You-Suk Lee

The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the host from infections and other diseases. Dysregulation of immune function is a risk factor for various noninfectious diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Tenebrio molitor larvae, also known as mealworms, are edible insects that are a protein-rich food source. This study investigated the effects of mealworm hydrolysate (MH) on immune enhancement and gut microbiota changes in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mouse model. The findings revealed that MH administration increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and cytokine levels. The MH treatment group demonstrated significantly elevated serum cytokine levels and splenic cytokine mRNA expression compared to the model group. MH also increased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα). Additionally, MH treatment altered the composition of the gut microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Corynebacterium, which are linked to immune function. Collectively, this study shows that MH improves immune-related markers and modulates the gut microbiota, implying that it could be used as a functional food for immune enhancement.

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Schisandra chinensis (SC) extract on clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis and the modulating effect on the mechanisms associated with the progression of osteoarthritis in a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis-induced rats were randomized into four groups: MIA injection control (MC), MIA injection with celecoxib (PC), MIA injection with SC extract 100 mg/kg (SC100), and MIA injection with SC extract 200 mg/kg (SC200). Another healthy group received a saline injection as a negative control (NC). During the treatment, weight-bearing measurements were performed once a week for 4 weeks. Histopathological and biochemical analyses of the joints, blood, and chondrocyte tissue were performed following the completion of treatment. Compared with MC rats, SC rats demonstrated significantly alleviated pain behavior, bone erosion, and cartilage degradation. SC reduced serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines. SC treatment also reversed the levels of biomarkers such as Collagen II and ADAMTS4 in the cartilage tissue. Moreover, SC administration inhibited the phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and NF-κB Inhibitor alpha. This study demonstrates that SC ameliorated osteoarthritis at in vivo level. Our results suggest that SC might be a potential therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.

Park EJ, et al. J Nutr Health. 2019 Jun;52(3):243-249. https://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2019.52.3.243

Lee YS, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2018 Dec;12(6):486-493. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2018.12.6.486