The Effect of the BCO2 Genotype on the Expression of Genes Related to Carotenoid, Retinol, and α-Tocopherol Metabolism in Rabbits Fed a Diet with Aztec Marigold Flower Extract.

This study investigated the effect of the BCO2 genotype and the addition of Aztec marigold flower extract to rabbit diets on the expression of BCO1, BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA genes in the liver. The levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol in the liver and blood serum of rabbits, as well as plasma biochemical parameters and serum antioxidant enzyme activities were also determined. Sixty male Termond White growing rabbits were divided into three groups based on their genotype at codon 248 of the BCO2 gene (ins/ins, ins/del and del/del); each group was divided into two subgroups: one subgroup received a standard diet, and the other subgroup was fed a diet supplemented with 6 g/kg of marigold flower extract. The obtained results indicate that the BCO2 genotype may affect the expression levels of BCO1 and BCO2 genes in rabbits. Moreover, the addition of marigold extract to the diet of BCO2 del/del rabbits may increase the expression level of the BCO2 gene. Finally, an increase in the amount of lutein in the diet of rabbits with the BCO2 del/del genotype contributes to its increased accumulation in the liver and blood of animals without compromising their health status or liver function.

Acrylamide-induced Changes of Granulopoiesis in Porcine Bone Marrow.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the widely documented and diverse toxic effects of acrylamide, the authors decided to evaluate the impact of high and low doses of this compound on the process of granulopoiesis in porcine bone marrow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was conducted on 15 Danish Landrace pigs at the age of 8 weeks. The animals were randomly assigned into three equal groups (n = 5). Control animals received empty gelatine capsules as placebo. Animals in the first experimental group (the LD group) received a low dose of acrylamide of 0.5 µg/kg b.w./day, and animals in the second experimental group (the HD group) received a tenfold higher dose of acrylamide of 5 µg/kg b.w./day. Placebo and acrylamide capsules were administered with feed every morning for 28 days. Bone marrow was collected into tubes without an anticoagulant twice - before the first capsule administration (day 0) and on the 28th day of the study. After drying and staining, bone marrow smears were subjected to detailed cytological evaluation under a light microscope. RESULTS: Changes in cell morphology, i.e. degenerative changes in the cellular nuclei, were observed in both experimental groups. Both low and high doses of acrylamide decreased the number of segmented eosinophils, neutrophilic and segmented metamyelocytes, neutrophils, as well as basophils and basophilic metamyelocytes. CONCLUSION: Acrylamide at doses of 0.5 µg/kg b.w./day and 5 µg/kg b.w./day clearly influences porcine granulopoiesis.

Changes in the Neurochemical Characterization of Enteric Neurons in the Porcine Duodenum After Administration of Low-Dose Salmonella Enteritidis Lipopolysaccharides.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), also known as lipoglycans or endotoxins, form part of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies have described the various harmful impacts of LPS on humans and animals. Nevertheless, many aspects of these effects are still not fully explained. One of them is the influence of endotoxins on the neurochemical characterization of neurons within the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is found in the intestinal wall and plays important adaptive roles during pathological processes and exposures. In this study, the impact of a low single dose of Salmonella Enteritidis LPS on the duodenal enteric neurons immunoreactive to substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP-27), and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) was studied using a double immunofluorescence technique. During the study, it was shown that even a low dose of LPS affects the number of enteric neurons containing the neuropeptides studied, and these changes were dependent on the type of the enteric plexus. The most visible changes concerned the SP-like immunoreactive (LI) neurons in the outer submucous plexus (LPS caused an increase in the percentage of these neurons from15.74 ± 0.61 to 21.72 ± 0.79%). Furthermore, the VIP-LI neurons in the inner submucous plexus were seen to decrease from 12.64 ± 0.83 to 5.96 ± 0.58%. The mechanisms behind these noted fluctuations are not clear, but it may be connected with the pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic activity of LPS.

The Influence of High and Low Doses of Acrylamide on Porcine Erythropoiesis.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the widespread occurrence of acrylamide in the environment, its likely carcinogen status, and the suitability of the pig model as a human analogue, the authors decided to evaluate the impact of high and low doses of this compound on the processes of erythropoiesis in swine bone marrow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out on Danish Landrace pigs at the age of eight weeks and body weight about 20 kg. The animals were divided into three equal groups consisting of five pigs in each. Control animals received empty gelatin capsules (placebos). Animals from the first experimental group received a low dose of acrylamide of 0.5 µg/kg b.w./day (> 99% purity; Sigma-Aldrich, Poland), and animals from the second experimental group received a dose 10 times higher. Placebos and acrylamide capsules were administered with feed every morning for 28 days. After anaesthetisation of the animals, bone marrow from the femur was collected into tubes without an anticoagulant on days 0 and 28. After drying and staining, bone marrow smears were subjected to detailed cytological evaluation using a light microscope. RESULTS: This study showed that high and low doses of acrylamide affected the process of porcine erythropoiesis. The cytotoxic effect of acrylamide on this process was demonstrated in a change of the polychromatic erythroblasts/normochromatic erythroblasts ratio. CONCLUSION: Both doses of acrylamide caused a decrease in the number of ortho- and polychromatic erythroblasts.

Effect of Simvastatin on Thrombopoiesis in Porcine Bone Marrow.

INTRODUCTION: Statins are pharmacological agents commonly used to lower serum cholesterol level. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of the statin simvastatin on thrombopoiesis in the porcine model because it is the closest to the human one regarding physiological and genetic similarities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 32 pigs randomly divided into two equal groups: control and experimental. The pigs were treated for 28 and 56 days with simvastatin in a dose of 40 mg per day per animal. Cytological evaluation of bone marrow smears was performed to assess the average number of all types of cells during thrombopoiesis as was analysis of haematological parameters to assess PLT and MPV. RESULTS: During the course of the experiment statistically significant changes in the number of promegakaryocytes were observed. Other parameters also showed some fluctuations during the study. However, these changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The obtained results clearly indicate a toxic influence of simvastatin on the process of thrombopoiesis and prove that statins reduce mean platelet volume, thus affecting the process of clot formation through the period of administration in a duration-dependent manner.

Identification of neuropeptide y in superior cervical ganglion neurons that project to the oesophagus - A combined immunohistochemical labelling and retrograde tracing study in pigs.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neuronal active substance taking part in the regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) tract activity. This study used retrograde neuronal tracing and immunofluorescence methods to analyse NPY-positive neurons located in superior cervical ganglion and supplying the cervical oesophagus in the pig. The presence of NPY was observed in 30% of all neurons supplying the part of oesophagus studied. Probably the number of Fast Blue (FB) positive cells depends on the area of the wall injected with FB and the fragment of oesophagus studied. Therefore, the obtained results indicate that the described peptide is an important factor in the extrinsic innervation of this part of the GI tract.

Simvastatin-induced Changes in the Leukocytic System of Porcine Bone Marrow.

INTRODUCTION: Simvastatin is a substance which is commonly used as a medicine to reduce cholesterol level. Unfortunately, it shows numerous side effects. Simvastatin affects various internal organs, and among other detriments to health may cause persistent muscle weakness, osteolytic processes, headaches, and rashes. Until now knowledge of the influence of simvastatin on bone marrow cells has been rather scant and fragmentary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During this experiment the numbers of all types of cells in the leukocytic system of porcine bone marrow were evaluated after 28 and 56 days of oral administration of simvastatin at a dose of 40 mg/day/animal. RESULTS: Simvastatin caused an increase in the number of all types of cells in the leukocytic system, and the most visible fluctuations concerned promyelocytes. CONCLUSION: Observations obtained during the present study indicated that the results of the action of simvastatin on porcine bone marrow differ from those observed in other mammal species, including human. This may be due to various metabolic pathways within the bone marrow in the particular species, but the exact mechanisms of these actions are unknown at the present time.

Applicability of the Protein-lipid Profile and Activity of Lactate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes for Diagnosing Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy in Calves.

INTRODUCTION: In calves, hyposelenosis degenerates skeletal muscles in different parts of the body. The extent of damage to muscle cells can be diagnosed by determining the activity of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The aim of this study was to analyse variations in the serum levels of LDH isoenzymes in calves with nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD), to determine the applicability of this parameter for diagnosing NMD, and to describe the influence of hyposelenosis on total protein (TP), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (CHOL) levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of calves (n = six animals per group) were used. After birth, control group calves (SC) were intramuscularly administered 10 ml of a preparation containing selenium (Se) and vitamin E, and experimental group animals (SE) that were not injected. Blood was collected after 5, 15, and 25 days, and the concentrations of Se, vitamin E, TP, TG, and CHOL and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), CK, and LDH fractions were determined. RESULTS: Hypocholesterolaemia and elevated TG levels were found in SE group calves whose LDH fractions revealed a significant increase in LDH4 and LDH5 activity and a decrease in LDH1 activity when electrophoretically separated. CONCLUSION: Nutritional muscular dystrophy is accompanied by hypocholesterolaemia and elevated TG levels caused by muscle lipolysis. LDH4 and LDH5 activity parameters assist early diagnosis of NMD in calves.

Cytological Evaluation of the Influence of High and Low Doses of Bisphenol a on an Erythroblastic Cell Line of Porcine Bone Marrow.

INTRODUCTION: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance widely used in industry for the production of polycarbonates and epoxy resins used in packaging and containers for beverages, contact lenses, compact discs (CDs), window panes, and many other elements. This compound belongs to the group of polyphenols and xenoestrogens commonly found in the human environment. What we know about BPA is still insufficient to enable us to protect our health against its adverse effects, and current knowledge of the influence of BPA on erythroblastic cell lines in bone marrow is rather fragmentary. The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of two doses of BPA (0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg b.w. per day) on myeloid haematopoiesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During this experiment, the number of all types of cells in the erythroblastic cell line was evaluated in porcine bone marrow before and after BPA administration. RESULTS: The obtained results clearly indicate changes in haematopoietic activity of the bone marrow, which was demonstrated by a decrease in erythroblastic cell line production in both experimental groups. The haematological effects of the bone marrow changes were anaemia, caused by a number of erythrocytes which was depressed due to their immaturity, and a significant decrease in mean cellular volume in both groups. CONCLUSION: The harmful effect of high and low doses of BPA on haematopoietic processes was proved.

Prostaglandin E2 exerts the proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects on bovine NK cells.

The aim of this research was to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) affects bovine NK cells in respect of their counts, apoptosis and proliferation, and if it does, then which of the PGE2 receptor (EP) subtype(s) mediate(s) these effects. We here report that long-term, but not short-term, exposure of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells to PGE2 at 10(-5)M, 10(-6)M and 10(-7)M, but not at 10(-8)M, caused a significant increase in the percentage of early apoptotic cells among NK cell subset. Moreover, PGE2 at 10(-5)M and 10(-6)M, but not at 10(-7)M and 10(-8)M, induced a considerable decrease in the absolute count of NK cells. The magnitude of these effects increased with an increasing concentration of PGE2. The blockade of EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 receptors did not prevent the PGE2-induced apoptosis and depletion of NK cells. The results suggest that the proapoptotic effect of PGE2 is secondary in character and the induction of this effect is not mediated through EP receptors. Furthermore, the studies demonstrated that PGE2 at 10(-5)M and 10(-6)M, but not at 10(-7)M and 10(-8)M, highly significantly reduced the percentage of proliferating NK cells. The EP1, EP1/2 and EP3 receptor antagonists were unable to block this effect significantly, whereas the selective blockade of EP4 receptors prevented the PGE2-induced inhibition of NK cells proliferation. These results indicate that PGE2 at certain concentrations may impair the proliferation of NK cells and this effect is mediated via the EP4 receptor.