ABSTRACT
Introduction: High-fat diet (HFD) consumption is associated with various metabolic disorders and diseases. Both pre-pregnancy and maternal obesity can have long-term consequences on offspring health. Furthermore, consuming an HFD in adulthood significantly increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. However, an intriguing phenomenon known as the obesity paradox suggests that obesity may confer a protective effect on mortality outcomes in sepsis. In sepsis, activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) can help mitigate systemic inflammation. We employed a metabolic programming model to explore the relationship between maternal HFD consumption and offspring response to sepsis. Methods: We fed female mice either a standard diet (SC) or an HFD during the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation periods. Subsequently, we evaluated 28-day-old male offspring. Results: Notably, we discovered that offspring from HFD-fed dams (HFD-O) exhibited a higher survival rate compared with offspring from SC-fed dams (SC-O). Importantly, inhibition of the m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (m1mAChR), involved in the CAP, in the hypothalamus abolished this protection. The expression of m1mAChR in the hypothalamus was higher in HFD-O at different ages, peaking on day 28. Treatment with an m1mAChR agonist could modulate the inflammatory response in peripheral tissues. Specifically, CAP activation was greater in the liver of HFD-O following agonist treatment. Interestingly, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge failed to induce a more inflammatory state in HFD-O, in contrast to SC-O, and agonist treatment had no additional effect. Analysis of spleen immune cells revealed a distinct phenotype in HFD-O, characterized by elevated levels of CD4+ lymphocytes rather than CD8+ lymphocytes. Moreover, basal Il17 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were lower while Il22 mRNA levels were higher in HFD-O, and we observed the same pattern after LPS challenge. Discussion: Further examination of myeloid cells isolated from bone marrow and allowed to differentiate showed that HFD-O macrophages displayed an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Additionally, treatment with the m1mAChR agonist contributed to reducing inflammatory marker levels in both groups. In summary, our findings demonstrate that HFD-O are protected against LPS-induced sepsis, and this protection is mediated by the central m1mAChR. Moreover, the inflammatory response in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow-differentiated macrophages is diminished. However, more extensive analysis is necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which m1mAChR modulates the immune response during sepsis.
Subject(s)
Metabolic Diseases , Sepsis , Humans , Pregnancy , Female , Male , Animals , Mice , Receptor, Muscarinic M1 , Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects , Lipopolysaccharides , Acetylcholine , Obesity/etiology , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
The interaction between olfactory and visual cues in the landing responses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) was analyzed in a natural environment (grass) using three plain cardboard circles with the colors white, black and other being the own grass (control) with 30 cm in diameter. The circles were divided in four quadrants and five sectors using as bait 80 mg of carcass of fish and minced flesh put in the center. To check the interaction between visual and olfactory factors, we analyzed the relation among the direction of wind and the sectors, the quadrants and the color of circle where C. megacephala adults landed. In the presence of the black and white circles, flies landed closer to the central release point of the bait when the wind was present compared with the other control circle. The results show that while odor cues may enhance the induction of landing by C. megacephala, visual cues are important when selecting a final landing site. Improved understanding of this interaction may allow the development of more effective traps or targets, enhancing the control efficiency of these control devices.
Subject(s)
Diptera/physiology , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Smell/physiology , Visual Perception/physiology , AnimalsABSTRACT
A interação entre pistas visuais e olfativa na resposta de pouso de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) foi analisada em ambiente natural. Para isso, foram utilizados três círculos planos de cartolina de cor branca, preta e outro com a própria grama (controle) com 30 cm de diâmetro. Os círculos foram divididos em quatro quadrantes e cinco setores circulares, tendo como isca 80 mg de carcaça de peixe e carne moída colocada no centro. Para verificar a interação entre as pistas visuais e a olfativa, foi analisada a relação entre a direção do vento e os setores, os quadrantes e a cor do círculo em que os adultos de C. megacephala pousavam. Na presença dos círculos preto e branco, as moscas pousaram mais próximo do ponto de liberação do odor das iscas quando o vento estava presente, em comparação com o círculo controle. Os resultados mostraram que a existência de odor pode melhorar a indução do pouso de C. megacephala e que pistas visuais são importantes para selecionar o local de pouso final. O entendimento dessa interação pode permitir o desenvolvimento de iscas e alvos mais efetivos, fortalecendo a eficiência de estratégias de controle.
The interaction between olfactory and visual cues in the landing responses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) was analyzed in a natural environment (grass) using three plain cardboard circles with the colors white, black and other being the own grass (control) with 30 cm in diameter. The circles were divided in four quadrants and five sectors using as bait 80 mg of carcass of fish and minced flesh put in the center. To check the interaction between visual and olfactory factors, we analyzed the relation among the direction of wind and the sectors, the quadrants and the color of circle where C. megacephala adults landed. In the presence of the black and white circles, flies landed closer to the central release point of the bait when the wind was present compared with the other control circle. The results show that while odor cues may enhance the induction of landing by C. megacephala, visual cues are important when selecting a final landing site. Improved understanding of this interaction may allow the development of more effective traps or targets, enhancing the control efficiency of these control devices.
Subject(s)
Animals , Diptera/physiology , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Smell/physiology , Visual Perception/physiologyABSTRACT
Proteins for brood nutrition of social wasps are obtained from many prey, including insects (even bees and other wasps), spiders and bits of decaying meat. After being captured and killed, prey are reduced to a shapeless mass and distributed to the brood. Little is known about the foraging activity, especially on this group. Herein we describe the sequence of foraging behaviours of the social wasp Polybia (Trichothorax) ignobilis for hunting flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae and Muscidae) over pig carcasses. To our knowledge, there are few scientific descriptions of prey foraging behaviour on this species.
Proteínas para nutrição da prole de vespas sociais são obtidas de várias presas, incluindo insetos (mesmo abelhas e outras vespas), aranhas e pedaços de carne em decomposição. Após serem capturadas e mortas, as presas são reduzidas a massas amorfas e distribuídas para a prole. Pouco é sabido sobre a atividade de forrageamento, especialmente nesse grupo. Assim nós descrevemos a seqüência de comportamento de forrageamento da vespa social Polybia (Trichothorax) ignobilis capturando moscas (Díptera: Calliphoridae e Muscidae) em carcaças de porcos. Para nosso conhecimento, há poucas descrições científicas do comportamento de forrageamento nessa espécie.
