Supported Lipid Bilayer Assembly on PEDOT:PSS Films and Transistors

Lipid bilayers are widely employed as a model system to investigate interactions between cells and their environment. Supported lipid bilayers (SLB) with integrated transmembrane proteins are emerging as a preferred platform for sensing applications. Challenges lie in the generation of SLB on surfaces which allow transduction of signals for characterization of lipid bilayer and incorporated transmembrane proteins. For the first time, the formation of SLBs is shown on films of the conducting polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), using traditional methods for characterizing lipid bilayer quality and function (QCM‐D, FRAP) combined with impedance spectroscopy. Further, partial formation of SLBs on PEDOT:PSS based organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is successfully demonstrated, as well as the ability to integrate and sense the ion pore α‐hemolysin, confirming the sensitivity of the OECT as a transducer of biological membrane function. This work represents a highly promising first step toward the use of such OECTs for functional readout of transmembrane proteins in their native environment.     

Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Senescing Apple Fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Total superoxide dismutase (SOD:superoxide: superoxide oxidoreductase; EC 1.15.1.1) activity and individual activities of its three different metalloenzymes, CuZn-SOD, Fe-SOD, and Mn-SOD, were investigated during senescence of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Total SOD activity and relative activities of its three forms varied greatly among cultivars. Activities underwent considerable change during senescence of fruit, but changes were different among cultivars. Whether fruit senesced at 0°C or 20°C had little effect on SOD activities, and application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) did not alter activities. SOD activities increased with occurrence of the physiological disorder “senescent breakdown,” but did not increase with occurrence of the disorder “superficial scald.” In a given apple cultivar, changes in total SOD activity generally paralleled activities of the different SOD forms. Such activity may reflect changes affecting food and nutritive quality of the fruit.     

EFFECTS OF LINOLEIC ACID SUPPLEMENTS ON THE SYNTHESIS BY YEAST OF LIPIDS AND ACETATE ESTERS

The concentrations of acetate esters in beer were reduced by up to 85% by addition of linoleic acid to the fermentation or by pitching with yeast previously enriched with this unsaturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid was rapidly incorporated into yeast lipids and was effective in reducing the rate of ethyl acetate formation within 2 h. Addition of linoleic acid altered the pattern of synthesis of fatty acids by yeast, causing a shift from medium toward long chain acids. Secondly, the amount of squalene in yeast was reduced by up to 70% whereas that of lanosterol was increased threefold. Since total yeast lipid synthesis was reduced by up to 40%, we conclude that less acetylCoA is synthesized in the presence of linoleic acid. Further, high concentrations of linoleic acid decreased the proportion of acetylCoA consumed by the synthesis of acetate esters. Therefore linoleic acid may directly decrease acetate ester synthesis in addition to its effect via reduction of acetylCoA availability.     

Physicochemical characterization,identification and improved photo-stability of alpha-lipoic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier

Objective: The ultimate goal of this research is to corroborate the physicochemical characterization of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) loading unstable lipophilic active ingredients with an antioxidant function, such as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and monitoring its photochemical stability of ALA-NLC against natural daylight. NLC is an innovative active compound delivery system in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. It has been recommended as active substance carriers to enhance the effectiveness of lipophilic compounds.

Methods: ALA-NLC was manufactured using hot high pressure homogenization technique to increase the water solubility and photo-stability. The physicochemical characterization properties of ALA-NLC have been determined in terms of nanoparticle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index value and size distribution. Size analysis was implemented through photon correlation spectroscopy and laser diffractometry. Morphological profile of nanoparticles was observed via atomic force microscopy. The loading of NLC containing ALA was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. ALA-NLC was subjected to UV-Vis spectrophotometer to validate the existence of ALA. Water contact angle measurement was manipulated to determine the hydrophilicity of the sample. The photo-stability of ALA-NLC within 120 days was assessed by the retention of ALA.

Results: The ALA-NLC provided maximum ALA retention of 93.9% in 30 days exposure to natural daylight, the retention of free ALA only 42.5%. About 88.5% of the initial ALA in NLC system remained after 120 days under the same conditions, while the retention of free ALA only 0.7% under natural daylight irradiation. The photo-stability of ALA was considerably enhanced by NLC formulation compared with free ALA itself. Therefore, the NLC formulation provided a reliable protection of ALA against natural daylight, enhancing its photochemical stability.

Conclusion: The present investigation elucidated that the NLC drastically improved the water solubility, particularly the facilitation of photo-stability of ALA exposure to natural daylight.     

Development and optimization of chemically stable lipid microspheres containing flunarizine

Aim: The purpose of this study is to develop an appropriate dispersion system containing flunarizine, and most of all, to improve the chemical stability of flunarizine. Method: In this study, a higher incubation temperature (60°C), to induce a faster chemical degradation, was adopted to optimize a better vehicle, an appropriate pH value, and an effective antioxidant system for flunarizine. Results: The chemical stability of flunarizine was improved significantly in lipid microspheres (LMs) compared with the aqueous solution. The optimal formulation of LMs for flunarizine at pH 8.0 is composed of (w/v): flunarizine 0.1%, dl-α-tocopherol 0.1%, medium-chain triglyceride 5%, long-chain triglyceride 5%, soybean lecithin 1.8%, poloxamer 188 0.4 %, Tween-80 0.2%, glycerol 2.5% and l-cysteine 0.05%, Na₂SO₃ 0.15%, and EDTA 0.01%. Conclusions: The long-term stability investigation, stored at 10 ± 2°C and 25 ± 2°C for 6 months, witnessed the better chemical stability of flunarizine in LMs. An intravenous delivery system of LMs for flunarizine focusing on a better chemical stability of flunarizine has been successfully developed and optimized.     

Folate-mediated solid–liquid lipid nanoparticles for paclitaxel-coated poly(ethylene glycol)

Background: As a promising anticancer drug, severe side-effects of current clinical formulations for paclitaxel have restricted its use, developing a better technical-economical formulation for paclitaxel delivery is needed. Method: In this study, the compound of folate-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-phosphatidylethanolamine was synthesized and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The solid-liquid lipid nanoparticle (SLLN) for paclitaxel modified with folate and poly(ethylene glycol) (folate-PEG-SLLN) was prepared and characterized. Morphology of folate-PEG-SLLN was examined by transmission electron microscopy. The particle size and zeta potential were performed by Zetapals. Encapsulation efficiency was analyzed by HPLC. The in vitro drug release of paclitaxel was investigated via membrane dialysis. The in vivo pharmacokinetics was measured with male Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment efficiency was investigated with the mouse with sarcoma180 ascites tumor. Results: Paclitaxel loaded on the newly designed binary SLLN showed a longer and sustained in vitro releasing property. More importantly, S180 tumor-bearing mice treated with paclitaxel-loaded SLLN exhibited higher tumor inhibition rate, comparing with animals administered with paclitaxel injection alone (45.3% and 37.3%, respectively). Conclusion: The newly developed paclitaxel delivery system may have improved in vivo antitumor activity. The results demonstrated a great interest to use folate-mediated SLLN as a prospective drug delivery system for paclitaxel.     

混合溶剂芳脂比与特定温度下密度的关系

为提高生产效率、降低生产成本、快速判断混合溶剂芳脂比,研究了混合溶剂芳脂比与特定温度下密度的关系。实验结果表明,混合溶剂的芳脂比与其特定温度下的密度之间存在明显线性关系,且该线性关系对生产具有指导意义。     

Maternal Fructose Intake Causes Developmental Reprogramming of Hepatic Mitochondrial Catalytic Activity and Lipid Metabolism in Weanling and Young Adult Offspring

Excess dietary fructose is a major public health concern, yet little is known about its influence on offspring development and later-life disease when consumed in excess during pregnancy. To determine whether increased maternal fructose intake could have long-term consequences on offspring health, we investigated the effects of 10% w/v fructose water intake during preconception and pregnancy in guinea pigs. Female Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed a control diet (CD) or fructose diet (FD; providing 16% of total daily caloric intake) ad libitum 60 days prior to mating and throughout gestation. Dietary interventions ceased at day of delivery. Offspring were culled at day 21 (D21) (weaning) and at 4 months (4 M) (young adult). Fetal exposure to excess maternal fructose intake significantly increased male and female triglycerides at D21 and 4 M and circulating palmitoleic acid and total omega-7 through day 0 (D0) to 4 M. Proteomic and functional analysis of significantly differentially expressed proteins revealed that FD offspring (D21 and 4 M) had significantly increased mitochondrial metabolic activities of β-oxidation, electron transport chain (ETC) and oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production compared to the CD offspring. Western blotting analysis of both FD offspring validated the increased protein abundances of mitochondrial ETC complex II and IV, SREBP-1c and FAS, whereas VDAC1 expression was higher at D21 but lower at 4 M. We provide evidence demonstrating offspring programmed hepatic mitochondrial metabolism and de novo lipogenesis following excess maternal fructose exposure. These underlying asymptomatic programmed pathways may lead to a predisposition to metabolic dysfunction later in life.     

Glial Modulation of Energy Balance: The Dorsal Vagal Complex Is No Exception

The avoidance of being overweight or obese is a daily challenge for a growing number of people. The growing proportion of people suffering from a nutritional imbalance in many parts of the world exemplifies this challenge and emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate nutritional balance. Until recently, research on the central regulation of food intake primarily focused on neuronal signaling, with little attention paid to the role of glial cells. Over the last few decades, our understanding of glial cells has changed dramatically. These cells are increasingly regarded as important neuronal partners, contributing not just to cerebral homeostasis, but also to cerebral signaling. Our understanding of the central regulation of energy balance is part of this (r)evolution. Evidence is accumulating that glial cells play a dynamic role in the modulation of energy balance. In the present review, we summarize recent data indicating that the multifaceted glial compartment of the brainstem dorsal vagal complex (DVC) should be considered in research aimed at identifying feeding-related processes operating at this level.     

A New Strategy to Preserve and Assess Oxygen Consumption in Murine Tissues

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are implicated in several pathologies, such as metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological diseases, as well as in cancer and aging. These metabolic alterations are usually assessed in human or murine samples by mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymatic assays, by measuring the oxygen consumption of intact mitochondria isolated from tissues, or from cells obtained after physical or enzymatic disruption of the tissues. However, these methodologies do not maintain tissue multicellular organization and cell-cell interactions, known to influence mitochondrial metabolism. Here, we develop an optimal model to measure mitochondrial oxygen consumption in heart and lung tissue samples using the XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer (Seahorse) and discuss the advantages and limitations of this technological approach. Our results demonstrate that tissue organization, as well as mitochondrial ultrastructure and respiratory function, are preserved in heart and lung tissues freshly processed or after overnight conservation at 4 °C. Using this method, we confirmed the repeatedly reported obesity-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in the heart and extended it to the lungs. We set up and validated a new strategy to optimally assess mitochondrial function in murine tissues. As such, this method is of great potential interest for monitoring mitochondrial function in cohort samples.