Soluble Klotho protein suppresses THP-1-derived foam cell formation

AIMTo investigate the role of soluble Klotho protein in THP-1-derived foam cell formation. METHODSTHP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages by treatment with 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate for 48 h, and then were divided into 6 groups: negative control group (THP-1-derived macrophages), positive control group [THP-1-derived foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h], and 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L soluble Klotho protein groups (THP-1-derived macrophages pretreated with soluble Klotho protein at the indicat?ed concentraions for 2 h and then induced by ox-LDL for 48 h). Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The cholesterol outflow rate was detected by scintillation counting technique. The content of intracellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester was detected by enzyme fluorescence analysis. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） and ATP-binding cassette transport?er A1 (ABCA1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTSOil red O staining and lipid mass quantification showed that THP-1-derived foam cell formation was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble Klotho protein. The cholesterol efflux rate of THP-1-derived foam cells was increased by soluble Klotho protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, soluble Klotho protein decreased the expression of ACAT1 and increased the expression of ABCA1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The soluble Klotho protein inhibits THP-1-derived foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of ACAT1 and up-regulating the expression of ABCA1.     

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in trimethylamine N-oxide-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate whether endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-mediated oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. The cells were stained by DCFH-DA, and the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed by phase-contrast microscopy and detected by flow cytometric analysis. The protein levels of phospho-IRE-1α, IRE-1α and GRP78/BiP were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: TMAO exerted no significant effect on the viability of HUVECs. For a long period (>24 h), even a low concentration (10 μmol/L) of TMAO increased the oxidative stress level in the HUVECs (P<0.05). TMAO increased the phosphorylation level of IRE-1α and significantly up-regulated the protein level of GRP78/BiP in HUVECs (P<0.01). Pretreatment with STF-083010, an inhibitor of IRE1α, for 1 h reduced TMAO-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in TMAO-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs.     

通草提取物对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞乳糖合成及相关基因表达的影响

为探讨通草对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞乳糖合成及相关基因表达的影响,采用不同剂量通草提取物处理奶牛乳腺上皮细胞,利用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测乳腺上皮细胞增殖能力,乳糖/半乳糖检测试剂盒(Lactose/D-Galactose (Rapid) Assay Kit)检测乳腺上皮细胞培养液中乳糖含量,实时荧光定量PCR技术检测乳腺上皮细胞乳糖合成相关基因葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)、葡萄糖转运蛋白4(GLUT4)、葡萄糖转运蛋白8(GLUT8)、葡萄糖转运蛋白12(GLUT12)、己糖激酶Ⅰ(HKⅠ)、己糖激酶Ⅱ(HKⅡ)、β-1,4-半乳糖基转移酶-1(β-4GALT1)和α-乳清白蛋白(α-LA)基因mRNA表达水平。结果表明,200、400、600μg(生药)·mL-1通草提取物提高奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖能力(P<0.05),促进奶牛乳腺上皮细胞合成分泌乳糖(P<0.05),并显著上调细胞GLUT1、GLUT8、HKⅡ、β-4GALT1及α-LA mRNA表达水平(P<0.05),但对GLUT4、GLUT12和HKⅠmRNA表达水平无显著影响(P>0.05)。研究表明,适当浓度通草提取物可提高奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖能力,并通过上调乳腺上皮细胞GLUT1、GLUT8、HKⅡ、β-4GALT1和α-LA的mRNA表达,促进乳腺上皮细胞合成乳糖。     

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus found in milk macrophages but not in milk lymphocytes or mammary gland epithelia of naturally infected sheep

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. JSRV can be transmitted via infected colostrum or milk, which contain somatic cells (SCs) harboring JSRV provirus. Nevertheless, the cell types involved in this form of transmission and the involvement of the mammary gland remain unknown. We separated adherent cells (macrophages and monocytes) by plastic adherence, and lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells) by flow cytometry, from SCs in milk samples from 12 naturally infected, PCR blood test JSRV–positive, subclinical ewes. These cell populations were tested by PCR to detect JSRV provirus. The ewes were euthanized, and mammary gland samples were analyzed immunohistochemically to detect JSRV surface protein. We did not detect JSRV provirus in any milk lymphocyte population, but milk adherent cells were positive in 3 of 12 sheep, suggesting a potential major role of this population in the lactogenic transmission of JSRV. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal positive results in mammary epithelial cells, pointing to a lack of participation of the mammary gland in the biological cycle of JSRV and reducing the probability of excretion of free viral particles in colostrum or milk.     

Generation of a uniform thymic malignant lymphoma model with C57BL/6J p53 gene deficient mice

Lymphoma is the third most common cancer diagnosed in children, and T-cell lymphoma has the worst prognosis based on clinical observations. To date, a lymphoma model with uniform penetrance has not yet been developed. In this study, we generated a p53 deficient mouse model by targeting embryonic stem cells derived from a C57BL/6J mouse strain. Homozygous p53 deficient mice exhibited a higher rate of spontaneous tumorigenesis, with a high spontaneous occurrence rate (93.3%) of malignant lymphoma. Because tumor models with high phenotypic consistency are currently needed, we generated a lymphoma model by a single intraperitoneal injection of 37.5 or 75 mg/kg N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to p53 deficient mice. Lymphoma and retinal degeneration occurred in 100% of p53^+/− mice administered with higher concentrations of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, a much greater response than those of previously reported models. The main anatomic sites of lymphoma were the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Both induced and spontaneous lymphomas in the thymus and spleen stained positive for CD3 antigen, and flow cytometry detected positive CD4 and/or CD8 cells. Based on our observations and previous data, we hypothesize that mice with a B6 background are prone to lymphomagenesis.     

姜黄素吸收代谢及其对家禽繁殖调控作用研究进展

姜黄素是从姜科植物（如姜黄）、天南星科植物根茎中提取出来的多酚类化合物,主要在动物肠道中进行吸收代谢,具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗凋亡、抗衰老、神经保护、免疫调节及代谢调控等作用。姜黄素在动物体内生物利用度差,为提高姜黄素的利用度,通常将其制成多种制剂及配型（如膜制剂、纤维制剂、乳制剂、水凝胶制剂、胡椒碱、半萜类化合物、环糊精、葫芦巴膳食纤维和卵磷脂）。不同的制剂及配型可增加姜黄素产物稳定性,保障姜黄素的有效利用。家禽主要通过下丘脑 - 性腺轴负反馈调节机制来调控生殖细胞发育,实现繁殖调控。此外,家禽的繁殖性能易受外部因素影响,其中光照的影响最大。光照刺激产生的褪黑素具有强抗氧化性,能通过缓解卵巢和睾丸组织的线粒体功能障碍来抑制凋亡和衰老,保障下丘脑 - 性腺轴负反馈调节机制的稳定和氧化应激状态下的卵泡发育。肠道微生物产生的血清素是褪黑素的前体物质,可以影响褪黑素的生成;其次肠道微生物刺激肠上皮细胞中的传入神经直接影响下丘脑分泌促性腺激素释放激素;最后,肠道内产生的雌二醇（E2）可以通过血液进入卵巢组织,并促进卵巢发育。研究发现,姜黄素可通过肠道微生物产生的短链脂肪酸在体内发挥功能作用,但姜黄素是否通过肠道微生物产生的短链脂肪酸来影响家禽的繁殖性能亟待探究。该文综述了姜黄素的生物活性、代谢方式、产品研发利用以及对家禽繁殖调控的作用机制及相关研究进展,旨在为姜黄素作为饲料添加剂在家禽生产中的合理应用提供理论参考。     

Fluorescence localization of epidermal cathepsins L and B in the Japanese eel

Histochemical localization of proteolytic activities in the dorsal epidermis of Japanese eel was demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy utilizing 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (4M$\beta$NA) derivatives as substrates and 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde as a trapping agent. Carbobenzoxy-L-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-4M$\beta$NA (Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA) and Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA were used for direct detection of cathepsins L and B activities, respectively, in fresh frozen sections and unfixed cells of the eel epidermis. The fluorescing areas, where Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA was hydrolyzed by cathepsin L, were shown in mucus secretory cells and club cells and broadly around skin surface. The fluorescing areas due to Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA hydrolysis by cathepsin B were localized similarly in these tissues. The fluorescing intensity for both catheptic activities in mucus secretory cells was higher than that in club cells, where small fluorescing granules were distributed. These results indicate that eel cathepsins L and B are stored in epidermal secretory cells at different levels and probably serve as defense factors before or after secretion by these cells. Abbreviations: Cbz – carbobenzoxy; 4M$\beta$NA – 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide; NSA – 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde.     

Maturation of the pancreatic and intestinal digestive functions in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): effect of weaning with different protein sources

The maturation of the digestive functions in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae was evaluated by the enzymatic profile of pancreas and intestine brush border membranes. Sea bass larvae were weaned at day 25 with three simplified diets different by their protein nature: 100% fish meal (FP), 100% casein mixture (CP) and 50% fish meal-50% casein mixture (CFP). The casein mixture contained 35% of hydrolysate. The control group was fed live preys. The specific activity of amylase decreased with age irrespectively of the diets whereas the specific activity of trypsin was enhanced. The casein mixture reduced pancreatic secretion in amylase and trypsin. The CFP group differed from the other groups fed on compound diets, exhibiting as soon as day 32 high activities of brush border enzymes, similar to controls. This sharp increase between day 25 and 32 appeared to be crucial for larval survival. The addition of a protein hydrolysate in a weaning diet seems to facilitate this maturation process.     

Effect of dietary vitamin B6 supplementation on growth and intestinal microflora of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

In order to investigate the dietary vitamin B₆ (VB₆) requirement for juvenile golden pompano, an experiment of six different diets with six dietary VB₆ levels (0, 3.75, 7.47, 10.6, 13.7 and 18.5 mg/kg) was conducted. The results indicated that the content of dietary VB₆ significantly increased weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < 0.05). Golden pompano fed diet containing 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ achieved the maximum ALT, AST, GPx, hepatic VB₆ concentrations as well as the minimum MDA, however, the ALT, AST, GPx and hepatic VB₆ concentrations decreased while MDA increased with a further increase in dieatry VB₆. The highest values of GR and POD occurred at the 10.6 and 13.7 mg/kg dietary VB₆ (p < 0.05) respectively. A diet supplemented with 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ increased intestinal Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, Chymotrypsin, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, creatine kinase and amylase activities (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes decreased while Proteobacteria and Firmicutes improved with an increase in dietary VB₆ levels up to 7.47 mg/kg. Quadratic regression analysis on WGR, hepatic VB₆ concentrations, AST and ALT indicated that the optimum dietary VB₆ levels for juvenile golden pompano were 8.84–9.28 mg/kg.     

Effects of different dietary copper sources on the growth and intestinal microbial communities of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary copper sources on growth performance and intestinal microbial communities of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous (420 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (70 g/kg crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated to contain different copper sources, Diet NSC (no‐supplemented copper), Diet CS (copper sulphate), Diet Availa (copper amino acid complex from Availa^®Cu100) and Diet M (1:1, copper sulphate + copper amino acid complex). A total of 360 Pacific white shrimp juveniles (initial weight: 1.86 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated into four groups, with three replicates per group and 30 shrimps each replicate. An Illumina‐based sequencing method was used to analyse the intestinal bacterial composition of shrimp juveniles. The results revealed that shrimps fed Diet M had significantly higher percent weight gain (PWG) than that fed Diet NSC and Diet CS, while there were no significant differences between Diet M and Diet Availa. Survival was not affected by the dietary copper sources. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the intestines of Pacific white shrimp. Shrimps fed Diet M and Diet Availa had higher bacterial richness and diversity than those fed Diet NSC and Diet CS with no significant differences among all treatments. Furthermore, Diet M and Diet Availa which contained copper amino acid complex reduced the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae in shrimp intestinal tract. This study indicated that dietary copper sources could affect the intestinal microbial communities and diets supplemented with Availa^®Cu100 could have a positive impact on the growth performance and decrease the potential risk of disease in Pacific white shrimp.