Blood Hormone Concentrations Research Articles

The International Symposium on Avian Endocrinology, 1977-2024: Past, present and future.

The First International Symposium on Avian Endocrinology (ISAE) was held 47 years ago at the Grand Hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Professor Asok Ghosh organized and convened the symposium, and Professor Donald S. Farner was President. The 1977 ISAE was convened at a time when neuroendocrine cascades were emerging as major pathways by which environmental events are perceived and transduced resulting in endocrine secretions that then orchestrate life history stages. Methods to measure hormone concentrations in blood and other tissues were relatively recent allowing the advance of laboratory and field investigations to explore ecological bases of endocrine control systems. The rise of evolutionary endocrinology and theory in ecological contexts followed-topics that are flourishing today. Studies on poultry continue to play central roles at ISAE meetings. In recent decades, the incorporation of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenetics and other technologies provide us with an unprecedented array of tools to explore endocrinological processes at mechanistic levels we could never have dreamed of in 1977. The future looks to be an era of major advances in neuroendocrinology. What technologies will arise and transform our knowledge further? Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a tool in avian endocrinology in at least research on endocrine disrupting chemicals. Will AI facilitate new advances and research directions across the field? The future of basic research has never been brighter than it is now. As in the past, ISAEs in the next decades will integrate new discoveries across environmental and applied biology. New challenges will doubtless appear.

The effect of bisphenols on sex and thyroid hormone concentrations in cord blood among newborns

This study aims to investigate the associations of bisphenols with sex and thyroid hormones in cord blood among newborns. Four bisphenols, three hormones related to gonadal function, and four parameters related to thyroid function were measured in umbilical cord blood in 378 mother-newborn pairs. Multivariable linear regression, quantile-based g-computation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression were used. In the multivariable linear regression, bisphenol A (BPA) was associated with increased testosterone (TT) (regression coefficient, β = 0.049, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.013,0.085; p = 0.007) and free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) levels (β = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.035; p = 0.023), and decreased thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) (β = −0.053, 95% CI: 0.098, −0.008; p = 0.021). Consistently associations were observed in males, except TT, which was observed in females, and bisphenol AF (BPAF) was associated with decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in females. These associations were also observed in a mixture of bisphenols. Moreover, we observed maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and delivery mode disparity in the relationship between bisphenols and sex and thyroid hormones. This study suggests that bisphenols may exert effects on sex and thyroid hormones in newborns, the effect may vary with sex differences, maternal prepregnancy BMI, and delivery mode.

Renal tubule-specific Atgl deletion links kidney lipid metabolism to glucagon-like peptide 1 and insulin secretion independent of renal inflammation or lipotoxicity

ObjectiveLipotoxic injury from renal lipid accumulation in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is implicated in associated kidney damage. However, models examining effects of renal ectopic lipid accumulation independent of obesity or T2D are lacking. We generated renal tubule-specific adipose triglyceride lipase knockout (RT-SAKO) mice to determine if this targeted triacylglycerol (TAG) over-storage affects glycemic control and kidney health. MethodsMale and female RT-SAKO mice and their control littermates were tested for changes in glycemic control at 10–12 and 16–18 weeks of age. Markers of kidney health and blood lipid and hormone concentrations were analyzed. Kidney and blood lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels were measured, and a role for LPA in mediating impaired glycemic control was evaluated using the LPA receptor 1/3 inhibitor Ki-16425. ResultsAll groups remained insulin sensitive, but 16- to 18-week-old male RT-SAKO mice became glucose intolerant, without developing kidney inflammation or fibrosis. Rather, these mice displayed lower circulating insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels. Impaired first-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was detected and restored by Exendin-4. Kidney and blood LPA levels were elevated in older male but not female RT-SAKO mice, associated with increased kidney diacylglycerol kinase epsilon. Inhibition of LPA-mediated signaling restored serum GLP-1 levels, first-phase insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance. ConclusionsTAG over-storage alone is insufficient to cause renal tubule lipotoxicity. This work is the first to show that endogenously derived LPA modulates GLP-1 levels in vivo, demonstrating a new mechanism of kidney-gut-pancreas crosstalk to regulate insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis.

Label-free assaying of testosterone and growth hormones in blood using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This work reports the potential use of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in rapid, label-free assaying of testosterone (TE) and growth hormone (GH) in whole blood. Biomarker SERS spectral bands from the two hormones (TE and GH) in intentionally spiked water for injection and in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat’s blood are reported. These concentration-sensitive Raman bands as deduced through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), were centered around 1490 and 1510 cm−1 for GH, 1614 and 1636 cm−1 for TE; and 684 cm−1 for the hormone mixture (GH+TE) in blood. These bands exhibited significant intensity changes with the concentration of GH and TE hormones in blood. They were tentatively assigned to C-C stretching (684, 786, 856, 1614 and 1636 cm−1), CH2 bending (1490 cm−1) and CH2 stretching (1510 cm−1). These bands may be used in SERS assaying of the respective hormones in blood using a customized and calibrated Raman system thus utilizing the strengths of the SERS method that include, being label-free, rapid (<1 min), chemically specific, minimal sample preparation among others. Besides, the method may potentially be used in detecting abuse of TE and GH in sports where they are often abused concurrently.

PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS IN ELITE YUNIOR FEMALE ROLLER SKIER FROM 2021 SEASON: A CASE REPORT

The purpose was to evaluate the training program, body mass composition, aerobic performance laboratory and field test results, blood hormone concentration in elite junior female roller skier in successful competition season. Methods. Totally 206 training sessions (278 training hours) were analysed during six months (from April till September). Athlete wight and body fat changes were monitored, laboratory tests on a treadmill and field tests were performed and concentration of hormones in the blood was detected. Results. A polarised training intensity distribution was observed. The highest volume of training workloads (70 training hours per month) was achieved in the last month before start of World cup season, this change corelated with change in blood testosterone levels. Heart rate decreased by 7.51% at the anaerobic threshold load intensity and by 10.1% at lower intensity loads. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 49 ml/kg/min was reached in laboratory test. Increase of lean body mass by 2.4 kg was observed. The progress in 3000m running race time was detected from 14:30 minutes in the beginning of April to 13:16 minutes in June. Conclusion. VO2max in junior elite female roller skier is low in comparison with cross-country skiers, but the training workload intensity and volume are comparable with skiers. This research shows insight in top junior level female roller-skiers physiology and training, but specific values determining the success of this athlete are still to be determined if compared to traditional cross-country skier.

Physiological roles and regulation of hepatic angiopoietin-like protein 3 in Japanese Black cattle (Bos taurus) during the fattening period.

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) is expressed predominantly in the liver and plays a major role in regulating the circulating triglyceride and lipoprotein fraction concentrations by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Given these physiological roles, ANGPTL3 may play an important role in metabolic changes related to fat accumulation during the fattening period in Japanese Black. This study aimed to reveal the physiological roles of hepatic ANGPTL3 in Japanese Black steers (Bos taurus) during the fattening period and investigate the regulatory effects of hepatic ANGPTL3. To investigate the gene expression and protein localization of ANGPTL3, 18 tissue samples were collected from tree male Holstein bull calves aged 7 wk. Biopsied liver tissues and blood samples were collected from 21 Japanese Black steers during the early (T1; 13 mo of age), middle (T2; 20 mo), and late fattening phases (T3; 28 mo). Relative mRNA expression, blood metabolite concentrations, hormone concentrations, growth, and carcass traits were analyzed. To identify the regulatory factors of hepatic ANGPTL3, primary bovine hepatocytes collected by two Holstein calves aged 7 wk were incubated with insulin, palmitate, oleate, propionate, acetate, or beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA). The ANGPTL3 gene was most highly expressed in the liver, with minor expression in the renal cortex, lungs, reticulum, and jejunum in Holstein bull calves. In Japanese Black steers, relative ANGPTL3 mRNA expressions were less as fattening progressed, and blood triglyceride, total cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations increased. Relative ANGPTL8 and Liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) mRNA expressions decreased in late and middle fattening phases, respectively. Furthermore, relative ANGTPL3 mRNA expression was positively correlated with ANGPTL8 (r = 0.650; P < 0.01) and ANGPTL4 (r = 0.540; P < 0.05) in T3 and T1, respectively, and LXRα showed no correlation with ANGPTL3. Relative ANGTPL3 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with total cholesterol (r = -0.434; P < 0.05) and triglyceride (r = -0.645; P < 0.01) concentrations in T3 and T1, respectively; There was no significant correlation between ANGTPL3 and carcass traits. Relative ANGTPL3 mRNA expression in cultured bovine hepatocytes was downregulated in oleate treatment. Together, these findings suggest that ANGPTL3 downregulation in late fattening phases is associated with the changes in lipid metabolism.

Physiological traits of newborn piglets associated with colostrum intake, neonatal survival and preweaning growth

Colostrum intake, which is critical for piglet survival after birth and growth up to weaning, greatly depends on piglet weight and vitality at birth. Our aim was to identify a set of biological variables explaining individual variations in colostrum intake, preweaning growth and risk of dying. Farrowing traits, morphological traits and colostrum intake were determined for 504 piglets born alive from 37 Landrace × Large White sows. A subset of 203 of these piglets was used to measure plasma neonatal concentrations of metabolites and hormones in blood collected from the umbilical cord at birth. From univariate analyses, we established that colostrum intake was positively associated with plasma neonatal concentrations of IGF-I, albumin, thyroid hormones (P < 0.001), and non-esterified fatty acids (P < 0.05), and was negatively associated with concentrations of lactate (P < 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, the variables explaining the variation in colostrum intake were piglet birth weight and rectal temperature 1 h after birth (positive effect, P < 0.001), time of birth after the onset of parturition, and fructose plasma concentrations at birth (negative effects, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Piglets that died within 3 days after birth had lower neonatal concentrations of albumin (P < 0.001), IGF-I and thyroxine (P < 0.01) than surviving piglets. Preweaning growth was positively associated with neonatal concentrations of IGF-I, thyroxine (P < 0.001), albumin and insulin (P < 0.05). Cortisol and glucose concentrations at birth were not related to colostrum intake, neonatal survival or preweaning growth. Multivariable analyses confirmed that colostrum intake was the predominant factor influencing piglet survival within 3 days after birth and preweaning growth. These results provide physiological indicators of piglet colostrum intake, besides birth weight. They also confirm the impact of time of birth during farrowing on colostrum intake and the crucial importance of physiological maturity at birth for postnatal adaptation.

Effects on Serum Hormone Concentrations after a Dietary Phytoestrogen Intervention in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Phytoestrogens have been suggested to have an anti-proliferative role in prostate cancer, potentially by acting through estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and modulating several hormones. We primarily aimed to investigate the effect of a phytoestrogen intervention on hormone concentrations in blood depending on the ERβ genotype. Patients with low and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, scheduled for radical prostatectomy, were randomized to an intervention group provided with soybeans and flaxseeds (∼200 mg phytoestrogens/d) added to their diet until their surgery, or a control group that was not provided with any food items. Both groups received official dietary recommendations. Blood samples were collected at baseline and endpoint and blood concentrations of different hormones and phytoestrogens were analyzed. The phytoestrogen-rich diet did not affect serum concentrations of testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). However, we found a trend of decreased risk of increased serum concentration of estradiol in the intervention group compared to the control group but only in a specific genotype of ERβ (p = 0.058). In conclusion, a high daily intake of phytoestrogen-rich foods has no major effect on hormone concentrations but may lower the concentration of estradiol in patients with prostate cancer with a specific genetic upset of ERβ.

The associations between concentrations of gestational bisphenol analogues and thyroid related hormones in cord blood: A prospective cohort study

Animal studies indicated that Bisphenol analogues (BPs) exhibited potential thyroid toxicity. However, little is known of the associations between maternal BPs exposure and offspring’s thyroid related hormones in humans. On the basis of Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort study, we analyzed BPs in maternal urine collected at the third trimester of pregnancy. Thyroid related hormones (THs), including total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in cord blood samples. We performed multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to explore the single and joint effects of gestational BPs exposure on thyroid related hormones in cord blood among 258 mother-child pairs. Statistically significant inverse associations of categorized BPA with FT3 and TT4 concentrations were observed. We also found a significant association between the mixture of BPs in maternal urine and increased concentration of TT3 in cord blood and a marginally significant association between BPs mixture and increased FT3 concentrations. Further associations of BPA with lower TT4/FT4 and of Bisphenol AF (BPAF) with higher TT3/FT3 were also suggestive, by BKMR model, when other BPs were fixed at 25th percentiles. It was concluded that prenatal BPs exposure was associated with THs in cord blood. Exposure to BPA and BPAF might have large contributions to the effects on thyroid function than other bisphenols.

High Fat Diets Increase Plasma Cholecystokinin and Pancreatic Polypeptide, and Decrease Plasma Insulin and Feed Intake in Lactating Cows

High fat diets often decrease feed intake in dairy cows; however, mechanisms underlying fat-induced depression of feed intake are yet to be established. The postulate that high fat diets decrease feed intake by increasing concentrations of lipid metabolites or satiety hormones in blood was tested by using eight multiparous Holstein cows in a simultaneously replicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design. Treatments were control diet with 1) no fat added, 2) 30 g/kg calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids, 3) 60 g/kg calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids, and 4) 90 g/kg calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids. Cows were fed once daily a diet of concentrate, corn silage, alfalfa haylage and alfalfa hay (50:25:14:11 on a dry matter basis). Dry matter and energy intakes were decreased by inclusion of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids >30 g/kg of total diet dry matter (P = 0.0001). Plasma nonesterified fatty acids and triglyceride concentrations were increased linearly by feeding increasing amounts of fat (P < 0.003 and P = 0.0001, respectively), whereas plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose concentrations were not influenced by supplemental fat. Fat supplementation increased postfeeding plasma cholecystokinin concentrations and linearly increased plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentrations. Highest concentrations of plasma cholecystokinin (P < 0.001) and pancreatic polypeptide (P < 0.05) were observed in cows fed the 90 g/kg fat supplement. Plasma insulin was lowered linearly by feeding fat (P = 0.0001). Increased concentrations of cholecystokinin and pancreatic polypeptide were associated with decreased intakes of feed and energy, whereas insulin may not be involved in the control of feed intake in cows fed fat.

Blood hormone concentrations as markers and predictors of porcine meat production and quality?

Context The applicability of hormones in the prediction of meat production in non-ruminant species has been poorly examined. Aims To examine the applicability of plasma concentrations of leptin, estradiol, progesterone and insulin-like growth-factor I (IGF-I) for characterisation and early prediction of the production and quality of meat in gilts. Methods Animals were compared at 150 days of age with below (‘low’) and above (‘high’) median hormone concentrations and their traits of meat production and quality at the age of 200 days. Key results Animals with a high leptin concentration in blood at the age of 150 days had higher slaughter and carcass weights and weight of ham, but a lower lean meat content at the age of 200 days, than did the gilts with a low leptin concentration. Animals with a high estradiol concentration had a higher carcass weight, weight of ham and backfat thickness and a lower electrical conductivity of musculus semimembranosus than did animals with a low estradiol concentration. High blood IGF-I concentration was associated with a higher slaughter weight, carcass weight and lean meat content. No significant differences between the animals with ‘high’ and ‘low’ progesterone concentration and meat characteristics have been found. Conclusions These observations confirm the involvement of leptin, IGF-I and estradiol in up-regulation of meat production in pigs. Furthermore, they suggest that leptin can be useful for characterisation and prediction of fat production, whereas IGF-I and estradiol (but not progesterone) could be both markers and predictors of porcine growth and meat production. Implications The blood concentrations of these hormones could help in characterisation and selection of pigs for meat production.

Periovulatory changes in behavior and fecal hormone metabolite concentrations but not vaginal cytology or vaginoscopy are indicative for the fertile period in female African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)

Artificial insemination (AI) can aid conservation of African wild dogs (AWD), but methods to determine the appropriate timing of AI in females are not feasible without immobilization. This study determined whether certain behaviors coupled with fecal estrogen (fEM) and progestogen (fPM) metabolite concentrations, could be used as non-invasive parameters to predict the fertile period in female AWDs. Behavior was observed in three alpha females before, during and after the mating period, and feces analyzed for hormone metabolites. During the periovulatory period, females were immobilized 2–3 times to evaluate vulvar condition, blood hormone concentrations and vaginal cytology, and to conduct vaginoscopy. Late estrus (fertile period) could be distinguished from pro-estrus, early estrus, and diestrus using behavior; with a 2- to 5-fold higher rate of male-female affiliative behavior, sexual and non-sexual follow, alpha male initiating behavior, ride-up and copulation (P ≤ 0.05). Sexual behaviors, and male-female resting patterns declined significantly or ceased the day after last mating. Two females showed a 2.5- to 3-fold increase in fPM concentrations during late estrus compared to the pro-estrus period (P ≤ 0.05) and elevated fEM levels that rose in pro-estrus, declined to baseline by late estrus. The one anovulatory female showed no distinct pattern in fPM or fEM concentrations. Vaginal cytology and vaginoscopy could not discriminate between different phases. In summary, behavioral observations coupled with rising fPM and declining fEM can determine the fertile period in African wild dog females, whereas infrequent measurement of blood hormone concentrations, vaginal cytology and vaginoscopy are unreliable.

FT3 to FT4 Conversion Ratio May Be an Independent Prognostic Factor in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

Preclinical evidence suggests that T4 can promote tumor growth while T3 can act conversely; therefore, the fT3 and fT4 concentrations should affect overall survival (OS) in cancer patients. The objective of the study was to look for an association between thyroid hormone concentrations in peripheral blood and OS in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients group. We included, retrospectively, 15 PDAC patients, without thyroid dysfunction under treatment, who underwent radical surgery, with no prior history of anticancer therapy. TSH, fT3, and fT4 concentrations were determined in blood samples taken preoperatively. We found that the fT3/fT4 ratio categorized into two groups (&lt;0.22 vs. ≥0.22) dichotomized the study population into poor and good prognosis subgroups (log-rank p = 0.03; OS medians, respectively: 3 and 14 months), being a statistically significant predictor both in uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis. We conclude that the importance of fT4 into fT3 conversion means not just its standard metabolic effects as the final products of thyroid gland activity. We hypothesize that it is linked to the progression of pancreatic malignancies, either via thyroid hormone receptors or indirectly, by interaction with cancer cells product.

Adropin and risk factors of arterial hypertension in patients with excess body weight and obesity

Introduction. Adropin is a hormone that is involved in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension (AH) and diseases of the cardiovascular system and energy homeostasis, in particular, it reduces insulin resistance by controlling glucose synthesis in the liver. Aim. To investigate the level of adropin and its interaction with risk factors for AH in overweight and obese patients. Materials and methods. 70 patients with AH and overweight or obesity aged 62.4 ± 10.4 years were examined. 10 practically healthy people were selected for the control group. The level of adropin was determined by enzyme immunoassay (Finetest Elisa Kit) in blood serum. The inclusion criteria for participation in the study were: age of patients 40–75 years; arterial hypertension; BMI &gt; 25 kg/m2. Results. It was established that the average level of adropin in patients with AH and comorbid obesity or excess body weight (n = 70) was 775.5 ± 311.7 pg/ml, which is significantly lower than the content of this peptide in practically healthy individuals (n = 10), which was 1084.6 ± 110.2 pg/ml (p &lt; 0.01). A tendency towards a decrease in the level of the hormone in men was noted. It is probably associated with a much higher prevalence of smoking among this category of people, since when assessing the factors contributing to the development of AH and worsening its prognosis, a significant decrease in adropin was found in persons with a history of smoking (p &lt; 0.01). In obese patients (BMI &gt; 30 kg/m2), the level of adropin was significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05), as well as in individuals with blood pressure &gt; 150/90 mm Hg (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions. The level of serum adropin is significantly reduced in persons with AH and overweight and obesity compared to practically healthy persons. Factors contributing to a decrease in peptide concentration include smoking, obesity, and elevated blood glucose levels. Blood pressure indicators are not critical for changes in blood hormone concentration, which is probably due to medications used to treat AH.

The Effect of Leptin on the Blood Hormonal Profile (Cortisol, Insulin, Thyroid Hormones) of the Ewe in Acute Inflammation in Two Different Photoperiodical Conditions.

As a day animal with sensitivity to inflammation similar to that of humans, the sheep may highly outperform the rodent model in inflammation studies. Additionally, seasonality makes sheep an interesting model in endocrinology research. Although there are studies concerning inflammation’s influence on leptin secretion and vice versa, a ewe model, with its possible ‘long-day leptin resistance’, is still not examined enough. The present study aimed to examine whether leptin may modulate an acute inflammation influence on plasma hormones in two photoperiodical conditions. The experiment was conducted on 48 ewes divided into four groups (control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), leptin, LPS + leptin) during short and long days. Blood sampling started 1 hour before and continued 3 h after LPS/saline administration for further hormonal analysis. The results showed that the photoperiod is one of the main factors influencing the basal concentrations of several hormones with higher values of leptin, insulin and thyroid hormones during long days. Additionally, the acute inflammation effect on cortisol, insulin and thyroid hormones was photoperiod-dependent. The endotoxemia may also exert an influence on leptin concentration regardless of season. The effects of leptin alone on hormone blood concentrations are rather limited; however, leptin can modulate the LPS influence on insulin or thyroxine in a photoperiod-dependent way.

Search and investigation of potential peptide agents of interaction between human organism and its microbiome

Symbiotic interaction between the human body and its microbiota is an important issue of modern biomedicine and personalized medicine. However, little is known on molecular mechanisms of that relationship. Bearing in mind the ubiquitous participation of peptides in biomolecular interactions and regulatory processes we attempted direct search of blood peptides originated from microbial proteins. LC‐MS/MS analysis was carried out of blood serum and plasma samples taken from 20 healthy donors on Q Exactive HF‐X Hybrid Quadrupole‐Orbitrap mass‐spectrometer. Sample preparation was carried out based on our previously developed method of peptide desorption from the surface of major blood plasma proteins followed by standard chromatographic steps. Human microbiota protein sequences were taken from NIH Human Microbiome Project.As a result, out of 13,625 identified peptides 912 were unique fragments of microbial precursors, which is about 6.69% of the total amount of detected bloodstream peptides. In 30 cases peptide identification was confirmed by mass‐spectral study of individual synthetic samples. Absolute quantification by the mass‐spectrometric method of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) confirmed the presence of bacterial peptides in plasma and serum in the range of approximately 0.1 nM to 1 uM, which is comparable to physiologically significant hormone concentrations in human blood in normal conditions. The abundance of microbiota peptides reaches its maximum 5h after a meal. Most of the peptides correlate with the bacterial composition of the small intestine and are likely obtained by hydrolysis of membrane proteins with trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin — the main proteases of the gastrointestinal tract.The isolated fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed increase secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, colony stimulating factors and chemoattractants as the response to the addition of some of the identified microbiotic peptides. Such peptides — identified both in the plasma and in the serum — have properties of resistance to fibrinolysis, since the pool of peptides is preserved after passing through the digestive tract. The physicochemical properties of the identified bacterial peptides are consistent with those required for the selective permeability of mucosal barriers. Our approach to the identification of microbiota peptides in the blood serum and plasma may be useful for determining the microbiota composition of hard‐to‐reach intestinal areas, such as the small intestine, and for monitoring the permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier.

과민성 대장증후군 환자를 대상으로 수행된 한약 및 침구치료의 객관적 효과와 기전 연구에 대한 문헌고찰

The purpose of this study was to explore objective indicators(outcomes) which are used to evaluate clinical efficacy and figure out the mechanisms of herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that mediated with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for IBS and used objective indicators for outcome from November 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The RCTs that were published in Korean, English and Chinese were included in this study. The selected literatures were analyzed about methods of result measurement and assessed by Cochrane’s risk of bias(RoB). Total 18 RCTs were included in this study. There were lots of objective indicators for result measurement; the concentration of hormones in blood and neurotransmitters, the sensitivity of rectum, the functional assessment of central nerve and autonomic nerve system, the change of intestinal flora, the concentration of serum cytokines. Various objective indicators can be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for IBS, but due to the limitations of the quality of the included studies, systematic review and meta-analysis will be needed.

Effect of Dietary Enrichment with Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids on Blood Metabolites, Hormone Concentration and Ovarian Function in Sahiwal Heifers

Background: Supplementation of fat, especially those having unsaturated fatty acids has been proposed to carry positive effects on the reproductive organ, beside providing dietary energy to the animals. This experiment was designed to examine the effects of dietary ω-3 or ω-6 fatty acid (FA) rich oil supplementation on blood FA, metabolite and hormone concentrations; ovarian follicular growth and corpus luteum (CL) size in Sahiwal breed heifers.Methods: Eighteen heifers of 18.33±1.14 months of age and 194±4.16 kg of mean body weight were randomly assigned to 3 diets and individually fed as per ICAR (2013) diets. The diets include chopped wheat straw, green fodder and concentrate mixture containing either (i) no added PUFA rich oil but palm oil @ 3.5% (PO; n=6); (ii) 3.5% added soybean oil as ω-6 FA source (SO; n=6); or (iii) 3.5% added linseed oil as ω-3 FA source (LO; n=6).Result: SO increased (P less than 0.05) the plasma concentration of ω-6 FA while LO increased (P less than 0.05) the plasma ω-3 FA. Plasma glucose, triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations was not affected due to different diets. Plasma total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in SO and LO in comparison to PO. However, LDL-cholesterol was at par among all the treatments. Growth Hormone (GH) was not influenced due to different types of oil in heifers’ concentrate mixture. Insulin concentration increased (P less than 0.05) in LO compared to others. IGF-1 was statistically higher (P less than 0.05) in SO and LO as compared to CON, which among themselves also varied significantly. Plasma progesterone concentration at day 12 post estrous was higher (P less than 0.05) in LO. PUFA rich oil supplementation in the concentrate mixture of heifers (SO and LO) increased (P less than 0.05) the size of the ovulatory follicles as well as size of CL. It was inferred that feeding PUFA rich oil to pre-pubertal Sahiwal heifer’s results in advantageous changes in the blood metabolites, plasma hormones and ovarian functions.

Identification and analysis of exogenous peptides in human blood serum and plasma: Search for potential agents of interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the human body

Symbiotic interaction between the human body and its microbiota is an important issue of modern biomedicine and personalized medicine. However, little is known on molecular mechanisms of that relationship. Bearing in mind the ubiquitous participation of peptides in biomolecular interactions and regulatory processes we attempted direct search of blood peptides originated from microbial proteins. LC-MS/MS analysis was carried out of blood serum and plasma samples taken from 20 healthy donors on Q Exactive HF-X Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass-spectrometer. Sample preparation was carried out based on our previously developed method of peptide desorption from the surface of major blood plasma proteins followed by standard chromatographic steps. Mascot and X! Tandem search engines were used for peptide identification. Human protein sequences were taken from UniProt Knowledgebase and sequences of human microbiota proteins – from NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP). As a result, out of 13625 identified peptides 912 were unique fragments of microbial precursors, which is 6.69% of the total amount of detected bloodstream peptides. In 30 cases peptide identification was confirmed by mass-spectral study of individual synthetic samples. Absolute quantification by the mass-spectrometric method of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) confirmed the presence of bacterial peptides in plasma and serum in the range of approximately 0.1 nMol/L to 1 mkMol/L, which is comparable to physiologically significant hormone concentrations in human blood in normal conditions. Analysis of the in silico obtained hydrolyzates of microbiotic proteins showed that significant number of the identified peptides are derived from the precursor proteins as a result of hydrolysis with trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin, the main proteases of the gastrointestinal system. 60% of the identified “microbial” peptides are derived from the intestine flora, about 20% - from oral microbiota and 20% fall on the remaining microbiotic communities. Most of the precursor proteins refer to intracellular, cytoplasmic proteins. The isolated fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed increase secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, colony stimulating factors and chemoattractants as the response to the addition of some of the identified microbiotic peptides. The data obtained serve as a basis for the ongoing study of the functional properties of microbiome derived peptides.

Effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on reproductive performance and on concentrations of metabolites and hormones in blood of Japanese black heifer calves.

We evaluated the effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on growth and reproductive performances in Japanese black heifers. Fifty-one heifers were fed milk replacer at 9L/day for 60days (9L×60days; n=18) or 41days (9L×41days; n=15), or at 7L/day for 40days (7L×40days; n=18). Artificial insemination (AI) was performed on heifers with ≥270kg body weight and ≥116cm body height at 300days of age. The age at the first AI was 0.35month later for 7L×40days than the other groups (p<.01). However, age at calving did not differ among treatments (22.1months). The interval from the first AI to pregnancy tended to be ~2months longer for the 9L×60days than the other groups (p=.07). Our results showed that feeding high volumes of milk replacer may reduce the age at calving via an improved rate of growth. In addition, we propose that feeding a maximum of 7L milk replacer for 40days may be the most appropriate rearing regime because the success of pregnancy per AI may be reduced in calves fed a maximum of 9L for 41 and 60days.