Lingonberries and their two separated fractions differently alter the gut microbiota, improve metabolic functions, reduce gut inflammatory properties, and improve brain function in ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat diet.

Lingonberries (LB) have been shown to have beneficial metabolic effects, which is associated with an altered gut microbiota. This study investigated whether the LB-induced improvements were associated with altered gut- and neuroinflammatory markers, as well as cognitive performance in ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat (HF) diets. Whole LB, as well as two separated fractions of LB were investigated. Eight-week-old male ApoE-/- mice were fed HF diets (38% kcal) containing whole LB (wLB), or the insoluble (insLB) and soluble fractions (solLB) of LB for 8 weeks. Inclusion of wLB and insLB fraction reduced weight gain, reduced fat deposition and improved glucose response. Both wLB and insLB fraction also changed the caecal microbiota composition and reduced intestinal S100B protein levels. The solLB fraction mainly induced weight loss in the mice. There were no significant changes in spatial memory, but significant increases in synaptic density in the hippocampus were observed in the brain of mice-fed wLB and insLB. Thus, this study shows that all lingonberry fractions counteracted negative effects of HF feedings on metabolic parameters. Also, wLB and insLB fraction showed to potentially improve brain function in the mice.

A piglet with surgically induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as an animal model of newborns to study fat digestion.

The maldigestion and malabsorption of fat in infants fed milk formula results due to the minimal production of pancreatic lipase. Thus, to investigate lipid digestion and absorption and mimic the situation in newborns, a young porcine exocrine pancreatic insufficient (EPI) model was adapted and validated in the present study. A total of thirteen EPI pigs, aged 8 weeks old, were randomised into three groups and fed either a milk-based formula or a milk-based formula supplemented with either bacterial or fungal lipase. Digestion and absorption of fat was directly correlated with the addition of lipases as demonstrated by a 30% increase in the coefficient of fat absorption. In comparison to the control group, a 40 and 25% reduction in total fat content and 26 and 45% reduction in n-3 and n-6 fatty acid (FA) content in the stool was observed for lipases 1 and 2, respectively. Improved fat absorption was reflected in the blood levels of lipid parameters. During the experiment, only a very slight gain in body weight was observed in EPI piglets, which can be explained by the absence of pancreatic protease and amylase in the gastrointestinal tract. This is similar to newborn babies that have reduced physiological function of exocrine pancreas. In conclusion, we postulate that the EPI pig model fed with infant formula mimics the growth and lipid digestion and absorption in human neonates and can be used to elucidate further importance of fat and FA in the development and growth of newborns, as well as for testing novel formula compositions.

Impact of Vitamin D3 on Carbonyl-Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinases after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of carbonyl-oxidative stress (COS) and an increased risk of a cerebral hemorrhage. Vitamin D3 is considered an additional drug to have an impact on COS and proteolysis in the extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of D3 on the COS-markers and matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/MMP9 activity after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats with experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus (Т2DM) compared to metformin (Met). METHODS: T2DM was induced in rats via the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA), ICH - by microinjection of bacterial collagenase into the striatum. Rats were randomized into five groups: 1 - intact animals (n = 8), 2 - T2DM (n = 9); 3 - T2DM+ICH (n = 7); 4 - T2DM+ICH+Met (n = 7); 5 - T2DM+ICH+D3 (n = 7). Blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed using commercial kits. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), protein carbonyls (PC370/430), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured by spectrophotometry, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by quantitative fluorescence, and matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/9 by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: D3 does not significantly affect the glucose level and OGTT in rats with T2DM+ICH. However, it reduces AOPP, PC, and AGEs, thus reducing the COS index. In contrast, the activity of proMMP9 increases after D3 administration. These effects of D3 have been reported to be stronger and sometimes opposite to those of metformin. CONCLUSION: D3 supplementation may decrease the negative consequences of a cerebral hemorrhage in T2DM by reducing COS and preventing the accumulation of COS-modified proteins in the brain by regulating the expression and activity of MMP9.

Varying Dietary Component Ratios and Lingonberry Supplementation May Affect the Hippocampal Structure of ApoE-/- Mice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate and compare the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the hippocampus and the spatial memory of young adult ApoE-/- mice on a standard chow diet, a low-fat diet (LFD), a high-fat diet (HFD), and an HFD supplemented with lingonberries. METHODS: Eight-week-old ApoE-/- males were divided into five groups fed standard chow (Control), an LFD (LF), an HFD (HF), and an HFD supplemented with whole lingonberries (HF+WhLB) or the insoluble fraction of lingonberries (HF+InsLB) for 8 weeks. The hippocampal cellular structure was evaluated using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry; biochemical analysis and T-maze test were also performed. Structural synaptic plasticity was assessed using electron microscopy. RESULTS: ApoE-/- mice fed an LFD expressed a reduction in the number of intact CA1 pyramidal neurons compared with HF+InsLB animals and the 1.6-3.8-fold higher density of hyperchromic (damaged) hippocampal neurons relative to other groups. The LF group had also morphological and biochemical indications of astrogliosis. Meanwhile, both LFD- and HFD-fed mice demonstrated moderate microglial activation and a decline in synaptic density. The consumption of lingonberry supplements significantly reduced the microglia cell area, elevated the total number of synapses and multiple synapses, and increased postsynaptic density length in the hippocampus of ApoE-/- mice, as compared to an LFD and an HFD without lingonberries. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that, in contrast to the inclusion of fats in a diet, increased starch amount (an LFD) and reduction of dietary fiber (an LFD/HFD) might be unfavorable for the hippocampal structure of young adult (16-week-old) male ApoE-/- mice. Lingonberries and their insoluble fraction seem to provide a neuroprotective effect on altered synaptic plasticity in ApoE-/- animals. Observed morphological changes in the hippocampus did not result in notable spatial memory decline.

Ischemia-Modified Albumin: Origins and Clinical Implications.

Albumin is one of the most abundant proteins in the body of mammals: about 40% of its pool is located in the intravascular space and the remainder is found in the interstitial space. The content of this multifunctional protein in blood is about 60-65% of total plasma proteins. A decrease in its synthesis or changes of functional activity can destabilize oncotic blood pressure, cause a violation of transporting hormones, fatty acids, metals, and drugs. Albumin properties change under ischemic attacks associated with oxidative stress, production of reactive oxygen species, and acidosis. Under these conditions, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is generated that has a reduced metal-binding capacity, especially for transition metals, such as copper, nickel, and cobalt. The method of determining the cobalt-binding capability of HSA was initially proposed to evaluate IMA level and then licensed as an ACB test for routine clinical analysis for myocardial ischemia. Subsequent studies have shown the viability of the ACB test in diagnosing other diseases associated with the development of oxidative stress. This review examines recent data on IMA generation mechanisms, describes principles, advantages, and limitations of methods for evaluation of IMA levels, and provides detailed analysis of its use in diagnostic and monitoring therapeutic efficacy in different diseases.

Difference in Performance of EPI Pigs Fed Either Lipase-Predigested or Creon®-Supplemented Semielemental Diet.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and fat predigestion are key in ensuring the optimal growth of patients with cystic fibrosis. Our study attempted to highlight differences between fat predigestion and conventional PERT on body composition of young pigs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI and healthy pigs were fed with high-fat diet for six weeks. During the last two weeks of the study, all pigs received additional nocturnal alimentation with Peptamen AF (PAF) and were divided into three groups: H-healthy pigs receiving PAF; P-EPI pigs receiving PAF+PERT; and L-EPI pigs receiving PAF predigested with an immobilized microbial lipase. Additional nocturnal alimentation increased the body weight gain of EPI pigs with better efficacy in P pigs. Humerus length and area in pigs in groups L and P were lower than that observed in pigs in group H (p value 0.005-0.088). However, bone mineral density and strength were significantly higher in P and L as compared to that of H pigs (p value 0.0026-0.0739). The gut structure was improved in P pigs. The levels of neurospecific proteins measured in the brain were mainly affected in P and less in L pigs as compared to H pigs. The beneficial effects of the nocturnal feeding with the semielemental diet in the prevention of EPI pigs' growth/development retardation are differently modified by PERT or fat predigestion in terms of growth, bone properties, neurospecific protein distribution, and gut structure.

Impact of colostrum and plasma immunoglobulin intake on hippocampus structure during early postnatal development in pigs.

The first milk, colostrum, is an important source of nutrients and an exclusive source of immunoglobulins (Ig), essential for the growth and protection from infection of newborn pigs. Colostrum intake has also been shown to affect the vitality and behaviour of neonatal pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding colostrum and plasma immunoglobulin on brain development in neonatal pigs. Positive correlations were found between growth, levels of total protein and IgG in blood plasma and hippocampus development in sow-reared piglets during the first 3 postnatal days. In piglets fed an elemental diet (ED) for 24h, a reduced body weight, a lower plasma protein level and a decreased level of astrocyte specific protein in the hippocampus was observed, as compared to those that were sow-reared. The latter was coincident with a reduced microgliogenesis and an essentially diminished number of neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus after 72h. Supplementation of the ED with purified plasma Ig, improved the gliogenesis and supported the trophic and immune status of the hippocampus. The data obtained indicate that the development of the hippocampus structure is improved by colostrum or an Ig-supplemented elemental diet in order to stimulate brain protein synthesis and its development during the early postnatal period.

The effect of long-term lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria) enteral treatment on the central nervous system of growing rats.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between consumption of large doses of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the behaviour and brain morphobiochemistry of normal growing rats. Four groups of rats were treated with LAB cultures twice daily for 6 months. The control group received 1 ml of saline per treatment, while two experimental groups received 1 ml of living bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum, respectively) and the remaining group received a heat-treated (inactivated) L. fermentum culture. After 2 and 6 months of treatment, respectively, eight animals from each group were sacrificed, and specimens were taken for further analyses. The behaviour of the rats was evaluated five times in an open-field test at monthly intervals throughout the study. Lactobacilli treatment for 2 months induced changes in the motoric behaviour of the rats. The concentration of the astrocytesoluble and filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) decreased in the posterior part of the hemispheres, including the thalamus, hippocampus and cortex of the rats treated with L. fermentum. A greater decrease in filament GFAP (up to 50%) was shown in the group receiving the live form of L. fermentum. In contrast, the GFAP in the live L. plantarum-treated group increased, showing elevated levels of the soluble and filament forms of GFAP in the posterior part of the hemispheres. A 60-66% decrease in the amount of the astrocyte-specific Ca-binding protein S-100b was shown in the posterior parts of the hemispheres and in the hindbrain of rats given LAB for 2 months. Prolonged feeding with LAB for 4 months up to full adulthood led to a further decrease in astrocyte reaction, reflected as an additional decrease in the amount of soluble GFAP and locomotor activity in all experimental groups. The changes in filament GFAP and S-100b appeared to disappear after prolonged feeding (total of 6 months) with LAB. In summary, LAB dietary treatment affected the ontogenetic development of the astrocytes, with the highest intensity observed in the early stages of rat development. It can be postulated that LAB treatment may play a preventive role in neurological diseases by decreasing astrocyte reaction and, consequently, lowering locomotor activity.