Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes by benzidine-congener-derived azo dyes in the in vitro and in vivo/in vitro assays

The genotoxicity of the benzidine-congener-derived azo dyes. Direct Blue 1 ( DB1 ), Direct Blue 14 ( DB14 ), Direct Brown 95 ( DB95 ), and Direct Red 46 ( DR46 ) was studied in the in vitro and in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assays in primary rat hepatocytes to determine if in vivo metabolism of these compounds was required for induction of UDS. Hepatocytes were isolated, cultured, and treated with the azo dyes and [3H]thymidine (in vitro assay); alternatively, in the in vivo/in vitro assay, rats were intubated with the azo dyes, the hepatocytes isolated at 17 h after dosing and incubated in a medium containing [3H]thymidine. UDS was quantified by an autoradiographic method. None of the azo dyes induced UDS in the in vitro assay. However, DR46 did induce marginal, but significant UDS in 1 experiment (1.2 net grains at 500 micrograms/ml media). No significant UDS was observed when DR46 was tested in a subsequent in vitro assay. In the in vivo/in vitro assay, DB95 (100 mg/kg), DB14 (125 mg/kg), and DR46 (100 mg/kg) induced significant UDS (12, 2.1, and 3.5 net grains, respectively). None of the azo dyes tested was mutagenic in the Salmonella/microsome assay in the presence and absence of rat liver enzymes. Therefore, in vivo reduction of azo dyes, presumably by the gut microflora, is a requirement for the genotoxicity of these azo dyes in the primary rat hepatocyte UDS assay.     

Effects of dietary fat source and subtherapeutic levels of antibiotic on the bacterial community in the ileum of broiler chickens at various ages

The effect of dietary fat source (soy oil or a mixture of lard and tallow) and dietary supplementation with antibiotics (a combination of avilamycin at 10 mg kg of feed(-1) and salinomycin at 40 mg kg of feed(-1)) on the bacterial community in the ileum of broiler chickens at different ages (7, 14, 21, and 35 days) was studied using PCR with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and bacteriological culture. The bacterial origin of fragments in DGGE profiles was identified by sequencing. Bacterial enumeration results, together with PCR-DGGE profiles, showed that the composition of the microflora was age dependent and influenced by dietary fat source and antibiotic supplementation. An increased incidence of streptococci, enterobacteria, and Clostridium perfringens with age of the chickens was demonstrated. Lactobacilli and C. perfringens were the bacterial groups most strongly affected by the dietary treatments. Moreover, different strains (clonal variants of the alpha-toxin gene) of C. perfringens type A were detected in response to age, dietary fat source, and dietary supplementation with antibiotics.     

肠道微生物调控宿主食欲的研究进展

肠道微生物与宿主代谢相互作用,可调节机体的生理功能。宿主机体中存在"微生物-肠道-大脑轴",肠道菌群可通过多种途径影响中枢神经系统,进而对宿主摄食等行为产生影响。食物中不易被宿主消化吸收的膳食纤维等营养物质,被肠道微生物发酵可产生多种代谢产物,这些代谢产物作为信号分子可通过不同途径介导中枢神经系统,进而调控宿主食欲。本文主要综述了肠道微生物及其代谢产物对中枢神经系统与宿主食欲的影响及其可能的调控途径与机制,以加深肠道微生物在调控宿主食欲方面的新认识。     

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial activity of carvacrol, thymol and cinnamaldehyde towards Salmonella serotype Typhimurium DT104: effects of pig diets and emulsification in hydrocolloids

AIMS: To determine the effect of pig diets in vitro on the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol, thymol and cinnamaldehyde, and to identify an emulsifier/stabilizer that can stabilize the essential oil (EO) components in aqueous solution and retain their antimicrobial activity in the presence of the diets. METHODS AND RESULTS: Emulsification of essential oil components with hydrocolloid solution was achieved by blending with a Polytron. Antimicrobial activity was measured through in vitro assays to determine the inhibition of bacterial growth by measuring the optical density at 600 nm or plating on nutrition agar after incubation of the mixtures of an EO component with the culture of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium DT104 in the presence or absence of pig diets. The results generated through the in vitro assays indicated that pig diets were able to abolish the antimicrobial activity of EOs. Xanthan, fenugreek and yellow mustard gums were the best in forming stable emulsions of five different EO components among ten different plant polysaccharides and surfactants examined. Emulsification of all the EO components in the fenugreek gum solution did not alter their antimicrobial activity. However, the antimicrobial activity of geraniol was significantly reduced when emulsified with other polysaccharides and surfactants. Both fenugreek and xanthan gum solutions were unable to protect the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol and thymol when mixed with the diets. Although cinnamaldehyde required no emulsification, but a high concentration (equivalent to at least three times of minimum bactericidal concentration for cinnamon oil) to inhibit Salmonella growth significantly in the presence of the diets, emulsification in fenugreek gum appeared to be essential for cinnamaldehyde solution to retain its antimicrobial activity during storage. CONCLUSIONS: The diets for newly weaned pigs were a significant factor limiting the antimicrobial activity of EOs and their components. Cinnamaldehyde required a high concentration to retain its antimicrobial activity in the diets, in addition to its requirement for emulsification to stabilize its activity during the storage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The assay with the diets used in this study for measuring the antimicrobial activity can be used in vitro for rapid and effective screening of potential antimicrobials for swine production. This study has identified polysaccharides that are able to stabilize EO component solutions. It has also identified cinnamaldehyde for further in vivo studies that may have potential in future application in controlling Salmonella and possibly other enteric pathogens in swine production.     

In vivo protection against syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma in rats: comparison with in vitro studies of cell-mediated immunity.

Spleen cells at various times after inoculation of W/Fu rats with a syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma, (C58NT)D, were tested for their in vivo activity in adoptive transfer experiments and for their in vitro reactivity in a 4-hr 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay and in a mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell interaction assay. In adoptive transfer, the best protection against tumor growth was observed with immune spleen cells taken at 30 days after tumor cell inoculation (the peak of reactivity in the mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell interaction assay) whereas cells taken at 10 days (the peak reactivity in the 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay) gave only partial protection. The protection detected in the adoptive transfer experiments was specific for (C58NT)D associated antigens, and this correlated well with the specificity observed in the in vitro cell-mediated immunity assays. T cells, but not complement receptor-bearing cells or macrophages, were essential for the protection against tumor growth in vivo, and also for the in vitro reactivity in the 51Cr release cytotoxicity and the mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell interaction assays.     

棉铃虫的取食营养特点与棉花抗虫素分布的关系

通过研究棉花8个部位对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armzgera的营养效果和其所含次生物质类萜烯和单宁的浓度及在组织中的分布,揭示了棉铃虫取食营养特点与棉花次生化学的关系。棉铃虫取食顶尖、转移蛀食蕾铃的习性,与有关器官或组织对幼虫的营养效果密切相关,而营养效果主要取决于类萜烯和单宁的含量。棉花顶尖嫩叶中单宁浓度随着棉花的生长发育呈升高的趋势;类萜烯浓度在第四真叶期、第六真叶期和现蕾初期之间出现一个明显的底谷,而此期幼虫主要为害顶尖。蕾铃外层的苞叶、花萼、花瓣和铃皮,因次生物质含量高,不利于幼虫生长,相反内部的花粉、子房和铃心,次生物质含量低,营养效果好,顶尖嫩叶则介于其间。类萜烯存在于组织的色素腺内,分布集中;单宁则散布于组织中,偏多分布于组织外层。结果证实,昆虫在寄主植物上的取食方式是昆虫对寄主体内变动的次生化学的一种适应,它使昆虫付出尽少代价获得最适营养效果。     

In vitro propagation and chemical and biological studies of the essential oil of Salvia przewalskii Maxim

The procedure of Salvia przewalskii shoot multiplication and the ability of regenerated plants to produce essential oil is reported. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves and flowering stems of field-grown plants, and their chemical composition was examined by GC, GC-MS and 1H NMR. The differences in yield as well as qualitative and quantitative composition between the oils isolated from in vitro and in vivo plants were observed. S. przewalskii essential oil was tested for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. It was found that cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 cells and antimicrobial activity (especially, against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis strains) of oils isolated from in vitro plants were higher than those for oils from in vivo S. przewalskii plants.     

In vitro rumen fermentation of soluble and non-soluble polymeric carbohydrates in relation to ruminal acidosis

The end-products of dietary carbohydrate fermentation catalysed by rumen microflora can serve as the primary source of energy for ruminants. However, ruminants provided with continuous carbohydrate-containing feed can develop a metabolic disorder called “acidosis”. We have evaluated the fermentation pattern of both soluble monomeric and non-soluble polymeric carbohydrates in the rumen in in vitro fermentation trials. We found that acidosis could occur within 6 h of incubation in the rumen culture fermenting sugars and starch. The formation of lactic acid and acetic acid, either alone or in mixture with ethanol, accounted for high build-up of acid in the rumen. Acidosis resulted even when only 20% of a normal daily feed load for all soluble and non-soluble carbohydrates was provided. DNA-based microbial analysis revealed that Prevotella was the dominant microbial species present in the rumen fluid.     

RAPID ASSESSMENT OF POULTRY FEED MICROBIAL QUALITY USING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION DETECTION OF MICROBIAL RIBOSOMAL GENE SEQUENCES

Rapid assessment of microbial quality in poultry feeds is critical for detection of specific pathogens and to directly evaluate the effectiveness of potential antimicrobial compounds. This requires methodology that is not only rapid and sensitive but also representative of the diverse microflora present on poultry feeds. The objective of this study was to examine a PCR-based assay using conserved 16S rRNA ribosomal sequences to evaluate microbial quality in naturally contaminated poultry feed samples. When examined on gel electrophoresis, PCR assays yielded visible bands detectable in at least 1 replicate from 6 out of 8 poultry feed samples. Further methodology improvement may yield a consistent method for rapid determination of feed microbial diversity and feed quality assessment as a function of specific feed and feed ingredient microbial profiles.     

放线菌与枯草芽孢杆菌的共培养及其对活性次生代谢产物的影响

为探讨共培养对放线菌产生活性次生代谢产物的影响,结合抗菌活性测定及HPLC-PDA分析,研究了22株放线菌的单培养及其与枯草芽孢杆菌的共培养发酵代谢产物的差异,并选取抗菌活性较强的链霉菌FXJ2.014进一步研究其代谢产物。发现FXJ2.014、FXJ1.296、AS4.1252三株菌与枯草芽孢杆菌共培养时产生其在相同条件下单培养时没有的物质,其中链霉菌FXJ2.014单培养时主要产生醌霉素A,共培养时产物中增加了醌霉素结构类似物FXJ2.014-HB。进一步的抗菌、抗肿瘤活性测定结果表明,两者的生物活性有较显著的差异,且FXJ2.014-HB对多种肿瘤细胞系的抑制活性普遍弱于高毒性的醌霉素A,为有潜力的细胞毒性较小的抗生素。共培养是一条很有希望的发掘放线菌活性次生代谢产物的新途径。     

Effect of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed husk tannins on in vitro rumen fermentation

This study was conducted to determine the effect of tamarind seed husk (TSH) as a source of tannin on various parameters of rumen fermentation in vitro. The TSH contained 14% tannin (DM basis). The biological interference of TSH tannin on rumen fermentation was assessed using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 as an indicator. Three compound feed mixtures (CFM) were prepared either without TSH (CFM-I), with 2.5% TSH (CFM-II) and with 7.5% TSH (CFM-III). Parameters studied were in vitro gas production with PEG, rate of substrate degradation, and microbial protein synthesis. Addition of PEG to TSH resulted in an increase in gas production from 5.5 to 16.5 ml per 200 mg DM. Presence of TSH tannin depressed cumulative gas production by 16.8% in CFM-II, and by 29.2% in CFM-III during initial stages of fermentation (i.e. at 8 h). Rate of substrate disappearance (T^1/2) was 14.4, 17.6 and 20.5 h in CFM-I, CFM-II and CFM-III, respectively. Irrespective of the carbohydrate source, presence of TSH tannin improved the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in vitro. Thus, TSH is a natural source of tannin that can be used to beneficially manipulate rumen fermentation.     

Route of administration determines the anxiolytic activity of the flavonols kaempferol,quercetin and myricetin — are they prodrugs?

Several in vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed that flavonols are metabolized by the intestinal microflora to their corresponding hydroxyphenylacetic acids. In this article, a comparison of the anxiolytic activity of the flavonols kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin in the elevated plus maze after oral (po) and intraperitoneal (ip) administration to mice in a dose range of 0.1 to 2.0 mg/kg is presented. In addition, their corresponding metabolites p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPAA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were tested after intraperitoneal administration. Anxiolytic activity was detected for kaempferol and quercetin only after oral administration. No anxiolytic effects were observed when kaempferol and quercetin were given via the intraperitoneal administration route. The corresponding hydroxyphenylacetic metabolites p-HPAA and DOPAC showed anxiolytic effects after intraperitoneal application. In order to further test the hypothesis that flavonoids are possible prodrugs which require activation by intestinal bacteria, gut sterilization was performed using pretreatment with the antibiotic enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/day, po, for 4 days). After antibiotic treatment, the anxiolytic effect of kaempferol and quercetin disappeared, whereas it was still present for the positive control diazepam. Our results support the hypothesis that flavonoids act as prodrugs which are transformed into their active hydroxyphenylacetic acid metabolites by intestinal microflora.     

An investigation into the antimicrobial effects of adrenomedullin on members of the skin, oral, respiratory tract and gut microflora

Adrenomedullin, a novel vasoactive peptide, is known to be expressed by many surface epithelial cells and it was postulated that this peptide may have a protective role. The objective of the study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of adrenomedullin against members of the human skin, oral, respiratory tract and gut microflora using disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays. All strains of bacteria screened in an agar diffusion assay were sensitive; gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were equally susceptible. No activity against the yeast Candida albicans was observed. In a broth microdilution assay, minimum inhibitory and minimum bacteriocidal concentrations ranged from 7.75 x 10(-1) to 12.5 microg ml(-1) and 0.003 to > 25.0 microg ml(-1), respectively. We propose an antimicrobial role for adrenomedullin. participating in the prevention of local infection, thus contributing to host defence systems.     

基于UPLC法测定离体大鼠及人源肠道菌对三七中人参皂苷代谢的差异

为探究人与大鼠肠道菌群对三七水煎液中三醇型人参皂苷Rg1、Re及二醇型人参皂苷Rb1、Rd体外代谢的差异性及发现其代谢产物原人参二醇PPD与原人参三醇PPT,实验利用UPLC方法测定三七水煎液分别与人、大鼠肠道菌群在厌氧条件下共培养24h后的孵育液中4种皂苷的含量及代谢产物PPD与PPT的含量。结果表明三七中含有三醇型人参皂苷Rg19.4500mg/g、Re1.8872mg/g,二醇型人参皂苷Rb18.5816mg/g、Rd1.9456mg/g。与人源肠道菌共培养后,三七中含有的二醇型、三醇型人参皂苷含量显著降低,重要的是,在培养液中检测到代谢产物PPD和PPT的存在,含量分别为0.2136mg/g及0.0344mg/g,与大鼠肠道菌共培养后,三七中含有的二醇型皂苷含量有轻微降低,而三醇型皂苷含量未见明显变化,但有少量PPT(0.0184mg/g)的生成。由此可见:在体外条件下,三七水煎液中人参皂苷会被人肠道菌群降解生成代谢产物PPD和PPT,而大鼠肠道菌群的降解产物却仅有PPT生成,二者存在种属差异。     

What is currently known about the molecular mechanisms of colonisation resistance

Anaerobes are the main bacteria which inhabit the digestive tract. They have adapted their development to many environmental factors such as host secretions, corresponding to control mechanisms which allow a relative stability of microflora in healthy humans. These control mechanisms include the control of endogenous and exogenous bacterial populations which corresponds to bacterial antagonism occurring in the digestive tract of mammals and represents one of its main functions. The main antagonism to study is colonisation resistance since this function of the gut microflora is responsible for the prevention of many intestinal diseases. However, only a few things are currently known about this function and the main questions which need attention are: (1) which bacteria are responsible for colonisation resistance? and (2) what are the molecular mechanisms involved in such a function? In order to answer these questions, we need to study simplified models based on gnotobiotic animals. Two models are currently being studied in France. One corresponds to the colonisation resistance of C. perfringens which seems to be linked to the in vivo secretions of an antimicrobial substance by a Ruminococcus species. The other corresponds to the colonisation resistance of C. difficile whose mechanisms are different and seem to be linked to an interaction between mucin and microflora.     

Effects of animal or plant protein diets on cecal fermentation in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), rats (Rattus norvegicus) and chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Monogastric herbivores such as the guinea pig depend on energy supply from enteric fermentation as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) corresponding to 30-40% of their maintenance energy requirements. They evolved specific digestive system to adapt their indigenous microflora to plant polysaccharides fermentation. No information has been available about the adaptability of microbial fermentation in hindgut of the monogastric herbivorous to an animal protein diet. We investigated if the guinea pig can fully retrieve energy of an animal protein diet by hindgut fermentation compared with a plant protein diet. For comparison, we also studied two omnivores. End products of in vitro cecal fermentation (SCFA, ammonia and gases) were measured to judge how well an animal protein diet could be fermented. The animal protein diet resulted in the less intensive fermentation with increased feed intake and volume of cecal contents than the plant protein diet only in guinea pigs. This may be due to a limited capacity of the hindgut microflora to adapt to the substrate rich in animal protein. We also found that chick cecal contents produced methane at higher emission rate than ruminants.     

Galagos and Gummivory

An experimental program investigating the role of gum in the diet of captiveGalago senegalensis braccatus is reviewed. One set of studies investigated the role of gum chemistry in dietary preferences. The animals showed a preference forAcacia gums over gums from other plants. If condensed or hydrolized tannins were added to theAcacia gums, such gums were consumed at a lower rate than plainAcacia gum. This effect was stronger with the condensed (quebracho) tannin. The effect of such secondary compounds on gum consumption in wild galagos needs investigation. The second set of studies examined digestion of gums, which are complex polysaccarides probably requiring fermentation in the gut. Substitution of gum for simple carbohydrate sources in the diet lead to increased gut transit time. On the gum diet, animals maintained weight without an increase in intake or a decrease in activity levels. Apparent dry matter digestibility of the two diets was equivalent. Indicators of gut bacterial action increased on the gum diet. These observations are strong indirect evidence for an increase of fermentation in the gut on the gum diet.     

Synergistic activity of coriander oil and conventional antibiotics against Acinetobacter baumannii

In this study we investigated the existence of synergistic antibacterial effect between coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil and six different antibacterial drugs (cefoperazone, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline and piperacillin). The antibacterial activity of coriander oil was assessed using microdilution susceptibility testing and synergistic interaction by checkerboard assays. The association of coriander essential oil with chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline against Acinetobacter baumannii showed in vitro effectiveness, which is an indicator of a possible synergistic interaction against two reference strains of A. baumannii (LMG 1025 and LMG 1041) (FIC index from 0.047 to 0.375). However, when tested the involvement between coriander essential oil and piperacillin or cefoperazone, the isobolograms and FIC index showed an additive interaction. The in vitro interaction could improve the antimicrobial effectiveness of ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline and may contribute to resensitize A. baumannii to the action of chloramphenicol.     

Review: Dietary fiber utilization and its effects on physiological functions and gut health of swine

Although dietary fiber (DF) negatively affects energy and nutrient digestibility, there is growing interest for the inclusion of its fermentable fraction in pig diets due to their functional properties and potential health benefits beyond supplying energy to the animals. This paper reviews some of the relevant information available on the role of different types of DF on digestion of nutrients in different sections of the gut, the fermentation process and its influence on gut environment, especially production and utilization of metabolites, microbial community and gut health of swine. Focus has been given on DF from feed ingredients (grains and coproducts) commonly used in pig diets. Some information on the role DF in purified form in comparison with DF in whole matrix of feed ingredients is also presented. First, composition and fractions of DF in different feed ingredients are briefly reviewed. Then, roles of different fractions of DF on digestion characteristics and physiological functions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are presented. Specific roles of different fractions of DF on fermentation characteristics and their effects on production and utilization of metabolites in the GIT have been discussed. In addition, roles of DF fermentation on metabolic activity and microbial community in the intestine and their effects on intestinal health are reviewed and discussed. Evidence presented in this review indicates that there is wide variation in the composition and content of DF among feed ingredients, thereby their physico-chemical properties in the GIT of swine. These variations, in turn, affect the digestion and fermentation characteristics in the GIT of swine. Digestibility of DF from different feed ingredients is more variable and lower than that of other nutrients like starch, sugars, fat and CP. Soluble fractions of DF are fermented faster, produce higher amounts of volatile fatty acid than insoluble fractions, and favors growth of beneficial microbiota. Thus, selective inclusion of DF in diets can be used as a nutritional strategy to optimize the intestinal health of pigs, despite its lower digestibility and consequential negative effect on digestibility of other nutrients.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of endemic Dalmatian black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. dalmatica)

The chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil isolated from the needles of endemic Dalmatian black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. dalmatica) from Croatia were investigated. The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by GC and GC/MS analyses, and the main compounds identified were α-pinene, β-pinene, germacrene D, and β-caryophyllene. Disc-diffusion and broth-microdilution assays were used for the in vitro antimicrobial screening. The Dalmatian black pine essential oil exhibited a great potential of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC=0.03-0.50% (v/v)) and a less pronounced activity against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC=0.12-3.2% (v/v)). The volatile compounds also inhibited the growth of all fungi tested, including yeast.