Molecular Detection of Strongyloides ratti in Faecal Samples from Wild Rats in Serdang, Malaysia

Purpose: To detect Strongyloides ratti in faecal samples using conventional methods and to confirm the identification using a sensitive and specific method, namely, polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Methods: A PCR method targeting the small subunit of the rRNA gene was performed in this study for the detection of DNA from Strongyloides ratti (an animal model of S. stercoralis) in faecal samples of wild Brown rats, Rattus norvegicus.Results: Strongyloides ratti was detected in 34.2 % of collected rats by different conventional techniques and confirmed by PCR. The essay presented 100 % sensitivity with Strongyloides universal primer.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the application of PCR with universal primer is a very sensitive methodology to detect S. ratti in faecal material of wild rats infected even with very low parasite burden.Keywords: Faecal, Parasite, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides ratti, Brown Rat, DNA, Universal prime

Maternal Dietary Free or Bound Fructose Diversely Influence Developmental Programming of Lipogenesis

Background Maternal dietary choices throughout preconception, pregnancy, and lactation irreversibly affect the development of fetal tissues and organs, known as fetal programming. Recommendations tend to emphasize reducing added sugars. However, the impact of maternal dietary free or bound fructose in added sugars on developmental programming of lipogenesis is unknown. Methods Virgin Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats were given feed and plain water (control) or water containing maltodextrin (vehicle), fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) containing 55% fructose, sucrose (20% w/v) for 12 weeks before mating and throughout the pregnancy and lactation periods. Body weight, water, and feed intake were measured throughout the study. At the end of the lactation period, blood was drawn to determine the fasting levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood. Triglycerides and acetyl Co-A Carboxylase-1 (ACC1) levels in livers were analyzed, and insulin resistance was calculated. Results The energy intake of dams in the HFCS group was higher than in the fructose group, while weight gain was less in the HFCS group than in the fructose group. HFCS resulted in greater insulin resistance in dams, whereas free fructose had a robust effect on the fetal programming of insulin resistance. Free fructose and HFCS in the maternal diet increased blood and liver triglycerides and NEFA content in pups. Furthermore, fructose and HFCS exposure increased phosphorylated ACC1 as compared to maltodextrin and control, indicating greater fatty acid synthesis in pups and dams. Conclusion Different types of added sugar in the maternal diet have different metabolic effects on the developmental programming of lipogenesis. Consequently, high fructose intake via processed foods may increase the risk for chronic diseases, and free fructose might contribute to developmental programming of chronic diseases more than bound fructose.PubMedWoSScopu