Competition of Lactobacillus paracasei with Salmonella enterica for Adhesion to Caco-2 Cells

Competition of commensal and probiotic bacteria with pathogens for adhesion and colonization is one of the important protective mechanisms of gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we examined the ability of Lactobacillus paracasei to inhibit the adhesion of pathogenic Salmonella enterica to human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells were grown for 6 or 21 days to obtain nondifferentiated or well-differentiated cells, respectively. In adhesion experiments, bacteria were added to the cells for 2 or 4 hours. The number of attached bacteria was expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs), Caco-2 cells were counted in hematocytometer. Both bacterial strains used adhered better to well-differentiated than to nondifferentiated Caco-2 cells, however, the amount of Salmonella adhered to Caco-2 after 2 hours of contact was 12-fold higher in comparison to L. paracasei and almost 27-fold higher after 4 hours of contact. Two types of experiments were done: coincubation (both bacteria were added to Caco-2 cells simultaneously), and preincubation (L. paracasei was incubated with Caco-2 cells first, and then S. enterica was added). In coincubation experiment, the presence of L. paracasei decreased S. enterica adhesion by 4-fold and in preincubation experiment even 7-fold. Generally, Lactobacillus spent culture supernatants (SCSs) acted weaker as inhibitors of Salmonella adhesion in comparison to the whole L. paracasei culture in coincubation experiment. In conclusion, the displacement of pathogens by lactic acid bacteria and its secretions showed here depends on the time of bacteria-epithelial cell contact, and also on the stage of Caco-2 differentiation

Effect of apelin on mitosis, apoptosis and DNA repair enzyme OGG 1/2 expression in intestinal cell lines IEC-6 and Caco-2

Apelin is a regulatory peptide, identified as an endogenous ligand of the Apelin receptor (APJ). Both the apelin and the APJ were detected in brain, lung, heart, mammary gland, kidney, placenta, adipose tissues and the gastrointestinal tract. Apelin is considered an important regulatory gut peptide with a potential physiological role in gastrointestinal cytoprotection, regulation of food intake and drinking behaviour. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the apelin on mitosis, apoptosis and the expression of DNA repair enzyme (OGG 1/2), and APJ receptor in intestinal cell lines: rat crypt (IEC-6) and human enterocyte model (Caco-2). The cell cultures were incubated with the apelin-12 (10–8 M) for 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and the apoptosis (caspase 3), mitosis (Ki-67) and DNA repair enzyme (OGG1/2) markers were studied by Real-Time qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent methods. The results of Real-Time qRT-PCR and immunocytochemical analysis showed that the levels of mRNAs were inversely related to the expression level of corresponding proteins. Immunofluorescent studies revealed inhibitory effect of apelin-12 on apoptosis, mitosis and the expression of OGG1/2 in the intestinal crypt cell line IEC-6. However, in the enterocyte model Caco-2 cells apelin stimulated apoptosis and mitosis, and reduced OGG1/2 expression. These findings suggest that apelin may be involved in the control of epithelial cell turnover in the gastrointestinal tract. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2014, Vol. 52, No. 1, 51–59

Structure and Function of Enterocyte in Intrauterine Growth Retarded Pig Neonates

The intestine of intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) neonates showed different morphology compared to neonates born with normal body weight (NBW). The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructure and proteomic profile of the gut epithelium in IUGR pig neonates with special attention to the digestive and absorptive function. Intestine tissue samples were investigated in 7-day-old IUGR and NBW littermate piglets using histometry, immunofluorescence, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mass spectrometry analysis. IUGR piglets have shown reduced mucosa and muscularis thickness and an enhanced number of foetal type enterocytes (FTE). SEM studies have shown the lack of the characteristic large-size vacuole in IUGR’s enterocytes. Delayed removal of FTE in IUGR neonates was probably due to the inhibited apoptosis in the apical part of villi and increased apoptosis and reduced mitosis in the crypt region. In the expression of proteins in the intestinal mucosa such as hexokinase I, histones, and prelamin A/C, carbamoyl phosphate was reduced in IUGR neonates. Finally, IUGR intestines showed higher expression of HSPA9 and HSPA5 as apoptosis markers. The data indicate modifications of gut mucosa in IUGRs that may result in slower gut mucosa maturation and reduced utilisation of nutrient as compared to NBW pig neonates

What youth is used to... or about intrauterine growth retardation and its later consequences

Fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is currently a serious civilization problem. Eight to nine% of newborns are displaying signs of IUGR every year. IUGR is caused in most instances by misbalanced diet of pregnant mother (in terms of protein and energy). This inhibits system A activity responsible for amino acid transport across the placenta to the fetus. IUGR newborns are characterized by low birth weight, which is compensated soon after birth, but by the expansion of fat tissue. IUGR children are often overweight and less active. It is difficult to reduce overweight in IUGR due to modification of developmental program into a so called "thrifty phenotype". In adults, IUGR manifests its long-lasting health consequences such as hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity and diabetes type 2, commonly named as metabolic syndrome (syndrome X). Studies on animals suggest that IUGR diagnosed in perinatal period followed by continuous controlled diet may reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome

Can artificial meat save the humankind?

For nearly a decade, the public has been informed about new, innovative ideas for producing meat in a test tube. “Artificial meat” if you prefer, “laboratory meat” or “in vitro meat”, appears in these messages as an alternative to beef, mutton, pork, poultry and even aquaculture. An ethical, safe, and ecological alternative, and the monstrous costs of the first portions of such artificial meat are explained by the assurance that the prototype must always be expensive, and as production and the approval of the technology increases, prices will become more affordable for the average consumer. In this article, which is a follow-up to our previous text (ŻW, 2020, 95, 74-80), we present the logic of a start-up business interested in the technology of producing artificial meat and its recent noticeable drift towards meat substitutes of plant origin rather than in vitro cultures. In addition, we discuss selected aspects related to the safety of both the consumer and the natural environment. The article concludes with a statement made by French scientist at INRAE Jean-Louis Peyraud in 2017: ”A world without animal husbandry is just a utopia in the short, medium, and long term. It is high time we went back to a more realistic, evidence-based approach.

Challenges related to the production of "artificial meat"

The article discusses number of issues related to the production of the socalled „artificial meat”, from biological and ethical problems and challenges that biotechnology has to face when changing the scale of production from laboratory to small or large industrial scale. Issues related to environmental protection in the context of climate change, the use of electrical energy, water resources and CO2 production were also discussed. The balance of profits and losses made so far does not give grounds for full admiration for the idea of artificial meat, the more so as consumers and nutrition specialists also have a lot of reservations in accepting new food. Nevertheless, visions of politicians, including European Parliament, are ahead of time and lead to the legal regulations of the artificial meat

Entomophagy - let’s eat insects?

Edible insects, apart from Europe and North America, are a common component of the daily diet worldwide. Problems with feeding the dramatically growing world population are directing researchers’ attention to the search for new sources of animal protein. Many studies are heading towards the production of so-called artificial meat, others relate to adequate modifications of plant proteins. Edible insect can also be a good source of animal protein. The new EU regulations categorize edible insects as novel foods, which opens up the possibility of its growing, processing and consumption. The article discusses issues of industrial breeding of edible insects and a number of concerns related to the safety (mainly microbiological) of food produced from edible insects

Long-Term Recording of Reticulo-Rumen Myoelectrical Activity in Sheep by a Telemetry Method

The reticulum and rumen are considered a single functional unit (the reticulo-rumen) with regards to myoelectrical and contractile activities. The specialized contractions of the reticulo-rumen provide constant mixing of partially digested material (cycle A), its flow into the omasum during eructation (cycle B), and regurgitation-rumination (cycle C). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of electromyography (EMG) registered by a long-term telemetry method for assessment of the basic reticulo-rumen myoelectrical activity in sheep, to develop the effective recognition of the reticulo-rumen cycles at rest with no food stimulation, and to investigate the relationship between cycles A, B, and C in such basic conditions. The experiment was carried out on nine ewes. Myoelectric activity of the rumen, reticulum, and abomasum was recorded by the combination of three silver bipolar electrodes and a 3-channel transmitter implant. The myoelectrical activity registered successfully in the reticulum and rumen was determined as three characteristic patterns of cycles A, B, and C. The percentage of each type of cycle changed at different intervals from equally cycles A (43–50%) and B (50–56%), occurring when cycle C was not observed to the domination of cycle C (57–73%) with a decrease of cycles A (6–14%) and B (20–28%). The long-term EMG telemetry registration is feasible in the assessment of the reticulo-rumen myoelectrical activity in sheep

Development of gastrointestinal and pancreatic functions in mammalians (mainly bovine and porcine species): influence of age and ingested food

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