidase-2, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels along with a decrease in reduced glutathione concentration and superoxide dismutase activity compared to the control group. MTX-induced inflammatory effects are evidenced by the increased cardiac toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression and protein level as well as increased cardiac tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)and interleukin- (IL-) 6 levels along with increased nuclear factor- (NF-)B/p65 immunostaining. MTX increased apoptosis as shown by the upregulation of cardiac caspase 3 immunostaining. Paeonol was able to correct the oxidative and nitrosative stress as well as the inflammatory and apoptotic parameters and restore the normal histological structure compared to MTX alone. In conclusion, paeonol has a protective effect against MTX-induced cardiac toxicity through inhibiting oxidative and nitrosative stress and suppressing the TLR4/NF-B/TNF-/IL-6 inflammatory pathway, as well as causing an associated reduction in the proapoptotic marker, caspase 3.

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PMID: 

J Leukoc Biol. 2020 Mar 4. Epub 2020 Mar 4. PMID: 32129526

Abstract Title: 

Paeonol ameliorates murine alcohol liver disease via mycobiota-mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway.

Abstract: 

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is caused by long-term consumption of alcohol and has become an important social and medical problem. Intestinal fungal flora (mycobiota) play an important role in ALD, so we used the mycobiota as an entry point to explore the mechanism of action of Paeonol against ALD. Here, we found that Paeonol is effective against ALD inflammatory lesions and relieves liver fat lesions. Furthermore, we found that after the treatment of Paeonol, the fungal dysbiosis is improved, and the fungal abundance is reduced, and the translocation ofβ-glucan to the liver and its mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway is blocked. Our study shows that paeonol ameliorated acute ALD-related inflammatory injury to the liver by alleviating intestinal fungal dysbiosis and inhibiting the mycobiota-mediated Dectin-1/IL-1β signaling pathway.

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PMID: 

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Jan 23 ;138:109597. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 32032912

Abstract Title: 

Oxytocin may have a therapeutical potential against cardiovascular disease. Possible pharmaceutical and behavioral approaches.

Abstract: 

Based on the ancient role of oxytocin and its homologues as amplifiers of reproduction we argue for an evolutionary coupling of oxytocin to signaling pathway which support restorative mechanisms of cells and tissue. In particular, the survival and function of different categories of stem cells and primordial cells are enhanced by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Furthermore, oxytocin stimulates the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway (AMPK) in numerous of cell types which promotes the maintenance of different cell structures. This involves autophagic processes and, in particular, may support the renewal of mitochondria. Mitochondrial fitness may protect against oxidative and inflammatory stress – a well-documented effect of oxytocin. The combined specific trophic and protective effects oxytocin may delay several degenerative phenomena including sarcopenia, type-2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. These effects may be exerted both on a central level supporting the function and integrity of the hypothalamus and peripherally acting directly on blood vessels, pancreas, heart, skeletal muscles and adipose tissue etc. Furthermore, in the capacity of being both a hormone and neuromodulator, oxytocin interacts with numerous of regulatory mechanisms particularly the autonomic nervous system and HPA-axis which may reduce blood pressure and affect the immune function. The potential of the oxytocin system as a behavioral and molecular target for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is discussed. Focus is put on the affiliative and sexual significance and the different options and limitations associated with a pharmaceutical approach. MeSH: Aging, Atherosclerosis, Heart, Hypothalamus, Inflammation, Love, Orgasm, Oxytocin.

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PMID: 

Dig Liver Dis. 2015 Mar ;47(3):226-32. Epub 2014 Dec 16. PMID: 25577300

Abstract Title: 

Resveratrol improves insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major health problem worldwide. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in edible plants that has a variety of biochemical and physiological effects.AIMS: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol on insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.METHODS: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: 60 subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were given 2 placebo capsules (placebo group) or 2 150mg resveratrol capsules (resveratrol group) twice daily for three months. Liver ultrasound imaging, anthropometric profile, serum liver enzymes, insulin, glucose, C-peptide, lipid profile, and inflammation-related cytokines were compared pre and post-treatment.RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, resveratrol significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [-6.00 (-9.00, -3.00) IU/L, -0.64±0.31mmol/L, and -0.41±0.35mmol/L, respectively, P≤0.001] alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol [-7.00 (-11.0, -2.50) IU/L and -0.67±0.50mmol/L, respectively, P=0.002], and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (-0.60±1.15, P=0.016). In the resveratrol group significant reductions of the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, cytokeratin 18 fragment, and fibroblast growth factor 21 [-0.53±1.30pg/mL, -26.9 (-70.3, 5.12) IU/L and -23.3 (-43.0, 0.31) pg/mL, respectively, P

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