Fatty Acid-binding Protein Content Research Articles

INTESTINAL DAMAGE AND IMMUNE RESPONSE AFTER EXPERIMENTAL BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

Abdominal trauma (AT) is of major global importance, particularly because the civil, terroristic, and military traumatic potential of blast injuries has increased. The consequences of blunt abdominal injuries are highly variable and frequently underestimated or even overlooked. However, the underlying path mechanisms and subsequent innate immune response remain poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the spatiotemporal local and systemic effects of a standardized blast-induced blunt AT on the intestine and innate immune response. In an established AT model, 66 male C57Bl6 mice were anesthetized and exposed to either a single blast wave centered on the epigastrium or control treatment (sham). At 2, 6, or 24 hours after trauma induction, animals were sacrificed. In 16 of 44 (36%) AT animals, one or more macroscopically visible injuries of the intestine were observed. Epithelial damage was detected by histological analysis of jejunum and ileum tissue samples, quantified by the Chiu score and by increased plasma concentrations of the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, an enterocyte damage marker. Moreover, in the early posttraumatic period, elevated syndecan-1, claudin-5, and mucin-2 plasma levels also indicated alterations in the gut-blood barrier. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 in tissue homogenates and plasma indicate a systemic immune activation after blunt AT. In conclusion, we detected early morphological intestinal damage associated with high, early detectable intestinal fatty acid-binding protein plasma levels, and a considerable time- and dose-dependent impairment of the gut-blood barrier in a newly established mouse model of blunt AT. It appears to be a sufficient model for further studies of the intestinal immunopathophysiological consequences of AT and the evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches.

Detection of Bacterial DNA in the Plasma of Psoriasis Patients and its Association with Serum Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein Concentration

Background: There is evidence of the role of microorganisms, in particular in the throat and skin in psoriasis pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the presence of bacterial DNA (bacDNA) in patients' plasma and its association with gut barrier integrity . Methodology: Plasma was collected from 60 psoriasis patients in the flare up stage and 40 healthy controls. BacDNA was detected by PCR amplification using a 16S ribosomal DNA primer. The amplified DNA fragments were then sequenced to determine their bacterial origin. Results: Bacterial DNA was detected in 51 of 60 patients and only in 4 of 40 healthy controls. BacDNA sequencing results revealed that these bacterial species originated from the gut and skin. On the other hand, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) was measured by ELISA technique to investigate the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Serum concentrations of I-FABP were significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared with the healthy group and were positively correlated with the presence of bacDNA in patients' plasma. Conclusion: These findings suggest that psoriasis flare up is associated with translocation of bacteria and its metabolites into the blood stream, causing an immune system response. The specific mechanism of bacDNA in the pathogenesis of psoriasis needs to be comprehensively studied. Keywords: psoriasis, gut barrier, I-FABP, skin-gut axes

Potential Utility of Systemic Plasma Biomarkers for Evaluation of Pediatric Schistosomiasis in Western Kenya.

IntroductionCurrent diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis are limited, and new tests are necessary to enhance disease diagnosis and surveillance. Identification of novel disease-specific biomarkers may facilitate the development of such tests. We evaluated a panel of biomarkers used in sepsis and parasitic diseases for their potential suitability in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.ObjectiveThe study evaluated the levels of systemic plasma biomarkers in relation to Schistosoma mansoni infection and parasite burden.MethodsSix biomarkers were measured in the plasma of children from schistosomiasis-endemic regions using ELISA. The concentration of soluble CD23 (sCD23) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was tested in 199 and 124 plasma samples, respectively, while interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid (sTREM) cells, eotaxin-1, and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) concentrations were tested in 30 plasma samples.ResultsThe concentration of IL-6, eotaxin-1, FABP, and LPS was similar between schistosome-infected and uninfected children. The schistosome-infected children had higher median levels of sTREM and sCD23 as compared to uninfected children, 119.0 (29.9–208.9) versus 10.7 (0.0–73.4) (p = 0.046) and 2,549.0 (1,899.0–3,356.0) vs. 2,035.0 (1,448.0–2,939.0) (p = 0.05), respectively. In addition, sTREM was positively correlated with egg density (p = 0.017).ConclusionOur data show that active schistosomiasis per se is associated with elevated levels of sTREM and sCD23. sTREM has potential diagnostic and prognostic values. However, these biomarkers did not distinguish between children with low egg burden and uninfected children.

MO1007: Intestinal Permeability in Patients After Kidney Transplantation Treated with Two Different Formulations of Extended-Release Tacrolimus

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS A prompt achieving of adequate tacrolimus blood exposure is crucial in early period after kidney transplantation. A gut epithelial barrier integrity may play a role in tacrolimus absorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) concentrations as a marker of intestinal permeability in recent kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) treated with two different tacrolimus extended-release formulations. METHOD 48 pairs of consecutive KTRs were analyzed. Within each pair, an early conversion was performed from twice-daily (Prograf) to a once-daily tacrolimus formulation: Advagraf or Envarsus. On the day of discharge from the hospital, I-FABP plasma levels were measured and the tacrolimus concentration-to-dose (C/D) ratio was calculated. Tacrolimus exposure was assessed with an area under the curve (AUC) based on blood trough level and 3-h post-dose measurement. RESULTS There were no differences in recipient age, dialysis vintage, BMI and residual diuresis between the Advagraf and Envarsus groups. The median I-FABP plasma levels [Advagraf: 1450 (750–2100) versus Envarsus 1200 (600–1790) pg/mL; P = .18] and mean tacrolimus AUC [154 (143–164) versus 145 (132–158) ng.h/mL, respectively; P = .30] were similar. As expected, C/D ratio was significantly greater in the Envarsus group [2.06 (1.32–3.09) versus 1.16 (0.72–1.52) in the Advagraf group; P < .001]. Interestingly, log I-FABP correlated inversely with tacrolimus AUC only in the Envarsus group (r = –0.431; P < .01) but not in the Advagraf group (r = 0.05; P = .72). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that destabilization of the enterocyte membrane integrity may influence the intestinal tacrolimus absorption, which may cause lower tacrolimus exposure in KTRs treated with Envarsus. However, explanation of this phenomenon needs further investigation.

Repeated-Sprint Exercise in the Heat Increases Indirect Markers of Gastrointestinal Damage in Well-Trained Team-Sport Athletes.

Athletes engaged in repeated-sprint training in the heat can be at an increased risk of gastrointestinal ischemia and damage in response to a redistribution of blood to working skeletal muscles and the skin. This study investigated the effects of repeated sprinting in hot and cool conditions on markers of gastrointestinal damage. Twenty-five, well-trained, nonheat acclimated male team-sport athletes completed a five-session, repeated-sprint training regimen over 7 days in either HOT (40 °C and 40% relative humidity [RH]) or COOL (20 °C and 40% RH) conditions. Participants underwent a 20-min warm-up and four sets of 5 × 6-s maximal cycling sprints, with 24-s rest and 5-min recovery between sets. Venous blood was collected pre-, post-, and 1hr postexercise and analyzed for intestinal fatty acid binding protein, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, soluble CD14, and heat-shock protein. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein concentrations were significantly increased (p < .004) postexercise (593 and 454pg/ml) and 1hr postexercise (466 and 410pg/ml) on both Days 1 and 5 in HOT. Soluble CD14 increased by 398 and 308ng/ml postexercise (p = .041), and lipopolysaccharide binding protein increased by 1,694ng/ml postexercise on Day 1 in HOT (p < .05) and by 1,520ng/ml on Day 5 in COOL (p = .026). Core and skin temperature, rating of perceived exertion, and thermal sensation were higher (p < .05) in HOT on Days 1 and 5 during sprinting. Repeated sprinting in the heat induced greater thermal strain and mild changes in gastrointestinal damage, likely attributable to the combination of environmental conditions and maximal-intensity exercise.

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7 (FABP-7), Glutamic Acid and Neurofilament Light Chain (NFL) as Potential Markers of Neurodegenerative Disorders in Psoriatic Patients-A Pilot Study.

Psoriasis and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are important medical, social and economic issues. The possible relationship of psoriasis and NDs has not been established yet. This study involved 60 patients with plaque-type psoriasis. Serum concentrations of fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP-7), glutamic acid (GA) and neurofilament light chain (NFL), which have been hardly studied in psoriasis before, were measured by ELISA before and after 12 weeks of treatment with acitretin or methotrexate. The concentration of FABP-7 and NFL in patients before the treatment was significantly higher than in the controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). After the treatment their concentration decreased, although FABP-7 did so insignificantly. The concentration of GA did not differ significantly between patients and controls and before and after the treatment but we found its negative correlation with CRP (p < 0.05). The duration of psoriasis does not seem to directly affect the risk of neurodegeneration and the severity only in patients with worse skin condition. Elevated FABP-7 and NFL, which are present in the brain, may be considered as potential indicators of NDs development in psoriatics, although it surely requires further research. GA might correspond with neuroinflammation in psoriasis. Systemic antipsoriatic therapy could be studied in order to improve cognitive impairment through lowering NDs biomarkers in some cases.

Effect of anaesthetic depth on primary postoperative ileus after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: protocol for and preliminary data from a prospective, randomised, controlled trial

IntroductionPrimary postoperative ileus is one of the principal factors affecting in-hospital recovery after colorectal surgery. Research on the relationship between anaesthetic depth and perioperative outcomes has been attracting growing attention....

Взаємозв’язок між показниками адипокінового та ліпідного профілю у пацієнтів на гострий інфаркт міокарда та цукровий діабет 2 типу

Introduction. Nowadays, it becomes topical to search for methods of diagnosis and treatment for polymorbid patients. The importance of the study on pathophysiological mechanisms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been shown. The aim of the study: to examine the relationship between adipokine and lipid profiles in AMI patients with the presence or absence of type 2 DM. Material and methods. The study was conducted over a period from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. A total of 134 patients with ST-segment elevation AMI in the presence or absence of type 2 DM aged 58.97 ± 7.92 years hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Government Institution “L. T. Malaya Therapy National Institute of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” and Kharkiv Railway Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the branch “Center of Healthcare” were enrolled in the study. Group 1 included 74 patients with AMI and type 2 DM aged 59.42 ± 7.66 years. Group 2 (comparison group) comprised 60 patients with AMI without type 2 DM aged 58.42 ± 8.25 years. The control group consisted of 20 otherwise healthy individuals. Serum concentrations of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and C1q/ TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP3) of patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were analyzed by peroxidase enzymatic method. Triglyceride (TG) levels were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. The atherogenic index was calculated by the A.M. Klimov formula. The levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were estimated by the Friedewald formula. Results and discussion. The patients in Group 1 were found to have higher levels of serum TG in comparison with Group 2 patients (р&lt;0.05). In groups 1 and 2, there was an upward tendency in the levels of TC and LDL (р ˃0.05), as well as a significant 4.04 and 2.92 times increase in VLDL, respectively, as compared to the control group (p&lt;0.05). The serum levels of FABP4 were significantly increased, while CTRP3 levels were decreased in AMI patients compared to those in otherwise healthy individuals (р&lt;0.05). In AMI patients with type 2 DM (group 1), an inverse correlation was found between FABP4 and VLDL (r = 0.502, p&lt;0.05), TG (r = 0.596, p&lt;0.001); between CTRP3 and TC (r = -0.507, p&lt;0.05), LDL (r = -0.512, p&lt;0.05). In patients with AMI (group 2), an inverse correlation was revealed between FABP4 and VLDL (r = 0.453, p = 0.006), TG (r = 0.439, p = 0.009); between CTRP3 and TC (r = -0.413, p = 0.001), LDL (r = -0.429, p = 0.01). Conclusions. The characteristics of changes in the FABP4 and CTRP3 serum levels are evidence of an adipokine metabolism imbalance in AMI with the presence or absence of type 2 DM, indicating a metabolic shift in this patient category. The relationship between lipid profile markers and FABP4 and CTRP3 may indicate the influence of the latter on lipid metabolism.

Serum Intestinal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein and Calprotectin Concentrations to Assess Clinical Severity and Prognosis of Canine Parvovirus Enteritis

Serum Intestinal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein and Calprotectin Concentrations to Assess Clinical Severity and Prognosis of Canine Parvovirus Enteritis

Clinical investigation of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) as a biomarker of SARS-CoV-2 infection

ObjectivesSARS-CoV-2 exhibits tropism for the gastrointestinal tract; however, lesions in enterocytes and their correlation with disease severity and patient prognosis are still unknown.MethodsSARS-CoV-2 patients were enrolled in 5 medical centres in São Paulo, Brazil and their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings recorded. At admission, day 7 and day 14 of hospitalisation, plasma and urine samples were collected, and cytokine levels and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) concentrations measured.ResultsCOVID-19 patients displayed ≈48-, 74- and 125-fold increased urinary I-FABP levels at admission (n=283; P<0.001), day 7 (n=142; P<0.01) and day 14 (n=75; P<0.01) of hospitalisation. Critically ill patients and nonsurvivors showed higher I-FABP concentrations compared with patients with less severe illness. At admission, infected patients demonstrated enhanced production of plasma interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-6. The receiver operating characteristic curve suggested I-FABP as a biomarker for COVID-19 disease severity at admission (P<0.0001; Youden index=6.89; area under the curve=0.699). Patients with I-FABP ≥6.89 showed higher IL-6 and C-reactive protein levels (P<0.001) at admission and had a prolonged length of hospital stay.ConclusionsOur findings revealed damage to enterocytes in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is associated with illness severity, poor prognosis and exacerbated inflammatory response.

Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and osteoprotegerin in anthracycline-induced rabbit models of dilated cardiomyopathy

Anthracyclines are used for chemotherapy in small animal cancer patients. However, cardiotoxic complications are very common with anthracycline use and induce multi-organ complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between multi-organ complications, focusing on the liver and intestine, and the serum concentrations of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in rabbits with daunorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Sixteen New Zealand white male rabbits (16–20 weeks old), weighing 2.4–3.65 kg, were randomly divided into the control (n = 8) and daunorubicin-induced DCM (n = 8) groups. The concentration of serum I-FABP was significantly elevated in the DCM group (201.9 ± 16.6 pg/mL) compared to the control group (152.2 ± 19.9 g/mL). Additionally, the concentration of serum lactate was markedly increased in the DCM group (0.16 ± 0.01 mM) compared to that in the control group (0.02 ± 0.01 mmol/mL). In addition, the OPG concentration was significantly higher in the DCM group (2.44 ± 0.14 ng/mL) than in the control group (0.1 ± 0.08 ng/mL). Although the histopathology of the ileum did not significantly differ between groups, pathological changes were observed in the livers of the DCM group animals. In conclusion, multi-organ complications were recognized in DCM models and were accompanied by elevated serum I-FABP and OPG concentrations.

Heart-type fatty acid binding protein is related to severity and established cardiac biomarkers of heart failure.

To determine concentrations of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its potential value for prognostic assessment. Circulating levels of HFABP were measured with an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay in 25 healthy volunteers and 60 HFrEF patients. Concentrations of HFABP were significantly increased in heart failure patients in comparison to healthy volunteers. HFABP levels were significantly correlated to New York Heart Association classes and to established biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction and remodeling (amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], fibroblast growth factor 23, and galectin-3). HFABP concentrations were also predictive of cardiovascular (CV) death and combination with NT-proBNP might be synergistic for risk assessment. HFABP levels are increased in HFrEF patients, related to adverse CV outcomes, and might assist physicians for patient's management.

Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in relation to Plasma Concentrations of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4: A Nested Case-Control Study in China.

Objective The study is aimed at examining the effects of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) on insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Based on a prospective birth cohort in Beijing, China, we conducted a nested case-control study and analyzed 135 GDM case-control pairs matched by age and the gestational week when they took the oral glucose tolerance test. We performed linear regression to analyze the association of plasma FABP4 concentrations with insulin resistance. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of FABP4 for GDM, controlling for potential confounders, including dietary intake and physical activity. Results Plasma FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters were positively associated with fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the second trimester (both P < 0.001). Compared with those in the lowest FABP4 tertile, women in the highest tertile of FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters had 1.053 times (OR = 2.053, 95% CI 1.091 to 3.863) and 1.447 times (OR = 2.447, 95% CI 1.305 to 4.588) higher risk of developing GDM. Conclusions Elevated FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters were associated with a higher level of insulin resistance and greater GDM risk, indicating FABP4 might predict women with high risk of developing GDM.

Detection of significantly high vitreous concentrations of fatty acid-binding protein 4 in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The fatty acid-binding protein4 (FABP4) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) play key roles in the metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), respectively. To identify FABP4 in vitreous fluid in PDR, vitreous concentrations of FABP4 (V-FABP4) and VEGFA (V-VEGFA) from PDR (n = 20) and non-PDR (n = 20) patients were determined by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays. The data, which included height and weight, systemic blood pressures, several blood biochemical parameters and blood flow at the optic nerve head (ONH) by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) were collected. The levels of V-FABP4 and V-VEGFA were significantly higher in PDR patients than in non-PDR patients (P < 0.001) with a high positive correlation (r = 0.72, P < 0.001) between them. The findings were not affected by body mass index values and the presence of vitreous hemorrhaging. Among the clinical parameters, V-FABP4 correlated positively with creatinine and negatively with age and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, while V-VEGFA correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels but negatively with AST. Multiple regression analyses indicated that V-VEGFA, or V-FABP4, AST and HbA1c were independent predictors of V-FABP4 or V-VEGFA, respectively. Both were negatively correlated, but more evident in V-FABP4, with the ONH ocular blood flow.

Increased Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Concentrations Are Associated with Aortic Stiffness in Nondialysis Diabetic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a novel adipokine with proinflammatory properties that contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study evaluated the correlation between serum A-FABP and aortic stiffness in patients with stages 3-5 nondialysis chronic kidney disease due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 96 patients with stages 3-5 nondialysis chronic kidney disease due to T2DM. Pressure applanation tonometry was used to measure the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Patients with a cfPWV ＞ 10 m/s were defined as having increased aortic stiffness according to the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension and European Society of Cardiology 2013. Serum A-FABP levels were determined using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: There were 53 (55.2%) patients in the aortic stiffness group, of which higher prevalence rates were found for the male sex (P = 0.015), older age (P = 0.025), higher systolic blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.001), diastolic BP (P = 0.037), urine albumin/creatinine ratio (P = 0.007), serum levels of total cholesterol (P = 0.030), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.043), and A-FABP (P ＜ 0.001) compared with the group with normal aortic stiffness. After adjusting for factors that are significantly associated with aortic stiffness based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, serum A-FABP (odds ratio, 1.487; 95% confidence interval, 1.210-1.829; P ＜ 0.001) was an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in patients with diabetes-associated stages 3-5 nondialysis chronic kidney disease. Multivariable regression analysis with forward stepwise selection revealed that the serum level of logarithmically transformed A-FABP (β = 0.587; adjusted R^2 change, 0.426; P ＜ 0.001) was positively associated with cfPWV in patients with diabetes-associated stages 3-5 nondialysis chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for significant confounders, the serum A-FABP level was positively correlated with cfPWV and was an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in patients with diabetes-associated stages 3-5 nondialysis chronic kidney disease.

Long-term dual antiplatelet-induced intestinal injury resulting in translocation of intestinal bacteria into blood circulation increased the incidence of adverse events after PCI in patients with coronary artery disease

Background and aimsThe present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term (>18 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MethodsA total of 3205 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after PCI from CORFCHD-PCI, a retrospective cohort study (Identifier: ChiCTR-ORC-16010153), were divided into two groups: monotherapy of aspirin or clopidogrel group (SAPT group, n = 2188 and DAPT group, n = 1017) according to whether to discontinue DAPT 18 months after PCI. After propensity matching analysis (PSM), we included 1017 patients in the DAPT group and 1017 patients in the SAPT group. All the patients were followed-up for at least 18 months and the longest follow-up time is 120 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACEEs) and bleeding events. We also selected 178 patients for detection of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and 58 patients for 16s RNA sequencing of whole blood. ResultsThe incidences of MACEs (13.9% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001) and MACCEs (16.3% vs.10.0%, p < 0.001) were significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group. We also found DAPT increased the bleeding events compared to SAPT (4.6% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.048). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that in the DAPT group, cumulative risk of MACCEs increased 1.797 times (HR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.429–2.226, p < 0.001), MACEs increased 1.737 times (HR = 1.737, 95%CI: 1.360–2.218, p < 0.001) and the bleeding events increased 2.129 times (HR = 2.129, 95%CI: 1.388–3.266, p = 0.001) compared to the SAPT group. We also found the plasma concentrations of claudin-3 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) were significantly higher in patients in the DAPT group compared with patients in the SAPT group (both p < 0.001). Correspondingly, the abundance of blood intestinal bacteria in the DAPT group was significantly increased compared to that in the SAPT group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, high-throughput metabolomics analysis suggested that serum level of ceramide (d18:1/16:0) and Neu5Ac was significantly increased in the DAPT group compared to the SAPT group (both p < 0.001). ConclusionsThe present study suggests that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy longer than 18 months significantly increases the incidence of both ischemic events and bleeding events after PCI. This preliminary study also indicates that long-term DAPT causes intestinal injury, which induces translocation of intestinal bacteria into the bloodstream.

Markers of Intestinal Permeability Are Rapidly Improved by Alcohol Withdrawal in Patients with Alcohol-Related Liver Disease.

Changes in intestinal microbiome and barrier function are critical in the development of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). Here, we determined the effects of a one-week alcohol withdrawal on parameters of intestinal barrier function in heavy drinkers with ALD in comparison to healthy non-drinkers (controls). In serum samples of 17 controls (m = 10/f = 7) and 37 age-matched ALD patients (m = 26/f = 11) undergoing a one-week alcohol withdrawal, markers of liver health and intestinal barrier function were assessed. Liver damage, e.g., fibrosis and hepatic steatosis, were assessed using FibroScan. Before alcohol withdrawal, markers of liver damage, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and overall TLR4/TLR2 ligands in serum were significantly higher in ALD patients than in controls, whereas intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and zonulin protein concentrations in serum were lower. All parameters, with the exception of LBP, were significantly improved after alcohol withdrawal; however, not to the level of controls. Our data suggest that one-week of abstinence improves markers of intestinal barrier function and liver health in ALD patients.

Puerarin enhances intestinal function in piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

Puerarin has been reported to be an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, but the potential effect of puerarin on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether puerarin could alleviate intestinal injury in piglets infected with PEDV. A PEDV (Yunnan province strain) infection model was applied to 7-day-old piglets at 104.5 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose). Piglets were orally administered with puerarin at the dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight from day 5 to day 9. On day 9 of the trial, piglets were inoculated orally with PEDV. Three days later, jugular vein blood and intestinal samples were collected. Results showed puerarin reduced morbidity of piglets infected with PEDV. In addition, puerarin reduced the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, the ratio of serum aspartate aminotransferase to serum alanine aminotransferase, the number of white blood cells and neutrophils, and the plasma concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as protein abundances of heat shock protein-70 in PEDV-infected piglets. Moreover, puerarin increased D-xylose concentration but decreased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein concentration and diamine oxidase activity in the plasma of piglets infected with PEDV. Puerarin increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, while decreasing the activities of myeloperoxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide in both the intestine and plasma of PEDV-infected piglets. Puerarin decreased mRNA levels of glutathione S-transferase omega 2 but increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Furthermore, puerarin increased the abundance of total eubacteria (16S rRNA), Enterococcus genus, Lactobacillus genus and Enterobacteriaceae family in the intestine, but reduced the abundance of Clostridium coccoides in the caecum. These data indicate puerarin improved intestinal function in piglets infected by PEDV and may be a promising supplement for the prevention of PEDV infection.

Intestinal fatty acid‐binding protein and acute gastrointestinal injury grade in postoperative cardiac surgery patients

Gastrointestinal complications post cardiac surgery are infrequent but difficult to diagnose and carry a high mortality. Plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) concentrations and the relationship between I-FABP, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and postoperative outcomes were investigated in patients who developed gastrointestinal dysfunction (acute gastrointestinal injury [AGI] grade ≥2) and those with normal gastrointestinal function. Patients with (AGI 2 group, n = 11) and without (matched controls, AGI 0 group, n = 22) early postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction were extracted from a larger single-center prospective observational study, including adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation, and investigated in this nested case-control analysis. Both groups displayed variations in I-FABP concentrations with higher I-FABP on postoperative Day 1 compared to baseline and postoperative Days 2 and 3 (p < .001 and p = .005, respectively). The AGI 2 group had higher I-FABP concentrations on Day 2 compared to the AGI 0 group (p = .024). I-FABP on Day 2 correlated positively with AGI grade over the first 3 days (p = .036, p = .021 and p = .018, respectively). High I-FABP (defined as fourth quartile concentrations) on Day 1 was associated with more prolonged surgical procedures (p < .05). Furthermore, fourth quartile I-FABP on Day 1 and early gastrointestinal dysfunction were associated with higher frequencies of postoperative organ dysfunction (p < .05) and gastrointestinal complications (p < .05), and higher 365-day mortality. The present study indicates an association between intraoperative gastrointestinal injury, postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction and gastrointestinal complications. A high-powered study is needed to further explore this relationship and the interpretation of I-FABP concentrations in individual cardiac surgery patients.

The Long-term Effect of Dobutamine on Intrinsic Myocardial Function and Myocardial Injury in Septic Rats with Myocardial Dysfunction.

Dobutamine (DOB) is recommended as an inotrope for septic patients with low cardiac output, but its long-term impact on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term effect of DOB on septic myocardial dysfunction and injury. Rats were exposed to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), the intrinsic myocardial function, other organ functions, hemodynamics, inflammatory response, serum myocardial injury biomarkers, myocardial apoptosis, and vascular permeability were determined. At 6 h after CLP, the left ventricular ±dP/dt were significantly depressed, cardiac tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression were increased, but not serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), creatinine, and urea nitrogen concentrations in CLP group compared with controls. At 9 h after CLP, hepatic dysfunction was present in CLP rats compared with controls. At 6 h after CLP, DOB treatment did not affect hemodynamics, the left ventricular ±dP/dt, cytokine levels in serum and myocardium, as well as cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac vascular hyperpermeability at 20 h after CLP. However, DOB (10.0 μg/kg) increased serum IL-10 level and improved survival in septic rats. These results indicate that the intrinsic myocardial depression occurs earlier than hepatic and renal dysfunction in sepsis and serum cTnI, NT-proBNP, and H-FABP are not suitable as early biomarkers for sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. Although DOB treatment (10.0 μg/kg) in the presence of myocardial dysfunction improves survival in septic rats, it neither improves myocardial function and hemodynamics nor attenuates myocardial injury at the later stage of sepsis.