Search Results (48)

As life expectancy increases, muscle atrophy, characterized by a decline in muscle mass and strength that can impair mobility, has become a growing concern, highlighting the potential of protein supplementation as a promising intervention strategy. A horse meat hydrolysate, with a molecular weight of less than 3 kDa, derived from m. biceps femoris and produced using the food-grade enzyme Alcalase^® (A4 < 3kDa) was evaluated for its efficacy in mitigating dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy, a widely accepted model for studying catabolic muscle loss. Administered orally to C57BL/6 mice at dosages of 200 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg body weight for 35 days, A4 < 3kDa effectively countered the weight loss induced by dexamethasone in the whole body, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles. Moreover, it increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area and grip strength. These effects were attributed to increased protein synthesis via the protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. A4 < 3kDa augmented the phosphorylation of key components of the signaling pathways associated with muscle atrophy, resulting in reduced mRNA expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1. These findings demonstrate the potential of A4 < 3kDa as a functional food ingredient for preventing muscle atrophy. Full article

Donkeys (Equus asinus) hold significant agricultural value in China, particularly for their hides and meat, which possess notable medicinal and dietary importance. However, their reproductive efficiency remains suboptimal compared with other livestock. Ovarian function is a key determinant of fertility, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying donkey ovarian biology remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of donkey ovaries, generating a high-resolution transcriptomic atlas comprising 17,423 cells. Cross-species comparative analysis revealed a high degree of evolutionary conservation in core ovarian cell types, including endothelial, epithelial, immune, and smooth muscle cells, among vertebrates. In contrast, granulosa and theca cells exhibited distinct transcriptional profiles across species, reflecting lineage-specific adaptations. Notably, we identified key genes with donkey-specific expression patterns, including NR3C1 in endothelial cells, LIPE in granulosa cells, and DHRS9 in theca interna cells. Furthermore, an in vitro cumulus–oocyte complex model demonstrated the critical role of GATM in mammalian oocyte maturation. Collectively, these findings provide a comprehensive characterization of ovarian cell-type conservation and species-specific adaptations, offering key molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying cross-species differences in reproductive efficiency. Full article

Previously, we reported that mammalian cells, specifically human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), could be transdifferentiated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Later, we observed that HDFs incorporated LAB-derived ribosomes, forming the ribosome-induced cell clusters (RICs) and transdifferentiating into cells derived from all three germ layers. Based on this insight, we hypothesized that incorporating ribosomes into non-mammalian cells could reveal the universality of this mechanism and open the door to commercial applications. Our current study demonstrates that ribosome incorporation can transdifferentiate chick primary muscle-derived cells (CMCs) into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Furthermore, the culture medium supernatant from ribosome-incorporated CMCs was found to significantly enhance CMC’s proliferation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that RICs-CMC exhibit increased expression of genes related to multi-lineage cell growth. In addition, we developed a novel technological shift in meat production—the “CulNet System”—which replicates organ interactions within mechanical systems for cell-cultured meat production. While significant efforts are still required to implement this technology in a cost-effective manner, we believe that combining the “CulNet System” with ribosome-incorporated multipotent cells that have prolonged culture capability could substantially improve the scalability and cost-effectiveness of cultured chicken meat production. This report highlights a promising approach for cell-culture-based meat production, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Full article

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) (E.C. 1.11.1.7) is a member of the superfamily of mammalian heme peroxidases that is isolated from milk, and it is the first enzyme announced to be found in milk. In addition to milk, LPO is also found in saliva, tears, and airways (airway goblet cells and submucosal glands). It contributes significantly to the self-defense of the mammal body. It catalyzes the oxidation of certain molecules such as thiocyanate (SCN⁻), I⁻, and Br⁻ in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). This reaction leads to the formation of antimicrobial products that have a great antimicrobial spectrum, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity, especially hypothiocyanite (OSCN⁻) and hypoiodite (OI⁻), which are coming into prominence via their high antimicrobial activity. The lactoperoxidase system (LPOS) is the system consisting of LPO, H₂O₂, and SCN⁻. LPO has a great potential to be used in various areas such as preservation and shelf-life elongation of milk; milk products; meat; meat products; plants, including fruits and vegetables; and oral care, diagnosis, immunomodulation, and treatment of nephrotoxicity. The LPO gene, along with LPO itself, is important for animals. In the absence of the LPO gene, there is an increase in the frequency of diverse diseases, including inflammation, tumor formation, and obesity. In this review, we mentioned general information about the enzyme LPO and its potential. Chemical properties and other features of other components of the LPOS, H₂O₂, and SCN⁻ were also touched on the review. To offer readers a comprehensive understanding of the enzyme’s biological significance and research progress over time, both recent and older studies have been used together. Lastly, we discussed potential applications of LPO in different areas and left future remarks in the light of recent studies. Full article

Background: Antibodies to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), particularly the IgM and IgG isotypes, are abundant in human sera. These antibodies are known to be an important xenotransplantation barrier, but the full implications of these antibodies to health and disease remain incompletely understood. By contrast, IgE to alpha-gal is uncommon in the population but has been associated with tick bites and causally linked with mammalian meat allergy, often now known as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). To date, there have been few population-based studies that have investigated alpha-gal IgG levels in relation to demographic factors, diet, tick bites, and mammalian meat allergy. Methods: Adults, predominantly healthcare workers, were recruited for a COVID-19 vaccine study. At least one serum sample was collected, and subjects completed questionnaires to provide demographic, diet, and tick exposure data. Alpha-gal IgG, IgE, and total IgG were measured using the ImmunoCAP platform, and blood group was assessed via reverse typing using stored serum. We also assessed alpha-gal IgG levels among subjects with AGS, recruited from an allergy clinic. Results: The median age of the 267 subjects in the vaccine cohort was 42 years, and median alpha-gal IgG levels were 3.0 μg/mL. Alpha-gal IgG levels were higher among the 43 (16.1%) subjects who had alpha-gal IgE sensitization (≥0.1 IU/mL) and among subjects lacking the B blood group antigen (blood groups A and O). Alpha-gal IgG levels did not differ between the subjects who had asymptomatic alpha-gal IgE sensitization and those who had meat allergy. However, both groups had higher alpha-gal IgG levels than subjects who lacked alpha-gal IgE sensitization. Subjects who reported prior tick or chigger bites had higher alpha-gal IgG levels than those without a bite history, regardless of alpha-gal IgE sensitization status. Conclusions: In a population-based cohort, alpha-gal IgG antibodies were found to be prevalent, and levels were increased in subjects with blood groups A and O, subjects who were alpha-gal IgE sensitized, and those who reported a history of tick bites. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sensitization to the carbohydrate antigen α-Gal is associated with allergic reactions against different types of food that contain α-Gal (e.g., mammalian meat). This form of allergy is termed α-Gal syndrome (AGS), and the diagnosis is challenging due to delayed symptom onset and cross-reactivity with multiple mammalian products. It is estimated that AGS is underdiagnosed, pointing to an unmet need for patient care. Methods: Sera from patients with suspected AGS based on clinical history were analyzed by ImmunoCAP and the IgE cross-reactivity immune profiling (ICRIP) system specifically developed by us. IgE from patient sera against different forms of α-Gal was analyzed using α-Gal-containing analytes and negative controls. Results: Sera from 33 patients with suspected AGS were analyzed. Sera from 22 patients yielded a clearly positive signal (>0.35 kU/L) for IgE against α-Gal in ImmunoCAP. For 7 of the remaining 11 patients with negative or ambiguous (IgE level between 0.1 and 0.35 kU/L) results in ImmunoCAP, ICRIP analyses supported the suspected association of the allergy symptoms with IgE against α-Gal components. This component-resolved analysis helps the allergist to provide an individual diagnosis for each patient. Conclusions: The diagnosis of AGS is challenging. An interplay between clinical history and lab analysis via ImmunoCAP and the specifically developed ICRIP system helps patients and allergists in establishing the correct diagnosis, thereby preventing accidental exposure and recurrent AGS episodes. Full article

Meat is a major source of dietary protein and fat across the globe. Red and white meat are the major terms consumers use to refer to types of meat; however, these terms do not fully encompass the range of nutrients provided by meat sources. Red meat refers to meat from mammalian skeletal muscle, while white meat refers to poultry. Red and white meat both provide a wide range of nutritional components in the context of fatty acids, amino acids and micronutrients. Importantly, it has been demonstrated that amino acid profiles differ between red meat and white meat as well as between different sources of red meat. Red meat is a complete source of dietary amino acids, meaning it contains all essential amino acids (EAAs), and in addition, it contains all the non-essential amino acids (NEAAs). Red meat is also the most abundant source of bioavailable heme-iron essential for muscle growth and cardiovascular health. Red meat has been indicated as a major contributor to the rising incidence of metabolic disorders and even colorectal cancer. However, it is important to note that while red meat consumption is linked to these conditions, it is typically the overconsumption of red meat that is associated with obesity and other metabolic symptoms. Similarly, the preparation of red meat is a key factor in its link to colorectal cancer as some methods of preparation produce carcinogens while others do not. Finally, red meat may also be situationally more beneficial to some groups than others, particularly in the cases of sex and aging. For pregnant women, increases in red meat consumption may be beneficial to increase the intake of semi-essential amino acids, while in the elderly, increases in red meat consumption may better preserve muscle mass compared with other dietary protein sources. Full article

Background/Objectives: IgE to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is associated with Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) bites, accounting for the regional distribution of the alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). Longitudinal studies describing risk factors for incident alpha-gal sensitization are lacking. The objective of this project was to assess the incidence of alpha-gal IgE seroconversion and identify associated demographic, occupational, and geographical risk factors among US military personnel. Methods: Samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository were evaluated at two time points at least 3 years apart. In total, 3000 service members stationed at 10 military installations within the A. americanum tick range were included. Installation, sex, race and ethnicity, rank, military occupation, and branch of service were evaluated. Alpha-gal IgE seroconversion was defined as a change from <0.1 kU/L) to ≥0.1 kU/L. Results: Among the 2821 personnel who were alpha-gal IgE-negative at baseline, 138 (4.9%) seroconverted over a mean interval of 3.4 years. Seroconversion was more frequent in males (5.5% vs. 1.9%), White individuals (6.6% vs. 1.0% in Black people and 1.5% in Hispanics), and individuals in occupations with higher presumed outdoor exposure (e.g., infantry/law enforcement: 12.7% vs. administrative: 1.2%). Differences were not significant between sexes when accounting for military installation/occupation, but differences in race and ethnicity remained significant. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that alpha-gal IgE seroconversion is occurring within the A. americanum tick range and is associated with White race and ethnicity, and occupations with higher outdoor exposure. Further research is needed to elucidate the influence of race and ethnicity on alpha-gal sensitization and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for AGS. Full article

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed every year. Helicobacter pylori represents the main risk factor, being responsible for 78% of the cases. Increased amounts of salt, pickled food, red meat, alcohol, smoked food, and refined sugars negatively affect the stomach wall, contributing to GC development. Several gene mutations, including PIK3CA, TP53, ARID1A, CDH1, Ras, Raf, and ERBB3 are encountered in GC pathogenesis, leading to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)—PI3K/AKT/mTOR—and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activation and promoting tumoral activity. Helicobacter pylori, growth factors, cytokines, hormones, and oxidative stress also activate both pathways, enhancing GC development. In clinical trials, promising results have come from monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab and ramucirumab. Dual inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways were used in vitro studies, also with promising results. The main aim of this review is to present GC incidence and risk factors and the dysregulations of the two protein kinase complexes together with their specific inhibitors. Full article

Background: Naturally derived sustainable biomaterials with high flexibility, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and the ability to manipulate surface chemistry, providing a natural cellular environment, can be used for tissue engineering applications. However, only a few researchers have demonstrated the exploitation of natural architectures for constructing three-dimensional scaffolds. The chemical decellularization technique for fabricating natural scaffolds and their cytocompatibility assessment for tissue engineering applications need to be thoroughly explored and evaluated. Methods: Decellularization of natural scaffolds has been performed via a chemical method using anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) which was used for the in vitro culturing of murine embryonic NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Techniques such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), compressive testing and swelling ratio, and biodegradation were performed to characterize the properties of fabricated decellularized natural scaffolds. Nucleic acid quantification, DAPI, and H&E staining were performed to confirm the removal of nuclear components. In vitro cytocompatibility and live/dead staining assays were performed to evaluate cultured fibroblasts’ metabolic activity and qualitative visualization. Results: 3D chitin/glucan- and cellulose-based scaffolds from edible mushroom (stem) (DMS) and unripe jujube fruit tissue (DUJF) were fabricated using the chemical decellularization technique. FE-SEM shows anisotropic microchannels of highly microporous structures for DMS and isotropic and uniformly arranged microporous structures with shallow cell cavities for DUJF. Both scaffolds exhibited good mechanical properties for skin tissue engineering and DUJF showed a higher compressive strength (200 kPa) than DMS (88.3 kPa). It was shown that the DUJF scaffold had a greater swelling capacity than the DMS scaffold under physiological conditions. At 28 days of incubation, DUJF and DMS displayed approximately 14.97 and 15.06% biodegradation, respectively. In addition, DUJF had greater compressive strength than DMS. Compared to DMS scaffolds, which had a compressive stress of 0.088 MPa at a 74.2% strain, the DUJF scaffolds had a greater compressive strength of 0.203 MPa at a 73.6% strain. The removal of nuclear DNA in the decellularized scaffolds was confirmed via nucleic acid quantification, DAPI, and H&E staining. Furthermore, both of these scaffolds showed good adherence, proliferation, and migration of fibroblasts. DMS showed better biocompatibility and high viability of cells than DUJF. Conclusions: This sustainable scaffold fabrication strategy is an alternative to conventional synthetic approaches for the in vitro 3D culture of mammalian cells for various tissue engineering and cultured meat applications. Full article

Adipose tissue is a major modulator of metabolic function by regulating energy storage and by acting as an endocrine organ through the secretion of adipokines. With the advantage of next-generation sequencing-based single-cell technologies, adipose tissue has been studied at single-cell resolution, thus providing unbiased insight into its molecular composition. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing studies in human and mouse models have dissected the transcriptional cellular heterogeneity of subcutaneous (SAT), visceral (VAT), and intramuscular (IMAT) white adipose tissue depots and revealed unique populations of adipose tissue progenitor cells, mature adipocytes, immune cell, vascular cells, and mesothelial cells that play direct roles on adipose tissue function and the development of metabolic disorders. In livestock species, especially in bovine, significant gaps of knowledge remain in elucidating the roles of adipose tissue cell types and depots on driving the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders and the distinct fat deposition in VAT, SAT, and IMAT in meat animals. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the transcriptional and functional cellular diversity of white adipose tissue revealed by single-cell approaches and highlights the depot-specific function of adipose tissue in different mammalian species, with a particular focus on recent findings and future implications in cattle. Full article

In recent years, advancements in microfluidic and sensor technologies have led to the development of new methods for monitoring cell growth both in macro- and micro-systems. In this paper, a microfluidic (MF) platform with a microbioreactor and integrated impedimetric sensor is proposed for cell growth monitoring during the cell cultivation process in a scaled-down simulator. The impedimetric sensor with an interdigitated electrode (IDE) design was realized with inkjet printing and integrated into the custom-made MF platform, i.e., the scaled-down simulator. The proposed method, which was integrated into a simple and rapid fabrication MF system, presents an excellent candidate for the scaled-down analyses of cell growths that can be of use in, e.g., optimization of the cultivated meat bioprocess. When applied to MRC-5 cells as a model of adherent mammalian cells, the proposed sensor was able to precisely detect all phases of cell growth (the lag, exponential, stationary, and dying phases) during a 96-h cultivation period with limited available nutrients. By combining the impedimetric approach with image processing, the platform enables the real-time monitoring of biomasses and advanced control of cell growth progress in microbioreactors and scaled-down simulator systems. Full article

Pollution due to microplastics and nanoplastics is one of the major environmental issues of the last decade and represents a growing threat to human and animal health. In aquatic species, there is a large amount of information regarding the perturbation of marine organisms; instead, there are only a few studies focusing on the pathophysiological consequences of an acute and chronic exposure to micro- and nanoplastics in mammalian systems, especially on the reproductive system. There are several studies that have described the damage caused by plastic particles, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory response, dysregulation of the endocrine system and accumulation in various organs. In addition to this, microplastics have recently been found to influence the evolution of microbial communities and increase the gene exchange, including antibiotic and metal resistance genes. Special attention must be paid to farm animals, because they produce food such as milk, eggs and meat, with the consequent risk of biological amplification along the food chain. The results of several studies indicate that there is an accumulation of microplastics and nanoplastics in human and animal tissues, with several negative effects, but all the effects in the body have not been ascertained, especially considering the long-term consequences. This review provides an overview of the possible adverse effects of the exposure of livestock to micro- and nanoplastics and assesses the potential risks for the disruption of reproductive physiological functions. Full article

(1) Background: alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. This is a type of food allergy to red meat and other mammalian products (e.g., gelatin). In Poland, this problem seems to be rare or, more likely, very underdiagnosed. The diagnosis of AGS is difficult. It seems that the knowledge about this syndrome is insufficient. There are no effective diagnostic tools able to clearly diagnose this cross-reactive allergy. This paper presents the clinical application of a non-standard method in the diagnosis of a cross-reactive allergy using the example of AGS. (2) Methods: standard tests for in vitro allergy diagnostics and the non-standard ImmunoCAP inhibition test(IT) were carried out for serum collected from a patient with a red meat allergy. (3) Results: the serum concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE was very high (302 kUA/L), and IgE antibodies toanti-mammalian-meat allergens were found. The level of IgE antibodies to mammalian meat allergens decreased after blocking on α-GAL-CAP. The concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE decreased after blocking on CAPs coated with various mammalian meat allergens. Blocking with allergens of poultry meat did not affect the concentration of anti-α-Gal IgE. (4) Conclusions: the ImmunoCAP ITseems to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of cross-reactive allergies. Based on their clinical history and test results, the patient was diagnosed with AGS caused by a primary sensitization to α-Gal after a tick bite. This is the second case of AGS described in Poland and the first in Pomerania. Full article

Cross-reactivity of allergens is the cause of various, sometimes unexpected, clinical reactions. There are no standard methods to investigate cross-reactivity. We present an experimental model of a two-sided inhibition test (IT) on ImmunoCAP membranes (CAP). We constructed the described model based on the known cross-allergy syndrome to red meat developing in people bitten by ticks (α-Gal syndrome; AGS). Some individuals who are bitten by ticks develop IgE antibodies specific to the carbohydrate determinant, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), present in the tick’s saliva. These antibodies can cross-react with α-Gal molecules expressed on mammalian meat proteins. The well-known property of anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies binding by various sources of this allergen was used by us in the proposed model of the two-sided inhibition test on ImmunoCAP membranes. We expected that anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies bind allergens from mammalian meat and blocking them abolishes this reactivity, and the two-sided inhibition test model we proposed on ImmunoCAP membranes allowed us to observe such a relationship. We conducted the experiment three times on biological material from people with different clinical manifestations of allergy to α-Gal, each time obtaining similar results. In conclusion, the model of bilateral inhibition on ImmunoCAP membranes proposed by us seems to be an attractive, simple tool for direct testing of allergic cross-reactivity. Full article