Tissue Lipid Levels Research Articles

Identifying biochemical changes in the kidney using proton nuclear magnetic resonance in an adenine diet chronic kidney disease mouse model.

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic changes in the kidneys in a murine adenine-diet model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney fibrosis is the common pathological manifestation across CKD aetiologies. Sustained inflammation and fibrosis cause changes in preferred energy metabolic pathways in the cells of the kidney. Kidney cortical tissue from mice receiving a control or adenine-supplemented diet for 8weeks (late inflammation and fibrosis) and 12 weeks (8weeks of treatment followed by 4weeks recovery) were analysed by 2D-correlated nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and compared with histopathology and biomarkers of kidney damage. Tissue metabolite and lipid levels were assessed using the MestreNova software. Expression of genes related to inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolism were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Animals showed indicators of severely impaired kidney function at 8 and 12 weeks. Significantly increased fibrosis was present at 8weeks but not in the recovery group suggesting some reversal of fibrosis and amelioration of inflammation. At 8weeks, metabolites associated with glycolysis were increased, while lipid signatures were decreased. Genes involved in fatty acid oxidation were decreased at 8weeks but not 12 weeks while genes associated with glycolysis were significantly increased at 8weeks but not at 12 weeks. In this murine model of CKD, kidney fibrosis was associated with the accumulation of triglyceride and free lactate. There was an up-regulation of glycolytic enzymes and down-regulation of lipolytic enzymes. These metabolic changes reflect the energy demands associated with progressive kidney disease where there is a switch from fatty acid oxidation to that of glycolysis.

High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Paired Clinical Liver Tissue Samples from Hepatocellular Cancer and Surrounding Region.

The global burden of liver cancer is increasing. Timely diagnosis is important for optimising the limited available treatment options. Understanding the metabolic consequences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may lead to more effective treatment options. We aimed to document metabolite differences between HCC and matched surrounding tissues of varying aetiology, obtained at the time of liver resection, and to interpret metabolite changes with clinical findings. High-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS-NMR) spectroscopy analyses of N = 10 paired HCC and surrounding non-tumour liver tissue samples were undertaken. There were marked HRMAS-NMR differences in lipid levels in HCC tissue compared to matched surrounding tissue and more subtle changes in low-molecular-weight metabolites, particularly when adjusting for patient-specific variability. Differences in lipid-CH3, lipid-CH2, formate, and acetate levels were of particular interest. The obvious differences in lipid content highlight the intricate interplay between metabolic adaptations and cancer cell survival in the complex microenvironment of liver cancer. Differences in formate and acetate might relate to bacterial metabolites. Therefore, documentation of metabolites in HCC tissue according to histology findings in patients is of interest for personalised medicine approaches and for tailoring targeted treatment strategies.

Evaluate and compare the anti-obesity effects of two probiotic preparations in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

This study screened two probiotic preparations and comprehensively evaluated for anti-obesity efficacy in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obese mice were orally administered with low, medium, and high doses of AB-Kefir (ABK) or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 (TWK), respectively. After 8 weeks of administration, medium doses and above of ABK and TWK significantly reduced body weight, white adipose tissue weight, serum glucose, and lipid levels and attenuated hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy in obese mice without affecting appetite. ABK and TWK also decreased serum adipokine levels and increased the adiponectin/leptin ratio to ameliorate obesity-induced adipose tissue dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Moreover, ABK and TWK reduced adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related transcription factors and enzymes in adipose tissue and improved energy metabolism by activating the AMPK pathway. In particular, TWK showed superior anti-obesity activity compared to ABK. The outcomes of this study will help explore potential anti-obesity probiotic functional foods.

Germ-free status but not subacute polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure altered hepatic phosphatidylcholine and ether-phosphatidylcholine levels in mice

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that pose a current ecosystem and human health concern. PCB exposure impacts the gut microbiome in animal models, suggesting a mechanistic link between PCB exposure and adverse health outcomes. The presence and absence of the microbiome and exposure to PCBs independently affect the lipid composition in the liver, which in turn affects the PCB disposition in target tissues, such as the liver. Here, we investigated microbiome × subacute PCB effects on the hepatic lipid composition of conventional and germ-free female mice exposed to 0, 6, or 30 mg/kg body weight of an environmental PCB mixture in sterile corn oil once daily for 3 consecutive days. Hepatic triacylglyceride and polar lipid levels were quantified using mass spectrometric methods following the subacute PCB exposure. The lipidomic analysis revealed no PCB effect on the hepatic levels. No microbiome effect was observed on levels of triacylglyceride and most polar lipid classes. The total hepatic levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and ether-phosphatidylcholine (ePC) lipids were lower in germ-free mice than the conventional mice from the same exposure group. Moreover, levels of several unsaturated PCs, such as PC(36:5) and PC(42:10), and ePCs, such as ePC(36:2) and ePC(4:2), were lower in germ-free than conventional female mice. Based on a KEGG pathway meta-analysis of RNA sequencing data, the ether lipid metabolism pathway is altered in the germ-free mouse liver. In contrast to the liver, extractable lipid levels, determined gravimetrically, differed in several tissues from naïve conventional vs. germ-free mice. Overall, microbiome × subacute PCB exposure effects on hepatic lipid composition are unlikely to affect PCB distribution into the mouse liver. Further studies are needed to assess how the different extractable lipid levels in other tissues alter PCB distribution in conventional vs. germ-free mice.

Evaluation of probiotic bifidobacteria strains from Iranian traditional dairy products for their anti-hyperlipidemic potential.

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of probiotic bifidobacteria, isolated from Iranian fermented dairy products, in a hyperlipidemic animal model. Bifidobacterium strains were extracted from traditional dairy samples and screened using physiological and phenotypic examinations, 16S rRNA analysis, and probiotic properties such as tolerance to gastrointestinal juice, antimicrobial activity, and antibiotic susceptibility. The ability of the screened bifidobacteria to reduce serum and liver lipids in vivo was tested using male Wistar rats. Six strains of bifidobacteria were isolated from traditional Iranian fermented dairy. These strains showed promising in vitro activity in lowering triglyceride and cholesterol, tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal juice, the ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells, acceptable antibiotic susceptibility, and a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The diet supplemented with isolated bifidobacteria significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), liver tissue lipid levels, and hepatic enzymes in animals when compared to a high-fat diet without strains (p < 0.01). Additionally, the potential probiotic-supplemented diet significantly increased bile acid excretion in the feces and upregulated hepatic CYP7A1 expression levels (p < 0.05), while NPC1L1, ACAT2, and MTP gene expressions in small intestinal cells were downregulated (p < 0.05). Bifidobacteria isolated from Iranian traditional dairy showed potential for use in the production of fermented foods that have hypolipemic activity in the host.

Analysis of the Effect of the TRPC4/TRPC5 Blocker, ML204, in Sucrose-Induced Metabolic Imbalance.

Sugar-induced metabolic imbalances are a major health problem since an excessive consumption of saccharides has been linked to greater obesity rates at a global level. Sucrose, a disaccharide composed of 50% glucose and 50% fructose, is commonly used in the food industry and found in a range of fast, restaurant, and processed foods. Herein, we investigated the effects of a TRPC4/TRPC5 blocker, ML204, in the metabolic imbalances triggered by early exposure to sucrose-enriched diet in mice. TRPC4 and TRPC5 belong to the family of non-selective Ca+2 channels known as transient receptor potential channels. High-sucrose (HS)-fed animals with hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, were accompanied by increased body mass index. mesenteric adipose tissue accumulation with larger diameter cells and hepatic steatosis in comparison to those fed normal diet. HS mice also exhibited enhanced adipose, liver, and pancreas TNFα and VEGF levels. ML204 exacerbated hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, fat tissue deposition, hepatic steatosis, and adipose tissue and liver TNFα in HS-fed mice. Normal mice treated with the blocker had greater hepatic steatosis and adipose tissue cell numbers/diameter than those receiving vehicle, but showed no significant changes in tissue inflammation, glucose, and lipid levels. The results indicate that TRPC4/TRPC5 protect against the metabolic imbalances caused by HS ingestion.

SAFit2 ameliorates paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by reducing spinal gliosis and elevating pro-resolving lipid mediators

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN) describes a pathological pain state that occurs dose-dependently as a side effect and can limit or even impede an effective cancer therapy. Unfortunately, current treatment possibilities for CIPN are remarkably confined and mostly inadequate as CIPN therapeutics themselves consist of low effectiveness and may induce severe side effects, pointing out CIPN as pathological entity with an emerging need for novel treatment targets. Here, we investigated whether the novel and highly specific FKBP51 inhibitor SAFit2 reduces paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.MethodsIn this study, we used a well-established multiple low-dose paclitaxel model to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of SAFit2. For this purpose, the behavior of the mice was recorded over 14 days and the mouse tissue was then analyzed using biochemical methods.ResultsHere, we show that SAFit2 is capable to reduce paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in mice. In addition, we detected that SAFit2 shifts lipid levels in nervous tissue toward an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid profile that counteracts peripheral sensitization after paclitaxel treatment. Furthermore, SAFit2 reduced the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the spinal cord as well as the levels of pain-mediating chemokines. Its treatment also increased anti-inflammatory cytokines levels in neuronal tissues, ultimately leading to a resolution of neuroinflammation.ConclusionsIn summary, SAFit2 shows antihyperalgesic properties as it ameliorates paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by reducing peripheral sensitization and resolving neuroinflammation. Therefore, we consider SAFit2 as a potential novel drug candidate for the treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Comparative Effects of Whole Stevia Leaf and Rebaudioside A on Oxidative Stress in Male Obese Sprague Dawley Rats

Background: Obesity is a dilemma nowadays for increasing percentage of people worldwide. Obesity induced oxidative stress due to increased tissue lipid levels, threatened redox state of cell and increased free radical formation leads to tissue oxidative stress. Fatty liver disease is a very common disorder related with obesity resulting in storage of fat goblets in the liver tissues leading to altered redox state called oxidative stress. Aim: To relate the outcome of Stevia and Rebaudioside A on Oxidative stress (MDA, SOD) in Obese Sprague Dawley Rats. Place and duration of study: Physiology Department of Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH) from 1st January 2020 to 30th June 2022. Methodology: One hundred and twenty healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were included. The animals were divided randomly into four groups of 30 rats each by simple randomization technique. Group 1 was given normal diet while the other three groups were given high fat diet. Stevia leaves and Rebaudioside A (rebiana) were further added for six weeks in the diet of Group 3 and 4 respectively. All animals were sacrificed at the end of study. Results: High fat diet induced oxidative stress in obese group was restored to approximate normal values of SOD (0.001) and MDA (0.001) by treatment with stevia and rebiana both (0.899). Conclusion: Stevia and Rebiana both cause improvement of oxidative stress unrewarding of expensive extraction procedures. Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana, Rebaudioside A, Sprague Dawley rats, Oxidative stress, NAFLD

Surf4 (Surfeit Locus Protein 4) Deficiency Reduces Intestinal Lipid Absorption and Secretion and Decreases Metabolism in Mice.

Postprandial dyslipidemia is a causative risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The majority of absorbed dietary lipids are packaged into chylomicron and then delivered to circulation. Previous studies showed that Surf4 (surfeit locus protein 4) mediates very low-density lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes. Silencing hepatic Surf4 markedly reduces the development of atherosclerosis in different mouse models of atherosclerosis without causing hepatic steatosis. However, the role of Surf4 in chylomicron secretion is unknown. We developed inducible intestinal-specific Surf4 knockdown mice (Surf4IKO) using Vil1Cre-ERT2 and Surf4flox mice. Metabolic cages were used to monitor mouse metabolism. Enzymatic kits were employed to measure serum and tissue lipid levels. The expression of target genes was detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Transmission electron microscopy and radiolabeled oleic acid were used to assess the structure of enterocytes and intestinal lipid absorption and secretion, respectively. Proteomics was performed to determine changes in protein expression in serum and jejunum. Surf4IKO mice, especially male Surf4IKO mice, displayed significant body weight loss, increased mortality, and reduced metabolism. Surf4IKO mice exhibited lipid accumulation in enterocytes and impaired fat absorption and secretion. Lipid droplets and small lipid vacuoles were accumulated in the cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum lumen of the enterocytes of Surf4IKO mice, respectively. Surf4 colocalized with apoB and co-immunoprecipitated with apoB48 in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Intestinal Surf4 deficiency also significantly reduced serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels in mice. Proteomics data revealed that diverse pathways were altered in Surf4IKO mice. In addition, Surf4IKO mice had mild liver damage, decreased liver size and weight, and reduced hepatic triglyceride levels. Our findings demonstrate that intestinal Surf4 plays an essential role in lipid absorption and chylomicron secretion and suggest that the therapeutic use of Surf4 inhibition requires highly cell/tissue-specific targeting.

Effects of Dietary Fermented Soybean Meals on Tissue Lipid Level, Bile Acid Concentration, Lipase Activity and Lipid Digestibility in Pompano Fish (Trachinotus blochii)

Effects of Dietary Fermented Soybean Meals on Tissue Lipid Level, Bile Acid Concentration, Lipase Activity and Lipid Digestibility in Pompano Fish (Trachinotus blochii)

Toxicological evaluation of virgin coconut oil extracted from Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae)

Purpose: Virgin coconut oil is claimed to have a lot of health benefits, especially in lowering lipid levels in serum and tissues, and the current consumption rate is very high, especially in developing countries. Determination of the toxicological effects on possible organs that are likely to be susceptible to toxicity by virgin coconut oil will provide supportive scientific evidence to consumers, practitioners, and providers. Methods: Virgin coconut oil was obtained from fresh coconut using wet milling method. LD 50 was determined using mice. Sub-acute toxicity was determined by administering 0.25 ml and 0.5ml of virgin coconut oil to female and male rats respectively for 30 days with normal saline as control. The tissues of the lung, heart, spleen, liver, and kidney (female and male rats); fallopian tube, ovary (female rats); prostate, bladder, testis, and epididymis (male rats) were examined. Results: Most of the organs in both male and female rats retained normal tissue architecture, however, there was mild Kupffer cell activation in the liver and mild sinus histiocytosis with an otherwise normal follicular architecture in the spleen of both male and female rats. Conclusion: Virgin coconut oil could be termed to be relatively safe, but its overall safety profile needs to be further evaluated. Keywords: Virgin coconut oil, toxicological profile, wet-milling, ethnomedicine

β-Glucan reduces cortisol plasma levels, enhances innate immune system after A. hydrophila inoculation, and has lipolytic effects on the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Although β-glucan is a compound widely used to enhance innate immunity in fish, very little is known about its metabolic effects as described in humans and other animals. This study evaluated the effects of dietary β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on stress, innate immune and metabolic responses in the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles. The fish (85.2 ± 24.8 g) were subjected to the following treatments: a) commercial feed CF (0% β-glucan – control); b) CF supplemented with 0.1% β-glucan, and c) CF supplemented with 0.5% β-glucan (eight 130 L tanks/treatment, 72 fish per treatment). The fish were sampled after 15 days of β-glucan administration (basal sampling) to assess the metabolic responses (lipid levels in blood and tissues) and then inoculated with heat-inactivated A. hydrophila to assess the stress and immune responses. For the first time, β-glucan showed a modulatory effect on lipid metabolism in fish. We found a reduction in plasma triglyceride levels, as also in lipid levels in liver, muscle, and visceral depots, in fish fed with β-glucan. The triglyceride levels decreased by 32.9% in fish fed with 0.1% β-glucan, when compared to the control group. Lipid levels decreased by 42.8% and 26.8% in the liver, and by 37.9% and 24.1% in muscle, for fish fed with 0.1% and 0.5% β-glucan, respectively, compared to the control group. Visceral fat decreased by 32.1% and 46.4%, in fish fed with 0.1% and 0.5% β-glucan, respectively. In addition to the lipolytic effect, β-glucan modulated cortisol profile reducing the levels at rest and after inoculation with A. hydrophila bacterin, thereby confirming its immunostimulating action, by increasing the respiratory activity of leukocytes and lysozyme levels 24 h after inoculation. Our results show that, in addition to the immunostimulating action and cortisol reducer effect of the yeast-derived β-glucan, its lipolytic effect is quite promising, as the pacu is considered a fat fish in the market size and a leaner product would bring better features for the consumer.

Alterations in lipid profile upon uterine fibroids and its recurrence

Uterine fibroids (UF) is the most common (about 70% cases) type of gynecological disease, with the recurrence rate varying from 11 to 40%. Because UF has no distinct symptomatology and is often asymptomatic, the specific and sensitive diagnosis of UF as well as the assessment for the probability of UF recurrence pose considerable challenge. The aim of this study was to characterize alterations in the lipid profile of tissues associated with the first-time diagnosed UF and recurrent uterine fibroids (RUF) and to explore the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) lipidomics analysis of blood plasma samples for the sensitive and specific determination of UF and RUF with low invasiveness of analysis. MS analysis of lipid levels in the myometrium tissues, fibroids tissues and blood plasma samples was carried out on 66 patients, including 35 patients with first-time diagnosed UF and 31 patients with RUF. The control group consisted of 15 patients who underwent surgical treatment for the intrauterine septum. Fibroids and myometrium tissue samples were analyzed using direct MS approach. Blood plasma samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography hyphened with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). MS data were processed by discriminant analysis with projection into latent structures (OPLS-DA). Significant differences were found between the first-time UF, RUF and control group in the levels of lipids involved in the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, lipids with an ether bond, triglycerides and fatty acids. Significant differences between the control group and the groups with UF and RUF were found in the blood plasma levels of cholesterol esters, triacylglycerols, (lyso) phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins. Significant differences between the UF and RUF groups were found in the blood plasma levels of cholesterol esters, phosphotidylcholines, sphingomyelins and triacylglycerols. Diagnostic models based on the selected differential lipids using logistic regression showed sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 86% for the diagnosis of first-time UF and 95% and 79% for RUF, accordingly. This study confirms the involvement of lipids in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. A diagnostically significant panel of differential lipid species has been identified for the diagnosis of UF and RUF by low-invasive blood plasma analysis. The developed diagnostic models demonstrated high potential for clinical use and further research in this direction.

Adipocyte-Specific ACKR3 Regulates Lipid Levels in Adipose Tissue.

Dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT) may contribute to the pathology of several metabolic diseases through altered lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) expression was shown to increase in AT during obesity, and its ubiquitous elimination caused hyperlipidemia in mice. Although these findings point towards a role of ACKR3 in the regulation of lipid levels, the role of adipocyte-specific ACKR3 has not yet been studied exclusively in this context. In this study, we established adipocyte- and hepatocyte-specific knockouts of Ackr3 in ApoE-deficient mice in order to determine its impact on lipid levels under hyperlipidemic conditions. We show for the first time that adipocyte-specific deletion of Ackr3 results in reduced AT triglyceride and cholesterol content in ApoE-deficient mice, which coincides with increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and increased Angptl4 expression. The role of adipocyte ACKR3 in lipid handling seems to be tissue-specific as hepatocyte ACKR3 deficiency did not demonstrate comparable effects. In summary, adipocyte-specific ACKR3 seems to regulate AT lipid levels in hyperlipidemic Apoe−/− mice, which may therefore be a significant determinant of AT health. Further studies are needed to explore the potential systemic or metabolic effects that adipocyte ACKR3 might have in associated disease models.

Gut microbiota in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

• GM plays a regulatory role in the gut–liver axis by disrupting the integrity of the gut mucosal barrier. • The increasing evidence between human metabolism and gut bacteria suggest the new therapeutic strategies based on gut microbiota to treat or prevent obesity/type 2 diabetes. • The microbiota constitution changes before and after bariatric surgery and varies types of surgery. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide with prevalence estimates ranging from 25% to 45%, increasing in parallel with that of obesity and diabetes. There are inherent links between the liver and the gut, with the two are all budding from the entoderm during development. The gut microbiota is a central regulator of host metabolism. The composition and function of the gut microbiota is dynamic and affected by many factors. The gut microbiota has been shown to affect lipid metabolism and lipid levels in blood and tissues, both in mice and humans. Furthermore, diseases linked to dyslipidemia, such as non-alcoholic liver disease and atherosclerosis, are associated with changes in gut microbiota profile. This review explores the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as the prospects of microbiota and treatment of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Drosophila PDGF/VEGF signaling from muscles to hepatocyte-like cells protects against obesity.

PDGF/VEGF ligands regulate a plethora of biological processes in multicellular organisms via autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine mechanisms. We investigated organ-specific metabolic roles of Drosophila PDGF/VEGF-like factors (Pvfs). We combine genetic approaches and single-nuclei sequencing to demonstrate that muscle-derived Pvf1 signals to the Drosophila hepatocyte-like cells/oenocytes to suppress lipid synthesis by activating the Pi3K/Akt1/TOR signaling cascade in the oenocytes. Functionally, this signaling axis regulates expansion of adipose tissue lipid stores in newly eclosed flies. Flies emerge after pupation with limited adipose tissue lipid stores and lipid level is progressively accumulated via lipid synthesis. We find that adult muscle-specific expression of pvf1 increases rapidly during this stage and that muscle-to-oenocyte Pvf1 signaling inhibits expansion of adipose tissue lipid stores as the process reaches completion. Our findings provide the first evidence in a metazoan of a PDGF/VEGF ligand acting as a myokine that regulates systemic lipid homeostasis by activating TOR in hepatocyte-like cells.

Mass Spectrometry in Prediction of the Myomas Recurrence

Study Objective The mass spectrometric study of changes in the lipid profile of various tissues in patients with recurrent fibroids and the use of mass spectrometric data in the prediction of myoma recurrence. Design Level II-1, Canadian Task Force. Setting National Medical Research Center, Moscow, Russia. Patients or Participants Lipid analysis of the myometrium, fibroids, and plasma was conducted in 66 patients: 35 patients with newly diagnosed uterine fibroids (UF) and 31 patients with recurrent myoma (RUF). Plasma only was studied in the control group of 15 patients who underwent intrauterine septum resection. A semi-quantitative assessment of tissue lipid levels was performed using direct mass spectrometry. A semi-quantitative assessment of blood plasma lipidome was conducted. The suitability of biomarkers for diagnostics was assessed. Interventions Laparoscopic myomectomy, followed by lipid analysis of obtained samples of myometrium, fibroids, and plasma. Measurements and Main Results Significant differences were found in the levels of lipids involved in the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, triglycerides, fatty acids when studying uterine fibroids. Studying of the myometrium identified the difference in the levels of lipids involved in the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, lipids with an ether bond, and sphingolipids. In patients with recurrent disease, linoleic acid metabolism was altered in the tissues of the fibroids and not in the myometrium. Significant differences were found in the levels of cholesterol esters, triacylglycerols, (lyso) phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins when comparing the plasma of the control group with the plasma of the UF and RUF groups. When comparing plasma of groups UF and RUF, lipids belonging to the classes of cholesterol esters, phosphotidylcholines, sphingomyelins, triacylglycerols were identified as significant. Conclusion A broad, diagnostically significant panel of potential serologic biomarkers for the diagnosis of recurrent myoma was identified in this study.

The use of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil during the transport of Lophiosilurus alexandri: Water quality, hematology, blood biochemistry and oxidative stress

This study evaluated the effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (EOOG) on water quality, blood characteristics and tissue damage during transport of Lophiosilurus alexandri. One hundred and sixty juveniles of L. alexandri (123.44 ± 1.95 g and 23.71 ± 1.95 cm) were fasted for 24 h before transportation. Fish were then submitted to one of three treatments of transport water with five replicates each: 0 (control), 5 and 10 mg/L EOOG. The animals were transported for 4 h in plastic bags at a density of 1 juvenile/L and 10 animals per bag. The ventilatory frequency of one fish from each bag was determined after 3 h of transport by direct observation and counting of opercular beats. Blood, brain and liver samples were collected prior to (basal group) and at the end of transport from 10 animals each. Blood aliquots were used to determine hematocrit and hemoglobin, total plasma protein, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Samples of liver and brain were used to determine parameters and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation). No mortality was observed 24 h after transport. The addition of EOOG to transport water appeared to reduce animal metabolism, thus ensuring higher dissolved oxygen and lower ammonia levels. Juveniles transported with 10 mg/L EOOG also had reduced opercular beats, lower levels of hemoglobin and blood aspartate aminotransferase and glucose. This concentration also reduced lipid and protein oxidation levels in tissues, thereby avoiding lipid peroxidation and the formation of carbonyl protein. The use of 10 mg/L EOOG during transport promotes a sedative effect in L. alexandri, with reduced oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and biochemical changes and enhanced protection against oxidative damage.

Enhancement of total lipid production in vegetative tissues of alfalfa and sainfoin using chemical mutagenesis

AbstractAlfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifoila Scop.) are two key forage legumes for the western Canadian cattle industry. Despite the high protein content, drawbacks to their use exist, including inefficient protein digestibility and energy use efficiency in the ruminant system, leading to economic losses and negative environmental impacts. Increasing the proportion of lipids in the diet of cattle is known to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; however, the above two forage legumes possess only trace quantities of lipids in the shoot tissues used by the ruminants. In the current study, chemical mutagenesis was used as a conventional breeding approach to enhance lipid levels in the vegetative tissues of alfalfa and sainfoin. The mutagenesis procedures for these two forages need to be firmly established. We developed protocols for ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)‐mediated mutagenesis by optimizing mutagen concentration and seed soaking duration. The EMS‐treated populations were assessed for morphological variants and total shoot lipid content (TSLC). Fatty acid composition was examined in a subset of plants with increased TSLC. Within 24 mo, the screening process identified mutagenized plants with significant increases in TSLC (3–5% on a dry weight basis), and a subset of these also displayed alterations in fatty acid composition in both species. These genotypes provide a novel source of germplasm for the future improvement of these two forage species.

Maternal conjugated linoleic acid consumption prevented TAG alterations induced by a high-fat diet in male adult rat offspring.

Maternal nutritional programming by a high-fat (HF) diet is related to hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in offspring. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might ameliorate impaired hepatic lipid homoeostasis; therefore, the aim was to investigate the potential preventive effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG metabolism alterations induced by HF diets in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed a control (C) diet, HF diet or HF diet supplemented with CLA (HF+CLA) for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, for 9 weeks, male offspring of C or HF rats continued with the same diets as their mothers (C/C or HF/HF groups, respectively) and male offspring of HF+CLA rats were fed HF or HF+CLA diets (HF+CLA/HF or HF+CLA/HF+CLA groups, respectively). Nutritional parameters, serum and liver TAG levels, the TAG secretion rate (TAG-SR) and the activities as well as gene expression of key hepatic enzymes involved in TAG regulation were assessed. The most interesting results were that maternal CLA decreased epididymal white adipose tissue weight and prevented serum and liver TAG accumulation induced by a HF diet in adult male offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. The prevention of liver steatosis in HF+CLA/HF+CLA and HF+CLA/HF offspring was associated with an increased hepatic TAG-SR. Overall, this study provides evidence that maternal CLA consumption programmes TAG regulation and in this way contributes to lowering lipid levels in tissues and preventing liver steatosis in particular.