Aqueous Extracts of Se-Enriched Auricularia auricular Exhibits Antioxidant Capacity and Attenuate Liver Damage in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Chunyan Wei,Jingjing Wang,Cuicui Duan,Huimei Fan,Xiaoxiao Liu 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.2

Oxidative stress triggered by hyperglycemia is thought to be a major factor in the development of liver disease during diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of selenium-enriched Auricularia auricular (AESA) and further investigate the hepatic protection and potential mechanism of AESA in a mouse model of diabetes. An in vitro antioxidant assay confirmed that AESA exhibited better antioxidant capacity characterized by increased reducing power and scavenging capacity of free radicals, such as diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical. The diabetic model was induced by high-fat diet combined with a single injection of streptozotocin in C57BL/6 mice. Our results showed that AESA treatment improved diabetes-induced disorders of lipid metabolisms and alleviated liver damage in diabetic mice. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in liver were increased and malondialdehyde level was decreased with AESA treatment compared with those in the DM group. In parallel, AESA significantly reduced the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in liver in comparison with the DM group. In addition, western blot results showed that the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), phospho-c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and phospho-p38 kinase were remarkably decreased in AESA treatment group compared with DM group. Taken together, supplementation of AESA may effectively attenuate diabetic hepatopathology by exerting antioxidant function through the RAGE/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Lactate promotes vascular smooth muscle cell switch to a synthetic phenotype by inhibiting miR-23b expression

Hu Yanchao,Zhang Chunyan,Fan Yajie,Zhang Yan,Wang Yiwen,Wang Congxia 대한약리학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.26 No.6

Recent research indicates that lactate promotes the switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to a synthetic phenotype, which has been implicated in various vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactate on the VSMC phenotype switch and the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 method was used to assess cell viability. The microRNAs and mRNAs levels were evaluated using quantitative PCR. Targets of microRNA were predicted using online tools and confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. We found that lactate promoted the switch of VSMCs to a synthetic phenotype, as evidenced by an increase in VSMC proliferation, mitochondrial activity, migration, and synthesis but a decrease in VSMC apoptosis. Lactate inhibited miR-23b expression in VSMCs, and miR-23b inhibited VSMC's switch to the synthetic phenotype. Lactate modulated the VSMC phenotype through downregulation of miR-23b expression, suggesting that overexpression of miR-23b using a miR-23b mimic attenuated the effects of lactate on VSMC phenotype modulation. Moreover, we discovered that SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) was the target of miR-23b in regulating VSMC phenotype. Further findings suggested that lactate promotes VSMC switch to synthetic phenotype by targeting SMAD3 and downregulating miR-23b. These findings suggest that correcting the dysregulation of miR-23b/ SMAD3 or lactate metabolism is a potential treatment for vascular diseases.

Preparation of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds: optimization of fermentation parameters and evaluation of bioactivity

Wu Zhihao,Miao Wen,Yang Yuhan,Fan Gongjian,Wu Caie,Li Tingting,Xie Chunyan,Shen Dongbei 한국식품과학회 2022 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.31 No.6

In this study, a high monacolin K yield was achieved through solid-state fermentation of Ginkgo biloba seeds. Monascus purpureus suspension made from red yeast rice was used as spore inoculum. Fermentation conditions in solid-state fermentation were optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimal conditions for the maximum monacolin K yield (17.71 ± 1.57 mg/g) were 0.22% ammonium sulfate, 0.34% ammonium chloride, 0.05% magnesium sulfate, fermentation time of 12 days, inoculation volume of 11%, and temperature of 27 °C. The total phenolic content of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds attained 9.67 mg GAE/g, 4.88-fold higher than that of unfermented ginkgo seeds. The scavenging abilities of DPPH and ABTS free radicals increased to 9.79 mg TE/g and 13.92 mg TE/g, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the optimal fermentation conditions for maximum monacolin K yield and the utilization value of ginkgo seed as fermentation substrate for higher bioactivities.

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Alternating Conjugated Polymers Derived from Thiophene-Benzothiadiazole Block and Fluorene/Indenofluorene Units

Li, Jianfeng,Tong, Junfeng,Zhang, Peng,Yang, Chunyan,Chen, Dejia,Zhu, Yuancheng,Xia, Yangjun,Fan, Duowang Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.2

A new donor-accepter-donor-accepter-donor (D-A-D-A-D) type 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-thiophene-based acceptor unit 2,5-di(4-(5-bromo-4-octylthiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-7-yl)thiophene ($DTBTTBr_2$) was synthesized. Copolymerized with fluorene and indeno[1,2-b]fluorene electron-rich moieties, two alternating narrow band gap (NBG) copolymers PF-DTBTT and PIF-DTBTT were prepared. And two copolymers exhibit broad and strong absorption in the range of 300-700 nm with optical band gap of about 1.75 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels vary between -5.43 and -5.52 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels range from -3.64 to -3.77 eV. Potential applications of the copolymers as electron donor material and $PC_{71}BM$ ([6,6]-phenyl-$C_{71}$ butyric acid methyl ester) as electron acceptors were investigated for photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). Photovoltaic performances based on the blend of PF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) and PIF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) with devices configuration as ITO/PEDOT: PSS/blend/Ca/Al, show an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 2.34% and 2.56% with the open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) of 0.87 V and 0.90 V, short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of $6.02mA/cm^2$ and $6.12mA/cm^2$ under an AM1.5 simulator ($100mA/cm^2$). The photocurrent responses exhibit the onset wavelength extending up to 720 nm. These results indicate that the resulted narrow band gap copolymers are viable electron donor materials for polymer solar cells.

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Alternating Conjugated Polymers Derived from Thiophene-Benzothiadiazole Block and Fluorene/Indenofluorene Units

Jianfeng Li,Junfeng Tong,Peng Zhang,Chunyan Yang,Dejia Chen,Yuancheng Zhu,Yangjun Xia,Duowang Fan 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.2

A new donor-accepter-donor-accepter-donor (D-A-D-A-D) type 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-thiophene-based acceptor unit 2,5-di(4-(5-bromo-4-octylthiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-7-yl)thiophene (DTBTTBr2) was synthesized. Copolymerized with fluorene and indeno[1,2-b]fluorene electron-rich moieties, two alternating narrow band gap (NBG) copolymers PF-DTBTT and PIF-DTBTT were prepared. And two copolymers exhibit broad and strong absorption in the range of 300-700 nm with optical band gap of about 1.75 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels vary between –5.43 and –5.52 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels range from –3.64 to –3.77 eV. Potential applications of the copolymers as electron donor material and PC71BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C71 butyric acid methyl ester) as electron acceptors were investigated for photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). Photovoltaic performances based on the blend of PF-DTBTT/PC71BM (w:w; 1:2) and PIF-DTBTT/PC71BM (w:w; 1:2) with devices configuration as ITO/ PEDOT: PSS/blend/Ca/Al, show an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 2.34% and 2.56% with the open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.87 V and 0.90 V, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 6.02 mA/ cm2 and 6.12 mA/cm2 under an AM1.5 simulator (100 mW/cm2). The photocurrent responses exhibit the onset wavelength extending up to 720 nm. These results indicate that the resulted narrow band gap copolymers are viable electron donor materials for polymer solar cells.

A New Anthracene-based Small Molecule as Cathode Interlayer for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells

Jianfeng Li,Chuang Zhao,Peng Zhang,Junfeng Tong,Chunyan Yang,Yangjun Xia,Duowang Fan 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.4

A new small molecule with excellent electron-transporting property, namely 9,10-bis(2-(N-octyl-1,8-naphthalimid-4-yl)ethynyl)anthracene (BNA), is prepared and characterized. A polymer solar cell (PSC) based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenylC61-butyricacidmethyl ester (PC61BM) is also fabricated by using BNA as the cathode buffer layer between the Al electrode and photoactive layer, and their influence on the performance of the PSCs is investigated. It is found that the open-circuit voltage (V oc ), short-circuit current density (J sc ), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a device with a 6-nm BNA layer improved to 0.63 V, 9.74 mA/cm2, and 3.74%, respectively, which correspond to an increase of 53.6%, 38.0%, and 177% compared to those without the buffer layer. The BNA buffer layer could effectively improve the interfacial contact performance between the Al electrode and photoactive layer, decrease the series resistance, and improve the collection efficiency of carriers. The devices with appropriate thickness of the BNA buffer layer can also replace the common low-work-function metal Ca for increasing the PCE and lifetime of PSCs.

A New Calculation Model for Calcium Requirements After Parathyroidectomy in Patients With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Ming Cheng,Qian Zhang,Mengjing Wang,Bihong Huang,Ye Tao,Chunyan Fan,Hongying Wang,Minmin Zhang 대한이비인후과학회 2023 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.16 No.3

Objectives. We aimed to develop a new calculation model for calcium requirements in dialysis patients following parathy-roidectomy. Methods. A total of 98 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism receiving parathyroidectomy from January 2014 toJanuary 2022 were enrolled in this study. Among these patients, 78 were randomly selected for construction of thecalcium requirement calculation model, and the remaining 20 patients were selected for model validation. The calci-um requirement model estimated the total calcium supplementation for 1 week after surgery using variables withsignificant relationships in the derivation group by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Bias, precision, andaccuracy were measured in the validation group to determine the performance of the model. Results. The model was as follows: calcium requirement for 1 week after surgery =33.798–8.929×immediate postoperativecalcium+0.190×C-reactive protein–0.125×age+0.002×preoperative intact parathyroid hormone+0.003×preopera-tive alkaline phosphatase (R2 =0.8). The model was successfully validated. Conclusion. We generated a novel model to guide calcium supplementation. This model can assist in stabilizing the serumcalcium levels of patients during the early postoperative period. Furthermore, it contributes to the individualized andprecise treatment of hypocalcemia in patients following parathyroidectomy.