Ameliorative effects of ark clams (Scapharca subcrenata and Tegillarca granosa) on endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is directly involved in consequence of various metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of two ark clams [ark shell (AS, Scapharca subcrenata) and granular ark (GA, Tegillarca granosa)] on endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet. Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: control (normal diet), HF (high-fat diet), AS (high-fat diet + 5% AS powder), and GA (high-fat diet + 5% GA powder) for 12 weeks. AS and GA diets enhanced vascular reactivity of the rat thoracic aorta and significantly increased expression levels of vascular relaxation-related proteins (p-Akt-ser473 and p-eNOS-ser1177). Ark clam supplement reduced endothelin-1 expression level, as compared to the HF group. Additionally, AS and GA showed a trend of improving insulin sensitivity compared to HF. Our results suggest that AS and GA enhance vascular reactivity and ameliorated endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet.

Dietary supplementation of ark clams protects gut health and modifies gut microbiota in d‐galactose‐induced aging rats

“…The results were similar to the studies of Choi and co‐workers, which showed that taurine, glutamic acid, lysine, and arginine were the most abundant amino acids and that K and Na were the major minerals in TG ark clam 22 . Several essential amino acids and minerals such as valine, methionine, phenylalanine, copper, and manganese were also present at low levels in the SS and TG ark clams 21,22 . In addition, n −3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were reported to be the major fatty acids, accounting for about 28.7–37.0% of the total fatty acids 22 …”

“…In the present study, taurine was the most abundant amino acid in the SS and TG ark clams. The taurine levels in SS and TG ark clams were also notably higher than other commonly consumed foods, such as eggs 21 . As a semi‐essential micronutrient, taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in humans and other eukaryotes.…”

“…Additionally, our previous studies have shown that dietary supplementation with the two ark clams could ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in rats. 21 However, research on the physiological effect of SS and TG ark clams is still very limited; whether the consumption of SS and TG ark clams would affect gut health during the aging process has not been elucidated yet.…”

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Tegillarca granosa flesh body extract against potassium bromide toxicity via targeting the histomorphometry, chromosomal and expressions of TGF-β1, VEGF and COX-2 genes in rats

“…The high content of free amino acids in T. granosa extract, such as glutamic acid, glycine, and L-arginine, has been shown to increase vascular endothelial reactivity in rats (Chanmuang et al, 2020). Minerals and betaine, which are found in T. granosa, can contribute to the prevention effects (Park, 2002.…”

A review on shellfish polysaccharides: Extraction, characterization and amelioration of metabolic syndrome

“…The effects of Scapharca subcrenata (AS) and Tegillarca granosa (GA) on high-fat diet-induced endothelial dysfunction were studied. The results showed that AS and GA could increase the expression level of vasodilation-related proteins and inhibit the expression of ET-1 protein to enhance vasoactivity and improve endothelial dysfunction, thereby reducing hypertension ( 95 ). Currently, only a few studies have reported the hypertensive effects of shellfish polysaccharides through the regulation of NO ( Figure 4 ); thus, the detailed mechanism is pending further investigation.…”