Publications by authors named "Xin' Gen Lei"

Background/objectives: As a hyperaccumulator of selenium (Se), () and its peptide extract could ameliorate the negative effects of a high-fat diet (HFD). However, the effects of the coaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in Se-enriched () and the potential confounding effect on the roles of enriched Se remain unknown. We aimed to investigate whether could alleviate HFD-induced lipid disorder and liver damage.

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  • Researchers explored the effects of enriching chicken with 25-hydroxy D (25(OH)D) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to improve public dietary intake.
  • Two experiments were conducted with broiler chicks to assess how these nutrient enrichments affected their tissues and metabolic processes.
  • Results showed significant nutrient enrichment in chicken muscles, with the potential to meet daily intake recommendations, and noted changes in gene expressions related to vitamin D absorption and lipid metabolism.
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Sarcopenia is characterized by accelerated muscle mass and function loss, which burdens and challenges public health worldwide. Several studies indicated that selenium deficiency is associated with sarcopenia; however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that selenoprotein W (SELENOW) containing selenium in the form of selenocysteine functioned in sarcopenia.

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  • Laying hens, particularly egg-type chicks, are at risk of heart issues due to dietary selenium (Se) insufficiency, which has been shown to affect cardiac health in broiler chickens.
  • In this study, White Leghorn chicks were fed diets either lacking in Se or supplemented with it, revealing significant differences in heart health and body weight, with Se-deficient chicks showing signs of cardiac inflammation and reduced selenoprotein expression.
  • The research indicates that a lack of selenium leads to increased inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in the hearts of these chicks, highlighting the critical role of Se in maintaining cardiac health early in life.
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  • The study found a U-shaped relationship between dietary selenium (Se) intake and sperm quality in breeder roosters, highlighting the need for specific dosages.
  • In two experiments, optimal dietary Se levels were identified as 0.25-0.35 mg Se/kg, which improved sperm motility and testicular health compared to lower or higher amounts.
  • Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were more effective than other forms (sodium selenite and seleno-yeast) in enhancing reproductive health and regulating gut microbiota in the roosters.
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We have previously shown dysregulated lipid metabolism in tissues of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) overexpressing (OE) or deficient (KO) mice. This study explored underlying mechanisms of GPX1 in regulating tissue fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis. GPX1 OE, KO, and wild-type (WT) mice (n = 5, male, 3-6 months old) were fed a Se-adequate diet (0.

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Our laboratory previously revealed that regenerating islets-derived protein 2 (REG2) was diminished in pancreatic islets of glutathione peroxidase-1-overexpressing mice (). It remained unknown if there is an inverse relationship between the expression and function of all family genes and antioxidant enzymes in the pancreatic islets or human pancreatic cells. This research was to determine how altering the and superoxide dismutase-1 () genes alone or together (dKO) affected the expression of all seven murine genes in murine pancreatic islets.

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Transition metals such as iron, copper and zinc are required for the normal functioning of biological tissues, whereas others, such as cadmium, are potentially highly toxic. Any disturbances in homeostasis caused by lack of micronutrients in the diet, pollution or genetic heredity result in malfunction and/or diseases. Here, we used synchrotron X-ray fluorescence, SXRF, microscopy and mice with altered functions of major antioxidant enzymes to show that SXRF may become a powerful tool to study biologically relevant metal balance in the pancreas and liver of mice models with disturbed glucose homeostasis.

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Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and calcidiol could be enriched in chicken for improving public nutrition and health. It remains unclear if supranutritional levels of DHA and calcidiol impair growth performance or metabolism of broiler chickens. This study was to determine singular and combined effects of high levels of supplemental DHA-rich microalgal biomass or oil and calcidiol on growth performance, concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, and nonesterfied fatty acids in plasma, liver, breast, and thigh, and biophysical properties of tibia.

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Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) has long been recognized as a major redox enzyme in scavenging superoxide radicals. However, there is little information on its non-canonical role and metabolic implications. Using a protein complementation assay (PCA) and pull-down assay, we revealed novel protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between SOD1 and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) or epsilon (YWHAE) in this research.

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Defatted green microalgae (DGM) is a rich source of bioavailable iron. However, its use in foods results in unacceptable color and taste development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate strategies to enhance the use of DGM in foods.

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Selenium (Se) deficiency or excess impairs testicular development and spermatogenesis, while the underlying mechanisms in this regard remain unclear. This study was designed to explore the molecular biology of Se deficiency or excess in spermatogenesis in mice. Three-week-old male mice (n = 10 mice/diet) were fed with Se-deficient diet (SeD, 0.

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Nutritional pancreatic atrophy (NPA) is a classical Se/vitamin E deficiency disease of chicks. To reveal molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis, we fed day-old chicks a practical, low-Se diet (14 μg Se/kg), and replicated the typical symptoms of NPA including vesiculated mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and hyaline bodies in acinar cells of chicks as early as day 18. Target pathway analyses illustrated a > 90% depletion (P < 0.

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  • Researchers found that a protein called REG2 is usually low in some special mice that produce a lot of another protein, Gpx1, and wanted to know if this lack of REG2 affected how well these mice could release insulin when glucose levels rise.* -
  • They discovered that adding REG2 to these special mice’s islets (where insulin is made) stopped insulin release enough to suggest REG2 controls how calcium enters the cells, which is important for insulin secretion.* -
  • Overall, the study connects REG2 to the way insulin is released and suggests a new pathway (GPX1/REG2/CaV1.2) that helps to explain how the lack of REG2 leads to more insulin being released in response
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Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is an extracellular antioxidant, selenium transporter, and hepatokine interfering with glucose and lipid metabolism. To study the association between the circulating SELENOP concentration and glucose and lipid metabolic diseases (GLMDs), including gestational diabetes (GD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, as well as the individual markers, a meta-analysis was conducted by searching multiple databases from their establishment through March 2022 and including 27 articles published between October 2010 and May 2021, involving 4033 participants. Participants with GLMDs had higher levels of SELENOP than those without GLMDs (standardized mean difference = 0.

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  • Ginseng could help slow down aging effects, as shown in special mice that mimic human aging.
  • A type of ginseng called Ginsenoside Re (GRe) helps lower a bad receptor that increases with age and improves brain health in these mice.
  • GRe also boosts important antioxidant enzymes and helps reduce harmful substances in the brain, showing it may protect against aging-related problems.
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Background: Supernutrition of selenium (Se) in an effort to produce Se-enriched meat may inadvertently cause lipid accumulation. Se-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SeCv) contains >80% of Se in organic forms.

Objectives: This study was to determine whether feeding chickens a high dose of SeCv could produce Se-biofortified muscle without altering their lipid metabolism.

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This review traces the discoveries that led to the recognition of selenium (Se) as an essential nutrient and discusses Se-responsive diseases in animals and humans in the context of current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of their pathogeneses. The article includes a comprehensive analysis of dietary sources, nutritional utilization, metabolic functions, and dietary requirements of Se across various species. We also compare the function and regulation of selenogenomes and selenoproteomes among rodents, food animals, and humans.

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Different types and sources of microalgae are used to feed broiler chickens and laying hens. This review provides a concise update on various impacts of feeding these novel ingredients on physical, chemical, and nutritional attributes of the resultant meat and eggs. Some of the observed effects may be associated with biochemical and molecular mechanisms derived from unique chemical compositions and nutritional values of microalgae.

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The objective of the present study was to review the existing data on the association between Zn status and characteristics of gut microbiota in various organisms and the potential role of Zn-induced microbiota in modulating systemic effects. The existing data demonstrate a tight relationship between Zn metabolism and gut microbiota as demonstrated in Zn deficiency, supplementation, and toxicity studies. Generally, Zn was found to be a significant factor for gut bacteria biodiversity.

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The black carpet beetle (BCB) is a household pest unique in its ability to digest complex proteins such as keratin that makes up the majority of feather structure. Despite voluminous yield and high protein content ( > 85%), feathers are poorly digested by most known organisms and are thereby rendered an environmental hazard. Furthermore, keratinolytic microbial strains are typically thermophilic and therefore economically and environmentally unsustainable.

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Selenoprotein V (SELENOV) is a new and the least conserved member of the selenoprotein family. Herein we generated Selenov knockout (KO) mice to determine its in vivo function. The KO led to 16-19% increases (P < 0.

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We suggested that selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) plays a protective role against methamphetamine (MA)-induced dopaminergic toxicity. We focused on GPx-1, a major selenium-dependent enzyme and constructed a GPx-1 gene-encoded adenoviral vector (Ad-GPx-1) to delineate the role of GPx-1 in MA-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Exposure to Ad-GPx-1 significantly induced GPx activity and GPx-1 protein levels in GPx-1-knockout (GPx-1-KO) mice.

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