Effect of Gegen Qinliantang on Fecal Short-chain Fatty Acids in Rats with Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea Based on Targeted Metabonomics / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of Gegen Qinliantang（GQT） on the fecal short-chain fatty acids（SCFAs） metabolism in antibiotic-associated diarrhea（AAD） through targeted metabolomics. MethodA total of 240 SD rats were randomly divided into six groups（n=40， half male and half female）， including blank group， model group， bifidobiogen group（0.15 g·kg-1）， and GQT high-， medium-， and low-dose groups（10.08， 5.04， 2.52 g·kg-1）， except for the blank group， clindamycin（250 mg·kg-1） was given to all groups by gavage for modeling every day for 7 d. After successful modeling， each administered group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of the drug， and the blank and model groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline solution， 1 time/d， for 14 d. At 0， 3， 7， 14 d after the drug intervention， eight rats were randomly selected from each group， respectively. Gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（GC-TOF-MS） was used to perform targeted metabolomic analysis of SCFAs in the feces of rats， and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） was applied to compare the differences in metabolic profiles between groups at different treatment times， and to compare the changes in the contents of SCFAs in rat feces between groups. ResultPLS-DA results showed that the blank group could be clearly distinguishable from the model group， with GQT exhibiting a closer proximity to the blank group after 7 d of treatment. After further analyzing the composition of SCFAs， it was found that the proportion of acetic acid increased and the proportions of butyric acid， valeric acid， hexanoic acid and isovaleric acid decreased in the model group compared with the blank group. After the treatment with GQT， the proportions of butyric acid， isobutyric acid， valeric acid， and isovaleric acid increased， and the proportions of acetic acid， propionic acid and caproic acid decreased. Subsequent differential analysis revealed that GQT could significantly improve the content of butyric acid， and had a certain retrogressive effect on the contents of valeric acid and hexanoic acid. ConclusionThe medium dose group of GQT can improve the contents of SCFAs in AAD feces after 7 days of treatment， which may be related to the improvement of the composition ratio of SCFAs and the contents of butyric acid， valeric acid and caproic acid.

Composite Sophora Colon-Soluble Capsule Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice via Gut Microbiota-Derived Butyric Acid and NCR+ ILC3 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of composite Sophora colon-soluble Capsule (CSCC) on gut microbiota-mediated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production and downstream group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice model.@*METHODS@#The main components of CSCC were analyzed by hybrid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography ion mobility spectromety quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-IM-QTOF/MS). Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6) by using a computer algorithm-generated random digital, including control, DSS model, mesalazine, and CSCC groups. A DSS-induced colitis mice model was established to determine the effects of CSCC by recording colonic weight, colonic length, index of colonic weight, and histological colonic score. The variations in ILC3s were assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The results of gut microbiota and SCFAs were acquired by 16s rDNA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The expression levels of NCR+ ILC3-, CCR6+ Nkp46- (Lti) ILC3-, and ILCreg-specific markers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The main components of CSCC were matrine, ammothamnine, Sophora flavescens neoalcohol J, and Sophora oxytol U. After 7 days of treatment, CSCC significantly alleviated colitis by promoting the reproduction of intestinal probiotics manifested as upregulation of the abundance of Bacteroidetes species and specifically the Bacteroidales_S24-7 genus (P<0.05). Among the SCFAs, the content of butyric acid increased the most after CSCC treatment. Meanwhile, compared with the model group, Lti ILC3s and its biomarkers were significantly downregulated and NCR+ ILC3s were significantly elevated in the CSCC group (P<0.01). Further experiments revealed that ILC3s were differentiated from Lti ILC3s to NCR+ ILC3s, resulting in interleukin-22 production which regulates gut epithelial barrier function.@*CONCLUSION@#CSCC may exert a therapeutic effect on UC by improving the gut microbiota, promoting metabolite butyric acid production, and managing the ratio between NCR+ ILC3s and Lti ILC3s.

Effects of soaking duration and incubation conditions on GABA biosynthesis in MangBuk brown rice of Vietnam

@#Introduction: Many people are currently interested in improving and maintaining their health status by changing their dietary habits, like eating more natural foods; thus sprout products are becoming increasingly popular. In this context, sprouted brown rice grains are an excellent example of functional food, because besides their nutritive value, they also lower the risk of various diseases and/or exert healthpromoting effects. In this paper, we focused on the bioactive compound γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in germinated brown rice. GABA is known as an important amino acid that can help reduce hypertension and inhibit cancer cells development. Methods: We investigated the hydration characteristics of brown rice by drying them in a moisture analyser at 130°C until reaching a constant weight. The effects of soaking (duration and pH of soaking solution), as well as incubation conditions (temperature and time) on GABA biosynthesis in MangBuk brown rice of Vietnam were measured. Quantification of GABA was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results: GABA content in MangBuk type 1 brown rice was higher than in type 2. GABA content reached its highest value at 691.88 µg/g for type 1 rice and 596.48 µg/g for type 2 rice when MangBuk brown rice was soaked in a pH 7 water at 30°C for 12 hours, and then incubated at 35°C for 30 hours in aerobic condition. Conclusion: Germination conditions modified the content of biologically active compounds in MangBuk soft and hard rice varieties. GABA was synthesised during germination based on three factors, namely time of incubation, temperature of incubation, and pH of solution.

Research Progress in Genetic Research of Fatigue / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Fatigue refers to the manifestation of disorders in the process of carrying out or maintaining random activities， which can be regarded as an independent disease or as a symptom in a variety of chronic diseases. The high incidence of fatigue has seriously affected people's physical and mental health， and the prevention and treatment of fatigue has become an important problem to be solved urgently. The pathogenesis of fatigue mainly includes energy consumpation， accumulation of metabolites， abnormal secretion of neurotransmitters， decline of mitochondrial function， dysfunction of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis， etc. At present， there is no unified understanding about the pathogenesis of fatigue at home and abroad. The gene research of fatigue is the current research frontier. Gene expression profiling provides a new method for the study of the mechanism of fatigue. The combination of gene chip technology and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） theory is expected to bring a breakthrough in the study of the pathogenesis of fatigue. In the study of fatigue gene chip， messenger RNA（mRNA） and microRNA（miRNA） are the common research objects， but few explorations are focused on the gene expression rule of fatigue by a specific signaling pathway and the effective regulation targets of TCM for treating fatigue. In recent years， the dysfunction of reward and inhibition mechanism in the central nervous system has become a research hotspot. In particular， gamma amino butyric acid （GABA） and dopamine （DA） have attracted much attention as the main substances of inhibition and reward mechanism， respectively. GABA and DA are used as inhibition and reward mechanisms to maintain the balance， and the body will not feel fatigue. Once the balance is broken， the fatigue will be formed. At the same time， DA and GABA receptors can also regulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway（cAMP） to affect fatigue. The research on key genes in GABA/DA balance mechanism and related cAMP signaling pathway by gene chip technology is expected to reveal the pathogenesis of fatigue in depth. The gene chip method is used to detect the changes of key genes in GABA/DA pathway and the related cAMP signaling pathway in the fatigue population and the normal population， so as to further explore the pathogenesis of fatigue. In this paper， the key genes in GABA/DA balance mechanism and cAMP signaling pathway related to fatigue were summarized by using the review method， so as to provide the basis for further study on the pathogenesis of fatigue and effective prevention and treatment from the perspective of genetics.

Effects of Tween-80 and butyric acid on radiation-induced bile acid enterohepatic circulation disturbance and the treatment strategy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To study the effect of emulsifier Tween-80 on radiation-induced bile acid enterohepatic circulation disturbance and the treatment strategy.Methods:Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into healthy control group, radiation-only group, radiation + Tween-80 group and radiation + Tween-80 + butyric acid group. The mice were exposed to total abdominal irradiation (TAI) using a specific steel lead chamber and γ-ray irradiator was used throughout the experiments. Mice in radiation+ Tween-80 group and radiation+ Tween-80+ butyric acid group were intragastrically administrated with Tween-80 for 7 d before irradiation, while healthy control group and radiation-only group were treated with sterile water. After irradiation, butyric acid was administrated to mice in radiation+ Tween-80+ butyric acid group until euthanasia, while healthy control group, radiation-only group and radiation+ Tween-80 group were treated with sterile water until euthanasia. Small intestine and fecal particles were collected 21 d after irradiation. The concentrations of bile acid in small intestinal and fecal samples were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of TGR5 and JAM-A, as well as the ratio of IL-10/IL-12 in intestine were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of GPR43 in the colon were compared using immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results:Tween-80 pretreated mice exhibited lower concentration of bile acid in small intestine and higher level of bile acid in fecal sample after irradiation (7.92%, 7.99%, t=3.93, 2.94, P<0.05), the expression of TGR5, which mediating the biological function of bile acid, and it′s downstream JAM-A gene were down-regulated (20.93%, 9.91%, t=4.85, 5.14, P<0.05), the ratio of IL-10/IL-12 (indicator related to inhibition of inflammation) (4.59%, t=3.39, P<0.05) as well as the expression of GPR43 protein, a G-protein-coupled receptor for butyric acid, decreased in the colon of Tween-80-pretreated mice compared with the radiation-only group. ELISA assay revealed that butyric acid administration elevated bile acid level in small intestines (8.06%, t=9.25, P<0.05), but reduced that in feces (14.41%, t=4.71, P<0.05). In addition, TGR5 and JAM-A showed higher expression in the intestine of butyric acid-treated mice (19.35%, 32.71%, t=7.69, 19.23, P<0.05), as well as the ratio of IL-10/IL-12 (2.39%, 4.05%, t=3.38, 5.92, P<0.05) and the content of GPR43 protein in colon. Conclusions:Tween-80 deteriorates the disturbance of bile acid enterohepatic circulation induced by ionizing radiation in mice. Butyric acid administration erases the adverse effects of Tween-80.

Short-chain fatty acids production by Bifidobacterium species in the presence of salep

BACKGROUND: Salep is obtained by grinding dried orchid tubers and used as a valuable ingredient in the food industry. Because of the glucomannan content of salep, it is thought to have prebiotic potential. However, there is little information in studies concerning the fermentation characteristics and potential prebiotic properties of salep. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salep on bifidobacterial growth by measuring the highest optical density (OD), calculating the specific growth rates, and determining the production of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric acid) as a result of bacterial fermentation. RESULT: The OD and pH values obtained in this study showed that salep was utilized as a source of assimilable carbon and energy by the Bifidobacterium species (BS). All Bifidobacterium strains produced lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid, indicating that salep is readily fermented by these bacteria. Salep at 1% (w/v) showed a similar effect on bifidobacterial growth as that promoted by 1% (w/v) glucose used as a traditional carbon source. CONCLUSIONS: Bifidobacterium species can develop in media containing salep as well as in glucose and exhibit the potential to be used as new sources of prebiotics.

Advances in Pharmacological Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on "Butyric Acid Producing Bacteria-Polysaccharides of Traditional Chinese Medicine" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The latest research shows that the intestinal flora is closely related to the pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）, and the study of microecological mechanism is a new direction of pharmacology of TCM. Among many functional groups of intestinal flora, butyric acid producing bacteria is an important functional group of intestinal flora. It can ferment dietary fiber, carbohydrate, endogenous protein and so on to produce metabolites. The imbalance of its flora is also related to the occurrence of a variety of diseases. The reason is that butyric acid is an important secondary metabolite of butyrobacteria. As an important short chain fatty acid, butyric acid can maintain intestinal health, regulate immune system and inflammatory response, regulate energy metabolism, and affect cell fraction Chemokines and apoptosis play an important role. Polysaccharide of TCM has the characteristics of high content, not easy to be digested and absorbed by the host, but can be decomposed and utilized by intestinal flora. It can be used as the carbon source of bacteria to regulate the intestinal flora, including butyric acid producing bacteria, and improve the structure of intestinal flora to achieve the purpose of disease treatment. Therefore, based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM", it is a new field in the study of microecological mechanism of TCM to study the pharmacology of TCM from the function of intestinal bacteria and the polysaccharide component of flora carbon source. Based on the latest literature and microecological pharmacology of TCM, this paper reviews the role of butyric acid, the molecular mechanism of butyric acid producing bacteria using polysaccharide of TCM, the relationship between polysaccharide of TCM and butyric acid producing bacteria, and discusses the relationship between butyric acid producing bacteria and polysaccharide of TCM. It also looks forward to the research of TCM pharmacology based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM", in order to provide a reference for the research progress of TCM pharmacology based on "butyric acid producing bacteria-polysaccharide of TCM".

Regulatory effects of Cannabis Fructus oil on gut microecology in D-galactose- induced aging mice / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effects of Cannabis Fructus oil on the regulation of gut microecology in D-galactose-induced aging mice. Methods: The Kunming mice were divided into control group, model group, positive control group (Jin Shuangqi group), Cannabis Fructus oil (12.0, 6.0, 3.0 mL/kg) group with six males and six females in each group. In the control group, normal saline was injected subcutaneously into the back of the neck every day. The other five groups were injected subcutaneously with 1% D-galactose aqueous solution, and the volume was 10 mL/kg. After 1 h, the control group was given normal saline by intragastric administration. The other groups were intragastrically administered with different doses of Cannabis Fructus oil for 42 d, and the dosage volume was 20 mL/kg. After the end of the administration, the change in body weight was analyzed; The proximal intestinal tissue of the ileocecal area and the feces in the cecum and colon were retained. Gram staining was used for the detection of Gram-positive bacilli (G+b), Gram-negative bacilli (G-b), Gram-positive cocci (G+c) and Gram-negative cocci (G-c); The ileal mucosa changes were observed by HE staining; The pH value of the colon feces was determined by pH meter; And the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces was determined by gas chromatography. Results: The results showed that Cannabis Fructus oil increased the ratio of bacillus, reduced the ratio of cocci and the cecal coefficient, decreased the pH value of the colon, significantly improved the colon pathological changes of the model animals with unbroken membrane skin, regular glands and rich cup cells and fluff rich, increased the content of SCFAs in the intestine of mice, and significantly increased (P < 0.01) the content of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, and significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the content of isovaleric acid. Conclusion: It could conclude that Cannabis Fructus oil can up-regulate the ratio of D-galactose-induced mice intestinal bacteria structure, improve the intestinal microecology, so as to provide theoretical support for clinical application and product development of Cannabis Fructus oil.

Anatomical Characterization of the Adventitious Roots of Mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) Mini-cuttings

Abstract Leaves of mate is one of the main non-timber forest products marketed in South America, which makes establishment of new plantations of great interest. However, vegetative propagation of mate plantlets presents difficulties, which may be associated with the complexity of adventitious root formation. The aims of this study were to anatomically characterize the adventitious roots of mate-clone mini-cuttings and investigate the relationship of phenols and starch with adventitious rooting competence in mini-cuttings treated or not with indole-butyric acid (IBA). The mini-cuttings of four clones were collected at 0, 30, and 60 days of cultivation, fixed in a solution containing 1% glutaraldehyde and 4% formaldehyde, pre-infiltrated and infiltrated in (2-hydroxyethyl) methacrylate, and sectioned in a microtome. Ferric chloride and toluidine blue were used to detect phenolic compounds and lugol to identify starch. Adventitious roots formed in mini-cuttings treated with IBA presented disorganized xylem and phloem and poles irregularly but exhibited sclerenchyma vessel elements and tracheid cells indicating functionality. Differences in the rhizogenic ability of mate clones mini-cuttings were not due to the presence of anatomical barriers or the accumulation of phenolic compounds but be associated with the presence and distribution of starch grains in vegetative propagules.

Successful Medical Management of Pregnancy Toxemia in Goats

Pregnancy toxaemia is a metabolic disorder that occurs in does and ewes during the late stage of pregnancy. Pregnant does that have low energy levels and having multiple numbers of fetuses are more susceptible to toxaemia. The present study was carried out in twenty five goats in advanced stage of pregnancy with the history of anorexia, torticolis, grinding of teeth, salivation and rigors. On clinical examination of animals, they were dull, depressed with tachycardia, tachypenia, opisthotonus and pale conjunctival mucous membrane. The biochemical parameters revealed hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia. Urine samples were collected and urine analysis revealed positive for ketone bodies. The goats were successfully treated with 25% dextrose i/v as a bolus, multiple electrolytes solution containing 5% dextrose i/v, glycerin orally and Vitamin B-complex injection intramuscularly and all the twenty five animals survived. Out of 25 animals medical termination of pregnancy was done in 21 cases and four animals delivered a live kid.

Rat Intestinal Acetic Acid and Butyric acid and Effects of Age, Sex, and High-fat Diet on the Intestinal Levels in Rats

BACKGROUND: High-fat diet is known to be implicated in the pathogenesis of various metabolic disorders related to an inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high-fat diet for intestinal acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations which are related to inflammation-associated colon cancer risk. METHODS: Both male and female rats of 6, 31, 74 and 104-week of age were fed chow diet or high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly during the feeding period. Intestinal acetic acid and butyric acid levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography from luminal contents of ileum and cecum. RESULTS: Male rats showed greater weight change than female rats in every age. Calorie-adjusted food intake was also higher in male rats compared to female rats. Male rats showed similar intake of food in every age while 31-week old female rats showed increased intake, which was decreased at 74-week and 104-week of age. The ileal acetic acid concentration was increased in male rats fed high-fat diet, while female rats fed high-fat diet showed no significant change in the ileal acetic acid level. On the other hand, butyric acid almost disappeared in high-fat diet fed rats regardless of sex. CONCLUSIONS: High-fat diet increases the intestinal acetic acid concentration while reducing the butyric acid concentration which may account for increased risk of inflammation-associated colon cancer.

Screening and identification of GABA-producing microbes in fermentation process of Sojae Semen Praeparatum / 中国中药杂志

A high-content GABA was found in Sojae Semen Praeparatum(SSP), which is a famous traditional Chinese medicine and officially listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. To screen out and identify GABA-producing microbes from samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP, traditional microbiological methods combined with molecular biological methods were used to study the predominant GABA-producing microorganisms existing in the fermenting process of SSP. This study would lay a foundation for further studying the processing mechanism of SSP. The fermenting process of SSP was based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2010 edition), and samples were taken at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP. The bacteria and fungi from samples at different time points in the fermenting process of SSP were cultured, isolated and purified by selective medium, and dominant strains were selected. The dominant bacteria were cultured in the designated liquid medium to prepare the fermentation broths, and GABA in the fermentation broth was qualitatively screened out by thin-layer chromatography. The microbial fermentation broth with GABA spots in the primary screening was quantitatively detected by online pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography established in our laboratory. GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out from predominant strains, and their GABA contents in fermentation broth were determined. The DNA sequences of GABA-producing bacteria and fungi were amplified using 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA sequences by PCR respectively. The amplified products were sequenced, and the sequencing results were identified through NCBI homology comparison. Molecular biological identification was made by phylogenetic tree constructed by MEGA 7.0 software. Through the homology comparison of NCBI and the construction of phylogenetic tree by MEGA 7.0 software, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in this study. They were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, E. avium, Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. niger, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Penicillium citrinum and Phanerochaete sordida respectively. For the first time, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in the samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP in this study. The results indicated that multiple predominant GABA-producing microorganisms exist in the fermenting process of SSP and may play an important role in the formation of GABA.

Aspectos clínico-patológicos da intoxicação por ivermectina em suínos / Clinical and pathological aspects of the intoxication by ivermectin in pigs

A ivermectina é um derivado semi-sintético das avermectinas. Essas lactonas macrocíclicas são obtidas como compostos da fermentação do actinomiceto Streptomyces avermitilis, apesar de sua ampla margem de segurança, casos de intoxicação iatrogênica tem sido observados em diversas espécies animais. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar o primeiro surto de intoxicação por ivermectina em suínos no Brasil. Os casos descritos neste estudo foram observados em uma propriedade rural no Município de Catingueira, Estado da Paraíba. O rebanho era composto por 103 suínos, destes 32 foram medicados com ivermectina a 1% por via subcutânea para tratamento de ecto e endoparasitose. A dose utilizada foi cinco vezes superior a recomendada para espécie. Os animais apresentaram anorexia, tremores, ataxia, paresia dos membros posteriores, depressão, coma e morte. 96,9% dos animais evoluiram a óbito. Os sinais clínicos foram observados em média oito horas após administração do fármaco e o período de evolução que culminou com o óbito variou de 10 a 48 horas. O presente estudo chama atenção para a necessidade de se calcular com precisão a dose de ivermectina a ser utilizada em suínos, em especial para animais jovens, uma vez que é possível que nos mesmos a barreira hematoencafálica seja mais permeável ao fármaco em relação aos adultos.

Ivermectin is a semi-synthetic derivative of avermectins. These macrocyclic lactones are obtained as fermentation compounds of the actinomycete Streptomyces avermitilis, despite their wide safety margin, cases of iatrogenic intoxication have been observed in several animal species. The objective of the present study is to report the first outbreak of ivermectin intoxication in swine in Brazil. The cases described in this study were observed in a rural property in the Municipality of Catingueira, State of Paraíba. The herd was composed of 103 pigs, of these 32 were medicated with 1% ivermectin subcutaneously for treatment of ecto and endoparasitosis. The dose used was five times higher than that recommended for the species. The animals presented anorexia, tremors, ataxia, paresis of the hind limbs, depression, coma and death. 96.9% of the animals evolved to death. Clinical signs were observed on average eight hours after drug administration and the evolution period that culminated with death ranged from 10 to 48 hours. The present study draws attention to the need to accurately calculate the dose of ivermectin to be used in pigs, especially for young animals, since it is possible that the blood-brain barrier is more permeable to the drug compared to adults.

Protective effect of sodium butyrate on the neonatal mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sodium butyrate on the neonatal mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis and analyze its possible mechanism.Methods Sixty c57BL/6 neonatal mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=30):PBS group and butyric acid group.At the third day after birth,mice in both groups were respectively given PBS and sodium butyrate solution by gavage once a day for 7 days,and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) model was established by hypoxia,cold stimulation and artificial feeding.The newborn mice were sacrificed overnight after modeling.HE staining and double-blind pathological score were performed to observe the pathological changes of ileocecal intestinal tissue.The mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-10,TGF-β1 and TNF-a were tested by quantitative real-time PCR.The levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in intestine tissues were evaluated using ELISA.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the ratio of regulatory T cells (Treg) on CD4+ T cells in both groups.Results When mice were sacrificed overnight after NEC modeling,the body weight was significantly higher in butyric acid group (4.50 ± 0.42g) than in PBS group (4.16 ± 0.60g,P＜0.05);No significant difference (P＞0.05) existed in survival rate of butyric acid group (76.34％) and PBS group (67.95％).The pathological damage score of intestinal tissue showed that the median score of intestinal injury was significantly lower in butyric acid group [1.33(1.33-1.67)] than in PBS group [2.00(1.67-2.25),P＜0.05].qPCR demonstrated that the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA were obviously lower in butyric acid group than in PBS group (0.85 ± 0.30 vs.1.77 ± 0.49 and 0.41 ± 0.25 vs.0.96 ± 0.56,respectively,P＜0.05);and the expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 mRNA were markedly higher in butyric acid group than in PBS group (1.91 ± 0.82 vs.0.94 ± 0.43 and 1.46 ± 0.57 vs.0.88 ± 0.29,respectively,P＜0.05);Intestinal tissue ELISA results showed that the expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were higher in butyric acid group than in PBS group (68.60 ± 15.06 vs.37.25 ± 5.81 and 424.93 ± 19.34 vs.127.31 ± 60.83,respectively,P＜0.05);Flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg) of CD4+ T cells was higher in butyric acid group than in PBS group (12.68％ ± 6.79％ vs.3.57％ ± 0.88％,P＜0.05).Conclusions Butyric acid plays a protective effect in the intestinal injury of neonatal mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis.The possible mechanism is that butyrate can down-regulate the expressions of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-o,up-regulate the expressions of cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1,and promote the differentiation of T cells into Treg cells.

The Effect of Microbiota on Colon Carcinogenesis

Although genetic background is known to contribute to colon carcinogenesis, the exact etiology of the disease remains elusive. The organ’s extensive interaction with microbes necessitated research on the role of microbiota on development of colon cancer. In this review, we summarized the defense mechanism of colon from foreign organism, and germ-free animal models that have been employed to elucidate microbial effect. We also comprehensively discussed the metabolic property of microbiota such as butyrate production, facilitation of heme toxicity, bile acid transformation, and nitrate reduction that has been shown to contribute to the development of the tumor. Finally, up-to-date subjects such as the effect of age and gender on microbiota are briefly discussed.

Inborn Errors of Ketone Body Metabolism and Transport: An Update for the Clinic and for Clinical Laboratories

Abstract Major progress occurred in understanding inborn errors of ketone body transport and metabolism between the International Congresses on Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Barcelona (2013) and Rio de Janeiro (2017). These conditions impair either ketogenesis (presenting as episodes of hypoketotic hypoglycemia) or ketolysis (presenting as ketoacidotic episodes); for both groups, immediate intravenous glucose administration is the most critical and (mHGGCS, HMGCS2) effective treatment measure. Ketogenesis Deficiencies: New biomarkers were described for mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (mHGGCS, HMGCS2) deficiency. New patient series refined clinical knowledge of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase (HGGCL, HMGCL) deficiency. Although affected humans have not been described, two animal model phenotypes are pertinent: zebrafish deficient in monocarboxylate transporter 7 (MCT7, slc16a6) (decreased ketone body exit from hepatocytes) or mice lacking D-3-hydroxy-n-butyrate dehydrogenase (BDH1, BDH1) (isolated hyperacetoacetatemia; fatty liver). Ketolysis Deficiencies: Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1, SLC16A1) deficiency is a newly described defect of ketone body transport, joining deficiencies of succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid CoA transferase (SCOT, OXCT1) and methylacetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (MAT, ACAT1). Some heterozygotes for MCT1 or SCOT deficiency develop ketoacidosis.

Effect of metabolites of Clostridium butyricum, butyric acid and hydro-gen, on acute gastric mucosal lesion / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the antiulcer effect of butyric acid and hydrogen , the main metabolites of Clos-tridium butyricum (C.butyricum), and to explore the underlying mechanism .METHODS: The mouse model of acute gastric mucosal lesion was prepared by gavage with ethanol .The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group , model group , butyric acid group and hydrogen group .The mice in butyric acid group and hydrogen group were given buty-rate and hydrogen prior to model establishment , respectively .Macroscopic observation of the pathological changes in gastric tissues was performed to evaluate the effect of the 2 metabolites of C.butyricum.Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, such as IL-12, RAN1 and MCP-1, were determined by RT-qPCR.The expression levels of apopto-sis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical staining .RESULTS:The macroscopic observa-tion found that butyrate , not hydrogen , protected gastric mucosa .HE staining also showed that butyrate significantly attenu-ated the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa induced by ethanol .Compared with model group , the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors IL-12, RAN1 and MCP-1 in butyrate group significantly decreased (P<0.01).In butyrate group, the protein level of Bax was obviously decreased compared with model group (P<0.01), while the protein level of Bcl-2 was significantly increased ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION: The gastric mucosa protective metabolite of C.butyricum may be butyric acid , not hydrogen .Butyric acid protects the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced lesion by inhibiting the inflam- mation and reducing the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2.

Effect of metabolites of Clostridium butyricum, butyric acid and hydro-gen, on acute gastric mucosal lesion / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the antiulcer effect of butyric acid and hydrogen , the main metabolites of Clos-tridium butyricum (C.butyricum), and to explore the underlying mechanism .METHODS: The mouse model of acute gastric mucosal lesion was prepared by gavage with ethanol .The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group , model group , butyric acid group and hydrogen group .The mice in butyric acid group and hydrogen group were given buty-rate and hydrogen prior to model establishment , respectively .Macroscopic observation of the pathological changes in gastric tissues was performed to evaluate the effect of the 2 metabolites of C.butyricum.Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors, such as IL-12, RAN1 and MCP-1, were determined by RT-qPCR.The expression levels of apopto-sis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical staining .RESULTS:The macroscopic observa-tion found that butyrate , not hydrogen , protected gastric mucosa .HE staining also showed that butyrate significantly attenu-ated the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa induced by ethanol .Compared with model group , the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors IL-12, RAN1 and MCP-1 in butyrate group significantly decreased (P<0.01).In butyrate group, the protein level of Bax was obviously decreased compared with model group (P<0.01), while the protein level of Bcl-2 was significantly increased ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION: The gastric mucosa protective metabolite of C.butyricum may be butyric acid , not hydrogen .Butyric acid protects the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced lesion by inhibiting the inflam- mation and reducing the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2.

Rooting of semi-hardwood stem cuttings from current year shoots of Drymis brasiliensis / Enraizamento de estacas caulinares semilenhosas de Drimys brasiliensis oriundas de brotação do ano

ABSTRACT: Drimys brasiliensis Miers is an Angiosperm native to the Atlantic Rainforest, commonly known as cataia. Because of dormancy of its seeds, due to embryonic immaturity, production of cataia seedlings presents challenges regarding propagation of the species. Thus, cuttings emerged as a possible technique to be applied, diminishing plants production time and ensuring uniformity of rooting. Stem cuttings from current year shoots were collected in autumn/2012, prepared with 10-12cm in length, a bevel cut on base and straight on top, keeping two leaves, one leaf or no leaves in the apical portion. After disinfestation, bases of cuttings were submitted to the following treatments with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in 50% hydro-alcoholic solution: 100% water, 0, 500, 1500, 3000, 4500 and 6000mg L-1 IBA. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 3 types of cutting x 7 IBA concentrations, with four replicates of 10 cuttings per experimental unit. After 120 days, the variables percentage of rooted cuttings, number of roots per cutting, length of the three longest roots per cutting, percentage of cuttings with callus, alive and dead, with new shoots and the cuttings maintaining the original leaves were assessed. The application of IBA had no influence on any of the assessed variables. Cuttings with two leaves presented the best rooting percentage (51.1%) and the lowest mortality (5.4%), when compared to cuttings with one leaf (35.0%) or without leaves (0.4%). Cuttings without leaves are to be avoided, since they present the highest mortality percentage (93.6%).

RESUMO: Drimys brasiliensis Miers é uma Angiosperma nativa da Mata Atlântica conhecida popularmente como cataia. Por apresentar dormência em suas sementes devido à imaturidade embrionária, a produção de mudas de cataia apresenta uma problemática a ser desvendada no que se refere à propagação da espécie. Assim, a estaquia foi utilizada como uma possível técnica a ser utilizada, diminuindo o tempo de obtenção das mudas e possibilitando a uniformidade de enraizamento. Estacas caulinares provenientes de brotações do ano foram coletadas no outono/2012, confeccionadas com 10-12cm de comprimento, corte em bisel na base e reto no ápice, mantendo-as com duas, uma e sem folhas na porção apical. Após desinfestação, as bases das estacas foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos com ácido indol butírico (IBA) em solução hidroalcoólica 50%: 100% água, 0, 500, 1500, 3000, 4500 e 6000mg L-1 IBA. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 3 tipos de estacas x 7 concentrações de IBA, com quatro repetições contendo 10 estacas por unidade experimental. Após 120 dias, avaliou-se a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, número de raízes por estaca, comprimento das três maiores raízes por estaca, porcentagem de estacas com calos, vivas, mortas, com novas brotações e que mantiveram suas folhas originais. A aplicação de IBA não influenciou nenhuma das variáveis estudadas. Estacas com duas folhas apresentaram melhor enraizamento (51,1%) e menor porcentagem de mortalidade (5,4%), quando comparadas com estacas com uma folha (35,0%) ou sem folhas (0,4%). A estaquia sem a presença de folhas não é recomendada, por causar a maior porcentagem de mortalidade (93,6%).

Effect and mechanism of inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary fibrosis by butyric acid / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of butyric acid (BA) as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and its mechanism. Methods Thirty C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into three groups according to the random number method, namely control group (physiological saline was given intraperitoneally and by gavage), LPS challenge group (LPS-induced murine model of pulmonary fibrosis was reproduced with intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS), and BA preconditioning + LPS challenge group (10 mg/kg BA was given followed by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS), with 10 mice in each group. Mice were sacrificed painlessly, and lung tissue samples were harvested at 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively (five samples every group each time). HDAC activity was evaluated with fluorescence analysis kit. Protein expression of acetylated-histone H3 (Ace-H3), acetylated-histone H4 (Ace-H4) and thymocyte differentiation antigen 1 (Thy-1) were determined by Western Blot. The mRNA expression of Thy-1 was assessed by real-time reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). The degree of lung inflammation and fibrosis were microscopic detected after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson collagen staining. The deposition of lung collagen was detected by hydroxyproline content measurement kit. Results Compared to control group, the degree of lung inflammation and fibrosis was aggravated after LPS challenge, as manifested by increased hydroxyproline content (μg/mg, 2 weeks: 8.384±0.632 vs. 4.388±0.334, 4 weeks: 8.308±0.244 vs. 4.370±0.342, both P 0.05; 0.426±0.098 vs. 0.858±0.177 at 4 weeks, P 0.05; relative expression of Thy-1 protein (gray value): 0.725±0.284 vs. 1.249±0.297 at 2 weeks, 0.589±0.139 vs. 1.372±0.343 at 4 weeks, both P < 0.05]. Compared with LPS group, BA precondition could inhibit above processes, as manifested by decreased hydroxyproline content (μg/mg: 5.943±0.726 vs. 8.384±0.632 at 2 weeks, 4.938±0.209 vs. 8.308±0.244 at 4 weeks, both P < 0.01), decreased HDAC activity (μmol/L: 4.386±0.117 vs. 7.243±0.384 at 2 weeks, 4.863±0.096 vs. 6.479±0.202 at 4 weeks, both P < 0.01), increased Thy-1 mRNA expression at 2 weeks (2-ΔΔCt: 0.884±0.216 vs. 0.606±0.066, P < 0.05), increased acetylation degree of histone H4 and Thy-1 protein expression at 4 weeks [relative expression of Ace-H4 (gray value): 0.715±0.145 vs. 0.426±0.098, P < 0.05; relative protein expression of Thy-1 (gray value): 0.939±0.098 vs. 0.589±0.139, P < 0.01]. Conclusions LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis was related with activation of HDAC, deacetylation of histone H3 and H4 and Thy-1 gene silencing. HDAC inhibitor BA could inhibit LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis and Thy-1 gene silencing through inhibiting activation of HDAC and deacetylation of histone H4.