Intestinal Brush Border Membrane Research Articles

Peanut digestome: Identification of digestion resistant IgE binding peptides

Stability to proteolytic degradation in the digestive tract is considered a general feature shared by most food allergens. Current digestibility models exclusively utilize purified allergen proteins, neglecting the relevant effects of matrix that occur for foodstuff systems. In the present study, we investigated digestion stability of the major peanut allergens directly in the natural matrix using an in vitro static model that simulates the gastrointestinal digestion including the oral, gastric, duodenal and intestinal (brush border membrane enzymes) phases. Immunogenicity was evaluated by Western Blot using N=8 pooled sera of peanut allergic pediatric subjects. Immunoreactive, large-sized and fragments of Ara h 2, Ara h 6 and Ara h 3 survived hydrolysis as assessed by SDS-PAGE. Smaller resistant peptides mainly arising from Ara h 3 and also Ara h 1 were detected and further identified by LC-high resolution-MS/MS. RP-HPLC purification followed by dot-blot analysis and MS/MS-based identification demonstrated that stable IgE-binding peptides derived from Ara h 3. These results provide a more realistic picture of the potentially allergenic determinants of peanuts that survived the human digestion, taking into account the role of the food matrix, which may significantly affect gastrointestinal breakdown of peanut allergens.

Oral administration of Nigella sativa oil ameliorates the effect of cisplatin on brush border membrane enzymes, carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant system in rat intestine

Cisplatin (CP) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that induces gastrointestinal toxicity. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) has been shown to be beneficial in a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders. The present study investigates the possible protective effect of NSO on CP-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. NSO administration (2ml/kg bwt, orally), prior to and following, a single dose CP treatment (6mg/kg bwt. ip), significantly attenuated the CP-induced decrease in brush border membrane (BBM) enzyme activities in intestinal homogenates and BBM vesicles (BBMV). NSO administration also mitigated CP induced alterations in the activities of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters in the intestine. The results suggest that NSO by empowering the endogenous antioxidant system improves intestinal redox and metabolic status and restores BBM integrity in CP treated rats. Histopathological studies supported the biochemical findings. Thus, NSO may help prevent the accompanying gastrointestinal dysfunction in CP chemotherapy.

Uptake of benzo[a]pyrene, but not of phenanthrene, is inhibited by fatty acids in intestinal brush border membrane vesicles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Partial replacement of fish ingredients with vegetable ingredients has elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Atlantic salmon reared on these feeds. PAH uptake in the intestinal tract is postulated to occur in association with lipid absorption and could well be affected by fatty acid composition. We therefore investigated the effects of a fish oil and vegetable oil fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n−3) and oleic acid (18:1n−9) respectively, on the uptake of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and phenanthrene (PHE) across the intestinal brush border membrane in the salmonid species rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).BaP and PHE were solubilized in mixed micelles composed of either EPA or oleic acid and administrated to isolated brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) derived from the pyloric caeca, proximal intestine and distal intestine. In the absence of free fatty acids (FFA) trans-membrane uptake of BaP and PHE was 2–7 times lower than the fraction associated to or in the membrane. In the presence of FFA, trans-membrane BaP uptake had decreased by 80 and 40% at the highest EPA and oleic acid concentration, respectively, whereas PHE uptake was virtually unaffected. In the presence of BaP, but not PHE, trans-membrane EPA uptake in BBMV had decreased.This study obtained evidence for PAH-dependent interactions with FFA uptake. We conclude that intestinal BaP uptake is reduced by luminal FFA contents whereas PHE uptake is not. A large fraction of the administrated BaP and PHE remains associated with the cellular membrane of enterocytes and may interfere with uptake of nutrients.

Glycol chitosan: A stabilizer of lipid rafts in the intestinal brush border

Chitosan is a polycationic polysaccharide consisting of β-(1–4)-linked glucosamine units and due to its mucoadhesive properties, chemical derivatives of chitosan are potential candidates as enhancers for transmucosal drug delivery. Recently, glycol chitosan (GC), a soluble derivative of chitosan, was shown to bind specifically to lipid raft domains in model bilayers. The small intestinal brush border membrane has a unique lipid raft composition with high amounts of glycolipids cross-linked by lectins, and the aim of the present work therefore was to study the interaction of FITC-conjugated GC (FITC-GC) with the small intestinal epithelium. Using organ culture of pig jejunal mucosal explants as a model system, we observed widespread binding of luminal FITC-GC to the brush border. Only little uptake via constitutive endocytosis into apical early endosomes occurred, unless endocytosis was induced by the simultaneous presence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Biochemically, GC bound to microvillus membrane vesicles and caused a change in the density profile of detergent resistant membranes (DRMs). Collectively, the results showed that FITC-GC binds passively to lipid raft domains in the brush border, i.e. without inducing endocytosis like CTB. Instead, and unlike CTB, FITC-GC seems to exert a stabilizing, detergent-protective effect on the lipid raft organization of the brush border.

The Na+-D-glucose cotransporters SGLT1 and SGLT2 are targets for the treatment of diabetes and cancer.

Orally applied SGLT2 (SLC5A2) inhibitors that enter the blood and decrease renal reabsorption of glucose have been approved as antidiabetic drugs. They decrease blood glucose levels, slightly reduce body weight and blood pressure, and decrease the risk for diabetic nephropathy. The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin has been shown to reduce the risk of severe cardiac failure. This review summarizes knowledge about the functions of SGLT2 and the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and diabetic follow-up diseases. In addition, proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of therapeutic effects and of side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are described. A recently investigated strategy to employ orally applied SGLT1 (SLC5A1) inhibitors for treatment of diabetes is discussed. The SGLT1 inhibitors reduce glucose absorption and decrease blood glucose excursions after the intake of glucose-rich food. Knowledge concerning the expression of SGLT1 in different organs is compiled and potential side effects of SGLT1 inhibitors entering the blood are discussed. Because selective targeting of SGLT1 expression presents a strategy to decrease SGLT1-mediated glucose absorption, current knowledge about the regulation of SGLT1 is also discussed. This includes the possibility to decrease SGLT1 abundance in the small intestinal brush-border membrane by a peptide derived from protein RS1 (RSC1A1) that regulates membrane trafficking. Finally the possibility to employ SGLT1 and SGLT2 as targets for anticancer therapy is discussed. SGLT1 and SGLT2 are expressed in various tumors where they supply the tumor cells with glucose for euglycemic glycolysis. Tumor growth of carcinoma expressing SGLT2 can be slowed down by an SGLT2 inhibitor.

Effects of 2 Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers on the Function of Intestinal P-glycoprotein and Their Inhibitory Mechanisms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polyoxyethylene 10-oleyl ether and polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether, 2 polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, on the transport and absorption of 2 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates, quinidine and prednisolone, across the intestinal membrane and to elucidate the inhibitory mechanisms of intestinal P-gp by these polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers. For in vitro studies, we used a diffusion chamber method and the Caco-2 cell model. An in situ closed-loop method was used for in vivo study. The 2 polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, nonionic surfactants, increased the intestinal absorptive transport of quinidine and prednisolone in the diffusion chamber studies, and absorptive permeability was enhanced in the in vitro Caco-2 cell study. Furthermore, these surfactants enhanced the rat intestinal absorption of prednisolone, and we observed no intestinal membrane damage in the presence of these surfactants. Furthermore, these surfactants increased membrane fluidity in intestinal brush border membranes and inhibited P-gp ATPase activity. For in vitro and in vivo studies, these surfactants enhanced the intestinal absorption of quinidine and prednisolone, 2 P-gp substrates. The alteration in intestinal membrane fluidity and the inhibition of P-gp ATPase activity by these 2 polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers may be confirmed as mechanisms of P-gp inhibition.

Dietary arginine surplus does not improve intestinal nutrient absorption capacity, amino acid metabolism and oxidative status of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

This study aims to evaluate the effects of dietary arginine (Arg) surplus on gilthead sea bream growth, intestinal nutrient absorption capacity, hepatic and intestinal amino acid (AA) metabolism, and oxidative status. For that purpose a 6weeks growth trial was performed with gilthead sea bream juveniles fed four isolipidic (18%) and isoproteic (44%) diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% Arg. Dietary Arg did not affect fish growth performance, feed and nitrogen utilization, body composition, and activity of the main AA catabolic enzymes in liver and intestine. Similarly, intestinal nutrient absorption capacity, evaluated by intestinal brush border membrane vesicles technique, was also unaffected by the dietary Arg surplus. On the other hand, enzymatic antioxidant response was modulated by dietary Arg increment, which led to a reduced glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver and the intestine and increased superoxide dismutase activity in the intestine, but did not affect the overall lipid peroxidation values. Some differences in liver and intestine antioxidant enzymatic responses were identified, with the liver showing higher catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, while the intestine presented higher glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Overall, dietary Arg excess showed limited potential to enhance gilthead sea bream performance and intestinal nutrient absorption capacity, but it was shown to modulate hepatic and intestinal antioxidant defences, without affecting overall lipid peroxidation. Statement of relevanceRecently some fish species have been shown to benefit from dietary arginine surplus, while evidences also exist of an Arg-Lys antagonism in other fish species. This manuscript gives further insight on the potential of dietary arginine supplementation in gilthead sea bream, a major aquaculture species in the Mediterranean.

Evaluation of Schizochytrium meal in microdiets of Pacific white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) larvae

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary Schizochytrium meal supplementation on survival, growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes and fatty acid composition in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae (initial body weight 4.21 ± 0.10 mg). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of Schizochytrium meal: 0% (S0, the control diet), 2% (S2), 4% (S4) and 6% dry matter (S6). Results showed that there was no significant difference in survival of shrimps among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Shrimps fed diets with 2% and 4% microalgae meal had significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) than that of shrimps fed diets with 0% and 6% microalgae meal, and no significant differences were observed between shrimps fed diets with 2% and 4% microalgae meal (P > 0.05). Activity of trypsin in the pancreatic and intestinal segments, and activity of amylase in the pancreatic segments were not significantly affected by dietary microalgae meal levels (P > 0.05). Specific activities of both alkaline phosphatase and leucine-aminopeptidase in intestine and purified brush border membrane of intestine were significantly higher in shrimps fed diet with 2% microalgae meal (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in C18:2n-6, n-3 fatty acids, n-6fatty acids, PUFA and n-3/n-6 in muscle samples among dietary treatments. C16:1n-7, C18:1n-9, MUFA, C18:3n-3 and C20:5n-3 decreased, however, C20:4n-6 increased in the muscle as dietary microalgae meal level increased. In conclusion, 4% Schizochytrium meal in microdiets of shrimps can improve growth performance and may be a valuable additive in the microdiets of shrimps.

Evaluating the effect of plant origin prebiotics (Raffinose and Stachyose) on iron status, intestinal functionality and intestinal bacterial populations in vivo

Iron (Fe) deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Certain prebiotics (e.g. inulin) have been shown to improve Fe absorption. This study investigates the effectiveness of various prebiotics that are present in staple food crops that are widely consumed in regions where dietary Fe deficiency is a health concern to improve Fe status, intestinal functionality and cecal microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus), and by using the intra‐amniotic administration procedure. On day 17th of embryonic incubation 120 fertile eggs were divided into 6 groups (n=20) and the respective prebiotic treatment solutions (1 mL) were then injected into the amniotic fluid of the eggs. Treatment group were as follows: 1. 5% Raffinose (in saline); 2. 10% Raffinose (in saline); 3. 5% Stachyose (in saline); 4. 10% Stachyose (in saline); 5. Saline; 6. Non injected. At hatch, cecum and small intestine were collected for assessment of relative abundance of the various gut micro flora analysis and gene expression analysis respectively. The prebiotic treatment groups showed to significantly (p&lt;0.05) increase the relative expression (AU) in aminopeptidase, sucrase isomaltase, ATPase, and sodium glucose co‐transporter 1 (SGLT1), these are proteins reflect the functionality of the intestinal enterocyte brush border membrane (BBM). The relative expression of Fe related proteins; ferroportin and Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT 1) resulted in an overall down regulation (p&lt;0.05) in most of the prebiotic treatment groups. The prebiotic treatment groups promoted an increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus and E. coli yet not in Clostridium (p&lt;0.05). Taken together, these results suggest the prebiotics affected probiotic increase, Fe bioavailability, and BBM functionality. Our investigations have led to a greater understanding of these various prebiotics’ effects on intestinal health.

Ezetimibe Promotes Brush Border Membrane-to-Lumen Cholesterol Efflux in the Small Intestine.

Ezetimibe inhibits Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1), an apical membrane cholesterol transporter of enterocytes, thereby reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption. This treatment also increases extrahepatic reverse cholesterol transport via an undefined mechanism. To explore this, we employed a trans-intestinal cholesterol efflux (TICE) assay, which directly detects circulation-to-intestinal lumen 3H-cholesterol transit in a cannulated jejunal segment, and found an increase of TICE by 45%. To examine whether such increase in efflux occurs at the intestinal brush border membrane(BBM)-level, we performed luminal perfusion assays, similar to TICE but the jejunal wall was labelled with orally-given 3H-cholesterol, and determined elevated BBM-to-lumen cholesterol efflux by 3.5-fold with ezetimibe. Such increased efflux probably promotes circulation-to-lumen cholesterol transit eventually; thus increases TICE. Next, we wondered how inhibition of NPC1L1, an influx transporter, resulted in increased efflux. When we traced orally-given 3H-cholesterol in mice, we found that lumen-to-BBM 3H-cholesterol transit was rapid and less sensitive to ezetimibe treatment. Comparison of the efflux and fractional cholesterol absorption revealed an inverse correlation, indicating the efflux as an opposite-regulatory factor for cholesterol absorption efficiency and counteracting to the naturally-occurring rapid cholesterol influx to the BBM. These suggest that the ezetimibe-stimulated increased efflux is crucial in reducing cholesterol absorption. Ezetimibe-induced increase in cholesterol efflux was approximately 2.5-fold greater in mice having endogenous ATP-binding cassette G5/G8 heterodimer, the major sterol efflux transporter of enterocytes, than the knockout counterparts, suggesting that the heterodimer confers additional rapid BBM-to-lumen cholesterol efflux in response to NPC1L1 inhibition. The observed framework for intestinal cholesterol fluxes may provide ways to modulate the flux to dispose of endogenous cholesterol efficiently for therapeutic purposes.

COMPUTATIONAL PREDICTION OF CHEMICAL SHIFTS OF APO-STATE OF THE PROTEIN CALBINDIN D9K

Calbindin D9k is a small protein. It is found predominantly in tissues involved in the uptake and transport of calcium such as cells of the intestinal brush border membrane. Molecular dynamics simulation (MD) of the protein also helps to study motion and its development with time which may not be studied experimentally. Chemical shifts are also calculated from the data generated by MD using various chemical shift prediction tools such as Sparta+. Chemical shifts are most often used to predict regions of secondary structure of proteins, to aid in the refinement of complex structures, and for the characterization of conformational changes associated with partial unfolding or binding. We used AMBER 12.0 software on GPU to simulate the apo-state of the protein using water model TIP3P and the force field ff12SB and then Sparta+ was used to predict chemical shifts values for backbone atoms. These values are then studied with the values obtained from its initial structure.Scientific World, Vol. 12, No. 12, September 2014, page 5-8

Restoration of Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3-containing macrocomplexes ameliorates diabetes-associated fluid loss.

Diarrhea is one of the troublesome complications of diabetes, and the underlying causes of this problem are complex. Here, we investigated whether altered electrolyte transport contributes to diabetic diarrhea. We found that the expression of Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 and several scaffold proteins, including NHE3 regulatory factors (NHERFs), inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) receptor-binding protein released with IP₃ (IRBIT), and ezrin, was decreased in the intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Treatment of diabetic mice with insulin restored intestinal NHE3 activity and fluid absorption. Molecular analysis revealed that NHE3, NHERF1, IRBIT, and ezrin form macrocomplexes, which are perturbed under diabetic conditions, and insulin administration reconstituted these macrocomplexes and restored NHE3 expression in the BBM. Silencing of NHERF1 or IRBIT prevented NHE3 trafficking to the BBM and insulin-dependent NHE3 activation. IRBIT facilitated the interaction of NHE3 with NHERF1 via protein kinase D2-dependent phosphorylation. Insulin stimulated ezrin phosphorylation, which enhanced the interaction of ezrin with NHERF1, IRBIT, and NHE3. Additionally, oral administration of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increased NHE3 activity and fluid absorption in diabetic mice via an insulin-independent pathway. Together, these findings indicate the importance of NHE3 in diabetic diarrhea and suggest LPA administration as a potential therapeutic strategy for management of diabetic diarrhea.

Micellar lipid composition affects micelle interaction with class B scavenger receptor extracellular loops

Scavenger receptors (SRs) like cluster determinant 36 (CD36) and SR class B type I (SR-BI) play a debated role in lipid transport across the intestinal brush border membrane. We used surface plasmon resonance to analyze real-time interactions between the extracellular protein loops and various ligands ranging from single lipid molecules to mixed micelles. Micelles mimicking physiological structures were necessary for optimal binding to both the extracellular loop of CD36 (lCD36) and the extracellular loop of SR-BI (lSR-BI). Cholesterol, phospholipid, and fatty acid micellar content significantly modulated micelle binding to and dissociation from the transporters. In particular, high phospholipid micellar concentrations inhibited micelle binding to both receptors (-53.8 and -74.4% binding at 0.32 mM compared with 0.04 mM for lCD36 and lSR-BI, respectively, P < 0.05). The presence of fatty acids was crucial for micelle interactions with both proteins (94.4 and 81.3% binding with oleic acid for lCD36 and lSR-BI, respectively, P < 0.05) and fatty acid type substitution within the micelles was the component that most impacted micelle binding to the transporters. These effects were partly due to subsequent modifications in micellar size and surface electric charge, and could be correlated to micellar vitamin D uptake by Caco-2 cells. Our findings show for the first time that micellar lipid composition and micellar properties are key factors governing micelle interactions with SRs.

Comprehensive cytotoxic evaluation of morin, a bioflavonoid against verapamil on rat gastrointestinal epithelium for novel pharmaceutical application involving P-glycoprotein inhibition

In this study, a comprehensive and comparative cytotoxic evaluation of morin against verapamil on rat intestinal epithelium as P-gp inhibitors through in-vitro gastrointestinal short-term toxicity assays involving permeability studies for safety evaluation was investigated. In this study, the effect of morin (1 mM or 10 mM) or verapamil (1 mM or 10 mM) or sodium deoxycholate (10 mM) was investigated on intestinal epithelium and isolated brush border membrane using biomarker assays. Cytotoxicity was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The nutrients transport was assessed using everted sacs studies. Paracellular permeability was measured using Lucifer yellow, followed by morphometric analysis of intestinal sacs. Our results indicated that morin was effective in maintaining cell viability with no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the activity of intestinal brush border markers, membrane integrity and morphometric analysis as compared with control. On the contrary, dramatic (P < 0.01) changes were noticed in the release of membrane markers, cell viability and surface characteristics of intestinal segments when treated with verapamil or sodium deoxycholate as compared with control or morin. Our findings confirm that morin is non-toxic to rat intestinal epithelium against verapamil demonstrating the potential use of bioflavonoid as safe and novel pharmaceutical adjuvant as P-gp inhibitor.

Short‐term Regulation of Amino Acid Transporters by Amino Acids

To ensure body homeostasis amino acids (AA) are (re)absorbed by epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa and renal proximal tubules. This sequential transepithelial transport includes an apical uptake followed by a basolateral efflux. The luminal uptake is mediated by different AA transporters but most neutral AAs are transported by the luminal Broad neutral Amino acid Transporter B0AT1 (SLC6A19).The regulation of this transporter is poorly known; in particular its potential short‐term regulation by its substrates has not been investigated. We hypothesized that similarly to glucose transporters the expression of B0AT1 might be repressed if costs of its synthesis and expression exceed its benefits and thus it would be upregulated by AAs to absorb them efficiently when available. To investigate the possible short‐term regulation of B0AT1 by AAs in vivo, we assessed in rats whether after a fast of 4 or 16 hours, intragastric AA application upregulates B0AT1 expression in intestinal brush border membranes. The time point of analysis after amino acid gavage was determined based on micro Computer Tomography measurements showing when the AA mix reached the small intestine. However, functional analysis of AA absorption in isolated ex vivo intestinal rings showed no significant difference between rats having received a water or an AA gavage. In addition, protein expression levels of B0AT1 in the intestinal brush border analyzed by Western blotting did not reveal a difference between rats having received a water or AA gavage. In conclusion, in the selected experimental conditions, the expression and function of the apical AA transporter B0AT1 was not regulated in the short‐term by the preceding application of its substrate AAs.Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Role of intestinal brush border peptidases in the simulated digestion of milk proteins.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the "often neglected" intestinal brush border membranes (BBMs) hydrolases on dietary peptides, exploring the possibility that the disintegration of proteins progressed in the small intestine up to a "core" of intrinsically stable oligopeptides, persisting independently on the up-stream breakdown. Samples of sodium caseinate, skim milk powder, and whey protein isolate were submitted to in vitro simulated gastropancreatic digestion using two different procedures: (i) a simplified model involving the main compartmental specific proteases; (ii) a static digestion method based on a frameset of parameters inferred from in vivo. The gastroduodenal digesta were further hydrolyzed with peptidases from porcine jejunal BBM. The peptidomes arising from the two digestion models, characterized by combined HPLC and MS techniques, differed to some extent. However, only specific protein domains survived digestion, among which are potential bioactive or immunogenic (food allergy) peptides. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) after BBM digestion (70-77%) practically did not differ between the digestion models and significantly increased the DH after duodenal steps. Any in vitro digestion model should be supplemented with a jejunal phase to realistically determine the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of dietary peptides.

Responses of Preterm Pigs to an Oral Fluid Supplement During Parenteral Nutrition.

Nutrients and electrolytes in amniotic fluid swallowed by fetuses are important for growth and development. Yet, preterm infants requiring parenteral nutrition (PN) receive minimal or no oral inputs. With the limited availability of amniotic fluid, we evaluated the responses of preterm pigs receiving PN to an oral fluid supplement (OFS) based on the electrolyte and nutrient composition of amniotic fluid. Preterm pigs (92% of term) received a combination of PN (6 mL/kg-h) and 4 mL/kg-h of supplemental fluid as an experimental OFS (n = 9), lactated Ringer's either enterally (n = 10) or intravenously (n = 8). Outcome measures after 96 hours were weight gain, blood chemistry, organ weights, and small intestine mass and brush-border membrane carbohydrases. The OFS did not improve weight gain compared with providing lactated Ringer's orally or intravenously, or increase serum urea nitrogen values, but resulted in higher serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as improved glucoregulation and heavier intestines, livers, kidneys, and brains and lighter lungs. Providing supplemental fluid and electrolytes during PN either intravenously or orally increases weight gain after preterm birth. An oral fluid supplement based on amniotic fluid may accelerate development and maturation of organs critical for extrauterine life after preterm birth and may enhance neurodevelopment.

Chemoprotective effect of taurine on potassium bromate-induced DNA damage, DNA-protein cross-linking and oxidative stress in rat intestine.

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is widely used as a food additive and is a major water disinfection by-product. It induces multiple organ toxicity in humans and experimental animals and is a probable human carcinogen. The present study reports the protective effect of dietary antioxidant taurine on KBrO3-induced damage to the rat intestine. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, KBrO3 alone, taurine alone and taurine+ KBrO3. Administration of KBrO3 alone led to decrease in the activities of intestinal brush border membrane enzymes while those of antioxidant defence and carbohydrate metabolism were also severely altered. There was increase in DNA damage and DNA-protein cross-linking. Treatment with taurine, prior to administration of KBrO3, resulted in significant attenuation in all these parameters but the administration of taurine alone had no effect. Histological studies supported these biochemical results showing extensive intestinal damage in KBrO3-treated animals and greatly reduced tissue injury in the taurine+ KBrO3 group. These results show that taurine ameliorates bromate induced tissue toxicity and oxidative damage by improving the antioxidant defence, tissue integrity and energy metabolism. Taurine can, therefore, be potentially used as a therapeutic/protective agent against toxicity of KBrO3 and related compounds.

β-Casein(94-123)-derived peptides differently modulate production of mucins in intestinal goblet cells.

We recently reported the identification of a peptide from yoghurts with promising potential for intestinal health: the sequence (94-123) of bovine β-casein. This peptide, composed of 30 amino acid residues, maintains intestinal homoeostasis through production of the secreted mucin MUC2 and of the transmembrane-associated mucin MUC4. Our study aimed to search for the minimal sequence responsible for the biological activity of β-CN(94-123) by using several strategies based on (i) known bioactive peptides encrypted in β-CN(94-123), (ii) in silico prediction of peptides reactivity and (iii) digestion of β-CN(94-123) by enzymes of intestinal brush border membranes. The revealed sequences were tested in vitro on human intestinal mucus-producing HT29-MTX cells. We demonstrated that β-CN(108-113) (an ACE-inhibitory peptide) and β-CN(114-119) (an opioid peptide named neocasomorphin-6) up-regulated MUC4 expression whereas levels of the secreted mucins MUC2 and MUC5AC remained unchanged. The digestion of β-CN(94-123) by intestinal enzymes showed that the peptides β-CN(94-108) and β-CN(117-123) were present throughout 1·5 to 3h of digestion, respectively. These two peptides raised MUC5AC expression while β-CN(117-123) also induced a decrease in the level of MUC2 mRNA and protein. In addition, this inhibitory effect was reproduced in airway epithelial cells. In conclusion, β-CN(94-123) is a multifunctional molecule but only the sequence of 30 amino acids has a stimulating effect on the production of MUC2, a crucial factor of intestinal protection.

Genetic demonstration of intestinal NPC1L1 as a major determinant of hepatic cholesterol and blood atherogenic lipoprotein levels

Objective: The correlation between intestinal cholesterol absorption values and plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels remains controversial. Niemann-Pick-C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) is essential for intestinal cholesterol absorption, and is the target of ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. However, studies with NPC1L1 knockout mice or ezetimibe cannot definitively clarify this correlation because NPC1L1 expression is not restricted to intestine in humans and mice. In this study we sought to genetically address this issue. Methods and results: We developed a mouse model that lacks endogenous (NPC1L1) and LDL receptor (LDLR) (DKO), but transgenically expresses human NPC1L1 in gastrointestinal tract only (DKO/L1IntOnly mice). Our novel model eliminated potential effects of non-intestinal NPC1L1 on cholesterol homeostasis. We found that human NPC1L1 was localized at the intestinal brush border membrane of DKO/L1IntOnly mice. Cholesterol feeding induced formation of NPC1L1-positive vesicles beneath this membrane in an ezetimibe-sensitive manner. Compared to DKO mice, DKO/L1IntOnly mice showed significant increases in cholesterol absorption and blood/hepatic/biliary cholesterol. Increased blood cholesterol was restricted to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL fractions, which was associated with increased secretion and plasma levels of apolipoproteins B100 and B48. Additionally, DKO/L1IntOnly mice displayed decreased fecal cholesterol excretion and hepatic/intestinal expression of cholesterologenic genes. Ezetimibe treatment virtually reversed all of the transgene-related phenotypes in DKO/L1IntOnly mice. Conclusion: Our findings from DKO/L1IntOnly mice clearly demonstrate that NPC1L1-mediated cholesterol absorption is a major determinant of blood levels of apolipoprotein B-containing atherogenic lipoproteins, at least in mice.