Interleukin-17 enhances the removal of respiratory syncytial virus in mice by promoting neutrophil migration and reducing interferon-gamma expression.

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of interleukin (IL)-17 on early immune response and inflammation in the lungs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected mice. Specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to control, RSV-infected, RSV-infected with phosphate-buffered saline, and RSV-infected + IL-17 intervention groups. The RSV infection model was set up by nasal mucosa immunization. The intervention group was provided with restructured IL-17 (intranasal). The viral load and cytokine concentrations in the lung tissues and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by real-time-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RSV caused acute lung inflammation in mice with a significantly higher number of neutrophils and cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-1ß, IL-6, and G-CSF in the BALF than that in the control group. IL-17 intervention led to a significant increase in the number of neutrophilic granulocytes in the BALF. Alternately, IL-17 intervention led to a significant decrease in the IFN-γ concentration and a significant increase in the IL-1ß, IL-6 and G-CSF levels in the BALF. IL-17 induced a reduction in the viral load and an increase in the survival rate of mice on the third day of infection. IL- 17 mucosal immunity enhances the removal of RSV and strengthens the immune defense by promoting neutrophil migration and reducing the IFN-γ levels in mouse lungs.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis Natto on Meat Quality and Skatole Content in TOPIGS Pigs.

This study investigated the effect of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) natto on meat quality and skatole in TOPIGS pigs. Sixty TOPIGS pigs were randomly assigned to 3 groups (including 5 pens per group, with 4 pigs in each pen) and fed with basic diet (control group), basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto (B group), and basic diet plus 0.1% B. subtilis natto plus 0.1% B. coagulans (BB group), respectively. All pigs were sacrificed at 100 kg. Growth performance, meat quality, serum parameters and oxidation status in the three groups were assessed and compared. Most parameters regarding growth performance and meat quality were not significantly different among the three groups. However, compared with the control group, meat pH24, fat and feces skatole and the content of Escherichia coli (E. Coli), Clostridium, NH3-N were significantly reduced in the B and BB groups, while serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, the levels of liver P450, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1, total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase and Lactobacilli in feces were significantly increased in the B and BB groups. Further, the combined supplementation of B. subtilis natto and B. coagulans showed more significant effects on the parameters above compared with B. subtilis, and Clostridium, and NH3-N. Our results indicate that the supplementation of pig feed with B. subtilis natto significantly improves meat quality and flavor, while its combination with B. coagulans enhanced these effects.

[Determination of esculetin in semen Euphorbiae lathyridis L. by TLCS and comparison on the quality in different areas].

A TLC-densitometric method for the determination of oesculetin in Semen Euphorbia lathyridis (Euphorbiae lathyrdis) was established, and esculetin content in Semen Euphorbia lathyridis from three different producing areas (Zhengzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing) was determined. The method is accurate, sensitive and simple. The recovery is 98.63% and the coefficient of variation is 1.59% (n = 5). The esculetin average contents in the three samples are 0.3013%, 0.2046% and 0.2094% respectively.