Anesthesia/surgery-induced learning and memory dysfunction by inhibiting mitophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation in aged mice.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common postoperative complication, not only affects the quality of life of the elderly and increases the mortality rate, but also brings a greater burden to the family and society. Previous studies demonstrated that Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome participates in various inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. However, possible mitophagy mechanism in anesthesia/surgery-elicited NLRP3 inflammasome activation remains to be elucidated. Hence, this study clarified whether mitophagy dysfunction is related to anesthesia/surgery-elicited NLRP3 inflammasome activation. POCD model was established in aged C57BL/6 J mice by tibial fracture fixation under isoflurane anesthesia. Morris Water Maze (MWM) was used to evaluate learning and memory abilities. We found that in vitro experiments, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) significantly facilitated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mitophagy inhibition in BV2 cells. Rapamycin restored mitophagy and improved mitochondrial function, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by LPS. In vivo experiments, anesthesia and surgery caused upregulation of hippocampal NLRP3, caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1 ß), and downregulation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3II (LC3II) and Beclin1 in aged mice. Olaparib inhibited anesthesia/surgery-induced NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1ß over-expression in the hippocampus, while upregulated the expression of LC3II and Beclin1. Furthermore, Olaparib improved cognitive impairment in older mice. These results revealed that mitophagy was involved in NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated anesthesia/surgery-induced cognitive deficits in aged mice. Overall, our results suggested that mitophagy was related in NLRP3 inflammasome-induced cognitive deficits after anesthesia and surgery in aged mice. Activating mitophagy may have clinical benefits in the prevention of cognitive impairment induced by anesthesia and surgery in elderly patients.

Molecular epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei provinces in China.

BACKGROUND: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen widely distributed in animals and humans. It can cause diarrhea and even death in immunocompromised hosts. Approximately 800 internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes have been identified in E. bieneusi. Farmed foxes and raccoon dogs are closely associated to humans and might be the reservoir of E. bieneusi which is known to have zoonotic potential. However, there are only a few studies about E. bieneusi genotype identification and epidemiological survey in foxes and raccoon dogs in Henan and Hebei province. Thus, the present study investigated the infection rates and genotypes of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei provinces. RESULT: A total of 704 and 884 fecal specimens were collected from foxes and raccoon dogs, respectively. Nested PCR was conducted based on ITS of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and then multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted to analyze the genotypes. The result showed that infection rates of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs were 18.32% and 5.54%, respectively. Ten E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential (NCF2, NCF3, D, EbpC, CHN-DC1, SCF2, CHN-F1, Type IV, BEB4, and BEB6) were identified in foxes and raccoon dogs. Totally 178 ITS-positive DNA specimens were identified from foxes and raccoon dogs and these specimens were then subjected to MLST analysis. In the MLST analysis, 12, 2, 7 and 8 genotypes were identified in at the mini-/ micro-satellite loci MS1, MS3, MS4 and MS7, respectively. A total of 14 multilocus genotypes were generated using ClustalX 2.1 software. Overall, the present study evaluated the infection of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei province, and investigated the zoonotic potential of the E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings expand the geographic distribution information of E. bieneusi' host in China and was helpful in preventing against the infection of E. bieneusi with zoonotic potential in foxes and raccoon dogs.

Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs and changes in the gut microbiota of infected female foxes in the Hebei and Henan Provinces in China.

Pentatrichomonas hominis (P. hominis) is a zoonotic parasite that affects a wide range of hosts, causing gastrointestinal diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of P. hominis among caged foxes and raccoon dogs and the effect of P. hominis on the gut microbiota in female foxes. A total of 893 fresh fecal samples were collected from the Hebei and Henan Provinces in China. P. hominis was screened based on 18S rRNA gene expression via nested PCR. The difference in the gut microbiota between nine P. hominis-positive and nine P. hominis-negative samples was investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The total prevalence of P. hominis infection in foxes and raccoon dogs was 31.7% (283/893). The prevalence rates of P. hominis infection were 28.2% (88/312) and 33.6% (195/581) in foxes and raccoon dogs, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis strains detected in foxes and raccoon dogs in the present study were the zoonotic genotype CC1. Moreover, compared with those in the P. hominis-negative group, the diversity of the gut microbiota in the P. hominis-positive group was lower, and the abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) in the P. hominis-positive group were lower than those in the P. hominis-negative group. We speculate that these differences may be due to indigestion and diarrhea in infected female foxes. Overall, the present study evaluated the prevalence of P. hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei Provinces and revealed that P. hominis infection interrupted the diversity of the gut microbiota in female foxes.

Mulberry leaf activates brown adipose tissue and induces browning of inguinal white adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats through regulating AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathway.

The current epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly affects human health worldwide. Activation of brown adipocytes and browning of white adipocytes are considered as a promising molecular target for T2DM treatment. Mulberry leaf, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been demonstrated to have multi-biological activities, including anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Our experimental results showed that mulberry leaf significantly alleviated the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM rats. In addition, mulberry leaf induced browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) by enhancing the expressions of brown-mark genes as well as beige-specific genes, including uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), PRD1-BF-1-RIZ1 homologous domain containing protein 16 (PRDM16), cell death inducing DFFA-like effector A (Cidea), CD137 and transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26). Mulberry leaf also activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) by increasing the expressions of brown-mark genes including UCP1, PGC-1α, PPARα, PRDM16 and Cidea. Moreover, mulberry leaf enhanced the expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) genes that are responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis in IWAT and BAT. Importantly, mulberry leaf also increased the expression of UCP1 and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1) proteins in both IWAT and BAT via a mechanism involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PGC-1α pathway. In conclusion, our findings identify the role of mulberry leaf in inducing adipose browning, indicating that mulberry leaf may be used as a candidate browning agent for the treatment of T2DM.

Long-term high-concentrate diet feeding induces apoptosis of rumen epithelial cells and inflammation of rumen epithelium in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how long-term high-concentrate diet feeding affected rumen epithelium (RE) of dairy cows. So, 12 mid-lactating multiparous cows were divided into two groups randomly fed either with high-concentrate diet (HC, concentrate: forage = 6: 4) or low-concentrate diet (LC, concentrate: forage = 4:6) for 20 weeks. Remarkable upregulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level and depress of pH in rumen fluid were induced by HC compared with LC group. mRNA abundance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were elevated in RE of HC group compared with LC group. Greater protein abundance of phosphorylated NF-κB p65, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was observed in RE of cows fed HC than that fed LC. Abundance of protein related to proapoptotic response (cytochrome c, BAX and caspase-3) in HC group was greater than that in LC group, while the abundance of anti-apoptotic factor protein (Bcl-2) was lower in HC group than LC group. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that long-term high-concentrate diet feeding upregulated LPS level in rumen fluid and induced the proinflammatory response in the rumen epithelium and apoptosis of rumen epithelial cells.

Facile fabrication of reinforced sub-micron fibrous media with hierarchical structure compounded thermally for effective air purification in application.

Air pollution has steadily worsened in recent years, and the coronavirus disease 2019 has been spreading since 2020. The electrospun fibrous filters present superior filtration performance, while the low mechanical property and yield of them limit their applications, which must be addressed urgently. Herein, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) sub-micron fibrous membrane with hierarchical structure was easily manufactured using free surface electrospinning in mass production for air purification. The "sandwich" structured fibrous filter was thermally bonded with bi-component nonwoven through traditional bonding procedures, due to melting and bonding of the cortex of bi-component fibers, in which the electrospun fibrous web as the mid layer with tortuous channels showed superior filtration performance for aerosol particles with diameter of 260 nm, which could effectively intercept different-sized particles suspended in the air. In addition, the impact of the processing parameters on the characteristics and filtration mechanisms of thermally bonded composite materials was thoroughly investigated. The results showed that composite material with "dendrites" and "axon" morphologies presented the best formability, outstanding peeling strength and breaking strength, and steady filtration performance, following an easy through-air bonding procedure, making it useful for post-processing in air purification. The reinforced composite filter, which is thermally bonded with sub-micron fibers with high yield and nonwoven, is save-energy and has a low operation cost, indicating its promising commercial possibilities.

Rutin-activated adipose tissue thermogenesis is correlated with increased intestinal short-chain fatty acid levels.

The activation of thermogenic programs in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) provides a promising approach to increasing energy expenditure during obesity and diabetes treatment. Although evidence has been found that rutin activates BAT against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), its potential mechanism is not completely understood. In this study, we focused on the potential modulating effect of rutin on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the thermogenesis of BAT and WAT, aiming to elucidate the molecular mechanism of rutin in the treatment of obesity and T2DM. The results showed that rutin could significantly reduce the body weight and fasting blood glucose, inhibit fat accumulation, relieve hepatic steatosis and ameliorate the disorder of glycolipid metabolism in db/db mice. Moreover, rutin also increased the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) and other thermogenic genes and proteins in BAT and inguinal WAT (IWAT), indicating that rutin activated BAT and induced browning of IWAT. Importantly, rutin markedly enhanced the concentration of SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) and SCFA-producing enzymes (acetate kinase (ACK), methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MMD) and butyryl-CoA (BUT)) in feces of db/db mice. In addition, rutin significantly increased the mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (Mct1), catabolic enzyme acyl-CoA medium-chain synthetase 3 (Acsm3), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (Cpt-1α) and Cpt-1ß genes in BAT and IWAT of db/db mice, which is conducive to inducing adipocyte thermogenesis. In summary, our findings revealed that rutin played a variety of regulatory roles in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, reducing hepatic steatosis, inducing browning of IWAT and activating BAT, which has potential therapeutic significance for the treatment of obesity and T2DM. Mechanistically, rutin activates the thermogenesis of BAT and IWAT, which may be associated with increasing the concentration of SCFAs.

Research progress on the role and regulatory mechanism of pathogenic Th17 cells in neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is a complex immune response in the central nervous system against various factors such as injury, infection and toxins which interfere with homeostasis, involving a variety of immune cells lingering in the central nervous system. Persistent neuroinflammation is a common denominator of the etiology and course of all neurological diseases, including neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and depression. Th17 cells, known as an important subtpye of CD4 + T cells, mediate immune responses against extracellular bacteria and fungi in steady-state and maintain the defense function of the intestinal mucosal barrier. However, when the cytokine microenvironment in vivo undergoes inflammatory changes, Th17 cells can transform into a highly pro-inflammatory pathogenic phenotype, break through the blood-brain barrier and recruit more inflammatory cells to participate in neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize the differentiation regulation of pathogenic Th17 cells and their roles in neuroinflammation, which is informative for understanding the interactions between immune system and nervous system.

Investigation of brain damage mechanism in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion rats based on i-TRAQ quantitative proteomics.

The objective of this study is to analyze the differential protein expression profile in cerebral cortex of rats with middle cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (MCAO/R), explore the brain damage mechanism of MCAO/R at protein level, and provide experimental foundation for searching specific marker proteins of MCAO/R. Rat model of MCAO/R was established by modified suture-occluded method, and the model was evaluated by the results of brain 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cerebral cortex of rats from sham-operated group (Sham) and MCAO/R groups was used for FASP enzymatic hydrolysis, i-TRAQ quantitative labeling, and reverse-phase liquid chromatography purification and separation. Orbitrap Q Exactive mass spectrometry was used for qualitative and quantitative analyses of total differential protein expression profiles. MCAO/R rats had obvious cerebral infarction lesions, and the relative surface area of cerebral infarction was significantly different compared with sham rats, suggesting that MCAO/R rat model was successfully prepared. There were 199 significant difference proteins (MCAO/R vs Sham, p < 0.05, |fold change|> 1.2), including 104 up-regulated proteins and 95 down-regulated proteins. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the up-regulated proteins were mainly concentrated in the biological processes of positive regulation of NF-κB transcription and I-κB kinase-NF-κB, etc. Down-regulated proteins were mainly concentrated in long-term synaptic potentiation, cellular response to DNA damage stimulus, etc. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the pathway involved in differential proteins includes oxidative phosphorylation, metabolic pathway, and Ras signaling pathway. Network analysis of differential proteins showed that Alb, ndufb5, ndufs7, ApoB, Cdc42, Ndufa3, Igf1r, P4hb, Mbp, Gc, Nme1, Akt2, and other proteins may play an important role in regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory response in MCAO/R. Quantitative proteomics based on i-TRAQ labeling reveals the effect of inflammation and apoptosis in brain damage mechanism of MCAO/R. Besides, this research provide some experimental foundation for search and determination of potential therapeutic targets of MCAO/R.

Glutamine pretreatment protects bovine mammary epithelial cells from inflammation and oxidative stress induced by γ-d-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP).

Glutamine (GLN) has many types of biological activity in rats, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis effects. However, little is known about the effects of GLN on bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). γ-d-Glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP) is a cell wall peptidoglycan component of gram-negative bacteria that can be recognized by the intracellular receptor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) and can cause bovine mastitis. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether GLN protects BMEC from iE-DAP-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. We cultured BMEC in a GLN-free medium for 24 h and then separated them into 4 groups: cells treated with 1× PBS for 26 or 32 h (control); cells stimulated by 10 µg/mL iE-DAP for 2 or 8 h (2- or 8-h iE-DAP); cells pretreated with 8 or 4 mM GLN for 24 h followed by 2 or 8 h of 1× PBS treatment (8 or 4 mM GLN); and cells pretreated with 8 or 4 mM GLN for 24 h followed by 2 or 8 h of iE-DAP treatment (DG). In the 2-h iE-DAP group, when levels of inflammation peaked, iE-DAP treatment increased both the mRNA and protein expression of NOD1, inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NFKBIA, IκB), and nuclear factor-κB subunit p65 (RELA, NF-κB p65), as well as the mRNA expression of IL6 and IL8 and levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in cell culture supernatants. In contrast, 8 mM GLN pretreatment inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory-related factors by suppressing the NOD1/NF-κB pathway. In the 8-h iE-DAP group, iE-DAP treatment decreased the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular regulated kinase (Erk, ERK) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-associated factor2 (NFE2L2, Nrf2), as well as the mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), coenzyme II oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1, HO1). In addition, iE-DAP treatment increased the expression of malondialdehyde in BMEC when oxidative stress levels peaked. Interestingly, 4 mM GLN pretreatment induced the mRNA and protein expression of antioxidative stress-related factors and inhibited the expression of reactive oxygen species in BMEC by promoting the ERK/Nrf2 pathway. Moreover, GLN reduced apoptosis caused by inflammation and oxidative stress in BMEC. This is the first report showing that GLN protects against iE-DAP-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via the NOD1/NF-κB and ERK/Nrf2 pathways in BMEC.

Sodium butyrate promotes lipopolysaccharide-induced innate immune responses by enhancing mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and histone acetylation in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

The innate immune response plays a crucial role in recovery from infectious diseases by promoting the clearance of pathogens. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is an energy source for cellular processes with the potential to regulate the innate immune response. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of NaB on the innate immune response in a bovine mammary alveolar cell line (MAC-T) initiated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Thus, treatments were conducted as follows: treated with 1× PBS for 24 h (control), pretreated with 1 mM NaB (optimized by cell viability assays and dose-dependent experiment) for 18 h followed by treatment of 1× PBS for 6 h (NaB), pretreated with 1× PBS for 18 h followed by stimulation with LPS (1 µg/mL) for 6 h (LPS), and pretreated with 1 mM NaB for 18 h followed by stimulation with LPS (1 µg/mL) for 6 h (NaB + LPS). Different inhibitors were also used to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, cells were treated with NaB and heat-inactivated Escherichia coli to test the effect of NaB on transcription of genes related to the innate immune response triggered by the major causative pathogen of mastitis. Each treatment had 3 replicates and was repeated 3 times. Proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and ß-defensins are crucial secretion factors in innate immunity, and transcription of these factors was increased by NaB during challenge with LPS or heat-inactivated E. coli in MAC-T cells. Acetylation of histone H3 protein, which promotes gene expression by affecting the structure of chromatin, was also upregulated by NaB in response to LPS stimulation. P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), JNK, and Erk 1 and 2 are key upstream regulators of the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and ß-defensins, and their activity was enhanced by NaB during LPS stimulation. Furthermore, inhibitors were used to assess the role of MAPK signaling in the effects of NaB. The results showed that inhibitors of p38 MAPK, Erk, and JNK attenuated the NaB-induced upregulation of TNF and ß-defensin 5 (DEFB5) transcription, and that the inhibitor of Erk attenuated the NaB-induced upregulation of IL1B transcription during LPS challenge. Enhanced transcription of CXCL8 by NaB was blocked by the inhibitor of Erk and p38 MAPK during LPS stimulation. Overall, NaB boosted the LPS-induced innate immune response by promoting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and ß-defensins, which was associated with enhanced MAPK signaling activation and histone H3 acetylation.

Overfeeding with a high-concentrate diet activates the NOD1-NF-κB signalling pathway in the mammary gland of mid-lactating dairy cows.

Long term high-concentrate (HC) diet feeding induces subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), which is reported to trigger a pro-inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein 1 (NOD1) in initiating the pro-inflammatory response triggered by grain-induced SARA in the mammary gland of mid-lactating dairy cows. Twelve multiparous mid-lactating Holstein cows (455 ±â€¯28 kg) were randomly assigned into two groups to conduct the experiment for 18 weeks as follows: one group was fed a low-concentrate (LC) diet as a control (40% grain), and the other was fed an HC diet as a treatment (60% grain). Overall, the results showed that a decreased rumen pH and elevated γ-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP) concentrations in the HC group compared with LC group. The concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), significantly increased in the lacteal vein of the HC group than LC group. The mRNA expression levels of NOD1, receptor-interacting protein2 (RIP2), NF-κBp65 (p65), IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, which involved in inflammatory response, were up-regulated in the HC-induced mammary gland. The changes of the target proteins, including NOD1, p65 and pp65 presented the same tendency as those of the target genes. Collectively, long-term high concentrate feeding-induced SARA increased the rumen iE-DAP concentration which activated NOD1-NF-κB signalling pathway-dependent inflammation in the mammary gland of mid-lactating cows.

Efficacy of sodium butyrate in alleviating mammary oxidative stress induced by sub-acute ruminal acidosis in lactating goats.

Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) [1] is one of the most common problems of dairy animals causing great economical loss due to decreased milk production. Here we determined the antioxidant effect of sodium butyrate (NaB) [2] in experimentally induced SARA and its effects on mammary epithelial tissues of goat. Goats (n = 12) were equally divided into two groups: high-concentrate (HC) as control group fed with HC diet (concentrate: forage = 6:4) whereas HC + NaB as treatment group fed HC diet with NaB at 1% by weight for 24 weeks. Mammary epithelial tissue samples were analyzed for the expression of genes and proteins responsible for oxidative stress as well as biochemical markers of antioxidant activity in the form of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of antioxidant enzymes was also calculated. Butyrate induced antioxidant effect by increasing mRNA and protein abundance of antioxidants in mammary gland of HC + NaB group compared to HC group. Likewise, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly increased and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was decreased in HC + NaB group compared to HC group. It is concluded that oxidative stress in mammary gland of goats induced by high concentrate diet was alleviated by NaB supplementation.

NOD1/NF-κB signaling pathway inhibited by sodium butyrate in the mammary gland of lactating goats during sub-acute ruminal acidosis.

Animals nurtured with a high-concentrate diet for a more extended period can cause subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). In this study, twelve mid-lactating goats were separated into two groups (n = 6): a high concentrate diet (HC) control and a high concentrate with buffer (HCB) treatment group. Rumen fistula was installed in all lactating goats in the 14th week of the experiment. Goats were slaughtered in the 24th week. Our results showed that a pH value < 5.8 sustained at different periods of time for more than 3 h/day in the group HC, which confirms that SARA was prompted efficiently. Additionally, the group HCB exhibited lower concentration of LPS in peripheral blood than the group HC. Radioimmunoassay revealed a substantial reduction in the concentration level of proinflammatory cytokines in the lacteal blood of the group HCB compared to group HC. The transcriptional profiles in mammary gland following different treatments showed a significant decrease in the expression of NOD1, IKß, and NF-κB in HCB group, followed by a decreased transcriptional level of (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6). Our research explores that HC diet nurtured to lactating goats for a more extended period can induce SARA by increasing the LPS and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in plasma, that ultimately triggers the NOD1/NF-κB inflammatory pathway and induce mammary cell inflammation. Additionally, oral supplementation of sodium butyrate can decrease the concentrations of LPS and proinflammatory cytokines and inhibits NOD1/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Histamine activates inflammatory response and depresses casein synthesis in mammary gland of dairy cows during SARA.

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidences observed that subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) induced by high concentration (HC) diet increases the translocation of histamine from digestive tract into circulation causing a diverse of diseases in dairy cows. However, it is largely unknown how it does affect the function of mammary gland and milk quality. Hence, this study aims to observe the effects of histamine derived from the digestive tract on the inflammatory response and casein synthesis in the mammary glands during SARA. Twelve cows fitted rumen fistula were randomly divided into either control group administrated low concentration (LC) diet (60% forage, n = 6) or treatment group administrated HC diet (40% forage, n = 6) for 18 weeks. RESULTS: Our data showed that HC diet resulted in significant declines in rumen pH value, milk yield and milk quality, as well as longer duration of averaged pH value below 5.6 per day (more than 180 min) compared to LC diet, these findings confirmed SARA occurence. Our study also observed that SARA increased the content of histamine in rumen fluid, plasma, liver and mammary gland, and enhanced the mRNA expression of histamine specific receptor in the mammary gland. Additionally, we found that the mRNA expression of inflammatory response genes in mammary glands was increased, which was consistent with the protein expression results, showing that the protein kinase C(PKC) / nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) or protein kinase A (PKA) / NF-κB signalling pathways of the inflammatory response were activated. The mRNA expression of mTOR, P70S6K and αS1 in mammary glands were significantly decreased with the protein expression of mTOR, P70S6K and αS1-casein, and the phosphorylation levels of the mTOR and P70S6K proteins were also decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the milk protein of lactating cows is depressed after long-term feeding of HC at the individual level, which was paralleled at the gene and protein levels. The inflammatory response in mammary gland caused by histamine derived from the digestive tract is related to the decline of casein synthesis. Our findings point to a new link between the inflammatory response and casein synthesis, but the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in this process will require further research.

Sodium butyrate improves antioxidant stability in sub-acute ruminal acidosis in dairy goats.

BACKGROUND: Currently, little is known about the effect of sodium butyrate (NaB) on oxidative stress following grain-induced sub-acute ruminal acidosis in dairy goats. In the present study, 18 lactating dairy goats implanted with a ruminal cannula and permanent indwelling catheters in the portal and hepatic veins were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups over 20 weeks: low grain (LG, 40% grain; n = 6), high grain (HG, 60% grain; n = 6) and high grain with sodium butyrate (HG + NaB, 60% grain + NaB; n = 6). RESULTS: When added to the HG diet, NaB increased the mean ruminal pH and reduced the levels of ruminal, portal and hepatic LPS; Additionally, we observed an increase in SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, GPX1 and CAT mRNA expression, increased levels of TSOD and CAT enzyme activity as well as increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) in both the liver and plasma, while GPx activity increased in the liver of goats fed the HG + NaB diet. The mRNA expression of UGT1A1, NQO1, MGST3, and Nrf2, as well as total Nrf2 protein levels were increased in goats fed the HG + NaB diet. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that sodium butyrate could improve the oxidative status in sub-acute ruminal acidosis through the partial activation of Nrf2-dependent genes.

Lipopolysaccharide derived from the digestive tract triggers an inflammatory response in the uterus of mid-lactating dairy cows during SARA.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the current study were to evaluate the inflammatory response in cow uterus and to explore the molecular mechanism triggered by high concentrate-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in mid-lactating dairy cows. Twelve mid-lactating Holstein cows with an average weight of 455 kg were allocated into two groups subjected to two diets for 18-weeks either a low-concentrate (LC) group containing 4:6 (NDF: NFC) and a high-concentrate (HC) group containing 6:4 (non-forage carbohydrates, NFC): (neutral detergent fiber, NDF) ratio based on dry matter. RESULTS: The HC group showed lower ruminal pH and higher lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations in both the rumen and peripheral plasma compared to the LC group. The LPS concentrations in the rumen fluid and the peripheral plasma were found significantly increased in the HC group compared to the LC group. The concentrations of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in the HC group compared to the LC group. The uterus of SARA cows revealed elevated mRNA concentrations of nuclear transcription factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which confirmed the presence of inflammation. The occurrence of uterine inflammation was further validated by the increased protein expression of NF-κB-p65 and its active phosphorylated variant in the uterus of SARA cows. Similarly, the inflammatory genes TLR4, LBP, MyD88, TRAF-6, NF-κB, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly upregulated in the uterus of the HC versus the LC group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the results indicated that LPS derived from the rumen triggered the genes associated with inflammation in the uterus of mid-lactating dairy cows fed a high-concentrate diet, causing endometritis.

Hippocampal estrogens rescued the decline of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia by inhibiting microglia overactivation.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients experience postoperative cognitive impairment frequently; therefore, effective interventions are urgently needed. Central nervous inflammation characterized by microglia may promote the progression of POCD by reducing synaptic plasticity. Notably, clinical studies revealed that the incidence of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients. Besides, the brain estrogens have an anti-inflammatory effect and regulate the microglia at the same times. This study aimed to determine whether suppressing microglia overactivation by hippocampal estrogens can rescue the decrease of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia. METHODS: Exploratory laparotomy was used to establish the POCD model in 15-month-old male or female C57BL/6 J mice and animal behavioral tests were performed to test hippocampal-dependent memory capacity. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the microglial activation and plasticity related protein expressions. Elisa was used to detect the content of estrogens in the hippocampus. Estrogens and estrogen receptor inhibitor were used to replenish the estrogens in the brain and inhibit the effect of estrogens. RESULTS: Surgery and anesthesia did not cause POCD in female mice (P > 0.05), while the cognitive function decreased significantly after estrogen receptor inhibitor was given(P < 0.05). Male mice experienced cognitive dysfunction after surgery and anesthesia, and their cognitive function improved after estrogens supplementation (P < 0.05). Given estrogens and estrogen receptor inhibitors at the same time, the cognitive function of male mice could not be saved (P < 0.05). By correlation analysis, there was a negative correlation between the content of hippocampal estrogens and microglia (P < 0.05). The number or degree of activation of microglia affected the synaptic plasticity, which ultimately regulated the cognitive function of mice. CONCLUSION: Hippocampal estrogens rescued the decline of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia by inhibiting microglia overactivation.

Phosphoproteomic Analysis Indicates Phosphorylated Proteins in Response to Postharvest Blueberries Fruit Softening during Shelf Life.

Postharvest blueberry fruit is prone to softening. Protein phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification that was involved in fruit softening. However, little is known about protein phosphorylation in postharvest blueberry fruit softening. The firmness, the apparent morphology, and cell structures of blueberry fruit were changed. As the decay rate of postharvest blueberry fruit increased, the soluble solid and titrable acid contents decreased significantly. Phosphoproteomic sequencing results showed that there were 4100 phosphorylated peptides, 5635 phosphorylated sites, and 1437 phosphorylated proteins and showed significant differences on 0 and 8 d. The GO database and KEGG pathway results indicated that these phosphorylated proteins were mainly involved in "biological process", "molecular function", "plant hormone signal transduction", and "metabolic pathways". Besides, a number of phosphorylated proteins were found in cell wall metabolism, plant hormone signaling, primary metabolism, energy metabolism, membrane and transport, ubiquitination-based proteins, and other metabolisms.

Propionic acid ameliorates cognitive function through immunomodulatory effects on Th17 cells in perioperative neurocognitive disorders.

Background: Elderly patients undergoing surgery are prone to cognitive decline known as perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND). Several studies have shown that the microglial activation and the decrease of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in gut induced by surgery may be related to the pathogenesis of PND. The purpose of this study was to determine whether microglia and short-chain fatty acids were involved in cognitive dysfunction in aged rats. Methods: Male wild-type Wistar rats aged 11-12 months were randomly divided into control group (Ctrl: Veh group), propionic acid group (Ctrl: PA group), exploratory laparotomy group (LP: Veh group) and propionic acid + exploratory laparotomy group (LP: PA group) according to whether exploratory laparotomy (LP) or PA pretreatment for 21 days was performed. The motor ability of the rats was evaluated by open field test on postoperative day 3 (POD3), and then the cognitive function was evaluated by Y-maze test and fear conditioning test. The expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, RORγt and IL-17A mRNA in hippocampus was detected by RT-qPCR, the expression of IL-17A and IL-17RA in hippocampus was detected by Western blot, and the activation of microglia was detected by immunofluorescence. Results: The PND rat model was successfully established by laparotomy. Compared with Ctrl: Veh group, the body weight of LP: Veh group decreased, the percentage of spontaneous alternations in Y maze decreased (P < 0.001), and the percentage of freezing time in contextual fear test decreased (P < 0.001). Surgery triggers neuroinflammation, manifested as the elevated levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß (P < 0.001) and IL-6 (P < 0.001), the increased expression of the transcription factor RORγt (P = 0.0181, POD1; P = 0.0073, POD5)and major inflammatory cytokines IL-17A (P = 0.0215, POD1; P = 0.0071, POD5), and the increased average fluorescence intensity of Iba1 (P < 0.001, POD1; P < 0.001, POD5). After PA preconditioning, the recovery of rats in LP: PA group was faster than that in LP: Veh group as the body weight lost on POD1 (P = 0.0148) was close to the baseline level on POD5 (P = 0.1846), and they performed better in behavioral tests. The levels of IL-1ß (P < 0.001) and IL-6 (P = 0.0035) inflammatory factors in hippocampus decreased on POD1 and the average fluorescence intensity of Iba1 decreased (P = 0.0024, POD1; P < 0.001, POD5), representing the neuroinflammation was significantly improved. Besides, the levels of RORγt mRNA (P = 0.0231, POD1; P = 0.0251, POD5) and IL-17A mRNA (P = 0.0208, POD1; P = 0.0071, POD5) in hippocampus as well as the expression of IL-17A (P = 0.0057, POD1; P < 0.001, POD5) and IL-17RA (P = 0.0388) decreased. Conclusion: PA pretreatment results in reduced postoperative neuroinflammation and improved cognitive function, potentially attributed to the regulatory effects of PA on Th17-mediated immune responses.