Granulomatous Myocarditis Caused by Candida Spp Infection in a Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Rat.

Background: Myocarditis refers to myocardial inflammation with necrosis caused by non-infectious of infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, or drugs. Candida is known to cause myocarditis in healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Diabetes mellitus causes chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired secretion or hypofunction of insulin, induces a compromised state, and increases the risk of contracting various infections. Objective: We report a case of granulomatous myocarditis caused by Candida in a Spontaneously Diabetic Torii rat, a non-obese diabetic model. Case report: A male SDT rat, 61 weeks of age, was housed in conventional environment. The rat was provided a commercial diet and tap water ad libitum. The heart was sampled and prepared the specimen of hematoxylin-and-eosin-, Sirius-red-, Giemsa-, Grocott-stain. Histologically, formation of large granulation tissue was observed in the left ventricular wall. A center of the foci showed necrosis. Moreover, inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrous component were increased surrounding the foci and between myocardial cells. A Grocott and Giemsa staining-positive cell masses occasionally appearing in the foci were considered to be Candida because of their characteristic form. Conclusion: The development and progression of myocarditis were potentially related to a diabetes-induced compromised state.

Urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein is a biomarker reflecting renal damage and the ameliorative effect of drugs at an early stage of histone-induced acute kidney injury.

AIM: Circulated histones play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and severe trauma, and it is one of the potential molecular targets for therapeutics. Recently, we reported that histone is one of the causative agents for urinary L-FABP increase. However, the mechanism is still unclear, especially in severe cases. We further investigated the mechanism of urinary L-FABP increase using a more severe mouse model with histone-induced kidney injury. This study also aims to evaluate the therapeutic responsiveness of urinary L-FABP as a preliminary study. METHODS: Human L-FABP chromosomal transgenic mice were administrated 30 mg/kg histone from a tail vein with a single dose. We also performed a comparative study in LPS administration model. For the evaluation of the therapeutic responsiveness of urinary L-FABP, we used heparin and rolipram. RESULTS: The histological change with cast formation as a characteristic of the models was observed in proximal tubules. Urinary L-FABP levels were significantly elevated and these levels tended to be higher in those with more cast formation. Heparin and rolipram had the ameliorative effect of the cast formation induced by histone and urinary L-FABP levels significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Histone is one of the causative agents for the increase of urinary L-FABP at an early stage of AKI. In addition, it suggested that urinary L-FABP may be useful as a subclinical AKI marker reflecting kidney damage induced by histone. Furthermore, urinary L-FABP reflected the degree of the damage after the administration of therapeutic agents such as heparin and PDE4 inhibitor.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis in mice fed a modified choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino acid-defined diet and the role of signal changes.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of NASH-associated HCC is increasing, posing a serious public health threat. Unfortunately, the underlying pathological mechanisms, including the possible differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions, remain largely unknown. Previously, we reported a dietary mouse NASH model with a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino-acid-defined, high-fat diet containing shortening without trans fatty acids (CDAA-HF-T[-]), which rapidly induces fibrosis and proliferative lesions in the liver. This study aimed to develop a mouse CDAA-HF-T(-) model capable of assessing NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis and identifying key signaling factors involved in its underlying mechanisms. Multiple large masses, histopathologically hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas, and hemangiosarcomas were detected in the liver samples of mice fed CDAA-HF-T(-) for 52 or 63 weeks, along with highly advanced fibrosis and numerous foamy, phagocytic macrophages in the adjacent nontumoral area. Multiple metastatic nodules were found in the lungs of one of the animals, and lymphoid clusters were found in all CDAA-HF-T(-) group mice. In the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis of RNA expression data, the CDAA-HF-T(-) feeding revealed common signal changes in nontumoral and tumoral liver tissues, including increased IL-8 and RhoGTPases signaling and decreased lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) expression levels were upregulated in nontumoral liver tissue from the end of Week 13 of CDAA-HF-T(-) feeding to the end of Week 63. On the other hand, MIP-2 was expressed on macrophages in non-tumor areas and hepatocytes in tumor areas. Therefore, the CDAA-HF-T(-) mouse model is useful for assessing NASH and NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis, and IL-8 signaling plays important roles in NASH-associated carcinogenesis and cirrhosis, but it may also play different roles in nontumoral liver tissue and tumorigenesis.

Urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein is increased in the early stages of the disease with a risk of acute kidney injury induced by histone.

AIM: Urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) has potential utility as an early prognostic biomarker ahead of traditional severity scores in coronavirus disease 2019 and sepsis, however, the mechanism of elevated urinary L-FABP in the disease has not been clearly elucidated. We investigated the background mechanisms of urinary L-FABP excretion through non-clinical animal model focusing on histone, which is one of the aggravating factors in these infectious diseases. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in central intravenous catheters, and these rats were given a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg/min calf thymus histones for 240 min from caudal vena cava. RESULTS: After the administration of histone, urinary L-FABP and gene expression of an oxidative stress marker in the kidney increased in a histone dose-dependent manner before increased serum creatinine. Upon further investigation, fibrin deposition in the glomerulus was observed and it tended to be remarkable in the high dose administrated groups. The levels of coagulation factor were significantly changed after the administration of histone, and these were significantly correlated with the levels of urinary L-FABP. CONCLUSIONS: Firstly, it was suggested that histone is one of the causative agents for the urinary L-FABP increase at an early stage of the disease with a risk of acute kidney injury. Secondly, urinary L-FABP could be a marker reflecting the changes of coagulation system and microthrombus caused by histone in the early stage of acute kidney injury before becoming severely ill and maybe a guide to early treatment initiation.

Effects of Siraitia grosvenorii extract on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-like lesions in Sprague Dawley rats fed a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, l-amino acid-defined diet.

Siraitia grosvenorii is the fruit of a cucurbitaceous vine endemic to China. Its extract has been used as a sweetener and exhibits various anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects mediated via its antioxidant properties. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the preventive or ameliorative effects of S. grosvenorii extract (SGE) on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-like lesions induced in male Hsd: Sprague Dawley rats fed a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, l-amino acid-defined diet for 13 weeks. This diet increased hepatotoxicity parameters and upregulated the expression of inflammation- and fibrosis-related genes in the liver, resulting in the progression of hepatic lesions, oxidative stress, hepatocellular apoptosis, and fibrosis. Furthermore, this diet upregulated the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and CD44. SGE administration inhibited these lesions, similar to CD44, a factor that controls hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. These results revealed that SGE impacts the disease stage via antioxidative effects and regulation of CD44 expression. SGE was found to be useful for preventing and treating steatohepatitis.

CD44 expression in the bile duct epithelium is related to hepatic fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis rats induced by a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino acid diet.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a lifestyle-related disease and an increasing threat worldwide. Hepatic fibrosis, which results from chronic hepatic diseases including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is closely correlated with mortality among hepatic lesions, such as steatosis and inflammation. Thus, it is important to identify factors that can serve as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we examined the function of CD44 in the development of hepatic fibrosis in choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino-acid diet-fed rats, especially with respect to the proliferation of bile duct epithelium. Male Fischer 344 rats were fed a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino-acid diet for 2, 4, 13, or 26 weeks. This diet decreased the body weight; increased the levels of serum parameters indicating liver injury, such as aspartate and alanine aminotransferase; upregulated inflammation- and fibrosis-related gene expression in the liver; and resulted in the development of hepatic lesions, including fatty changes in hepatocytes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. Hepatic hyaluronan was synthesized and deposited in the liver tissue. The expression of both CD44 mRNA and protein was significantly increased throughout the experimental period. CD44 protein was observed in some of the bile duct epithelium, around which hyaluronic acid was deposited, and these bile duct lesions were concordant with the area of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, CD44 expressed in the bile duct epithelium may be a target for controlling nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatic fibrosis.

Effects of excessive sodium chloride loading in the spontaneously diabetic torii (SDT) fatty rats, a preclinical model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus represents an international health concern with its growing number of patients worldwide. At the same time, excessive salt consumption is also seen as a major cause of diseases such as hypertension and may expedite renal complications in diabetic patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of excessive sodium chloride supplementation on the kidney of the Spontaneously Diabetic Torii-Leprfa (SDT fatty) rat, an obese type 2 diabetes model. Male and female SDT fatty rats and normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 5 weeks of age were loaded with 0.3% sodium chloride (NaCl) in drinking water for 13 weeks. Blood serum and urinary parameters were observed throughout the experiment and kidney samples were examined in histopathological and genetical analyses. Significant changes on the body weight, blood pressure, urine volume, creatinine clearance, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), relative gene expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) were observed in the salt-loaded male SDT fatty rats. Urinary L-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and albumin levels were higher observed in the salt-loaded male SDT fatty rats throughout the period, but urinary albumin levels in the female SDT fatty rats remain unchanged. In the kidney, slight Armani-Ebstein changes, tubular degeneration, hyaline cast, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in female SDT fatty rats while the levels of some changes were higher in the salt-loaded group. The kidney of the salt-loaded male SDT fatty rats demonstrated a higher degree of lesions compared to the female group and the male unloaded group. Histopathological changes in salt-loaded SDT fatty rats show that excessive salt consumption may act as a diabetic pathology exacerbation factor, but the pathology may be influenced by gender difference. Urinary L-FABP levels may act as a useful biomarker to detect slight tubular damages in the kidney. Excessive salt loading was shown to exacerbate the renal injury in SDT fatty rats.

A case of spontaneous Zymbal's gland carcinoma with lung metastasis in an aged Fischer 344 rat.

Zymbal's gland neoplasms are induced in rats through the administration of various carcinogens, but spontaneous neoplasia is rare. This report describes a spontaneous Zymbal's gland carcinoma with lung metastasis found in an aged male Fischer 344 rat. Macroscopically, the dome-like tumor nodule, approximately 30 mm in diameter with ulceration, was located near the ear canal of the rat. No healthy tissue or structure of Zymbal's gland was identified on the corresponding side, while the normal salivary glands and a lacrimal gland were observed. Histologically, a large part of the tumor mass was occupied by poorly differentiated neoplastic cells, the shapes of which were oval to polygonal or fusiform. Additionally, clusters of sebaceous-like foamy cells and squamous metaplasia with prominent keratinization were observed. Tumor cells were found to metastasize to the lung; these cells displayed histological similarities, including a sebaceous gland-like pattern, to those in the primary site. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 or vimentin but negative for CD68, S100, α-smooth muscle actin, von Willebrand factor, and desmin. Our results indicate that the tumor was a poorly differentiated Zymbal's gland carcinoma with lung metastasis.

Nonobese mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis fed on a choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet exhibit alterations in signaling pathways.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is often associated with obesity, but some patients develop NASH without obesity. The physiological processes by which nonobese patients develop NASH and cirrhosis have not yet been determined. Here, we analyzed the effects of dietary methionine content on NASH induced in mice fed on a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, l-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD). CDAHFD with insufficient methionine induced insulin sensitivity and enhanced NASH pathology, but without obesity. In contrast, CDAHFD with sufficient methionine induced steatosis, and unlike CDAHFD with insufficient methionine, also induced obesity and insulin resistance. Gene profile analysis revealed that the disease severity in CDAHFD may partially be due to upregulation of the Rho family GTPases pathway and mitochondrial and nuclear receptor signal dysfunction. The signaling factors/pathways detected in this study may assist in future study of NASH regulation, especially its 'nonobese' subtype.

A trans fatty acid substitute enhanced development of liver proliferative lesions induced in mice by feeding a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a form of liver disease characterized by steatosis, necroinflammation, and fibrosis, resulting in cirrhosis and cancer. Efforts have focused on reducing the intake of trans fatty acids (TFAs) because of potential hazards to human health and the increased risk for NASH. However, the health benefits of reducing dietary TFAs have not been fully elucidated. Here, the effects of TFAs vs. a substitute on NASH induced in mice by feeding a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAA-HF) were investigated. METHODS: Mice were fed CDAA-HF containing shortening with TFAs (CDAA-HF-T(+)), CDAA-HF containing shortening without TFAs (CDAA-HF-T(-)), or a control chow for 13 or 26 weeks. RESULTS: At week 13, NASH was induced in mice by feeding CDAA-HF-T(+) containing TFAs or CDAA-HF-T(-) containing no TFAs, but rather mostly saturated fatty acids (FAs), as evidenced by elevated serum transaminase activity and liver changes, including steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. CDAA-HF-T(-) induced a greater extent of hepatocellular apoptosis at week 13. At week 26, proliferative (preneoplastic and non-neoplastic) nodular lesions were more pronounced in mice fed CDAA-HF-T(-) than CDAA-HF-T(+). CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of dietary TFAs with a substitute promoted the development of proliferation lesions in the liver of a mouse NASH model, at least under the present conditions. Attention should be paid regarding use of TFA substitutes in foods for human consumption, and a balance of FAs is likely more important than the particular types of FAs.

Impact of altered dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio caused by high-phosphorus diets in a rat chronic kidney disease (CKD) model created by partial ligation of the renal arteries.

This study aimed to establish a rat chronic kidney disease (CKD) model by studying the effects of a high-phosphorus diet in rats that had undergone partial ligation of the renal arteries (RL). Separate groups of 10-week-old male Slc:Sprague-Dawley rats underwent RL and were fed diets with varying phosphorous levels for a period of 48 days. A marked suppression of body weight gain necessitating humane euthanization occurred on day 28 in rats that had undergone RL and were given high-phosphorus feed. By contrast, the group of intact animals on a high-phosphorus feed exhibited a slightly decreased body weight gain from day 21 and survived until scheduled euthanization. In rats with RL, hematological, blood biochemical, and histopathological analyses demonstrated the presence of CKD-like conditions, particularly in the group that were fed a high-phosphorus diet. Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia were induced by a high-phosphorus diet in both the RL and intact groups, both of which had high levels of FGF23 and parathyroid hormone in the blood. Rats with RL on a high-phosphorus diet showed decreased hematopoiesis by the hematopoietic cell area being narrower in the medullary cavity, proliferation of mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts/osteoclasts, and expansion of the osteoid area, a furthermore generalized vascular lesions, such as calcification, were observed. These findings demonstrate that the partial ligation of the renal arteries combined with a calcium-phosphorus imbalance induced by a high-phosphorus diet serves as an animal model for CKD-like conditions accompanied by bone lesions, helping to elucidate this clinical condition and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Different Effects of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids on Atherogenic High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, can progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) and advanced liver damage, such as that from liver cirrhosis and cancer. Recent studies have shown the benefits of consuming n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the treatment of NAFLD. In the present study, we investigated and compared the effects of the major n-3 PUFAs-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6)-in preventing atherogenic high-fat (AHF) diet-induced NAFLD. Mice were fed the AHF diet supplemented with or without EPA or DHA for four weeks. Both EPA and DHA reduced the pathological features of AHF diet-induced NASH pathologies such as hepatic lobular inflammation and elevated serum transaminase activity. Intriguingly, EPA had a greater hepatic triacylglycerol (TG)-reducing effect than DHA. In contrast, DHA had a greater suppressive effect than EPA on AHF diet-induced hepatic inflammation and ROS generation, but no difference in fibrosis. Both EPA and DHA could be effective for treatment of NAFLD and NASH. Meanwhile, the two major n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids might differ in a relative contribution to pathological intermediate steps towards liver fibrosis.

Salusin-ß as a powerful endogenous antidipsogenic neuropeptide.

Salusin-ß is an endogenous parasympathomimetic peptide, predominantly localized to the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary. Subcutaneously administered salusin-ß (50 nmol/mouse) significantly increased water intake but did not affect locomotor activity or food intake. The salusin-ß-induced increase in water intake was completely abrogated by pretreatment with muscarinic antagonist, atropine sulphate. In contrast, intracerebroventricular injection of salusin-ß, at lower doses (10-100 fmol/mouse) caused a long-lasting decrease in water intake and locomotor activity throughout the entire dark phase of the diurnal cycle. Pre-injection of intracerebroventricular anti-salusin-ß IgG completely abrogated the central salusin-ß mediated suppression of water intake and locomotor activity. These results demonstrate contrasting actions of salusin-ß in the control of water intake via the central and peripheral systems and highlight it as a potent endogenous antidipsogenic neuropeptide.

Ablation of Elovl6 protects pancreatic islets from high-fat diet-induced impairment of insulin secretion.

ELOVL family member 6, elongation of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovl6) is a microsomal enzyme that regulates the elongation of C12-16 saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and is related to the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance via the modification of the fatty acid composition. In this study, we investigated the role of systemic Elovl6 in the pancreatic islet and ß-cell function. Elovl6 is expressed in both islets and ß-cell lines. In mice fed with chow, islets of the Elovl6(-/-) mice displayed normal architecture and ß-cell mass compared with those of the wild-type mice. However, when fed a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet, the islet hypertrophy in response to insulin resistance observed in normal mice was attenuated and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) increased in the islets of Elovl6(-/-) mice compared with those of the wild-type mice. Enhanced GSIS in the HFHS Elovl6(-/-) islets was associated with an increased ATP/ADP ratio and the suppression of ATF-3 expression. Our findings suggest that Elovl6 could be involved in insulin secretory capacity per ß-cell and diabetes.

Elovl6 promotes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

UNLABELLED: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and an increased risk for liver cirrhosis and cancer. ELOVL family member 6, elongation of very long chain fatty acids (Elovl6), is a microsomal enzyme that regulates the elongation of C12-16 saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (FAs). We have shown previously that Elovl6 is a major target for sterol regulatory element binding proteins in the liver and that it plays a critical role in the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance by modifying FA composition. To further investigate the role of Elovl6 in the development of NASH and its underlying mechanism, we used three independent mouse models with loss or gain of function of Elovl6, and human liver samples isolated from patients with NASH. Our results demonstrate that (1) Elovl6 is a critical modulator for atherogenic high-fat diet-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in the liver; (2) Elovl6 expression is positively correlated with severity of hepatosteatosis and liver injury in NASH patients; and (3) deletion of Elovl6 reduces palmitate-induced activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome; this could be at least one of the underlying mechanisms by which Elovl6 modulates the progress of NASH. CONCLUSION: Hepatic long-chain fatty acid composition is a novel determinant in NASH development, and Elovl6 could be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of NASH.

Prolonged effects of intracerebroventricular angiotensin II on drinking, eating and locomotor behavior in mice.

The effects of centrally administered Angiotensin II (Ang II) on water and food intake in rodent models are well known. However, most studies have focused on the acute effects of intracranial Ang II. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of intracerebroventricular Ang II on food and water intake as well as locomotor activity over the entire dark phase of the murine diurnal cycle. Consistent with the previous reports, centrally administered Ang II rapidly stimulated water intake over the initial 1-hour period following treatment. However, this acute increase was immediately followed by a marked reduction in water intake resulting in decreased cumulative water intake approximately 7h after Ang II treatment. Pretreating animals with an Ang II type 1 receptor blocker, Losartan, completely antagonized the acute effect of Ang II and abolished initial water intake. In contrast, application of an Ang II type 2 receptor blocker, PD123319, abrogated the prolonged inhibitory effect of Ang II on drinking behavior and partially suppressed the initial increases in water intake. The suppressive effects of Ang II on cumulative food intake and spontaneous physical activity were also evident throughout the entire dark phase of diurnal cycle. These experiments are the first to suggest that the stimulatory effect of central Ang II treatment on water consumption is very temporary and that it causes a sustained suppressive effect on voluntary locomotion and food intake behavior in mice.