ROCK promotes high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhi-biting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

AIMTo investigate whether Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) is involved in high glucose-induced apoptosis of primary cardiomyocytes by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODSPrimary Wistar rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and identified by α-sarcomeric actin (α-SCA) immunohistochemistry. Cardiomyocytes were treated with 5.5, 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the mRNA expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in the cardiomyocytes was detected by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. The protein levels of ROCK1, ROCK2, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, PI3K, Akt and p-Akt were determined by Western blot. In order to confirm the regulatory effect of ROCKs on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, the cells were divided into control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (33 mmol/L glucose) and high glucose+Y27632 (ROCK inhibitor) group. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of ROCK1, ROCK2, PI3K, Akt and p-Akt. RESULTSAfter 48 h of high glucose exposure, the values of relative cell viability in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups were (79.71±2.43)% and (68.41±7.49)%, respectively, both of which were significantly decreased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). After 48 h of high glucose exposure, the relative mRNA levels of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups were significantly increased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the apoptotic rate in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2 and cleaved caspase-3 in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was increased (P<0.05), while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was decreased (P<0.05). No significant difference in the protein levels of PI3K and Akt among the 3 groups was observed, while the protein level of p-Akt in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was decreased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with high glucose group, the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 was decreased in high glucose+Y27632 group. No significant difference in the protein levels of PI3K and Akt among the 3 groups was observed. Compared with normal control group, the protein level of p-Akt in high glucose group was decreased, and the protein level of p-Akt in high glucose+Y27632 group was increased significantly compared with high glucose group. CONCLUSION Under high glucose environment, ROCK may reduce the level of p-Akt by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， thus promoting the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.     

Effects of dietary starch levels on the growth,plasma metabolites and expression of genes involved in glucose transport and metabolism in Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, glucose transport and metabolism of Chinese soft‐shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) exposure to graded levels of dietary starch (0.52%, 7.43%, 14.74%, 22.99% and 31.38%). The 360 turtles (initial body weight, 12.94 ± 0.50 g) with 12 replicates were randomly assigned to five experimental diets. The highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in 7.43% group and the lowest in 31.38% group. The protein efficiency ratio, whole‐body lipid contents, hepatic glycogen contents and the 4‐hr postprandial plasma glucose levels were significantly increased with the increment of starch levels (p < .05). In contrast, the daily feed intake and feed conversion ration were significantly declined (p < .05). The mRNA levels of glucose transporter 2, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, malic enzyme and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha genes in the liver significantly increased as the increase in starch levels at 4‐hr and 24‐hr post feeding (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in the expression of gluconeogenesis genes at each time point (p > .05). These results suggested that dietary addition of starch up‐regulated hepatic glycolysis, glycogenesis and lipogenesis genes expression, but the deficient response of gluconeogenesis to dietary starch might be part of the causes limited the starch utilization. Based on the secondary polynomial regression of SGR, y = ?0.0011x² + 0.028x + 1.63 (R² = 0.9292), the 12.73% inclusion level of dietary starch was recommended in juvenile turtles.     

Minimally invasive evaluation of the anaesthetic efficacy of MS‐222 for ornamental discus fish using skin mucus biomarkers

Skin mucus has been demonstrated to provide stress biomarkers for evaluating the physiological status, providing new convenient and non‐invasive methods to detect stress response in fish. Here, we investigated the anaesthetic efficacy of tricaine methanesulphonate (MS‐222; 75–115 mg/L) for discus Symphysodon aequifasciata (34.27 ± 4.46 g; 8.10 ± 0.59 cm) using skin mucus stress biomarkers. The induction time, recovery time and respiratory frequency were also determined. According to the criteria for anaesthesia and recovery, discus fish to reach stage A3 (deep anaesthesia) within 3 min and to reach stage R4 (full recovery of normal behaviour) within 5 min were observed at 95–105 mg/L MS‐222. Respiratory frequency increased first and then decreased during MS‐222 exposure and increased after recovery. At 10 min after deep anaesthesia, a lower mucus glucose was only observed at 115 mg/L MS‐222. No change in mucus cortisol and increased lactate were observed in all treatments. Increased mucus protein was observed at 75, 85 and 95 mg/L MS‐222. At 10 min after recovery, increased mucus glucose and decreased mucus protein were observed at 85, 95 and 115 mg/L MS‐222, but increased mucus cortisol only at 115 mg/L and lactate only at 75 and 105 mg/L MS‐222. At 24 hr after recovery, mucus glucose returned to the initial level only at 75, 95 and 105 mg/L MS‐222, while cortisol at 75 and 85 mg/L and protein and lactate at 75 mg/L respectively. Overall, the effective dose of MS‐222 for discus fish has been suggested to be 95–105 mg/L.     

Glucose transport and milk secretion during manipulated plasma insulin and glucose concentrations and during LPS‐induced mastitis in dairy cows

In dairy cows, glucose is essential as energy source and substrate for milk constituents. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of long‐term manipulated glucose and insulin concentrations in combination with a LPS‐induced mastitis on mRNA abundance of glucose transporters and factors involved in milk composition. Focusing on direct effects of insulin and glucose without influence of periparturient endocrine adaptations, 18 dairy cows (28 ± 6 weeks of lactation) were randomly assigned to one of three infusion treatments for 56 h (six animals each). Treatments included a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic clamp (HypoG), a hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamp (EuG) and a control group (NaCl). After 48 h of infusions, an intramammary challenge with LPS from E. coli was performed and infusions continued for additional 8 h. Mammary gland biopsies were taken before, at 48 (before LPS challenge) and at 56 h (after LPS challenge) of infusion, and mRNA abundance of genes involved in mammary gland metabolism was measured by RT‐qPCR. During the 48 h of infusions, mRNA abundance of glucose transporters GLUT1, 3, 4, 8, 12, SGLT1, 2) was not affected in HypoG, while they were downregulated in EuG. The mRNA abundance of alpha‐lactalbumin, insulin‐induced gene 1, κ‐casein and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase was downregulated in HypoG, but not affected in EuG. Contrary during the intramammary LPS challenge, most of the glucose transporters were downregulated in NaCl and HypoG, but not in EuG. The mRNA abundance of glucose transporters in the mammary gland seems not to be affected by a shortage of glucose, while enzymes and milk constituents directly depending on glucose as a substrate are immediately downregulated. During LPS‐induced mastitis in combination with hypoglycaemia, mammary gland metabolism was more aligned to save glucose for the immune system compared to a situation without limited glucose availability during EuG.     

Adenosine protects Sprague Dawley rats from high‐fat diet and repeated acute restraint stress‐induced intestinal inflammation and altered expression of nutrient transporters

This study investigated the effect of repeated acute restraint stress and high‐fat diet (HFD) on intestinal expression of nutrient transporters, concomitant to intestinal inflammation. The ability of adenosine to reverse any change was examined. Six‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into eight groups: control or non‐stressed (C), rats exposed to restraint stress for 6 h per day for 14 days (S), control rats fed with HFD (CHF) and restraint‐stressed rats fed with HFD (SHF); four additional groups received the same treatments and were also given 50 mg/l adenosine dissolved in drinking water. Fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, adiponectin and corticosterone were measured. Intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α was analysed. Histological evaluation was conducted to observe for morphological and anatomical changes in the intestinal tissues. Results showed that HFD feeding increased glucose and insulin levels, and repeated acute restraint stress raised the corticosterone level by 22%. Exposure to both stress and HFD caused a further increase in corticosterone to 41%, while decreasing plasma adiponectin level. Restraint stress altered intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2 and NPC1L1. These changes were enhanced in SHF rats. Adenosine was found to alleviate HFD‐induced increase in glucose and insulin levels, suppress elevation of corticosterone in S rats and improve the altered nutrient transporters expression profiles. It also prevented upregulation of TNF‐α in the intestine of SHF rats. In summary, a combination of stress and HFD exaggerated stress‐ and HFD‐induced pathophysiological changes in the intestine, and biochemical parameters related to obesity. Adenosine attenuated the elevation of corticosterone and altered expression of SLC5A1, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α.     

不同代谢葡萄糖水平对绵羊人工瘤胃发酵特性、微生物蛋白质浓度和产气参数的影响

本试验旨在通过人工瘤胃体外培养,研究不同代谢葡萄糖水平下的绵羊瘤胃发酵特性、微生物蛋白质浓度和产气参数。采用单因子试验设计,共设计4个代谢葡萄糖水平[125(A)、138(B)、153(C)、168 g/kg(D)]。体外试验所用瘤胃液采自4只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的绵羊。分别于培养0、2、4、6、8、12、24 h采集2 mL培养液用于分析。结果表明:1)8~24 h培养液pH随着代谢葡萄糖水平的提高而出现显著或极显著下降(P0.05或P0.01);氨氮浓度在2 h时D组显著高于A组(P0.05),而在6 h时A组显著高于其他3组(P0.05)。2)D组6h培养液细菌蛋白浓度显著高于A组(P0.05);随着代谢葡萄糖水平的提高,培养液丙酸、丁酸、总挥发性脂肪酸的浓度总体呈升高趋势,乙酸/丙酸呈下降趋势。3)随着代谢葡萄糖水平的提高,理论最大产气量极显著降低(P0.01),达1/2理论最大产气量的时间极显著缩短(P0.01);潜在产气量无显著变化(P0.05),24 h产气量和产气速率常数分别显著或极显著下降和上升(P0.05或P0.01)。结果提示,提高代谢葡萄糖水平,可以提高丙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸的浓度,同时可为绵羊提供较多的生糖前体物质。     

温阳复方对肥胖大鼠模型糖代谢的影响

为考察温阳为主中药复方对肥胖大鼠糖代谢的影响，采用高脂饲料喂养12周建立肥胖大鼠模型，将造模成功的 SD 肥胖大鼠随机分成3组，分别为模型组、二甲双胍组、温阳复方组，并设正常对照组。连续灌胃8周，在给药第4、8周测其空腹血糖，给药 8周后测口服糖耐量与肌糖原、肝糖原、糖化血红蛋白含量。结果显示，给药 8周后，温阳复方组空腹血糖和糖化血红蛋白含量降低，肌糖原、肝糖原含量升高。结果表明，温阳复方能够明显纠正肥胖大鼠糖代谢紊乱，有效预防和延缓早期糖尿病的发生。     

饲料中维生素A对青鱼幼鱼生长、血清生化指标和肝脏糖脂代谢酶活性及基因表达的影响

为研究饲料中维生素A(VA)对青鱼幼鱼生长、血清生化指标和肝脏糖脂代谢相关酶活性及基因表达的影响,实验选取360尾初始体质量为(6.10±0.10) g的青鱼幼鱼,随机分配至3个实验组中,每个实验组设置3个平行。采用单因素实验设计,以无维酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源、菜籽油为脂肪源、糊精为糖源,同时添加矿物质混合物和维生素混合物(无VA添加)配制成3组实验饲料,分别以饲料1 (Diet1)、饲料2 (Diet2)和饲料3 (Diet3)表示。在饲料1、饲料2和饲料3中分别添加0、2 200和20 000 IU/kg VA醋酸酯(500 000IU/g),经高效液相色谱法(Agilent-1100, Agilent,美国)检测后实验饲料中VA的实际含量分别为178.2、2 058.9和18 436.2 IU/kg,养殖周期为8周。结果显示:饲料中VA缺乏会显著降低青鱼幼鱼的增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR);VA缺乏会显著降低血清血糖(GLU)、甘油三酯(TG)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL)浓度,增加总胆固醇(TCH)浓度。饲料中添加2 058.9IU/kg VA能显著提高肝脏己糖激酶(HK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)活性,促进葡萄糖转运蛋白-2 (GLUT-2)、HK、葡萄糖激酶(GK)、PFK和葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶(G6Pase)基因表达。当饲料中VA含量为2 058.9 IU/kg时,对肝脏脂肪酸转运蛋白-1(FATP-1)基因表达无显著影响,但显著影响肉碱棕榈酰转移酶-1 (CPT-1)和肉碱棕榈酰转移酶-2 (CPT-2)基因表达。当饲料中VA缺乏时,CPT-1和CPT-2基因表达受到显著性抑制;当饲料中添加过量VA时,乙酰辅酶A羧化酶-2 (ACC-2)和脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)基因表达受到抑制;同时,VA过量组中肝脏过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体-γ(PPAR-γ)基因表达显著下降。研究表明,在饲料中添加2 058.9 IU/kg VA可以促进青鱼幼鱼生长,提高肝脏对葡萄糖的转运能力,促进糖酵解和糖异生代谢平衡,同时促进脂肪酸合成和转运。     

持续冷热环境对肉鸡生产性能、糖代谢和解偶联蛋白mRNA表达的影响

本试验研究了不同环境温度(10~30℃)持续14 d对肉鸡生产性能、糖代谢和禽类解偶联蛋白(av UCP)mRNA表达的影响。试验选取21日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡288只,随机分到6个人工环境控制舱中,每个舱饲养6笼,每笼8只鸡作为1个重复。预试期7 d,温度22℃,相对湿度60%。28日龄时将各环境控制舱温度分别逐渐(1 h内)调到10、14、18、22、26和30℃,相对湿度60%,温湿度均保持恒定直至试验结束。正试期14 d。结果表明:1)试验期内,30℃组的体重(BW)显著低于14~26℃组(P<0.05);22~30℃组平均日采食量(ADFI)随温度升高而显著下降(P<0.05);10~30℃组平均日增重(ADG)随温度升高出现先升高后下降的趋势,在22℃时最高;料重比(F/G)随温度升高呈现先下降后升高的趋势,22℃时最低;平均日饮水量(ADWC)在10℃组最低。2)试验第14天,26℃组血糖水平显著低于18℃组(P<0.05);肝糖原水平在各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05);22℃组肌糖原水平显著低于10、26和30℃组(P<0.05)。3)试验第14天,18、22℃组av UCP mRNA相对表达量显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。结果提示:在本试验条件下,从生产性能和能量利用效率考虑,28~42日龄AA肉鸡的适宜养殖温度为22~26℃。