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Qingzhuan tea (QZT) is a unique type of dark tea exclusively produced in Hubei Province of China. In the current study, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) coupled with multivariate analysis was applied to characterize the chemical composition of QZT and investigate the effect of QZT processing on its metabolic profile and sensory quality. The contents of polyphenols and flavonoids decreased significantly while the polysaccharides content remained stable, while the theabrownin content inversely increased during QZT processing. LC-MS-based metabolomics analyses revealed that the tea sample after microbial fermentation (MFT) was dramatically different from the sample before microbial fermentation (UFT), while MFT was very similar to QZT. A total of 102 compounds were identified as critical metabolites responsible for metabolic changes caused by QZT processing, with the contents of catechins and flavonoids significantly decreased, and some novel phenolic acids and catechin derivatives were formed. The sensory quality of QZT was mainly formed during microbial fermentation, which greatly reduced the astringency and bitterness of raw tea leaves and produced its characteristic woody and stale aroma as well as mellow taste. These results suggested that microbial fermentation is the critical process in changing the metabolic profile of raw tea leaves and forming the sensory quality of QZT.

BackgroundResveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring polyphenolic stilbenoid, is known to possess potent anti-atherogenic properties; however, the effect of RSV on hypercholesterolemia is not fully understood. We hypothesized that RSV decreases blood cholesterol levels through the activation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1)-mediated bile acid synthetic pathway pathways in vitro and in vivo.MethodsIn this study, we evaluated body weight, serum lipid concentrations, hepatic lipid content and the size of the bile acid pool in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 J mice that were treated with RSV. In addition, we characterized the underlying mechanism of the effects of RSV in HepG2 hepatocytes by Western blot analysis.ResultsRSV (200 mg/kg per day) reduced body weight and liver weight gains, improved serum lipid parameters, reduced hepatic cholesterol accumulation and increased the bile acid pool size in mice fed an HFD for 8 wks. RSV significantly increased liver expression of CYP7A1 mRNA and protein and CYP7A1 enzyme activity. Furthermore, RSV treatment upregulated CYP7A1 expression and induced liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) activation in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. In addition, the specific liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) inhibitor geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) inhibited the RSV-induced expression of CYP7A1 in HepG2 hepatocytes.ConclusionThe beneficial effects of RSV on HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia are mediated through LXRα signaling pathways, suggesting a potential target for the prevention of dyslipidemia.

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Plants can extensively uptake organic contaminants from soil and subsequently transform them into various products. Those compounds containing hydroxyl may undergo direct conjugation with endogenous biomolecules in plants, and potentially be preserved as conjugates, thus enabling overlooked risk via consumptions of food crops. In this study, we evaluated the uptake and metabolism of 2,4-dibromophenol (DBP) by both carrot cells and whole plant. DBP was completely removed from cell cultures with a half-life of 10.8 h. Four saccharide conjugates, three amino acid conjugates, and one phase I metabolite were identified via ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. The dibromophenol glucopyranoside (glucose conjugate) was quantitated by synthesized standard and accounted for 9.3% of the initial spiked DBP at the end of incubation. The activity of glycosyltransferase was positively related to the production of 2,4-dibromophenol glucopyranoside ( p = 0.02, R = 0.86), implying the role of enzymatic catalysis involved in phase II metabolism.

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the effects of chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) on bone mass and bone metabolism in rats.MethodsTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into CSD and control (CON) groups. Rats were subjected to CSD by using the modified multiple platform method (MMPM) to establish an animal model of CSD. Biochemical parameters such as levels of serum N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), N-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), growth hormone (GH), estradiol (E2), serum 25(OH)D, and calcium (Ca) were evaluated at 0, 1, 2, and 3 months. After 3 months, each fourth lumbar vertebra and the distal femoral metaphysis of the left extremity of rats were harvested for micro-computed tomography scans and histological analysis, respectively, after the rats were sacrificed under an overdose of pentobarbital sodium.ResultsCompared with rats from the CON group, rats from the CSD group showed significant decreases in bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume over total volume, trabecular bone thickness, and trabecular bone number and significant increases in bone surface area over bone volume and trabecular bone separations (P < 0.05). Bone histomorphology studies showed that rats in the CSD group had decreased osteogenesis, impaired mineralization of newly formed bones, and deteriorative trabecular bone in the secondary spongiosa zone. In addition, they showed significantly decreased levels of serum PINP (1 month later) and NTX (3 months later) (P < 0.05). The serum 25(OH)D level of rats from the CSD group was lower than that of rats from the CON group after 1 month (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCSD markedly affects bone health by decreasing BMD and 25(OH)D, deteriorating the bone microarchitecture, and decreasing bone formation and bone resorption markers.

Objective. To assess the value of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA), in order to reduce misdiagnosis rates and improve prognosis. Methods. Clinical data of 107 patients with TBA reported from 1981 to 2015 in China were retrospectively analyzed for clinical features, bronchoscopic manifestations, pathologies, treatments, and outcomes. Results. 105 of 107 TBA patients were pathologically confirmed by bronchoscopy. Main bronchoscopic manifestations of TBA were single or multiple nodules and masses within tracheobronchial lumens; local or diffuse luminal stenosis and obstruction; luminal wall thickening and rigidity; rough or uneven inner luminal walls; congestion and edema of mucosa, which was friable and prone to bleeding upon touch; and so forth. 53 patients were treated with bronchoscopic interventions, like Nd-YAG laser, high-frequency electrotome cautery, freezing, resection, clamping, argon plasma coagulation (APC), microwaving, stent implantation, drug spraying, and other treatments. 51 patients improved, 1 patient worsened, and 1 died. Conclusion. Bronchoscopic biopsy is the primary means of diagnosing TBA. A variety of bronchoscopic interventions have good short-term effects on TBA. Bronchoscopy has important value in the diagnosis, severity assessment, treatment, efficacy evaluation, and prognosis of TBA.