PO-049 The Effects of Altitude Training on Erythropoietic Response and Hematological Variables in elite endurance athletes

Objective To increase the capacity of blood oxygen-carrying of the endurance performance in athletes is the goal of altitude training. The key factor in the achievement of enhanced hematological variables is the stimulation in the hypoxia condition. Reticulocyte celles is the earliest red blood cells released to the bloods, it to be matured about 4days in the marrow. There are lots of research in the clinic tested reticulocyte can be monitor the change of the bone marrow hematopoietic system. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of altitude training on reticulocyte indices of elite endurance athletes, further to analyzes the kinetics of erythropoiesis and hematological variables during and after altitude training. Methods  The main content of high altitude training are as following: 1~2weeks before the plateau, the main content of training was special aerobic endurance training and special strength endurance training; 1~5days after plateau, the main content of training was Low intensity, relaxation of the adaptive training; 5~15day after plateau, the main content of training was Intensive training phase, the main content of training was aerobic endurance and greater intensity of the special training; 16~20 days after the plateau, adjustment training 21~25days after the plateau, the main content of training was same to the training plan of 5~15day after plateau; 2~3days after return to the sea level, adjustment training; 1~2days after return to the sea level, the mainly training content was rhythm and strength training; 2 weeks after return to the sea level, the mainly content of training was normal training, the intensity of training was greater than the intensity in the sea level. At this stage, we tested the changes of the reticulocyte indices before \after half past three weeks altitude（2366m,DuoBa,QingHai）training, to provided the basis for the develop research the influence of the bone marrow hematopoietic system. Blood parameters were collected two days before altitude training\two days after off altitude\ two weeks after altitude. All the data measured from venous blood samples (1.5~2ml) collected via venipuncture from athletes in a supine position. All the samples were tested using ADVIA120. Data were analyzed by spss17.0 software. Results MCVr/RDWr were significantly increased after altitude training, P＜0.05; CHCMr and RDWr significantly decreased after altitude training, P＜0.05; CHCMr were changed more significantly between before and after , P＜0.01; the reason why retici# was decreased were analyzed that when the athletes training in the hypoxia condition, lack of oxygen and the mechanical injury of friction resulting in a new generation of reticulocyte number was less than the number of destruction. Hb\#RETIC\RDW were changed significantly, P＜0.05; but there was no significant changed find in RBC/HCT. After two weeks off altitude, MCVr、CHCMr、#RETIC、%RETIC all had significantly changed，P＜0.05;and #RETIC，P＜0.01；Hb is significantly increased controlled to the indices which tested before the athletes went to the altitude. It indicated altitude training can stimulated the bone marrow hematopoietic system to released more reticulocyte cells.RBC and HCT were decreased in our study ,but they were not showed any  significantly changed, to analyzed that we found it was relatively large individual differences, which mean the athletes had the different reaction when they training in the plateau and after they back to the sea level; RDW was increased ,but it was not showed the significantly changes too. IRF was increased, but #RETIC\%RETIC\RBCwere decreased after back to the sea level, it showed that the #reticulocyte was not increased, it means that the consumption of the RBC was faster than the number of the erythropoiesis. The indices(CHr、MCVr、CHCMr) which correlated with the Hb contents was increased significantly, it indicated the stimulate of the hypoxia condition can enhance the synthetic of hemoglobin content, but the effect was not occur immediately, it will occurred after 2~3weeks after the athletes back to the sea level. Conclusions Because the test groups were top-level middle-long distance race athletes, they were adapt the training stimulate, so it can not make the reticulocyte indices changed solely, but in the plateau where lack of the oxygen, it will be result the bone marrow hematopoietic system to released more reticulocyte cells to satisfied the needs of the oxygen; the indices which be mutually related with Hb and #reticulocyte both showed the good effece, it indicated that there had certain effect of altitude training on erythropoiesis, but these changes did not showed immediately, it needs 2~3 weeks to occur after returning to sea level

Use of PETRA-MRA to assess intracranial arterial stenosis: Comparison with TOF-MRA, CTA, and DSA

Background and purposeNon-invasive and accurate assessment of intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is important for the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 3D pointwise encoding time reduction magnetic resonance angiography (PETRA-MRA) and compare its performance with that of 3D time-of-flight (TOF) MRA and computed tomography angiography (CTA), using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard in measuring the degree of stenosis and lesion length.Materials and methodsThis single-center, prospective study included a total of 52 patients (mean age 57 ± 11 years, 27 men, 25 women) with 90 intracranial arterial stenoses who underwent PETRA-MRA, TOF-MRA, CTA, and DSA within 1 month. The degree of stenosis and lesion length were measured independently by two radiologists on these four datasets. The degree of stenosis was classified according to DSA measurement. Severe stenosis was defined as a single lesion with >70% diameter stenosis. The smaller artery stenosis referred to the stenosis, which occurred at the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and posterior cerebral artery, except for the first segment of them. The continuous variables were compared using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the agreement between MRAs/CTA and DSA as well as inter-reader variabilities. The ICC value >0.80 indicated excellent agreement. The agreement of data was assessed further by Bland–Altman analysis and Spearman's correlation coefficients. When the difference between MRAs/CTA and DSA was statistically significant in the degree of stenosis, the measurement of MRAs/CTA was larger than that of DSA, which referred to the overestimation of MRAs/CTA for the degree of stenosis.ResultsThe four imaging methods exhibited excellent inter-reader agreement [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) > 0.80]. PETRA-MRA was more consistent with DSA than with TOF-MRA and CTA in measuring the degree of stenosis (ICC = 0.94 vs. 0.79 and 0.89) and lesion length (ICC = 0.99 vs. 0.97 and 0.73). PETRA-MRA obtained the highest specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) than TOF-MRA and CTA for detecting stenosis of >50% and stenosis of >75%. TOF-MRA and CTA overestimated considerably the degree of stenosis compared with DSA (63.0% ± 15.8% and 61.0% ± 18.6% vs. 54.0% ± 18.6%, P < 0.01, respectively), whereas PETRA-MRA did not overestimate (P = 0.13). The degree of stenosis acquired on PETRA-MRA was also more consistent with that on DSA than with that on TOF-MRA and CTA in severe stenosis (ICC = 0.78 vs. 0.30 and 0.57) and smaller artery stenosis (ICC = 0.95 vs. 0.70 and 0.80). In anterior artery circulation stenosis, PETRA-MRA also achieved a little bigger ICC than TOF-MRA and CTA in measuring the degree of stenosis (0.93 vs. 0.78 and 0.88). In posterior artery circulation stenosis, PETRA-MRA had a bigger ICC than TOF-MRA (0.94 vs. 0.71) and a comparable ICC to CTA (0.94 vs. 0.91) in measuring the degree of stenosis.ConclusionPETRA-MRA is more accurate than TOF-MRA and CTA for the evaluation of intracranial stenosis and lesion length when using DSA as a reference standard. PETRA-MRA is a promising non-invasive tool for ICAS assessment

Different Responses of Microbiota across Intestinal Tract to Enterococcus faecium HDRsEf1 and Their Correlation with Inflammation in Weaned Piglets

Enterococcus faecium HDRsEf1 (HDRsEf1) was identified to reduce the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets, but the mechanism has not been elucidated yet. Based on the fact that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory responses, the effects of HDRsEf1 on microbiota across the intestinal tract in weaned piglets were investigated. Microbiota from the luminal contents and the mucosa of the ileum, cecum, and colon of HDRsEf1-treated piglets were explored by 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR. It was demonstrated that microbiota in different gut niches responded specifically to HDRsEf1, with major alterations occurring in the ileum and cecum. The total bacterial load of microbiota in ileal luminal contents and the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella in the ileal mucosa was significantly down-regulated by HDRsEf1 administration, while the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (including Clostridiaceae-1, Rumencoccidae, and Erysipelotrichaceae) in cecal luminal contents was significantly up-regulated. Moreover, the utilization of HDRsEf1 improved intestinal morphological development and reduced the inflammatory response, which were negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella in the ileal mucosa and butyrate-producing bacteria in cecal luminal contents, respectively. Collectively, this study suggests that the administration of HDRsEf1 alters gut microbiota, thereby alleviating inflammation and improving intestinal morphological development in weaned piglets

Enterococcus faecium HDRsEf1 Protects the Intestinal Epithelium and Attenuates ETEC-Induced IL-8 Secretion in Enterocytes

The probiotic Enterococcus faecium HDRsEf1 (Ef1) has been shown to have positive effects on piglet diarrhoea, but the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, using the IPEC-J2 cell line to mimic intestinal epithelial cells and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88ac as a representative intestinal pathogen, the mechanism underlying Ef1 protection against an enteropathogen was investigated. The results demonstrated that Ef1 was effective in displacing K88ac from the IPEC-J2 cell layer. Moreover, Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant (S-Ef1) modulate IL-8 released by IPEC-J2 cells. Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant showed the potential to protect enterocytes from an acute inflammatory response. In addition, Ef1 and its cell-free supernatant increased the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the enterocyte monolayer, thus strengthening the intestinal barrier against ETEC. These results may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions using Ef1 in intestinal disorders of piglets

<i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> TL Downregulates the Ileal Expression of Genes Involved in Immune Responses in Broiler Chickens to Improve Growth Performance

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL promotes broiler chicken performance by improving nutrient absorption and utilization and reducing intestinal inflammation. In this study, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptomes of ileal tissues collected from probiotic-fed and control broiler chickens were analyzed to elucidate the effects of the probiotic B. amyloliquefaciens TL, as a feed additive, on the gut immune function. In total, 475 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the ileum of probiotic-fed and control birds. The expression of genes encoding pyruvate kinase, prothymosin-α, and heat stress proteins was high in the ileum of probiotic-fed birds (FPKM > 500), but not in the control group. The gene ontology functional enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the uniquely expressed genes in the control group were mostly involved in immune responses, whereas those in the probiotic group were involved in fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathways and positive regulation of cell proliferation. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL downregulated the expression of certain proinflammatory factors and affected the cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathway. Furthermore, B. amyloliquefaciens TL in broiler diets altered the expression of genes involved in immune functions in the ileum. Thus, it might contribute to improved broiler growth by regulating the immune system and reducing intestinal damage in broilers

Expression of <em>Gallus</em> Epidermal Growth Factor (gEGF) with Food-Grade <em>Lactococcus lactis</em> Expression System and Its Biological Effects on Broiler Chickens

As a multifunctional polypeptide, epidermal growth factor (EGF) increases growth performance or enhances resistance to diseases in commercial broilers under adverse conditions. In this study, a recombinant Lactococcus lactis was established to produce the secretory form of bioactive gEGF. The results of in vitro testing showed that gEGF promoted the proliferation of chicken embryo fibroblast cells. A total of 63 5-day-old broiler chickens were evenly divided into three groups and treated with either M17 medium (the control group), supernatant of LL-pNZ8149 fermentation product (the P-LL group), or supernatant of LL-pNZ8149-gEGF fermentation product (the gEGF group). In two weeks, many measurements of growth, immunity and the intestines were significantly higher in the gEGF group than those in the control and the P-LL groups. Our study showed that the bioactive gEGF could be expressed with Lactococcus lactis expression system with the potential to enhance growth performance, immune function, and intestinal development in broiler chickens

Modulation of Gut Microbial Community and Metabolism by <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> HD173 Promotes the Growth of Nursery Piglets Model

Maintaining the balance and stability of the gut microbiota is crucial for the gut health and growth development of humans and animals. Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) has been reported to be beneficial to the gut health of humans and animals, whereas the probiotic effects of a new strain, B. licheniformis HD173, remain uncertain. In this study, nursery piglets were utilized as animal models to investigate the extensive impact of B. licheniformis HD173 on gut microbiota, metabolites, and host health. The major findings were that this probiotic enhanced the growth performance and improved the health status of the nursery piglets. Specifically, it reduced the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum while increasing the level of IL-10 and SOD. In the gut, B. licheniformis HD173 reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Mycoplasma, Vibrio, and Vibrio metschnikovii, while it increased the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria, including Oscillospira, Coprococcus, and Roseburia faecis, leading to an enhanced production of butyric acid. Furthermore, B. licheniformis HD173 effectively improved the gut metabolic status, enabling the gut microbiota to provide the host with stronger metabolic abilities for nutrients. In summary, these findings provide scientific evidence for the utilization of B. licheniformis HD173 in the development and production of probiotic products for maintaining gut health in humans and animals