Search Results (649)

Krill oil (KO) and fish oil (FO) are rich sources of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) bound to distinct molecular carriers (phospholipids vs. triglycerides). These oils have been the subject of considerable research interest over the past few years owing to their roles extensively studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties relevant to disease prevention and therapy in certain diseases. This review aimed to provide a comparative summary of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of KO and FO, based on their bioactive components, and highlight the similarities and differences in their prospective mechanisms of action. Both oils exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, aligning with the review focus. The bioactivities of both oils stem from their distinct molecular compositions: KO delivers EPA/DHA via phospholipids, alongside astaxanthin, while FO provides EPA/DHA bound to triglycerides. In some cases, they exhibit similar outcomes, whereas in others, one may be more effective than the other. Further comparative studies examining dose-dependent effects, bioavailability kinetics, and tissue-specific molecular pathways are warranted. Full article

Respiratory microbiota and lipids are closely associated with airway inflammation. This study aimed to analyze the correlations among the respiratory microbiome, the airway glycerophospholipid–sphingolipid profiles, and airway inflammation in patients with asthma. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 61 patients with asthma and 17 healthy controls. Targeted phospholipidomics was performed on exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples, and microbial composition was analyzed via the 16S rDNA sequencing of induced sputum. Asthma patients exhibited significant alterations in the EBC lipid profiles, with reduced levels of multiple ceramides (Cer) and glycerophospholipids, including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), compared with healthy controls. These lipids were inversely correlated with the sputum interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels. Microbiome analysis revealed an increased abundance of Leptotrichia and Parasutterella in asthma patients, both positively associated with IL-4. Correlation analysis highlighted a potential interaction network involving PA, PE, ceramides, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Parasutterella, and Leptotrichia. Specific alterations in airway microbiota and phospholipid metabolism are associated with asthma-related inflammation, supporting the concept of a microbiota–phospholipid–immune axis and providing potential targets for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies. Full article

This study developed phospholipid-based liposomes loaded with extract from wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) tea processing residues to enhance polyphenol stability and delivery. Liposomes were prepared with phospholipids alone or combined with 10–30 mol% cholesterol or β-sitosterol. The effect of different lipid compositions on encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, stability, thermal properties, diffusion coefficient, and diffusion resistance of the liposomes was investigated. Liposomes with 10 mol% sterols (either cholesterol or β-sitosterol) exhibited the highest EE of polyphenols, while increasing sterol content to 30 mol% resulted in decreased EE. Particle size and PDI increased with sterol content, while liposomes prepared without sterols showed the smallest vesicle size. Encapsulation of the extract led to smaller liposomal diameters and slight increases in PDI values. Zeta potential measurements revealed that sterol incorporation enhanced the surface charge and stability of liposomes, with β-sitosterol showing the most pronounced effect. Stability testing demonstrated minimal changes in size, PDI, and zeta potential during storage. UV irradiation and lyophilization processes did not cause significant polyphenol leakage, although lyophilization slightly increased particle size and PDI. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that polyphenols and sterols modified the lipid membrane transitions, indicating interactions between extract components and the liposomal bilayer. FT-IR spectra confirmed successful integration of the extract into the liposomes, while UV exposure did not significantly alter the spectral features. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay demonstrated the extract’s efficacy in mitigating lipid peroxidation under UV-induced oxidative stress. In contrast, liposomes enriched with sterols showed enhanced peroxidation. Polyphenol diffusion studies showed that encapsulation significantly delayed release, particularly in sterol-containing liposomes. Release assays in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids confirmed controlled, pH-dependent polyphenol delivery, with slightly better retention in β-sitosterol-enriched systems. These findings support the use of β-sitosterol- and cholesterol-enriched liposomes as stable carriers for polyphenolic compounds from wild thyme extract, as bioactive antioxidants, for food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, a region susceptible to global change, stores substantial amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) in its alpine grassland. However, little is known about how SOC is regulated by soil microbial communities, which vary with elevation, mean annual temperature (MAT), and mean annual precipitation (MAP). This study integrates phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to simultaneously resolve microbial biomass, community composition, and membrane lipid adaptations along an elevational gradient (2861–5090 m) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. This study found that microbial PLFAs increased significantly with rising MAP, while the relationship with MAT was nonlinear. PLFAs of different microbial groups all had a positive effect on SOC storage. At higher altitudes (characterized by lower MAP and lower MAT), Gram-positive bacteria dominated bacterial communities, and fungi dominated the overall microbial community, highlighting microbial structural adaptations as key regulators of carbon storage. Saturated fatty acids with branches of soil microbial membrane dominated across sites, but their prevalence over unsaturated fatty acids decreased at high elevations. These findings establish a mechanistic link between climate-driven microbial community restructuring and SOC vulnerability on the QTP, providing a predictive framework for carbon–climate feedbacks in alpine systems under global warming. Full article

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) are increasingly recognized as biologically active lipids involved in various pathologies. Both exposure to pathogenic factors and the efficacy of protective mechanisms are critical to disease development. In this study, we characterized an immunoassay that quantified the total capacity of the plasma to degrade or mask OxPLs, thereby preventing their interaction with cells and soluble proteins. OxLDL-coated plates were first incubated with human blood plasma or a control vehicle, followed by an ELISA using a monoclonal antibody specific to oxidized phosphatidylethanolamine. Pretreatment with the diluted blood plasma markedly inhibited mAb binding. The masking assay was optimized by evaluating the buffer composition, the compatibility with various anticoagulants, potential interfering compounds, the kinetic parameters, pre-analytical stability, statistical robustness, and intra- and inter-individual variability. We propose that this masking assay provides a simple immunological approach to assessing protective mechanisms against lipid peroxidation products. Establishing this robust and reproducible method is essential for conducting clinical association studies that explore masking activity as a potential biomarker of the predisposition to a broad range of lipid-peroxidation-related diseases. Full article

Background: Fatty acid status during the perinatal period is important for optimal offspring growth and development. Objectives: We aimed to test the association between maternal fatty acid (FA) intake during the third trimester of pregnancy and the FA composition of placental phospholipids, a marker of maternal fatty acid status. Methods: This cohort study was performed on 54 mothers participating in the PREOBE study. Maternal dietary intake was assessed with prospective 7-day food diaries at 34 weeks of gestation. Placenta samples were collected immediately after delivery and phospholipid FA was quantified with established methods. Data were analyzed with Pearson correlations and linear regression models, with adjustment for confounding factors. Results: Total energy intake was 2019 ± 527 kcal/d (mean ± SD) and total fat intake of the mothers was 87 ± 35 g/day. Myristic, stearic, oleic, and α-linolenic acid intakes were modestly correlated with placental percentages, with r-values ≤ 0.33. Only docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid intake (%-energy, %-fat, and g/d) showed r-values > 0.4 for the correlation with placenta phospholipids. Intake of other fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, was not associated with the placenta percentage. Linear regression models considering confounders showed only dietary DHA intake significant associations. Total fat intake did not interfere with the association of DHA intake with placental incorporation. Conclusions: DHA and arachidonic acid are enriched in the placenta, but only placental DHA content seems modifiable by maternal dietary DHA intake. Full article

Soil microbes play a crucial role in driving biogeochemical cycles and are closely linked with aboveground plants during forest succession. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) encroachment into adjacent forests of varying composition is known to alter plant diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. However, how soil microbial communities respond to this vegetation type transformation has not fully explored. To address this knowledge gap, a time-alternative spatial method was employed in the present study, and we investigated the effect of Moso bamboo expansion into subtropical broad-leaved forest and coniferous forest on soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). We also measured the dynamics of key soil properties during the Moso bamboo expansion processes. Our results showed that Moso bamboo encroachment into subtropical broad-leaved forest induced an elevation in soil bacterial PLFAs (24.78%) and total microbial PLFAs (22.70%), while decreasing the fungal-to-bacterial (F:B) ratio. This trend was attributed to declines in soil NO₃⁻-N (18.63%) and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations (28.83%). Conversely, expansion into coniferous forests promoted soil fungal PLFAs (40.41%) and F:B ratio, primarily driven by increases in soil pH (4.83%) and decreases in SOC (36.18%). These results provide mechanistic insights into how contrasting expansion trajectories of Moso bamboo restructure soil microbial communities and highlight the need to consider vegetation context-dependency when evaluating the ecological consequences of Moso bamboo expansion. Full article

Azospirillum is a well-studied genus of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and one of the most extensively researched diazotrophs. This genus can colonize rhizosphere soil and enhance plant growth and productivity by supplying essential nutrients to the host. Azospirillum–plant interactions involve multiple mechanisms, including nitrogen fixation, the production of phytohormones (auxins, cytokinins, indole acetic acid (IAA), and gibberellins), plant growth regulators, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and the synthesis of various bioactive molecules, such as flavonoids, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and catalase. Thus, Azospirillum is involved in plant growth and development. The genus Azospirillum also enhances membrane activity by modifying the composition of membrane phospholipids and fatty acids, thereby ensuring membrane fluidity under water deficiency. It promotes the development of adventitious root systems, increases mineral and water uptake, mitigates environmental stressors (both biotic and abiotic), and exhibits antipathogenic activity. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the primary mechanism of Azospirillum, which is governed by structural nif genes present in all diazotrophic species. Globally, Azospirillum spp. are widely used as inoculants for commercial crop production. It is considered a non-pathogenic bacterium that can be utilized as a biofertilizer for a variety of crops, particularly cereals and grasses such as rice and wheat, which are economically significant for agriculture. Furthermore, Azospirillum spp. influence gene expression pathways in plants, enhancing their resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Advances in genomics and transcriptomics have provided new insights into plant-microbe interactions. This review explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Azospirillum spp. in plant growth. Additionally, BNF phytohormone synthesis, root architecture modification for nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, and immobilization for enhanced crop production are also important. A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of Azospirillum in biofertilizer and biostimulant development, as well as genetically engineered and immobilized strains for improved phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, will contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and help to meet global food security demands. Full article

The cultured habitat of Eriocheir sinensis is a crucial factor influencing its nutritional quality. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the differences in the nutritional quality of Eriocheir sinensis reared in different habitats. This study investigated and compared the nutritional value of three edible parts (the hepatopancreas, gonads, and muscles) of female Eriocheir sinensis from three different habitats in the lower reach of the Yangtze River, with a special emphasis on lipid compounds. In addition to tissue indices, proximate composition, energy content, lipid classes, and fatty acid profile, eight lipid quality indices were proposed to evaluate the lipid nutritional quality. The results indicated that the Eriocheir sinensis from the three different habitats were all in good developmental condition. No significant differences were observed for the hepatopancreas index (HIS), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and total edible yield (TEY) among the three habitats, except for muscle index (MI), which was significantly higher in the L-crabs and E-crabs compared to the P-crabs. The highest protein content was found in the gonads, while the hepatopancreas had the highest crude lipid content. Regarding lipid classes, triglycerides dominated the hepatopancreas, and phospholipids were predominant in muscles, whereas phospholipids and triglycerides were predominant in approximately equal amounts in the gonads. Taking eight lipid quality indices into account together, the three major edible tissues of Eriocheir sinensis from the estuarine habitat had the highest nutritional value, followed by the hepatopancreas from the pond habitat. The current research will provide basic nutritional data for consumers to purchase Eriocheir sinensis and establish the theoretical groundwork for paving new paths for improving the nutritional quality combined with habitat conditions in future studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among women and the recent identification of a resident mammary microbiota has highlighted its potential role in breast carcinogenesis. Given that environmental and socioeconomic factors influence both BC prevalence and tumor-associated bacterial composition, this study aimed to evaluate the compositional and functional features of the mammary microbiota in cancerous (oncobiome) and adjacent healthy BC tissues from patients living in urban and rural areas. Methods: Microbiota composition in both the oncobiome and adjacent healthy BC tissues was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Significant variations in breast oncobiome composition were observed among BC patients from urban and rural areas. A statistically significant β dispersion among breast oncobiome of patients from urban or rural areas was highlighted. Specifically, the genera Selenomonas, Centipeda, Leptotrichia, Neisseria and Porphyromonas were found exclusively in BC tissues of patients from rural areas. Additionally, bacteria from the Neisseriaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, and Selenomonadaceae families, as well as the Selenomonas genus, were significantly enriched in the oncobiome of rural BC patients. Furthermore, the results of the PICRUSt2 (phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states) revealed a significant increase in phospholipid biosynthesis pathways in breast oncobiome of patients from rural areas compared to those from urban areas. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of distinct compositional and functional differences in the breast oncobiome between BC patients from rural and urban areas. These findings suggest that environmental factors influence local microbiome composition, potentially contributing to BC development and/or progression. Full article

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of plasma cells that accounts for 10% of all haematological malignancies diagnosed worldwide. The poor outcome of patients with MM highlights the ongoing need for novel treatment strategies. Ferroptosis is a recently characterised form of non-apoptotic programmed cell death. Phospholipids (PLs) containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a crucial role as ferroptosis substrates when oxidised to form toxic lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using a range of scientific techniques, we demonstrate a strong correlation between the PL profile of MM and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells with their sensitivity to ferroptosis. Using this PL profiling, we manufacture liposomes that are themselves composed of PL-PUFA ferroptosis substrates relatively deficient in MM cells, with and without the GPX4 inhibitor, RSL3, for investigation of their ferroptosis-inducing potential. PL-PUFAs were more abundant in DLBCL than MM cell lines, consistent with greater ferroptosis sensitivity. In contrast, MM cells generally contained a significantly higher proportion of PLs containing monounsaturated fatty acids. Altering the lipid composition of MM cells through exogenous supplementation with PL-PUFAs induced ferroptosis-mediated cell death and further sensitised these cells to RSL3. Liposomes predominantly comprising PL-PUFAs were subsequently manufactured and loaded with RSL3. Uptake, cytotoxicity and lipid ROS studies demonstrated that these novel liposomes were readily taken up by MM cells. Those containing RSL3 were more effective at inducing ferroptosis than empty liposomes or free RSL3, resulting in IC₅₀ values an average 7.1-fold to 14.5-fold lower than those for free RSL3, from the micromolar to nanomolar range. We provide a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with ferroptosis resistance of MM cells and suggest that strategies such as liposomal delivery of relatively deficient ferroptosis-inducing PL-PUFAs together with other targeted agents could harness ferroptosis for the personalised treatment of MM and other cancers. Full article

The polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 class have been widely investigated due to their antitumor properties, including in prostate cancer (PCa). Among them is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 ω-3), whose biological activity is higher than other omega-3s, exhibiting a stronger impact on PCa. The specific mechanisms triggered by DHA are blurred by studies that used a blend of omega-3s, delaying the understanding of its biological role, and hence alternative therapeutic approaches. DHA is differentially processed between normal and malignant epithelial PCa cells, which suggests its function as a tumor suppressor. At cell-specific level, it downregulates key pathways in PCa, such as androgen signaling and lipid metabolism, but also changes membrane composition by disrupting phospholipid balance and increasing unsaturation status, arrests the cell cycle, and induces apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. At the tissue level, DHA seems to influence stromal components, such as the inhibition of cancer-associated fibroblast differentiation and resolution of inflammation, which generates a microenvironment favorable to PCa initiation and progression. Considering that such effects are misunderstood and assigned to omega-3s in general, this review aims to discuss the specific effects of DHA on PCa based on in vitro and in vivo evidence. Full article

Background: Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) lipidomics is a subset of spatially resolved techniques wherein lipids are detected by mass spectrometry, allowing their multiplexed detection and acquiring position-correlated spectra along a tissue section. Rapid advances in the field provide solid evidence demonstrating how specific and regulated lipid distribution is in any biological context. Objectives: Herein, we describe the MSI, particularly matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-MSI), challenges and advantages in defining human lung pathophysiology, particularly in lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, leading causes of death. Methods: MALDI-MSI analysis of lung tissue sections at 25 μm of lateral resolution allowed associating specific lipid profiles with the main tissues present and independently assessing the impact on lipid composition of smoking, chronic inflammation, and lung cancer. Results: Consistent with MALDI-MSI studies in tumor epithelia, arachidonic acid-containing phospholipids increased, agreeing with its role as a precursor of numerous bioactive molecules participating in cell differentiation and malignization. Next, a gene expression dataset of epithelial human non-small cell lung cancer samples was analyzed using system biology approaches, revealing that, consistent with the most relevant changes in lipid profiles, the network dominated by the tumor-associated module included genes tightly involved in phosphatidylinositol and sphingolipid metabolism. Hence, despite the intrinsic difficulties entailed by lung tissue handling, the results strongly encourage future analysis at higher lateral resolutions so that the lipidome changes associated with each lung cellular type, even subtype, could be fully mapped. Therefore, MALDI-MSI lipidomics definitively broadens the options, some still rather unexplored, to delve into pathophysiology at the cell-type level. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of studying the effects of the alkali metal ion complexes (AMIC) on the rumen of lambs. Eighteen 3-month-old male Hu lambs (30 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6). Dietary treatments were: control group (CG, base diet), group C1 (base diet + 0.15% AMIC), and group C2 (base diet + 0.30% AMIC). After 60 days of feeding, samples were collected for analysis. Compared with CG, rumen weight significantly increased in both C1 and C2 (p < 0.05). In C2, average daily gain (ADG), bacterial crude protein (BCP), propionic acid concentration, and rumen papillary length were significantly higher than in CG (p < 0.05). Rumen microbiota analysis showed that AMIC supplementation changed the microbial community composition, increasing the relative abundance of fiber-degrading bacteria (e.g., Prevotellaceae_UCG-001) and decreasing pathogenic Proteobacteria. In particular, rumen papillary length positively correlated with Unclassified Oscillospiraceae, Candidatus Saccharimonas, and Unclassified Clostridia vadinBB60 group. Metabolomic analysis revealed that quercetin 3-O-glucuronide levels increased in a dose-dependent manner with higher AMIC. This metabolite positively correlated with Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 abundance and ADG. At 0.30% AMIC, phospholipids PC(18:0/18:4(6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)) and PE(18:0/16:1(9Z)) were significantly upregulated, and both positively correlated with Candidatus Saccharimonas, Unclassified Clostridia vadinBB60 group, and papillary morphology. In summary, AMIC supplementation affected metabolism by modulating the rumen microbiota, thereby promoting energy absorption and growth. The 0.30% AMIC inclusion significantly enhanced rumen papilla growth, increased the absorption area, promoted propionic acid production, reduced the acetic acid to propionic acid ratio, and ultimately improved the growth rate of Hu lambs. Thus, adding 0.30% AMIC was associated with improved growth performance. Full article

Understanding the processes of organic nitrogen (N) mineralization to ammonium (NH₄⁺) and NH₄⁺ oxidation to nitrate (NO₃⁻), which, together, supply soil inorganic N (the sum of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻), is of great significance for guiding the restoration of degraded ecosystems. This study used space-for-time substitution to investigate the dynamic changes in the rates of organic N mineralization (M_Norg) and nitrification (O_NH4) in soil at different vegetation restoration stages. Soil samples were collected from grassland (3–5 years), shrub-grassland (7–8 years), early-stage shrubland (15–20 years), late-stage shrubland (30–35 years), early-stage woodland (45–50 years), and late-stage woodland (70–80 years) in the subtropical karst region of China during the dry (December) and rainy (July) seasons. The M_Norg and O_NH4 were determined using the ¹⁵N labeling technique. The soil microbial community was determined using the phospholipid fatty acid method. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and inorganic N contents, as well as the soil moisture content (SMC) were also measured. Our results showed that SOC and TN contents, and the SMC, as well as microbial community abundances increased markedly from grassland to the late-stage shrubland. Especially in the late-stage shrubland, the abundance of the total microbial community, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and AMF in soil was significantly higher than other restoration stages. These results indicate that vegetation restoration significantly increased soil nutrient content and microbial community abundance. From grassland to the late-stage shrubland, the soil NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and inorganic N contents increased significantly, and the NH₄⁺:NO₃⁻ ratios changed from greater than 1 to less than 1, indicating that vegetation restoration significantly influenced soil inorganic N content and composition. As restoration progressed, the M_Norg and O_NH4 increased significantly, from 0.04 to 3.01 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 0.35 to 2.48 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ in the dry season, and from 3.26 to 7.20 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 1.47 to 10.7 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ in the rainy season. At the same vegetation restoration stage, the M_Norg and O_NH4 in the rainy season were markedly higher than those in the dry season. These results indicate that vegetation restoration and seasonal variations could significantly influence M_Norg and O_NH4. Correlation analysis showed that the increase in M_Norg during vegetation restoration was mainly attributed to the increase in SOC and TN contents, as well as the total microbial community, bacterial, fungal, actinomycetes, and AMF abundances, and that the increase in O_NH4 was mainly attributed to the increase in M_Norg and the decrease in the F: B ratio. Moreover, the M_Norg and O_NH4 showed a strong positive correlation with inorganic N content. This study clarifies that vegetation restoration in karst regions could significantly increase M_Norg and O_NH4 through enhancing soil carbon and N contents, as well as microbial community abundances, thereby increasing the available soil N supply, which could provide a theoretical basis for soil fertility regulation in future rocky desertification management. Full article