Xie Zhuo Tiao Zhi formula ameliorates chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the protective role and potential mechanisms of Xie Zhuo Tiao Zhi decoction (XZTZ) on alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). XZTZ significantly alleviated alcohol-induced liver dysfunction, based on histological examinations and biochemical parameters after 4-week administration. Mechanically, alcohol-stimulated hepatic oxidative stress was ameliorated by XZTZ, accompanied by the improvement of Nrf2/Keap1 expression and alcohol-activated phosphorylation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors, including JNK, P38, P65, and IκBα, were rescued by XZTZ.

The micro-743a-3p-GSTM1 pathway is an endogenous protective mechanism against alcohol-related liver disease in mice.

Background And Aims: Epidemiological evidence suggests that the phenotype of glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), a hepatic high-expressed phase II detoxification enzyme, is closely associated with the incidence of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). However, whether and how hepatic GSTM1 determines the development of ALD is largely unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the role and potential mechanism(s) of hepatic GSTM1 in the pathological process of ALD.

ZJUIDS14 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice in association with modulation in the gut microbiota.

This present study was designed to explore the protective role of ZJUIDS14 against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 mice model. The probiotic (10 CFU/every other day) was administered by oral gavage for 12 weeks. We found that ZJUIDS14 intervention significantly alleviated HFD related hepatic steatosis, liver damage, insulin resistance, and increased hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPAR-α) while stimulating the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 relieves chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury in mice via restoring intestinal flora homeostasis.

This present study was designed to test the protective role of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains, E680 and ZY08, against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in C57BL/6 mice. The ALD mouse model was established by exposing the mice to a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet. The two probiotic strains (10 cfu/day) were administered by oral gavage, respectively.

Macrophage activation by exopolysaccharides from Streptococcus thermophilus fermented milk through TLRs-mediated NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Lactic acid bacteria-derived exopolysaccharides are known for stimulating immune responses. In our previous study, a novel exopolysaccharide (EPS-3A) from skimmed milk fermented by the strain Streptococcus thermophilus (ZJUIDS-2-01) was extracted and structurally characterized. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of EPS-3A on macrophage activation and identify the underlying mechanism.

Characterization of an exopolysaccharide (EPS-3A) produced by Streptococcus thermophilus ZJUIDS-2-01 isolated from traditional yak yogurt.

Yak yogurt, one of the naturally fermented dairy products prepared by local herdsmen in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, contains a diverse array of microorganisms. We isolated and identified a novel Streptococcus thermophilus strain, ZJUIDS-2-01, from the traditional yak yogurt. We further purified and carried out detailed structural, physiochemical, and bioactivity studies of an exopolysaccharide (EPS-3A) produced by S.

Probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum E680 and its effect on Hypercholesterolemic mice.

Background: Probiotics have been reported to reduce total cholesterol levels in vitro, but more evidence is needed to determine the clinical relevance of this activity. Chinese traditional fermented pickles are a good source of lactic acid bacteria. Therefore, pickle samples were collected for screening lactic acid bacteria based on their ability to survive stresses encountered during gastrointestinal passage and cholesterol reducing potency.

Anti-inflammatory properties of extracts from Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. leaf.

Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. (CN) is a species in the family Calycanthaceae. Its leaf is widely used to make traditional herbal tea in southern China and has a wide range of therapeutic effects.