Publications by authors named "Xinxiu Ren"
Social isolation, a known stressor, can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. Recent scientific attention has been drawn to the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and gut microbiota, suggesting that gut microbes may influence brain function. This study aimed to explore the impact of social isolation on the intestinal barrier and gut microbiota.
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- Prediabetes is linked to chronic inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance, and natural compounds like DNJ and morin from Morus nigra L. show promise for anti-diabetic effects, though DNJ has some side effects.
- This study aimed to explore how the combination of DNJ and morin can improve insulin resistance and prediabetes using mouse models and cell assays.
- Results showed that the combination significantly reduced the progression of type 2 diabetes by modulating key signaling pathways, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and reducing lipid accumulation.
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- - The Q-426 strain, isolated from compost, shows promising antifungal properties against various plant pathogens, but its complete genome was not fully mapped, hindering its broader use.
- - Genome sequencing revealed that Q-426 has a circular chromosome that is 4,086,827 bp long with 4,691 coding sequences. It has been reclassified as B. velezensis Q-426 and is similar to other strains, indicating potential for plant growth-promoting activities.
- - The strain produces various beneficial compounds, including lipopeptides, volatile compounds, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), all of which may enhance plant growth and protection against diseases.
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- Polysaccharide (DOP) acts as a prebiotic and shows potential hypoglycemic properties, particularly in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
- In a study with prediabetic mice, DOP treatment led to a 63.7% reduction in the risk of developing T2DM and improved gut health by altering the microbiota and reducing inflammation.
- DOP also increased beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, which played a role in hormone secretion that supports insulin sensitivity and reduces appetite.
Probiotic oral delivery has crucial implications in biomedical engineering, but its oral bioavailability remains unsatisfactory because of the limited survival and colonization of probiotics in the harsh gastrointestinal tract. Here, a bacteria-induced encapsulation strategy is achieved by assembling metastable colloids to enhance the oral bioavailability of probiotics. The colloids (NTc) composed of amino-modified poly-β-cyclodextrin and tannic acid are formed based on the balance of host-guest interaction-driven attraction and electrostatic repulsion between colloids.
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- * A study found that treatment with total flavonoids from L. reduced the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes from 93.75% to 18.75%.
- * The research identified that TFM improves insulin resistance and maintains intestinal health by targeting specific proteins, suggesting possibilities for developing functional foods aimed at diabetes prevention.
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- Metabolic syndrome (MS) is highlighted as a serious metabolic disorder with various complications, which may benefit from natural treatments.
- The study focuses on mulberry leaf extract (MLE), rich in flavonoids, and its ability to regulate lipid metabolism and alleviate symptoms of MS in both lab experiments and live animal models.
- Results indicate that MLE significantly reduces lipid accumulation, improves obesity and insulin resistance, and positively alters gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid levels, suggesting its potential as a dietary supplement for combating MS.
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- The combination of the flavonoid baicalein and the diabetes medication acarbose may lower the risk of prediabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes, though the specific mechanism of action is still unclear.
- In this study, researchers optimized in vitro conditions to replicate gut microbiota from prediabetic mice, achieving over 30% similarity with actual fecal samples.
- Results showed that combining baicalein with acarbose reduced gas production by lowering starch levels and affected gut bacteria, suggesting potential for developing flavonoid supplements alongside diabetes medications for better effectiveness and fewer side effects.*
The co-culture strategy, which mimics natural ecology by constructing an artificial microbial community, is a useful tool to activate the biosynthetic gene clusters to generate new compounds. However, without optimization of fermentation conditions, the antagonism between the microbes often interferes with the production of secondary metabolites. In this study, the fermentation conditions of co-culture of Aspergillus sydowii and Bacillus subtilis were optimized by response surface methodology to increase the production of active metabolites against Staphylococcus aureus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthnopharmacological Relevance: 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), the major alkaloid in Morus alba L., is the main effective constituent in "Mulberry twig Alkaloids Tablets" launched in China in 2020. Prediabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, is regarded as the key period for reversing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through lifestyle intervention and glucose-lowering drugs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrediabetes is a prevalent metabolic disorder with multiple complications, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the combinatorial effect of baicalein, a dietary flavonoid abundant in multiple edible plants, and acarbose on prediabetes-associated NAFLD. Baicalein and its metabolites inhibited lipogenesis (DNL), thereby decreasing lipid accumulation and hepatokine secretion in oleic acid-induced hepatocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProtective effects of Puerariae flos extract (PFE) on ethanol (EtOH) exposure have been previously verified. This study attempts to explore the protective effects of PEF on EtOH withdrawal models. Sixty male Kunming mice were involved which were randomly divided into five groups (intact control, EtOH group (35-day EtOH exposure), EtOH withdrawal group (28-day exposure + 7-day withdrawal), EtOH withdrawal group + positive control (Deanxit) group, and EtOH withdrawal group + PFE group).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParthenolide has been demonstrated to have anticancer effects against various types of cancer. However, the functional role of parthenolid has yet to be clearly reported in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of parthenolide in RCC 786‑O and ACHN cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSlow-transit constipation(STC)is a disease characterized by functional gastrointestinal disorder. Common laxatives used in clinical practice against constipation such as Senna have side effects. Enteromorpha(EP)is a common marine alga, and the polysaccharide extracted from EP has been reported possessing anti-cancer and anti-inflammation effects.
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