Alternative for improving gut microbiota: use of Jerusalem artichoke and probiotics in diet of weaned piglets.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Jerusalem artichoke and probiotics on defence activity of intestinal cells of weaning pigs. One hundred eighty piglets (7 weeks old) were fed with basal feed supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke, Lactobacillus reuteri and Pediococcus pentosaceus. After 5 weeks, the piglets were slaughtered and the gastrointestinal contents and intestine samples were taken for analysis. Results demonstrated that in pigs fed basal diet with both probiotics and Jerusalem artichoke (5% of basal diet) (T3 group) had less (P<0.05) faecal Enterobacteriaceae microorganisms and coliforms and had more (P<0,05) faecal Lactobacillus than in pigs from other groups. Increase by 2% of Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli levels were seen only in control piglets (T1 group). E. coli O157 was found at the closing stage in the piglets fed basal diet with only Jerusalem artichoke powder (T2 group), but Salmonella enteritidis - only in T1 group. In jejunum of T2 group piglets, large deterioration of crypts, a moderate inflammation process and plasmocytes were seen, but in jejunum of T3 group piglets - branching of apical surface of villi, moderate degeneration and mitosis of enterocytes were observed. A moderate number of apoptotic cells in T2 group was found mainly in colon inflammation cells and plasmocytes, but for T3 group piglets--both in jejunum enterocytes and migrating cells. Our study indicated that beta-defensin 2 and 3 expression in jejunum and colon segments were incresed in T1 and T2 groups. Findings suggest that feeding with probiotics and Jerusalem artichoke significantly improves the microbial contents, defence and regeneration processes in the intestine of pigs.

SNPs of PSMA6 gene--investigation of possible association with myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In our preceding studies we have identified microsatellite polymorphisms inside the PSMA6 gene and in its 5' upstream region. Following the observed associations of microsatellite polymorphisms with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease we extended the evaluation of PSMA6 genetic variations to cardiovascular disorders and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. New polymorphisms in the promoter region and exon 6 of the gene were identified by direct sequencing of the promoter region and all seven exons of the gene in 30 individuals of European descent. Two SNPs at positions -110 and -8 from the translation start, in the promoter region and 5'UTR respectively, were analyzed. Neither polymorphism was associated with the risk of myocardial infarction. No significant association of the polymorphisms with plasma lipid levels or BMI was observed. A borderline association of both polymorphisms with diastolic blood pressure was observed in the control group. Genotype -8CG was significantly more frequent in type 2 diabetes patients, and haplotype C-110/G-8, compared to C-110/C-8 was associated with a higher risk of NIDDM.

Association of microsatellite polymorphisms of the human 14q13.2 region with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Latvian and Finnish populations.

A polymorphic microsatellite in intron 6 of the human proteasome core particle PSMA6 gene (HSMS006), and four other microsatellites localized upstream on human chromosome 14q13.2 (HSMS801, HSMS702, HSMS701, HSMS602), were genotyped in 104 type 2 diabetic patients and 129 age-matched control subjects from Latvia and replicated in 91 type 2 diabetic patients and 88 age-matched healthy control subjects from the Botnia Study in Finland. In type 2 diabetic patients from both populations the HSMS006 (TG)22 allele was two times more frequent compared to the control group. In the Latvian population the (CAA)8 allele of the HSMS602 marker was less frequent in the diabetic group, as was the (AC)24 allele of microsatellite HSMS801. Allele frequencies of the HSMS701 and 702 repeats were similar in healthy controls and type 2 diabetic patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that variants in the PSMA6 gene on chromosome 14q13.2 are associated with type 2 diabetes.

Mitochondrial DNA portrait of Latvians: towards the understanding of the genetic structure of Baltic-speaking populations.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation was investigated in a sample of 299 Latvians, a Baltic-speaking population from Eastern Europe. Sequencing of the first hypervariable segment (HVS-I) in combination with analysis of informative coding region markers revealed that the vast majority of observed mtDNAs belong to haplogroups (hgs) common to most European populations. Analysis of the spatial distribution of mtDNA haplotypes found in Latvians, as well as in Baltic-speaking populations in general, revealed that they share haplotypes with all neighbouring populations irrespective of their linguistic affiliation. Hence, the results of our mtDNA analysis show that the previously described sharp difference between the Y-chromosomal hg N3 distribution in the paternally inherited gene pool of Baltic-speaking populations and of other European Indo-European speakers does not have a corresponding maternal counterpart.