Elaidic acid-induced intestinal barrier damage led to gut-liver axis derangement and triggered NLRP3 inflammasome in the liver of SD rats

Previous studies have shown that trans fatty acids(TFA) are associated with several chronic diseases,the gut microbiota is directly influenced by dietary components and linked to chronic diseases.Our research investigated the effects of elaidic acid(EA),a typical TFA,on the gut microbiota to understand the underlying mechanisms of TFA-related chronic diseases.16S rDNA gene sequencing on faecal samples from Sprague-Dawley rats were performed to explore the composition change of the gut microbiota by EA gavage for 4 weeks.The results showed that the intake of EA increased the abundance of well-documented harmful bacteria,such as Proteobacteria,Anaerotruncus,Oscillibacter and Desulfovibrionaceae.Plus,EA induced translocation of lipopolysaccharides(LPS) and the above pathogenic bacteria,disrupted the intestinal barrier,led to gut-liver axis derangement and TLR4 pathway activation in the liver.Overall,EA induced intestinal barrier damage and regulated TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB/MAPK pathways in the liver of SD rats,leading to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory liver damage.

Elaidic acid leads to mitochondrial dysfunction via mitochondria-associated membranes triggers disruption of mitochondrial calcium fluxes

Elaidic acid(EA)stimulation can lead to endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS),accompanied by a large release of Ca^(2+),and ultimately the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in Kupffer cells(KCs).Mitochondrial instability or dysfunction may be the key stimulating factors to activate NLRP3 inflammasome,and sustained Ca^(2+)transfer can result in mitochondrial dysfunction.We focused on KCs to explore the damage to mitochondria by EA.After EA stimulation,cells produced an oxidative stress(OS)response with a significant increase in ROS release.Immunoprecipitation experiments and the addition of inhibitors revealed that the increase in the level of intracellular Ca^(2+)led to Ca^(2+)accumulation in the mitochondrial matrix via mitochondria-associated membranes(MAMs).This was accompanied by a significant release of m ROS,loss of MMP and ATP,and a significant increase in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening,ultimately leading to mitochondrial instability.These findings confirmed the mechanism that EA induced mitochondrial Ca^(2+)imbalance in KCs via MAM,ultimately leading to mitochondrial dysfunction.Meanwhile,EA induced OS and the decrease of MMP and ATP in rat liver,and significant lesions were found in liver mitochondria.Swelling of the inner mitochondrial cristae and mitochondrial vacuolization occurred,with a marked increase in lipid droplets.

Prenatal cadmium exposure impairs neural tube closure via inducing excessive apoptosis in neuroepithelium

Birth defects have become a public health concern.The hazardous environmental factors exposure to embryos could increase the risk of birth defects.Cadmium,a toxic environmental factor,can cross the placental barrier during pregnancy.Pregnant woman may be subjected to cadmium before taking precautionary protective actions.However,the link between birth defects and cadmium remains obscure.Cadmium exposure can induce excessive apoptosis in neuroepithelium during embryonic development progresses.Cadmium exposure activated the p53 via enhancing the adenosine 5‘-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and reactive oxygen species'(ROS)level.And cadmium decreases the level of Paired box 3(Pax3)and murine double minute 2(Mdm2),disrupting the process of p53 ubiquitylation.And p53 accumulation induced excessive apoptosis in neuroepithelium during embryonic development progresses.Excessive apoptosis led to the failure of neural tube closure.The study emphasizes that environmental materials may increase the health risk for embryos.Cadmium caused the failure of neural tube closure during early embryotic day.Pregnant women may be exposed by cadmium before taking precautionary protective actions,because of cadmium concentration-containing foods and environmental tobacco smoking.This suggests that prenatal cadmium exposure is a threatening risk factor for birth defects.