Correlation between the neuroendocrine axis,microbial species,inflammatory response,and gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND This study examines the complex relationships among the neuroendocrine axis,gut microbiome,inflammatory responses,and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).The findings provide new insights into the pathophysiology of IBS and suggest potential therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes.AIM To investigate the interactions between the neuroendocrine axis,gut microbiome,inflammation,and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS.METHODS Patients diagnosed with IBS between January 2022 and January 2023 were selected for the study.Healthy individuals undergoing routine check-ups during the same period served as the control group.Data were collected on neuroendocrine hormone levels,gut microbiome profiles,inflammatory biomarkers,and gastrointestinal symptomatology to analyze their interrelations and their potential roles in IBS pathogenesis.RESULTS IBS patients exhibited significant dysregulation of the neuroendocrine axis,with altered levels of cortisol,serotonin,and neuropeptides compared to healthy controls.The gut microbiome of IBS patients showed reduced diversity and specific alterations in bacterial genera,including Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus,and Faecalibacterium,which were associated with neuroendocrine disturbances.Additionally,elevated levels of inflammatory markers,such as C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α,were observed and correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain,bloating,and altered bowel habits.CONCLUSION The findings suggest that targeting the neuroendocrine axis,gut microbiome,and inflammatory pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life in IBS patients.

Mufangji tang ameliorates pulmonary arterial hypertension through improving vascular remodeling,inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress,and inducing apoptosis

Background:Mufangji tang(MFJT)is composed of Ramulus Cinnamomi,Radix Ginseng,Cocculus orbiculatus(Linn.)DC.,and Gypsum.In clinical settings,MFJT has been effectively employed in addressing a range of respiratory disorders,notably including pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH).However,the mechanism of action of MFJT on PAH remains unknown.Methods:In this study,a monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model was established and treated with MFJT.The therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model were evaluated.Network pharmacology was conducted to screen the possible targets for MFJT on PAH,and the molecular docking between the main active components and the core targets was carried out.The key targets identified from network pharmacology were tested.Results:Results showed significant therapeutic effects of MFJT on PAH rat model.Analysis of network pharmacology revealed several potential targets related to apoptosis,inflammation,oxidative stress,and vascular remodeling.Molecular docking showed that the key components were well docked with the core targets.Further experimental validation results that MFJT treatment induced apoptosis(downregulated Bcl-2 levels and upregulated Bax levels in lung tissue),inhibited inflammatory response and oxdative stress(decreased the levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,inducible NOS,and malondialdehyde,and increased the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase,nitric oxide,glutathione and superoxide dismutase),reduced the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells(downregulated ET-1 andβ-catenin levels and ERK1/2 phosphorylation,increased GSK3βlevels).Conclusion:Our study revealed MFJT treatment could alleviate PAH in rats via induction of apoptosis,inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress,and the prevention of vascular remodeling.

Preoperative systemic inflammatory response index as a prognostic marker for distal cholangiocarcinoma after pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND The relationship between preoperative inflammation status and tumorigenesis as well as tumor progression is widely acknowledged.AIM To assess the prognostic significance of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma(dCCA)who underwent pancreat-oduodenectomy(PD).METHODS This single-center study included 216 patients with dCCA after PD between January 1,2011,and December 31,2022.The individuals were categorized into two sets based on their systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)levels:A low SIRI group(SIRI<1.5,n=123)and a high SIRI group(SIRI≥1.5,n=93).Inflam-matory biomarkers were evaluated for predictive accuracy using receiver operating characteristic curves.Both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to estimate SIRI for overall survival(OS)and recurrence-free survival(RFS).RESULTS The study included a total of 216 patients,with 58.3%being male and a mean age of 65.6±9.6 years.123 patients were in the low SIRI group and 93 were in the high SIRI group after PD for dCCA.SIRI had an area under the curve value of 0.674 for diagnosing dCCA,showing better performance than other inflammatory biomarkers.Multivariate analysis indicated that having a SIRI greater than 1.5 independently increased the risk of dCCA following PD,leading to lower OS[hazard ratios(HR)=1.868,P=0.006]and RFS(HR=0.949,P<0.001).Additionally,survival analysis indicated a significantly better prognosis for patients in the low SIRI group(P<0.001).CONCLUSION It is determined that a high SIRI before surgery is a significant risk factor for dCCA after PD.

Inflammatory responses in esophageal mucosa before and after laparoscopic antireflux surgery

BACKGROUND Currently,the primary treatment for gastroesophageal reflux is acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors,but they are not a cure,and some patients don’t respond well or refuse long-term use.Therefore,alternative therapies are needed to understand the disease and develop better treatments.Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery(LARS)can resolve symptoms of these patients and plays a significant role in evaluating esophageal healing after preventing harmful effects.Successful LARS improves typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in most patients,main-ly by reducing the exposure time to gastric contents in the esophagus.Amelio-ration of the inflammatory response and a recovery response in the esophageal epithelium is expected following the cessation of the noxious attack.AIM To explore the role of inflammatory biomolecules in LARS and assess the time required for esophageal epithelial recovery.METHODS Of 22 patients with LARS(pre-and post/5.8±3.8 months after LARS)and 25 healthy controls(HCs)were included.All subjects underwent 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,during which esophageal biopsy samples were collected using endoscopic tech-niques.Inflammatory molecules in esophageal biopsies were investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and multiplex-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Post-LARS samples showed significant increases in proinflammatory cytokines[interleukin(IL)-1β,interferon-γ,C-X-C chemokine ligand 2(CXCL2)],anti-inflammatory cytokines[CC chemokine ligand(CCL)11,CCL13,CCL17,CCL26,CCL1,CCL7,CCL8,CCL24,IL-4,IL-10],and homeostatic cytokines(CCL27,CCL20,CCL19,CCL23,C-CL25,CXCL12,migration inhibitory factor)compared to both HCs and pre-LARS samples.CCL17 and CCL21 levels were higher in pre-LARS than in HCs(P<0.05).The mRNA expression levels of AKT1,fibroblast growth factor 2,HRAS,and mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 were significantly decreased post-LARS vs pre-LARS.CCL2 and epidermal growth factor gene levels were significantly increased in the pre-LARS compared to the HCs(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The presence of proinflammatory proteins post-LARS suggests ongoing inflammation in the epithelium.Elevated homeostatic cytokine levels indicate cell balance is maintained for about 6 months after LARS.The anti-inflam-matory response post-LARS shows suppression of inflammatory damage and ongoing postoperative recovery.

Systemic inflammatory response index is a predictor of prognosis in gastric cancer patients: Retrospective cohort and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)has been demonstrated to make a significant difference in assessing the prognosis of patients with different solid neoplasms.However,research is needed to ascertain the accuracy and reliability of applying the SIRI to patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer sur-gery.AIM To validate the applicability of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients and evaluate the clinical contribution of preoperative SIRI levels to predicting long-term tumor outcomes in patients,who received robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.METHODS Initially,an exhaustive retrieval was performed in the PubMed,the Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies.Subsequently,a meta-analysis was executed on 6 cohort studies iden-tifying the value of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients.Additionally,the clinical data of 161 patients undergoing robotic radical gastric cancer surgery were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate their clinicopathological characteristics and relevant laboratory indicators.The association between preoperative SIRI levels and 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)was assessed.RESULTS The findings demonstrated an extensive connection between SIRI values and the outcome of patients with gastric cancer.Preoperative SIRI levels were identified as an independent hazard feature for both OS and DFS among those who received robotic surgery for gastric cancer.SIRI levels in gastric cancer patients were observed to be associated with the presence of comorbidities,T-stage,carcinoembryonic antigen levels,the development of early serious postoperative complications,and the rate of lymph node metastasis.CONCLUSION SIRI values are correlated with adverse in the gastric cancer population and have the potential to be utilized in predicting long-term oncological survival in patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.

Yeast hydrolysate attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage in weaned piglets

Background Intestinal inflammation is the main risk factor causing intestinal barrier dysfunction and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)can trigger inflammatory responses in various eukaryotic species.Yeast hydrolysate(YH)possesses multibiological effects and is received remarkable attention as a functional ingredient for improving growth performance and promoting health in animals.However,there is still inconclusive on the protective effects of dietary YH supplementation on intestinal barrier of piglets.This study was conducted to investigate the attenuate effects of YH supplementation on inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier injury in piglets challenged with LPS.Methods Twenty-four piglets(with an average body weight of 7.42±0.34 kg)weaned at 21 days of age were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments(12 replications with one pig per pen):a basal diet or a basal diet containing YH(5 g/kg).On the 22nd d,6 piglets in each treatment were intraperitoneally injected with LPS at 150μg/kg BW,and the others were injected with the same amount of sterile normal saline.Four hours later,blood samples of each piglet were collected and then piglets were euthanized.Results Dietary YH supplementation increased average daily feed intake and average daily gain(P<0.01),decreased the ratio of feed intake to gain of piglets(P sponse,evidenced by the increase o=0.048).Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)injection induced systemic inflammatory ref serum concentrations of haptoglobin(HP),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),cortisol,and interleukin-1β(IL-1β).Furthermore,LPS challenge resulted in inflammatory intestinal damage,by up-regulation of the protein or mRNA abundances of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-1β,toll-like receptors 4(TLR4)and phosphor-nuclear factor-κB-p65(p-NFκB-p65)(P<0.01),and down-regulation of the jejunal villus height,the protein and mRNA abundances of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin(OCC;P<0.05)in jejunal mucosa.Dietary YH supplementation decreased the impaired effects of ACTH,cortisol,HP,IL-1βand diamine oxidase in serum(P<0.05).Moreover,YH supplementation also up-regulated the jejunal villus height,protein and mRNA abundances of ZO-1 and OCC(P<0.05),down-regulated the mRNA expressions of TNF-αand IL-1βand the protein abundances of TNF-α,IL-1β,TLR4 and p-NFκB-p65 in jejunal mucosa in LPS-challenged pigs(P<0.01).Conclusion Yeast hydrolysate could attenuate inflammatory response and intestinal barrier injury in weaned piglets challenged with LPS,which was associated with the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Improvement of inflammatory response and gastrointestinal function in perioperative of cholelithiasis by Modified Xiao-Cheng-Qi decoction

BACKGROUND In the perioperative period of biliary surgery,various factors can induce the release of a large number of inflammatory factors,leading to an imbalance in proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and resulting in gastrointestinal(GI)dysfunction.Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols in biliary surgery have been shown to reduce the stress response and accelerate postoperative recovery.It is crucial to reduce the inflammatory response and promote the recovery of GI function after biliary surgery,both of which are the basis and key for perioperative care and postoperative recovery.AIM To better understand the effects of Modified Xiao-Cheng-Qi decoction(MXD)on inflammatory response and GI function in the perioperative management of cholelithiasis and their correlation.METHODS This was a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial,in which 162 patients who received biliary tract surgery were randomly assigned to three groups:MXD group,XD group,and placebo-control group.The observed parameters included frequency of bowel sounds,time of first flatus and defecation,time of diet,and amount of activity after surgery.The serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,serum amyloid A protein(SAA),and substance P were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Then,the spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the indicators of GI function and inflammation.RESULTS Compared to the placebo-control,improvements in GI function were observed in the MXD groups including reduced incidence of nausea,vomiting,and bloating;and earlier first exhaust time,first defecation time,and feeding time after surgery(P<0.05).On the 1st and 2nd d after surgery,IL-6,CRP and SAA levels in MXD group were lower than that in placebo control,but substance P level was higher,compared to the control(P<0.05).Functional diarrhea occurred in both MXD and XD groups without any other adverse effects,toxic reactions,and allergic reactions.Diarrhea was relieved after the discontinuation of the investigational remedies.Bowel sounds at 12 h after surgery,the occurring time of the first flatus,first defecation,postoperative liquid diet and semiliquid diet were significantly correlated with levels of IL-6,CRP,SAA and substance P on second day after surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Treatment with MXD can relieve inflammatory response and improve GI function after surgery.Moreover,there are significant correlations between them.Furthermore,it does not cause serious adverse reactions.

Advancements in understanding inflammatory responses and the development of cardiovascular diseases under cold stimulation

Cold stimulation has been linked to acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases.Residents in the frigid zones,such Heilongjiang Province,experience a higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during winter,posing a significant health threat and increasing the overall medical burden.Cold stimulation serves as an detrimental stressor,inducing inflammation in the body.Therefore,understanding the role of inflammatory responses induced by cold stimulation in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases is of paramount importance.Given the impact of cold on inflammation in cardiovascular diseases and the expanding array of anti-inflammatory methods for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases,delving into the inflammatory responses mediated by can significantly complement cardiovascular disease management.This review explorest the synergistic relationship between cold stimulation and inflammation induction,elucidating how this interplay influences the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles inhibit the effects of cold exposure on metabolism and inflammatory responses in brown adipocytes

Objective:Nanoparticles(NPs)in haze are potentially hazardous to health,which is more severe in the winter.Brown adipose tissue(BAT)plays important roles in obesity,insulin resistance,and diabetes.Though the toxicology of NPs has been intensively studied,few studies have been reported on the antagonistic effects between Silicon dioxide(SiO_(2))NPs and cold exposure in brown adipocytes.Materials and methods:We evaluated changes by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)on metabolism genes,plasticity genes and the inflammatory responses genes in brown adipocytes in vitro.Results:The expression of adipogenic genes PRDM16,Dio2,PGC-1αand UCP1 was upregulated upon cold exposure(P<0.05),but downregulated by SiO_(2) NPs(P<0.05).The results demonstrated that there was antagonistic effect between SiO_(2) NPs and cold exposure on the plasticity genes and metabolism genes in brown adipocytes,where the main effects of SiO_(2) NPs or cold exposure on the plasticity genes and metabolism genes were significant(P<0.05).Moreover,the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere upregulated by SiO_(2) NPs or cold exposure(P<0.05).The factorial analysis indicated that there was also antagonistic effect between SiO_(2) NPs and cold exposure on the toxic effects in brown adipocytes,in which the main effects of cold exposure and/or SiO_(2) NPs on the toxic effects were significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:SiO_(2) NPs inhibit the effect of cold exposure on metabolic genes and inflammatory responses genes in brown adipocytes.

Erroneous presentation of respiratory-hemodynamic disturbances and postsurgical inflammatory responses in patients having undergone abdominal cavity cancer surgery

In this letter to the editor,the authors discuss the findings and shortcomings of a published retrospective study,including 120 patients undergoing surgery for gastric or colon cancer under general anesthesia.The study focused on perioperative dynamic respiratory and hemodynamic disturbances and early postsurgical inflammatory responses.

Antagonistic Effects of N-acetylcysteine on Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway Activation, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Rats with PM2.5 Induced Lung Injuries

Objective To evaluate the antagonistic effects of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)on mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)pathway activation,oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rats with lung injury induced by fine particulate matter(PM2.5).Methods Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:blank control group(C1),water drip control group(C2),PM2.5 exposed group(P),low-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group(L),middle-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group(M),and high-dose NAC treated and PM2.5 exposed group(H).PM2.5 suspension(7.5 mg/kg)was administered tracheally once a week for four times.NAC of 125 mg/kg,250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg was delivered intragastrically to L,M and H group respectively by gavage(10 ml/kg)for six days before PM2.5 exposure.The histopathological changes and human mucin 5 subtype AC(MUC5AC)content in lung tissue of rats were evaluated.We investigated IL-6 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),MUC5AC in lung tissue homogenate by ELISA,glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)in serum and BALF by spectrophotometry,and the expression of p-ERK1/2,p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins by Western blot.All the measurements were analyzed and compared statistically.Results Lung tissue of rats exposed to PM2.5 showed histological destruction and increased mucus secretion of bronchial epithelial cells.Rats receiving NAC treatment showed less histological destruction and mucus secretion.Of P,L,M and H group,MUC5AC in lung tissue,IL-6 in serum and BALF were higher than controls(C1 and C2)(all P<0.05),with the highest levels found in the P group and a decreasing trend with increase of NAC dose.The activity of GSH-PX in serum and BALF of PM2.5 exposed rats(P,L,M and H)was lower than that of controls(all P<0.05),with higher activities found in NAC treated rats(L,M,and H),and an increasing trend with increase of NAC dose.The expressions of p-ERK1/2,p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 proteins in PM2.5 exposed lung tissue(P,L,M and H)was higher than controls(all P<0.05),with decreased levels and dose dependent downregulation found in NAC treated rats.Conclusion NAC can antagonize major MAPK pathway activation,lung oxidative stress and inflammatory injury induced by PM2.5 in rats.

Effect of glutarnate on inflammatory responses of intestine and brain after focal cerebral ischemia

AIM: To study the modulation of glutamate on post-ischemic intestinal and cerebral inflammatory responses in a ischemic and excitotoxic rat model.METHODS: Adult male rats were subjected to bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 15 min and injection of monosodium glutamate intraperitoneally, to decapitate them at selected time points. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively.Hemodynamic parameters were monitored continuously during the whole process of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.RESULTS: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) treated rats displayed statistically significant high levels of TNF-α in cerebral and intestinal tissuess within the first 6 h of ischemia. The rats with cerebral ischemia showed a minor decrease of TNF-α production in cerebral and intestinal tissuess. The rats with cerebral ischemia and treated with MSG displayed statistically significant low levels of TNF-α in cerebral and intestinal tissues. These results correlated significantly with NF-κB production calculated at the same intervals. During experiment, the mean blood pressure and heart rates in all groups were stable.CONCLUSION: Glutamate is involved in the mechanism of intestinal and cerebral inflammation responses. The effects of glutamate on cerebral and intestinal inflammatory responses after ischemia are up-regulated at the transcriptional level,through the NF-κB signal transduction pathway.

Systemic inflammatory response following acute myocardial infarction

Acute cardiomyocyte necrosis in the infarcted heart generates damage-associated molecular patterns, activating complement and toll-like receptor/interleukin-1 signaling, and triggering an intense inflammatory response. Iuflammasomes also recognize danger signals and mediate sterile inflammatory response following acute myocardial infarction （AMI）, Inflammatory response serves to repair the heart, but excessive inflammation leads to adverse left ventricular remodeling and heart failure. In addition to local inflammation, profound systemic inflammation response has been documented in patients with AMI, which includes elevation of circulating inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules, and activation of peripheral leukocytes and platelets. The excessive inflammatory response could be caused by a deregulated immune system. AMI is also associated with bone marrow activation and spleen monocytopoiesis, which sustains a continuous supply of monocytes at the site of inflammation. Accumulating evidence has shown that systemic inflammation aggravates atherosclerosis and markers for systemic inflammation are predictors of adverse clinical outcomes （such as death, recurrent myocardial in- farction, and heart failure） in patients with AMI.

LncRNA Airsci increases the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury in rats through the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway

Spinal cord injury(SCI)is a serious traumatic event to the central nervous system.Studies show that long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response in the acute stage of SCI.Here,we investigated a new lncRNA related to spinal cord injury and acute inflammation.We analyzed the expression profile of lncRNAs after SCI,and explored the role of lncRNA Airsci(acute inflammatory response in SCI)on recovery following acute SCI.The rats were divided into the control group,SCI group,and SCI+lncRNA Airsci-siRNA group.The expression of inflammatory factors,including nuclear factor kappa B[NF-κB(p65)],NF-κB inhibitor IκBαand phosphorylated IκBα(p-IκBα),and the p-IκBα/IκBαratio were examined 1–28 days after SCI in rats by western blot assay.The differential lncRNA expression profile after SCI was assessed by RNA sequencing.The differentially expressed lncRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics technology.The differentially expressed lncRNA Airsci,which is involved in NF-κB signaling and associated with the acute inflammatory response,was verified by quantitative real-time PCR.Interleukin(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)at 3 days after SCI were measured by western blot assay and quantitative real-time PCR.The histopathology of the spinal cord was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining.Motor function was assessed with the Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale.Numerous differentially expressed lncRNAs were detected after SCI,including 151 that were upregulated and 186 that were downregulated in the SCI 3 d group compared with the control group.LncRNA Airsci was the most significantly expressed among the five lncRNAs involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.LncRNA Airsci-siRNA reduced the inflammatory response by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway,alleviated spinal cord tissue injury,and promoted the recovery of motor function in SCI rats.These findings show that numerous lncRNAs are differentially expressed following SCI,and that inhibiting lncRNA Airsci reduces the inflammatory response through the NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby promoting functional recovery.All experimental procedures and protocols were approved by the approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Jining Medical University(approval No.JNMC-2020-DW-RM-003)on January 18,2020.

Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile,inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation

Background:Sows are frequently subjected to various stresses during late gestation and lactation,which trigger inflammatory response and metabolic disorders.Dietary fiber can influence animal health by modulating gut microbiota and their by-products,with the effects depending upon the source of the dietary fiber.This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different fiber sources on body condition,serum biochemical parameters,inflammatory responses and fecal microbiota in sows from late gestation to lactation.Methods:Forty-five multiparous sows(Yorkshire×Landrace;3–6 parity)were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments from d 85 of gestation to the end of lactation(d 21 post-farrowing):a control diet(CON,a corn-soybean meal diet),a sugar beet pulp diet(SBP,20%SBP during gestation and 10%SBP during lactation),and a wheat bran diet(WB,30%WB during gestation and 15%WB during lactation).Results:Compared with CON,supplementation of SBP decreased(P<0.05)lactation BW loss,reduced(P<0.05)serum concentration of total cholesterol,non-esterified fatty acids,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α,and increased(P<0.05)fecal water content on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation,while supplementation of WB reduced(P<0.05)serum concentration of total cholesterol on d 110 of gestation,increased(P<0.05)fecal water content and decreased(P<0.05)serum interleukin-6 concentration on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation.In addition,sows fed SBP had lower(P<0.01)abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Terrisporobacter than those fed CON,but had greater(P<0.05)abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 than those fed the other two diets on d 110 of gestation.On d 21 of lactation,supplementation of SBP decreased(P<0.05)the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus,but enriched(P<0.05)the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group,Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002,Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae compared with WB.Compared with CON,sows fed SBP had greater(P<0.05)fecal concentrations of acetate,butyrate and total SCFAs during gestation and lactation,while sows fed WB only had greater(P<0.05)fecal concentration of butyrate during lactation.Conclusions:Supplementation of dietary fiber during late gestation and lactation could improve sow metabolism and gut health,and SBP was more effective than WB.

Ki20227 aggravates apoptosis,inflammatory response,and oxidative stress after focal cerebral ischemia injury

The survival of microglia depends on the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor(CSF1R)signaling pathway under physiological conditions.Ki20227 is a highly selective CSF1R inhibitor that has been shown to change the morphology of microglia.However,the effects of Ki20227 on the progression of ischemic stroke are unclear.In this study,male C57 BL/6 mouse models of focal cerebral ischemic injury were established through the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and then administered 3 mg/g Ki20227 for 3 successive days.The results revealed that the number of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1/bromodeoxyuridine double positive cells in the infarct tissue was reduced,the degree of edema was increased,neurological deficits were aggravated,infarct volume was increased,and the number of peri-infarct Nissl bodies was reduced.The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells in the peri-infarct tissue was increased.The expression levels of Bax and Cleaved caspase-3 were up-regulated.Bcl-2 expression was downregulated.The expression levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress-associated factors were increased.These findings suggested that Ki20227 blocked microglial proliferation and aggravated the pathological progression of ischemia/reperfusion injury in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Lanzhou University Second Hospital(approval No.D2020-68)on March 6,2020.

Comparison of clinical efficacy and postoperative inflammatory response between laparoscopic and open radical resection of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND In recent years,the incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC)has increased annually,which has seriously threatened the health and quality of life of patients.In the treatment of CRC,both laparoscopic and radical resection are widely used.AIM To explore and discuss clinical efficacy and postoperative inflammatory response of laparoscopic and open radical resection of CRC.METHODS A total of 96 patients with CRC diagnosed in our hospital from March 2016 to April 2021 were selected,and were divided into the study group(n=48)and control group(n=48)using a simple random method.The control group was treated with open radical resection of CRC,and the study group was treated with laparoscopic radical resection of CRC.The perioperative conditions(operation time,intraoperative blood loss,the recovery time of gastrointestinal function,number of lymph node dissections and length of hospital stay),inflammatory response index levels[interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,IL-10,C-reactive protein(CRP)]before and after operation,pain stress response indices[levels of neuropeptide(NPY),prostaglandin E2(PGE2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)],and the incidence of the complications between the two groups were counted.RESULTS The operation time in the study group was(186.18±33.54 min),which was longer than that of the control group(129.38±26.83 min),but the intraoperative blood loss(111.34±21.45 mL),recovery time of gastrointestinal function(25.35±4.55 h),and hospital stay(10.09±2.38 d)were better than those in the control group(163.77±32.41 mL,36.06±7.13 h,13.51±3.66 d)(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissections between the study group(15.19±3.04)and the control group(16.20±2.98)(P>0.05).There was no significant difference between the levels of serum IL-6(9.79±4.11 ng/mL),IL-8(3.79±1.71 ng/L),IL-10(48.96±12.51 ng/L)and CRP(7.98±2.33 mg/L)in the study group and the control group(10.56±3.78 ng/mL,4.08±1.45 ng/L,50.13±11.67 ng/L,8.29±2.60 mg/L)before the operation(P>0.05).After the operation,there was no significant difference between the levels of serum IL-6(19.11±6.68 ng/mL).There was no significant difference in serum NPY(109.79±13.46 UG/L),PGE2(269.54±37.34 ng/L),5-HT(151.70±18.86 ng/L)between the study group and the control group(113.29±15.01 UG/L,273.91±40.04 ng/L,148.85±20.45 ng/L)before the operation(P>0.05).The incidence of the complications in the study group(4.17%)was lower than that of the control group(18.75%)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Laparoscopic radical resection of CRC can reduce surgical trauma,inflammatory response and pain stress caused by surgery,which shortens rehabilitation of patients,with a low incidence of complications.

Bacillus licheniformis PF9 improves barrier function and alleviates inflammatory responses against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 infection in the porcine intestinal epithelial cells

Background:Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)F4 commonly colonizes the small intestine and releases enterotoxins that impair the intestinal barrier function and trigger inflammatory responses.Although Bacillus licheniformis(B.licheniformis)has been reported to enhance intestinal health,it remains to be seen whether there is a functional role of B.licheniformis in intestinal inflammatory response in intestinal porcine epithelial cell line(IPEC-J2)when stimulated with ETEC F4.Methods:In the present study,the effects of B.licheniformis PF9 on the release of pro-inflammation cytokines,cell integrity and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)activation were evaluated in ETEC F4-induced IPEC-J2 cells.Results:B.licheniformis PF9 treatment was capable of remarkably attenuating the expression levels of inflammation cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-8,and IL-6 during ETEC F4 infection.Furthermore,the gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-mediated upstream related genes of NF-κB signaling pathway has been significantly inhibited.These changes were accompanied by significantly decreased phosphorylation of p65 NF-κB during ETEC F4 infection with B.licheniformis PF9 treatment.The immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis revealed that B.licheniformis PF9 increased the expression levels of zona occludens 1(ZO-1)and occludin(OCLN)in ETEC F4-infected IPEC-J2 cells.Meanwhile,the B.licheniformis PF9 could alleviate the injury of epithelial barrier function assessed by the trans-epithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and cell permeability assay.Interestingly,B.licheniformis PF9 protect IPEC-J2 cells against ETEC F4 infection by decreasing the gene expressions of virulence-related factors(including luxS,estA,estB,and elt)in ETEC F4.Conclusions:Collectively,our results suggest that B.licheniformis PF9 might reduce inflammation-related cytokines through blocking the NF-κB signaling pathways.Besides,B.licheniformis PF9 displayed a significant role in the enhancement of IPEC-J2 cell integrity.

Periplaneta americana extract used in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

BACKGROUND:Periplaneta americana extract is recognized to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa.This study aimed to investigate the effects of periplaneta americana extract on immune function,nutrition status and gastrointestinal complications of early enteral nutrition patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS).METHODS:Patients with SIRS were randomly divided into two groups:treatment and control groups.All patients in the two groups received conventional therapy including enteral nutrition,but periplaneta americana extract,an additional Chinese medicine,was given to the patients in the treatment group.At the beginning of treatment(0 day)and 1,3,and 7 days after treatment,the levels of immunoglobulin(Ig A),total lymphocyte count(TLC),total protein(TP)and prealbumin(PA)were respectively tested in patients'venous blood.The incidences of bloating,diarrhea,aspiration pneumonia and high blood sugar at 7 days after treatment were recorded.The mortality of the patients in 28 days was recorded.RESULTS:At 3 and 7 days after treatment,the levels of Ig A and TLC in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).At 7 days after treatment,the levels of TP and PA in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incidences of bloating and diarrhea in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,the differences were significant(P<0.05).The mortality of treatment group was lower than that of the control group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Periplaneta americana extract could reduce gastrointestinal complications and improve immune function and nutritional status in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Expression patterns and action analysis of genes associated with inflammatory responses during rat liver regeneration

AIM： To study the relationship between inflammatory response and liver regeneration （LR） at transcriptional level.METHODS： After partial hepatectomy （PH） of rats, the genes associated with inflammatory response were obtained according to the databases, and the gene expression changes during LR were checked by the Rat Genome 230 2.0 army. RESULTS： Two hundred and thirty-nine genes were associated with liver regeneration. The initial and total expressing gene numbers found in initiation phase （0.5-4 h after PH）, G0/G1 transition （4-6 h after PH）, cell proliferation （6-66 h after PH）, cell differentiation and structure-function reconstruction （66-168 h after PH） of liver regeneration were 107, 34, 126, 6 and 107, 92, 233, 145 respectively, showing that the associated genes were mainly triggered at the beginning of liver regeneration, and worked at different phases. According to their expression similarity, these genes were classified into 5 groups： only up-regulated, predominantly up-, only down-, predominantly down-, up- and down-, involving 92, 25, 77, 14 and 31 genes, respectively. The total times of their up- and down-regulated expression were 975 and 494, respectively, demonstrating that the expressions of the majority of genes were increased, and that of a few genes were decreased. Their time relevance was classified into 13 groups, showing that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities were staggered during liver regeneration. According to gene expression patterns, they were classified into 33 types, suggesting that the activities were diverse and complex during liver regeneration. CONCLUSION： Inflammatory response is closelyassociated with liver regeneration, in which 239 LR- associated genes play an important role.