Harnessing multi-omics approaches to elucidate the role of Chinese herbal compounds in chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal damage

In this editorial,we discuss the findings reported by Wang et al in the latest issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.Various research methodologies,including microbiome analysis,assert that the Tzu-Chi Cancer-Antagonizing and Life-Protecting II Decoction of Chinese herbal compounds mitigates inflammatory responses by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.This action helps maintain the dynamic equilibrium of the intestinal microecology and lessens chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal damage.The efficacy of these compounds is intimately linked to the composition of intestinal microbes.These compounds regulate intestinal microecology by virtue of their specific compatibility and effectiveness,thereby enhancing the overall therapeutic outcomes of cancer chemotherapy.Nonetheless,the exact mechanisms underlying these effects warrant further investigation.Multi-omics technologies offer a systematic approach to elucidate the mechanisms and effectiveness of Chinese herbal compounds in vivo.This manuscript reviews the application of multi-omics technologies to Chinese herbal compounds and explores their potential role in modulating the gastrointestinal microenvironment following cancer chemotherapy,thus providing a theoretical foundation for their continued use in adjunct cancer treatment.

Gastrointestinal bleeding due to small bowel metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor in human body,and is characterized by a high level of malignancy.The most common metastatic sites include the liver,bone,brain,and adrenal gland,while lung cancer resulting in gastrointestinal tract metastasis is uncommon.CASE SUMMARY A 74-years-old man with lung cancer was hospitalized owing to blood in the stool,The cause was identified as metastasis to the small intestine,and the patient subsequently underwent radical resection of the small intestine tumor.Currently,the overall condition of the patient is good,and undergoing combined chemotherapy.CONCLUSION Early intervention in patients with metastatic tumors can significantly improve prognosis.

Clinical significance of perioperative probiotic intervention on recovery following intestinal surgery

Restoring the balance of gut microbiota has emerged as a critical strategy in treating intestinal disorders,with probiotics playing a pivotal role in maintaining bacterial equilibrium.Surgical preparations,trauma,and digestive tract reconstruction associated with intestinal surgeries often disrupt the intestinal flora,prompting interest in the potential role of probiotics in postoperative recovery.Lan et al conducted a prospective randomized study on 60 patients with acute appendicitis,revealing that postoperative administration of Bacillus licheniformis capsules facilitated early resolution of inflammation and restoration of gastrointestinal motility,offering a novel therapeutic avenue for accelerated postoperative recovery.This editorial delves into the effects of perioperative probiotic supplementation on physical and intestinal recovery following surgery.Within the framework of enhanced recovery after surgery,the exploration of new probiotic supplementation strategies to mitigate surgical complications and reshape gut microbiota is particularly intriguing.

Protective effects of probiotics against methotrexate-induced intestinal toxicity in the mice model

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the level of methotrexate(MTX)toxicity in the intestines of mice and to evaluate the protective effect of probiotics composed of Streptococcus,Bifidobacterium,and Lactobacillus species on intestinal cells during MTX treatment.Methods:Mice were divided into three groups:control,MTX group(received MTX injections),and MTX+probiotics group(received MTX injections along with a diet containing probiotics).Morphological and histological changes,the level of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)damage,the level of lipid peroxidation products,and gene expression in the mice’s small intestine were assessed.Results:We demonstrated that intraperitoneal MTX injections significantly increased mtDNA damage in the liver(p<0.001),small intestine(p<0.001),and blood of mice(p<0.01).MTX elevated the quantity of lipid peroxidation products in the liver and small intestine,indicating its strong prooxidative properties.MTX induced structural changes in the mice’s intestines,characterized by leukocytic infiltration of tissues.Probiotic therapy in mice partially mitigated the morphological and histological changes in the small intestine induced by MTX,reduced oxidative stress,and promoted increased expression of quinone oxidoreductase 1(Nqo1),which participates in both cell protection against oxidative stress and drug/xenobiotic detoxification.Probiotics prevented the upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1b in the small intestine and induced increased expression of genes associated with the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Antioxidant response element(Nrf2/ARE)pathway,an important mechanism of cell protection.Conclusions:Probiotics can be considered an effective approach to reducing the toxicity of MTX during psoriasis or cancer treatment.

Proximal small intestinal bypass outperforms Roux-en-Y and jejunoileal bypass in glucose regulation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND The efficacy of various bariatric surgeries varies in reducing blood glucose levels.Given the distinct mechanisms and anatomical alterations associated with each procedure,it is crucial to compare their glycemic control outcomes.We hypothesize that proximal small intestinal bypass(PSIB)is superior in blood glucose reduction over Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB)and jejunoileal bypass(JIB).AIM To compare the effectiveness of PSIB,RYGB,and JIB in lowering blood glucose.METHODS Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were randomly divided into PSIB,RYGB,JIB,and sham-operated groups.Body weight,food intake,fasting blood glucose level,oral glucose tolerance test,insulin tolerance test,liver enzymes,and blood lipids were measured.RESULTS Postoperatively,only the JIB group had a lower body weight compared to the sham group.The food intake of the rats in all three surgical groups was significantly less than that in the sham group.Fasting blood glucose was reduced in all surgical groups and was lower in the PSIB group than in the RYGB and JIB groups.Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity improved in all three surgical groups compared to the sham group,but the improvement appeared earliest in the PSIB group.At six weeks postsurgery,the PSIB group showed a reduction in alanine transaminase levels and maintained a normal lipid profile.CONCLUSION PSIB demonstrated excellent hypoglycemic effects in the early postoperative period,and had better efficacy than RYGB and JIB.

Extracellular matrix gene set and microRNA network in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury:Insights from RNA sequencing for diagnosis and therapy

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IIRI)is a complex and severe pathophysiological process characterized by oxidative stress,inflammation,and apoptosis.In recent years,the critical roles of extracellular matrix(ECM)genes and microRNAs(miRNAs)in IIRI have garnered widespread attention.This review aims to systematically summarize the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of ECM gene sets and miRNA regulatory networks in IIRI.First,we review the molecular mechanisms of IIRI,focusing on the dual role of the ECM in tissue injury and repair processes.The expression changes and functions of ECM components such as collagen,elastin,and matrix metalloproteinases during IIRI progression are deeply analyzed.Second,we systematically summarize the regulatory roles of miRNAs in IIRI,particularly the mechanisms and functions of miRNAs such as miR-125b and miR-200a in regulating inflammation,apoptosis,and ECM remodeling.Additionally,this review discusses potential diagnostic biomarkers and treatment strategies based on ECM genes and miRNAs.We extensively evaluate the prospects of miRNA-targeted therapy and ECM component modulation in preventing and treating IIRI,emphasizing the clinical translational potential of these emerging therapies.In conclusion,the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of ECM gene sets and miRNA regulatory networks in IIRI provides new directions for further research,necessitating additional clinical and basic studies to validate and expand these findings for improving clinical outcomes in IIRI patients.

Investigating the impact of intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1 on hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes

Recent advances in understanding type 1 diabetes(T1D)highlight the complexity of managing hypoglycemia,a frequent and perilous complication of diabetes therapy.This letter delves into a novel study by Jin et al,which elucidates the role of intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia in T1D models.The study employed immunofluorescence,Western blotting,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to track changes in GLP-1 and its receptor expression in diabetic mice subjected to recurrent hypoglycemic episodes.Findings indicate a significant increase in intestinal GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor expression,correlating with diminished adrenal and glucagon responses,crucial for glucose stabilization during hypoglycemic events.This letter aims to explore the implications of these findings for future therapeutic strategies and the broader understanding of T1D management.

Keratin 1 modulates intestinal barrier and immune response via kallikrein kinin system in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND External factors in ulcerative colitis(UC)exacerbate colonic epithelial permea-bility and inflammatory responses.Keratin 1(KRT1)is crucial in regulating these alterations,but its specific role in the progression of UC remains to be fully eluci-dated.AIM To explore the role and mechanisms of KRT1 in the regulation of colonic epithelial permeability and inflammation in UC.METHODS A KRT1 antibody concentration gradient test,along with a dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced animal model,was implemented to investigate the role of KRT1 in modulating the activation of the kallikrein kinin system(KKS)and the cleavage of bradykinin(BK)/high molecular weight kininogen(HK)in UC.RESULTS Treatment with KRT1 antibody in Caco-2 cells suppressed cell proliferation,induced apoptosis,reduced HK expression,and increased BK expression.It further downregulated intestinal barrier proteins,including occludin,zonula occludens-1,and claudin,and negatively impacted the coagulation factor XII.These changes led to enhanced activation of BK and HK cleavage,thereby intensifying KKS-mediated inflammation in UC.In the DSS-induced mouse model,administration of KRT1 antibody mitigated colonic injury,increased colon length,alleviated weight loss,and suppressed inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-1,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α.It also facilitated repair of the intestinal barrier,reducing DSS-induced injury.CONCLUSION KRT1 inhibits BK expression,suppresses inflammatory cytokines,and enhances markers of intestinal barrier function,thus ameliorating colonic damage and maintaining barrier integrity.KRT1 is a viable therapeutic target for UC.

Modified Pulsatilla decoction alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis by modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and gut microbiota

BACKGROUND Modified Pulsatilla decoction(PD),a PD with licorice and ejiao,is a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine formula with significant efficacy in treating intestinal mucositis(IM)induced by tumor therapy.However,its specific molecular and biological mechanisms remain unclear.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of modified PD in IM.METHODS This study used an IM mouse model established using 5-fluorouracil injections to investigate the effects of the modified PD(3,6,and 12 g/kg)in IM.The primary chemical components of the modified PD were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Body weight loss,diarrhea scores,intestinal length,histopathological scores,and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured to evaluate the effects of the modified PD in IM.Effects on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway were evaluated using western blot analysis.The intestinal microbiota was characterized using Illumina NovaSeq sequencing.RESULTS The results showed that modified PD significantly improved weight loss and diarrhea and shortened the intestines in IM mice.Mechanistically,modified PD suppressed the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and downregulated the expression of reactive oxygen species,lipopolysaccharides,and pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-1β,TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-8,and IL-17),while increasing the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.Furthermore,modified PD protected the intestinal mucosal barrier by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins(occludin-1,claudin-1,and ZO-1)and mucin-2.Finally,16S rDNA sequencing revealed that modified PD improved intestinal dysbiosis.CONCLUSION Our research offers new insights into the potential mechanism of modified PD in alleviating IM and provides experimental evidence supporting its pharmaceutical application in clinical IM treatment.

Biomechanical behavior study of dog‘s small intestines

The biomechanical behavior of dog's duodenum and jejunum were studied and a formulation of the stress strain relation is presented in this paper. The results obtained indicated that the exponential coefficient α and the incremental duodenum of the elastic modulus are both larger than those of the jejunum. It means that the duodenum is more deformable than the jejunum. The experimental results of this work provide basal data for kinematics study of a robotic endoscope.

Stimulating Effect of Red Beetroot (<i>Beta vulgaris</i>) Juice, Fractioned by Membrane Ultrafiltration, on Iron Absorption in Chicken Intestines

Iron deficiency is one of the leading risk factors for disability and death worldwide. Targeted iron supplementation with pharmaceuticals is widely used, but oral iron salt ingestion often causes side effects—nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. The present study demonstrated that red beetroot juice (RBRJ) contains a compound or compound complex with the ability to specifically stimulate duodenal iron absorption, shown in experiments in vitro, in situ and in vivo. The effect does not depend on juice sugar and ascorbic acid concentration. Fractionated RBRJ impact on iron absorption is dose dependent. This phenomenon is described for the first time.

Effect of Xylanase on mRNA Expression of Cationic Amino Acid Transporters in Intestines of Broilers

480 healthy 1-day-old male yellow-feathered chickens were selected and assigned randomly into groups A and B,each having 6 pens with 40 birds per pen.The birds in group A were fed with wheatbased diet and group B with wheat-based diet supplemented with xylanase(1.2×l0~4 U/kg diet).On day 16,two birds per replication with average live weight were selected and sacrificed.Tissue samples of jejunum and ileum were collected to detect mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporters using RT-PCR.The results showed that xylanase significantly increased the abundance of mRNA for rBAT and CAT4 in the intestines of broilers fed with wheat-based diets(P<0.05)and had a tendency to increase the mRNA expression of y^+LAT2 and CAT1 in jejunum(P>0.05),y^+LAT2,CAT1 and CAT4 in ileum(P>0.05).The treatment had no effect on the expression of rBAT mRNA in ileum(P>0.05).

The histochemical localization of nitric oxide synthase in mouse intestines

In the present study,the localization of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) in the mouse intestines(duodenum,jejunum,ileum and proximal segment of large intestine) was observed using NADPH-diaphorase(ND) histochemical technique.The results showed that the NOS-pos

Qualitative exploration of home life experiences and care needs among elderly patients with temporary intestinal stomas

BACKGROUND This study employed a phenomenological research approach within qualitative research to explore the challenges encountered by elderly individuals with temporary colostomies in managing their daily lives and care needs.Protecting the anus surgery combined with temporary colostomy has emerged as a prevalent treatment modality for low rectal cancer.However,the ileostomy is susceptible to peri-stoma skin complications,as well as fluid,electrolyte,and nutritional imbalances,posing challenges to effective management.The successful selfmanagement of patients is intricately linked to their adjustment to temporary colostomy;nonetheless,there remains a dearth of research examining the factors influencing self-care among temporary colostomy patients and the obstacles they confront.AIM To investigate the lived experiences,perceptions,and care requirements of temporary colostomy patients within their home environment,with the ultimate goal of formulating a standardized management protocol.METHODS Over the period of June to August 2023,a purposive sampling technique was utilized to select 12 patients with temporary intestinal stomas from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai,China.Employing a phenomenological research approach,a semi-structured interview guide was developed,and qualitative interviews were conducted using in-depth interview techniques.The acquired data underwent coding,analysis,organization,and summarization following Colaizzi’s seven-step method.RESULTS The findings of this study revealed that the experiences and needs of patients with temporary intestinal stomas can be delineated into four principal themes:Firstly,Temporary colostomy patients bear various burdens and concerns about the uncertainty of disease progression;secondly,patients exhibit limited self-care capabilities and face information deficits,resulting in heightened reliance on healthcare professionals;thirdly,patients demonstrate the potential for internal motivation through proactive self-adjustment;and finally,patients express a significant need for emotional and social support.CONCLUSION Home-living patients with temporary intestinal stomas confront multifaceted challenges encompassing burdens,inadequate self-care abilities,informational deficits,and emotional needs.Identifying factors influencing patients’self-care at home and proposing strategies to mitigate barriers can serve as a foundational framework for developing and implementing nursing interventions tailored to the needs of patients with temporary intestinal stomas.

Intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1:A new player associated with impaired counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetic mice

BACKGROUND Impaired hypoglycaemic counterregulation has emerged as a critical concern for diabetic patients who may be hesitant to medically lower their blood glucose levels due to the fear of potential hypoglycaemic reactions.However,the pathogenesis of hypoglycaemic counterregulation is still unclear.Glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)and its analogues have been used as adjunctive therapies for type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM).The role of GLP-1 in counterregulatory dysfunction during hypoglycaemia in patients with T1DM has not been reported.AIM To explore the impact of intestinal GLP-1 on impaired hypoglycaemic counterregulation in type 1 diabetic mice.METHODS T1DM was induced in C57BL/6J mice using streptozotocin,followed by intraperitoneal insulin injections to create T1DM models with either a single episode of hypoglycaemia or recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia(DH5).Immunofluorescence,Western blot,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were employed to evaluate the influence of intestinal GLP-1 on the sympathetic-adrenal reflex and glucagon(GCG)secretion.The GLP-1 receptor agonist GLP-1(7-36)or the antagonist exendin(9-39)were infused into the terminal ileum or injected intraperitoneally to further investigate the role of intestinal GLP-1 in hypoglycaemic counterregulation in the model mice.RESULTS The expression levels of intestinal GLP-1 and its receptor(GLP-1R)were significantly increased in DH5 mice.Consecutive instances of excess of intestinal GLP-1 weakens the sympathetic-adrenal reflex,leading to dysfunction of adrenal counterregulation during hypoglycaemia.DH5 mice showed increased pancreaticδ-cell mass,cAMP levels inδcells,and plasma somatostatin concentrations,while cAMP levels in pancreaticαcells and plasma GCG levels decreased.Furthermore,GLP-1R expression in islet cells and plasma active GLP-1 levels were significantly increased in the DH5 group.Further experiments involving terminal ileal infusion and intraperitoneal injection in the model mice demonstrated that intestinal GLP-1 during recurrent hypoglycaemia hindered the secretion of the counterregulatory hormone GCG via the endocrine pathway.CONCLUSION Excessive intestinal GLP-1 is strongly associated with impaired counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia,leading to reduced appetite and compromised secretion of adrenaline,noradrenaline,and GCG during hypoglycaemia.

Predicting short-term major postoperative complications in intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease:A machine learning-based study

BACKGROUND Due to the complexity and numerous comorbidities associated with Crohn’s disease(CD),the incidence of postoperative complications is high,significantly impacting the recovery and prognosis of patients.Consequently,additional stu-dies are required to precisely predict short-term major complications following intestinal resection(IR),aiding surgical decision-making and optimizing patient care.AIM To construct novel models based on machine learning(ML)to predict short-term major postoperative complications in patients with CD following IR.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data derived from a patient cohort that underwent IR for CD from January 2017 to December 2022.The study participants were randomly allocated to either a training cohort or a validation cohort.The logistic regression and random forest(RF)were applied to construct models in the training cohort,with model discrimination evaluated using the area under the curves(AUC).The validation cohort assessed the performance of the constructed models.RESULTS Out of the 259 patients encompassed in the study,5.0%encountered major postoperative complications(Clavien-Dindo≥III)within 30 d following IR for CD.The AUC for the logistic model was 0.916,significantly lower than the AUC of 0.965 for the RF model.The logistic model incorporated a preoperative CD activity index(CDAI)of≥220,a diminished preoperative serum albumin level,conversion to laparotomy surgery,and an extended operation time.A nomogram for the logistic model was plotted.Except for the surgical approach,the other three variables ranked among the top four important variables in the novel ML model.CONCLUSION Both the nomogram and RF exhibited good performance in predicting short-term major postoperative complic-ations in patients with CD,with the RF model showing more superiority.A preoperative CDAI of≥220,a di-minished preoperative serum albumin level,and an extended operation time might be the most crucial variables.The findings of this study can assist clinicians in identifying patients at a higher risk for complications and offering personalized perioperative management to enhance patient outcomes.

Prevention of La^(3+) on DNA Damage Caused by Hg^(2+) from Fish Intestines

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rare earth elements （REEs） in preventing Hg^2＋ pollution, using fish intestinal DNA in vitro and study the mechanism of the interactions between Hg^2＋ , La^3＋ , the mixture of La^3＋ and Hg^2＋ and DNA by spectroscopy. The interactions between Hg^2＋ , La^3＋ , the mixture of La^3＋ and Hg^2＋ and DNA from fish intestine in vitro was investigate by using absorption spectrum and fluorescence emission spectrum. Ultraviolet absorption spectra indicated that the addition of Hg^2＋ , La^3＋ , and the mixture of La^3＋ and Hg^2＋ to DNA generated obvious hypochromic effect. Meanwhile, the 205.2 nm peak of DNA blue and the 258.2 nm peak of DNA red shifted. The hypochromic effect and peak shift was caused by these ions in an order of Hg^2＋ 〉 Hg^2＋ ＋ La^3＋ 〉 La^3＋ . The fluorescence emission spectra showed that as the addition of Hg^2＋ , La^3＋ , and the mixture of La^3＋ and Hg^2＋ , the emission peak at about 416.2 nm of DNA did not obviously change, but the fluorescence intensity reduced gradually with the order in treatment was Hg^2＋ 〉 Hg^2＋ 〉 La^3＋ 〉 La^3＋ . Hg^2＋ , La^3＋ , and the mixture of La^3＋ and Hg^2＋ had 1.12, 0.58, and 0.81 binding sites to DNA, the fluorescence quenching of DNA caused by them all attributed to static quenching. The binding constants KA of binding sites were 3.82×10^4 and 4.22×10^2 L·mol^-1 ; 2.50×10^4 and 2.95×10^3 L·mol^-1 ; 3.05×10^4 and 1.00×10^3 L·mol^-1. The results showed that La^3＋ could relieve destruction caused by Hg^2＋ on the DNA structure.

Diet xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation improves growth performance,immune function,and intestinal health of broilers

The effects of xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)on broiler growth performance,immune function,and in-testinal health were investigated.A total of 540 one-d-old Arbor Acres Plus broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates per group and 18 chickens per replicate.Broilers in the control(CON)group received a corn-soybean meal based basal diet,those in the antibiotics(ANT)group received the basal diet plus 500 mg/kg oxytetracycline,and those in XOS groups received the basal diet plus 150,300,or 450 mg/kg XOS.Compared with CON,the body weight at 42 d and average daily gain from 1 to 42 d were significantly increased in the 150,450 mg/kg XOS-added and ANT groups(P=0.018),and the relative expression of claudin-1 and ZO-1 mRNA in the ileum was significantly higher in the 300 and 450 mg/kg XOS-added groups(P<0.001).The feed conversion ratios(P<0.001)and abdominal fat rates(P=0.012)of broilers from 1 to 42 d of age were significantly lower in all XOS-added groups than in the control group.Splenic index(P=0.036)and bursa of Fabricius index(P=0.009)were significantly better in the ANT group and each XOS-added group than in the control group.Compared to CON and ANT,serum IgA(P=0.007)and IgG(P=0.002)levels were significantly higher in the 300 mg/kg XOS-added group,and the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing genera(Alistipes)was also significantly higher(P<0.001).Meanwhile,ileal villus height(P<0.001)and ratio of villus height to crypt depth(V:C)(P=0.001)were significantly increased in XOS-added broilers.In analysis of re-lationships between cecal microbes and the physical barrier of the gut,[Ruminococcus]_torques_group was positively correlated with mRNA expression of ileal ZO-1 and claudin-1(P<0.05),and Bacteroides was positively correlated with increased ileal villus height and V:C(P<0.05).Overall,XOS addition to broiler diets improved growth performance,promoted intestinal health by enhancing intestinal barrier function and regulating cecal microbiota diversity,and had positive effects on immunity.

The Expression of Surfactant Proteins A and D in the Intestines and Pancreas of Murine Fetuses

Purpose: Surfactant proteins exist in the digestive tract and may play an important role in the host defense. However, the expression of surfactant proteins in the premature digestive system remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of surfactant proteins in the intes-tines and pancreas of murine fetuses. Methods: Immunostaining for SP-A and SP-D was assessed in the small intestine and pancreas of ICR murine fetuses on days 15, 16, 17 and 18 of gestation (normal duration of pregnancy: 19 - 21 days). RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of spa and spd mRNA in the small intestine and pancreas on day 16, 17 and 18 of gestation. Results: Immunoreactivity for SP-A and SP-D in the acinar cells of pancreas and intestinal mucosal surface were positive on day 16 of gestation onward. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of spa and spd mRNA was significant in the pancreas but weak in the small intestine. Conclusions: Our data revealed that surfactant proteins are present in the fetal intestines and pancreas and that a significant expression of spa and spd mRNA is detected in the fetal pancreas. Pancreas may be a possible organ involved in the synthesis and secretion of surfactant proteins into the intestinal lumen.

Dietary supplementation of benzoic acid and essential oils combination enhances intestinal resilience against LPS stimulation in weaned piglets

Background The benefits of combining benzoic acid and essential oils(BAO)to mitigate intestinal impairment during the weaning process have been well established,while the detailed underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated.Previous research has primarily focused on the reparative effects of BAO on intestinal injury,while neglecting its potential in enhancing intestinal stress resistance.Methods In this study,we investigated the pre-protective effect of BAO against LPS-induced stress using a modified experimental procedure.Piglets were pre-supplemented with BAO for 14 d,followed by a challenge with LPS or saline to collect blood and intestinal samples.Results Our findings demonstrated that BAO supplementation led to significant improvements in piglets’final weight,average daily gain,and feed intake/body gain ratio.Additionally,BAO supplementation positively influenced the composition of intestinal microbiota,increasing beneficial Actinobacteriota and Alloprevotella while reducing harmful Desulfobacterota,Prevotella and Oscillospira.Furthermore,BAO supplementation effectively mitigated oxidative disturbances and inflammatory responses induced by acute LPS challenge.This was evidenced by elevated levels of T-AOC,SOD,and GSH,as well as decreased levels of MDA,TNF-α,and IL-6 in the plasma.Moreover,piglets subjected to LPS challenge and pre-supplemented with BAO exhibited significant improvements in intestinal morphological structure and enhanced integrity,as indicated by restored expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 compared to the non-supplemented counterparts.Further analysis revealed that BAO supplementation enhanced the jejunal antioxidative capacity by increasing GSH-Px levels and decreasing MDA levels under the LPS challenge and stimulated the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.Additionally,the reduction of TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways activation and proinflammatory factor were also observed in the jejunal of those piglets fed with BAO.Conclusions In summary,our study demonstrates that pre-supplementation of BAO enhances the anti-stress capacity of weaned piglets by improving intestinal microbiota composition,reinforcing the intestinal barrier,and enhancing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capabilities.These effects are closely associated with the activation of Nrf2 and TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.