A clarification of concepts related to the digestion and absorption of carotenoids and a new standardized carotenoids bioavailability evaluation system.

The published literature has shown that there are various evaluation methods for the process of carotenoids digestion and absorption. However, it was found that many concepts are ambiguous in the evaluation process, and the selection of evaluation methods is inappropriate and inaccurate. These deficiencies trouble readers, hamper comparisons among different studies, and generate controversy in different literature.

Development of astaxanthin-loaded layer-by-layer emulsions: physicochemical properties and improvement of LPS-induced neuroinflammation in mice.

Astaxanthin (AST) has been shown to have neuroprotective effects; however, its bioavailability in vivo is low due to its hydrophobic properties. In this study, lactoferrin (LF) was prepared by heat-treatment at different temperatures, and on this basis, a layer-by-layer self-assembly method was used to construct double-layer emulsions with LF as the inner layer and polysaccharide (beet pectin, BP or carboxymethyl chitosan, CMCS) as the outer layer. Then AST was encapsulated in the emulsions and their physiochemical properties and function were investigated.

Simultaneous Ultrasound and Heat Enhance Functional Properties of Glycosylated Lactoferrin.

Protein-polysaccharide covalent complexes exhibit better physicochemical and functional properties than single protein or polysaccharide. To promote the formation of the covalent complex from lactoferrin (LF) and beet pectin (BP), we enhanced the Maillard reaction between LF and BP by using an ultrasound-assisted treatment and studied the structure and functional properties of the resulting product. The reaction conditions were optimized by an orthogonal experimental design, and the highest grafting degree of 55.

Effects of Long-time Exposure to Lipopolysaccharide on Intestinal Lymph Node Immune Cells and Antibodies Level in Mice.

Background: Endotoxin, widely present in the living environment of humans and animals, leads to endotoxemia during a short period. However, the long-term effects of endotoxin on immune function are unclear.

Objective: To determine the importance of long-term endotoxin treatment on function of immune system.

Effects of different doses lipopolysaccharides on the mucosal barrier in mouse intestine.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an important component in the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, can induce a systemic inflammatory response and play an important role in bacterial infection and disease evolution. The thick layer of mucus covering the small intestinal villus acts primarily to the first barrier from damage by toxic substances. We aimed to study the effects of LPS on the intestinal mucus layer barrier.

Effect of Membrane Surface Modification Using Chitosan Hydrochloride and Lactoferrin on the Properties of Astaxanthin-Loaded Liposomes.

Astaxanthin-loaded liposomes were prepared by a thin-film ultrasonic method, and the effects of the different membrane surface modifiers chitosan hydrochloride (CH) and lactoferrin (LF) on the physicochemical stability of the liposomes and bioaccessibility of astaxanthin were studied. Based on the negative charge characteristics of egg yolk lecithin, LF and CH with positive charge were assembled on the surface of liposomes by an electrostatic deposition method. The optimal concentrations of modifiers were determined by particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency.

Sesamol incorporated cellulose acetate-zein composite nanofiber membrane: An efficient strategy to accelerate diabetic wound healing.

Recently, the function of nanofiber membranes prepared from electrospinning in accelerating wound healing has attracted wide attention. In this study, novel nanofiber membranes consisted of cellulose acetate (CA) and zein were fabricated to provide efficient delivery vehicles for sesamol, and then the effect of sesamol-loaded composite nanofiber membranes on the wound healing of diabetic mice was studied. It was found the critical concentration of CA was between 15% and 25% (w/v), and the most suitable concentration of stabilizing fibers was 22.