Intestinal Nutrient Absorption Research Articles

Utilization of Kombucha Tea to Improve Children's Health and Reduce Stunting Rates in Patempuran Village, Jember Regency

In order to overcome the problem of stunting in children, a team of Jember University lecturers collaborated with the Patempuran Village community and posyandu cadres to carry out community service activities. The main focus of this activity is the mass use and dissemination of Kombucha Tea, chosen because of its important nutritional content and potential to improve intestinal health and nutrient absorption in children. This activity includes outreach to increase understanding of the benefits of Kombucha Tea, training for posyandu cadres and village mothers on how to produce Kombucha Tea, as well as the distribution process to families with children under five. Apart from that, counseling regarding healthy eating patterns and the importance of nutrition was also provided in this activity. The impact evaluation was carried out after the activity was carried out to measure the extent to which Kombucha Tea made a positive contribution in reducing stunting rates in Patempuran Village. Close collaboration between the lecturer team, the community and the local government forms a sustainable community service model, which is expected to have a positive impact in improving the welfare of children in Patempuran Village.

Microencapsulated essential oils alleviate diarrhea in weaned piglets by modulating the intestinal microbial barrier as well as not inducing antibiotic resistance: a field research.

Microencapsulated essential oils (MEO)have been used as antibiotic alternatives that can be applied to alleviate diarrhea in weaning piglet. We examined a large group of weaned piglets and incorporated essential oil containing thymol (2%), carvacrol (5%) and cinnamaldehyde (3%) in the feed of weaned piglets on an intensive production farm. The piglets were divided into four groups; Control (no additions) and chlortetracycline (Chl), essential oil (EO) and microencapsulated essential oil (MEO) were fed ad libitum over a 28-day trial period. We found MEO significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea in the piglets that was also accompanied by increased average daily weight gains from days 14-28 (p < 0.05). MEO enhanced the antioxidant capacity in the piglets and serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). MEO also significantly reduced expression of genes related to ileal inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1) (p < 0.05) and significantly (p < 0.05) increased in sIgA antibody levels. MEO influenced the composition of the intestinal microbiome and reduced Bacteroidota (p < 0.05) and thus altered the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio. However, none of the treatments produced significant changes in the most common tetracycline resistance genes (p > 0.05). Metagenomic analysis indicated that MEO impacted DNA expression, virulence factors, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity. Metabolomic analysis of the intestinal content also indicated that MEO impacted tyrosine metabolism and primary bile acid biosynthesis suggesting improved intestinal health and nutrient absorption. This study paves the way for further research into the development and optimization of MEO-based interventions aimed at improving piglet health and performance while also providing a reference for reducing reliance on antibiotics in animal agriculture.

In-silico functional analyses identify TMPRSS15-mediated intestinal absorption of lithium as a modulator of lithium response in bipolar disorder

BackgroundThe therapeutic response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder is highly variable and has a polygenic basis. Genome-wide association studies investigating lithium response have identified several relevant loci, though the precise mechanisms driving these associations are poorly understood. We aimed to prioritise the most likely effector gene and determine the mechanisms underlying an intergenic lithium response locus on chromosome 21 identified by the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLi+Gen). MethodsWe conducted in-silico functional analyses by integrating and synthesising information from several publicly available functional genetic datasets and databases including the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project and HaploReg. ResultsThe findings from this study highlighted TMPRSS15 as the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus. TMPRSS15 encodes enterokinase, a gastrointestinal enzyme responsible for converting trypsinogen into trypsin and thus aiding digestion. Convergent findings from gene-based lookups in human and mouse databases as well as co-expression network analyses of small intestinal RNA-seq data (GTEx) implicated TMPRSS15 in the regulation of intestinal nutrient absorption, including ions like sodium and potassium, which may extend to lithium. LimitationsAlthough the findings from this study indicated that TMPRSS15 was the most likely effector gene at the ConLi+Gen lithium response locus, the evidence was circumstantial. Thus, the conclusions from this study need to be validated in appropriately designed wet-lab studies. ConclusionsThe findings from this study are consistent with a model whereby TMPRSS15 impacts the efficacy of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder by modulating intestinal lithium absorption.

Sports-Related Gastrointestinal Disorders: From the Microbiota to the Possible Role of Nutraceuticals, a Narrative Analysis.

Intense physical exercise can be related to a significant incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, with a prevalence documented in the literature above 80%, especially for more intense forms such as running. This is in an initial phase due to the distancing of the flow of blood from the digestive system to the skeletal muscle and thermoregulatory systems, and secondarily to sympathetic nervous activation and hormonal response with alteration of intestinal motility, transit, and nutrient absorption capacity. The sum of these effects results in a localized inflammatory process with disruption of the intestinal microbiota and, in the long term, systemic inflammation. The most frequent early symptoms include abdominal cramps, flatulence, the urge to defecate, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, chest pain, heartburn, and belching. Promoting the stability of the microbiota can contribute to the maintenance of correct intestinal permeability and functionality, with better control of these symptoms. The literature documents various acute and chronic alterations of the microbiota following the practice of different types of activities. Several nutraceuticals can have functional effects on the control of inflammatory dynamics and the stability of the microbiota, exerting both nutraceutical and prebiotic effects. In particular, curcumin, green tea catechins, boswellia, berberine, and cranberry PACs can show functional characteristics in the management of these situations. This narrative review will describe its application potential.

Raman-AFM-fluorescence-guided impact of linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids on subcellular structure and chemical composition of normal and cancer human colon cells

The regular overconsumption of high-energy food (rich in lipids and sugars) results in elevated nutrient absorption in intestine and consequently excessive accumulation of lipids in many organs e.g.: liver, adipose tissue, muscles. In the long term this can lead to obesity and obesity-associated diseases e.g. type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the presented paper based on RI data we have proved that Raman maps can be used successfully for subcellular structures visualization and analysis of fatty acids impact on morphology and chemical composition of human colon single cells – normal and cancer. Based on Raman data we have investigated the changes related to endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lipid droplets and nucleus. Analysis of ratios calculated based on Raman bands typical for proteins (1256, 1656 cm−1), lipids (1304, 1444 cm−1) and nucleic acids (750 cm−1) has confirmed for endoplasmic reticulum the increased activity of this organelle in lipoproteins synthesis upon FAs supplementation; for LDs the changes of desaturation of accumulated lipids with the highest unsaturation level for CaCo-2 cells upon EPA supplementation; for mitochondria the stronger effect of FAs supplementation was observed for CaCo-2 cells confirming the increased activity of this organelle responsible for energy production necessary for tumor development; the weakest impact of FAs supplementation was observed for nucleus for both types of cells and both types of acids. Fluorescence imaging was used for the investigations of changes in LDs/ER morphology. Our measurements have shown the increased area of LDs/ER for CaCo-2 cancer cells, and the strongest effect was noticed for CaCo-2 cells upon EPA supplementation. The increased participation of lipid structures for all types of cells upon FAs supplementation has been confirmed also by AFM studies. The lowest YM values have been observed for CaCo-2 cells including samples treated with FAs.

Mechanical regulation of lipid and sugar absorption by Piezo1 in enterocytes

Obesity is primarily caused by excessive intake as well as absorption of sugar and lipid. Postprandial surge in distention pressure and intestinal motility accelerates the absorption of nutrients. The response of intestinal epithelial cells to mechanical stimulation is not fully understood. Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, is widely expressed throughout the digestive tract. However, its function in intestinal nutrient absorption is not yet clear. In our study, excessive lipid deposition was observed in the duodenum of obese patients, while duodenal Piezo1–CaMKK2–AMPKα was decreased when compared to normal-weight individuals. Under high-fat diet condition, the Piezo1iKO mice exhibited abnormally elevated sugar and lipid absorption as well as severe lipid deposition in the duodenum and liver. These phenotypes were mainly caused by the inhibition of duodenal CaMKK2–AMPKα and the upregulation of SGLT1 and DGAT2. In contrast, Yoda1, a Piezo1 agonist, was found to reduce intestinal lipid absorption in diet induced obese mice. Overexpression of Piezo1, stretch and Yoda1 inhibited lipid accumulation and the expression of DGAT2 and SGLT1, whereas knockdown of Piezo1 stimulated lipid accumulation and DGAT2 in Caco-2 cells. Our study reveals a previously unexplored mechanical regulation of nutrient absorption in intestinal epithelial cells, which may shed new light on the therapy of obesity.

Spectroscopic investigation and molecular docking analysis of an FRET probe: Trypsin from bovine pancreas@Coumarin 440 dye conjugate

Herein, a systematic investigation of energy transfer from bovine pancreas trypsin to coumarin 440 (C440) dye is presented with an aim to design a FRET probe, as trypsin is an important enzyme for absorption and digestion of nutrients in the small intestine. Conformational changes in trypsin upon interaction with C440 dye are studied by employing both spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques. Steady state and time resolved measurements validate the formation of trypsin-C440 complex via dynamic quenching, that confirms the role of C440 as an inhibitor to suppress the activity of trypsin. Spectral overlap integral, Förster's distance, rate and energy transfer efficiency are calculated from steady state measurements. The observed blue shift in fluorescence suggests conformational changes due to hydrophobicity that arises in trypsin structure on binding with C440 possibly due to their interaction through H-bond (SER195 and GLN192), hydrophobic (GLN192 and HIS57) and π-π stacking bonding (HIS57). The stability of trypsin@C440 bio-conjugate at higher temperature was established from temperature dependent PL studies and the thermodynamic parameters determined agree with second law of thermodynamics. The thermodynamic parameters such as change in enthalpy (ΔH=172.2Jmol−1), change in entropy (ΔS=15.3Jmol−1K−1) and the respective approximately same and unity values of Gibb's free energy (ΔG) and Hill coefficient (n), as well as binding affinities determined from temperature dependent fluorescence studies validate the hydrophobic, spontaneous, exothermic process engaged in trypsin@C440 bio-conjugate.

Divergent selection for feed efficiency in pigs altered the duodenum transcriptomic response to feed intake and its DNA methylation profiles.

Feed efficiency is a trait of interest in pigs as it contributes to lowering the ecological and economical costs of pig production. A divergent genetic selection experiment from a Large White pig population was performed for 10 generations, leading to pig lines with relatively low- (LRFI) and high- (HRFI) residual feed intake (RFI). Feeding behavior and metabolic differences have been previously reported between the two lines. We hypothesized that part of these differences could be related to differential sensing and absorption of nutrients in the proximal intestine. We investigated the duodenum transcriptome and DNA methylation profiles comparing overnight fasting with ad libitum feeding in LRFI and HRFI pigs (n = 24). We identified 1,106 differentially expressed genes between the two lines, notably affecting pathways of the transmembrane transport activity and related to mitosis or chromosome separation. The LRFI line showed a greater transcriptomic response to feed intake than the HRFI line. Feed intake affected genes from both anabolic and catabolic pathways in the pig duodenum, such as rRNA production and autophagy. Several nutrient transporter and tight junction genes were differentially expressed between lines and/or by short-term feed intake. We also identified 409 differentially methylated regions in the duodenum mucosa between the two lines, while this epigenetic mark was less affected by feeding. Our findings highlighted that the genetic selection for feed efficiency in pigs changed the transcriptome profiles of the duodenum, and notably its response to feed intake, suggesting key roles for this proximal gut segment in mechanisms underlying feed efficiency.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The duodenum is a key organ for the hunger/satiety loop and nutrient sensing. We investigated how the duodenum transcriptome and DNA methylation profiles are affected by feed intakes in pigs. We observed thousands of changes in gene expression levels between overnight-fasted and fed pigs in high-feed efficiency pig lines, but almost none in the related low-feed efficiency pig line.

Photoaging of biodegradable nanoplastics regulates their toxicity to aquatic insects (Chironomus kiinensis) by impairing gut and disrupting intestinal microbiota

Biodegradable plastic, a widely used ecofriendly alternative to conventional plastic, easily form nanoplastics (NPs) upon environmental weathering. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms governing the toxicity of photoaged biodegradable NPs to aquatic insects are not understood. In this study, we investigated the photoaging of polylactic acid nanoplastics (PLA-NPs, a typical biodegradable plastic) that were placed under xenon arc lamp for 50 days and 100 days and compared the toxicity of virgin and photoaged PLA-NPs to Chironomus kiinensis (a dominant aquatic insect). The results showed that photoaged PLA-NPs significantly decreased the body weight, body length and emergence rate of C. kiinensis. Additionally, photoaged PLA-NPs induced more severe gut oxidative stress, histological damage, and inflammatory responses than virgin PLA-NPs. Furthermore, the alpha diversity of gut microbiota was lower in photoaged PLA-NPs group than virgin PLA-NPs. The relative abundance of key gut bacteria related to intestinal barrier defense, immunity, and nutrient absorption was reduced more significantly in photoaged PLA-NPs group than virgin PLA, indirectly leading to stronger gut damage and growth reduction. A stronger impact of photoaged PLA-NPs on the gut and its microbiota occurred because photoaging reduced the size of NPs from 255.5 nm (virgin PLA) to 217.1 nm (PLA-50) and 182.5 nm (PLA-100), induced surface oxidation and enhancement of oxidative potential, and improved the stability of NPs, thereby exacerbating toxicity on the gut and its microbiota. This study provides insights into the effects of biodegradable NPs on aquatic insects and highlights the importance of considering biodegradable nanoplastic aging in risk assessments.

Early time-restricted eating improves markers of cardiometabolic health but has no impact on intestinal nutrient absorption in healthy adults

Early time-restricted eating (eTRE) improves aspects of cardiometabolic health. Although the circadian system appears to regulate nutrient absorption, little is known about the effects of eTRE on intestinal absorption. In this randomized crossover trial, 16 healthy adults follow a controlled, weight maintenance diet for 9days, consuming all calories between 0800 and 1400 (eTRE schedule) or 0800 and 2000 (control schedule). We measure the energy content of the diet, stool, and urine with bomb calorimetry and calculate intestinal energy absorption. The eTRE schedule is more effective than the control eating schedule for improving markers of cardiometabolic health, including 24-h mean glucose concentrations and glycemic variability, assessed as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions. However, eTRE has no effect on intestinal energy and macronutrient absorption, gastrointestinal transit time, colonic hydrogen gas production, or stool microbial composition, suggesting eTRE does not impact gastrointestinal function. This trial is registered (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04877262).

A hydrolyzed casein diet promotes Ngn3 controlling enteroendocrine cell differentiation to increase gastrointestinal motility in mice.

Gut hormones are produced by enteroendocrine cells (EECs) found along the intestinal epithelium, and these cells play a crucial role in regulating intestinal function, nutrient absorption and food intake. A hydrolyzed casein diet has been reported to promote the secretion of gut hormones through the regulation of EEC development, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate whether the hydrolyzed casein diet can regulate EEC differentiation by employing mouse and organoid models. Mice were fed diets containing either casein (casein group) or hydrolyzed casein (hydrolyzed casein group) as the sole protein source. The hydrolyzed casein diet upregulated the expression of transcription factors, induced EEC differentiation, increased fasting serum ghrelin concentrations and promoted gastrointestinal (GI) motility in the duodenum compared to the casein diet. Interestingly, these differences could be abolished when there is addition of antibiotics to the drinking water, suggesting a significant role of gut microbiota in the hydrolyzed casein-mediated EEC function. Further investigation showed that the hydrolyzed casein diet led to reduced microbial diversity, especially the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) on the duodenal mucosa. In contrast, gavage with A. muciniphila impaired EEC differentiation through attenuated neurog3 transcription factor (Ngn3) expression, mediated through the promotion of Notch signaling. Moreover, pasteurized A. muciniphila showed similar effects to enter organoids in vitro. Overall, we found that a hydrolyzed casein diet reduced the abundance of A. muciniphila and promoted Ngn3 controlling EEC differentiation and this pathway is associated with increased GI motility in mice. The findings provide new insights into the role of hydrolyzed casein in gut transit and guidelines for using hydrolyzed casein in safe formula milk.

Effects of dietary citrus pulp level on the growth and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Citrus pulp (CP) is rich in pectin, and studies have shown that pectin possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota-regulating properties. However, the application of CP in aquafeed is limited. In this study, the effect of dietary inclusion of CP on the intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was investigated. Juveniles of similar size (6.95 ± 0.07 g) were fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing different levels of CP (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, or 15%) for 58 days. As the level of CP in the feed for largemouth bass increased, the fish's growth performance and intestinal health initially improved and then declined. Adding low doses of CP (≤9%) to the feed had no significant impact on the growth performance of large-mouth black bass, whereas high doses of CP (>9%) significantly reduced their growth performance. Adding 6%, 9%, or 12% of CP to that feed enhanced the expression of genes related to tight junctions, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-apoptotic activity, and antioxidant activity in the intestines of largemouth bass. It reduced intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal nutrient absorption, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and intestinal antioxidant capacity. Moreover, it improved the α-diversity, structure, and function of the intestinal flora. The addition of 6% CP had the most beneficial effect on the intestinal health of largemouth bass. On the other hand, the addition of 15% CP had adverse effects on the intestinal antioxidant capacity and intestinal mucosal barrier function of largemouth bass. Adding 6-9% CP to the feed for largemouth bass can improve their intestinal health without having a significant impact on their growth performance. CP could serve as a novel prebiotic and immunostimulant ingredient in aquafeed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Wu Zhi San supplementation in LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in broilers.

Intestinal inflammation and barrier damage can inhibit the absorption and transportation of nutrients in the small intestine, and lead to various chronic diseases. Wu Zhi San (WZS) is a traditional Chinese formula composed of Schisandrae, Anemarrhenae, Lonicerae, and Glycyrrhizae that was made to cure intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in broilers. To evaluate the protective effect of WZS on intestinal inflammation and barrier damage of broilers under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stress, a total of 200 one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups, namely, the CON group, LPS group, and three WZS groups (WZS-H, WZS-M, and WZS-L). The groups were designed for stress phase I (days 15, 17, 19, and 21) and stress phase II (days 29, 31, 33, and 35). The protective effect of WZS on the intestinal tract was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), diamine oxidase (DAO), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and serum D-lactate (D-LA) and the expression of inflammatory factors in jejunum. The results showed that the diet supplemented with WZS could significantly reduce serum MPO, DAO, and D-LA levels and jejunal CD in broilers (p < 0.05), increase serum SOD levels and jejunal VH (p < 0.05), significantly downregulate the expression of NF-κB, TLR4, MyD88, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), and upregulate Claudin-1, Occludin-1, and ZO-1 in broiler jejunum mucosa (p < 0.05). On the other hand, WZS could significantly reduce the protein expression of NF-κB (p65) in broiler jejunum (p < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementing WZS in the diet can reduce intestinal inflammation and alleviate intestinal barrier damage, and by inhibiting the NF-κB/TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway, supplementation with WZS intervenes in LPS-induced stress injury in broilers.

Bile acids induce IL-1α and drive NLRP3 inflammasome-independent production of IL-1β in murine dendritic cells.

Bile acids are amphipathic molecules that are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and facilitate intestinal absorption of lipids and nutrients. They are released into the small intestine upon ingestion of a meal where intestinal bacteria can modify primary into secondary bile acids. Bile acids are cytotoxic at high concentrations and have been associated with inflammatory diseases such as liver inflammation and Barrett's Oesophagus. Although bile acids induce pro-inflammatory signalling, their role in inducing innate immune cytokines and inflammation has not been fully explored to date. Here we demonstrate that the bile acids, deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) induce IL-1α and IL-1β secretion in vitro in primed bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The secretion of IL-1β was found not to require expression of NLRP3, ASC or caspase-1 activity; we can't rule out all inflammasomes. Furthermore, DCA and CDCA were shown to induce the recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes to the site of injection an intraperitoneal model of inflammation. This study further underlines a mechanistic role for bile acids in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases through stimulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of innate immune cells.

Pectin Modulates Calcium Absorption in Polarized Caco-2 Cells via a Pathway Distinct from Vitamin D Stimulation.

Pectin, a type of soluble fiber, promotes morphological changes in the small intestinal villi. Although its physiological significance is unknown, we hypothesized that changes in villus morphology enhance the efficiency of nutrient absorption in the small intestine and investigated the effect of pectin derived from persimmon on calcium absorption using polarized Caco-2 cells. In polarized Caco-2 cells, pectin altered the mRNA expression levels of substances involved in calcium absorption and the regulation of intracellular calcium concentration and significantly reduced calcium absorption. Although this was comparable to the results of absorption and permeability associated with the addition of active vitamin D, the simultaneous action of pectin and active vitamin D did not show any additive effects. Furthermore, as active vitamin D significantly increases the activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is known to be involved in the regulation of intestinal absorption of calcium and lipids, we also investigated the effect of pectin on intestinal ALP activity. As a result, it was found that, unlike the effect of active vitamin D, pectin significantly reduced intestinal ALP activity. These results suggest that pectin stimulates polarized Caco-2 cells through a mechanism distinct from the regulation of calcium absorption by vitamin D, modulating total calcium absorption from the elongated villi through morphological changes in the small intestine by suppressing it at the cellular level.

GLP-2 predicts cardiovascular outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction and increases atherosclerosis in mice

Abstract Background GLP-1 and GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-1/2) are incretin hormones that are co-secreted from intestinal L-cells in response to food intake and inflammatory stimuli. While GLP-1 is known to induce postprandial insulin secretion and to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes, GLP-2 enhances intestinal nutrient absorption. GLP-2 agonists are clinically used for the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome. The relevance of GLP-2 beyond the gut is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GLP-2 for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods Total GLP-2 levels were assessed at time of admission in 918 patients with myocardial infarction presenting with acute chest pain, among them 597 patients with NSTEMI and 321 with STEMI. The primary composite outcome of the study was the first occurrence of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke (3-P-MACE) with a median follow-up of 311 days. To induce atherosclerosis, Glp2r−/− or WT mice were injected with PCSK9 virus and fed a diet high in cholesterol (HCD) for 12 weeks. Results Kaplan-Meier survival plots (separated by the median of GLP-2 with a cut-off value of 4.4 pM) and univariable cox regression analyses found GLP-2 values to be associated with adverse outcome (3-P-MACE and all-cause mortality; logarithmized GLP-2 values HR: 2.87; p&amp;lt;.0001). Further adjustment for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterinemia, previous CVD and diabetes mellitus did not affect this association (logarithmized GLP-2 values HR: 2.66; p=0.0055). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses illustrated that GLP-2 is a strong indicator for early events (area under the curve of the combined endpoint at 7 days: 0.74; 14 days: 0.76; 30 days: 0.76; 6 months: 0.72), which proved to be superior to Troponin T and hs-CRP. To asses the functional role of GLP-2 in CVD in an experimental approach we injected Glp2r−/− or WT mice PCSK9 virus (to induce functional Ldlr-deficiency and hypercholesterolemia) and fed these mice a HCD. After 12 weeks Glp2r−/− mice compared to WT littermates presented with a significant reduction in plaque volume and lesion size. While body weight and circulating leukocyte numbers (FACS analysis) were unaffected, Glp2r−/− mice had lower cholesterol levels. Conclusion Circulating GLP-2 levels are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction while inactivation of the GLP-2 system reduces atherosclerosis in mice. Future studies are needed to investigate whether the GLP-2 receptor might provide a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Radix Isatidis polysaccharide on egg quality, immune function, and intestinal health in hens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementing laying hen diets with Radix Isatidis Polysaccharide (RIPS) on egg quality, immune function, and intestinal health. The research was conducted using 288 Hyland Brown hens, which were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: control (without RIPS), low dose (200 g/t), medium dose (500 g/t), and high dose (1000 g/t) of RIPS. Each dietary treatment was administered to eight replicates of nine hens for nine weeks. The results revealed that RIPS inclusion in diets significantly improved egg quality parameters such as egg shape index, yolk color, haugh unit, and protein height (P < 0.05). Additionally, RIPS supplementation enhanced immune function as evidenced by an alteration in serum biochemical parameters, an increase in the spleen index, and a decrease in the liver index. Further, an evaluation of intestinal health showed that RIPS fortified the intestinal barrier, thus increasing the population of beneficial intestinal bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful ones. Such mechanisms promoted intestinal health, digestion, and nutrient absorption, ultimately leading to enhanced egg quality. In conclusion, supplementing laying hen diets with RIPS has been demonstrated to improve egg quality by boosting immunity and optimizing intestinal digestion and absorption.

PSVI-17 Digestawell XG Improves Piglet Performance When Dietary Net Energy Content is Decreased

Abstract Plant based dietary ingredients contain non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Both soluble and insoluble NSP may limit intestinal absorption and digestion of dietary nutrients along the intestinal tract of monogastric animals. Increased digesta viscosity also occurs, which results in satiety and potential health issues. DIGESTAWell XG (Probiotech International Inc.), a commercially available enzyme-based feed additive that contains increased endo-1,4-β-xylanase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity, hydrolyzes NSP resulting in increased nutrient availability and digestibility. Therefore, it was hypothesized that nursery pigs consuming low net energy (NE) diets with DIGESTAWell XG will demonstrate similar growth performance as nursery pigs consuming greater NE diets. A 47-day trial was conducted with 21-day old nursery pigs (6.0 kg) allocated to three groups: control (CON), low energy (-56 kcal/kg feed; LE), and low energy + enzyme (LE+E). All groups had 13 pens of 28 pigs (n = 364), and received wheat and corn mix based diets that had a similar NSP content (11.4%). CON diets had greater NE (2,456 kcal/kg feed) relative to the LE and LE+E groups (2400 kcal/kg feed). The diet of the LE+E group was supplemented with DIGESTAWell XG at 0.22kg/Ton of feed. For each pen the daily feed intake, weekly weight, diarrhea index and mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed by an ANOVA model (Statistix 8.0; Analytical Software, FL) including treatment and pen as fixed and random effects, respectively, and a Chi-square test for pairwise differences. Compared with both CON and LE, LE+E increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during weeks 4 to 7 and weeks 1 to 7, and significantly increased final weight (Table 1). During weeks 1 to 3, ADG and ADFI did not differ between CON and LE+E groups, and the LE+E group was significantly greater than LE. Over the entire period, LE impacted (P &amp;lt; 0.05) negatively the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with CON, however, during weeks 4-7 the LE+E had similar FCR compared with CON (P &amp;gt; 0.05). No significant effects were observed on mortality or diarrhea index. In conclusion, DIGESTAWell XG improves piglet performance when dietary NE content is decreased which may offer some formulation flexibility.

Effects of spray-dried bovine plasma on growth performance, immune system, and survival of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The aquaculture industry in Mexico is searching for food ingredients that increase productivity without negatively affecting overall performance and health. Bovine plasma has been shown to contain a high concentration of bioactive compounds and growth factors that improve intestinal function and nutrient absorption. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP) on growth performance, protein efficiency, immune system, and survival in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four diets were formulated to contain 0%, 1.5%, 3%, and 6% SDBP in isoproteic and isolipidic diets. Then, 120 juveniles of L. vannamei (4.02 ± 0.03) were randomly distributed in 12 ponds of 500-L with filtered seawater under a recirculation system (RAS). The diets were randomly distributed among the experimental tanks, with three ponds assigned per experimental diet. The feed was offered three times a day for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, shrimp fed the diet with 3% SDBP had significantly (p < 0.05) improved overall performance compared to the other dietary treatments. Also, diets enriched with SDBP presented a significant increase (p < 0.05) of hemocytes compared to the dietary treatment SDBP-0, with a positive correlation between the number of hemocytes and increasing SDBP content. Furthermore, diets with 3% and 6% SDBP had the highest survival rate (90.0% and 93.3%, respectively). In conclusion, SDBP added at 3% in shrimp diets resulted in improved growth, survival, and hemocyte count. Therefore, SDBP is an excellent alternative to maintaining healthy shrimp.

Bile Acid Network and Vascular Calcification-Associated Diseases: Unraveling the Intricate Connections and Therapeutic Potential.

Bile acids play a crucial role in promoting intestinal nutrient absorption and biliary cholesterol excretion, thereby protecting the liver from cholesterol accumulation and bile acid toxicity. Additionally, bile acids can bind to specific nuclear and membrane receptors to regulate energy expenditure and specific functions of particular tissues. Vascular calcification refers to the pathological process of calcium-phosphate deposition in blood vessel walls, which serves as an independent predictor for cardiovascular adverse events. In addition to aging, this pathological change is associated with aging-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. Emerging evidence suggests a close association between the bile acid network and these aforementioned vascular calcification-associated conditions. Several bile acids have been proven to participate in calcium-phosphate metabolism, affecting the transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells and thus influencing vascular calcification. Targeting the bile acid network shows potential for ameliorating these diseases and their concomitant vascular calcification by regulating pathways such as energy metabolism, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell differentiation. Here, we present a summary of the metabolism and functions of the bile acid network and aim to provide insights into the current research on the profound connections between the bile acid network and these vascular calcification-associated diseases, as well as the therapeutic potential.