Sen-Shyong Jeng, Ph.D.

Chair Professor, Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University

(President, National Taiwan Ocean University, 1981-1990)

Keelung city, 20224, Taiwan

E-mail : jengss@mail.ntou.edu.tw or sensjeng@gmail.com

Website: http://www.fs1.ntou.edu.tw/5102/

 

Field of Specialization:

Marine Biochemistry, Environmental Science

 

Education: 

1.    Ph.D. 1970, National Kyushu University, Japan.

2.    M.S. 1967, National Kyushu University, Japan.

3.    1963, Taiwan Provincial Maritime College, Taiwan.

 

Experience：                         

1. Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica

(Chinese Academy of Science) (1970-1976)

2. President, Kaohsiung Marine College (1976-1981)

3. President, National Taiwan Ocean University (1981-1990)

4. Chair Professor, National Taiwan Ocean University (1990- )

 

Awards and Honors：

1.    Recipient of Academic Award, the Ministry of Education,

Republic of China (1977).

2.    Recipient Award of the Chinese Fisheries Association

(1975 and 1991).

3.    President, Taiwan Fisheries Society (1983-1989).

4.    President, China Maritime Institute (1986-1989).

5.    President, The Association of Marine Affairs, Republic of China (1984-1991). 

 

 

Publications:

    1. Chen, Y.-H.; Feng, H.-L.; Lu, Y.-C.; Jeng, S.-S. Oral Zinc-Rich Oyster Supplementation Corrects Anemia in Rats. Nutrients 2023, 15, 4675. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu15214675
    2. Jeng, S.-S.; Chen, Y.-H. Association of Zinc with Anemia. Nutrients 2022, 14, 4918. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224918 
    3. Chen YH, SS Jeng, Ya-Chia Hsu, Yu-Min Liao, Yu-Xin Wang, Xia Cao, Lian-Jiang Huang. In anemia zinc is recruited form bone and plasma to produce new red blood cells. J. Inorg. Biochem. 210, 2020; doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111172.
    4. Feng HL, YH Chen and SS Jeng. Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Renal Anemia in 5/6-Nephrectomized Rats and a Comparison with Treatment with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(20), 4985; doi:10.3390/ijms2020498
    5. Chen YH, HL Feng and SS Jeng. Zinc Supplementation Stimulates Red Blood Cell Formation in Rats. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 2824; doi:10.3390/ijms19092824
    6. Chen YH, JR Shiu, CL Ho, and SS Jeng. Zinc as a signal to stimulate red blood cell formation in fish. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(1), 138; doi:10.3390/ijms18010138
    7. Chen YH, HH Chen, and SS Jeng. Rapid renewal of red blood cells in the common carp following prolonged exposure to air. Fisheries Science 2015; 81: 255–265.
    8. Chen YH, SW Fang, and SS Jeng. Zinc transferrin stimulates red blood cell formation in the head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 2013; 166: 1-7.
    9. Lin TY, YH Chen, CL Liu, and SS Jeng. Role of high zinc levels in the stress defense of common carp. Fisheries Science 2011; 77: 557-574.
    10. Chen YH, HJ Liao, and SS Jeng. Separation and characterization of the connective tissue cells expressing the 43 kDa zinc-binding protein from common carp. Fisheries Science 2008; 74: 1322-1329.
    11. Jeng SS, TY Lin, MS Wang, YY Chang, CY Chen , and CC Chang. Anoxia-survival in common carp and crucian carp is related to their high zinc concentration in tissues. Fisheries Science 2008; 74: 627-634.
    12. Jeng SS, JY Yau, YH Chen, TY Lin, and YY Chung. High Zn in the erythrocyte plasma membranes of common carp Cyprinus carpio. Fisheries Science 2007; 73: 421-428.
    13. Liao HJ, YH Chen, and SS Jeng. Association of Zn with connective tissue in the digestive tract of common carp. Fisheries Science 2006; 72: 893-902.
    14. Wang MS, and SS Jeng. Binding characteristics of the Zn-binding membrane protein from common carp. Fisheries Science 2006; 72: 436-444.
    15. Jeng SS, and MS Wang. 2003. Isolation of a Zn-binding protein mediating cell adhesion from common carp. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communication 2003; 309: 733-742.
    16. Jeng SS, HJ Liao, and MS Wang. High Zn concentration in the digestive tract tissue of common carp Cyprinus carpio. Fisheries Science 2002; Supplement II 68: 1181-1184.
    17. Wang MS, PC Chuang, LT Sun, and SS Jeng. Localization of Zn binding protein in the digestive tract tissue of common carp. Fisheries Science 2002; 68: 484-493.
    18. Sun LT, and SS Jeng. Accumulation of zinc from diet and its release in common carp. Fish Physiology Biochemistry 1999; 20: 313-324.
    19. Jeng SS, JT Wang, and LT Sun. Zinc and zinc binding substances in the tissues of common carp. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B 1999; 122: 461-468.
    20. Sun LT, and SS Jeng. Comparative zinc concentrations in tissues of common carp and other aquatic organisms. Zoological Studies 1998; 37: 184-190.
    21. Jeng SS, and JL Lian. Comparison of zinc absorption between common carp and other fresh water fishes. Zoological studies 1994; 33: 78-85.
    22. Jeng SS, CJ Chow, and CJ Hsu. Water qualities of Kaoping River-Comparison of 1976-1977 with 1979-1980. Natl. Sci. Counc. Monthly, ROC 1982; 10(11): 961-971.
    23. Jeng SS, and YM Tyan. Growth of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria in Taiwan. Aquaculture 1982; 27: 19-28.
    24. Jeng SS, and LT Sun. Effects of dietary zinc levels on zinc concentrations in tissues of common carp. Journal of Nutrition 1981; 111: 134-140.
    25. Wang GS, SY Hsu, and SS Jeng. Bacterial count and coliform groups in oysters and clams of Taiwan. China Fisheries Monthly 1979; No. 328, 12-15.
    26. Hsu SY, GS Wang, and SS Jeng. The occurrence and seasonal variations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and heavy metals in Taiwan’s oysters and clams. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1979; 18(1): 11-20.
    27. Jeng SS, SY Hsu, GS Wang. Chemical composition of Taiwan's oysters and clams. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1979; 18(1): 1-10.
    28. Jeng SS, and DF Hwang. Study on the use of small sharks for fish ball production. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1979; 6(2): 32-41.
    29. Hwang DF, and SS Jeng. Qualities of minced fish products in Taiwan. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1979; 6(2): 25-31.
    30. Jeng SS, WCM Wan, and CF Chang. Existence of estrogen-like compound in the ovary of the shrimp Parapenaeus fissurs. General and Comparative Endocrinology 1978; 36, 211-214.
    31. Jeng SS, and SB Wang. Water quality in central coast of Taiwan and its effect on mass mortalities of cultured shellfishes. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1976; 5(1): 61-70.
    32. Jeng SS, and SB Wang. Water quality in rivers of central Taiwan and its effect on fish. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1976; 5(1): 43-60.
    33. Jeng SS, and DF Hwang. Survey on the use of borax as food preservative in Taiwan. Food Science 1976; 3(1): 124-132.
    34. Jeng SS. Heavy metal concentrations in fishes of Taiwan. International conference on heavy metals in the environment, October 27-31, 1975, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    35. Jeng SS, and SJ Chen. Acute toxicities of Po-Tzu river water and the mass mortalities of cultured shellfishes. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1975; 4(1): 73-83.
    36. Jeng SS. Effect of river water pollution on the mass mortalities of cultured shellfishes along the southwest coast of Taiwan. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1975; 4(1): 51-71.
    37. Jeng SS, YW Huang, JL Lain, LT Sun, and GS Wang. Effects of heavy metals and pesticides on the mass mortalities of cultured shellfishes along the southwest coast of Taiwan. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1974; 3(2): 35-39.
    38. Chung IH, and SS Jeng. Heavy metal pollution of Ta-Tu river. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1974; 13(2): 69-73.
    39. Jeng SS, and HL Chiang. Lactate dehydrogenase in muscle of spotted mackerel. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1974; 13(2): 61-67.
    40. Jeng SS, and LT Sun. Organochlorine pesticide residues in cultured fishes of Taiwan. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1974; 13(1), 37-45.
    41. Jeng SS, GS Wang, and YW Huang. Heavy metal contents of fishes caught in Kaohsiung Harbor. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1974; 3(1): 29-32.
    42. Jeng SS, and HW Lo. High zinc concentration in common carp viscera.  Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 1974; 40(5): 509.
    43. Jeng SS. A simplified method for determination the concentration of zinc in aquatic animals. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1973; 2: 45-47.
    44. Jeng SS, and YW Huang. Heavy metal contents in Taiwan's cultured fish. Bulletin of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 1973; 12(2): 79-85.
    45. Jeng SS, YW Huang, YS Lee, GS Wang, and SJ Jeng. Heavy metal contents of fishes caught in Keelung Harbor. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1973; 2(1): 78-81.
    46. Jeng SS, YS Lee, YS Yee, TM Tang, and TH Wang. Studies on polymorphism of Scomber australascicus as revealed by electrophoresis of red muscle protein. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 1973; 39(3): 295-298.
    47. Jeng SS, and LT Sun. Zinc content of crab meat canned in Taiwan. China Fisheries Monthly 1972; No. 237, 5-6.
    48. Jeng SS, and YS Lee. A new chemical method for the determination of tylosin in meats. Journal of The Fisheries Society of Taiwan 1972; 1(1): 47-51.
    49. Jeng SS. Mode of heat-inactivation of tylosin included in tissues. Doctoral thesis-Kyushu Univ. Japan, 1970.

     

    Recent Research ( updated October 27, 2020 )

     

    Elucidation of the Secret of How Common Carp Fish Use Zinc to Resist Anoxia Leads to Potential Use of Zinc Supplementation in Anemia Treatment

     

    The common carp Cyprinus carpio is one of the few species of fish that can tolerate extremely low oxygen levels. Professor Sen-Shyong Jeng and his colleagues found extraordinarily higher zinc levels in the digestive tract tissues (~300 μg/g tissue) of the common carp than in those of other fish (~20 μg/g tissue), as first reported more than 40 years ago (Jeng and Lo, 1974). However, the biological implications of this high level of zinc have only been revealed recently. They found that zinc in the common carp is stored in a specific 43 kDa zinc-specific binding protein present in the digestive tract tissue of the common carp (Jeng and Wang, 2003). When needed, such as under conditions of anoxia, the zinc in the 43-kDa zinc-binding protein is released (Jeng et al., 2008; Lin et al., 2011) and used as a signal to stimulate the formation of new red blood cells (RBCs) in the head kidney of the common carp (Chen et al., 2013, 2015). Other fish lack this specific zinc-binding protein and do not have this mechanism in nature. However, if exogenous zinc is supplied to the fish, zinc may also stimulate erythropoiesis in other fish (Chen et al., 2017).

    A decrease in the total amount of RBCs is defined as anemia. Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood, affecting approximately a quarter of people globally. In a recent research paper published in the International Journal of Molecular Science, Professor Yen-Hua Chen from Xiamen Medical College, Professor Sen-Shyong Jeng and Miss Hui-Lin Feng from National Taiwan Ocean University hypothesized that if common carp can use zinc to stimulate erythropoiesis, it may be possible to use zinc to stimulate erythropoiesis in humans to treat anemia. Even though humans do not have the specific zinc-binding protein possessed by the common carp, zinc could be supplied exogenously.

    Based on the clues from the common carp, authors produced phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemic rats and injected them with saline or ZnSO4 solution. They found that zinc stimulated red blood formation in rats in vivo. When the rat bone marrow cells were supplemented with ZnCl2, proliferation of new red blood cells (reticulocytes) was observed. In rat bone marrow cells, zinc also stimulated erythropoiesis in vitro.

    Anemia results from numerous causes, e.g., iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, bone marrow failure, chronic disease, and thalassemia. Currently, recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) is used to treat anemia. In addition to EPO, several erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been studied and are currently in clinical trials. However, zinc has not been previously reported to be an ESA before this study.

    Zinc is considered one of the essential minerals with very little toxicity in humans that plays a vital role in maintaining the normal functioning of the body. Pregnancy, infancy and childhood stages are crucial stages of life when zinc is required for the proper growth and development. It is also known that zinc supplementation might be efficacious for the treatment or prevention of certain diseases. Based on study by National Taiwan Ocean University research group who has been doing extensive zinc research for over four decades, the potential of zinc salts as an inexpensive and effective treatment for anemia is high if the anemia is not derived from bone marrow failure or nutrient deficiency. Zinc is not a foreign compound for humans, and zinc salts are less expensive than other potential ESAs. Indeed the present study might be an important foundation for further studies of zinc salts as a supplement for anemia. The unique process by which common carp use zinc as a tool to defend against low oxygen conditions might offer insights into how zinc salts can be used as an ESA to treat anemia in humans.

     

    References

    Chen Y-H, Feng H-L, Jeng S-S. 2018. Zinc Supplementation Stimulates Red Blood Cell Formation in Rats. International journal of molecular sciences. 19(9): 2824. doi:10.3390/ijms19092824 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

    Jeng, S.S.; Lo, H.W. High zinc concentration in common carp viscera. Bull. Jpn. Soc. Sci. Fish. 1974, 40, 509. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

    Jeng, S.S.; Wang, M.S. Isolation of a Zn-binding protein mediating cell adhesion from common carp.  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2003, 309, 733–742. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

    Jeng, S.S.; Lin, T.Y.; Wang, M.S.; Chang, Y.Y.; Chen, C.Y.; Chang, C.C. Anoxia survival in common carp and crucian carp is related to high zinc concentration in tissues. Fish. Sci. 2008, 74, 627–634. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

    Lin, T.Y.; Chen, Y.H.; Liu, C.L.; Jeng, S.S. Role of high zinc levels in the stress defense of common carp. Fish. Sci. 2011, 77, 557–574. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

    Chen, Y.H.; Fang, S.W.; Jeng, S.S. Zinc transferrin stimulates red blood cell formation in the head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Mol. Integr. Physiol. 2013, 166, 1–7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

    Chen, Y.H.; Chen, H.H.; Jeng, S.S. Rapid renewal of red blood cells in the common carp following prolonged exposure to air. Fish. Sci. 2015, 81, 255–265. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

    Chen, Y.H.; Shiu, J.R.; Ho, C.L.; Jeng, S.S. Zinc as a Signal to Stimulate Red Blood Cell Formation in Fish. International journal of molecular sciences. 2018 (1)138 doi:10.3390/ijms18010138 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]