RESUMO
The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is rich in polyphenolic compounds. Particularly, flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are essential for the flavor and disease-resistance property of tea leaves. The fifth subgroup of R2R3-MYB transcription factors comprises the primary activators of PA biosynthesis. This study showed that subgroup 5 R2R3-MYBs in tea plants contained at least nine genes belonging to the TT2, MYB5, and MYBPA types. Tannin-rich plants showed an expansion in the number of subgroup 5 R2R3-MYB genes compared with other dicotyledonous and monocot plants. The MYBPA-type genes of tea plant were slightly expanded. qRT-PCR analysis and GUS staining analysis of promoter activity under a series of treatments revealed the differential responses of CsMYB5s to biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, CsMYB5a, CsMYB5b, and CsMYB5e responded to high-intensity light, high temperature, MeJA, and mechanical wounding, whereas CsMYB5f and CsMYB5g were only induced by wounding. Three genetic transformation systems (C. sinensis, Nicotiana tabacum, and Arabidopsis thaliana) were used to verify the biological function of CsMYB5s. The results show that CsMYB5a, CsMYB5b, and CsMYB5e could promote the gene expression of CsLAR and CsANR. However, CsMYB5f and CsMYB5g could only upregulate the gene expression of CsLAR but not CsANR. A series of site-directed mutation and domain-swapping experiments were used to verify functional domains and key amino acids of CsMYB5s responsible for the regulation of PA biosynthesis. This study aimed to provide insight into the induced expression and functional diversity model of PA biosynthesis regulation in tea plants.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Hepatite B Crônica , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Humanos , Tenofovir/uso terapêutico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/cirurgia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Vírus da Hepatite B , Hepatectomia/efeitos adversos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/cirurgia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Hepatite B Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Lipoproteínas , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Polyphenols play an important role in the astringent taste of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.)] infusions; catechins in phenolic compounds are beneficial to health. The biosynthesis of gallic acid (GA), a precursor for polyphenol synthesis, in tea plants remains unknown. It is well known that 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase (DQD/SDH) is a key enzyme for catalyzing the conversion of 3-dehydroshikimate (3-DHS) to shikimate (SA); it also potentially participates in GA synthesis in a branch of the SA pathway. In this study, four CsDQD/SDH proteins were produced in Escherichia coli. Three CsDQD/SDHs had 3-DHS reduction and SA oxidation functions. Notably, three CsDQD/SDHs showed individual differences between the catalytic efficiency of 3-DHS reduction and SA oxidation; CsDQD/SDHa had higher catalytic efficiency for 3-DHS reduction than for SA oxidation, CsDQD/SDHd showed the opposite tendency, and CsDQD/SDHc had almost equal catalytic efficiency for 3-DHS reduction and SA oxidation. In vitro, GA was mainly generated from 3-DHS through nonenzymatic conversion. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that CsDQD/SDHc and CsDQD/SDHd expression was correlated with GA and 1-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose accumulation in C. sinensis. These results revealed the CsDQD/SDHc and CsDQD/SDHd genes are involved in GA synthesis. Finally, site-directed mutagenesis exhibited the mutation of residues Ser-338 and NRT to Gly and DI/LD in the SDH unit is the reason for the low activity of CsDQD/SDHb for 3-DHS reduction and SA oxidation.
RESUMO
Pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase (PLR), an NADPH-dependent reductase that catalyzes the sequential reduction of pinoresinol into secoisolariciresinol via Lariciresinol, can lead to the structural and stereochemical diversity of lignans. The relationship between substrate-selective reaction of PLR and sequence homology still remains unclear. In this study, we focused on the contribution of the variable region between PLRs in determining substrate selectivity. Here, two CsPLRs (CsPLR1 and CsPLR2) were identified in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Shuchazao). In vitro enzymatic assays showed that CsPLR1 could convert (+)- and (-)-pinoresinol into lariciresinol or secoisolariciresinol, whereas CsPLR2 catalyzed (+)-pinoresinol enantioselectively into (-)-secoisolariciresinol. Homology modeling and site-directed mutagenesis were used to examine the role of a variable loop in catalysis and substrate selectivity. The L174I mutant in CsPLR1 lost the capacity to reduce either (+)- or (-)-pinoresinol but retained the ability to catalyze the reduction of (-)-lariciresinol. These findings provide a basis for better understanding of the substrate-selective reaction of PLR.
Assuntos
Camellia sinensis/enzimologia , Oxirredutases/química , Oxirredutases/metabolismo , Butileno Glicóis/metabolismo , Furanos/metabolismo , Lignanas/metabolismo , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Oxirredutases/genética , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Especificidade por SubstratoRESUMO
UDP-Rhamnose synthase (RHM), the branch-point enzyme controlling the nucleotide sugar interconversion pathway, converts UDP-d-glucose into UDP-rhamnose. As a rhamnose residue donor, UDP-l-rhamnose is essential for the biosynthesis of pectic polysaccharides and secondary metabolites in plants. In this study, three CsRHM genes from tea plants ( Camellia sinensis) were cloned and characterized. Enzyme assays showed that three recombinant proteins displayed RHM activity and were involved in the biosynthesis of UDP-rhamnose in vitro. The transcript profiles, metabolite profiles, and mucilage location suggest that the three CsRHM genes likely contribute to UDP-rhamnose biosynthesis and may be involved in primary wall formation in C. sinensis. These analyses of CsRHM genes and metabolite profiles provide a comprehensive understanding of secondary metabolite biosynthesis and regulation in tea plants. Moreover, our results can be applied for the synthesis of the secondary metabolite rhamnoside in future studies.
Assuntos
Camellia sinensis/genética , Carboidratos Epimerases/genética , Carboidratos Epimerases/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Açúcares de Uridina Difosfato/biossíntese , Camellia sinensis/metabolismo , Parede Celular/genética , Parede Celular/metabolismo , Clonagem Molecular , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Metabolismo Secundário , Açúcares de Uridina Difosfato/genéticaRESUMO
Tea is an important economic crop with a 3.02 Gb genome. It accumulates various bioactive compounds, especially catechins, which are closely associated with tea flavor and quality. Catechins are biosynthesized through the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, with 12 structural genes being involved in their synthesis. However, we found that in Camellia sinensis the understanding of the basic profile of catechins biosynthesis is still unclear. The gene structure, locus, transcript number, transcriptional variation, and function of multigene families have not yet been clarified. Our previous studies demonstrated that the accumulation of flavonoids in tea is species, tissue, and induction specific, which indicates that gene coexpression patterns may be involved in tea catechins and flavonoids biosynthesis. In this paper, we screened candidate genes of multigene families involved in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways based on an analysis of genome and transcriptome sequence data. The authenticity of candidate genes was verified by PCR cloning, and their function was validated by reverse genetic methods. In the present study, 36 genes from 12 gene families were identified and were accessed in the NCBI database. During this process, some intron retention events of the CsCHI and CsDFR genes were found. Furthermore, the transcriptome sequencing of various tea tissues and subcellular location assays revealed coexpression and colocalization patterns. The correlation analysis showed that CsCHIc, CsF3'H, and CsANRb expression levels are associated significantly with the concentration of soluble PA as well as the expression levels of CsPALc and CsPALf with the concentration of insoluble PA. This work provides insights into catechins metabolism in tea and provides a foundation for future studies.
Assuntos
Camellia sinensis/genética , Camellia sinensis/metabolismo , Catequina/química , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Camellia sinensis/química , Catequina/metabolismo , Flavonoides/química , Flavonoides/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Genoma de Planta , Redes e Vias Metabólicas , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismoRESUMO
Flavonol glycosides, which are often converted from aglycones in a process catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), play an important role for the health of plants and animals. In the present study, a gene encoding a flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase (CsUGT75L12) was identified in tea plants. Recombinant CsUGT75L12 protein displayed glycosyltransferase activity on the 7-OH position of multiple phenolic compounds. In relative comparison to wild-type seeds, the levels of flavonol-glucosides increased in Arabidopsis seeds overexpressing CsUGT75L12. In order to determine the key amino acid residues responsible for the catalytic activity of the protein, a series of site-directed mutagenesis and enzymatic assays were performed based on the 3D structural modeling and docking analyses. These results suggested that residue Q54 is a double binding site that functions as both a sugar receptor and donor. Residues H56 and T151, corresponding to the basic active residues H20 and D119 of VvGT1, were not irreplaceable for CsUGT75L12. In addition, residues Y182, S223, P238, T239, and F240 were demonstrated to be responsible for a 'reversed' sugar receptor binding model. The results of single and triple substitutions confirmed that the function of residues P238, T239, and F240 may substitute or compensate with each other for the flavonoid 7-O-glycosyltransferase activity.
Assuntos
Camellia sinensis/enzimologia , Flavonoides/metabolismo , Glicosiltransferases/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Arabidopsis/enzimologia , Arabidopsis/genética , Sítios de Ligação , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Glicosilação , Glicosiltransferases/química , Glicosiltransferases/isolamento & purificação , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Proteínas Mutantes/metabolismo , Mutação/genética , Filogenia , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismoRESUMO
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), the branch point enzyme controlling the flow of primary metabolism into second metabolism, converts the L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to yield cinnamic acid. Based on the sequencing data available from eight transcriptome projects, six PAL genes have been screened out, cloned, and designated as CsPALa-CsPALf. The phylogenetic tree showed that CsPALs were divided into three subgroups, PALa and PALb, PALc and PALd, and PALe and PALf. All six CsPALs exhibited indiscriminate cytosolic locations in epidermis cells and mesophyll cells. Then, the expression profiles of six PAL genes were qualitatively investigated and they displayed tissue-/induced-expression specificity in several tissues or under different exogenous treatments. Furthermore, in vitro enzymatic assays showed that all six recombinant proteins were characterized by the strict substrate specificity toward L-Phe, but no activity toward L-Tyr, and they displayed subtle differences in kinetics and enzymatic properties. These results indicate that CsPALs play both distinct and overlapping roles in plant growth and responses to environmental cues.
Assuntos
Camellia sinensis/enzimologia , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas/fisiologia , Fenilalanina Amônia-Liase/biossíntese , Filogenia , Proteínas de Plantas/biossíntese , Camellia sinensis/genética , Clonagem Molecular , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Fenilalanina Amônia-Liase/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/genéticaRESUMO
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon which is well known for infecting humans and wild animals. In the present study, antibodies to T. gondii were evaluated in 394 wild birds, belonging to 37 species, from 15 different administrative regions in Taiwan. Using modified agglutination test (MAT), the overall seroprevalence of infection was 23.35% (CI 95% = 19.17%-27.53%). Antibodies were detected in birds of prey (25.73%, CI 95% = 19.76%-31.70%), birds living in freshwater or marine systems (34.29%, CI 95% = 18.56%-50.01%) and ground-feeding birds (18.12%, CI 95% = 11.94%-24.31%). Adult birds showed higher seroprevalence than that in juvenile birds, and the presence of clinical abnormalities was associated with T. gondii seropositivity. The results showed that this pathogen has spread widely in Taiwan. This suggests the zoonotic potential of the disease, with transmission from urban to rural regions, and from terrestrial to aquatic systems. The pathogenicity of T. gondii infection in wild birds in Taiwan needs further investigation. This is the first study of the seroprevalence of T. gondii in wild birds in Taiwan.
Assuntos
Doenças das Aves/epidemiologia , Toxoplasma/isolamento & purificação , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Doenças das Aves/parasitologia , Aves , Prevalência , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Taiwan/epidemiologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologiaRESUMO
A series of 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylselenyl)-1H-indoles and their selenoxides were designed as a new class of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogs. The B ring and the cis double bond of CA-4 were replaced by an indole moiety and selenium atom, respectively. A facile and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of 3-arylselenylindoles was developed to prepare the target compounds, which were then evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines using an MTT assay. Most of these compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, with some showing nanomolar IC50 values. Tubulin polymerization and immunostaining experiments revealed that 13a potently inhibited tubulin polymerization and disrupted tubulin microtubule dynamics in a similar manner to CA-4. Docking studies demonstrated that 13a adopts an orientation similar to that of CA-4 at the colchicine binding site on tubulin.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Indóis/farmacologia , Micro-Ondas , Compostos Organosselênicos/farmacologia , Estilbenos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/síntese química , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/química , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Humanos , Indóis/síntese química , Indóis/química , Células KB , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Compostos Organosselênicos/síntese química , Compostos Organosselênicos/química , Estilbenos/química , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Tubulina (Proteína)/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced inflammatory cytokines and reoxygenation on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) expression in rat skeletal muscles. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to blank control group, chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) group, and reoxygenation group. At the end of the experiment, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (FINS) and serum inflammatory cytokine levels were measured with glucose oxidase-peroxidase, insulin radioimmunoassay and ELISA, respectively. Homeostasis model assessment (IRI) was used to evaluate insulin resistance in the rats, and GLUT-4 protein expression in the skeletal muscles was measured with Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, CIH resulted in significantly increased fasting blood glucose, blood insulin levels and insulin resistance index (IRI) (P<0.05); fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated in reoxygenation group (P<0.05). Inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) were significantly higher in CIH group than in the blank control and reoxygenation groups (P<0.05), and were higher in reoxygenation group than in the blank control group. GLUT-4 expression in the skeletal muscles was significantly reduced after CIH (P<0.05) but increased after subsequent reoxygenation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CIH can cause increased release of inflammatory cytokines to lower GLUT-4 protein expression in the skeletal muscles, which contributes to insulin resistance in adult rats.
Assuntos
Transportador de Glucose Tipo 4/metabolismo , Hipóxia , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Animais , Glicemia , Insulina/sangue , Resistência à Insulina , Interleucina-6 , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangueRESUMO
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury has a complex pathophysiology resulting from a number of contributing factors. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve effective treatment or protection by individually targeting the mediators or mechanisms. Our aim was to analyze the individual and combined effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analog alprostadil on hepatic I/R injury in rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (six rats per group) as follows: Control group, I/R group, I/R + NAC group, I/R + alprostadil group, and I/R + NAC + alprostadil group. The rats received injections of NAC (150 mg/kg) and/or alprostadil (0.05 µg/kg) over a period of 30 min prior to ischemia. These rats were then subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia followed by a 60-min reperfusion period. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione levels were significantly decreased as a result of I/R injury, but they were increased in groups treated with NAC. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) activities were significantly increased after I/R injury, but they were decreased in the groups with NAC treatment. Alprostadil decreased NO production, but had no effect on MDA and MPO. Histological results showed that both NAC and alprostadil were effective in improving liver tissue morphology during I/R injury. Although NAC and alprostadil did not have a synergistic effect, our findings suggest that treatment with either NAC or alprostadil has benefits for ameliorating hepatic I/R injury.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In human beings or animals, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the liver may occur in many clinical conditions, such as circulating shock, liver transplantation and surgery and several other pathological conditions. I/R injury has a complex pathophysiology resulting from a number of contributing factors. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve effective treatment or protection by individually targeting the mediators. This study aimed at studying the effects of local somatothermal stimulation preconditioning on the right Qimen (LR14) on hepatic I/R injury in rats. METHODS: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats were preconditioned with thermal tolerance study, which included one dose of local somatothermal stimulation (LSTS) on right Qimen (LR14) at an interval of 12 h, followed by hepatic ischemia for 60 min and then reperfusion for 60 min. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have been used to assess the liver functions, and liver tissues were taken for the measurements such as malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: The results show that the plasma ALT and AST activities were higher in the I/R group than in the control group. In addition, the plasma ALT and AST activities decreased in the groups that received LSTS. The hepatic SOD levels reduced significantly by I/R injury. Moreover, the hepatic MPO activity significantly increased by I/R injury while it decreased in the groups given LSTS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that LSTS provides a protective effects on the liver from the I/R injury. Therefore, LSTS might offer an easy and inexpensive intervention for patients who have suffered from I/R of the liver especially in the process of hepatotomy and hepatic transplantation.
Assuntos
Pontos de Acupuntura , Hipertermia Induzida , Isquemia/prevenção & controle , Precondicionamento Isquêmico/métodos , Hepatopatias/prevenção & controle , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/prevenção & controle , Temperatura , Alanina Transaminase/sangue , Animais , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Catalase/metabolismo , Glutationa/análise , Isquemia/enzimologia , Isquemia/metabolismo , Isquemia/terapia , Fígado/enzimologia , Fígado/inervação , Fígado/metabolismo , Fígado/patologia , Hepatopatias/enzimologia , Hepatopatias/metabolismo , Hepatopatias/terapia , Masculino , Malondialdeído/análise , Peroxidase/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/enzimologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/terapia , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismoRESUMO
Infection rate, reaction to light, and hair follicle apoptosis are examined in the dogmite, Demodex canis Leydig (Prostigmata: Demodicidae), in dogs from the northern area of Taiwan. An analysis of relevant samples revealed 7.2% (73/1013) prevalence of D. canis infection. Infection during the investigation peaked each winter, with an average prevalence of 12.5% (32/255). The infection rates significantly varied in accordance with month, sex, age, and breed (p < 0.05). Most of the lesions were discovered on the backs of the infected animals, where the infection rate was 52.1% (38/73) (P < 0.05). The epidemiologic analysis of infection based on landscape area factor, found that employing a map-overlapping method showed a higher infection rate in the eastern distribution of Taiwan's northern area than other areas. Isolation tests for Microsporum canis Bodin (Onygenales: Arthrodermataceae) and Trichophyton mentagrophyte Robin (Blanchard) on the D. canis infected dogs revealed prevalence rates of 4.4% (2/45) and 2.2% (1/45), respectively. Observations demonstrated that D. canis slowly moved from a light area to a dark area. Skin samples were examined for cellular apoptosis by activated caspase3 immunohistochemical staining. Cells that surrounded the infected hair follicles were activated caspase3-positive, revealing cell apoptosis in infected follicles via the activation of caspase3.
Assuntos
Dermatomicoses/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Infestações por Ácaros/veterinária , Ácaros/fisiologia , Animais , Apoptose , Comorbidade , Dermatomicoses/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/microbiologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Eosinófilos , Feminino , Folículo Piloso/patologia , Contagem de Leucócitos , Luz , Masculino , Microsporum/isolamento & purificação , Infestações por Ácaros/epidemiologia , Infestações por Ácaros/microbiologia , Infestações por Ácaros/patologia , Prevalência , Taiwan/epidemiologia , Trichophyton/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The usefulness of acupuncture (AP) as a complementary and/or alternative therapy in animals is well established but more research is needed on its clinical efficacy relative to conventional therapy, and on the underlying mechanisms of the effects of AP. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), an important tool in monitoring cardiovascular diseases, provides a reliable method to monitor the effects of AP on the cardiovascular system. This controlled experiment monitored the effect electro-acupuncture (EA) at bilateral acupoint Neiguan (PC6) on recovery time after ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia in healthy cats. The CMRI data established the basic feline cardiac function index (CFI), including cardiac output and major vessel velocity. To evaluate the effect of EA on the functions of the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems, heart rate, respiration rate, electrocardiogram and pulse rate were also measured. Ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia caused a transient hypertension in the cats; EA inhibited this anesthetic-induced hypertension and shortened the post-anesthesia recovery time. Our data support existing knowledge on the cardiovascular benefits of EA at PC6, and also provide strong evidence for the combination of anesthesia and EA to shorten post-anesthesia recovery time and counter the negative effects of anesthetics on cardiac physiology.
RESUMO
From October 2005 through September 2006, blood samples collected from 1,412 (768 male, 644 female) 1-yr-old and older stray dogs in Taipei City, Taiwan, were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using the latex agglutination test (LAT). Antibodies (LAT titers >1:32) to T. gondii were found in 284 (20.1%) of the animals. Seroprevalences were not affected by the sex or density of dogs. The prevalence was highest in dogs from the eastern part of the city.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Doenças do Cão/epidemiologia , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Animais , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Cães , Feminino , Umidade , Testes de Fixação do Látex/veterinária , Masculino , Chuva , Estações do Ano , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Taiwan/epidemiologia , Saúde da População UrbanaRESUMO
From May 2003 to April 2004, blood samples from 395 feeder pigs in Taiwan were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using the latex agglutination test; antibodies (titer 1:32 or higher) were found in 10.1% of 395 pigs. The results indicate a high prevalence of infection in pigs in Taiwan destined for human consumption.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Doenças dos Suínos/epidemiologia , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Matadouros , Animais , Testes de Fixação do Látex/veterinária , Estações do Ano , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Suínos , Taiwan/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The characteristic ingredients of Ganoderma lucidum, such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleic acids and small proteins, have been found and proved to have many special pharmacological properties. Mice and rats have been extensively used to investigate the effects of G. lucidum. Experiments with horses as an animal model for investigating the effects of G. lucidum have never been reported. The purpose of this investigation was to understand the influence of G. lucidum feeding on blood biochemistry and immunocompetence in horses. Complete blood count (CBC) and blood biochemistry were surveyed routinely. Cellular-mediated immunity was monitored by flow cytometry to survey the percentage changes of CD5+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The effect of G. lucidum on humoral immunity was experimented by fast plate agglutination test to survey the change and manifestation of the titer of specific anti-egg albumin antibodies in the serum after egg albumin injection. The findings on CBC and blood biochemistry indicated that G. lucidum was quite safe to horses. Experimental result on cell-mediated immunity showed that G. lucidum could increase the percentage of CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in PBLs (p < 0.001). Experimental result on humoral immunity showed that G. lucidum could help the horses to produce a significantly higher quantity of specific antibodies in a shorter time (p < 0.001).
Assuntos
Ganoderma , Cavalos/sangue , Cavalos/imunologia , Medicina Tradicional Chinesa , Reishi , Ração Animal , Animais , Contagem de Células Sanguíneas , Antígenos CD5/sangue , Feminino , Imunocompetência/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos/imunologia , MasculinoRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactation and health status. Blood samples were collected every 2 wk for 12 mo from 29 randomly selected dairy cattle on 3 farms. At the time the blood samples were collected, the stage of pregnancy, lactation status, breeding records, general health condition, reproductive status, and body condition score were recorded for each cow. Serum CRP was detected with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western immunoblotting. C-reactive protein levels were measured with a densitometer and expressed as an optimal dose value. C-reactive protein levels were correlated with the body condition score, lactation status, and animal health (P < 0.05), but not with ambient temperature, animal age, or parity. C-reactive protein levels increased with milk production, peaking during high lactation (2 to 4 mo of pregnancy), and decreased when lactation ceased. In addition, the CRP level was highest during naturally occurring infections, such as mastitis and other tissue inflammation. Thus, the CRP level can confirm the presence of inflammation. The stress effect of taking blood samples as measured by the CRP level, was also examined. The CRP level became rapidly elevated 12 h after the blood samples were taken but returned to normal 36 h later. In conclusion, the stresses resulting from overall poor health, heavy lactation, and blood sampling caused the elevation of serum CRP. C-reactive protein is a marker or tool for evaluating the health status of a herd. C-reactive protein should also be considered as a useful criteria to assess the stress levels and may be useful in early surveillance of disease conditions in a dairy herd.