Endotoxin Lipopolysaccharide Research Articles

Experimental treatment of dysbiosis in colitis with hepatitis

Nonspecific colitis (inflammation of the colon mucosa) is a common gastroenterological disease. The causative factors of this disease are intestinal dysbiosis, which leads to an increase in blood concentration of intestinal endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), as well as impaired liver antimicrobial function.The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of preventing colitis, which develops as a result of a combination of dysbiosis and hepatitis, with the help of biotrit, which has an antidysbiotic and hepatoprotective effect.The experiments were conducted on 24 white rats of the Wistar line (males, 1 month old), divided into 3 equal groups: 1 - control (normal); 2 - dysbiosis + hepatitis without treatment; 3 - dysbiosis + hepatitis + drug "Biotrit".Dysbiosis was caused by the antibiotic lincomycin, which was given to rats with drinking water at a dose of 60 mg / kg for the first 5 days. Toxic hepatitis was reproduced in rats using hydrazine hydrochloride.Studies have shown that the phytopreparation Biotrit has a mucosoprotective effect in experimental nonspecific colitis due to both antidysbiotic and antioxidant effects.

Increased systemic inflammation in children with Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome (DS) develop more infections, have an increased mortality from sepsis and an increased incidence of chronic inflammatory conditions. Cytokine dysregulation may underpin these clinical sequelae and raised pro-inflammatory biomarkers are a feature in adults with DS. The importance of the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-1ra and IL-10, as well as cytokines Epo and VEGF, which could impact on the pathogenesis and outcomes in congenital heart disease (CHD) which is more prevalent in DS, are less well known. We examined a comprehensive array of pro-(IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ), and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-1ra) mediators, cytokines involved in inflammation in response to hypoxia (EPO), propagating angiogenesis (VEGF), and myelopoiesis (GM-CSF), by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as discussing the potential impact of significant CHD and Lipopolysaccharide endotoxin on these mediators. 114 children with DS and 60 age and sex matched controls were recruited. Children with Down syndrome exhibit significantly greater levels of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines; IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, as well as increased Epo, VEGF and GM-CSF at baseline. CHD does not seem to have an impact on circulating cytokines beyond the acute surgical phase. Both cohorts had similar responses to LPS stimulation. These differences may contribute to varied clinical outcomes, acutely like in sepsis, and over time in autoimmunity.

Influences of melatonin and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide on goose productive performance and gut microbiota

ABSTRACT1. This study investigated the impact of melatonin and LPS on goose growth and the intestinal microbiome.2. Geese were injected with a control solution (C), LPS solution (L), melatonin solution (M), and both LPS and melatonin solution (LM), respectively. Faecal samples from each group were used to analyse microbial diversity and function for geese with different treatments.3. The results showed that the M group had a little improvement in growth compared with the C group, but were much higher than the L and LM groups. A clear distinction between M and other groups was seen with regard to alpha and beta diversity in the biome. The dominant bacteria phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria spp. in all groups. Unclassified bacteria were dominant in all groups at the genus level. Significant KEGG enrichment pathways in the M group were involved in processing metabolism and genetic information, while the L group was related to processing metabolism and environmental information.4. This study provided a foundation for future studies targeting the specific effect of important bacterial populations on goose growth performance.

NG2 glia regulate brain innate immunity via TGF-\u03b22/TGFBR2 axis

BackgroundBrain innate immunity is vital for maintaining normal brain functions. Immune homeostatic imbalances play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of brain innate immunity and their significance in PD pathogenesis are still largely unknown.MethodsCre-inducible diphtheria toxin receptor (iDTR) and diphtheria toxin-mediated cell ablation was performed to investigate the impact of neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) glia on the brain innate immunity. RNA sequencing analysis was carried out to identify differentially expressed genes in mouse brain with ablated NG2 glia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice were used to evaluate neuroinflammatory response in the presence or absence of NG2 glia. The survival of dopaminergic neurons or glial cell activation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Co-cultures of NG2 glia and microglia were used to examine the influence of NG2 glia to microglial activation.ResultsWe show that NG2 glia are required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis in the brain via transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-TGF-β type II receptor (TGFBR2)-CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling, which suppresses the activation of microglia. We demonstrate that mice with ablated NG2 glia display a profound downregulation of the expression of microglia-specific signature genes and remarkable inflammatory response in the brain following exposure to endotoxin lipopolysaccharides. Gain- or loss-of-function studies show that NG2 glia-derived TGF-β2 and its receptor TGFBR2 in microglia are key regulators of the CX3CR1-modulated immune response. Furthermore, deficiency of NG2 glia contributes to neuroinflammation and nigral dopaminergic neuron loss in MPTP-induced mouse PD model.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that NG2 glia play a critical role in modulation of neuroinflammation and provide a compelling rationale for the development of new therapeutics for neurological disorders.

Flavonoids reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced release of inflammatory mediators in human bronchial epithelial cells: Structure-activity relationship

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are widely present in food and Chinese medicine. The aim of the present study was to identify the flavonoids with anti-inflammatory effects in the airway; and to determine the role of anti-oxidant and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the anti-inflammatory effect. Human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of different flavonoids, which are categorized according to their chemical structures in seven subclasses [anthocyanidins, chalcones, flavanes, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones]. Among the 17 flavonoids tested, only apigenin (flavones), luteolin (flavones), daidzein (isoflavones) and genistein (isoflavones) reduced LPS-induced release of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in BEAS-2B cells. Quercetin caused further increase in LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 levels. It alone significantly increased nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activity and the cellular oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) level in BEAS-2B cells. By contrast, apigenin and genistein reduced LPS-induced increases in nuclear NF-κB activity and MDA level. Apigenin and genistein, but not quercetin, increased the cAMP level in BEAS-2B cells, and the cell-permeable cAMP analogue, 8-Br-cAMP, inhibited LPS-induced increase of IL-8 level. These findings suggest that the presence of C5–OH, C7–OH, C2=C3 and C4=O functional groups in the flavonoids is associated with greater anti-inflammatory effect, while that of C3–OH or glycosylation group at the A-ring greatly decreased the anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effect of these flavonoids may be related to their anti-oxidant properties, and partly to their ability in increasing cAMP level.

Rescue from Stx2-Producing E.coli-Associated Encephalopathy by Intravenous Injection of Muse Cells in NOD-SCID Mice.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and acute encephalopathies that may lead to sudden death or severe neurologic sequelae. Current treatments, including immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoadsorption, plasma exchange, steroid pulse therapy, and the monoclonal antibody eculizumab, have limited effects against the severe neurologic sequelae. Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are endogenous reparative non-tumorigenic stem cells that naturally reside in the body and are currently under clinical trials for regenerative medicine. When administered intravenously, Musecells accumulate to the damaged tissue, where they exert anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and immunomodulatory effects, and replace damaged cells by differentiating into tissue-constituent cells. Here, severely immunocompromised non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice orally inoculated with 9 × 109 colony-forming units of STEC O111 and treated 48 h later with intravenous injection of 5 × 104 Muse cells exhibited 100% survival and no severe after-effects of infection. Suppression of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) by RNAi abolished the beneficial effects of Muse cells, leading to a 40% death and significant body weight loss, suggesting the involvement of G-CSF in the beneficial effects of Muse cells in STEC-infected mice. Thus, intravenous administration of Muse cells could be a candidate therapeutic approach for preventing fatal encephalopathy after STEC infection.

Effects of treatment with gold nanoparticles in a model of acute pulmonary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

The bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a highly toxic molecule derived from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. LPS endotoxin affects the lungs and is used as a model of acute pulmonary inflammation affecting the cellular morphology of the organ. Previously, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been shown to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity in muscle and epithelial injury models. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the intraperitoneal treatment using GNPs on the inflammatory response and pulmonary oxidative stress induced by LPS. Wistar rats were divided into four groups (N = 10): Sham; Sham + GNPs 2.5 mg/kg; LPS; and LPS + GNPs 2.5 mg/kg. Treatment with LPS upregulated the levels of markers of cellular and hepatic damage (CK, LDH, AST, and alanine aminotransferase); however, the group treated with only GNPs exhibited no toxicity. Treatment with GNPs reversed LPS-induced changes with respect to total peritoneal leukocyte count and the pulmonary levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6). Histological analysis revealed that treatment with GNPs reversed the increase in alveolar septum thickness due to LPS-induced fibrosis. In addition, treatment with GNPs decreased production of oxidants (nitrite and DCFH), reduced oxidative damage (carbonyl and sulfhydryl), and downregulated activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Treatment with GNPs did not showed toxicity; however, it exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity that reversed morphological alterations induced by LPS.

GSK-3β inhibition protects the rat heart from the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation injury via suppressing FOXO3A activity.

Sepsis‐induced cardiac dysfunction represents a main cause of death in intensive care units. Previous studies have indicated that GSK‐3β is involved in the modulation of sepsis. However, the signalling details of GSK‐3β regulation in endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced septic myocardial dysfunction are still unclear. Here, based on the rat septic myocardial injury model, we found that LPS could induce GSK‐3β phosphorylation at its active site (Y216) and up‐regulate FOXO3A level in primary cardiomyocytes. The FOXO3A expression was significantly reduced by GSK‐3β inhibitors and further reversed through β‐catenin knock‐down. This pharmacological inhibition of GSK‐3β attenuated the LPS‐induced cell injury via mediating β‐catenin signalling, which could be abolished by FOXO3A activation. In vivo, GSK‐3β suppression consistently improved cardiac function and relieved heart injury induced by LPS. In addition, the increase in inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐induced model was also blocked by inhibition of GSK‐3β, which curbed both ERK and NF‐κB pathways, and suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis via activating the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our results demonstrate that GSK‐3β inhibition attenuates myocardial injury induced by endotoxin that mediates the activation of FOXO3A, which suggests a potential target for the therapy of septic cardiac dysfunction.

The Way It Was.

Mary Osborn was a native Californian. She was an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, where she worked in the laboratory of I.L. Chaikoff. She received her PhD at the University of Washington, where her work on the role of folic acid coenzymes in one-carbon metabolism revealed the mechanism of action of methotrexate. After postdoctoral training with Bernard Horecker in the Department of Microbiology at New York University (NYU), she embarked on her research career as a faculty member in the NYU Department of Microbiology and in the Department of Molecular Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In 1968 she moved as one of the founding faculty of the new medical school of the University of Connecticut, where she remained until her retirement in 2014. Her research was focused on the biosynthesis of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria and on the assembly of the bacterial cell envelope. She made seminal contributions in these areas. She was the recipient of numerous honors and served as president of several important scientific organizations. Later in her career she served as chair of the National Research Council Committee on Space Biology and Medicine, advisory to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which produced an influential report that plotted the path for NASA's space biology research program in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Dr. Osborn died on Jan. 17, 2019.

Microalgae supplementation to late gestation sows and its effects on the health status of weaned piglets fed diets containing high- or low-quality protein sources

Maternal stress, such as a bacterial infection occurring in late gestation, may predispose offspring to a variety of diseases later in life. It may also alter programming of developing systems within the fetus, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immune system. Dietary supplementation during the last trimester of pregnancy with immune-modulating compounds may be a means of reducing potential adverse effects of maternal stress on the developing fetus. Essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) such as docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid are well-known for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Sources of these n-3 PUFA include fish products such as fish oil and microalgae, which may be a suitable alternative to fish-based products. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing gestating sow diets with n-3 PUFA and inducing an immune stress challenge in late gestation on piglet growth and immune responsiveness when placed on either a high- or low-quality protein diet after weaning. Forty-eight sows were fed gestation diets containing either 3.12% microalgae, 3.1% fish oil or a corn oil control diet containing 1.89% corn oil starting on gestation day (gd) 75. On gd112, half the sows in each treatment were immune stress challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin (10 μg/kg administered i.m). After farrowing, piglet BW gain was monitored weekly during lactation and pigs were weaned at 21 days of age. One week after weaning, four piglets per sow were immune stress challenged with LPS (40 μg/kg administered i.m.). At the same time, four piglets per sow were vaccinated with the novel antigens chicken ovalbumin (OVA) and Candida cellular antigen (CAA) and received booster vaccinations two weeks later. Four weeks after the initial vaccination, a transdermal hypersensitivity immune challenge was performed using the same antigens. Blood samples were also collected to quantify IgG antibody responses to both antigens. PUFA enrichment in sow blood and piglet brain was detected after sows were on feed for 40 days. Piglet growth was increased in pigs fed a high-quality diet in nursery phase 1. Concentrations of the cytokines IL-1ra, IL-6 and IL-10 were elevated in pigs fed a high-quality protein diet following LPS immune challenge. Overall, it appears that in the current study piglet nursery diet quality was more important for determining piglet health and growth than maternal diet and immune stress.

Effect of recombinant human thrombopoietin on endotoxin-induced thrombocytopenia in mice

To investigate the effect of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on thrombocytopenia (TCP) induced by endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal saline (NS) control group (NS group), sepsis-induced TCP model group (LPS group) and rhTPO treatment group (LPS+rhTPO group) by random number table with 20 mice in each group. Sepsis-induced TCP model was reproduced by one intraperitoneal injection of LPS 30 mg/kg, and the mice in NS group were given the same amount of NS. In LPS+rhTPO group, 2.7 kU/kg rhTPO was subcutaneously injected into mice immediately after intraperitoneal injection of LPS, once every 24 hours. The mice in NS group and LPS group were injected subcutaneously with the same amount of NS. The observation period of each group lasted for 72 hours. The inner canthus blood was harvested before and every 24 hours after modeling, and the platelet count (PLT) was measured by animal blood cell counter. The eyeball blood of mice was harvested at 72 hours after modeling, and the proportion of CD61+CD62p+ cells in platelet-rich plasma was detected by flow cytometry, by which the platelet activation was reflected. Lung and spleen tissues of mice were harvested, and the positive expression of CD41 was determined by immunohistochemistry, by which the platelet sequestration in organs was reflected. Bone marrow cells from unilateral femur of mice were harvested, and the proportion of CD41+CD61+ cells was determined by flow cytometry to reflect the proliferation of bone marrow megakaryocytes. There was no significant difference in PLT among the groups before modeling. With the extension of the time after modeling, PLT in LPS group was decreased continuously, and increased slightly at 72 hours, but it was still significantly lower than that in NS group (×109/L: 308.60±21.70 vs. 1 152.72±50.27, P < 0.05); PLT in LPS+rhTPO group was increased continuously with the extension of modeling time, and it was significantly higher at 72 hours than that in LPS group (×109/L: 926.78±48.85 vs. 308.60±21.70, P < 0.05). At 72 hours after modeling, the proportion of CD61+CD62p+ cells in platelet-rich plasma of LPS group was significantly higher than that of NS group [(25.07±2.55)% vs. (4.17±0.38)%, P < 0.05], while the value in LPS+rhTPO group was significantly lower than that of LPS group [(15.92±1.26)% vs. (25.07±2.55)%, P < 0.05]. The proportion of CD41+CD61+ cells in bone marrow megakaryocytes of LPS group was significantly higher than that of NS group [(11.84±0.80)% vs. (3.60±0.42)%, P < 0.05], and the proportion of CD41+CD61+ cells in LPS+rhTPO group was significantly higher than that in LPS group [(30.96±2.49)% vs. (11.84±0.80)%, P < 0.05]. Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expressions of CD41 in lung and spleen tissues of LPS group increased significantly than NS group [A value: 828.94±119.30 vs. 447.09±16.19 in lung tissue, (280.15±16.71)×103 vs. (0.65±0.26)×103 in spleen tissue, both P < 0.05], while the positive expressions of CD41 in lung and spleen tissues of LPS+rhTPO group decreased significantly than LPS group [A value: 542.78±2.95 vs. 828.94±119.30 in lung tissue, (129.40±13.49)×103 vs. (280.15±16.71)×103 in spleen tissue, both P < 0.05]. The rhTPO in endotoxin-induced TCP may stimulate the proliferation of bone marrow megakaryocytes, inhibit platelet activation and affect platelet sequestration in organs, so as to increase platelet levels.

Microglia-Triggered Plasticity of Intrinsic Excitability Modulates Psychomotor Behaviors in Acute Cerebellar Inflammation

Cerebellar dysfunction relates to various psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum and depressive disorders. However, the physiological aspect is less advanced. Here, we investigate the immune-triggered hyperexcitability in the cerebellum on a wider scope. Activated microglia via exposure to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide or heat-killed Gram-negative bacteria induce a potentiation of the intrinsic excitability in Purkinje neurons, which is suppressed by microglia-activity inhibitor and microglia depletion. An inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), released from microglia via toll-like receptor 4, triggers this plasticity. Our two-photon FRET ATP imaging shows an increase in ATP concentration following endotoxin exposure. Both TNF-α and ATP secretion facilitate synaptic transmission. Region-specific inflammation in the cerebellum invivo shows depression- and autistic-like behaviors. Furthermore, both TNF-α inhibition and microglia depletion revert such behavioral abnormality. Resting-state functional MRI reveals overconnectivity between the inflamed cerebellum and the prefrontal neocortical regions. Thus, immune activity in the cerebellum induces neuronal hyperexcitability and disruption of psychomotor behaviors in animals.

Effects of bacterial endotoxin on regulation of the heart, a sensory-CNS-motor nerve circuit and neuromuscular junctions: Crustacean model

Eatable crustaceans are susceptible to bacterial septicemia from injury or a compromised immune defense, which can possibly have detrimental effects in mammals that consume them. Since many crustaceans (i.e., crabs, lobsters and crayfish) are used for animal food and human consumption, it is of interest to understand the effects potential bacterial infections can have on their health as well as ours, including effects on cardiovascular and neuromuscular activities. The Red Swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) was used as a model crustacean to investigate the effect of direct exposure to isolated endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the associated peptidoglycans from gram-negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens). S. marcescens is a common strain identified to cause septicemia in mammals and is prevalently found in nature. LPS injection into the hemolymph of crayfish revealed acute changes in heart rate and effects on survival. Direct LPS exposure on an in situ sensory-CNS-motor circuit produces a decrease in recruiting of the motor nerve at 500 μg/ml but has no significant effect at 100 μg/ml. At the isolated neuromuscular junction, the direct action of the LPS endotoxin (500 μg/ml) enhances evoked synaptic transmission, while not altering facilitation. Also, the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous vesicle fusion events was not altered by LPS exposure. However, the resting membrane potential of the muscle transiently hyperpolarizes. These direct actions on tissues appear to be independent of innate immune responses and suggest the LPS targets on these tissues have a role in excitability of cellular function. {242 words}.

Overexpression of protein phosphatase 5 in the mouse heart: Reduced contractility but increased stress tolerance - Two sides of the same coin?

The pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction are largely unknown. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed in cardiac myocytes and is involved in bacterial endotoxin-mediated inflammatory disorders. TLR4 signaling leads to activation of the nuclear factor kappa B followed by increased expression of cytokines. Several protein phosphatases including PP2Cβ, PP2A or PP1 are known to act as regulators of this signaling pathway. Here, we examined the role of PP5 for the inflammatory response to the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide in the heart using a transgenic mouse model with cardiac myocyte directed overexpression of PP5. In these transgenic mice, basal cardiac contractility was reduced, in vivo as well as in vitro, but LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction was less pronounced compared to wild type mice. Quantitative RT-PCR suggested an attenuated NF-κB signaling in the heart and cardiac expression of heat shock protein 25 (HSP25) was increased in PP5 transgenic mice. From our data we assume that PP5 increases stress tolerance of cardiac myocytes by downregulation of NF-κB signaling and upregulation of HSP25 expression.

Lipopolysaccharide exposure in a rat sepsis model results in hippocampal amyloid-β plaque and phosphorylated tau deposition and corresponding behavioral deficits

Sepsis is a severe systemic inflammatory response to infection associated with acute and chronic neurocognitive consequences, including an increased risk of later-life dementia. In a lipopolysaccharide-induced rat sepsis model, we have demonstrated neuroinflammation, cortical amyloid-beta plaque deposition, and increased whole brain levels of phosphorylated tau. Hippocampal abnormalities, particularly those of the dentate gyrus, are seen in Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory loss. The focus of this study was to determine whether Aβ plaques and phosphorylated tau aggregates occur in the hippocampus as a consequence of lipopolysaccharide administration, and whether behavioral abnormalities related to the hippocampus, particularly the dentate gyrus, can be demonstrated. Male Sprague Dawley rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 10mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin. Control animals received a saline injection. Seven days post injection, Aβ plaques and phosphorylated tau in the hippocampus were quantified following immunostaining. Behavioral tests that have previously been shown to result in specific deficits in dentate gyrus-lesioned rats were administered. Lipopolysaccharide treatment results in the deposition of beta amyloid plaques and intracellular phosphorylated tau in the hippocampus, including the dorsal dentate gyrus. Lipopolysaccharide treatment resulted in behavioral deficits attributable to the dorsal dentate gyrus, including episodic-like memory function that primarily involves spatial, contextual, and temporal orientation and integration. Lipopolysaccharide administration results in hippocampal deposition of amyloid-beta plaques and intracellular phosphorylated tau and results in specific behavioral deficits attributable to the dorsal dentate gyrus. These findings, if persistent, could provide a basis for the higher rate of dementia in longitudinal studies of sepsis survivors.

Astaxanthin Ameliorates the Lipopolysaccharides-Induced Subfertility in Mouse via Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Pathway.

The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exists in human semen, which is associated with reduced sperm quality. Studying the LPS-impaired spermatozoa motility and viability, and discovering effective therapeutic treatments have crucial importance. The time-course and dose–response experiments were performed to optimize the treatment dose and time of astaxanthin and LPS on mouse spermatozoa motility and viability. Sperm kinetics and morphology, reactive oxygen species production, in vitro fertilization, and developmental competence were examined to evaluate the protective effects of astaxanthin on spermatozoa after LPS exposure. The activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Astaxanthin improves LPS-impaired spermatozoa motility, viability, morphology, and activity; reduces LPS-induced spermatozoa oxidative stress; and alleviates LPS-impaired fertilization and embryo development through activating Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway. Astaxanthin might be a potential treatment for LPS-induced subfertility.

Properties of fucoidans beneficial to oral healthcare.

Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides that are found in marine algae and have many useful activities, including antitumor effects, promotion of apoptosis of cancer cells, and antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic actions. In oral medicine, several case reports have shown that fucoidan-containing creams and tablets markedly improved recurrent aphthous stomatitis, symptomatic inflamed tongue, and recurrent oral herpes labialis. The aim of this study was to examine the properties of fucoidans for use in oral healthcare. The antimicrobial, anti-adhesion, endotoxin-neutralizing, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities of fucoidans were examined. Four key results were obtained: fucoidans showed strong antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis; significantly inhibited the adhesion of S. mutans to bovine teeth and porcelain; were suggested to bind to and neutralize endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) in an LAL assay; and showed COX-1 and/or COX-2 inhibitory activity. These results suggested that fucoidans may be useful in the field of oral healthcare.

Effects of Bacterial Endotoxin Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on Synaptic Transmission at Neuromuscular Junction in an Amphibian

Effects of Bacterial Endotoxin Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on Synaptic Transmission at Neuromuscular Junction in an Amphibian

Gossypol but Not Cottonseed Extracts or Lipopolysaccharides Stimulates HuR Gene Expression in Mouse Macrophages (P06-071-19)

ObjectivesHuman antigen R (HuR) is a homolog of Drosophila embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV1). HuR binds to, stabilizes cytokine mRNAs, and plays an important role in tumorigenesis and inflammation. Plant extracts and compounds that can regulate HuR gene expression may have nutritional and therapeutic value, but no prior research was done. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cottonseed extracts, anti-nutritional gossypol and endotoxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the regulation of HuR gene expression in mouse macrophages. MethodsMouse RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with multiple concentrations of glanded and glandless cottonseed extracts, gossypol and LPS for 2, 8 and 24 h. qPCR and immunoblotting were used to detect the expression of HuR mRNA and protein. ResultsqPCR assay showed that cottonseed extracts and LPS had minimal effect on HuR gene expression. However, gossypol increased HuR mRNA levels up to 16-fold in cells treated for 24 h. Immunoblotting confirmed that gossypol also increased HuR protein in macrophages. ConclusionsThese results show for the first time that gossypol is a strong stimulator of HuR gene expression and that cottonseed extracts essentially free of gossypol are probably safe to use as a reliable source of plant polyphenols. Funding SourcesThis work was supported by the USDA-ARS Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products National Program 306 through CRIS 6054–41,000-103–00-D. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Gut Barrier Function Is Improved in Infants Colonized by Bifidobacterium Longum Subsp. Infantis EVC001 (FS04-05-19)

ObjectivesThe gut epithelium is single-celled barrier that employs many different mechanisms that together provide the first line of defense to physically separate the gut epithelium from our gut microbiome. Notably, the epithelial barrier is protected by a mucin layer providing a physical barrier limiting pathogen access to the epithelial monolayer. We sought to assess how changes in the gut microbiome resulting from colonization by a single strain of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis EVC001 could alter gut barrier function. MethodsFecal samples from this trial were assessed for: (1) endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) concentration; (2) functional contributions to the gut microbiome by shotgun metagenome sequencing; and (3) fecal glycan profiles by mass spectrometry to assess gut epithelial barrier integrity via breakdown of colonic mucin glycoproteins. ResultsColonization with Bifidobacterium, including B. infantis EVC001, showed a significant four-fold reduction in fecal endoxtoxin levels and reductions in fecal inflammatory markers (P < 0.05). Shotgun metagenomics identified LPS-producing Enterobacteriaceae as the most significant contributor of virulence factors in the infant gut metagenome. These bacteria (primarily E. coli and Klebsiella spp.) were also significantly correlated with both mucolytic bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides) and the signatures of mucin breakdown, as assessed by mass spectrometric quantification of colonic mucin-derived glycans. Five different colonic-mucin specific glycans (3_1_1_0, 2_1_2_0, 2_1_1_1, 2_1_1_0, and 1_1_0_1) were significantly associated with microbiome composition (P < 0.05). Overall mucin glycans were inversely correlated with Bifidobacteriaceae abundance (Spearman’s rho −0.66, FDR-corrected P value 0.04). ConclusionsComplex interactions between the degradation of gut barrier function (e.g., mucin), the production of pro-inflammatory endotoxins, and the risk of infection by these bacteria coming in close contact with the gut epithelium suggest that B. infantis EVC001 can play a role in reducing these combined risks for neonates. Funding SourcesThis work was funded by Evolve Biosystems, Inc.