Search Results (8)

With aging, human lenses lose the ability to focus on nearby objects due to decreases in accommodative ability, a condition known as presbyopia. An increase in stiffness or decrease in lens elasticity due to protein aggregation and insolubilization are the primary reasons for presbyopia. In this study, we tested aggrelyte-1 (S,N-diacetyl glutathione diethyl ester) for its ability to promote protein solubility and decrease the stiffness of lenses through its dual property of lysine acetylation and disulfide reduction. Treatment of water-insoluble proteins from aged human lenses (58–75 years) with aggrelyte-1 significantly increased the solubility of those proteins. A control compound that did not contain the S-acetyl group (aggrelyte-1C) was substantially less efficient in solubilizing water-insoluble proteins. Aggrelyte-1-treated solubilized protein had significant amounts of acetyllysine, as measured by Western blotting and LC-MS/MS. Aggrelytes increased the protein-free thiol content in the solubilized protein. Aged mouse (7 months) and human (44–66 years) lenses treated with aggrelyte-1 showed reduced stiffness accompanied by higher free thiol and acetyllysine levels compared with those treated with aggrelyte-1C or untreated controls. Our results suggested that aggrelyte-1 reduced lens stiffness through acetylation followed by disulfide reduction. This proof-of-concept study paves the way for developing aggrelyte-1 and related compounds to reverse presbyopia. Full article

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, which can overcome the challenges associated with poor aqueous solubility and other harmful side effects of drugs, display potent applications in cataract treatment. Herein, we designed a nanosystem of gold nanoparticles containing resveratrol (RGNPs) as an anti-aging agent to delay cataracts. The spherical RGNPs had a superior ability to inhibit hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress damage, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) generation, and glutathione (GSH) consumption in the lens epithelial cells. Additionally, the present data showed that RGNPs could delay cellular senescence induced by oxidative stress by decreasing the protein levels of p16 and p21, reducing the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in vitro. Moreover, the RGNPs could also clearly relieve sodium selenite-induced lens opacity in a rat cataract model. Our data indicated that cell senescence was reduced and cataracts were delayed upon treatment with RGNPs through activating the Sirt1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Our findings suggested that RGNPs could serve as an anti-aging ingredient, highlighting their potential to delay cataract development. Full article

Age-related protein truncation is a common process in long-lived proteins such as proteins found in the ocular lens. Major truncation products have been reported for soluble and membrane proteins of the lens, including small peptides that can accelerate protein aggregation. However, the spatial localization of age-related protein fragments in the lens has received only limited study. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is an ideal tool for examining the spatial localization of protein products in tissues. In this study we used IMS to determine the spatial localization of small crystallin fragments in aged and cataractous lenses. Consistent with previous reports, the pro-aggregatory αA-crystallin 66–80 peptide as well as αA-crystallin 67–80 and γS-crystallin 167–178 were detected in normal lenses, but found to be increased in nuclear cataract regions. In addition, a series of γS-crystallin C-terminal peptides were observed to be mainly localized to cataractous regions and barely detected in transparent lenses. Other peptides, including abundant αA3-crystallin peptides were present in both normal and cataract lenses. The functional properties of these crystallin peptides remain unstudied; however, their cataract-specific localization suggests further studies are warranted. Full article

Inflammation and cancer are diseases caused by genetic and environmental factors as well as altered microbiota. Diet plays a role, with leguminous such as beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, Vicia faba), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), lentils (Lens culinaris), peas (Pisum sativum) and soybeans (Glycine max), known to prevent such diseases. Processing of food leguminous yields aqueous side streams. These products are nothing short of water extracts of leguminous, containing albumin, globulin, saponins, and oligosaccharides. This review analysed the most recent findings on the anticancer activities of legume-soluble nutrients. Albumin from chickpeas and peas inhibits the pro-inflammatory mediator interleukins, while soy Bowman–Birk Inhibitor inhibits serine proteases. The peptide vicilin activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, mediating triglyceride metabolism. Soyasaponins promote apoptosis of cancer cells by activating caspases and by enhancing the concentration of intracellular calcium. Soyasapogenol regulates specific protein pathways, leading to apoptosis. Oligosaccharides such as raffinose and stachyose promote the synthesis of short chain fatty acids, balancing the intestinal microbiota, as result of their prebiotic activity. Verbascoside also modulate signalling pathways, leading to apoptosis. In closing, water extracts of leguminous have the potential to be efficient anticancer ingredients, by means of numerous mechanisms based on the raw material and the process. Full article

Introduction: The 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Prevention Guidelines emphasize reduction in dietary sodium, cholesterol, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and sweetened beverages. We hypothesized that implementing this dietary pattern could reduce cardiovascular risk in a cohort of volunteers in an urban African American (AA) community church, during a 5-week ACC/AHA-styled nutrition intervention, assessed by measuring risk markers and adherence, called HEART-LENS (Helping Everyone Assess Risk Today Lenten Nutrition Study). Methods: The study population consisted of 53 volunteers who committed to eat only home-delivered non-dairy vegetarian meals (average daily calories 1155, sodium 1285 mg, cholesterol 0 mg; 58% carbohydrate, 17% protein, 25% fat). Body mass index (BMI) and fasting serum markers of cardiometabolic and risk factors were measured, with collection of any dietary deviation. Results: Of 53 volunteers, 44 (mean age 60.2 years, 37 women) completed the trial (88%); 1 was intolerant of the meals, 1 completed both blood draws but did not eat delivered food, and 7 did not return for the tests. Adherence to the diet was reported at 93% in the remaining 44. Cardiometabolic risk factors improved significantly, highlighted by a marked reduction in serum insulin (−43%, p = 0.000), hemoglobin A1c (6.2% to 6.0%, p = 0.000), weight and BMI (−10.2 lbs, 33 to 31 kg/m², p = 0.000), but with small reductions of fasting glucose (−6%, p = 0.405) and triglyceride levels (−4%, p = 0.408). Additionally, improved were trimethylamine-N-oxide (5.1 to 2.9 µmol/L, −43%, p = 0.001), small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (24.2 to 19.1 mg/dL, −21%, p = 0.000), LDL (121 to 104 mg/dL, −14%, p = 0.000), total cholesterol (TC) (190 to 168 mg/dL, −12%, p = 0.000), and lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)) (56 to 51 mg/dL, −11%, p = 0.000); high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was widely variable but reduced by 16% (2.5 to 2.1 ng/mL, p = NS) in 40 subjects without inflammatory conditions. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR) levels were not significantly changed. The ACC/AHA pooled cohort atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk scores were calculated for 41 and 36 volunteers, respectively, as the ASCVD risk could not be calculated for 3 subjects with low lipid fractions at baseline and 8 subjects after intervention (p = 0.184). In the remaining subjects, the mean 10-year risk was reduced from 10.8 to 8.7%, a 19.4% decrease (p = 0.006), primarily due to a 14% decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a 10 mm Hg (6%) reduction in systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: In this prospective 5-week non-dairy vegetarian nutrition intervention with good adherence consistent with the 2019 ACC/AHA Guidelines in an at-risk AA population, markers of cardiovascular risk, cardiometabolism, and body weight were significantly reduced, including obesity, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) density, LP(a), inflammation, and ingestion of substrates mediating production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Albeit reduced, hs-CRP and suPAR, were not lowered consistently. This induced a significant decrease in the 10-year ASCVD risk in this AA cohort. If widely adopted, this could dramatically reduce and possibly eradicate, the racial disparity in ASCVD events and mortality, if 19% of the 21% increase is eliminated by this lifestyle change. Full article

Diabetes mellitus affects the eye lens, leading to cataract formation by glycation, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is a natural compound that has been reported to counteract all these pathological processes in various tissues and organs. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether berberine administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg by oral gavage for 28 days to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes reveals such effects on the biochemical parameters in the lenses. For this purpose, the following lenticular parameters were studied: concentrations of soluble protein, non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and activities of aldose reductase (AR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Diabetes induced unfavorable changes in the majority of the examined parameters. The administration of berberine resulted in an increased soluble protein level, decreased activity of AR, and lowered AOPP and AGEs levels. The results suggest that berberine administered orally positively affects the lenses of diabetic rats, and should be further examined with regard to its anticataract potential. Full article

Resveratrol is found in grapes, apples, blueberries, mulberries, peanuts, pistachios, plums and red wine. Resveratrol has been shown to possess antioxidative activity and a variety of preventive effects in models of many diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate if this substance may counteract the oxidative stress and polyol pathway in the lens of diabetic rats. The study was conducted on the rats with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes. After the administration of resveratrol (10 and 20 mg/kg po for 4 weeks), the oxidative stress markers in the lens were evaluated: activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as levels of total and soluble protein, level of glutathione, vitamin C, calcium, sulfhydryl group, advanced oxidation protein products, malonyldialdehyde, Total Oxidant Status and Total Antioxidant Reactivity. The obtained results indicate that the administration of resveratrol to the diabetic rats shows antioxidative properties. It is not a result of antiglycaemic activity but resveratrol probably directly affects the antioxidative system. Resveratrol did not affect the polyol pathway in the lens of diabetic rats. Our results may indirectly indicate benefits of consumption of foods as well as dietary supplements containing resveratrol in diminishing oxidative stress in lenses of individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus. Full article

A two year field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of three row and eight row seeding on the total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), hydrolyzed (HTC) and condensed tannin (CTC), antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), protein content and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in the extracts of lentil (Lens culinaris L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus communis L.) cultivated under organic farming. The aim of this study was to determine whether row spacing used for seeding in organic farming systems for lentil and grass pea is a suitable method to increase the accumulation of antioxidant compounds in these crops. Grass pea showed the highest mean SDF and protein while lentil varieties showed the greatest and significant content of all of the antioxidant compounds. In lentil, there were increases in TPC (52%), HTC (73%), TFC (85%) and CTC (41%), passing from three rows to eight rows, while in grass pea, the increases were lower, and only significant for TFC and CTC (37%, 13% respectively). In both lentils and grass pea, the highest correlation coefficient was between TPC and HTC, which indicates that the HTC includes the predominant phenolic compounds in lentil as well as in grass pea (r = 0.98, 0.71 p < 0.001, respectively). Regardless of legume species, TPC, HTC, TFC and CTC showed significant (p < 0.001) and linear correlations with the ABTS assay. These data confirm the key role of row spacing for the improvement of the antioxidant properties of lentil in organic farming; moreover, they hint at the major responsiveness and adaptation of lentil to environmental stimulus with respect to grass pea. Full article