Bioactive properties of peptides obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis from protein

The traditional method to obtain phycocolloids from seaweeds implies successive extraction steps with cold and hot water. The first cold water extract has no phycocolloids but is rich in proteins and is considered a waste. Four hydrolysates were obtained using trypsin, alcalase and a combination of both sequentially added from a first cold water protein extract (PF) derived from Porphyra columbina. PF hydrolysates (PFH) were enriched in peptides with low molecular weight containing Asp, Ala and Glu. Both PF and PFH showed immunosuppressive effects on rat splenocytes as they enhanced IL-10 production while the production of TNFa and IFNg was inhibited. These immunosuppressive effects were higher for PFH. PFH had antihypertensive activity (> 35% of ACE inhibition) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, TEAC, ORAC and copper-chelating activity). The hydrolysis could be used as a mean to obtain bioactive peptides from algae protein byproducts and to add value to the phycocolloids extraction process.Fil: Cian, Raúl Esteban. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Augustin, Olga. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Drago, Silvina Rosa. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Immunomodulatory properties of the protein fraction from Phorphyra columbina

The phycobiliproteins from Rhodophyta, R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) and C-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effects of a Phorphyra columbina protein fraction (PF) and R-PE and C-PC on rat primary splenocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in vitro. PF featured various protein species, including R-PE and C-PC. PF showed mitogenic effects on rat splenocytes and was nontoxic to cells except at 1 g L-1 protein. IL-10 secretion was enhanced by PF in rat splenocytes, macrophages, and especially T-lymphocytes, whereas it was markedly diminished by R-PE and C-PC. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages was inhibited. The effect of PF on IL-10 was evoked by JNK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB-dependent pathways in macrophages and T-lymphocytes. It was concluded that PF has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages and lymphocytes that appear to be predominantly anti-inflammatory via up-regulated IL-10 production and cannot be accounted for by R-PE and C-PC.Fil: Cian, Raúl Esteban. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Agroindustria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López Posadas, Rocío. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Drago, Silvina Rosa. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez De Medina, Fermín. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Martínez Augustin, Olga. Universidad de Granada; Españ

Glucocorticoid receptor intestinal epithelial knockout mice show attenuated colonic inflammatory response but unaffected permeability in early experimental sepsis

Introduction: Sepsis is defined as an organic dysfunction that threatens the life of patients due to an abnormally regulated response to infection [1]. The initial phase of sepsis is dominated by an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, which leads to augmented capillary permeability, extravasation, hypercoagulability and myelopoiesis. One of the main sources of infection in sepsis is believed to be the intestinal microbiota via traslocation through the mucosa to the bloodstream. Systemic inflammation weakens intestinal barrier function (IBF) in animal models, resulting in increased bacterial traslocation [2]. Even if the management of sepsis has advanced in the last decades, mortality is still high and there are blanks in terms of pathological systems and long-term consequences. Thus, the search for effective treatments is clearly justified. Glucocorticoids (GC) are part of the drugs used in sepsis, but they have only shown a moderate therapeutic effect. This fact may be caused by harmful effects of GCs on IBF, whose compromise may limit GC clinical benefit by facilitating luminal translocation of microorganisms. Besides, GC treatment impairs epithelial healing in experimental colitis in mice [3]. Previous results of our research group have shown that mice with induced deletion of the GC receptor (GR) in intestinal epithelial cells (i.e. NR3C1ΔIEC mice) are protected against dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis [4]. In turn, gene deletion results in a short lived inflammatory response in the colon [5]. Objective: Understanding the role of the intestinal epithelial GR and its involvement in IBF regulation in experimental sepsis, with the ultimate goal of improving the management of sepsis with GCs. Matherial and methods: The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis was applied to WT C57BL/6J and NR3C1ΔIEC mice. Ceacum-exposed mice were used as control (Sham). Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after surgery. Four hours before sacrifice, mice were administered 4 kD FITC-dextran, a fluorescent marker of permeability. Colon, jejunum, adrenes, kidney and liver RT-qPCRs were performed as well as determination of plasma FITC-dextran and corticosterone plasma levels. Results: After 24 h, CLP mice exhibited elevated corticosterone plasma levels with hypoglycemia and splenomegaly. Intestinal barrier function was weakened, as indicated by increased FITC-dextran plasma levels. A modest increase in inflammatory markers (S100a8, Cxcl1) was noted in the colon and jejunum. The expression of Tjp1, involved in barrier function, was downregulated in CLP mice. Similarly, the colonic expression of Cyp11a1 and Lrh1, involved in local steroidogenesis, was lower in CLP mice, regardless of genotype. Markers of inflammation were also augmented in the lung and kidney. CLP mice exhibited hypercorticosteronemia, which was associated to increased Cyp11a1 in the adrenes. Of note, both parameters were less pronounced in KO mice. The latter also exhibited dampened inflammatory response in the colon but not the jejunum. FITC-dextran plasma levels were similarly increased in WT and KO mice. Conclusions: In the early stages of the CLP model of sepsis the colon and jejunum are inflamed, and epithelial deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor appears to modulate inflammation in the former, with no change in barrier function. Further studies will characterize the microbiota composition and phenotype in later stages and in the response to glucocorticoid treatment

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Submucosal Injection Solution for Resection of Gastrointestinal Lesions

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are minimally invasive and efficient techniques for the removal of gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal polyps. In both techniques, submucosal injection solutions are necessary for complete effectiveness and safety during the intervention to be obtained. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new sterile submucosal injection solution for EMR/ESD used within a clinical protocol in patients with intestinal polyps. We carried out a prospective study between 2016 and 2017 with patients who attended the Endoscopy Consultation—Digestive Department of Primary Hospital. Patients were selected for EMR/ESD after the application of clinical protocols. Thirty-six patients were selected (≥ 66 years with comorbidities and risk factors). Lesions were located mainly in the colon. Our solution presented an intestinal lift ≥ 60 min in EMR/ESD and a high expansion of tissue, optimum viscosity, and subsequent complete resorption. The genes S100A9 and TP53 presented an expression increase in the distal regions. TP53 and PCNA were the only genes whose expression was increased in polyp specimens vs. the surrounding tissue at the mRNA level. In EMR/ESD, our solution presented a prolonged effect at the intestinal level during all times of the intervention. Thus, our solution seems be an effective and safe alternative in cases of flat lesions in both techniques.Study co-financed by the Junta de Andalucia (PIN-0479-2016, CTS676, CTS235, CTS164), the Ministry of Economy and Competitivity, Spain (SAF2017-88457-R, AGL2017-85270-R), Nakafarma S.L and CIBERehd is funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. The sponsors had no role in the design, execution, interpretation, or writing of the study

Papel de la enzima fosfatasa alcalina no específica de tejido (TNAP) en el epitelio intestinal en la inflamación

Introducción: la fosfatasa alcalina (AP) es una familia de enzimas que ha sido relacionada con la protección frente a inflamación intestinal. Se ha descrito que una de sus isoformas, la fosfatasa alcalina intestinal (IAP), es capaz de desfosforilar diferentes antígenos bacterianos, de tal forma que la enzima regula el crecimiento de la microbiota e impide el paso de antígenos activos. En cuanto a la isoforma TNAP, se ha observado que su expresión se encuentra incrementada en la colitis experimental, no solo debido a la infiltración de células del sistema inmunológico, sino también por el incremento de expresión de esta enzima en las células del epitelio intestinal. Objetivo: conocer el papel de la TNAP en la inflamación intestinal. Métodos y resultados: se ha generado un modelo de ratón con deleción condicional inducible del gen que codifica TNAP (Alpl) en el epitelio intestinal (ratones AlplIEC-/-). El silenciamiento específico de TNAP en IECs en inflamación por DSS (7 días) supuso una pérdida mayor de peso en los ratones, sin observarse diferencias en el índice de actividad de la enfermedad (DAI). A nivel histológico se observó un mayor nivel de infiltración en la submucosa en el colon de los ratones sin TNAP. Los ratones AlplIEC-/- presentaron una expresión reducida de marcadores inflamatorios en el colon, como S100a8, Il6 y Tnf. Por el contrario, la deficiencia en TNAP en el epitelio intestinal supuso un aumento en la expresión de la fosfatasa alcalina intestinal global (Akp6) en el colon, sugiriendo que podría existir algún mecanismo de compensación. Además, la ausencia de TNAP en el epitelio intestinal provocó un aumento de expresión de genes relacionados en el mantenimiento de la función de barreara, como Muc4, Tjp1 y Tff3. Conclusión: los ratones AlplIEC-/- presentan un fenotipo mixto, con mayor infiltración y daño histológico pero menor expresión de marcadores inflamatorios en la colitis por DSS. Perspectivas futuras: se realizarán estudios de transcriptómica para conocer el efecto de la TNAP presente en el intestino sobre la función de barrera intestinal y sobre la microbiota

Intestinal inflammation and the enterocyte transportome

Abstract Diarrhoea is a hallmark of intestinal inflammation. The mechanisms operating in acute inflammation of the intestine are well characterized and are related to regulatory changes induced by inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, cytokines or reactive oxygen species, along with leakage due to epithelial injury and changes in permeability. In chronic colitis, however, the mechanisms are less well known, but it is generally accepted that both secretory and absorptive processes are inhibited. These disturbances in ionic transport may be viewed as an adaptation to protracted inflammation of the intestine, since prolonged intense secretion may be physiologically unacceptable in the long term. Mechanistically, the changes in transport may be due to adjustments in the regulation of the different processes involved, to broader epithelial alterations or frank damage, or to modulation of the transportome in terms of expression. In the present review, we offer a summary of the existing evidence on the status of the transportome in chronic intestinal inflammation

Fructooligosacharides Reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Pathogenicity through Distinct Mechanisms

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is ubiquitously present in the environment and acts as an opportunistic pathogen on humans, animals and plants. We report here the effects of the prebiotic polysaccharide inulin and its hydrolysed form FOS on this bacterium. FOS was found to inhibit bacterial growth of strain PAO1, while inulin did not affect growth rate or yield in a significant manner. Inulin stimulated biofilm formation, whereas a dramatic reduction of the biofilm formation was observed in the presence of FOS. Similar opposing effects were observed for bacterial motility, where FOS inhibited the swarming and twitching behaviour whereas inulin caused its stimulation. In co-cultures with eukaryotic cells (macrophages) FOS and, to a lesser extent, inulin reduced the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNF- a . Western blot experiments indicated that the effects mediated by FOS in macrophages are associated with a decreased activation of the NF- k B pathway. Since FOS and inulin stimulate pathway activation in the absence of bacteria, the FOS mediated effect is likely to be of indirect nature, such as via a reduction of bacterial virulence. Further, this modulatory effect is observed also with the highly virulent ptxS mutated strain. Co-culture experiments of P. aeruginosa with IEC18 eukaryotic cells showed that FOS reduces the concentration of the major virulence factor, exotoxin A, suggesting that this is a possible mechanism for the reduction of pathogenicity. The potential of these compounds as components of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory cocktails is discussed.The authors acknowledge financial support from FEDER funds and Fondo Social Europeo through grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grants SAF2011-22922, SAF2011-22812) the Andalusian regional government Junta de Andalucía (grant CVI-7335) and the Centre of Networked Biomedical Research on Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd) which is funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and the Ramón Areces Foundation, Spain

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

FOS como alternativa contra el crecimiento y la virulencia de Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Objetivo: estudiar el efecto y el mecanismo de modulación de FOS e inulina sobre el crecimiento y la virulencia de Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Métodos: para determinar el efecto de FOS e inulina sobre el crecimiento de P. aeruginosa, el cultivo se realizó en medio mínimo M9 suplementado con citrato 50 mM como fuente de carbono a 37 ºC durante 24 horas. Se determinaron los niveles de citotoxicidad de un co-cultivo o de P. aeruginosa y células intestinales IEC18. Se extrajeron proteínas y se cuantificaron mediante los niveles de la exotoxina A secretada para la extracción de mediante western-blot. Se estudió, a través de ensayos de PCR a tiempo real, el efecto de FOS e inulina sobre la expresión de genes codificantes de proteínas ampliamente implicadas en los sistemas de secreción III y VI de P. aeruginosa PAO1. Resultados: 1. FOS inhiben el crecimiento de P. aeruginosa PAO1; sin embargo, inulina causó solo cambios insignificantes; 2. FOS e inulina muestran efectos opuestos ya que mientras que la inulina estimula la formación de biopelículas, FOS ejerce un efecto inhibitorio; 3. FOS inhibe la secreción del factor de virulencia exotoxina A al citosol dependiente del sistema de secreción tipo II, limitando su virulencia para las células IEC18; 4. FOS inhibe la expresión de genes que codifican proteínas indispensables para el funcionamiento adecuado de los sistemas de secreción III y VI en P. aeruginosa. Conclusiones: FOS reduce la patogenicidad de P. aeruginosa PAO1 actuando sobre diferentes mecanismos de virulencia

Disturbances in metabolic, transport and structural genes in experimental colonic inflammation in the rat: a longitudinal genomic analysis

Abstract Background Trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) induced rat colitis is one of the most widely used models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition whose aetiology and pathophysiology are incompletely understood. We have characterized this model at the genomic level using a longitudinal approach. Six control rats were compared with colitic animals at 2, 5, 7 and 14 days after TNBS administration (n = 3). The Affymetrix Rat Expression Array 230 2.0 system was used. Results TNBS-induced colitis had a profound impact on the gene expression profile, which was maximal 5 and 7 days post-induction. Most genes were affected at more than one time point. They were related to a number of biological functions, not only inflammation/immunity but also transport, metabolism, signal transduction, tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. Gene changes generally correlated with the severity of colitis. The results were successfully validated in a subset of genes by real-time PCR. Conclusion The TNBS model of rat colitis has been described in detail at the transcriptome level. The changes observed correlate with pathophysiological disturbances such as tissue remodelling and alterations in ion transport, which are characteristic of both this model and IBD.</p