Short-Term High-Fat Diet Consumption Reduces Hypothalamic Expression of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor α7 Subunit (α7nAChR) and Affects the Anti-inflammatory Response in a Mouse Model of Sepsis

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in hospitalized patients and the chronic and low-grade inflammation observed in obesity seems to worsen susceptibility and morbidity of infections. However, little is known with respect to a short-term high-fat diet (HFD) and its role in the development of sepsis. Here, we show for the first time, that short-term HFD consumption impairs early nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit (α7nAChR)- mediated signaling, one of the major components of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, with a focus on hypothalamic inflammation and innate immune response. Mice were randomized to a HFD or standard chow (SC) for 3 days, and sepsis was subsequently induced by a lethal intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. In a separate experiment, both groups received LPS (i.p.) or LPS (i.p.) in conjunction with the selective α7nAChR agonist, PNU-282987 (i.p. or intracerebroventricular; i.c.v.), and were sacrificed 2 h after the challenge. Short-term HFD consumption significantly reduced the α7nAChR mRNA and protein levels in the hypothalamus and liver (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated lower cholinergic receptor nicotinic α7 subunit (α7nAChR)+ cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) (α7nAChR+ cells in SC = 216 and HFD = 84) and increased F4/80+ cells in the ARC (2.6-fold) and median eminence (ME) (1.6-fold), which can contribute to neuronal damage. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+ cells and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)+ cells were also increased following consumption of HFD. The HFD-fed mice died quickly after a lethal dose of LPS or following CLP surgery (2-fold compared with SC). The LPS challenge raised most cytokine levels in both groups; however, higher levels of TNF-α (Spleen and liver), IL-1β and IL-6 (in all tissues evaluated) were observed in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, PNU-282987 administration (i.p. or i.c.v.) reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in the hypothalamus following LPS injection. Nevertheless, when the i.c.v. injection of PNU-282987 was performed the anti-inflammatory effect was much smaller in HFD-fed mice than SC-fed mice. Here, we provide evidence that a short-term HFD impairs early α7nAChR expression in central and peripheral tissues, contributing to a higher probability of death in sepsis

Differential expression of genes in follicular cells of swines

The main purpose of the present study was to identify for candidate genes related to ovulation in swines. To do so, it was investigated in ovarian follicular cells through quantitative real-time PCR the differential expression of the following genes: steroidogenic acute regulator (STAR), GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), progesterone receptor (P4R), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19). These genes encode hormone receptors (FSHR and P4R), hormone (PGF2α), steroidogenic proteins (STAR and CYP19) and transcription factor (GATA). Folicular cells were collected from sows with high and low number of piglets/litters during the follicular phase of the estrus cycle. There was difference in transcript abundance among low and high prolific sows for the STAR, GATA, PGF2α, P4R and CYP19 genes. For the FSHR gene, the fold change was not considered to be significantly different. Because in the present study only the transcript level of the above mentioned genes was analyzed, no inference can be made regarded to protein translation or activity. Therefore, gene sequence trials and other functional studies will be necessary to complement the present results, allowing a better understanding on biological complexity of these genes and their use as markers for prolificity in swines

Short-term high-fat diet consumption reduces hypothalamic expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 subunit (alpha 7nAChR) and affects the anti-inflammatory response in a mouse model of sepsis

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in hospitalized patients and the chronic and low-grade inflammation observed in obesity seems to worsen susceptibility and morbidity of infections. However, little is known with respect to a short-term high-fat diet (HFD) and its role in the development of sepsis. Here, we show for the first time, that short-term HFD consumption impairs early nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 subunit (alpha 7nAChR)-mediated signaling, one of the major components of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, with a focus on hypothalamic inflammation and innate immune response. Mice were randomized to a HFD or standard chow (SC) for 3 days, and sepsis was subsequently induced by a lethal intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. In a separate experiment, both groups received LPS (i.p.) or LPS (i.p.) in conjunction with the selective a alpha nAChR agonist, PNU-282987 (i.p. or intracerebroventricular; i.c.v.), and were sacrificed 2 h after the challenge. Short-term HFD consumption significantly reduced the alpha 7nAChR mRNA and protein levels in the hypothalamus and liver (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated lower cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 7 subunit (alpha 7nAChR)+ cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) (alpha 7nAChR+ cells in SC = 216 and HFD = 84) and increased F4/80+ cells in the ARC (2.6-fold) and median eminence (ME) (1.6-fold), which can contribute to neuronal damage. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+ cells and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)+ cells were also increased following consumption of HFD. The HFD-fed mice died quickly after a lethal dose of LPS or following CLP surgery (2-fold compared with SC). The LPS challenge raised most cytokine levels in both groups; however, higher levels of TNF-alpha (Spleen and liver), IL-1 beta and IL-6 (in all tissues evaluated) were observed in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, PNU-282987 administration (i.p. or i.c.v.) reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in the hypothalamus following LPS injection. Nevertheless, when the i.c.v. injection of PNU-282987 was performed the anti-inflammatory effect was much smaller in HFD-fed mice than SC-fed mice. Here, we provide evidence that a short-term HFD impairs early alpha 7nAChR expression in central and peripheral tissues, contributing to a higher probability of death in sepsis10CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação16/23484-1; 13/07607-

Ruído escolar e sua implicação na atividade de ditado Influence of school noise on dictation activity

OBJETIVO: avaliar o nível de ruído nas salas de aula de primeira série do ensino fundamental, bem como verificar sua interferência durante as atividades de leitura e ditado. MÉTODOS: realizou-se a medição dos níveis de ruído segundo padrões ANSI em sete salas de aula de cinco escolas da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Urussanga/SC durante as atividades de leitura e ditado. Posteriormente aplicou-se um questionário aos alunos e professores abordando a interferência do ruído nas atividades realizadas. Participaram da pesquisa 109 crianças sendo, 59 do gênero masculino e 50 do gênero feminino. RESULTADOS: os níveis de ruído presentes nas salas de aulas, variou de 59,5 a 71,3 dB(A). Quanto à percepção dos alunos e professores sobre o ruído, 94,5% dos alunos e 100% dos professores perceberam outras fontes sonoras durante as atividades, mas, apenas 52,39% dos alunos e 42,8% dos professores afirmaram interferência do ruído na aplicação das atividades. CONCLUSÃO: observou-se que o nível de ruído mesmo estando acima do proposto pelas normas nacionais, não interferiu no resultado do ditado. Por outro lado, os professores, principalmente das salas mais ruidosas, necessitaram elevar a voz durante a aplicação da atividade, queixando-se posteriormente de cansaço vocal.<br>PURPOSE: to evaluate noise level in the classrooms of first grade children as well as, to verify its interference during reading and dictation activities. METHODS: measuring noise levels according to ANSI standards was performed in seven classrooms of five schools of the municipal network of teaching in the city of Urussanga, Santa Catarina during reading and dictation activities. Afterwards, a questionnaire was introduced to the students and teachers dealing with the interference of noise in the accomplished activities. 109 children participated in the survey and 59 were males and 50 females. RESULTS: noise levels present in the classrooms varied from 59.5 to 71.3 dB(A). Regarding the students' and teachers' perception of the noise, 94.5% of the students and 100% of the teachers noted other sound sources during the activities but just 52.39% of the students and 42.8% of the teachers affirmed an interference from the noise during the practice of the activities. CONCLUSION: it was observed that the noise level, despite being above proposed limits according to national standards, did not interfere in the results of the dictation. On the other hand, the teachers, mainly in the noisiest rooms, needed to raise their voices during the practice of their activities, complaining afterwards about vocal fatigue