Preweaning nutrient supply alters mammary gland transcriptome expression relating to morphology, lipid accumulation, DNA synthesis, and RNA expression in Holstein heifer calves.

The objective of this study was to analyze the mammary gland transcriptome to determine how preweaning nutrient supply alters the molecular mechanisms that regulate preweaning mammary development. Holstein heifers were fed via milk replacer (MR) either an elevated level of nutrient intake (ELE; on average, 5.9 ± 0.2 Mcal of ME in 8.4 L of MR/d, n = 6) or a restricted amount of nutrients (RES; 2.8 ± 0.2 Mcal of ME in 4 L of MR/d, n = 5) for 54 d after birth, at which point they were slaughtered and samples of mammary parenchyma tissue were obtained. Parenchymal mRNA was analyzed, and the fold change (FC) of 18,111 genes (ELE relative to RES) was uploaded to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software (Qiagen Bioinformatics, Redwood City, CA) for transcriptomic analysis. Using a threshold of P < 0.05, IPA identified that the FC of 1,931 of 18,811 differentially expressed genes (DEG) could be used for the analysis. A total of 18 molecular and cellular functions were relevant to DEG arising from the treatments; the 5 functions most associated with DEG were cell death and survival, cellular movement, cellular development, cellular growth and proliferation, and lipid metabolism. Based on the directional FC of DEG, the mammary gland of ELE heifers was predicted to have increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Z = 2.685) and accumulation of lipid (Z = 2.322), whereas the synthesis of DNA (Z = -2.137), transactivation of RNA (Z = -2.254), expression of RNA (Z = -2.405), transcription (Z = -2.482), and transactivation (Z = -2.611) were all predicted to be decreased. Additionally, IPA predicted the activation status of 13 upstream regulators with direct influence on DEG as affected by ELE feeding that were ligand-dependent nuclear receptors (n = 2), enzymes (n = 1), or transcription regulators (n = 10). Of these, 6 were activated (Z > 2) and 7 were inhibited (Z < -2). In summary, feeding ELE preweaning altered the mammary transcriptome of Holstein heifers, affecting cell functions involved in the morphological and physiological development of the mammary gland.

Effects of resistant starch on behaviour, satiety-related hormones and metabolites in growing pigs.

Resistant starch (RS) has been suggested to prolong satiety in adult pigs. The present study investigated RS-induced changes in behaviour, satiety-related hormones and metabolites in catheterized growing pigs to explore possible underlying mechanisms for RS-induced satiety. In a cross-over design with two 14-day periods, 10 pigs (initial BW: 58 kg) were assigned to two treatments comprising diets containing either 35% pregelatinized starch (PS) or 34% retrograded starch (RS). Diets were isoenergetic on gross energy. Pigs were fed at 2.8× maintenance. Postprandial plasma response of satiety-related hormones and metabolites was measured at the end of each period using frequent blood sampling. Faecal and urinary energy losses were measured at the end of each period. Behaviour was scored 24 h from video recordings using scan sampling. Energy digestibility and metabolizability were ~6% lower in RS compared with PS diet (P<0.001), and metabolizable energy (ME) intake was ~3% lower in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs (P<0.001). RS-fed pigs showed less feeder-directed (P=0.001) and drinking (P=0.10) behaviours than PS-fed pigs throughout the day. Postprandial peripheral short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were higher in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs (P<0.001). Postprandial glucose and insulin responses were lower in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs (P<0.001). Triglyceride levels were higher in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs (P<0.01), and non-esterified fatty acid levels did not differ between diets (P=0.90). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were lower in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs (P<0.001), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) levels did not differ between diets (P=0.90). Blood serotonin levels were lower (P<0.001), whereas monoamine oxidase activity (P<0.05) and tryptophan (P<0.01) levels were higher in RS-fed than in PS-fed pigs. Despite a lower ME intake, RS seemed to prolong satiety, based on behavioural observations. Possible underlying mechanisms for RS-induced satiety include increased 24 h plasma SCFA levels, and decreased postprandial glucose and insulin responses. GLP-1 and PYY seemed not to play a role in RS-induced satiety. Low blood serotonin levels in RS-fed pigs suggested a difference in intestinal serotonin release between treatments. Increased postprandial plasma triglyceride levels corresponded with increased SCFA levels, but it is unclear whether triglycerides may have signalled satiety in RS-fed pigs.

Transient inflammatory-like state and microbial dysbiosis are pivotal in establishment of mucosal homeostasis during colonisation of germ-free mice.

The gut microbiota is increasingly recognised as a key-player in defining the health status of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, we demonstrated that colonisation of healthy germfree mice with a conventional microbiota (conventionalisation) elicits temporal and region specific host-microbe communication responses that lead to the establishment of a microbiota-accommodating homeostatic state within 30 days. Here, the microbiota composition profiles, mucosal transcriptomes and plasma-analytes in germ-free and conventionalised C57/BL 6 J mice were assessed to decipher the features of the distinctive and pivotal events occurring four days after initiation of the conventionalisation process. The dominance of the microbial genera Helicobacter, Sphingomonas and Mucispirillum in the gut microbiota coincided with the transient mounting of proinflammatory responses in the mucosa and the transiently elevated levels of specific (inflammatory) cytokines and amines in plasma. The overrepresented microbes have previously been associated with the potential to cause disease under certain conditions, illustrating that conventionalisation proceeds through a transient state that resembles situations associated with dysbiosis. However, no overt mucosal inflammation was observed, suggesting a pivotal role of the overrepresented bacterial groups in priming and maturation of the immune system during the process of conventionalisation. These findings imply that the transiently elevated relative overgrowth of particular microbial genera functions as pivotal adjuvants to elicit the corresponding proinflammatory cascades, which precede the full maturation of the different arms of the immune system following these events and is required to achieve a microbiota-accommodating homeostasis in healthy animals.

Overexpression of PLIN5 in skeletal muscle promotes oxidative gene expression and intramyocellular lipid content without compromising insulin sensitivity.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: While lipid deposition in the skeletal muscle is considered to be involved in obesity-associated insulin resistance, neutral intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accumulation per se does not necessarily induce insulin resistance. We previously demonstrated that overexpression of the lipid droplet coat protein perilipin 2 augments intramyocellular lipid content while improving insulin sensitivity. Another member of the perilipin family, perilipin 5 (PLIN5), is predominantly expressed in oxidative tissues like the skeletal muscle. Here we investigated the effects of PLIN5 overexpression - in comparison with the effects of PLIN2 - on skeletal muscle lipid levels, gene expression profiles and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: Gene electroporation was used to overexpress PLIN5 in tibialis anterior muscle of rats fed a high fat diet. Eight days after electroporation, insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle was measured by means of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and lipid extractions were performed to investigate IMCL accumulation. Gene expression profiles were obtained using microarrays. RESULTS: TAG storage and lipid droplet size increased upon PLIN5 overexpression. Despite the higher IMCL content, insulin sensitivity was not impaired and DAG and acylcarnitine levels were unaffected. In contrast to the effects of PLIN2 overexpression, microarray data analysis revealed a gene expression profile favoring FA oxidation and improved mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Both PLIN2 and PLIN5 increase neutral IMCL content without impeding insulin-mediated glucose uptake. As opposed to the effects of PLIN2 overexpression, overexpression of PLIN5 in the skeletal muscle promoted expression of a cluster of genes under control of PPARα and PGC1α involved in FA catabolism and mitochondrial oxidation.

Absorption, distribution, and biliary excretion of cafestol, a potent cholesterol-elevating compound in unfiltered coffees, in mice.

Cafestol is a diterpene present in unfiltered coffees. It is the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound present in the human diet. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this effect are still unclear. In contrast, cafestol is also known as a hepatoprotective compound, which is likely to be related to the induction of glutathione biosynthesis and conjugation. In the present study, we investigated whole-body distribution, biliary excretion, and portal bioavailability of cafestol in mice. First, dissection was used to study distribution. Five hours after an oral dose with (3)H-labeled cafestol, most activity was found in small intestine, liver, and bile. These results were confirmed by quantitative whole-body autoradiography in a time course study, which also showed elimination of all radioactivity within 48 h after administration. Next, radiolabeled cafestol was dosed intravenously to bile duct-cannulated mice. Five hours after the dose 20% of the radioactivity was found in bile. Bile contained several metabolites but no parent compound. After intestinal administration of radioactive cafestol to portal vein-cannulated mice, cafestol was shown to be rapidly absorbed into the portal vein as the parent compound, a glucuronide, and an unidentified metabolite. From the presence of a glucuronide in bile that can be deconjugated by a bacterial enzyme and the prolonged absorption of parent compound from the gastrointestinal tract, we hypothesized that cafestol undergoes enterohepatic cycling. Together with our earlier observation that epoxidation of the furan ring occurs in liver, these findings merit further research on the process of accumulation of this coffee ingredient in liver and intestinal tract.

Relative power and sample size analysis on gene expression profiling data.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing number of expression profiling technologies, researchers today are confronted with choosing the technology that has sufficient power with minimal sample size, in order to reduce cost and time. These depend on data variability, partly determined by sample type, preparation and processing. Objective measures that help experimental design, given own pilot data, are thus fundamental. RESULTS: Relative power and sample size analysis were performed on two distinct data sets. The first set consisted of Affymetrix array data derived from a nutrigenomics experiment in which weak, intermediate and strong PPARalpha agonists were administered to wild-type and PPARalpha-null mice. Our analysis confirms the hierarchy of PPARalpha-activating compounds previously reported and the general idea that larger effect sizes positively contribute to the average power of the experiment. A simulation experiment was performed that mimicked the effect sizes seen in the first data set. The relative power was predicted but the estimates were slightly conservative. The second, more challenging, data set describes a microarray platform comparison study using hippocampal deltaC-doublecortin-like kinase transgenic mice that were compared to wild-type mice, which was combined with results from Solexa/Illumina deep sequencing runs. As expected, the choice of technology greatly influences the performance of the experiment. Solexa/Illumina deep sequencing has the highest overall power followed by the microarray platforms Agilent and Affymetrix. Interestingly, Solexa/Illumina deep sequencing displays comparable power across all intensity ranges, in contrast with microarray platforms that have decreased power in the low intensity range due to background noise. This means that deep sequencing technology is especially more powerful in detecting differences in the low intensity range, compared to microarray platforms. CONCLUSION: Power and sample size analysis based on pilot data give valuable information on the performance of the experiment and can thereby guide further decisions on experimental design. Solexa/Illumina deep sequencing is the technology of choice if interest lies in genes expressed in the low-intensity range. Researchers can get guidance on experimental design using our approach on their own pilot data implemented as a BioConductor package, SSPA http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/SSPA.html.

Function and regulation of ATP-binding cassette transport proteins involved in hepatobiliary transport.

Hepatobiliary transport of endogenous and exogenous compounds is mediated by the coordinated action of multiple transport systems present at the sinusoidal (basolateral) and canalicular (apical) membrane domains of hepatocytes. During the last few years many of these transporters have been cloned and functionally characterized. In addition, the molecular bases of several forms of cholestatic liver disease have been defined. Combined, this has greatly expanded our understanding of the normal physiology of bile formation, the pathophysiology of intrahepatic cholestasis, as well as of drug elimination and disposition processes. In this review recent advances, with respect to function and regulation of ATP binding cassette transport proteins expressed in liver, are summarized and discussed.

Function and regulation of ATP-binding cassette transport proteins involved in hepatobiliary transport.

Hepatobiliary transport of endogenous and exogenous compounds is mediated by the coordinated action of multiple transport systems present at the sinusoidal (basolateral) and canalicular (apical) membrane domains of hepatocytes. During the last few years many of these transporters have been cloned and functionally characterized. In addition, the molecular bases of several forms of cholestatic liver disease have been defined. Combined, this has greatly expanded our understanding of the normal physiology of bile formation, the pathophysiology of intrahepatic cholestasis, as well as of drug elimination and disposition processes. In this review recent advances, with respect to function and regulation of ATP binding cassette transport proteins expressed in liver, are summarized and discussed.

Multidrug resistance protein MRP1 protects against the toxicity of the major lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal.

4-Hydroxynonenal (4HNE) is the most prevalent toxic lipid peroxidation product formed during oxidative stress. It exerts its cytotoxicity mainly by the modification of intracellular proteins. The detection of 4HNE-modified proteins in several degenerative disorders suggests a role for 4HNE in the onset of these diseases. Efficient protection mechanisms are required to prevent the intracellular accumulation of 4HNE. The toxicity of 4HNE was tested with the small cell lung cancer cell lines GLC(4) and the multidrug-resistance-protein (MRP1)-overexpressing counterpart GLC(4)/Adr. In the presence of the MRP1 inhibitor MK571 or the GSH-depleting agent buthionine sulphoximine, both cell lines became more sensitive and showed decreased survival. Transport experiments were performed with the (3)H-labelled glutathione S-conjugate of 4HNE ([(3)H]GS-4HNE) with membrane vesicles from GLC(4)-derived cell lines with different expression levels of MRP1. [(3)H]GS-4HNE was taken up in an ATP-dependent manner and the transport rate was dependent on the amount of MRP1. The MRP1 inhibitor MK571 decreased [(3)H]GS-4HNE uptake. MRP1-specific [(3)H]GS-4HNE transport was demonstrated with membrane vesicles from High Five insect cells overexpressing recombinant MRP1. Kinetic experiments showed an apparent K(m) of 1.6+/-0.21 microM (mean+/-S.D.) for MRP1-mediated [(3)H]GS-4HNE transport. In conclusion, MRP1 has a role in the protection against 4HNE toxicity and GS-4HNE is a novel MRP1 substrate. MRP1, together with GSH, is hypothesized to have a role in the defence against oxidative stress.

Hepatocanalicular bile salt export pump deficiency in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), an inherited liver disease of childhood, is characterized by cholestasis and either normal or increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. Patients with normal gamma-glutamyltransferase activity have mutations of the FIC1 locus on chromosome 18q21 or mutations of the BSEP gene on chromosome 2q24. Also, patients with bile acid synthesis defects have low gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. We investigated expression of the bile salt export pump (BSEP) in liver samples from patients with a PFIC phenotype and correlated this with BSEP gene mutations. METHODS: BSEP and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry in liver specimens of 28 patients and BSEP gene mutation analysis in 19 patients. Bile salt kinetics were studied in 1 patient. RESULTS: Sixteen of 28 liver samples showed no canalicular BSEP staining. Staining for MRP2 showed a normal canalicular pattern in all but 1 of these samples. Ten of 19 patients showed BSEP gene mutations; BSEP protein expression was lacking in all 10 patients. No mutations were found in 9 of 19 patients, and in all except 1, BSEP protein expression was normal. Bile salt concentration in bile of BSEP-negative/MRP2-positive PFIC patients was 0.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/L (n = 9; <1% of normal) and in BSEP-positive PFIC patients 18.1 +/- 9.9 mmol/L (n = 3; 40% of normal). The kinetic study confirmed the dramatic decrease of bile salt secretion in BSEP-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show a close correlation between BSEP gene mutations and canalicular BSEP expression. Biliary secretion of bile salts is greatly reduced in BSEP-negative patients.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) induce hepatic expression of the phospholipid translocase mdr2 in rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Biliary cholesterol secretion is coupled to that of phospholipids in a process controlled by mdr2 P-glycoprotein activity and bile salt secretion. Statins, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, have been shown to affect hepatobiliary lipid secretion in rats. The aim of this study was to relate the effects of statins on bile formation to the expression of mdr2 and other hepatic adenosine triphosphate-dependent transport proteins involved in bile formation in rats. METHODS: Rats received simvastatin- or pravastatin-containing chow continuously for 5 days. In one group of rats, simvastatin treatment was withdrawn 9-12 hours before the end of the experiment to induce biliary cholesterol hypersecretion (rebound). Bile and liver tissue were collected for lipid analysis, and hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were studied by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Simvastatin feeding did not alter biliary bile salt secretion. Secretion of phospholipids and cholesterol was stimulated by 74% and 90%, respectively, in the simvastatin-continuous group and by 72% and 235%, respectively, in the rebound group compared with controls. mdr2 mRNA levels increased only in the continuous group. mdr2 protein levels increased in both simvastatin-fed groups. Induction was most pronounced in periportal hepatocytes. mdr1b mRNA levels were moderately increased in both simvastatin-fed groups. Levels of other hepatic transport proteins did not change. Similar results were obtained in pravastatin-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: Statins increase expression of mdr2 and mdr1b in rats, revealing a novel effect of these commonly used drugs.

Glutathione S-conjugate transport in hepatocytes entering the cell cycle is preserved by a switch in expression from the apical MRP2 to the basolateral MRP1 transporting protein.

The multidrug resistance protein MRP1 and its isoform MRP2 are involved in ATP-dependent glutathione S-conjugate transport and have similar substrate specificities. MRP2 mediates hepatic organic anion transport into bile. The physiological function of MRP1 in hepatocytes is unknown. Previous results show that MRP1 expression is low in quiescent hepatocytes but increased after SV40 large T antigen immortalization, suggesting a relationship with cell proliferation. Therefore, we determined mrp1 and mrp2 expression in rat hepatocytes in relation to the cell cycle. By varying cell density we obtained cultures that are mainly in G1 (high density) or have progressed into the S-phase or beyond (low density). In both cultures mrp1 mRNA and protein levels are increased, concomitantly with the disappearance of mrp2. This switch from mrp2 to mrp1 occurs in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and is associated with a decreased cell polarity. Mrp1 is located on lateral membranes or on intracellular vesicles, depending on whether cell-cell contact is established. In both locations mrp1 contributes to cellular glutathione S-conjugate efflux and protects against oxidative stress-inducing quinones. We conclude that a switch in expression from the apically located mrp2 to the basolaterally located mrp1 preserves glutathione S-conjugate transport in hepatocytes entering the cell cycle and protects against certain cytotoxic agents.

Up-regulation of the multidrug resistance genes, Mrp1 and Mdr1b, and down-regulation of the organic anion transporter, Mrp2, and the bile salt transporter, Spgp, in endotoxemic rat liver.

Endotoxin-induced cholestasis is mainly caused by an impaired canalicular secretion. Mrp2, the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter, is strongly down-regulated in this situation, and canalicular bile salt secretion is also reduced. We hypothesized that other adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters may compensate for the decreased transport activity to protect the cell from cytokine-induced oxidative damage. Therefore, we examined the expression of ABC-transport proteins in membrane fractions of whole liver and of isolated hepatocytes of endotoxin-treated rats and performed reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on mRNA isolated from these livers. In addition, the localization of these transporters was examined using confocal scanning laser microscopy. By 6 hours after endotoxin administration, we found a clear increase of mrp1 mRNA and protein, whereas mrp2 mRNA and protein were decreased. This was confirmed in isolated hepatocytes. In addition, mdr1b mRNA was strongly increased, whereas mdr1a and mdr2 mRNA did not change significantly. Both the mRNA and protein levels of the sister of P-glycoprotein (spgp), the recently cloned bile salt transporter, decreased. After endotoxin treatment, the normally sharply delineated canalicular staining of mrp2 and spgp had changed to a fuzzy pattern, suggesting localization in a subapical compartment. We conclude that endotoxin-induced cholestasis is caused by decreased mrp2 and spgp levels, as well as an abnormal localization of these proteins. The simultaneous up-regulation of mrp1 and mdr1b may confer resistance to hepatocytes against cytokine-induced metabolic stress.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships based on computer calculated parameters for the overall rate of glutathione S-transferase catalyzed conjugation of a series of fluoronitrobenzenes.

The present study describes quantitative structure--activity relationships (QSAR's) for the overall rate of conjugation of a series of fluoronitrobenzenes catalyzed by cytosolic glutathione S-transferases based on experimental data and outcomes of computer calculations. The natural logarithm of the rate of conjugation of the series of fluoronitrobenzenes correlates (r = 0.986) with the calculated energy (E) of their lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and also (r = -0.987) with the relative heat of formation (delta delta HF) for formation of the Meisenheimer complex of the fluoronitrobenzenes with a MeS- model nucleophile. In addition, the paper describes QSAR's for the chemical reaction of glutathione with the fluorinated nitrobenzenes both at pH 7.6 and at pH 9.9. These QSAR's are parallel to the one obtained for the enzyme catalyzed conversions. This indicates that in the overall reaction (both chemical and enzyme catalyzed) the interaction between the thiolate anion of glutathione and the fluoronitrobenzene leading to the Meisenheimer reaction intermediate is the rate-limiting step in overall conversion of these substrates. The parallel QSAR's of the chemical and enzymatic reaction also indicate that in the enzymatic reaction chemical reactivity parameters determine the overall outcome of catalysis and, in addition, that the chemical and enzymatic reactions proceed through a similar reaction pathway with comparable reaction intermediates. Additional results of the present study demonstrate that the regioselectivity of the glutathione conjugation cannot be explained on the basis of calculated characteristics of the LUMO of the fluoronitrobenzenes or the delta delta HF for the formation of their Meisenheimer reaction complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)