Adding a polyphenol-rich fiber bundle to food impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome and metabolome in dogs

IntroductionPet foods fortified with fermentable fibers are often indicated for dogs with gastrointestinal conditions to improve gut health through the production of beneficial post-biotics by the pet's microbiome.MethodsTo evaluate the therapeutic underpinnings of pre-biotic fiber enrichment, we compared the fecal microbiome, the fecal metabolome, and the serum metabolome of 39 adult dogs with well-managed chronic gastroenteritis/enteritis (CGE) and healthy matched controls. The foods tested included a test food (TF1) containing a novel pre-biotic fiber bundle, a control food (CF) lacking the fiber bundle, and a commercially available therapeutic food (TF2) indicated for managing fiber-responsive conditions. In this crossover study, all dogs consumed CF for a 4-week wash-in period, were randomized to either TF1 or TF2 and fed for 4 weeks, were fed CF for a 4-week washout period, and then received the other test food for 4 weeks.ResultsMeaningful differences were not observed between the healthy and CGE dogs in response to the pre-biotic fiber bundle relative to CF. Both TF1 and TF2 improved stool scores compared to CF. TF1-fed dogs showed reduced body weight and fecal ash content compared to either CF or TF2, while stools of TF2-fed dogs showed higher pH and lower moisture content vs. TF1. TF1 consumption also resulted in unique fecal and systemic metabolic signatures compared to CF and TF2. TF1-fed dogs showed suppressed signals of fecal bacterial putrefactive metabolism compared to either CF or TF2 and increased saccharolytic signatures compared to TF2. A functional analysis of fecal tryptophan metabolism indicated reductions in fecal kynurenine and indole pathway metabolites with TF1. Among the three foods, TF1 uniquely increased fecal polyphenols and the resulting post-biotics. Compared to CF, consumption of TF1 largely reduced fecal levels of endocannabinoid-like metabolites and sphingolipids while increasing both fecal and circulating polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles, suggesting that TF1 may have modulated gastrointestinal inflammation and motility. Stools of TF1-fed dogs showed reductions in phospholipid profiles, suggesting fiber-dependent changes to colonic mucosal structure.DiscussionThese findings indicate that the use of a specific pre-biotic fiber bundle may be beneficial in healthy dogs and in dogs with CGE

Adipokines: Linking metabolic syndrome, the immune system, and arthritic diseases

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular complications, including obesity and visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension, which directly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Patients with arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, have a higher incidence of CVD. Although recent advances in the treatment of arthritic diseases, the incidence of CVD remains elevated, and MetS has been identified as a possible link between CVD and arthritic diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity has been established as a significant contributing factor to the increased prevalence of MetS. Adipokines, which play important physiological roles in metabolic activities contributing to the pathogenesis of MetS, are also involved in the regulation of autoimmune and/or inflammatory processes associated with arthritic diseases. Therefore, MetS and dysregulated secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines have been recognized as a molecular link between CVD and arthritis diseases. In the present paper, we review recent evidence supporting the role played by adipokines, in particular leptin, adiponectin, and lipocalin-2, in the modulation of the immune system, MetS and arthritic diseases. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are discussed, as well as potential new therapeutic strategies.Acknowledgments: OG and FL are Staff Personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude, SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS). VF is a “Sara Borrell” Researcher funded by ISCIII and FEDER (CD16/00111). RG is a “Miguel Servet” Researcher funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. CRF is a pre-doctoral research scholar funded by ISCIII and FEDER (Exp.18/00188). OG, MAGG, and RG are members of RETICS Programme, RD16/0012/0014 (RIER: Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas) via Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. FL is a member of CIBERCV (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares). The work of OG and JP (PI17/00409), RG (PI16/01870 and CP15/00007) and FL (PI15/00681 PI18/00821 and CB16/11/00226) were funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER. OG is a beneficiary of a project funded by Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme (Project number 734899). RG is beneficiary of a project funded by Mutua Madrileña 2018. AM wishes to acknowledge financial support from the European Structural and Social Funds through the Research Council of Lithuania (Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba) according to the activity ‘Improvement of researchers’ qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects’ of Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 (grant application code: 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0157, agreement No. DOTSUT-215) and the new funding programme: Attracting Foreign Researchers for Research Implementation (2018–2022). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Science Synthesis of 2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ylimino)-5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-ones,1-(1Himidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)-5-methyl-3-aryl-1,3,5-triazinane-2-thiones and 3-(1H-imidazo

1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (1) reacts with ammoniumthiocyanide to form 1-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)thiourea (2), which on reaction with chloroacetic acid gives 2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ylimino)thiazolidin-4-one (3). Compound 3 on condensation gives 2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2ylimino)-5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-ones (4a-e). Further 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (1) reacts with aromatic isothiocyanates to form compound 5 which is cyclized to 1-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)-5-methyl-3-aryl-1,3,5-triazinane-2-thiones (6a-e) and 3-(1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)-5-aryl-1,3,5oxadiazinane-4-thiones (7a-e). 1

Thermal treatment in combination with laminated packaging under modified atmosphere enhances the shelf life of pearl millet flour

Pearl millet grain is storable for months without development of rancidity, while milled flour has very short shelf life of 5 to 7 days due to high fat content and lipolytic action of enzymes. Apart from enzymatic degradation of lipids and c-glycosyl flavones, oxygen present in air promotes oxidation of free fatty acids (FFA) leading to production of peroxides which impart off flavours and bitterness. To control both enzymatic and oxidative effects, implementation of an integrated approach of thermal treatment, efficient packaging, and modified atmosphere was used for shelf life extension. Heat treatment of grains at 150 °C for 30 min before milling and storage of flour in laminated pouches under nitrogen atmosphere was found to extend shelf life by 60 days compared to untreated samples by decreasing FFA value by 10–15 fold and peroxide value by 2 fold. Genotype, thermal treatment, packaging material and atmosphere were found to be significantly different for rancidity parameters

Not Available

Not AvailableExtrusion cooking is a unique method for preparing pasta, which is generally produced from durum wheat semolina. However, preparation of pasta from sorghum is not practiced in India. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to develop and standardize pasta from sorghum cultivar, M35-1 and wheat semolina of 0.1 mm particle size. Sorghum and wheat semolina in different proportions (T1;S:W-50:50,T2;S:W-60:40,T3;S:W-70:30,T4; S:W-80:20, T5; S −100) were mixed with lukewarm water (40 °C) in the cold extruder for 30 min and passed through the extruder with a screw speed of 80 rpm and at a temperature of 55° to obtain pasta of diameter (0.6 mm) and length (1.4 mm). The extruded pasta was dried at 70 °C in a tray drier for 8 h, cooled and stored in polyethylene bags at room temperature. The pasta was subjected to physico-chemical analysis such as length, diameter, bulk density, water absorption, cooking time, cooking loss, moisture, water activity, alcoholic acidity, amylase, carbohydrates, fat, protein, fibre and ash using standard methods. Organoleptic characteristics such as color and appearance, texture, taste, flavor and overall acceptability, stickiness, bulkiness and firmness were evaluated at laboratory level by a panel of semi trained judges using 5 point hedonic rating scale. Among the various blends studied, the sorghum and wheat semolina with a combination of 50:50 (T1) and 60:40 (T2) and 70:30 (T3) were more acceptable than others. Well acceptable sorghum pasta can be developed from sorghum and wheat, thereby improving its nutritional composition.Not Availabl

Synthesis and biological activities of nicotinaldehyde based azlactones

98-107A series of nicotinaldehyde based azlactones 3a-g, 6a-f, 11a-d, 16b-c, and 16e-f have been prepared and screened for their free radicals scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-proliferative activities on cell lines, namely lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human breast cancer (MCF7) and human epithelial cervical cancer (HeLa). Compound 3g is the most potent α-glucosidase inhibitor followed by compounds 6b and 6a. Compound 11b is the better DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenger. Compounds 11c-d and 16f show anti-proliferative activity on all the tested cell lines. However, compounds 16c and 16e display anti-proliferative activity on MCF7 and HeLa cell lines

An ABC Transporter Mutation Alters Root Exudation of Phytochemicals That Provoke an Overhaul of Natural Soil Microbiota1[C][W][OA]

Root exudates influence the surrounding soil microbial community, and recent evidence demonstrates the involvement of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in root secretion of phytochemicals. In this study, we examined effects of seven Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ABC transporter mutants on the microbial community in native soils. After two generations, only the Arabidopsis abcg30 (Atpdr2) mutant had significantly altered both the fungal and bacterial communities compared with the wild type using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Similarly, root exudate profiles differed between the mutants; however, the largest variance from the wild type (Columbia-0) was observed in abcg30, which showed increased phenolics and decreased sugars. In support of this biochemical observation, whole-genome expression analyses of abcg30 roots revealed that some genes involved in biosynthesis and transport of secondary metabolites were up-regulated, while some sugar transporters were down-regulated compared with genome expression in wild-type roots. Microbial taxa associated with Columbia-0 and abcg30 cultured soils determined by pyrosequencing revealed that exudates from abcg30 cultivated a microbial community with a relatively greater abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (i.e. plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nitrogen fixers) and were specifically enriched in bacteria involved in heavy metal remediation. In summary, we report how a single gene mutation from a functional plant mutant influences the surrounding community of soil organisms, showing that genes are not only important for intrinsic plant physiology but also for the interactions with the surrounding community of organisms as well