Food Bioscience最新文献

{"title":"5-Hydroxytryptamine mediated 5-HTR4-ILP axis orchestrates glucose utilization and glycogen storage in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)","authors":"Liting Ren ,&nbsp;Ben Yang ,&nbsp;Mengmeng Xu ,&nbsp;Chengjun Zhi ,&nbsp;Qi Li ,&nbsp;Shikai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107079","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107079","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Glycogen originating from animal-derived foods is increasingly perceived as a high-quality nutrient and an unignorable component of the diet. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been identified to regulate glycogen-targeted nutrient traits based on multi-omics analysis, yet its molecular regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we reveal that the 5-HT mediated 5-HTR4-ILP regulatory axis orchestrates glucose utilization and glycogen synthesis in the Pacific oyster (<em>Crassostrea gigas</em>). We find that 5-HT system in oysters is glucose-sensitive and its activation directs the metabolic fate of glucose toward glycogen accumulation. Phylogenetic analysis combined with glucose treatments identifies 5-HTR4 as the core receptor that triggers a series of downstream signaling cascades, including canonical cAMP/PKA pathway, along with the noncanonical MAPK, mTOR and AMPK pathways. These signals are integrated by nuclear CREM transcription factor, which binds to the CRE element on the promoter of insulin-like peptides (ILPs), thereby initiating gene transcription followed by facilitating the uptake and conversion of glucose into glycogen. This study establishes a 5-HT mediated molecular regulatory network governing metabolic processes, offering novel targets for the enhancement of glycogen quality traits in oysters and other food animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107079"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144322699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A cross-sectional study of the gut microbiota associated with urinary and serum equol production status in a general population of Japanese men","authors":"Yukiko Okami ,&nbsp;Hisatomi Arima ,&nbsp;Shigeki Bamba ,&nbsp;Fu Namai ,&nbsp;Keiko Kondo ,&nbsp;Yuki Ideno ,&nbsp;Ayumi Soejima ,&nbsp;Haruna Miyakawa ,&nbsp;Sayuki Torii ,&nbsp;Hiroyoshi Segawa ,&nbsp;Mizuki Ohashi ,&nbsp;Megumi Kawashima ,&nbsp;Takashi Hisamatsu ,&nbsp;Aya Kadota ,&nbsp;Akira Sekikawa ,&nbsp;Akira Fujiyoshi ,&nbsp;Katsuyuki Miura ,&nbsp;SESSA Research Group","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Equol is a metabolite produced by the gut microbiota from the soy isoflavone daidzein. Previous studies identified bacteria capable of converting daidzein to equol. We investigated whether equol producers among Japanese with a high soy intake contained these bacteria. We also examined differences in equol production status between urine and serum and how the gut microbiota differs between these statuses. To minimize the potential confounding effects of hormonal variability in women, this cross-sectional study analyzed 853 Japanese men. Urinary and serum isoflavones were collected in the morning after fasting and were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. By applying a finite mixture model for each log₁₀ equol/daidzein ratio, we defined equol producers and non-producers from urine and serum. Among 669 participants with fecal microbial measurements, the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on a MiSeq System. The cut-off values for the log₁₀ equol/daidzein ratio were −0.94 for urine and −0.95 for serum. Equol production status in urine and serum matched in 97 %, and equol producers from urine or serum were 42 %. The microbiota was more diverse in producers than in non-producers; the genus <em>Senegalimassilia</em> included strains with high sequence identity (&gt;98 %) to daidzein reductase. The family Oscillospiraceae and class <em>Clostridia</em> also had approximately 46 %–48 % sequence identity. The equol production status of fasting urine and serum almost matched among a general population of Japanese men. Although we did not detect a microbiota with known daidzein reductase in equol producers, several shared similar sequences; these may include equol-producing bacteria that have not yet been identified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107048"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144335829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing antimicrobial properties and hydrophilicity of environmentally biodegradable plastic using sparking-deposited ZnO nanoparticles","authors":"Chitsiri Rachtanapun ,&nbsp;Jirasak Sukunta ,&nbsp;Kittisak Jantanasakulwong ,&nbsp;Sarinthip Thanakkasaranee ,&nbsp;Juthamas Tantala ,&nbsp;Pornchai Rachtanapun","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) are sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based packaging, but their limited antimicrobial properties hinder broader applications in food packaging. This study presents a solvent-free sparking discharge method to deposit zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles onto bioplastic surfaces to enhance antimicrobial and hydrophilic properties. ZnO was deposited on PLA, PBS, and PBAT films through 10 to 60 sparking cycles. Structural and surface characterizations were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and water contact angle. Antibacterial activity against <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and antifungal activity against <em>Aspergillus flavus</em> spores were evaluated by plate count methods. LIVE/DEAD BacLight staining with fluorescence microscopy confirmed microbial viability. PLA showed the most uniform ZnO distribution among the films, with 16.63 wt% Zn detected after 60 sparking cycles. This treatment reduced the water contact angle from 96.67° to 37.93°, indicating improved surface wettability. Zn-PLA-60X achieved the highest antimicrobial performance, reducing <em>E. coli</em> and <em>S. aureus</em> by 1.44 and 1.01 log CFU/25 cm² (96 % and 90 % reduction) and reducing <em>A. flavus</em> spores by 2.16 log (∼99 %). Fluorescence imaging confirmed increased membrane damage and cell death. These results demonstrated that the sparking method offered a practical, scalable, and environmentally friendly approach for producing antimicrobial biodegradable films, with Zn-PLA-60X showing potential for food packaging and biomedical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107077"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144331499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolic characteristics of yellow tea kombucha and its obesity-prevention potential in high-fat diet induced obesity in mice","authors":"Yaowei Liu ,&nbsp;Zhe Wang ,&nbsp;Yan Zheng ,&nbsp;Ruonan Liu ,&nbsp;Peng Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Functional tea beverages are gaining more and more attention globally. This study investigated the metabolic characteristics of yellow tea kombucha (YTK) and evaluated its potential in preventing obesity <em>in vivo</em>. The results showed that the color of yellow tea kombucha became lighter, and the total acidity and total polyphenols increased during the fermentation process. In total, 444 metabolites were quantified, and there are 151 significantly differently metabolites in fresh tea broth and kombucha made from. The content of organic acids, amino acids, and secondary metabolites of plants all increased after fermentation. Besides, the animal experiments showed that YTK showed great potential in preventing high fat feed (HFD) induced obesity. Histological observation indicated YTK treatment alleviated the adipose accumulation in both white adipose and liver tissue. In addition, YTK treatment decreased the total cholesterol (TC) and total triglyceride (TG) levels in blood. The transcriptome revealed that YTK alleviated the HFD-induced obesity of mice by regulating the genes expression involved with fatty acids metabolism in both white adipose and liver. These findings support further investigation into kombucha as a functional beverage for obesity prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107075"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144306522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling the mechanisms of fermented chicory root in alleviating hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: based on in vivo experiments and network pharmacological study","authors":"Shasha Fang ,&nbsp;Jiaqian Liang ,&nbsp;Ke Li ,&nbsp;Qiao Qian ,&nbsp;Zhijie Shi ,&nbsp;Zhenming Lu ,&nbsp;Xiaojuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Mengyang Lu ,&nbsp;Hongyu Xu ,&nbsp;Zhenghong Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chicory (<em>Cichorium intybus</em> L.) is a plant that has a dual function as both a foodstuff and a medicinal agent. The substance has been demonstrated to possess a number of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potentially anti-cancer properties. However, the precise mechanism through which it exerts its action in improving blood sugar levels remains to be fully elucidated. The present study has been conducted for the purpose of investigating the effect of Fermented Chicory Root (FCR) on hyperglycemia in leptin-deficient db./db mice, and of revealing its potential mechanism of action through network pharmacology and experimental validation. The results demonstrate that the ingestion of fermented chicory roots can lead to a substantial reduction in fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance levels, while concomitantly attenuating the inflammatory response of insulin target organs. However, the unfermented group did not demonstrate any improvement in the indicators under review. The active ingredients, targets and pathways are mined in a single step by means of network pharmacology. The mechanism of action of this agent may involve multiple active ingredients, including phenols, coumarins and fatty acid compounds. These ingredients achieve comprehensive regulation of glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and inflammatory response by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The qRT-PCR detection results of epididymal adipose tissue indicated that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was activated, thus confirming the results of network pharmacology. This study combines <em>in vivo</em> experiments with network pharmacology to provide a new theoretical basis for analyzing the pharmacological effects of chicory roots.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107043"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144338311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of β-glucans derived from Aureobasidium pullulans","authors":"Junqiu Ao ,&nbsp;Yuqing Liu ,&nbsp;Yanyu Wei ,&nbsp;Dahui Wang ,&nbsp;Chonglong Wang ,&nbsp;Lin Wei ,&nbsp;Gongyuan Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107074","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polysaccharides from extracellular (PS_EX), cell wall (PS_CW), and intracellular (PS_IN) fractions of <em>Aureobasidium pullulans</em> CGMCC19650 were extracted and purified, respectively. Based on chemical composition analysis and spectral characterization using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the three polysaccharides are <em>β</em>-1,3-1,6-glucans. However, results of molecular weight analysis, Congo red test, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy revealed different molecular weight distributions, spatial configurations, and microstructure features. All three <em>β</em>-glucans exhibited potent antibacterial activities against both <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, but were ineffective against <em>Candida albicans</em>. Moreover, PS_EX, PS_CW, and PS_IN demonstrated robust scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals <em>in vitro</em>. Additionally, these <em>β</em>-glucans protected RAW264.7 macrophages from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress damage by lowering reactive oxygen species levels, increasing endogenous superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, and decreasing intracellular malondialdehyde contents. These findings suggest that <em>β</em>-glucans derived from <em>A. pullulans</em> hold great potential for applications as natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents in food and medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 107074"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing the antioxidant potential of black garlic: A study on bioactive compounds in 29 Indian garlic genotypes","authors":"Pasupula Karishma ,&nbsp;Anil Khar ,&nbsp;Sujata Vasudev ,&nbsp;Amrender Kumar ,&nbsp;Rumit Patel","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Black garlic (BG), a functional food with enhanced antioxidant and therapeutic properties, is produced through the controlled aging of fresh garlic under specific thermal and humidity conditions. This study, aimed to evaluate biochemical and antioxidant changes during BG formation in twenty-nine Indian garlic genotypes at 60–80 °C and 80 % relative humidity for up to 60 days,and their biochemical traits were evaluated at 20-day intervals. Key parameters analysed included total phenolic content (mg GAE/100 g FW), total flavonoid content (mg QE/100 g FW), antioxidant capacity - FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazl) assays (μmol Trolox/g FW)], allicin content (mg/100 g), and pyruvic acid levels (μmol/mL). Significant genotypic variability was observed across all traits. Total phenolics and antioxidant activity peaked at day 40 of aging, indicating the optimal point for health-promoting compound accumulation. Flavonoid content continued to increase until day 60, while allicin showed an initial increase followed by a marked decline. Pyruvic acid levels decreased steadily throughout the aging period. Certain genotypes consistently exhibited superior functional properties, suggesting their suitability for commercial BG production. These promising lines also hold potential for use in breeding programs aimed at improving the nutraceutical quality of garlic. The findings offer valuable insights into genotype-specific responses during BG processing and the selection of elite lines for value-added applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"70 ","pages":"Article 107020"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144289089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Walnut peptide reduce uric acid production by non-covalent binding to hypoxanthine in vitro","authors":"Jun Zhong ,&nbsp;Yongzhao Xu ,&nbsp;Ganhong Xiao,&nbsp;Jiaoyan Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107072","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107072","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hyperuricemia results from abnormal purine metabolism and is frequently associated with a high purine diet. Conventional treatments primarily focus on inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XO) to reduce uric acid production, but these approaches often cause significant side effects and fail to address excessive dietary purine intake. This study investigates a novel strategy utilizing natural dietary peptides that potentially form non-covalent complexes with purines to reduce their absorption, thereby lowering serum uric acid levels. We examined the regulatory effects of walnut-derived peptides, specifically Trp-Asp-Gln-Trp (WDQW), Val-Trp-Pro-Pro (VWPP), and Cys-Phe-Pro-His (CFPH), on hypoxanthine absorption using <em>in vitro</em> RKO cell (Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells) models and intestinal sac systems. Results demonstrated that CFPH significantly reduced both the production and excretion of uric acid in jejunal tissue (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). The WDQW peptide significantly reduced the transport efficiency of hypoxanthine in RKO cells (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), demonstrating its potential in regulating purine metabolism. Molecular docking analyses suggested that these peptides may form non-covalent complexes with hypoxanthine, potentially interfering with absorption processes. These findings provide evidence for a potential dietary approach to hyperuricemia management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107072"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144322811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microencapsulation of Pediococcus pentosaceus using cupuassu flour-based as wall material: Application and impact on petit suisse cheese","authors":"Katherine Gutiérrez-Álzate ,&nbsp;Gabriele de Abreu Barreto ,&nbsp;Bruna Samara S. Rekowsky ,&nbsp;Letícia Alencar Pereira Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Deborah Murowaniecki Otero ,&nbsp;Marion Pereira da Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microencapsulation enhances probiotic viability under adverse conditions. This study introduces cupuassu (<em>Theobroma grandiflorum</em>) flour, a novel plant-based by-product, as a wall material for spray-dried <em>Pediococcus pentosaceus</em> microcapsules. In addition, the study also aims to explore the application and impact of this innovative material on Petit Suisse cheese, presenting unique findings that contribute to the advancement of dairy science. Five formulations were developed using sodium alginate (1 %) with varying levels of cupuassu flour (0, 1, 2 and 3 %) and inulin (1 %). The microcapsules were characterized for moisture, dispersibility, hygroscopicity, and particle size, as well as by FTIR spectroscopy, thermal behavior (TGA/DTG), and morphology by SEM. Selected microcapsules were incorporated into Petit Suisse cheese, and their effects on pH, viscosity, color, and probiotic viability were monitored during 28 days of refrigerated storage. Results showed encapsulation efficiencies between 73.2 % and 82.2 %, and viability above 6.4 log CFU/g after 75 days at −18 °C. Cupuassu flour improved the physicochemical stability and thermal resistance of the microcapsules. In the dairy matrix, microcapsules influenced texture and acidity while ensuring probiotic retention. This study highlights the potential of cupuassu flour as a functional and sustainable biopolymer, expanding the technological applications of probiotics in the dairy industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107071"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144331496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Astaxanthin restores defective autophagy in photoreceptor cells under high-glucose conditions","authors":"Tso-Ting Lai ,&nbsp;Chang-Hao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dysregulated autophagy in photoreceptor cells is a significant pathological feature of diabetic retinopathy that contributes to severe visual impairment. To date, however, no effective treatment has been established. Astaxanthin (AST), a potent antioxidant that regulates a key intracellular transcription factor Nrf2, has recently been recognized to effectively modulate autophagy in neuronal cells in addition to its anti-apoptotic properties. However, its effects on dysregulated autophagy in the retina remain poorly understood. Given the urgent need for novel treatments targeting autophagy in diabetic retinopathy, we explored the effects of AST on autophagy in mouse photoreceptor cells (661W cells) under high-glucose conditions. Markers such as LC3B-II, Beclin-1, and p62 were evaluated by western blotting to assess autophagic responses. Key signaling pathways known to regulate autophagy, including Nrf2-BNIP3-mTOR and Atg4, were evaluated using specific inhibitors, small interfering RNA, and activators to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of AST on autophagy. We demonstrated that autophagic activity was downregulated under high-glucose conditions and that AST treatment effectively restored this activity. This restorative effects of AST on autophagy were attenuated by the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, BNIP3 small interfering RNA, and mTOR activator MHY1485, indicating that AST promotes autophagy through the Nrf2-BNIP3-mTOR pathway. Additionally, the inhibition of Atg4 by NSC185058 diminished the effects of AST. Our findings demonstrate that AST restores defective autophagy in photoreceptor cells via the Nrf2-BNIP3-mTOR and Atg4 pathways, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent to prevent photoreceptor cell death in diabetic retinopathy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12409,"journal":{"name":"Food Bioscience","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 107073"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144335826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}