Glucose-lowering activity of dark tea protein extract by modulating spleen-brain axis of diabetic mice

The present study was to explore the glucose-lowering effects of the previously characterized dark tea (Camellia sinensis L) protein extract (DTPE) from Heimaojian on spleen-brain axis of diabetic mice. DTPE was orally administrated (50-100 mg/kg) to alloxan-induced mice for 21 days, biochemical assay and transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq) were performed. The results showed that DTPE can improve glucose tolerance. Compared with model group, at day 21, the fasting blood glucose values were significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 44.9% (13.8 vs 7.6 mmol/L) and 51.4% (13.8 vs 6.7 mmol/L) for high dose of DTPE (100 mg/kg) and drug metformin (125 mg/kg) groups, respectively. Subsequently, transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq) was performed on the spleen and brain of diabetic mice. Totally, 52 spleen-derived and 47 brain-derived differentially expressed genes related to the synthesis, transport and metabolism of glucose were identified. The regulatory network analysis indicated that DTPE may exert glucose-lowering effects through a 37-gene sub-network related to metabolism, Parkinson’s disease, oxidative phosphorylation and immunity. In summary, for the first time, the present data revealed that dark tea-derived DTPE could exert a potential anti-hyperglycemic effect by modulating spleen-brain axis.

Variability and correlations between yield components of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

NS soybean cultivars were assessed for variability of and correlations between yield components and the effect of genotype - environment interaction on yield, yield component and morphological characteristics. Experiments were carried out at Rimski Sancevi experiment field in 2009 and 2010. The following characteristics were evaluated: plant height (cm), height of first pod (cm), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (kg/ha) and the combined content of oil and protein in grain (%). Combined contents of oil and protein in grain soybean were determined by a non destructive method of near infrared spectroscopy on PERTEN DA 7000 (NIR/VIS Spectrophotometer). The studied characteristics varied significantly depending on genotype and year. The highest yield of 5273 kg/ha was obtained in 2009 with the genotype Victoria. Highest 1000-grain weights, 2009-2010, were achieved with the genotypes Valjevka and Victoria (149.27 g and 147.23 g). Maximum heights of first pod (19.40 cm) were recorded for the genotype Victoria, 2009-2010. Highest protein contents were obtained with the genotypes Valjevka and Victoria, 2009-2010, were and highest oil contents (21.73%) with the genotype Tea. Protein content was positively significantly correlated with 1000-grain weight and negatively significantly correlated with oil content, and negatively correlated with yield and the height of first pod. Oil content was positively correlated with the height of first pod. Thousand-grain weight was negatively highly significantly correlated with oil content in grain and negatively significantly correlated the height of first pod. The results of this study should facilitate further soybean breeding for improved seed yield and protein and oil contents.