PubMed

Nutrients. 2025 Apr 19;17(8):1380. doi: 10.3390/nu17081380.ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: Exposure to high altitudes often results in gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to identify probiotic strains that can alleviate such disorders. Methods: We conducted a microbiome analysis to investigate the differences in gut microbiota among volunteers during the acute response and acclimatization phases at high altitudes. Subsequently, we established a mouse model of intestinal barrier damage induced by high-altitude exposure to further investigate the roles of probiotic strains and 2-ketoglutaric acid. Additionally, we performed untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomic analyses to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results: The microbiome analysis revealed a significant increase in the abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii during the acclimatization phase. Faecalibacterium duncaniae (F. duncaniae) significantly mitigated damage to the intestinal barrier and the reduction of 2-ketoglutaric acid levels in the cecal contents induced by high-altitude exposure in mice. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining demonstrated that high-altitude exposure significantly decreased the expression of ZO-1 and occludin while increasing apoptosis in ileal tissues. In contrast, treatment with F. duncaniae alleviated the loss of ZO-1 and occludin, as well as the apoptosis induced by high-altitude exposure. Furthermore, 2-ketoglutaric acid also mitigated this damage, reducing the loss of occludin and apoptosis in mice. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that high-altitude exposure significantly affects the calcium signaling pathway; conversely, the administration of F. duncaniae significantly influenced the PPAR signaling pathway, mineral absorption, and the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes. Additionally, the expression of the FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene (Fos) was markedly reduced following the administration of F. duncaniae. Conclusions:F. duncaniae mitigates hypoxia-induced intestinal barrier damage by increasing levels of 2-ketoglutaric acid and shows promise as a probiotic, ultimately aiding travelers in adapting to high-altitude environments.PMID:40284246 | DOI:10.3390/nu17081380

Nutrients. 2025 Apr 15;17(8):1352. doi: 10.3390/nu17081352.ABSTRACTBackground: Critical illness induces profound metabolic alterations, characterized by a hypermetabolic state, insulin resistance, protein catabolism, and gut barrier dysfunction, which contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence highlights the role of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in modulating systemic inflammation and immune responses during critical illness. This narrative review explores the metabolic evolution of critically ill patients, the impact of gut dysbiosis on disease progression, and the potential role of nutrition in modulating metabolism and improving patient outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published up to February 2025. Search terms included "critical illness", "metabolism", "gut microbiota", "nutrition", and related keywords. Articles published in English addressing metabolic alterations, microbiome changes, and nutritional strategies in critically ill patients were included. After screening for eligibility, relevant articles were synthesized to outline current knowledge and identify gaps. Results: Metabolic changes in critical illness progress through distinct phases, from catabolism-driven hypermetabolism to gradual recovery. Gut dysbiosis, characterized by a loss of microbial diversity and increased gut permeability, contributes to systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Nutritional strategies, including enteral nutrition, probiotics, prebiotics, and metabolomics-driven interventions, may help restore microbial balance, preserve gut barrier integrity, and modulate immune and metabolic responses. Future nutrition therapy should focus on metabolic modulation rather than solely addressing nutrient deficits. Conclusions: Advances in gut microbiome research and metabolomics offer new avenues for personalized nutrition strategies tailored to the metabolic demands of critically ill patients. Integrating these approaches may improve clinical and functional recovery while mitigating the long-term consequences of critical illness.PMID:40284216 | DOI:10.3390/nu17081352

Nutrients. 2025 Apr 15;17(8):1348. doi: 10.3390/nu17081348.ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: Lactobacillus strains are widely used as probiotics in the functional food industry and show potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the strain specificity and limited stress resistance of Lactobacillus restricts its therapeutic effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 on the intestinal immune responses, gut microbiota composition, and metabolic characteristics in colitis mice. Methods: Mice were pre-fed a diet containing microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 for 3 weeks and then treated with 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 8 days to induce colitis. Results: The results showed that microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 effectively alleviated clinical symptoms and histopathological features of colitis mice and suppressed the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-17 in the colon of colitis mice. Additionally, Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 significantly increased the relative abundance of several beneficial bacterial taxa, including Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014, Bacteroides, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, Lactococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, and so on. Moreover, it regulated the levels of multiple inflammation-related metabolites involved in linolenic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism. Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum 17-1 reduced colitis inflammation in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic characteristics, which may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for IBD.PMID:40284212 | DOI:10.3390/nu17081348

Nutrients. 2025 Apr 11;17(8):1331. doi: 10.3390/nu17081331.ABSTRACTBackground: TOTUM-854 is a patented plant extract blend characterized by its components that have previously been described for their potential health benefits in limiting hypertension onset. However, most of the literature data remain descriptive regarding the mode of action at the cellular level, especially in humans, and further investigations are required for optimized therapeutic strategies. Methods: We first demonstrated in an L-NAME mouse model that TOTUM-854 supports the prevention of hypertension in vitro and in vivo. Then, we designed an ex vivo clinical innovative approach considering the circulating metabolites produced by the digestive tract upon TOTUM-854 ingestion in humans. Human serum was collected in healthy volunteers before and after the acute intake of 3.71 g of TOTUM-854. The bioavailability of circulating metabolites was confirmed and characterized by UPLC-MS. Human serum containing TOTUM-854-derived metabolites was further processed for incubation with human endothelial cells (HUVECs), in the absence or presence of palmitate (200 µM). Results: HUVEC protection against lipotoxicity was characterized by (1) decreased ACE-1 activity (-32% p < 0.0001); (2) the inhibition of oxidative stress with decreased ROS (-12% observed by DCFDA and DHE fluorescent microscopy) and decreased Nox2 gene expression (-6.7 fold change vs. palmitate, p < 0.01); and (3) the inhibition of an inflammatory response, with a decrease in IL-1β release (-37% compared to palmitate, p < 0.001) and decreased MCP-1 and VCAM-1 gene expression (-93% p < 0.001 and -77% p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Overall, this study provides insightful data regarding the protective role of TOTUM-854 in human endothelial cells. Using an innovative clinical ex vivo approach, our data support the role of TOTUM-854 circulating metabolites in vascular protection in humans.PMID:40284196 | DOI:10.3390/nu17081331

Plants (Basel). 2025 Apr 19;14(8):1244. doi: 10.3390/plants14081244.ABSTRACTIn this work, a preliminary screening of the bioactivities of an ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Wollemia nobilis W.G.Jones, K.D.Hill & J.M.Allen was carried out to explore its potential pharmaceutical applications. In particular, the radical scavenging, chelating, reducing antiglycative, antimicrobial and antifungal activities as well as the inhibitory effects on the production of aflatoxin B1 in Aspergillus flavus Link were evaluated. The extract demonstrated promising biological activities, although generally with lower potency compared to the positive control. To identify the metabolites potentially responsible for these effects, the extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis evidencing the presence of eight known compounds. Among them, 15-agathic acid methyl ester (1) and ladanein (5) were reported for the first time in this species. Furthermore methyl-(E)-communate (2), 7,4',7″,4‴-tetra-O-methyl-robustaflavone (6), agathisflavone (7) and quinic acid (8) were detected for the first time in the leaf tissue of W. nobilis. Their presence and the presence of isocupressic acid (3) and acetyl-isocupressic acid (4) in this species highlights the taxonomic correlations within the Araucariaceae family and suggests a possible contribution of these compounds in the bioactivities of the extract. However, further studies are required to confirm these contributions and to elucidate their mechanisms of action.PMID:40284133 | DOI:10.3390/plants14081244

Plants (Basel). 2025 Apr 11;14(8):1192. doi: 10.3390/plants14081192.ABSTRACTRice is sensitive to high temperatures at the seedling stage. In the present study, a combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome was performed on a heat-resistant accession, DY80, from Dongxiang wild rice and a heat-sensitive variety, R974, under heat stress at the seedling stage. The results of the transcriptome and metabolome analyses were verified through qRT-PCR and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. We found that there were 1817 and 561 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) unique in DY80 and R974 under heat stress, respectively. The elite genes for the heat stress involved in Dongxiang wild rice may include upregulated genes in the pathway of unfolded protein binding; downregulated genes in the pathways of chlorophyll biosynthetic process, and cysteine and methionine metabolism; and photosystem I, photosystem II, and unchanged genes in the pathways of the anchored component of the plasma membrane, cell wall biogenesis, and photosynthesis-antenna proteins. Moreover, a total of 301 and 28 metabolites were identified as unique in DY80 and R974 after heat treatment, respectively. Further analyses showed that malic acid, stearic acid, and L-threonine might be causal metabolites, contributing to strong heat resistance in Dongxiang wild rice. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of heat resistance in rice.PMID:40284079 | DOI:10.3390/plants14081192

Plants (Basel). 2025 Apr 10;14(8):1176. doi: 10.3390/plants14081176.ABSTRACTGrafting is an important approach to improving tea plant varieties, and tea grafting can result in changes in secondary metabolites. However, the shifting pattern of secondary metabolites between scions, rootstocks, and non-grafted tea leaves is unclear. We employed "Yuncha 1" as the scion and "Zijuan" as the rootstock with significant differences in leaf color traits to reveal the influences of grafting on the generation of secondary metabolites and transcriptional activities. By non-targeted metabolomic analysis, we identified that grafting led to an obvious shift in secondary metabolites between the scion, rootstock, and non-grafted tea leaves. Importantly, we found that grafting significantly enhanced the accumulation of flavonoids, the vital component of secondary metabolites for the flavor quality, purple color, and health-beneficial effect of Zijuan tea. Via transcriptomics, we found that the key biosynthetic genes DFR and EC 1.1.1.219 for synthesizing flavonoids were significantly enhanced in rootstock compared with non-grafted Zijuan. Concurrently, ANS for biodegrading flavonoids was significantly suppressed in rootstock compared with non-grafted Zijuan. These results revealed the shifting mechanism of key secondary metabolites during grafting. In addition, we found that the shift after grafting possessed no significant influence on bacterial community diversity, but grafting slightly enhanced the fungal community diversity of scions. We found that the shift in fungal community diversity was driven by rootstocks with a higher fungal community diversity. This study systematically reveals the shift in secondary metabolites and fungal community diversity, which provides a novel and comprehensive understanding and theoretical basis for plant breeding using grafting.PMID:40284064 | DOI:10.3390/plants14081176

Plants (Basel). 2025 Apr 9;14(8):1165. doi: 10.3390/plants14081165.ABSTRACTWe investigated the dynamic changes in volatile aroma compound profiles (types and concentrations) and associated gene expression patterns in both the peel and pulp tissues of apples during fruit maturation. This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic regulatory mechanisms underlying volatile aroma biosynthesis in Malus domestica "Ningqiu" apples, thereby providing theoretical support for the comprehensive utilization of aroma resources. Our methodological framework integrated headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-OE-MS), and Illumina high-throughput sequencing to generate comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles of peel and pulp tissues. Critical differential aroma compound classes were identified, including esters, aldehydes, alcohols, terpenoids, and ketones, with their metabolic pathways systematically mapped through KEGG functional annotation. Our findings revealed substantial transcriptomic and metabolomic divergence across carotenoid, terpenoid, and fatty acid metabolic pathways. Integrative analysis of multi-omics data revealed 26 and 31 putative biologically significant hub genes in peel and pulp tissues, respectively, putatively associated with the observed metabolic signatures. Among these, five core genes-farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS1.X1), alcohol acyltransferases (AAT1 and AAT3), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH3), and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD3)-were recognized as shared regulatory determinants between both tissue types. Furthermore, terpene synthase (TPS7) emerged as a peel-specific regulatory factor, while hydroperoxide lyase (HPL2), alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH2 and ADH4), and alcohol acyltransferase (AAT2) were identified as pulp-exclusive modulators of metabolic differentiation. The experimental findings provide foundational insights into the molecular basis of aroma profile variation in Malus domestica "Ningqiu" and establish a functional genomics framework for precision breeding initiatives targeting fruit quality optimization through transcriptional regulatory network manipulation.PMID:40284053 | DOI:10.3390/plants14081165

Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Mar 26;18(4):468. doi: 10.3390/ph18040468.ABSTRACTBackground: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of death in patients with various viral pneumonias. Our team previously identified four volatile compounds from aromatic Chinese medicines. Based on molecular compatibility theory, we defined their combination as aromatic molecular compatibility (AC), though its therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: This study used influenza A virus (IAV) A/PR/8/34 to construct cell and mouse models of ALI to explore AC's protective effects against viral infection. The therapeutic effect of AC was verified by evaluating the antiviral efficacy in the mouse models, including improvements in their lung and colon inflammation, oxidative stress, and the suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, 16S rDNA and lipid metabolomics were used to analyze the potential therapeutic mechanisms of AC. Results: Our in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that AC increased the survival of the IAV-infected cells and mice, inhibited influenza virus replication and the expression of proinflammatory factors in the lung tissues, and ameliorated barrier damage in the colonic tissues. In addition, AC inhibited the expression of ROS and the NLRP3 inflammasome and improved the inflammatory cell infiltration into the lung tissues. Finally, AC effectively regulated intestinal flora disorders and lipid metabolism in the model mice, significantly reduced cholesterol and triglyceride expression, and thus reduced the abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) after IAV infection. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that AC could treat IAV-induced ALIs through multiple pathways, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory pathways and modulation of the intestinal flora and the accumulation of LDs.PMID:40283905 | DOI:10.3390/ph18040468

Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Mar 25;61(4):581. doi: 10.3390/medicina61040581.ABSTRACTAim: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women, accounting for more than 30% of new female cancers each year. Although various treatments are available for BC, most cancer-related deaths are due to incurable metastases. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of BC are crucial before metastasis. Mammography and ultrasonography are primarily used in the clinic for the initial identification and staging of BC; these methods are useful for general screening but have limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Omics-based biomarkers, like metabolomics, can make early diagnosis much more accurate, make tracking the disease's progression more accurate, and help make personalized treatment plans that are tailored to each tumor's specific molecular profile. Metabolomics technology is a feasible and comprehensive method for early disease detection and biomarker identification at the molecular level. This research aimed to establish an interpretable predictive artificial intelligence (AI) model using plasma-based metabolomics panel data to identify potential biomarkers that distinguish BC individuals from healthy controls. Methods: A cohort of 138 BC patients and 76 healthy controls were studied. Plasma metabolites were examined using LC-TOFMS and GC-TOFMS techniques. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), and Random Forest (RF) were evaluated using performance metrics such as Receiver Operating Characteristic-Area Under the Curve (ROC AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score. ROC and Precision-Recall (PR) curves were generated for comparative analysis. The SHapley Additive Descriptions (SHAP) analysis evaluated the optimal prediction model for interpretability. Results: The RF algorithm showed improved accuracy (0.963 ± 0.043) and sensitivity (0.977 ± 0.051); however, LightGBM achieved the highest ROC AUC (0.983 ± 0.028). RF also achieved the best Precision-Recall Area under the Curve (PR AUC) at 0.989. SHAP search found glycerophosphocholine and pentosidine as the most significant discriminatory metabolites. Uracil, glutamine, and butyrylcarnitine were also among the significant metabolites. Conclusions: Metabolomics biomarkers and an explainable AI (XAI)-based prediction model showed significant diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in the detection of BC. The proposed XAI system using interpretable metabolite data can serve as a clinical decision support tool to improve early diagnosis processes.PMID:40282875 | DOI:10.3390/medicina61040581

Foods. 2025 Apr 17;14(8):1394. doi: 10.3390/foods14081394.ABSTRACTColored rice (black, purple, red and brown) has been consumed in China for nearly 4000 years. Recent research has focused on exploring its nutritional and metabolomic profiles and associated health benefits. Due to the improvement in detection and quantification techniques for health-promoting compounds and their activities, the number of studies has increased significantly. In this regard, a timely and updated review of research on nutritional composition, phytochemistry, and metabolite content and composition can significantly enhance consumer awareness. Here, we present a detailed and up-to-date understanding and comparison of the nutritional and phytochemical (metabolite) composition of colored rice. While earlier literature reviews focus on either single type of colored rice or briefly present nutritional comparison or bioactivities, here we present more detailed nutrient profile comparison (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins), together with the most recent comparative data on phytochemicals/metabolites (flavonoids, anthocyanins, fatty acids, amino acids and derivatives, phenolic acids, organic acids, alkaloids, and others). We discuss how metabolomics has broadened the scope of research by providing an increasing number of detected compounds. Moreover, directions on the improvement in colored rice nutritional quality through breeding are also presented. Finally, we present the health-beneficial activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and antitumor activities) of different colored rice varieties, together with examples of the clinical trials, and discuss which bioactive substances are correlated with such activities.PMID:40282795 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081394

Foods. 2025 Apr 17;14(8):1384. doi: 10.3390/foods14081384.ABSTRACTConsumers are increasingly demanding higher-quality mutton. Crossbreeding has been recognized as an effective means to improve meat quality. However, the phenomenon underlying these molecular system mechanisms remains largely unidentified. In this study, 48 male lambs aged 3 months were selected, including ♂ Hu sheep × ♀ Hu (HH, n = 16), ♂ Polled Dorset × ♀ Hu sheep F1 hybrid lambs (DH, n = 16), and ♂ Southdown × ♀ Hu sheep (SH, n = 16) F1 hybrid lambs, and raised in a single pen under the same nutritional and management conditions for 95 days. Then, seven sheep close to the average weight of the group were selected and fasted for 12 h prior to slaughter. By comparing the muscle fiber characteristics of the Longissimus dorsi of the three groups of sheep, and through transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we revealed molecular differences in the meat quality of Hu sheep crossbred with different parent breeds. The results of this study showed that muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area were significantly greater in the DH group than in the HH group, and collagen fiber content in the DH group was also significantly higher than in the HH group (p < 0.05). A total of 163 differential genes and 823 differential metabolites were identified in the three groups, most of which were related to muscle development and lipid metabolism. These included the AMPK signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and the related genes EFHB, PER3, and PPARGC1A. The results of this study offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of crossbreeding on meat quality and provide a theoretical foundation for sheep crossbreed production.PMID:40282783 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081384

Foods. 2025 Apr 14;14(8):1340. doi: 10.3390/foods14081340.ABSTRACTAmerican ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a rare and valuable plant utilized for medicinal and culinary purposes, with its geographic origin and cultivation significantly affecting its quality and efficacy. However, the metabolic differences between cultivated and wild American ginseng are not well understood. An accurate and reliable method for tracing the origin and evaluating the quality of American ginseng is therefore urgently required. This study introduces a UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based comparative metabolomics and machine learning strategy for the rapid identification of wild and cultivated American ginseng. Both principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed distinct metabolic phenotypes between wild and cultivated American ginseng. Furthermore, the integration of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses identified eight differential metabolites in the ESI+ mode and three in the ESI- mode, including seven ginsenosides. A potential ginsenosides marker panel was used to construct five machine learning models to assist in diagnosing the metabolic phenotypes of American ginseng. The Random Forest model, based on the eight differential metabolites in the ESI+ mode, achieved a 100% classification rate in both test and validation sets for distinguishing between wild and cultivated American ginseng. This study highlights the feasibility and application of our artificial intelligence-driven comparative metabolomics strategy for cultivar identification and geographic tracing of American ginseng, offering new insights into the molecular basis of metabolic variation in cultivated American ginseng.PMID:40282742 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081340

Foods. 2025 Apr 11;14(8):1324. doi: 10.3390/foods14081324.ABSTRACTThe unique geographical environment of karst regions provides pickles with a favorable flavor and taste; however, the contribution of the microbial community to pickle fermentation has not been fully explored. In this study, high-throughput sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were used to characterize 60 naturally fermented pickle samples from 12 different karst regions. The bacterial communities and metabolites of naturally fermented pickles changed significantly between different karst regions. Lactobacillus delbrueckii, L. homohiochii, and L. fermentum were the dominant bacterial species in pickle samples, with relative abundances of 29.66, 8.05, and 7.12%, respectively. There exist significant variations in the core biomarkers of traditional pickles across diverse regions characterized by rocky desertification and varying temperatures. Both L. homohiochii and L. buchneri stimulated complicated interspecies interactions in the bacterial community. Lactobacillus species exhibit excellent inhibitory effects against harmful bacterial populations under E-low- and E-high-temperature conditions. In total, 1976 metabolites were identified in pickles, including many previously undiscovered metabolites (e.g., Citrulline, GABA, tyrosol, and L-hydroxyroline) attributable to the dominances of L. homohiochii, L. brevis, L. buchneri, and L. plantarum. Lower levels of biogenic amines were found in pickles from the low-temperature regions. Furthermore, L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum were significantly negatively (p < 0.05) correlated with spermine and tyramine, and Weissella cibaria was negatively (p < 0.05) correlated with histamine. These data indicated that a low-temperature environment may be beneficial to the fermentation of pickles. This work provides new insights into the flavor of pickles resulting from the geological distribution of bacterial flora in karst regions.PMID:40282727 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081324

Foods. 2025 Apr 10;14(8):1313. doi: 10.3390/foods14081313.ABSTRACTSpreading, the preliminary step in the production of green tea, is crucial for achieving superior tea quality. This study investigated the effects of spreading on the sensory quality and volatile compounds in green tea under varying intensities of yellow light, employing GC-E-Nose and targeted metabolomics. A notable improvement in overall sensory quality was noted in tea samples subjected to a higher intensity of 6000 Lux, which was characterized by a delightful floral fragrance. In total, 70 volatile compounds were successfully identified, with 61 volatiles detected across all five light intensities. Moreover, 21 pivotal odorants featuring odor activity value (OAV) levels higher than one were determined, among which β-ionone, β-damascenone, linalool, (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal, and phenylethyl alcohol exhibited particularly high OAVs. Correlation analysis indicated that phenylethyl alcohol, linalool, and citral exhibited robust positive correlations with the majority of key odorants, suggesting their vital contribution towards aroma enhancement. These findings offer novel insights into the regulation of tea aroma through the manipulation of light intensity during the processing of green tea.PMID:40282715 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081313

Foods. 2025 Apr 8;14(8):1287. doi: 10.3390/foods14081287.ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of dietary Antarctic krill meal (AKM) on the physiological metabolism and flavor quality of adult Eriocheir sinensis ovaries during the postharvest temporary rearing. The AKM concentrations tested were 0% (including negative control group and positive control group), 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. The results indicate that the E. sinensis ovaries in 8% AKM group produced the highest levels of aroma compounds after thermal processing, including hexanal, heptanal, phenylacetaldehyde, 3-octanone, and 2-methylbutanoic acid ethyl ester. The 8% AKM and negative control group were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS combined with the nontargeted and widely targeted metabolomics technique. The AKM altered the composition of aroma precursors by adjusting the metabolism of glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and amino acid in ovaries. Moreover, lipids composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 8% AKM had the best effect on improving the ovarian flavor quality of E. sinensis. During the postharvest temporary rearing, more aromatic precursors were produced by regulating physiological metabolism. The ovarian flavor was enhanced by lipid oxidation, Maillard reaction, and Strecker degradation during thermal processing.PMID:40282689 | DOI:10.3390/foods14081287

Genes (Basel). 2025 Mar 29;16(4):399. doi: 10.3390/genes16040399.ABSTRACTMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive form of fatty liver disease, presents a significant global health challenge. Despite extensive research, fully elucidating its complex pathogenesis and developing accurate non-invasive diagnostic tools remain key goals. Multi-omics approaches, integrating data from transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, offer a powerful strategy to achieve these aims. This review summarizes key findings from multi-omics studies in MASH, highlighting their contributions to our understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of improved diagnostic models. Transcriptomic studies have revealed widespread gene dysregulation affecting lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis, while proteomics has identified altered protein expression patterns and potential biomarkers. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses have further uncovered significant changes in various metabolites and lipid species, including ceramides, sphingomyelins, phospholipids, and bile acids, underscoring the central role of lipid dysregulation in MASH. These multi-omics findings have been leveraged to develop novel diagnostic models, some incorporating machine learning algorithms, with improved accuracy compared to traditional methods. Further research is needed to validate these findings, explore the complex interplay between different omics layers, and translate these discoveries into clinically useful tools for improved MASH diagnosis and prognosis.PMID:40282358 | DOI:10.3390/genes16040399

Genes (Basel). 2025 Mar 27;16(4):383. doi: 10.3390/genes16040383.ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: Eggshell quality is a critical factor influencing consumer preference and the economic benefits of poultry enterprises, and the uterus is the key site for eggshell synthesis. Yaoshan chicken (YS), an indigenous chicken breed in China, is renowned for its flavorful meat and high-quality eggs. However, its egg production is lower compared to specialized strains. Therefore, the GYR crossbreed was developed by three-line hybridization for YS chicken, which can produce green-shelled eggs with better eggshell thickness and strength than YS chicken (p < 0.01). To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in eggshell quality between GYR and YS chickens, we conducted an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. Methods: Twelve uterus samples (six from GYR and six from YS chickens) were collected during the period of eggshell calcification at 260 days of age. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DMs), respectively. Results: A total of 877 DEGs were identified in the GYR group, including 196 upregulated and 681 downregulated genes (|log2 (fold change)| > 1, p-value < 0.05). Additionally, 79 DMs were detected, comprising 50 upregulated and 29 downregulated metabolites (|log₂ (fold change)| > 1, VIP > 1). Notably, the key DEGs (SLCO1B3, SLCO1B1, PTGR1, LGR6, MELTF, CRISP2, GVINP1, and OVSTL), important DMs (prostaglandin-related DMs and biliverdin) and signaling pathways (calcium signaling, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, arachidonic acid metabolism, bile secretion, and primary bile acid biosynthesis) were major regulators of the eggshell quality. Furthermore, an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed two significant gene-metabolite pairs associated with eggshell quality: PTGDS-prostaglandin E2 and PTGS1-prostaglandin E2. Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical foundation for the improved eggshell quality of Yaoshan chicken.PMID:40282343 | DOI:10.3390/genes16040383

Genes (Basel). 2025 Mar 25;16(4):373. doi: 10.3390/genes16040373.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Scientific and rational fertilizer management can not only improve the yield and quality of hazelnut (Corylus heterophylla × Corylus avellana) but also reduce the negative impact on the environment.METHODS: Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology was used to reveal the contents of various metabolites in hazelnut seedlings, and differential metabolites were screened by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).RESULTS: The results showed that a total of 178 up-regulated differential metabolites (Fold change > 1) and 175 down-regulated differential metabolites (Fold change < 1) were detected in 6 comparison groups (DWF0 vs. DWF4, DWF0 vs. DWF5, DWF0 vs. DWF6, DWF4 vs. DWF5, DWF4 vs. DWF6, DWF5 vs. DWF6). Interestingly, the flavonoid metabolic pathway was dramatically enriched, and it was involved in each fertilization combination. The metabolites of the flavonoid pathway in different fertilized and unfertilized groups were compared and analyzed, which displayed that metabolites tricetin, eriodictyol, garbanzol, apigenin, and biochanin A were significantly up-regulated, while garbanzol and astraglin were significantly down-regulated. More interestingly, the determination of flavonoid content and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) displayed that the application of trace element water-soluble fertilizer could significantly enhance the flavonoid content and the expression of genes related to the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), with the DWF4 treatment displaying the most significant values.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the application of trace element water-soluble fertilizer (especially the DWF4 treatment) markedly affected the changes in key metabolites of the flavonoid pathway and the expression levels of key genes, thus promoting the growth and development of the hazelnut, which offers an important starting point for future analysis through genetic engineering.PMID:40282333 | DOI:10.3390/genes16040373

Biology (Basel). 2025 Apr 11;14(4):403. doi: 10.3390/biology14040403.ABSTRACTMetabolomics approaches, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS), have emerged as powerful tools for studying cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including hypertension. The use of biological fluids, like plasma and serum, has garnered significant interest due to their accessibility and potential in elucidating disease mechanisms. This review aims to summarize the current literature on the application of metabolomics techniques (FTIR, NMR, and MS) in the study of hypertension, focusing on their contributions to understanding disease pathophysiology, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic advancements. A comprehensive analysis of metabolomic studies was performed, with a particular emphasis on the diversity of altered metabolites associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and sex-related differences. Metabolomics techniques, including FTIR, NMR, and MS, provide comprehensive insights into the biochemical alterations underlying hypertension, such as amino acid and fatty acid metabolism impairment or inflammation and oxidative stress processes. This review underscores their role in advancing biomarker identification, deepening our understanding of disease mechanisms, and supporting the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. The integration of these tools highlights their potential in personalized medicine and their capacity to improve clinical outcomes.PMID:40282268 | DOI:10.3390/biology14040403