Dietary chicory root and chicory inulin trigger changes in energetic metabolism, stress prevention and cytoskeletal proteins in the liver of growing pigs - a proteomic study.

Currently, a wide array of plant preparations exerting health-promoting properties are commonly used as feed additives. Among them, Cichorium intybus L. have gained considerable attention as a source of compounds showing prebiotic character. Large body of evidence suggests that products of prebiotic fermentation (short-chain fatty acids) may influence the expression of genes encoding liver enzymes involved in the regulation of energetic metabolism. Given the above, the present study was aimed at estimating the influence of a diet supplemented with chicory root or water extract of chicory inulin on liver proteome in growing pigs. The study was performed on 24 castrated male piglets (PIC × Penarlan P76). Animals were assigned to three equal groups (n = 8) and fed cereal-based isoenergetic diets: control and supplemented with 2% of inulin extract from chicory root or 4% of dried chicory root. Liver proteins were separated using two-dimensional electrophoresis, followed by the identification of statistically valid protein spots with the aid of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Both experimental factors significantly modulated the expression of liver proteins associated with energetic metabolism, particularly those involved in cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism. Additionally, both dietary additives induced increased expression of proteins involved in hepatocyte protection against oxidative stress. In the present study, we have shown for the first time that diet supplementation with dried chicory root or inulin caused significant changes in the expression of liver cytoskeletal proteins. Close attention should be paid to the downregulation of cytokeratin 18, hepatic acute phase protein that can enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of inulin-type fructans.

Platelet adhesion to multimerin 1 in vitro: influences of platelet membrane receptors, von Willebrand factor and shear.

BACKGROUND: Multimerin 1 (MMRN1) is a large, homopolymeric adhesive protein, stored in platelets and endothelium, that when released, binds to activated platelets, endothelial cells and the extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVES: The goals of our study were to determine if (i) MMRN1 supports adhesion of resting and/or activated platelets under conditions of blood flow, and (ii) if MMRN1 enhances platelet adhesion to types I and III collagen. PATIENTS/METHODS: Platelet adhesion was evaluated using protein-coated microcapillaries, with or without added adhesive proteins and receptor antibodies. Platelets from healthy controls, Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and severe von Willebrand factor (VWF)-deficient donors were tested. RESULTS: MMRN1 supported the adhesion of activated, but not resting, washed platelets over a wide range of shear rates. At low shear (150 s(-1)), this adhesion was supported by integrins alphavbeta3 and glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha but it did not require integrins alphaIIbbeta3 or VWF. At high shear (1500 s(-1)), adhesion to MMRN1 was supported by beta3 integrin-independent mechanisms, involving GPIbalpha and VWF, that did not require platelet activation when VWF was perfused over MMRN1 prior to platelets. MMRN1 bound to types I and III collagen, independent of VWF, however, its enhancing effects on platelet adhesion to collagen at high shear were VWF dependent. CONCLUSIONS: MMRN1 supports platelet adhesion by VWF-dependent and -independent mechanisms that vary by flow rate. Additionally, MMRN1 binds to, and enhances, platelet adhesion to collagen. These findings suggest that MMRN1 could function as an adhesive ligand that promotes platelet adhesion at sites of vascular injury.

Immune response in farm animals infected or immunised with bacteria of Chlamydia sp. and Chlamydophila sp. genus.

Bacteria from genera Chlamydia (Ch.) and Chlamydophila (Chl.) are very pathogenic and may infect humans and animals. They also may cause latent infection, especially in animals. In this paper we discuss the non-specific and specific cellular and humoral immunity in farm animals, after infection or immunisation with Chlamydia sp. and Chlamydophila sp. bacteria. It has been shown, that the infection or immunisation with the microorganisms influenced the activity of polimorphonuclear cells (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MN) in the process of phagocytosis. It has also been shown that the bacteria influenced the amount and activity of lysozyme, activities of myeloperoxidase and lysosomal enzymes. Infection or immunisation with the microorganisms was demonstrated to affect numbers of lymphocytes T and B and those of their subpopulation as well as the activity of cytokines and levels of serum and secreted immunoglobulins. The changes were detected just a few hours after infection or immunisation and persisted for a few days to a few decades.

Potential cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes in rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain.

The potential oxygen-dependent cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes was examined in rabbits immunised with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain. Tests included a nitrotetrazolium blue (NBT) reduction test and estimation of specific antibody titers. The results obtained indicated that immunization of rabbits with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain induced increased cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes four weeks earlier than the augmented titers of specific antibodies.

Non-specific humoral immunity in rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain.

In this study we monitored parameters of non-specific humoral immunity in rabbits immunised with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain and looked for specific anti-Chlamydia antibodies. The results obtained indicated that the parameters evaluated, including activity of myeloperoxidase and the level and activity of lysozyme, manifested alterations earlier than positive titers of specific antibodies developed. This may indicate that alterations in parameters of non-specific humoral immunity can be used as accessory tests in the diagnosis of chlamydioses.

Lymphocytes and their subpopulations in peripheral blood of rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain.

The effects of immunisation with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain were examined on the dynamic alterations in lymphocytes T and B and in their subpopulations in the peripheral blood of rabbits; the titer of specific anti-Chlamydia antibodies was also established. The results showed that the examined strain induced alterations in the form of an increased or decreased number of T and/or B lymphocytes and in their subpopulations, and that immunity conditioned by the cells proved to be a very significant variable in infection with Chlamydia psittaci (at present Chlamydophila abortus). Alterations in the immune pattern developed earlier by 35 days as compared to positive titers of specific antibodies.