Similar Distribution between EPA-containing Phosphatidylcholine and Mesenchymal Stem Marker Positive Cells in the Aortic Wall of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model Rat Fed a Low-EPA Content Diet.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by progressive dilation of the abdominal aorta. Previous studies have suggested that dietary components are closely associated with AAA. Among those dietary components, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is considered to have suppressive effects on AAA. In the AAA wall of AAA model animals bred under EPA-rich condition, the distribution of EPA-containing phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) has been reported to be similar to that of the markers of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and M2 macrophages. These data suggest that the suppressive effects of EPA on AAA are related to preferential distribution of specific cells in the aortic wall. However, the distribution of EPA-PC in the AAA wall of AAA model animals fed a diet containing small amounts of EPA, which has not been reported to inhibit AAA, has not yet been explored. In the present study, we visualized the distribution of EPA-PCs in the AAA wall of AAA model animals fed a diet containing small amounts of EPA (1.5% EPA in the fatty acid composition) to elucidate the vasoprotective effects of EPA. Positive areas for markers of MSCs were significantly higher in the region where EPA-PC was abundant compared to the regions where EPA-PC was weakly detected, but not for markers of M2 macrophages, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9. The distribution of MSC markers was similar to that of EPA-PC but not that of M2 macrophages and MMPs. These data suggest preferential incorporation of EPA into MSCs under the conditions used in this study. The incorporation of EPA into certain cells may differ according to dietary conditions, which affect the development of AAA.

Evaluation of the GeneFields® EHEC/SS PCR dipstick DNA chromatography kit for the detection of enteric bacterial pathogens in stool specimens of healthy humans.

We developed a new GeneFields® EHEC/SS PCR dipstick DNA chromatography kit for the simultaneously detection of invA, ipaH, and stx genes in Salmonella enterica (56 strains), Shigella spp. (44), and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) (28), respectively, and evaluated the sensitivity and specificity with other bacteria (57) by this kit. The sensitivity and specificity were 100%, respectively. The detection limit of various methods was determined using 5% (w/v) stool suspensions spiked with each bacterium. The detection limit of the GeneFields® EHEC/SS kit ranged from approximately 102-103 CFU/g. Additionally, the relative sensitivities and specificities of the GeneFields® EHEC/SS kit vs two commercially available real-time PCR kits were >85.0% and >90.0%, respectively. These results indicate that the GeneFields® EHEC/SS kit can be used for genetic screening of S. enterica, Shigella spp., and EHEC in human stool specimens with sensitivities and specificities similar to those of the commercially available real-time PCR kits.