• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1314-1321
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• 2024

Branched-chain hydroxy acids (BCHAs), produced by lactic acid bacteria, have recently been suggested as bioactive compounds contributing to the systemic metabolism and modulation of the gut microbiome. However, the relationship between BCHAs and gut microbiome remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of BCHAs on the growth of seven different families in the gut microbiota. Based on in vitro screening, both 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid (HIVA) and 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) stimulated the growth of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae, with HIVA showing a significant growth promotion. Additionally, we observed not only the growth promotion of probiotic Lactobacillaceae strains but also growth inhibition of pathogenic B. fragilis in a dose-dependent manner. The production of HIVA and HICA varied depending on the family of the gut microbiota and was relatively high in case of Lactobacillaceae and Lachnosporaceae. Furthermore, HIVA and HICA production by each strain positively correlated with their growth variation. These results demonstrated gut microbiota-derived BCHAs as active metabolites that have bacterial growth modulatory effects. We suggest that BCHAs can be utilized as active metabolites, potentially contributing to the treatment of diseases associated with gut dysbiosis.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2014

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a disorder that involves the metabolism of branched chain amino acids, arising from a defect in branched-chain ${\alpha}$-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Mutations have been identified in the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, or DBT genes, which encode different subunits of the BCKDH complex. Although encephalopathy and progressive neurodegeneration are its major manifestations, the severity of the disease may range from the severe classic type to milder intermediate variants. We report two Korean siblings with the milder intermediate MSUD who were diagnosed with MSUD by a combination of newborn screening tests using tandem mass spectrometry and family genetic screening for MSUD. At diagnosis, the patients' plasma levels were elevated for leucine, isoleucine, valine, and alloisoleucine, and branched-chain ${\alpha}$-keto acids and branched-chain ${\alpha}$-hydroxy acids were detected in their urine. BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT analysis was performed, and two novel mutations were identified in BCKDHB. Our patients were thought to have the milder intermediate variant of MSUD, rather than the classic form. Although MSUD is a typical metabolic disease with poor prognosis, better outcomes can be expected if early diagnosis and prompt management are provided, particularly for milder forms of the disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2002

Cerebroside fatty acids, sugars and long-chain sphingoid bases in raw soybean and soybean fermented foods (chongkukjang and deunjang) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-pH anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amerometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Fatty acids of acid-hydrolyzed cerebrosides were derivatized to O-TMS methylester and analysed. The major fatty acids in raw soybean and chongkukjang cerebrosides were identified as 2-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (16 : 0h), 2-hydroxydocosanoic acid (22 : 0h) and 2-hydroxytetracosanoic acid (24 : 0h). In the case of deunjang cerebroside, 24 : 0h (40.9%) and 22 : 0h (23.4%) were major fatty acids, but 16 : 0h, 23 : 0h, 25 : 0h and 26 : 0h were also detected. Long-chain sphingoid bases of acid-hydrolyzed cerebrosides from raw soybean, chongkukjang and deunjang consisted primarily of 4-tracts, 8-tracts-sphingadienine (dihydroxy base, d18 : 2$\Delta$$^{4trans, 8trans}$) and sis-tracts isomers of 4-hydroxy-sphingenine (trihydroxy base, tl8:1$\Delta$$^{4trans or cis}$) with much less amounts of phytosphingosine (tl8: 0) and isomers of sphingenine (d18 : 1). Although deunjang is a soybean food fermented by fungi and microorganisms for a long period, 2-hydroxyoctadec-3-enoic acid (18 : 1h) and branched 9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine known as compositional cerebroside fatty acids in Aspergillus species were not detected. Mass spectrum for sugar derivatives in cerebrosides of soybean foods including raw soybean and fermented soybean showed that C-1 of glucose moiety was linked to ceramide backbone as like a monoglucosylceramide.