Mechanistic Interventions of Selected Ocimum Species in Management of Diabetes, Obesity and Liver Disorders: Transformative Developments from Preclinical to Clinical Approaches

Metabolic disorders are usually categorized as inborn metabolism defects, including carbohydrate metabolism deficits in enzymes, amino acids derived from proteins, and fatty acids released from lipids. A metabolic disorder, which arises from elevated body weight, diabetes, and obesity, has reached epidemic proportions in countries. This review discusses the metabolic disorders with respect to diabetes, obesity and liver disorders and their therapeutic management with selective Ocimum species. Ocimum genus contains more than 200 species and is one of the richest sources of diverse phytoconstituents, including fatty acids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, etc. that are documented to be beneficial in the management of various metabolic disorders. The potential of selected Ocimum species in metabolic disorders is discussed by reviewing available preclinical and clinical studies and associated mechanisms of action and their effect on gene expression.

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L-Theanine Administration Modulates the Absorption of Dietary Nutrients and Expression of Transporters and Receptors in the Intestinal Mucosa of Rats

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/9747256 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Qiongxian Yan ◽

Haiou Tong ◽

Shaoxun Tang ◽

Zhiliang Tan ◽

Xuefeng Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Small Intestine ◽

Insulin Secretion ◽

High Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Related Gene ◽

Dietary Nutrients

L-theanine has various advantageous functions for human health; whether or not it could mediate the nutrients absorption is unknown yet. The effects of L-theanine on intestinal nutrients absorption were investigated using rats ingesting L-theanine solution (0, 50, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) per day for two weeks. The decline of insulin secretion and glucose concentration in the serum was observed by L-theanine. Urea and high-density lipoprotein were also reduced by 50 mg/kg L-theanine. Jejunal and ileac basic amino acids transporters SLC7a1 and SLC7a9, neutral SLC1a5 and SLC16a10, and acidic SLC1a1 expression were upregulated. The expression of intestinal SGLT3 and GLUT5 responsible for carbohydrates uptake and GPR120 and FABP2 associated with fatty acids transport were inhibited. These results indicated that L-theanine could inhibit the glucose uptake by downregulating the related gene expression in the small intestine of rats. Intestinal gene expression of transporters responding to amino acids absorption was stimulated by L-theanine administration.

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Intestinal gene expression in pigs: effects of reduced feed intake during weaning and potential impact of dietary components

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s0954422411000047 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 155-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Eva Bauer ◽

Barbara U. Metzler-Zebeli ◽

Martin W. A. Verstegen ◽

Rainer Mosenthin

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Therapeutic Tool ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Enteral Nutrients ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal

The weaning transition is characterised by morphological, histological and microbial changes, often leading to weaning-associated disorders. These intestinal changes can partly be ascribed to the lack of luminal nutrition arising from the reduced feed intake common in pigs after weaning. It is increasingly becoming clear that changes in the supply with enteral nutrients may have major impacts on intestinal gene expression. Furthermore, the major dietary constituents, i.e. carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids, participate in the regulation of intestinal gene expression. However, nutrients may also escape digestion by mammalian enzymes in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These nutrients can be used by the microflora, resulting in the production of bacterial metabolites, for example, SCFA, which may affect intestinal gene expression indirectly. The present review provides an insight on possible effects of reduced feed intake on intestinal gene expression, as it may occur post-weaning. Detailed knowledge on effects of reduced feed intake on intestinal gene expression may help to understand weaning-associated intestinal dysfunctions and diseases. Examples are given of intestinal genes which may be altered in their expression due to supply with specific nutrients. In that way, gene expression could be modulated by dietary means, thereby acting as a potential therapeutic tool. This could be achieved, for example, by influencing genes coding for digestive or absorptive proteins, thus optimising digestive function and metabolism, but also with regard to immune response, or by influencing proliferative processes, thereby enhancing mucosal repair. This would be of special interest when designing a diet to overcome weaning-associated problems.

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The Impact of Gut Microbiome on Metabolic Disorders During Catch-Up Growth in Small-for-Gestational-Age

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.630526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jingjing An ◽

Junqi Wang ◽

Li Guo ◽

Yuan Xiao ◽

Wenli Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Catch Up ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

ObjectiveCatch-up growth (CUG) in small for gestational age (SGA) leads to increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in adults. It remains unclear if microbiota could play an important role in CUG-SGA independent of genetic or nutritional factors. The present study explored the role of gut microbiota in, and its association with, metabolic disorders during CUG-SGA.MethodsAn SGA rat model was established by restricting food intake during pregnancy, and the rats were divided into catch-up growth (CUG-SGA) and non-catch-up growth (NCUG-SGA) groups based on body weight and length at the fourth postnatal week. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was conducted to detect the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Transcriptome sequencing of liver tissue was performed and verified using real-time PCR. Concentrations of insulin and total cholesterol were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe composition of gut microbiota in CUG-SGA rats differed from that of NCUG-SGA rats, with reduced abundance of Lactobacillus in the CUG-SGA group. The decrease in Lactobacillus was significantly associated with increased body weight and upregulated insulin and total cholesterol levels. Five SCFAs and two branched chain fatty acids were significantly higher in the CUG-SGA group than in the NCUG-SGA group. Additionally, SCFAs were positively associated with clinical indices such as weight, body mass index, insulin, and total cholesterol. Transcriptomic data revealed that insulin-like growth factor-2 expression was significantly decreased in CUG-SGA rats and was associated with a decrease in Lactobacillus bacteria.ConclusionLactobacillus and SCFAs were associated with the metabolic disorders during CUG in SGA. Gut microbiome may play a certain role on metabolic disorders during catch-up growth in small-for-gestational-age.

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Sex, drugs and gene expression: signalling by members of the nuclear receptor superfamily

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0400001 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Iain J McEwan

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Nuclear Receptors ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Nuclear Receptor Superfamily ◽

Natural Ligands ◽

Adult Organism ◽

Control Patterns ◽

Made In

It is almost 20 years since the first steroid receptor cDNAs were cloned, a development that led to the concept of a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors: the nuclear receptors. Natural ligands for nuclear receptors are generally lipophilic in nature and include steroid hormones, bile acids, fatty acids, thyroid hormones, certain vitamins and prostaglandins. Nuclear receptors act principally to directly control patterns of gene expression and play vital roles during development and in the regulation of metabolic and reproductive functions in the adult organism. Since the original cloning experiments, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the structure, mechanisms of action and biology of this important family of proteins.

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Influence of dietary selenium level on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid isomers, other fatty acids and amino acids in the liver and femoral muscles of rats

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/55/2010-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 56 (No. 2) ◽

pp. 81-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. Czauderna ◽

J. Kowalczyk ◽

K.A. Krajewska

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Linoleic Acid ◽

Conjugated Linoleic Acid ◽

Female Rats ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Control Group ◽

Cla Isomers ◽

Delta 6 Desaturase

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of diets containing conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLAmix) with or without low (LSe) or high (HSe) concentration of selenised yeast (SeY) on body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and concentrations of CLA isomers and other fatty acids (FA) in the liver and femoral muscle of rats. The investigation was performed on 48 female rats (Wistar, Hsd Brl Han: WIST), aged 8 weeks with an initial body weight of 195.7 ± 0.8 g. After one week of submaintenance feeding, for 6 weeks the rats were fed ad libitum the Labofeed H diet supplemented with 1.5% CLAmix with or without low (0.2 μg Se/g diet) or high (0.5 μg Se/g diet) concentration of Se as SeY. The diet enriched with LSe or HSe elevated the BWG of rats compared with the control group, while the LSe diet resulted in the most efficient increase in BWG. The diet containing CLAmix, irrespective of the presence of SeY, stimulated the accumulation of Se in the liver and muscles in comparison with the diet enriched with SeY. The addition of SeY to the diet enriched with CLAmix stimulated the accumulation of cis9trans11 (c9t11), t10c12 and cc isomers of CLA in the liver. The diet containing CLAmix and LSe most efficiently increased the concentration of these CLA isomers in muscles. The diets enriched with SeY increased the concentration of essential, endogenous and total amino acids (AA) in the liver, whereas the diets enriched with SeY or CLAmix reduced the concentration of these AA in muscles. The diets enriched with CLAmix and/or SeY decreased the Δ9-desaturase index in the liver and muscles compared with the control group. These diets increased Δ4-, Δ5- and Δ6-desaturase indexes in muscles, but significantly reduced the elongase index compared with the control group. Our study shows that dietary CLAmix increased the concentration of C14:0, C18:0 and the sum of saturated FA (SFA) in the liver, whereas the diets enriched with SeY, irrespective of the presence of CLAmix, slightly reduced the concentration of C14:0, C18:0, and SFA in muscles compared with the control group. The diets containing SeY and/or CLAmix increased the accumulation of arachidonic acid (ArA), linolenic acid (αLNA) and c4c7c10c13c16c19C22:6 in the liver compared with the control rats. Negative effects of dietary SeY and/or CLAmix on the accumulation of αLNA, c5c8c11c14c17C20:5, c7c10c13c16c19C22:5, c4c7c10c13c16c19C22:6, linoleic acid, ArA and c8c11c14C20:3 in muscles were found out. The CLAmix diet increased the Δ4-, Δ5-desaturase and elongase indexes in the liver. It also increased the Δ4-, Δ5- and Δ6-desaturase indexes in muscles, but significantly reduced the elongase index compared with the control group. The finding that the diet with CLAmix and HSe fed to rats decreased total FA and most efficiently increased the content of Se and essential AA in muscles is valuable information for nutritionists carrying out research on farm animals to improve the nutritive value of food from the aspect of human health.

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Meat Quality, Amino Acid, and Fatty Acid Composition of Liangshan Pigs at Different Weights

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050822 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 822

Author(s):

Mailin Gan ◽

Linyuan Shen ◽

Lei Chen ◽

Dongmei Jiang ◽

Yanzhi Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Fatty Acid Composition ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Acid Composition ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Upward Trend

Indigenous pig breeds are important biological resources and their diversity has been severely damaged. The Liangshan pig is a typical mountain-type local pig breed in southwest China. Here, the meat quality, amino acid, and fatty acid composition of Liangshan pigs were compared at seven stages within the weight range of 50–90 kg. A score for comprehensive factors of meat quality was maintained after rising and kept in a plateau within 74.9–91.5 kg of body weight. The total amount of amino acids in the longissimus dorsi muscle remained stable, and the total fatty acids showed an upward trend. Amino acid composition analysis revealed that as the body weight of Liangshan pigs increased, umami, basic, and acidic amino acid contents decreased, while the essential amino acids (EAA) content and the ratio of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids increased. Fatty acid composition analysis revealed that as body weight increased, the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) exhibited a downward trend, while the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) exhibited an upward trend. This study is a primary step towards the development and utilization of Liangshan pigs and provides useful information for local pork processing and genetic improvement.

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Metabolomic Response to Huanglongbing: Role of Carboxylic Compounds in Citrus sinensis Response to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and Its Vector, Diaphorina citri

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi-05-17-0106-r ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (8) ◽

pp. 666-678 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Nabil Killiny ◽

Yasser Nehela

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Expression Analysis ◽

Citrus Sinensis ◽

Gene Expression Analysis ◽

Diaphorina Citri ◽

Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus ◽

Candidatus Liberibacter ◽

Liberibacter Asiaticus

Huanglongbing, a destructive disease of citrus, is caused by the fastidious bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and transmitted by Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. The impact of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ infection or D. citri infestation on Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) leaf metabolites was investigated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, followed by gene expression analysis for 37 genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and proline-glutamine pathways. The total amino acid abundance increased after ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ infection, while the total fatty acids increased dramatically after infestation with D. citri, compared with control plants. Seven amino acids (glycine, l-isoleucine, l-phenylalanine, l-proline, l-serine, l-threonine, and l-tryptophan) and five organic acids (benzoic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, SA, and succinic acid) increased in ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’-infected plants. On the other hand, the abundance of trans-JA and its precursor α-linolenic increased in D. citri-infested plants. Surprisingly, the double attack of both D. citri infestation and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ infection moderated the metabolic changes in all chemical classes studied. In addition, the gene expression analysis supported these results. Based on these findings, we suggest that, although amino acids such as phenylalanine are involved in citrus defense against ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ infection through the activation of an SA-mediated pathway, fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid, are involved in defense against D. citri infestation via the induction of a JA-mediated pathway.

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The Immunometabolic Roles of Various Fatty Acids in Macrophages and Lymphocytes

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22168460 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (16) ◽

pp. 8460

Author(s):

Jose Cesar Rosa Neto ◽

Philip C. Calder ◽

Rui Curi ◽

Philip Newsholme ◽

Jaswinder K. Sethi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Acid Metabolism ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

Metabolic Plasticity ◽

Exciting Area

Macrophages and lymphocytes demonstrate metabolic plasticity, which is dependent partly on their state of activation and partly on the availability of various energy yielding and biosynthetic substrates (fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids). These substrates are essential to fuel-based metabolic reprogramming that supports optimal immune function, including the inflammatory response. In this review, we will focus on metabolism in macrophages and lymphocytes and discuss the role of fatty acids in governing the phenotype, activation, and functional status of these important cells. We summarize the current understanding of the pathways of fatty acid metabolism and related mechanisms of action and also explore possible new perspectives in this exciting area of research.

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