Is milk fat globule size correlated with milk fat content in Ruminants?

In milk, fat exists in the form of milk fat globules (MFGs). The average size (average fat globules of different particle sizes) is the most common parameter when describing MFG size. There are different views on whether there is a correlation between MFG size and milk fat content. Is the MFG size correlated with milk fat content in ruminants? To address this question, we conducted two experiments. In experiment Ⅰ, dairy cows (n = 40) and dairy goats (n = 30) were each divided into a normal group and a low-fat group according to the milk fat content. In experiment Ⅱ, dairy cows (n = 16) and dairy goats (n = 12) were each divided into a normal group and a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-induced low-fat group. The normal groups were fed a basal diet, and the CLA-induced low-fat groups were fed the basal diet + 300 g/d CLA (cows) or the basal diet + 90 g/d CLA (goats). In both experiments, we determined the correlation between MFG size and milk composition and MFG distribution. The results showed that in the normal and low-fat groups of cows and goats, MFG size was not correlated with milk fat, protein, or lactose content or fat-to-protein ratio. Additionally, there was no difference in the distribution of large, medium, and small MFGs (P > 0.05). However, in the CLA-induced low-fat groups, we found a correlation between MFG size and milk fat content and fat-to-protein ratio (R2 > 0.3). Moreover, there was a significant change in the size distribution of MFGs. Therefore, in natural milk, MFG size was not correlated with milk fat content. Following CLA supplementation, MFG size was correlated with milk fat content. Our findings revealed that CLA and not milk fat affects MFG distribution and size.

Effects of choline deficiency and supplementation on lipid droplet accumulation in bovine primary liver cells in vitro.

Rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation in the periparturient period has in some instances prevented and alleviated fatty liver disease in dairy cows. Mechanistically, however, it is unclear how choline prevents the accumulation of lipid droplets (LD) in liver cells. In this study, primary liver cells isolated from liver tissue obtained via puncture biopsy from 3 nonpregnant mid-lactation multiparous Holstein cows (∼160 d postpartum) were used. Analyses of LD via oil red O staining, protein abundance via Western blotting, and phospholipid content and composition measured by thin-layer chromatography and HPLC/mass spectrometry were performed in liver cells cultured in choline-deficient medium containing 150 µmol/L linoleic acid for 24 h. In a subsequent experiment, lipophagy was assessed in liver cells cultured with 30, 60, or 90 µmol/L choline-chloride. All data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 20.0 via t-tests or one-way ANOVA. Compared with liver cells cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium alone, choline deficiency increased the average diameter of LD (1.59 vs. 2.10 µm), decreased the proportion of small LD (<2 µm) from 75.3% to 56.6%, and increased the proportion of large LD (>4 µm) from 5.6% to 15.0%. In addition, the speed of LD fusion was enhanced by the absence of choline. Among phospholipid species, the phosphatidylcholine (PC) content of liver cells decreased by 34.5%. Seventeen species of PC (PC [18:2_22:6], PC [15:0_16:1], PC [14:0_20:4], and so on) and 6 species of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC; LPC [15:0/0:0]), PC (22:2/0:0), LPC (20:2/0:0), and so on] were decreased, while PC (14:1_16:1) and LPC (0:0/20:1) were increased. Choline deficiency increased the triglyceride (TAG) content (0.57 vs. 0.39 µmol/mg) in liver cells and increased the protein abundance of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage activation protein, and fatty acid synthase by 23.5%, 17%, and 36.1%, respectively. Upon re-supplementation with choline, the phenotype of LD (TAG content, size, proportion, and phospholipid profile) was reversed, and the ratio of autophagy marker LC3II/LC3I protein was significantly upregulated in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, at least in vitro in mid-lactation cows, these data demonstrated that PC synthesis is necessary for normal LD formation, and both rely on choline availability. According to the limitation of the source of liver cells used, further work should be conducted to ascertain that these effects are applicable to liver cells from postpartum cows, the physiological stage where the use of RPC has been implemented for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver.

Mechanism of Yifei Decoction Combined with MitoQ on Inhibition of TGFß1/NOX4 and PDGF/ROCK Signal Pathway in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Rho-related coiled helix forming protein kinase (Rho-ROCK) and another important fibrogenic factor-PDGF play a critical role in collagen deposition in rat lung tissue. Yifei decoction (YFT), a Chinese herbal decoction, has been used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in clinical practice and has produced positive outcomes; however, convincing evidence is currently lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of YFT combined with MitoQ in rats with IPF and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Rat IPF model was established by endotracheal injection of 5 mg/kg BleomycinA5 into the specific pathogen-free SD rats. MitoQ (6.5 µmol/kg once daily), YFT (10 ml/kg once daily), and MitoQ + YFT (6.5 µmol/kg + 10 ml/kg once daily) were used to treat the rat model for 4 weeks, respectively. The normal rats without IPF were used as the controls. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, lung histopathology was assessed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of fibronectin and collagen IV in lung tissue. The expression of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, GSH-Px, SOD, MDA, and hydroxyproline was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of TGFß1, NOX4, PDGFR-ß, and ROCK1 were determined using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of drug treatment, comparison of the MitoQ + YFT group with the IPF group showed that lung injury scores, W/D, lung tissue hydroxyproline, fibronectin, collagen IV content, and IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and MDA levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05), as well as the expression of TGFß1, NOX4, PDGFR-ß, and ROCK1, but the activity of GSH-Px and SOD was higher (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MitoQ combined with YFT can improve lung injury in rats with pulmonary fibrosis by reducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting TGFß1/NOX4 and PDGF/ROCK signaling pathways. It may provide a new method for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

[Effects of assisted-electroacupuncture on recovery of fast tracking anesthesia in mPCNL].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on anesthesia recovery between assisted-electroacupuncture fast tracking anesthesia and simple fast tracking anesthesia in patients with minim ally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL). METHODS: Eighty cases of mPCNL were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. Fentanyl (1-2 microg/kg), sevoflurane (8%) and rocuronium (0.5 mg/kg) were applied to perform anesthesia induction in both groups, and endotracheal inhalation of sevoflurane and intravenous pump injection of remifentanil were adopted to main anesthesia status during the operation. 20 min before anesthesia induction, bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Neimadian, Hegu (LI 4), Yangxi (LI 5), Zhongji (CV 3), Qichong (ST 30), Zuwuli (LR 10) were selected and punctured in the treatment group, and elecctroacupuncture was given after arrival of qi until 30 min after the wake-up from anesthesia and withdrawal of endotracheal tube. The dosage for anesthesia maintenance, recovery time of awareness, extubation time, incidences of nausea, vomiting and chill and irritation of urethral catheters were observed and recorded. RESULTS: (1) The dosages of remifentanil and sevoflurane in the treatment group during the operation were obviously less than those in the control group [remifentanil: (5. 27 +/-1.23) micro g/kg h vs (7.35+/-1.70) micro g/kg . h; sevoflurane: (1.12+/-0.43) vol% vs (2.35+/-0.87) vol% , both P<0. 001]. (2) The recovery time of awareness and extubation time in the treatment group were significantly earlier than those in the control group [recovery time of awareness: (5.65 +/- 2.34) min vs (8. 87 +/- 6. 84) min, P<0. 01; extubation time : (7. 23+/-4. 35) min vs (10. 62+/-8. 16) min, P<0. 05]. (3) The incidences of nausea, vomiting and chill in the treatment group were significantly less than those in the control group (all P<0. 05). (4) The irritation of urethral catheters on urethra in the treatment group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0. 001). CONCLUSION: The assisted-electroacupuncture anesthesia could reduce the dosage of remifentanil and sevoflurane in mPCNL fast tracking anesthesia in urinary surgery, reduce the incidences of nausea, vomiting, chill and irritation of urethral catheters during recovery stage, and prompt recovery of mPCNL patients.

Electroacupuncture induced spinal plasticity is linked to multiple gene expressions in dorsal root deafferented rats.

The underlying mechanism for electroacupuncture (EA) associated functional improvement in patients suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI) is largely unknown. Collateral sprouting is one plausible factor, where the cord microenvironment may contribute greatly. The present study evaluated the effects of EA on collateral sprouting from spared dorsal root ganglion (DRG), sensory functional restorations, and differential gene expressions in spinal cord after partial DRG removal in the rat. Following EA, N1 waveform latencies for cortical somatosensory evoked potential significantly shortened. The densities of terminal sprouting from the spared DRG significantly increased on the EA versus the non-EA side. Microarray analysis revealed that several genes were upregulated on the acupunctured side at different time points; they were ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) at 1 day postoperation (dpo), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 receptor, neuropeptide Y, and FGF-13 at 7 dpo, and CNTF and calcitonin gene-related polypeptide-alpha at 14 dpo, respectively. Meanwhile, five genes (CNTF, p75-like apoptosis-inducing death domain protein, IGF-1, transforming growth factor-beta 2, and FGF-4) were downregulated at 7 dpo. Furthermore, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results supported the gene chip analysis. It was concluded that the EA induced sensory functional restorations following partial DRG ganglionectomies could be brought about by intraspinal sprouting from the spared DRG, as well as multiple differential gene expressions in the spinal cord. The results could have clinical application in EA treatment of patients after spinal injury.