-
1.
Incorporation of Astragalus polysaccharides injection during concurrent chemoradiotherapy in advanced pharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: preliminary experience of a phase II double-blind, randomized trial.
Hsieh, CH, Lin, CY, Hsu, CL, Fan, KH, Huang, SF, Liao, CT, Lee, LY, Ng, SK, Yen, TC, Chang, JT, et al
Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology. 2020;(1):33-41
Abstract
PURPOSE Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is one of the standard treatments for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, CCRT may lead to decreased quality of life (QoL) and treatment compliance. This study aimed to determine the effects of PG2 (Astragalus polysaccharides) injection on CCRT-associated adverse events (AEs) and patients' compliance with the CCRT course. METHODS In this phase II double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, PG2 injection (sterile powder form) or placebo was administrated three times per week in parallel with CCRT to patients with HNSCC. The chemotherapy regimen included 50 mg/m2 cisplatin every 2 weeks with daily tegafur-uracil (300 mg/m2) and leucovorin (60 mg/day). RESULTS The study was terminated prematurely due to the successful launch of a newly formulated PG2 injection (lyophilized form). A total of 17 patients were enrolled. The baseline demographics and therapeutic compliance were comparable between the CCRT/PG2 and CCRT/placebo groups. During CCRT, severe treatment-associated AEs were less frequent in the CCRT/PG2 group than in the CCRT/placebo group. Furthermore, less QoL fluctuations from the baseline during CCRT were noted in the CCRT/PG2 group than in the CCRT/placebo group, with a significant difference in the pain, appetite loss, and social eating behavior. The tumor response, disease-specific survival and overall survival did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This preliminary study demonstrated PG2 injection exhibited an excellent safety profile, and has potential in ameliorating the deterioration in QoL and the AEs associated with active anticancer treatment among patients with advanced pharyngeal or laryngeal HNSCC under CCRT. Further research in patients with other cancer types or treatment modalities may widen PG2's application in clinical settings.
-
2.
The Effect of a Polysaccharide-Based Multinutrient Dietary Supplementation Regimen on Infections and Immune Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis.
Reginald McDaniel, H, LaGanke, C, Bloom, L, Goldberg, S, Lages, LC, Lantigua, LA, Atlas, SE, Woolger, JM, Lewis, JE
Journal of dietary supplements. 2020;(2):184-199
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with increased infection rates, chronic inflammation, and premature death. Optimization of nutritional status via dietary supplementation may improve immune function in people suffering from MS and lead to decreased rates of infection. Fifteen individuals with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS for an average of 12.4 years (SD =7.4; R = 2, 25) were enrolled in a one-year open-label clinical trial. Participants consumed a broad-spectrum dietary supplement regimen containing polysaccharides, phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals three times per day. The occurrence of infections and a panel of cytokines, growth factors, and T- and B-cell subsets were assessed at baseline and 12 months. Seven female and 8 male participants with an average age of 51.3 years (SD =7.2; R = 38, 65) completed the study. At the end of the intervention, participants had fewer total infections (M = 7.9, SD =8.1 at baseline and M = 2.5, SD =4.3 at 12-month follow-up). At 12 months, IL-2, TNF-α, EGF, and CD95 + CD34+ significantly increased, while IL-1β significantly decreased. No major adverse effects were reported; only mild gastrointestinal intolerance was reported in four cases. A decreased occurrence of infection was observed in MS patients treated with 12 months of a polysaccharide-based multinutrient dietary supplement. Significant changes were also noted in several key biomarkers that would be physiologically favorable to the MS population. Thus, the results of this study suggest an immunomodulatory effect of the dietary supplement regimen studied.
-
3.
Pectin-Alginate Does Not Further Enhance Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation in Running.
Barber, JFP, Thomas, J, Narang, B, Hengist, A, Betts, JA, Wallis, GA, Gonzalez, JT
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2020;(6):1376-1384
Abstract
PURPOSE Maximizing carbohydrate availability is important for many endurance events. Combining pectin and sodium alginate with ingested maltodextrin-fructose (MAL + FRU + PEC + ALG) has been suggested to enhance carbohydrate delivery via hydrogel formation, but the influence on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation remains unknown. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effects of MAL + FRU + PEC + ALG on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during exercise compared with a maltodextrin-fructose mixture (MAL + FRU). MAL + FRU has been well established to increase exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during cycling compared with glucose-based carbohydrates (MAL + GLU). However, much evidence focuses on cycling, and direct evidence in running is lacking. Therefore, a secondary aim was to compare exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates with MAL + FRU versus MAL + GLU during running. METHODS Nine trained runners completed two trials (MAL + FRU and MAL + FRU + PEC + ALG) in a double-blind, randomized crossover design. A subset (n = 7) also completed a MAL + GLU trial to address the secondary aim, and a water trial to establish background expired CO2 enrichment. Participants ran at 60% V˙O2peak for 120 min while ingesting either water only or carbohydrate solutions at a rate of 1.5 g carbohydrate per minute. RESULTS At the end of 120 min of exercise, exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates were 0.9 (SD 0.5) g·min with MAL + GLU ingestion. MAL + FRU ingestion increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates to 1.1 (SD 0.3) g·min (P = 0.038), with no further increase with MAL + FRU + PEC + ALG ingestion (1.1 (SD 0.3) g·min; P = 1.0). No time-treatment interaction effects were observed for plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, or nonesterified fatty acids, or for ratings of perceived exertion or gastrointestinal symptoms (all, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION To maximize exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during moderate-intensity running, athletes may benefit from consuming glucose(polymer)-fructose mixtures over glucose-based carbohydrates alone, but the addition of pectin and sodium alginate offers no further benefit.
-
4.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on N-glycan branching and cellular immunophenotypes in MS.
Bäcker-Koduah, P, Infante-Duarte, C, Ivaldi, F, Uccelli, A, Bellmann-Strobl, J, Wernecke, KD, Sy, M, Demetriou, M, Dörr, J, Paul, F, et al
Annals of clinical and translational neurology. 2020;(9):1628-1641
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation on peripheral immune cell frequency and N-glycan branching in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS Exploratory analysis of high-dose (20 400 IU) and low-dose (400 IU) vitamin D3 supplementation taken every other day of an 18-month randomized controlled clinical trial including 38 RRMS patients on stable immunomodulatory therapy (NCT01440062). We investigated cholecalciferol treatment effects on N-glycan branching using L-PHA stain (phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin) at 6 months and frequencies of T-, B-, and NK-cell subpopulations at 12 months with flow cytometry. RESULTS High-dose supplementation did not change CD3+ T cell subsets, CD19+ B cells subsets, and NK cells frequencies, except for CD8+ T regulatory cells, which were reduced in the low-dose arm compared to the high-dose arm at 12 months. High-dose supplementation decreased N-glycan branching on T and NK cells, measured as L-PHA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). A reduction of N-glycan branching in B cells was not significant. In contrast, low-dose supplementation did not affect N-glycan branching. Changes in N-glycan branching did not correlate with cell frequencies. INTERPRETATION Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D may involve regulation of N-glycan branching in vivo. Vitamin D3 supplementation did at large not affect the frequencies of peripheral immune cells.
-
5.
Combined pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse using alkali and ionic liquid to increase hemicellulose content and xylanase production.
Rashid, R, Ejaz, U, Ali, FI, Hashmi, IA, Bari, A, Liu, J, Wang, L, Fu, P, Sohail, M
BMC biotechnology. 2020;(1):64
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignin in sugarcane bagasse (SB) hinders its utilization by microorganism, therefore, pretreatment methods are employed to make fermentable components accessible to the microbes. Multivariate analysis of different chemical pretreatment methods can aid to select the most appropriate strategy to valorize a particular biomass. RESULTS Amongst methods tested, the pretreatment by using sodium hydroxide in combination with methyltrioctylammonium chloride, an ionic liquid, (NaOH+IL) was the most significant for xylanase production by Bacillus aestuarii UE25. Investigation of optimal levels of five significant variables by adopting Box-Behnken design (BBD) predicted 20 IU mL- 1 of xylanase and experimentally, a titer of 17.77 IU mL- 1 was obtained which indicated the validity of the model. The production kinetics showed that volumetric productivity of xylanase was much higher after 24 h (833.33 IU L- 1 h- 1) than after 48 h (567.08 IU L- 1 h- 1). The extracted xylan from SB induced more xylanase in the fermentation medium than pretreated SB or commercially purified xylan. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of SB indicated removal of lignin and changes in the structure of SB after NaOH+IL pretreatment and fermentation. CONCLUSION Combined pretreatment of SB with alkali and methyltrioctylammonium chloride appeared better than other chemical methods for bacterial xylanase production and for the extraction of xylan form SB.
-
6.
The effect of inulin and resistant maltodextrin on weight loss during energy restriction: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded intervention.
Hess, AL, Benítez-Páez, A, Blædel, T, Larsen, LH, Iglesias, JR, Madera, C, Sanz, Y, Larsen, TM, ,
European journal of nutrition. 2020;(6):2507-2524
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to investigate the additive effects of combining energy restriction with dietary fibres on change in body weight and gut microbiota composition. METHODS The study was a 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel intervention trial. A total of 116 overweight or obese participants were assigned randomly either to 10 g inulin plus 10 g resistant maltodextrin or to 20 g of placebo supplementation through 400 mL of milk a day, while on a - 500 kcal/day energy restricted diet. RESULTS Altogether, 86 participants completed the intervention. There were no significant differences in weight loss or body composition between the groups. The fibre supplement reduced systolic (5.35 ± 2.4 mmHg, p = 0.043) and diastolic (2.82 ± 1.3 mmHg, p = 0.047) blood pressure to a larger extent than placebo. Furthermore, a larger decrease in serum insulin was observed in the placebo group compared to the fibre group (- 26.0 ± 9.2 pmol/L, p = 0.006). The intake of fibre induced changes in the composition of gut microbiota resulting in higher abundances of Parabacteroides and Bifidobacteria, compared to placebo. The effects on blood pressure and glucose metabolism were mainly observed in women, and could be attributed to a higher gut microbiota diversity after intervention. Finally, the fibre group experienced a higher degree of gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated over time. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation of inulin and resistant maltodextrin did not provide an additional weight loss during an energy-restricted diet, but reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, the fibre supplement did stimulate the growth of potentially beneficial bacteria genera. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03135041.
-
7.
Increased production of valuable secondary products in plants by leaf applied radiation-processed polysaccharides.
Ahmad, B, Khan, MMA, Jahan, A, Shabbir, A, Jaleel, H
International journal of biological macromolecules. 2020;:286-294
Abstract
Oligosaccharides derived through irradiation of polysaccharides act as efficient plant elicitors and stimulate responses associated with primary as well as secondary metabolic pathways in plants. Reduced molecular weight together with the structural rearrangement, induce plant growth promotion activity in the polysaccharides after irradiation. In addition to the increased activities of different enzymes involved in photosynthesis and nutrient assimilation, various secondary metabolism enzymes are up-regulated by the leaf-applied oligomers. Oligosaccharide-induced elicitation of different signal transduction cascades leads to the increased biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolism products in plants. The present review presents a comprehensive approach regarding the irradiation-induced structural changes and molecular weight reduction in polysaccharides and their role in increasing the production of economically valuable secondary products in various medicinally important plants. This review also encompasses the role of oligosaccharides in regulation of plant growth and enzyme activities as well as the signal transduction mechanism involved in the elicitation of secondary metabolites.
-
8.
The combination of wheat peptides and fucoidan protects against chronic superficial gastritis and alters gut microbiota: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.
Kan, J, Cheng, J, Xu, L, Hood, M, Zhong, D, Cheng, M, Liu, Y, Chen, L, Du, J
European journal of nutrition. 2020;(4):1655-1666
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic gastritis is observed in almost half world population. Traditional medications against chronic gastritis might produce adverse effects, so alternative nutritional strategies are needed to prevent the aggravation of gastric mucosal damage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of the combination of wheat peptides and fucoidan (WPF) on adults diagnosed with chronic superficial gastritis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. METHODS Participants were randomized to receive WPF (N = 53) or placebo (N = 53) once daily for 45 days. Pathological grading of gastric mucosal damage was scored using gastroscopy. Fecal samples were collected for the determination of calprotectin, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels and metagenomics analysis. Questionnaires for self-reported gastrointestinal discomforts, life quality and food frequency were collected throughout the study. RESULTS WPF intervention reduced gastric mucosal damage in 70% subjects (P < 0.001). Significantly less stomach pain (P < 0.001), belching (P = 0.028), bloating (P < 0.001), acid reflux (P < 0.001), loss of appetite (P = 0.021), increased food intake (P = 0.020), and promoted life quality (P = 0.014) were reported in the WPF group. WPF intervention significantly decreased fecal calprotectin level (P = 0.003) while slightly increased fecal SCFAs level (P = 0.092). In addition, we found altered microbiota composition post-intervention with increased Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum (P = 0.032), Eubacterium siraeum (P = 0.036), Bacteroides intestinalis (P = 0.024) and decreased Prevotella copri (P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS WPF intervention could be utilized as a nutritional alternative to mitigate the progression of chronic gastritis. Furthermore, WPF played an important role in altering gut microbial profile and SCFA production, which might benefit the lower gastrointestinal tract.
-
9.
Oxidoreductases in Glycoprotein Glycosylation, Folding, and ERAD.
Patel, C, Saad, H, Shenkman, M, Lederkremer, GZ
Cells. 2020;(9)
Abstract
N-linked glycosylation and sugar chain processing, as well as disulfide bond formation, are among the most common post-translational protein modifications taking place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They are essential modifications that are required for membrane and secretory proteins to achieve their correct folding and native structure. Several oxidoreductases responsible for disulfide bond formation, isomerization, and reduction have been shown to form stable, functional complexes with enzymes and chaperones that are involved in the initial addition of an N-glycan and in folding and quality control of the glycoproteins. Some of these oxidoreductases are selenoproteins. Recent studies also implicate glycan machinery-oxidoreductase complexes in the recognition and processing of misfolded glycoproteins and their reduction and targeting to ER-associated degradation. This review focuses on the intriguing cooperation between the glycoprotein-specific cell machineries and ER oxidoreductases, and highlights open questions regarding the functions of many members of this large family.
-
10.
3D biofilms: in search of the polysaccharides holding together lichen symbioses.
Spribille, T, Tagirdzhanova, G, Goyette, S, Tuovinen, V, Case, R, Zandberg, WF
FEMS microbiology letters. 2020;(5)
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Stable, long-term interactions between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, collectively known as lichens, have repeatedly evolved complex architectures with little resemblance to their component parts. Lacking any central scaffold, the shapes they assume are casts of secreted polymers that cement cells into place, determine the angle of phototropic exposure and regulate water relations. A growing body of evidence suggests that many lichen extracellular polymer matrices harbor unicellular, non-photosynthesizing organisms (UNPOs) not traditionally recognized as lichen symbionts. Understanding organismal input and uptake in this layer is key to interpreting the role UNPOs play in lichen biology. Here, we review both polysaccharide composition determined from whole, pulverized lichens and UNPOs reported from lichens to date. Most reported polysaccharides are thought to be structural cell wall components. The composition of the extracellular matrix is not definitively known. Several lines of evidence suggest some acidic polysaccharides have evaded detection in routine analysis of neutral sugars and may be involved in the extracellular matrix. UNPOs reported from lichens include diverse bacteria and yeasts for which secreted polysaccharides play important biological roles. We conclude by proposing testable hypotheses on the role that symbiont give-and-take in this layer could play in determining or modifying lichen symbiotic outcomes.