Starch-enriched diet modulates the glucidic profile in the rat colonic mucosa

Purpose. The protective function of the intestinal mucosa largely depends on carbohydrate moieties that as a part of glycoproteins and glycolipids form the epithelial glycocalyx or are secreted as mucins. Modifications of their expression can be induced by an altered intestinal microenvironment and have been associated with inflammatory disorders and colorectal cancer. Given the influence of dietary factors on the gut ecosystem, here we have investigated whether a long term feeding on a starch-rich diet can modulate the glucidic profile in the colonic mucosa of rats. Methods. Animals were divided into two groups and maintained for 9 months at different diets: one group was fed a standard diet, the second was fed a starch-enriched diet. Samples of colonic mucosa, divided in proximal and distal portions, were processed for microscopic analysis. Conventional stainings and lectin histochemistry were applied to identify acidic glycoconjugates and specific sugar residues in oligosaccharide chains, respectively. Some lectins were applied on adjacent sections after sialidase/fucosidase digestion, deacetylation, and oxidation to characterize either terminal dimers or sialic acid acetylation. Results. An increase in sulfomucins was found to be associated with the starch-enriched diet that affected also the expression of several sugar residues as well as fucosylated and sialylated sequences in both proximal and distal colon. Conclusions. Although the mechanisms leading to such a modulation are at present unknown, either an altered intestinal microbiota or a dysregulation of glycosylation patterns might be responsible for the types and distribution of changes in the glucidic profile here observed

The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane: A Model of Molecular, Structural, and Functional Adaptation to Transepithelial Ion Transport and Barrier Function during Embryonic Development

The chick chorioallantoic membrane is a very simple extraembryonic membrane which serves multiple functions during embryo development; it is the site of exchange of respiratory gases, calcium transport from the eggshell, acid-base homeostasis in the embryo, and ion and H2O reabsorption from the allantoic fluid. All these functions are accomplished by its epithelia, the chorionic and the allantoic epithelium, by differentiation of a wide range of structural and molecular peculiarities which make them highly specialized, ion transporting epithelia. Studying the different aspects of such a developmental strategy emphasizes the functional potential of the epithelium and offers an excellent model system to gain insights into questions partly still unresolved

Specific features of the intestinal mucosa of obese Zucker rats

Metabolic syndrome is a group of obesity-related metabolic abnormalities that increase an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The obese Zucker rats (OZR) may represent a valuable animal model for studying several aspects of this increasingly prevalent problem in worldwide. In fact, the genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, due a recessive mutation of the leptin receptor gene (lepr), exhibit hyperphagia and develop hallmark features of metabolic syndrome, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and increased adiposity and oxidative stress. Here, we report the preliminary results from our current studies aimed to investigate different metabolic markers in the OZR intestinal mucosa, compared with their lean counterparts (LZR). Starting from the important role attributed to carbohydrates in regulating the critical equilibrium of the intestinal environment, we applied lectin histochemistry to visualize the glycosylation pattern expressed in the OZR intestinal mucosa. The investigation was mainly focused to identification and in situ characterization of sialylated and fucosylated glycomponents which were directly demonstrated with SNA, MAL II, LTA, and UEA lectin binding. In addition, in order to look for additional and complementary information about sialic acid acetylation degree and sites, PNA and DBA lectin histochemistry was combined with sialidase predigestion, potassium hydroxide deacetylation, and differential periodate oxidation. As a parallel study, the distributional patterns of carbonic anhydrase (CA), the enzyme which is differently expressed in the gastrointestinal tract with several functions, such as regulation of cellular and extracellular acid-base homeostasis, salt absorption and fluid balance, were visualized. The immunohistochemical localization of the CA isoenzymes CAIV, CA IX, CA XII, and CA XIV was performed with the relevant specific antibodies. The complex of the data obtained suggest a marked modulation of the sialoglycoconjugate expression in the OZR intestinal epithelium, when compared with the LZR, to be considered as an interesting topic for further investigations

Chronic polyarthritis associated to Cercopithifilaria bainae infection in a dog.

Despite the widespread distribution of Cercopithifilaria bainae among canine and tick populations worldwide, this filarioid is currently considered of 'minor importance' in veterinary medicine, particularly when compared to related filarioids, such as Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. To date, only a single case of dermatological alterations possibly associated to infection by C. bainae had been reported in a dog. In the present study, we describe the first case of systemic alterations associated to C. bainae infection in a dog suffering from diffused chronic polyarthritis. The animal had a previous history of reluctance to move and stiff gait and displayed multiple joint pain during manipulation of limbs. No biochemical, haematological and X-ray alterations were detected; microfilariae were observed in the synovial fluids collected from the joints. In spite of the morphological and molecular identification of these microfilariae as C. bainae, the dog did not respond to multiple microfilaricidal treatments with milbemicyn oxyme. The potential role of C. bainae in the pathogenesis of this clinical condition is discussed. Given the potential pathogenicity of this parasite, improved knowledge of this little known tick-borne nematode is warranted in order to assist the development of novel and effective treatment strategies.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version can be found on the publisher's website at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401714003744# © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V

Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

The accumulation of adipose tissue increases the risk of several diseases. The fruits-intake, containing phytochemicals, is inversely correlated with their development. This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were exposed to a high-fat diet with the supplementation of tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS). After 17 weeks, the DIO rats showed an increase of body weight, glycaemia, insulin, and systolic blood pressure. In the DS and DJS groups, there was a decrease of systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglycerides, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in the serum. In the DJS rats, computed tomography revealed a decrease in the spleen-to-liver attenuation ratio. Indeed, sections of the DIO rats presented hepatic injury characterized by steatosis, which was lower in the supplemented groups. In the liver of the DIO compared with rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW), a down-regulation of the GRP94 protein expression and a reduction of LC3- II/LC3-I ratio were found, indicating endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired autophagy flux. Interestingly, tart cherry supplementation enhanced both unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. This study suggests that tart cherry supplementation, although it did not reduce body weight in the DIO rats, prevented its related risk factors and liver steatosis

Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

The accumulation of adipose tissue increases the risk of several diseases. The fruits-intake, containing phytochemicals, is inversely correlated with their development. This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were exposed to a high-fat diet with the supplementation of tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS). After 17 weeks, the DIO rats showed an increase of body weight, glycaemia, insulin, and systolic blood pressure. In the DS and DJS groups, there was a decrease of systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglycerides, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in the serum. In the DJS rats, computed tomography revealed a decrease in the spleen-to-liver attenuation ratio. Indeed, sections of the DIO rats presented hepatic injury characterized by steatosis, which was lower in the supplemented groups. In the liver of the DIO compared with rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW), a down-regulation of the GRP94 protein expression and a reduction of LC3- II/LC3-I ratio were found, indicating endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired autophagy flux. Interestingly, tart cherry supplementation enhanced both unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. This study suggests that tart cherry supplementation, although it did not reduce body weight in the DIO rats, prevented its related risk factors and liver steatosis