Impact of acute undernutrition on growth, ileal morphology and nutrient transport in a murine model.

Undernutrition represents a major public health challenge for middle- and low-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate whether a multideficient Northeast Brazil regional basic diet (RBD) induces acute morphological and functional changes in the ileum of mice. Swiss mice (∼25 g) were allocated into two groups: i) control mice were fed a standard diet and II) undernourished mice were fed the RBD. After 7 days, mice were killed and the ileum collected for evaluation of electrophysiological parameters (Ussing chambers), transcription (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (western blotting) of intestinal transporters and tight junctions. Body weight gain was significantly decreased in the undernourished group, which also showed decreased crypt depth but no alterations in villus height. Electrophysiology measurements showed a reduced basal short circuit current (Isc) in the undernourished group, with no differences in transepithelial resistance. Specific substrate-evoked Isc related to affinity and efficacy (glutamine and alanyl-glutamine) were not different between groups, except for the maximum Isc (efficacy) induced by glucose. Transcription of Sglt1 and Pept1 was significantly higher in the undernourished group, while SN-2 transcription was decreased. No changes were found in transcription of CAT-1 and CFTR, while claudin-2 and occludin transcriptions were significantly increased in the undernourished group. Despite mRNA changes, SGLT-1, PEPT-1, claudin-2 and occludin protein expression showed no difference between groups. These results demonstrate early effects of the RBD on mice, which include reduced body weight and crypt depth in the absence of significant alterations to villus morphology, intestinal transporters and tight junction expression.

Impact of acute undernutrition on growth, ileal morphology and nutrient transport in a murine model

Undernutrition represents a major public health challenge for middle- and low-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate whether a multideficient Northeast Brazil regional basic diet (RBD) induces acute morphological and functional changes in the ileum of mice. Swiss mice (∼25 g) were allocated into two groups: i) control mice were fed a standard diet and II) undernourished mice were fed the RBD. After 7 days, mice were killed and the ileum collected for evaluation of electrophysiological parameters (Ussing chambers), transcription (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (western blotting) of intestinal transporters and tight junctions. Body weight gain was significantly decreased in the undernourished group, which also showed decreased crypt depth but no alterations in villus height. Electrophysiology measurements showed a reduced basal short circuit current (Isc) in the undernourished group, with no differences in transepithelial resistance. Specific substrate-evoked Isc related to affinity and efficacy (glutamine and alanyl-glutamine) were not different between groups, except for the maximum Isc (efficacy) induced by glucose. Transcription of Sglt1 and Pept1 was significantly higher in the undernourished group, while SN-2 transcription was decreased. No changes were found in transcription of CAT-1 and CFTR, while claudin-2 and occludin transcriptions were significantly increased in the undernourished group. Despite mRNA changes, SGLT-1, PEPT-1, claudin-2 and occludin protein expression showed no difference between groups. These results demonstrate early effects of the RBD on mice, which include reduced body weight and crypt depth in the absence of significant alterations to villus morphology, intestinal transporters and tight junction expression.

Antinociceptive and gastroprotective effects of diterpenes from the flower buds of Egletes viscosa.

Centipedic acid and 12-acetoxy-hawtriwaic acid lactone, diterpenes isolated from the flower buds of Egletes viscosa (Asteraceae) were assayed for antinociceptive and gastroprotective activities in animal models of nociception and gastric ulcer. In the chemical nociception induced in mice by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injections, both diterpenes (25 and 50 mg/kg, p. o.) exerted potent antinociception in a manner similar to indomethacin (5 mg/kg, p. o.). In the formalin test, only the late phase nociceptive response (20 - 25 min) and not the early phase response (0 - 5 min) was inhibited by these diterpenes. However, these compounds were found to be ineffective against thermal nociception in the hot-plate test. Further, the diterpenes reduced the severity of absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. At the dose of 50 mg/kg, both centipedic acid and 12-acetoxy hawtriwaic acid suppressed the gastric lesions by 53 % and 63 %, respectively. Against the gastric ulceration induced by indomethacin, only centipedic acid (25 and 50 mg/kg) showed significant inhibition by about 47 - 49 %. The data suggested the gastroprotective and peripheral analgesic properties of diterpenes isolated from E. viscosa.