A Brazilian regional basic diet-induced chronic malnutrition drives liver inflammation with higher ApoA-I activity in C57BL6J mice

Malnutrition is still considered endemic in many developing countries. Malnutrition-enteric infections may cause lasting deleterious effects on lipid metabolism, especially in children living in poor settings. The regional basic diet (RBD), produced to mimic the Brazilian northeastern dietary characteristics (rich in carbohydrate and low in protein) has been used in experimental malnutrition models, but few studies have explored the effect of chronic RBD on liver function, a central organ involved in cholesterol metabolism. This study aimed to investigate whether RBD leads to liver inflammatory changes and altered reverse cholesterol metabolism in C57BL6/J mice compared to the control group, receiving a standard chow diet. To evaluate liver inflammation, ionized calcium-binding adapter protein-1 (IBA-1) positive cell counting, interleukin (IL)-1β immunohistochemistry, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 transcription levels were analyzed. In addition, we assessed reverse cholesterol transport by measuring liver apolipoprotein (Apo)E, ApoA-I, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) by RT-PCR. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was measured to assess liver function. RBD markedly impaired body weight gain compared with the control group (P<0.05). Higher hepatic TNF-α (P<0.0001) and IL-10 (P=0.001) mRNA levels were found in RBD-challenged mice, although without detectable non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Marked IBA-1 immunolabeling and increased number of positive-IBA-1 cells were found in the undernourished group. No statistical difference in serum ALT was found. There was also a significant increase in ApoA mRNA expression in the undernourished group, but not ApoE and LCAT, compared with the control. Altogether our findings suggested that chronic RBD-induced malnutrition leads to liver inflammation with increased ApoA-I activity.

Alanyl-glutamine attenuates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Apolipoprotein E (APOE=gene, apoE=protein) is a known factor regulating the inflammatory response that may have regenerative effects during tissue recovery from injury. We investigated whether apoE deficiency reduces the healing effect of alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) treatment, a recognized gut-trophic nutrient, during tissue recovery after 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. APOE-knockout (APOE-/-) and wild-type (APOE+/+) C57BL6J male and female mice (N=86) were given either Ala-Gln (100 mM) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) by gavage 3 days before and 5 days after a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) challenge (450 mg/kg, via intraperitoneal injection). Mouse body weight was monitored daily. The 5-FU cytotoxic effect was evaluated by leukometry. Intestinal villus height, villus/crypt ratio, and villin expression were monitored to assess recovery of the intestinal absorptive surface area. Crypt length, mitotic, apoptotic, and necrotic crypt indexes, and quantitative real-time PCR for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) intestinal mRNA transcripts were used to evaluate intestinal epithelial cell turnover. 5-FU challenge caused significant weight loss and leukopenia (P<0.001) in both mouse strains, which was not improved by Ala-Gln. Villus blunting, crypt hyperplasia, and reduced villus/crypt ratio (P<0.05) were found in all 5-FU-challenged mice but not in PBS controls. Ala-Gln improved villus/crypt ratio, crypt length and mitotic index in all challenged mice, compared with PBS controls. Ala-Gln improved villus height only in APOE-/- mice. Crypt cell apoptosis and necrotic scores were increased in all mice challenged by 5-FU, compared with untreated controls. Those scores were significantly lower in Ala-Gln-treated APOE+/+ mice than in controls. Bcl-2 and IGF-1 mRNA transcripts were reduced only in the APOE-/--challenged mice. Altogether our findings suggest APOE-independent Ala-Gln regenerative effects after 5-FU challenge.

Advances in reproductive technologies in cattle: from artificial insemination to cloning: [review] / Avances en biotecnología reproductiva en bovinos: de la inseminación artificial a la clonación: [revisión]

The urge for the control of reproductive processes in animals has propelled a great gain in knowledge, also setting off the development of four generations of assisted reproductive technologies (AR T) for humans and animals. The use of assisted reproductive techniques has been of great importance in livestock production. In general terms, the main first three generations of ARTs, including 1) artificial insemination (AI) and gamete and embryo freezing, 2) multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and 3) in vitro fertilization(IV F) procedures, have matured into successful commercial applications, facilitating the increase in production through genetics, the reduction in generation intervals, the control ofdiseases, and the cutback in production costs. The fourth generation of AR T encompasses processes that are still more experimental, comprising cloning by nuclear transfer (NT) of embryonic or somatic cells, transgenesis, and stem cell biology. Such technologies are intertwined with one another and with currently available molecular tools, being completely dependent upon the previous generations of technologies. However, many reproductive challenges still hinder maximal livestock reproductive performance, affecting productivity and profitability. It is clear that the application of such technologies as lucrative activities will remain questionable if not associated with other components of animal production,such as animal health, nutrition and adequate animal husbandry practices.

El afán por controlar los procesos reproductivos en animales ha llevado a una gran ganancia en conocimiento, impulsando el desarrollo de cuatro tecnologías reproductivas asistidas(AR Ts) para animales y humanos. El uso de AR Ts ha sido de gran importancia en la producciónganadera. En términos generales, las tres principales generaciones de AR T, incluyendo 1) inseminación artificial (AI) y congelación de gametos y embriones, 2) superovulación y transferencia de embriones (MOET) y 3) procedimientos de fertilización in Vitro, han madurado en aplicaciones comerciales exitosas, facilitando el incremento en la producción a través de la genética, reducción del intervalo generacional, control de enfermedades, y reducción de costos de producción. La cuarta generación de AR Ts incluye procesos que aún son muy experimentales, como transferencia de núcleos (NT) de células somáticas, transanigénesis, y biología de células madre. Estas tecnologías se intercalan las unas con las otras y con las herramientas moleculares actuales, dependen completamente de las generaciones de tecnologías previas. Sin embargo, hay muchos retos reproductivos que no permiten alcanzarel potencial reproductivo máximo, afectando la productividad y la rentabilidad. Es claro que la aplicación de tales tecnologías como actividades lucrativas se mantendrán cuestionadassi no se asocian a otros componentes de la producción pecuaria, como la salud animal, nutrición, y prácticas de manejo adecuadas.