Microbiota-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Postbiotic Strategy to Alleviate Diarrhea and Enhance Immunity in Rotavirus-Infected Neonatal Rats.

Rotavirus (RV) infection is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, resulting in elevated mortality rates in low-income countries. The efficacy of anti-RV vaccines is limited in underdeveloped countries, emphasizing the need for novel strategies to boost immunity and alleviate RV-induced diarrhea. This study explores the effectiveness of interventions involving extracellular vesicles (EVs) from probiotic and commensal E. coli in mitigating diarrhea and enhancing immunity in a preclinical model of RV infection in suckling rats. On days 8 and 16 of life, variables related to humoral and cellular immunity and intestinal function/architecture were assessed. Both interventions enhanced humoral (serum immunoglobulins) and cellular (splenic natural killer (NK), cytotoxic T (Tc) and positive T-cell receptor γδ (TCRγδ) cells) immunity against viral infections and downregulated the intestinal serotonin receptor-3 (HTR3). However, certain effects were strain-specific. EcoR12 EVs activated intestinal CD68, TLR2 and IL-12 expression, whereas EcN EVs improved intestinal maturation, barrier properties (goblet cell numbers/mucin 2 expression) and absorptive function (villus length). In conclusion, interventions involving probiotic/microbiota EVs may serve as a safe postbiotic strategy to improve clinical symptoms and immune responses during RV infection in the neonatal period. Furthermore, they could be used as adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity and efficacy of anti-RV vaccines.

Microbiota-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Immunity and Intestinal Maturation in Suckling Rats.

Microbiota-host communication is primarily achieved by secreted factors that can penetrate the mucosal surface, such as extracellular membrane vesicles (EVs). The EVs released by the gut microbiota have been extensively studied in cellular and experimental models of human diseases. However, little is known about their in vivo effects in early life, specifically regarding immune and intestinal maturation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of daily administration of EVs from probiotic and commensal E. coli strains in healthy suckling rats during the first 16 days of life. On days 8 and 16, we assessed various intestinal and systemic variables in relation to animal growth, humoral and cellular immunity, epithelial barrier maturation, and intestinal architecture. On day 16, animals given probiotic/microbiota EVs exhibited higher levels of plasma IgG, IgA, and IgM and a greater proportion of Tc, NK, and NKT cells in the spleen. In the small intestine, EVs increased the villi area and modulated the expression of genes related to immune function, inflammation, and intestinal permeability, shifting towards an anti-inflammatory and barrier protective profile from day 8. In conclusion, interventions involving probiotic/microbiota EVs may represent a safe postbiotic strategy to stimulate immunity and intestinal maturation in early life.

Composite material with enhanced recyclability as encapsulant for photovoltaic modules.

Encapsulation of photovoltaic cells was carried out using a transparent glass fiber reinforced composite with enhanced chemical recyclability based on a matrix of an epoxy resin containing cleavable functional groups. The current-voltage curves showed a decrease of 6.3% on the short-circuit current (Isc) after encapsulation of the cell, lower than the one observed for the reference non-recyclable standard epoxy composite. Its performance stability under thermal cycling, ultraviolet (UV), and damp-heat exposure was evaluated and compared with the one of the reference standard epoxy. Both resins showed good stability performance under UV exposure and thermal cycling accelerated aging. Moreover, a power loss below the 5% allowed by the photovoltaic standard was observed for the recyclable resin after 1000 h of damp-heat exposure, even the pronounced loss of 4.7% in power remains a concern. Regarding the recyclability, the composite was dissolved in acetic acid dissolution and glass fiber fabrics were successfully recovered. A new module was manufactured with these fabrics, showing this time a loss of 12% in Isc comparing with the non-encapsulated cell. Further work will consider improving the moisture barrier properties of the composite, and adjusting the recycling conditions to allow component recovery valid for new modules.

Metodología 'SLIDE-4-U' para implicar al alumnado en el desarrollo de la clase presencial / How to involve students in the development of the face-to-face class: the 'SLIDE-4-U' methodology

Introducción: Desde hace unos años, tanto en grupos grandes como pequeños, y principalmente en clases en línea, se hapuesto en práctica la metodología ‘SLIDE-4-U’ o ‘una diapositiva para ti’ (2020PID-UB/023), con el objetivo de implicar alestudiante en su propio proceso de aprendizaje y en el de sus compañeros. Se consiguió mediante la participación delalumnado en la explicación en clase de diapositivas específicamente diseñadas para este fin. Métodos: La experiencia se llevó a cabo en el primer semestre del curso 2021-22 en la asignatura Nutrición Molecular delgrado de Nutrición Humana y Dietética (Universitat de Barcelona). Se preparó una sesión de seminario presencial centrada en inmunonutrición. El profesor dirigió la sesión seleccionando de forma aleatoria al estudiante, que debía explicar ladiapositiva sin preparación previa. Las explicaciones del alumnado fueron complementadas o corregidas por el profesordurante el desarrollo de la actividad. Al final del seminario se realizó una encuesta de opinión en la que se constató labuena aceptación de esta iniciativa (puntuaciones medias superiores a 4,2 sobre 5). Resultados: El alumnado consideró que era un reto explicar una diapositiva sin prepararla previamente y que este hecho,asociado a no saber quién haría la explicación, había provocado un cierto clima de nerviosismo. Ahora bien, la mayoríaestaba de acuerdo en que los esquemas/imágenes aportados fueron suficientes para poder desarrollar la actividad y quelas explicaciones hechas por los compañeros eran suficientemente correctas. Asimismo, también valoraban positivamente la participación del profesor a la hora de completar las explicaciones de sus compañeros. En general, la metodologíautilizada hizo que el alumnado fuera más consciente de que las diapositivas tienen una estructura y un objetivo, y de ladificultad de comunicar correctamente...(AU)

Introduction: Lately, both in large and small groups and mainly in online classes, the 'SLIDE-4-U' or 'one slide for you' methodology (2020PID-UB/023) has been put into practice, with the aim of involving the student in their own learning process and that of their classmates. It is achieved through the participation of the students in the explanation of slides in class, specially designed for this purpose. Methods: The experience was carried out in the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year in the subject Molecular Nutrition of the Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree (Universitat de Barcelona). A face-to-face seminar session focused on immunonutrition was prepared with this type of material. The teacher led the session by randomly selecting the student, who had to explain the slide without prior preparation. The explanations of the students were complemented and/or corrected by the teacher, during the development of the activity. At the end of the seminar, an opinion survey was carried out in which the good acceptance of this initiative was verified (average scores higher than 4.2 out of 5). Results: The students considered that it was a challenge to explain a slide without previously preparing it, and that this fact, associated with not knowing who would do the explanation, had caused a certain climate of nervousness. However, the majority agreed that the diagrams/images provided were sufficient to be able to carry out the activity and that the explanations made by the classmates were correct enough. Likewise, they also positively valued the teacher's participation when completing the explanations of their classmates. In general, the methodology used made the students more aware that the slides have a structure and an objective, and of the difficulty of communicating correctly...(AU)

Advances in Nutrition: Opportunities and Challenges in 2022.

Many aspects of how food and diet can improve individual health, performance, and wellbeing remain to be discovered [...].

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers in breastmilk from convalescent and vaccinated mothers.

Breastmilk contains antibodies that could protect breastfed infants from infections. In this work, we examined if antibodies in breastmilk could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in 84 breastmilk samples from women that were either vaccinated (Comirnaty, mRNA-1273, or ChAdOx1), infected with SARS-CoV-2, or both infected and vaccinated. The neutralization capacity of these sera was tested using pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus carrying either the Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, or BA.1 Omicron spike proteins. We found that natural infection resulted in higher neutralizing titers and that neutralization correlated positively with levels of immunoglobulin A in breastmilk. In addition, significant differences in the capacity to produce neutralizing antibodies were observed between both mRNA-based vaccines and the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, our results indicate that breastmilk from naturally infected women or those vaccinated with mRNA-based vaccines contains SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that could potentially provide protection to breastfed infants from infection.

Anatomical drivers of stomatal conductance in sorghum lines with different leaf widths grown under different temperatures.

Sustaining crop productivity and resilience in water-limited environments and under rising temperatures are matters of concern worldwide. We investigated the leaf anatomical traits that underpin our recently identified link between leaf width (LW) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), as traits of interest in plant breeding. Ten sorghum lines with varying LW were grown under three temperatures to expand the range of variation of both LW and gas exchange rates. Leaf gas exchange, surface morphology and cross-sectional anatomy were measured and analysed using structural equations modelling. Narrower leaves had lower stomatal conductance (gs ) and higher iWUE across growth temperatures. They also had smaller intercellular airspaces, stomatal size, percentage of open stomatal aperture relative to maximum, hydraulic pathway, mesophyll thickness, and leaf mass per area. Structural modelling revealed a developmental association among leaf anatomical traits that underpinned gs variation in sorghum. Growing temperature and LW both impacted leaf gas exchange rates, but only LW directly impacted leaf anatomy. Wider leaves may be more productive under well-watered conditions, but consume more water for growth and development, which is detrimental under water stress.

Effect of Rotavirus Infection and 2'-Fucosyllactose Administration on Rat Intestinal Gene Expression.

Viral infections are described as modifying host gene expression; however, there is limited insight regarding rotavirus (RV) infections. This study aimed to assess the changes in intestinal gene expression after RV infection in a preclinical model, and the effect of 2-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) on this process. From days 2 to 8 of life, rats were supplemented with the dietary oligosaccharide 2'-FL or vehicle. In addition, an RV was inoculated on day 5 to nonsupplemented animals (RV group) and to 2'-FL-fed animals (RV+2'-FL group). Incidence and severity of diarrhea were established. A portion from the middle part of the small intestine was excised for gene expression analysis by microarray kit and qPCR. In nonsupplemented animals, RV-induced diarrhea upregulated host antiviral genes (e.g., Oas1a, Irf7, Ifi44, Isg15) and downregulated several genes involved in absorptive processes and intestinal maturation (e.g., Onecut2, and Ccl19). The 2'-FL-supplemented and infected animals had less diarrhea; however, their gene expression was affected in a similar way as the control-infected animals, with the exception of some immunity/maturation markers that were differentially expressed (e.g., Ccl12 and Afp). Overall, assessing the expression of these key genes may be useful in the evaluation of the efficacy of nutritional interventions or treatments for RV infection.

Distinct breast milk microbiota, cytokine, and adipokine profiles are associated with infant growth at 12 months: an in vitro host-microbe interaction mechanistic approach.

Breast milk (BM) is important for adequate infant development, and it contains bioactive compounds, such as bacteria, cytokines and some adipokines which play a role in infant microbial, metabolic, and immunological maturation. However, little is known about its impact on growth and development in early life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of milk microbiota, cytokine, and adipokine profiles on the risk of overweight at 12 months of life to find the possible mechanisms of host-microbe interactions. In this study, BM samples from 100 healthy women collected during 15 d after birth were included. BM microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and cytokine and adipokine levels were measured by the Luminex approach. In addition, infant weight and length were recorded during the first 12 months and z-scores were obtained according to the WHO databases. Infants were classified as risk of overweight (ROW) and no-risk of overweight (NOROW) based on their body mass index z-score (BMIZ) and infant weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) at 12 months. In order to study host-microbe interactions, epithelial intestinal and mammary cell lines were exposed to milk microbes to assess the host response by interleukin (IL)-6 production as a potential inflammatory marker. BM was dominated by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera, and the most abundant cytokines were IL-6 and IL-18. Leptin levels were positively correlated with the pregestational body mass index (BMI). Higher relative abundance of the Streptococcus genus was associated with higher IL-10 and higher relative abundance of the Bifidobacterium genus was associated with lower IL-6 concentrations in milk. Infant WLZ at 12 months could be partially predicted by Streptococcus genus proportions and IL-10 and IL-18 levels in BM. BM microbiota significantly induced cytokine responses in mammary epithelial cells. Higher levels of IL-6 production were observed in mammary cells exposed to BM microbiota from mothers with ROW offspring compared to mothers with NOROW offspring. In conclusion, BM microbiota is related to the cytokine profile. IL-10 and IL-18 levels and the abundance of the Streptococcus genus could affect early infant development. Further research is needed to clarify the specific impact of BM microbiota and cytokines on infant growth and the risk of overweight.

Influence of Diets Enriched with Flavonoids (Cocoa and Hesperidin) on the Systemic Immunity of Intensively Trained and Exhausted Rats.

The aim of this study was to establish the influence of flavonoid-enriched diets on the immune alterations induced by an intensive training and a final exhaustion test in rats. A flavanol-enriched diet (with 10% cocoa, C10 diet) and a flavanol and flavanone-enriched diet (C10 plus 0.5% hesperidin, CH diet) were used. Lewis rats were fed either a standard diet, C10 diet or CH diet while they were submitted to an intensive running training on a treadmill. After 6 weeks, samples were obtained 24 h after performing a regular training (T groups) and after carrying out a final exhaustion test (TE groups). The C10 diet attenuated the increase in plasma cortisol induced by exhaustion, while both the C10 and the CH diets prevented the alterations in the spleen Th cell proportion. The experimental diets also induced an increase in serum immunoglobulin concentration and an enhancement of spleen natural killer cytotoxicity, which may be beneficial in situations with a weakened immunity. Most of the effects observed in the CH groups seem to be due to the cocoa content. Overall, a dietary intervention with flavonoids enhances immune function, partially attenuating the alterations in systemic immunity induced by intensive training or exhausting exercise.

Galectins-1, -3 and -9 Are Present in Breast Milk and Have a Role in Early Life Development.

Galectins (Gal) are a family of conserved soluble proteins with high affinity for ß-galactoside structures. They have been recognized as important proteins for successful pregnancy. However, little is known about their presence in breast milk and their role in early infancy. Gal-1, -3 and -9 concentrations were evaluated by Multiplex immunoassays in mother-infant pairs from the MAMI cohort in maternal plasma (MP) (n = 15) and umbilical cord plasma (UCP) (n = 15) at birth and in breast milk samples (n = 23) at days 7 and 15 postpartum. Data regarding mother and infant characteristics were collected. Gal-9 was present in a lower concentration range than Gal-1 and Gal-3 in plasma, specifically in UCP. A major finding in the current study is that Gal-1, -3 and -9 were detected for the first time in all the transitional breast milk samples and no differences were found when comparing the two breastfeeding time points. Finally, Gal levels were associated with some maternal and infant characteristics, such as gestational age, pregnancy weight gain, maternal diet, the gender, infant growth and infant infections. In conclusion, Gal levels seem to be involved in certain developmental aspects of early life.

Molecular and in vivo studies of a glutamate-class prolyl-endopeptidase for coeliac disease therapy.

The digestion of gluten generates toxic peptides, among which a highly immunogenic proline-rich 33-mer from wheat α-gliadin, that trigger coeliac disease. Neprosin from the pitcher plant is a reported prolyl endopeptidase. Here, we produce recombinant neprosin and its mutants, and find that full-length neprosin is a zymogen, which is self-activated at gastric pH by the release of an all-ß pro-domain via a pH-switch mechanism featuring a lysine plug. The catalytic domain is an atypical 7+8-stranded ß-sandwich with an extended active-site cleft containing an unprecedented pair of catalytic glutamates. Neprosin efficiently degrades both gliadin and the 33-mer in vitro under gastric conditions and is reversibly inactivated at pH > 5. Moreover, co-administration of gliadin and the neprosin zymogen at the ratio 500:1 reduces the abundance of the 33-mer in the small intestine of mice by up to 90%. Neprosin therefore founds a family of eukaryotic glutamate endopeptidases that fulfils requisites for a therapeutic glutenase.

Grade III solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma: An enthralling intracranial tumor-A case report and literature review.

Hemangiopericytomas account for less than 1% of all intracranial tumors. In 2016, World Health Organization (WHO) unified the two terms into a single medical condition known as solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC). Our patient is an 80-year-old woman with a past medical history of sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement. She presented to the emergency department with progressive headaches for one month duration. Her headaches worsened at night, waking her up from sleep. They also increased in intensity by bending forward. Review of systems was significant for bilateral lower extremity weakness accompanied by difficulty walking. The motor exam was remarkable for right upper and right lower extremity 3/5 weakness. The gait was ataxic. A Computed tomography scan of the head without contrast revealed a large dural-based right parietal hyperdense mass with surrounding edema, mass effect, and compression of the right lateral ventricle atrium. A right-to-left midline shift was also noted. Given the fact that our patient had a pacemaker, she was not a candidate for a brain MRI. Neurosurgery successfully resected the mass. Histopathological studies confirmed WHO grade III anaplastic solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma. The patient was discharged on adjuvant radiation with imaging surveillance given the grade and the extent of resection. This case highlights a rare type of intracranial mass that resembles meningioma on imaging studies. It also illustrates that solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma should be kept as a differential diagnosis for brain masses, given its aggressive nature, and its potential of metastasis and recurrence.

Staphylococcus epidermidis' Overload During Suckling Impacts the Immune Development in Rats.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland occurring in 3-33% of the breastfeeding mothers. The majority of mastitis cases have an infectious etiology. More than 75% of infectious mastitis are caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus and involves breast milk microbiota alteration, which, may have an impact in lactating infant. The aim of this study was to analyze in rats during the suckling period and later in life the impact of a high and a low overload of Staphylococcus epidermidis, similarly as it occurs during the clinical and the subclinical mastitis, respectively. From days 2 to 21 of life, suckling rats were daily supplemented with low (Ls group) or high (Hs group) dose of S. epidermidis. Body weight and fecal humidity were periodically recorded. On days 21 and 42 of life, morphometry, hematological variables, intestinal gene expression, immunoglobulin (Ig) and cytokine profile and spleen cells' phenotype were measured. Although no differences were found in body weight, Ls and Hs groups showed higher body length and lower fecal humidity. Both doses induced small changes in lymphocytes subpopulations, reduced the plasma levels of Ig and delayed the Th1/Th2 balance causing a bias toward the Th2 response. No changes were found in cytokine concentration. The low dose affected the Tc cells intestinal homing pattern whereas the high dose had an impact on the hematological variables causing leukocytosis and lymphocytosis and also influenced the intestinal barrier maturation. In conclusion, both interventions with Staphylococcus epidermidis overload during suckling, affects the immune system development in short and long term.

A Puzzling Diagnosis of Cerebral Vein Thrombosis in a COVID-19-Vaccinated Patient.

Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition equivalent to deep vein thrombosis of the intracranial veins. Delayed diagnosis will result in severe and disabling complications. We report a case of a 59-year-old man with CVT with no significant past medical or surgical history. On admission, he reported right-sided numbness and weakness concerns, preceded by the sudden onset of bilateral vision loss and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans confirmed the diagnosis of CVT. The most interesting relative risk factor was flying overseas twice a month for the last 10 years; each flight was longer than eight hours. Another possible contributing factor to our patient's condition was polycythemia, with a hemoglobin level of 19, but the most questionable and puzzling is the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination two months, eight months, and one year prior to admission. Our case highlights a rare COVID-19 vaccine-related CVT diagnosis and that close monitoring for new symptoms and signs is vital to prevent life-threatening complications, herniation, and hemorrhagic transformation.

Metallomic and Untargeted Metabolomic Signatures of Human Milk from SARS-CoV-2 Positive Mothers.

SCOPE: Lack of information about the impact of maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on the elemental and metabolomic profile of human milk (HM). METHODS AND RESULTS: An observational study on HM from mothers with COVID-19 is conducted including a prepandemic control group. Maternal-infant clinical records and symptomatology are recorded. The absolute quantification of elements and untargeted relative metabolomic profiles are determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, respectively. Associations of HM SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with elemental and metabolomic profiles are studied. COVID-19 has a significant impact on HM composition. COVID-19 reduces the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Se, Ni, V, and Aluminium (Al) and increases Zn compared to prepandemic control samples. A total of 18 individual metabolites including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids and conjugates, purines and derivatives, alcohols, and polyols are significantly different in HM from SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine, and linoleic acid pathways are significantly altered. Differences are obtained depending on COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique insights about the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the elemental and metabolomic profiles of HM that warrants further research due the potential implications for infant health.

Massive Cavitation by Pneumocystis jirovecii in an Immunocompromised Patient.

Since the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and antibiotic prophylaxis, the incidence of opportunistic infections in human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) has been drastically reduced. However, third-world countries remain a fertile ground for medication nonadherence and inappropriate patient follow-up. Here, we present the case of a 42-year-old male with a history of HIV who presented with worsening shortness of breath and atypical chest pain. A chest X-ray and chest computed tomography scan revealed a left parahilar cavitation measuring 86 mm in diameter. A percutaneous lung biopsy revealed Pneumocystis jirovecii. Appropriate antibiotics were started, and the patient's clinical status significantly improved. This case illustrates the devastating consequences of uncontrolled HIV-AIDS. ART and prophylactic antibiotics remain the cornerstone of treatment to ameliorate progressive lung damage in patients.

Body weight of newborn and suckling piglets affects their intestinal gene expression.

Modern hyperprolific sows must deal with large litters (16-20 piglets) which reduce piglet birthweight with a concomitant increase in the proportion of small and intrauterine growth retarded piglets. However, larger litters do not only have a greater variation of piglet weights, but also a greater variation in colostrum and milk consumption within the litter. To further understand the impact that body weight has on piglets, the present study aimed to evaluate the degree of physiological weakness of the smallest piglets at birth and during the suckling period (20 d) compared to their middle-weight littermates through their jejunal gene expression. At birth, light piglets showed a downregulation of genes related to immune response (FAXDC2, HSPB1, PPARGC1α), antioxidant enzymes (SOD2m), digestive enzymes (ANPEP, IDO1, SI), and nutrient transporter (SLC39A4) (P < 0.05) but also a tendency for a higher mRNA expression of GBP1 (inflammatory regulator) and HSD11ß1 (stress hormone) genes compared to their heavier littermates (P < 0.10). Excluding HSD11ß1 gene, all these intestinal gene expression differences initially observed at birth between light and middle-weight piglets were stabilized at the end of the suckling period, when others appeared. Genes involved in barrier function (CLDN1), pro-inflammatory response (CXCL2, IL6, IDO1), and stress hormone signaling (HSD11ß1) over-expressed compared to their middle-weight littermates (P < 0.05). In conclusion, at birth and at the end of suckling period, light body weight piglets seem to have a compromised gene expression and therefore impaired nutrient absorption, immune and stress responses compared to their heavier littermates.

Under hyperprolific situations, piglets must deal with a reduced birthweight and a severe sibling competition for nutrients. Therefore, light body weight newborn and suckling piglets may also have physiological disadvantages compared to their middle-weight littermates. To further understand the impact that body weight has on piglets, the present study aimed to evaluate the degree of physiological weakness of the smallest piglets at birth and during the suckling period (20 d) compared to their middle-weight littermates through their jejunal gene expression. Newborn light piglets downregulated genes related to immunity, antioxidant, and digestive activities, but also a tendency to upregulate other genes related to inflammation and stress responses. At the end of the suckling period, those genes expression differences vanished while others appear. Light weight piglets showed lower expression of genes involved in barrier function, inflammation, and stress responses compared to their middle-weight littermates. At birth and at the end of lactation, light piglets seem to have a compromised intestinal gene expression for nutrient absorption, immune and stress responses compared to their heavier littermates.

Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation: New evidence for the vertical transmission of extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds in rats.

Maternal breast milk provides the newborn with passive immunity and stimulates the maturation of the infant immune system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vertical transmission of phenolic compounds and their metabolites to offspring in rats fed with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) during pregnancy and lactation. For this purpose, plasma and lactic serum from dams and plasma from offspring were analyzed by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. Both enzymatic and microbial metabolites of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol were detected in dam plasma and lactic serum. In addition, significant levels of phenolic compounds and their metabolites were found in offspring plasma. The concentration and number of hydroxytyrosol derivatives was higher than those of tyrosol and the microbial metabolites were found in the highest concentration. The observed vertical transmission of EVOO phenolic compounds, whose health benefits are widely reported, provides further support for the importance of the maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation.