Francine R. F. Silva, Joyce E. Heredia, Bruna C. Oliveira, Onno J. Arntz, Talita Martins, Eduardo H. M. Nunes, Mauro M. Teixeira, Tarcilia A. Silva, Fons A. J. van de Loo, Soraia Macari, Adaliene V. M. Ferreira, Marina C. Oliveira
{"title":"Bovine Milk Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Alveolar Bone Microarchitecture and Mitigate Hepatic Steatosis in Obese Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet","authors":"Francine R. F. Silva, Joyce E. Heredia, Bruna C. Oliveira, Onno J. Arntz, Talita Martins, Eduardo H. M. Nunes, Mauro M. Teixeira, Tarcilia A. Silva, Fons A. J. van de Loo, Soraia Macari, Adaliene V. M. Ferreira, Marina C. Oliveira","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70400","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70400","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Obesity is linked to low-grade inflammation and systemic bone loss. Current treatments are limited, necessitating new therapeutic approaches. Bovine milk extracellular vesicles (MEVs) modulate bone cell activity, although their role in bone during diet-induced obesity is unexplored. We evaluated MEV influence on metabolism and bone in a model of high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a control (C) or an obesogenic diet for 12 weeks, with MEV treatment in drinking water starting in the 9th week. HF diet-fed mice showed loss in the alveolar bone and femur, characterized by a reduced number of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and an increase in osteoclasts. Augmented adiposity and liver fat deposition were found, correlating with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. MEV treatment improved alveolar bone parameters along with a positive balance between osteocytes and osteoblasts versus osteoclast populations. MEVs did not change femur parameters, but reduced osteoclasts. MEVs did not modify systemic metabolism or adipose tissue morphology, but they reduced hepatic fat accumulation. HF diet induces bone loss and metabolic changes. MEV treatment exerts a local cellular effect on alveolar bone, but cannot reverse HF-induced bone loss in the femur. Nevertheless, MEVs demonstrate benefits in reducing liver fat accumulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mnfr.70400","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mulberry Leaf Extract Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Through Modulation of Gut Microbiota, Intestinal Mechanical Barrier, and Inflammation","authors":"Ruili Pan, Ping Wu, Mingxiu Gong, Shuinv Wu, Dajiang Gu, Genhua Yin, Yufeng He, Jin Zhao","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70409","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70409","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a key driver of obesity pathogenesis. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-obesity mechanism of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) by investigating its effects on the intestinal barrier, including the mechanical, immune, and microbial barriers. A high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model was employed and treated with MLE. We systematically assessed obesity phenotypes, glucolipid metabolic parameters, systemic and intestinal inflammation, intestinal tight junction proteins and mucus secretion, and gut microbiota composition. The results showed that MLE significantly reduced body weight by over 5%, and ameliorated dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and glucose intolerance. Concurrently, MLE activated PPARα/CPT-1 fatty acid β-oxidation and PI3K/AKT signaling while suppressing SREBP-1c lipogenesis. Mechanistically, MLE enhanced intestinal mechanical barriers, as evidenced by the upregulation of tight junction proteins, increased mucus secretion, and reduced serum levels of intestinal permeability markers (diamine oxidase and endotoxin). Furthermore, MLE suppressed systemic and intestinal inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Furthermore, MLE improved gut microbiota dysbiosis, reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio by 61.39%, enriching beneficial <i>Alloprevotella</i> and <i>Muribaculaceae_norank</i>, and depleting <i>Faecalibaculum</i> and <i>Lachnoclostridium</i>. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between MLE-modulated microbiota and improved metabolic and barrier parameters. Collectively, MLE alleviated obesity by synergistically modulating glucolipid metabolism, gut microbiota, intestinal mechanical barrier and inflammation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Metabolomics-Based Functional Characterization of Levilactobacillus Brevis: Insights Into Probiotic and Antimicrobial Potential","authors":"Nosyba A. Ibrahim, Mitesh Patel, Dhvani Trivedi, Komal Janiyani, Abdel Moneim Elhadi Sulieman, Haroon Elrasheid Tahir, Reyaz Hassan Mir, Syeda Bushra Fatima, Mohd Adnan","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70366","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70366","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Food contamination remains a significant public health issue, often resulting in foodborne illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>, have garnered increasing interest for their antimicrobial capabilities in enhancing food safety. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity and secondary metabolite production of cell-free supernatant extract in ethyl acetate of <i>L. brevis</i> MTCC 1750, emphasizing its potential application in food bio-preservation. The strain demonstrated key probiotic attributes, including acid tolerance, strong cell surface hydrophobicity, and 48% auto-aggregation after 12 h, indicating good survivability and colonization potential. <i>L. brevis</i> MTCC 1750 exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity, forming clear inhibition zones. Additionally, it significantly inhibited biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS)–regulated pigment production, reducing violacein, prodigiosin, and pyocyanin by 52.05%, 90.43%, and 43.73%, respectively. Importantly, metabolomics-guided analyses (FTIR, HPTLC, and HR-LCMS) provided a detailed chemical fingerprint of diverse bioactive metabolites, including peptides, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, which has not been previously much reported for this strain. Furthermore, the study uniquely demonstrates the dual functionality of this strain, combining probiotic attributes with strong anti-QS and antibiofilm activities, thereby highlighting its novelty compared to earlier investigations. The nonhemolytic activity of the strain further supports its safety. These findings highlight <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> MTCC 1750 as a promising natural biopreservative with potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. The integration of metabolomics-guided secondary metabolite profiling with functional assays represents a novel contribution, positioning this strain as a safe, multifunctional candidate for food safety enhancement and shelf-life extension.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vanessa D'Antongiovanni, Clelia Di Salvo, Giulia Valdiserra, Matteo Fornai, Federica Cappelli, Alessandro Mengozzi, Agostino Virdis, Stefano Masi, Emiliano Duranti, Laura Benvenuti, Walter Fiore, Valerio De Vitis, Luca Antonioli
{"title":"Gut Microbiota Manipulation by Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DG I1572 as New Therapeutical Strategy to Counteract Vascular Inflammaging","authors":"Vanessa D'Antongiovanni, Clelia Di Salvo, Giulia Valdiserra, Matteo Fornai, Federica Cappelli, Alessandro Mengozzi, Agostino Virdis, Stefano Masi, Emiliano Duranti, Laura Benvenuti, Walter Fiore, Valerio De Vitis, Luca Antonioli","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70399","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70399","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The present study investigated the potential beneficial effect of probiotic <i>Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DG I1572 (L. paracasei DG I1572)</i> in a murine model of vascular inflammaging. Aged (40-weeks-old) and young (10-weeks-old) Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with <i>L. paracasei DG I1572</i> for 3 months. Vascular functions were assessed by pressurized myography, while intravascular ROS and NO production, as well as inflammatory parameters (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF), were measured using dihydroethidium, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein dyes, and ELISA, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and claudin-1 were examined. Old rats showed: (1) vascular endothelial dysfunctions due to a reduced NO availability; (2) increase in intravascular ROS, (3) the presence of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, as documented by increased plasma levels of IL-6 and MDA, respectively; (4) a slight decrease in claudin-1 colonic expression, as compared with young rats. Treatment with <i>L. paracasei DG I1572</i> in old rats improved: (1) endothelial function, increasing NO bioavailability; (2) systemic and in situ oxidative stress in vessels, reducing MDA and intravascular ROS production, respectively; (3) inflammatory parameters, reducing IL-1β and IL-6 as well as increasing IL-10; (4) colonic expression of claudin-1. <i>L. paracasei DG I1572</i> supplementation can mitigate the low-grade inflammation, and the vascular dysfunctions associated with age, likely through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gurseen Rakhra, Rajan Malhotra, Priyanka Prasad, Jatindra K. Sahu, Gurmeen Rakhra, Tehsin Ullah Khan, Mati Ullah Khan, Sarushi Rastogi
{"title":"Synergistic Effects of Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota–Derived Metabolites on Inflammation and Metabolic Syndrome: A Review","authors":"Gurseen Rakhra, Rajan Malhotra, Priyanka Prasad, Jatindra K. Sahu, Gurmeen Rakhra, Tehsin Ullah Khan, Mati Ullah Khan, Sarushi Rastogi","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70360","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70360","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Polyphenols, a diverse group of phytochemicals abundant in plant-derived foods, are being increasingly recognized for their regulatory effects on inflammation and metabolic disorders. Their interaction with the gut microbiota (GM) is complex and bidirectional: Polyphenols influence microbial composition by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting pathogenic strains, while gut microbes metabolize polyphenols into bioactive metabolites that enhance their bioavailability. This dynamic interaction has profound implications for host metabolism, inflammation regulation, and disease prevention. Polyphenol-rich dietary sources, such as tea, berries, grapes, and pomegranates, exert prebiotic-like effects by selectively enriching commensal bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp., while downregulating harmful genera such as Clostridium. These compounds attenuate inflammatory responses through the modulation of intracellular signaling cascades, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mitigation of oxidative stress via activation of anti-oxidant pathways. Despite growing evidence supporting the beneficial health effects of polyphenols and their microbiota-derived metabolites, further mechanistic and longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the specific pathways involved and to assess their long-term impact on human health. This review highlights the role of polyphenols and gut-associated metabolites on various inflammatory pathways and associated metabolic syndrome.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146097826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chrysin Exhibits Bone-Protective Effects Through Osteoclastogenesis Inhibition: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophages and Sprague–Dawley Rats","authors":"Caitlin Mason, Trevor T. Nyakudya, Abe E. Kasonga","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70403","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70403","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bone is a metabolically active tissue that is constantly being reformed and resorbed by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Abnormal increases in osteoclast activity can lead to bone deterioration. This study investigated the potential beneficial effects of chrysin on osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and bone health in Sprague–Dawley rats. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was conducted to determine the effect of chrysin on osteoclast differentiation. Quantitative polymerase-chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were conducted to determine the molecular mechanism of chrysin in osteoclasts. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a diet of 50 mg/kg chrysin from postnatal Day 7 until 22. On Day 130, the rats were euthanized, and their tibiae were extracted and assessed by micro-computed tomography (microCT). Chrysin reduced the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts formed by inhibiting nuclear factor κB (NFκB) nuclear translocation. Crucial genes involved in the activation of osteoclasts were further down-regulated. Chrysin significantly increased the area, volume, and segmented bone density of the midpoint of the tibiae. The findings suggest that chrysin inhibits osteoclastogenesis via the inhibition of the NFκB signaling pathway. Chrysin further induced moderate improvements in bone health parameters. These findings suggest chrysin may exert bone-protective effects by inhibiting osteoclasts.</p>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mnfr.70403","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146097796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Aminul Haque, Md. Selim Hossain, Vijay Sankar Ramasamy, Il Seon Park
{"title":"Biflavonoids can Potentially Inhibit Amyloid Beta Internalization to Mitigate Its Cytotoxic Events","authors":"Md. Aminul Haque, Md. Selim Hossain, Vijay Sankar Ramasamy, Il Seon Park","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70406","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70406","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Amyloid-β-42 (Aβ42) internalization plays a critical role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. We investigated whether biflavonoids, natural small molecules, could inhibit Aβ42 uptake and mitigate its cytotoxicity. Biochemical and imaging analyses revealed that biflavonoids dose-dependently blocked Aβ42 internalization, preventing lamin fragmentation and caspase activation which are considered as key steps in Aβ42-induced cell death. Confocal microscopy and Western blotting confirmed reduced Aβ42 entry, while aggregation assays in cell-free conditions demonstrated biflavonoids suppress Aβ42 fibril, oligomer, and β-sheet formation. These findings suggest biflavonoids exert cytoprotective effects by inhibiting both Aβ42 conformational changes and cellular uptake, positioning them as promising anti-amyloidogenic agents for AD therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mnfr.70406","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nishantika Mitra, Mark H. Vickers, Fiona E. Lithander, Anastasiia Artuyants, Cherie Blenkiron, Meika Foster, Hui Hui Phua, Chris Pook, Zeke Wang, Richard F. Mithen, Farha Ramzan
{"title":"Effect of Glucoraphanin on the Abundance of Nrf2 Regulated Genes Within Circulating Small Extracellular Vesicles: A Pilot Dietary Intervention","authors":"Nishantika Mitra, Mark H. Vickers, Fiona E. Lithander, Anastasiia Artuyants, Cherie Blenkiron, Meika Foster, Hui Hui Phua, Chris Pook, Zeke Wang, Richard F. Mithen, Farha Ramzan","doi":"10.1002/mnfr.70397","DOIUrl":"10.1002/mnfr.70397","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, are associated with a reduced risk of age-related chronic diseases. Broccoli accumulates glucoraphanin, which is hydrolyzed to sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate, that activates antioxidant genes via nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor, thereby alleviating age-related diseases. However, sulforaphane's rapid metabolism and excretion raise questions about its efficacy on peripheral tissues. We hypothesize that consumption of a glucoraphanin-rich broccoli soup induces small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in the systemic circulation, containing Nrf2-induced antioxidant genes, mediating the effects of broccoli consumption on peripheral tissues. Nine adults participated in a two-arm, single-blinded, randomized crossover trial and consumed a glucoraphanin-rich broccoli soup (intervention) and a control soup. Plasma samples were analyzed to quantify abundance of Nrf2 regulated genes within circulating sEVs, while urine samples were analyzed to determine sulforaphane pharmacokinetics. While sulforaphane was detected in urine following the intervention (<i>p</i> < 0.001), there were no differences in the abundance of Nrf2 regulated genes quantified within circulating sEVs. Urinary sulforaphane profiling confirmed the intervention's efficacy; however, the genes examined were unaltered within circulatory sEVs. Given that EV mRNA does not always relate to function, future studies exploring EV proteomics may provide further insights into sulforaphane's underlying mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":212,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Nutrition & Food Research","volume":"70 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/mnfr.70397","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}