Effects of graded levels of dietary vitamin E on striped surubim Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum

Vitamin E is important to animal health, growth, productive performance, fillet quality and immune systems. This study evaluated the effects of dietary vitamin E on flesh composition, growth, biochemical and immunological parameters of striped surubim, Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum. Prior to beginning of the feeding trial, fish were fed a vitamin E‐free control diet for 45 days to reduce body deposits. The trial was set up in a completely randomized design; diets containing 3.4; 28.4; 53.4; 103.4; 153.4 and 303.4 mg DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate per kg of ration (n = 3) were fed twice a day to apparent satiation, for 90 days. Juvenile striped surubim (38.1 ± 4.9 g and 17.5 ± 1.5 cm) randomly stocked in 18 plastic tanks (300 L; 10 fish per tank). Based on serum globulin content and liver and fillet deposition of vitamin E, inclusion of 166.6 mg/kg of DL‐alpha tocopherol acetate in the diet is recommended to improve the immunological status and, probably, flesh quality of striped surubim.     

A Low-molecular-weight Fraction of Bovine Colostrum and Milk Enhances the Oxidative Burst Activity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Bovine colostrum and milk contain many immunomodulatory components. The low-molecular-weight fraction (<10 kDa) was separated from colostrum and milk by gel filtration chromatography, and its effect on the oxidative burst of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was investigated in vitro. The oxidative burst activity induced by Staphylococcus aureus was considerably enhanced when PMNLs were incubated with this low-molecular-weight fraction. However, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate did not trigger a burst after priming with this fraction. The oxidative burst activity enhanced by this fraction was reduced after heating. These results confirmed that a low-molecular-weight substance(s) of less than 10 kDa, present in bovine milk and colostrum, enhances the oxidative burst activity of PMNL.     

抗菌肽Sublancin与黄芪多糖对免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能调节作用的比较分析

旨在比较研究抗菌肽sublancin与黄芪多糖对环磷酰胺(cyclophosphamide,CTX)诱导的免疫抑制小鼠的免疫功能的调节作用。试验选取60只4～6周龄健康雌性BALB/c小鼠,随机分为6个处理组。正常对照组:第1—3天,腹腔注射生理盐水;第4—10天,灌胃生理盐水。其余五个处理组:第1—3天,腹腔注射CTX(80mg·kg-1);第4—10天,阴性对照组:灌胃生理盐水;低浓度抗菌肽组:灌胃4.0mg·kg-1抗菌肽sublancin;高浓度抗菌肽组:灌胃8.0mg·kg-1抗菌肽sublancin;黄芪多糖组:灌胃200.0mg·kg-1黄芪多糖;阳性对照组:灌胃10.0mg·kg-1左旋咪唑。所有处理均为每天一次,每次0.2mL。于试验第1天小鼠腹腔注射CTX前、第4天灌胃前和第11天对小鼠进行称重。第11天称重结束后,采集全部小鼠的外周血及脾,检测外周血生理生化指标、CD4+与CD8+数量和脾细胞的细胞因子mRNA表达等指标。结果表明,与正常对照组相比,阴性对照组中小鼠体重、外周血的红细胞、血红蛋白和白细胞含量显著降低(P<0.05),脾IL-2、IL-4和IL-6的基因表达显著降低(P<0.05)。灌胃后,与阴性对照组相比,黄芪多糖组和高浓度sublancin组体重无差异但有升高趋势,说明高浓度sublancin与黄芪多糖对小鼠体重有积极影响;低、高浓度sublancin、黄芪多糖组和阳性对照组中小鼠外周血的白细胞含量显著升高(P<0.05);高剂量sublancin组中小鼠外周血的红细胞和血红蛋白显著升高;低、高浓度sublancin和黄芪多糖组中小鼠外周血的CD4+显著升高(P<0.05);低、高浓度sublancin、黄芪多糖组和阳性对照组中小鼠外周血的CD8+显著降低(P<0.05);低、高浓度sublancin组中小鼠外周血的CD4+/CD8+细胞显著升高(P<0.05);低、高浓度sublan-cin、黄芪多糖组和阳性对照组中小鼠脾IL-4的表达均显著升高(P<0.05);高浓度sublancin、黄芪多糖组和阳性对照组中小鼠脾IL-2、IL-6的表达显著升高(P<0.05)。综合上述结果,适宜剂量的抗菌肽sublancin和黄芪多糖均可缓解环磷酰胺造成的免疫抑制。与200.0mg·kg-1黄芪多糖相比,8.0mg·kg-1抗菌肽sublancin对缓解环磷酰胺免疫抑制造成的细胞因子降低的效果更好。     

Effects of tramadol and o‐desmethyltramadol on canine innate immune system function

ObjectiveTramadol is a commonly used opioid analgesic in dogs, particularly in dogs with a compromised immune system. An opioid may be selected for its immunomodulatory effects. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tramadol on immune system function by evaluating the effect of tramadol and o-desmethyltramadol (M1) on the function of canine leukocytes in vitro. The hypothesis was that tramadol and M1 would not alter polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis, PMN oxidative burst, or stimulated leukocyte cytokine production capacity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10.Study designIn vitro pharmacodynamic study.AnimalsSix healthy dogs.MethodsBlood from six dogs was obtained and incubated with various concentrations of tramadol and M1. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst were assessed using flow cytometry, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PG)-stimulated leukocyte production of TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured using a canine specific multiplex assay.ResultsNo differences were detected in phagocytosis or oxidative burst with any drug concentration. Tramadol did not alter leukocyte cytokine production, however, M1 significantly blunted IL-10 production.ConclusionsTramadol and its metabolite M1 were sparing to PMN phagocytosis and oxidative burst in dogs in vitro. Tramadol did not alter leukocyte cytokine production, however, M1 blunted IL-10 production at clinically achievable concentrations suggesting that M1 may promote a proinflammatory shift.Clinical relevanceThese data suggest that tramadol has minimal effect on phagocytosis and oxidative burst, and may promote a proinflammatory shift. Therefore, tramadol may be an ideal opioid analgesic in dogs at high risk of infection. Further investigation in vivo is warranted.     

Immunomodulatory effects of betulinic acid from the bark of white birch on mice

The objective of this study was to explore the immunomodulatory effects of betulinic acid (BA) extracted from the bark of white birch on mice. Female mice were orally administered BA for 14 days in doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg body weight. We found that BA significantly enhanced the thymus and spleen indices, and stimulated lymphocyte proliferation induced by Concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide as shown by MTT assay. Flow cytometry revealed that BA increased the percentage of CD4⁺ cells in thymus as well as the percentage of CD19⁺ and the ratios of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in spleen. BA increased the number of plaque-forming cell and macrophage phagocytic activity as indicated by a neutral red dye uptake assay, and the peritoneal macrophages levels of TNF-α were also increased. In contrast, serum levels of IgG and IgM and serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-6 were significantly decreased in BA-treated mice compared to the control as assayed by haemagglutination tests and ELISA, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that BA enhances mouse cellular immunity, humoral immunity, and activity of macrophages. Thus, BA is a potential immune stimulator and may strengthen the immune response of its host.     

隐绿原酸对H9N2-AIV致小鼠肺损伤的免疫调节和抗氧化效果

为探讨隐绿原酸(4-CQA)对感染H9N2亚型禽流感(H9N2-AIV)病毒的小鼠造成肺损伤的修复作用,将90只6～8周龄健康昆明系小鼠随机分为病毒(H9N2)感染组、H9N2+4-CQA组、空白对照组、4-CQA对照组,用H9N2-AIV滴鼻复制小鼠肺损伤模型并灌胃4-CQA干预.观察各组小鼠肺组织病理学变化;测定肺...     

动物血液转录组测序的应用研究进展

近年来,随着转录组测序(RNA-Seq)技术的普及与成本的降低,越来越多地被应用于动物科学研究。一些血液中的基因与疾病紧密相关,参与免疫、应激、代谢与疾病相关的功能,如突触融合蛋白1A(STX1A)基因可能成为预测酮病的分子靶标;血液RNA-Seq可以预测早产、复发性受精失败与流产等早期妊娠诊断相关的血液标记物溶血磷脂酸受体3(LPAR3)基因等;使用血液RNA-Seq鉴定饲料效率的可靠预测因子是减少表型数据收集的一种策略,有助于家畜营养调控基因组学领域的发展;血液中存在家畜生长性状与生产性能的相关标记物,如CD48基因是调节肉牛生长的关键基因;血液是免疫系统的重要防线,能够运输各种免疫活性物质与免疫细胞,血液RNA-Seq的分析提供了全身免疫的概览;血液RNA-Seq在生态环境与应激反应等多方面的应用取得进展,白细胞介素1受体Ⅱ(IL1R2)基因是野生状态下免疫调控的主要基因。多年来哺乳动物尤其是家畜的血液RNA-Seq的相关应用研究表明,血液富含有关健康状况的信息,有望替代病理组织取样来研究不同生理状况的分子特征并预测疾病;不同饲料营养水平的动物血液中基因的表达量不同,有助于家畜营...     

Spirulina maxima Derived Pectin Nanoparticles Enhance the Immunomodulation,Stress Tolerance,and Wound Healing in Zebrafish

In this study, Spirulina maxima derived pectin nanoparticles (SmPNPs) were synthesized and multiple biological effects were investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. SmPNPs were not toxic to Raw 264.7 cells and zebrafish embryos up to 1 mg/mL and 200 µg/mL, respectively. SmPNPs upregulated Il 10, Cat, Sod 2, Def 1, Def 2, and Muc 1 in Raw 264.7 cells and tlr2, tlr4b, tlr5b, il1β, tnfα, cxcl8a, cxcl18b, ccl34a.4, ccl34b.4, muc5.1, muc5.2, muc5.3, hamp, cstd, hsp70, cat, and sod1 in the larvae and adult zebrafish, suggesting immunomodulatory activity. Exposure of larvae to SmPNPs followed by challenge with pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila resulted a two-fold reduction of reactive oxygen species, indicating reduced oxidative stress compared to that in the control group. The cumulative percent survival of larvae exposed to SmPNPs (50 µg/mL) and adults fed diet supplemented with SmPNPs (4%) was 53.3% and 76.7%, respectively. Topical application of SmPNPs on adult zebrafish showed a higher wound healing percentage (48.9%) compared to that in the vehicle treated group (38.8%). Upregulated wound healing markers (tgfβ1, timp2b, mmp9, tnfα, il1β, ccl34a.4, and ccl34b.4), enhanced wound closure, and restored pigmentation indicated wound healing properties of SmPNPs. Overall, results uncover the multiple bioactivities of SmPNPs, which could be a promising biocompatible candidate for broad range of aquatic and human therapies.     

An Update of Lectins from Marine Organisms: Characterization,Extraction Methodology,and Potential Biofunctional Applications

Lectins are a unique group of nonimmune carbohydrate-binding proteins or glycoproteins that exhibit specific and reversible carbohydrate-binding activity in a non-catalytic manner. Lectins have diverse sources and are classified according to their origins, such as plant lectins, animal lectins, and fish lectins. Marine organisms including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks produce a myriad of lectins, including rhamnose binding lectins (RBL), fucose-binding lectins (FTL), mannose-binding lectin, galectins, galactose binding lectins, and C-type lectins. The widely used method of extracting lectins from marine samples is a simple two-step process employing a polar salt solution and purification by column chromatography. Lectins exert several immunomodulatory functions, including pathogen recognition, inflammatory reactions, participating in various hemocyte functions (e.g., agglutination), phagocytic reactions, among others. Lectins can also control cell proliferation, protein folding, RNA splicing, and trafficking of molecules. Due to their reported biological and pharmaceutical activities, lectins have attracted the attention of scientists and industries (i.e., food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries). Therefore, this review aims to update current information on lectins from marine organisms, their characterization, extraction, and biofunctionalities.