Papers by Brian Bor-Chun Weng
The FASEB Journal, Mar 1, 2006
The FASEB Journal, Mar 1, 2006
Life, Dec 15, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Fermentation, Jan 18, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Food & Function
Soy yogurt has been gaining popularity as a vegan food produced simply by soymilk fermentation wi... more Soy yogurt has been gaining popularity as a vegan food produced simply by soymilk fermentation with proper microbial manipulation.
Life
Around 0.5–1% of the world population is suffering from cachexia. In particular, cancer patients ... more Around 0.5–1% of the world population is suffering from cachexia. In particular, cancer patients under cancer radio-chemotherapy have a high prevalence of cachexia, especially during the end stages of therapeutic treatment. Clinically, chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) treatment often leads to the development of adverse effects, such as leukopenia, immune dysfunction, anorexia, muscle wasting, etc., and 5-Fu also tends to exacerbate the occurrence of cancer cachexia. Currently, there are very limited drug choices when seeking to revive cachexia patient’s health quality while enduring a full therapeutic regimen as part of advanced cancer therapy. The present study employed chemotherapeutic drug 5-Fu-induced cachexia-like conditions in Balb/c mice. After 8 days of 5-Fu treatment, mice had begun to show cachexia-like symptoms such as weight loss and reduced food intake. After one day of washing out, the cachexia animals received a single dose of either saline solution as a mock do...
Fermentation
The keratinase-producing microbes can readily change the feather waste into more bioavailable pep... more The keratinase-producing microbes can readily change the feather waste into more bioavailable peptides and amino acids. This study aimed to improve two-stage fermented feather meal-soybean meal product (TSFP) quality with five selected Bacillus strains and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y10, as well as investigate the effects of TSFP on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and immunity of nursery pigs. In trial 1, 100 hybrid piglets (Duroc x KHAPS) were randomly assigned to dietary supplementation of 5% fish meal or 5% TSFP prepared with 0, 32, 40, or 48 h in the first-stage fermentation. The results showed that the body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fermented groups were significantly better than the unfermented group (p < 0.05) at weeks 0 to 3 and 0 to 5. The ADG of 32-hr and 48-hr TSFP groups were better than the unfermented group (p < 0.05) at weeks 3 to 5. In trial 2, 80 hybrid piglets (Duroc × KHAPS) were randomly assigned into 5%...
Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2017
Biosynthesis of peanut stilbenes, including resveratrol as the secondary metabolites, could be en... more Biosynthesis of peanut stilbenes, including resveratrol as the secondary metabolites, could be enhanced by subjecting the kernels to germination and wound-stress. Investigations of the bio-elicited peanut sprout powder (BPSP) addressed on characterization of the comprising stilbenes and effectiveness in longevity extension deserves intensive research. In this study, peanut kernels were subjected to germination and wound-stress in preparation of BPSP. The methanol extracts of BPSP were medium pressure liquid chromatographic (MPLC) fractionated and semi-preparative HPLC recovered and followed by instrumental identification and biological activity determinations of the isolated stilbenes. In longevity experiments, 16 female 11-mon-old BALB/c mice and both genders of 12-mon-old ICR mice were daily fed with BPSPsupplemented diets at doses of 0, 0.1 and 0.5 g BPSP/kg bw for 750 and 762 days, respectively. Based on chemical characterization, enriched quantity of stilbenes in the BPSP up to ca. 1% (w/w) was detected. Two new stilbene compounds, namely, 4, 5'dihydroxy-6''-hydroxymethyl, 6''-methylpyrano [2'', 3'': 3', 4'] stilbene and 3, 4, 5'trihydroxy-6'', 6''-dimethylpyrano [2'', 3'': 3', 4']stilbene along with 5 known stilbenes were isolated. The 7 stilbenes exhibited potent antioxidative and antiglycative activities and varied with structure-activity nature. Based on the resultant survival curves and average lifespans of both mouse models, basal diets supplemented with BPSP are effective to extend mouse longevity by a dose dependent manner. It is of merit to demonstrate that peanut kernels as a potent producer could be bio-elicited to biosynthesize a broad spectrum of bioactive stilbenes to prepare BPSP which is effective to extend mouse longevity as science-evidenced by the two long-term animal experiments.
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 2017
Drug tolerance, lacking liver regenerative activity and inconclusive inhibition of steatosis and ... more Drug tolerance, lacking liver regenerative activity and inconclusive inhibition of steatosis and cirrhosis by silymarin treatment during chronic liver injury have increased the demand for novel alternative or synergistic treatments for liver damage. Litchi fruit is abundant in polyphenolic compounds and is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatments that include the strengthening of hepatic and pancreatic functions. Unique polyphenolic compounds obtained from litchi pericarp extract (LPE) were studied in vitro and in vivo for hepatoprotection. Epicatechin (EC) and procyanidin A2 (PA2) of LPE were obtained by fractionated-extraction from pulverized litchi pericarps. All fractions, including LPE, were screened against silymarin in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-treated murine embryonic liver cell line (BNL). The effects of daily gavage-feeding of LPE, silymarin (200 mg/kg body weight) or H 2 O in CCl 4-intoxicated male ICR mice were evaluated by studying serum chemicals, liver pathology and glutathione antioxidative enzymes. The effects of EC and PA2 on liver cell regenerative activity were investigated using a scratch wound healing assay and flow cytometric cell cycle analysis; the results of which demonstrated that LPE protected BNL from CCl 4-intoxication. Gavage-feeding of LPE decreased serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels, and exhibited superior retention of the hexagonal structure of hepatocytes and reduced necrotic cells following liver histopathological examinations in CCl 4-intoxicated ICR mice. Glutathione peroxidise and glutathione reductase activities were preserved as the normal control level in LPE groups. EC and PA2 were principle components of LPE. PA2 demonstrated liver cell regenerative activity in scratch wound healing assays and alcohol-induced liver cell injury in vitro. The present findings suggest that litchi pericarp polyphenolic extracts, including EC and PA2, may be a synergistic alternative to silymarin in hepatoprotection and liver cell regeneration.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2016
CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are recognized as a distinctive T helper cell population ... more CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) are recognized as a distinctive T helper cell population which controls immunosuppression during the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immunohomeostasis. Sex steroids modulate fundamental immune functions, including immune cell development, differentiation and polarization, and facilitate specific immunophysiological microenvironments, such as pregnancy. The supplementation of exogenous phytoestrogens is beneficial to post-menopausal women. Stilbenes are a potent group of phytoestrogens, of which resveratrol (Res) is a well-known representative exhibiting a variety of immunomodulatory activities, including the attenuation of autoimmune diseases and boosting anti-tumor immunity. In the present study, arachidin-1 (Ara-1) and Res, primary stilbenes, enriched in peanut sprouts as phytoalexins, were investigated for their immunomodulatory properties for successful aging. We found that similar to 17-β-estradiol (E2), Ara-1 or Res significantly inhibited concanavalin A (ConA)-activated lymphoblastogenesis of cell repertories from splenic or thymic origins. However, these inhibitory effects were partially reversed by the E2 receptor blocker, tamoxifen. While the ratios of the CD4 + CD25 + cell population of ConA-activated T cell repertories were not significantly altered, treatment with E2, Ara-1 or Res led to an increase in the number of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4; also known as CD152)-positive cells and in the gene expression levels of CTLA-4, Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). When low (L-S-PNT) and high (H-S-PNT) levels of stilbene-enriched peanut sprout-fortified diets were provided ad libitum to 12-week-old ICR mice for 48 weeks, their circulating Treg populations were assessed following magnetic bead enrichment. The gene expression levels of CTLA-4 and TGF-β were significantly (P<0.05) elevated, as assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The findings of the present study support the beneficial roles of the phytoestrogenic stilbenes, Res and Ara-1, in facilitating a successful aging immune status which may attribute to longevity.
Poultry Science, 2009
This study examined the effects of caponization using different doses of testosterone (TES) on se... more This study examined the effects of caponization using different doses of testosterone (TES) on sexuality, hematology, and immune responses in male chickens. Healthy male chickens were caponized at 12 wk of age and selected at 16 wk of age for a 10-wk experiment. Fifteen intact male and 15 caponized male chickens were assigned to trial 1. In trial 2, ten sham-operated male chickens (sham) and 40 capons (randomly divided into 4 treatments) were implanted with cholesterol (CHOL, 9.24+/-0.36 mg), low TES (5.88+/-0.23 mg), medium TES (9.81+/-0.17 mg), or high TES (16.7+/-0.24 mg) administered at 16, 20, and 24 wk of age. Results from trial 1 showed caponization decreased the comb length, height and weight, and hematocrit (P&lt;0.05) and increased the hemagglutination inhibition (HI; 1 wk postchallenge) and hemagglutination titer after Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and SRBC injections (P&lt;0.05). In trial 2, the medium TES increased the comb length and height as compared with the CHOL group. Only the high TES increased the comb weight (P&lt;0.05). The HI titer (1 wk postchallenge) in the CHOL group was higher than the sham (P&lt;0.05). The medium TES decreased the HI titer (P&lt;0.05) to the level of the sham (P&gt;0.05). The phytohemagglutinin response was higher in the high TES group 24 h postinjection (P&lt;0.05) and in the medium TES 48 h postinjection (P&lt;0.05) as compared with the CHOL group. High dose TES implantation decreased the white blood cell counts as compared with the CHOL and sham groups (P&lt;0.05). It appears that caponization decreased the blood androgen concentration and enhanced the humoral (anti-NDV and anti-SRBC) immune response. Testosterone implantation up to a threshold concentration could inhibit the humoral (anti-NDV) immune response and increase the cell-mediated (phytohemagglutinin) immune response.
Poultry Science, 2008
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is the major zoonotic and intracellular pathogen. Differe... more Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is the major zoonotic and intracellular pathogen. Different strategies have been developed to prevent the S. Enteritidis infection. The β-1,3-1,6-glucan of Schizophyllum commune was used as an immunological booster to determine the minimal dietary level of β-glucan that would restrict S. Enteritidis infection through the effects of β-glucan on the activity of macrophages and direct physical protection of the intestine. One-day-old male Single Comb White Leghorn chicks were used in all trials. In trials 1 and 2, the 0.1% β-1,3-1,6-glucan treatment completely eliminated the viable S. Enteritidis from spleen and liver in an oral challenge of 10 8 S. Enteritidis without any harmful effect on BW, serum proteins, and immunoglobulin. Instead of a 21-d feeding period of β-glucan, a 14-d treatment was enough to eliminate the S. Enteritidis in spleen and liver. In trial 3, an increase in the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius and phytohemagglutinin-P-inducing cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity was observed (P < 0.05). In trials 2, 3, and 4, the direct or indirect effect of β-1,3-1,6-glucan on abdominal macrophages was examined. Sterilized 3% Sephadex G-50 was injected to induce abdominal (peritoneal) phagocytes in chicks fed with or without 0.1% β-1,3-1,6-glucan. Significantly increased phagocytic and bactericidal capability to S. Enteritidis was found in abdominal macrophages either pretreated or in vitro treated with 0.1% β-1,3-1,6-glucan. In conclusion, in addition to the physical properties to block S. Enteritidis entrance, 0.1% dietary β-1,3-1,6-glucan may enhance the host defense to S. Enteritidis by directly upregulating the phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of abdominal macrophages in chicks.
Livestock Science, 2011
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary β-1,3-1,6-glucan supplementation on... more The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary β-1,3-1,6-glucan supplementation on the reproductive performance and immunity of New Zealand White breeding does and their pups. Thirty pregnant multiparous New Zealand White does were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments; 0 (control), 0.064% β-1,3-1,6-glucan or 0.128% β-1,3-1,6-glucan dietary supplementation from day 14 of gestation to day 28 of lactation. The 0.128% dietary β-1,3-1,6-glucan supplementation caused reduced (P b 0.05) feed intake from day 14 to day 28 of gestation. The swelling response 24 and 48 h after injection of phytohemoagglutinin-P showed that does fed with 0.064% dietary β-1,3-1,6-glucan had lower (P b 0.05) swelling response than the control group. Serum IgG and IgM concentrations of does were significantly higher during pregnancy than during lactation. Compared to the controls, does fed with 0.128% β-1,3-1,6-glucan had reduced serum IgM concentrations at day 21 of gestation and day 3 of lactation. They had significantly reduced serum IgG at day 28 of gestation but increased serum IgG at day 3 of lactation. Serum IgM and IgG concentrations in supplemented does were higher (P b 0.05) than controls at day 28 of lactation. Both CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocyte subsets were lowest at day 28 of gestation. There were no treatment effects on the three types of lymphocytes. Subsets of CD4 + in the weanling pups were higher (P b 0.05) for the 0.064% β-1,3-1,6-glucan supplementation group than the other two groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of β-1,3-1,6-glucan reduced feed intake during the first 14 days but had no adverse effects on the reproductive performance and body weight of does. Dietary supplementation with 0.064% β-1,3-1,6-glucan significantly inhibited delayed-type immune reaction of Th1 and significantly reduced serum IgG concentration of does at the late gestation stage but increased serum IgM and IgG concentrations at the late lactation stage.
Food Research International, 2012
Heavily evidenced in antimicrobial effects of microbial β-(1,3)(1,6)-glucan, the botanical β-(1,3... more Heavily evidenced in antimicrobial effects of microbial β-(1,3)(1,6)-glucan, the botanical β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucan is mostly shown to effectively control blood cholesterol level. S. Typhimurium belongs to food-borne zoonoses often causing worldwide epidemic outbreaks in animals and human with severe diarrhea and gastrointestinalitis. Cereal soups are commonly prescribed as neutraceutical for rehydration purpose and a sustaining therapy. Botanical β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucan is easily released in boiled cereal soup. β-(1,3)(1,4)-Glucans on modulating host defense to enteric infectious agents is seldom reported. Our results demonstrated that barley β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans effectively increased the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 against S. Typhimurium infection through antibacterial lysozyme activity (P b 0.001), not the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, barley β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans upregulated the gene expressions of its receptor dectin-1. In conclusion, barley β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucan induces a mild immune response with increasing antibacterial lysozymes through up-regulating its receptors dectin-1 and lysozyme M gene expressions.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2011
Toxicological and immunomodulatory activities of botryosphaeran (BR), a newly emerged b-glucan th... more Toxicological and immunomodulatory activities of botryosphaeran (BR), a newly emerged b-glucan that comprises a b-(1?3) backbone and b-(1?6) branched glucose residues were assessed. BR was 1.82 Â 10 6 Da (M.W.) estimated by reversely-linear equation constructed by regression of logarithms of standard polysaccharides and their retention times of gel permeation chromatography. Sprague-Dawley rats were daily gavage-administered with BR at doses of 0, 1.25, 12.5, and 125 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 28 d. Serum hematological and biochemical analysis of all treatment were all within normal ranges. Mitogen-stimulated lymphoblastogenesis of spleno-lymphocytes was enhanced by BR at doses of 1.25 and 12.5 mg/kg BW. Through in vitro comparative assessments, RAW 264.7 macrophage (RAW) cells were treated with BR and two commercial b-glucans, zymosan (ZY) and barley b-glucan (GB), to characterize their relative immunomodulatory properties. All three b-glucans stimulated phagocytosis on fluorescence-labeled Escherichia coli. At dose levels from 5 to 200 lg/mL for 24 h, nitric oxide produced by BRand ZY-treated cells were higher than those produced by GB-treated and control groups. BR, ZY but GB also stimulated RAW cells in producing TNF-a. The results demonstrate that BR is toxicologically accepted and features as a potent immunomodulator.
Life
Soy isoflavones possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and phytoestrogenic prope... more Soy isoflavones possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and phytoestrogenic properties. Soybean residue contains a fair amount of nutrients such as glycosylated isoflavones, minerals and dietary fibers, and is a substantial waste product produced from soymilk and tofu manufacturing. A solid-state fermentation of soybean residue by Rhizopus oligosporus or co-inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum improves the availability of isoflavones and GABA content which is attributed to ameliorated hyperglycemic symptoms in STZ-induced hyperglycemic mice. The effortless solid-state fermentation with present microbial manipulation supports an anti-hyperglycemia value-added application of soybean residue for functional food development. Background: Due to an awareness of the food crisis and with a rapidly rising prevalence of diabetes, recycling the substantial fibrous soybean residue disposed from soy industries has received consideration. Methods: Lactiplantibacillus plan...
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Papers by Brian Bor-Chun Weng