In-Ovo Glutamine Administration Enhances Intestinal Development and Functions in Broiler Chickens: Insights from Enteroid Models.

BACKGROUND: Early life events play significant roles in tissue development and animal health in their later life. Early nutrition, through in-ovo delivery, has shown beneficial effects on improving intestinal health in broiler chickens. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully investigated. A recently developed enteroid culture technique allows investigations on intestinal epithelial functions that are close to physiologic conditions. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the short- and long-term effects of in-ovo administration of glutamine (Gln) on intestinal epithelial development and functions by using intestinal enteroid culture and tissue electrophysiologic analysis. METHODS: A hundred eggs of commercial Cobb500 broilers were in-ovo injected with 0.2 mL of either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 3% Gln at embryonic day 18 (E18). Chicks were killed on the day of hatch, and at 3- and 14-d posthatch. Enteroids were generated from the small intestine. After 4 d of culture, enteroids were harvested for 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine proliferation, fluorescein isothiocyanate-4 kDa dextran permeability, and glucose absorption assays. At day 3 (d3) and day 14 (d14), intestinal barrier and nutrient transport functions were measured by the Ussing chamber. The gene expression of epithelial cell markers, nutrient transporters, and tight-junction proteins were analyzed in both intestinal tissues and enteroids. RESULTS: In comparison with the PBS control group, in-ovo Gln increased intestinal villus morphology, epithelial cell proliferation, and differentiation, and altered epithelial cell population toward increased number of enteroendocrine and goblet cells while decreasing Paneth cells. Enteroids gene expression of nutrient transporters (B0AT1, SGLT1, and EAAT3), tight junction (ZO2), glucose absorption, and barrier functions were enhanced on the day of hatch. Long-term increases of intestinal di-peptide and alanine transport were observed at day 14 posthatch. CONCLUSIONS: Together our results suggested that the in-ovo injection of Gln stimulated intestinal epithelium proliferation and programmed the epithelial cell differentiation toward absorptive cells.

Dehydrated Amnion/Chorion Improves Achilles Tendon Repair in a Diabetic Animal Model.

INTRODUCTION: Healing of tendon injuries is often plagued by significant scar formation and compromised biomechanical function. For those with diabetes, these injuries are further complicated by alterations to the extracellular matrix of the tendon, poor circulation, and delayed wound healing; consequently, complications and re-rupture rates for patients with diabetes are reported higher than the typical patient population. Placental derived membranes, specifically dehydrated human amnion/chorion membranes (dACMs), have been utilized clinically as an adhesion barrier, and these membranes have been shown to reduce scarring and aid in tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dACMs on tendon repair in a diabetic model with impaired healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a type II diabetic model (BBZDR/WOR rats), a full-thickness injury was made through the Achilles tendon and repaired using a modified Kessler method. Repaired tendons were wrapped with dACM or left unwrapped as a control (n = 15/group; n = 30 total). Tendons were retrieved at 14 (n = 5/group; n = 10 total) or 28 days (n = 10/group; n = 20 total) and evaluated using histology, immunofluorescence, and biomechanical testing. RESULTS: Treatment of tendons with dACM resulted in reduced failure rates, increased cell migration, and improved mechanical properties (compared with unwrapped controls). The dACM-treated tendons also showed changes in the production of several important biomarkers to tendon healing at both 14 and 28 days; most notably, Scleraxis was found to be upregulated in dACM-treated tendons. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a promising treatment option for this challenging clinical population.