Aerobic training prevents cardiometabolic changes triggered by myocardial infarction in ovariectomized rats

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aerobic training (AT) on autonomic, cardiometabolic, ubiquitin‐proteasome activity, and inflammatory changes evoked by myocardial infarction (MI) in ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into four groups: sedentary + sham (SS), sedentary + MI (SI), AT + sham surgery (TS), AT + MI (TI). AT was performed on a treadmill for 8 weeks before MI. Infarcted rats previously subjected to AT presented improved physical capacity, increased interleukin‐10, and decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Metabolomic analysis identified and quantified 62 metabolites, 9 were considered significant by the Vip Score. SS, SI, and TS groups presented distinct metabolic profiles; however, TI could not be distinguished from the SS group. MI dramatically increased levels of dimethylamine, and AT prevented this response. Our findings suggest that AT may be useful in preventing the negative changes in functional, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters related to MI in ovariectomized rats.     

A trait-based approach predicting community assembly and dominance of microbial invasive species

Understanding the mechanisms underlying community assembly helps to define success and susceptibility to biological invasions. Here, we explored phytoplankton community assembly following niche and neutral paradigms and using a trait-based approach. Under the hypothesis that the morphology-based functional groups (MBFG) clusters species with similar niche, we analysed how trait-related differences in fitness influence dominance of an invasive species. This was based on literature review, field data and model simulations. We predict that invading species can be dominant if: 1) do not belong to the local MBFG but use unexploited areas of the niche, or 2) belong to the resident MBFG but exhibit a higher fitness due to a particular combination of traits. The invasive dinoflagellate Ceratium furcoides was used as the model species to evaluate these hypotheses, its morphological (e.g. volume) and physiological (e.g. growth rates) traits were compared with species from the same (V: photosynthetic flagellates) and different (VII: colonial cyanobacteria) MBFG. Fitness was estimated using models parametrized with MBFG rates (R*, ability to draw down phosphate) under different environmental conditions (i.e. flushing). Results contributed to support both hypotheses. First, the alternation of C. furcoides and cyanobacteria dominance was explained by the use of different niches. Secondly, species from MBFG V were dominant under similar environments. Within this group V C. furcoides showed higher fitness under low flushing and high predation, advantage provided by a distinctive combination of traits. The application of trait-based approaches to represent the niche and estimate fitness along environmental gradients was useful to evaluate community assembly and can be used to predict the dominance of microbial species invasions.     

Alendronate inhibits triglyceride accumulation and oxidative stress in adipocytes and the inflammatory response of macrophages which are associated with adipose tissue dysfunction

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry - Alendronate, a bisphosphonate used to prevent osteoporosis, stimulates osteogenesis but impairs adipogenesis. Different clinical trials suggest that the...     

R-Spondin1 enhances wnt signaling and decreases weight loss in short bowel syndrome zebrafish

BackgroundR-spondins, including R-spondin 1 (RSPO1), are a family of Wnt ligands that help to activate the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is critical for intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and maintenance of intestinal stem cells. This proliferation underpins the epithelial expansion, or intestinal adaptation (IA), that occurs following massive bowel resection and short bowel syndrome (SBS). The purpose of this study was to identify if recombinant human RSPO1 (rhRSPO1) could be serially administered to SBS zebrafish to enhance cellular proliferation and IA.MethodsAdult male zebrafish were assigned to four groups: sham + PBS, SBS + PBS, sham + rhRSPO1, and SBS + rhRSPO1. Sham fish had a laparotomy alone. SBS fish had a laparotomy with distal intestinal ligation and creation of a proximal stoma. Fish were weighed at initial surgery and then weekly. rhRSPO1 was administered post-operatively following either a one- or two-week dosing schedule with either 3 or 5 intraperitoneal injections, respectively. Fish were harvested at 7 or 14 days with intestinal segments collected for analysis.ResultsRepeated intraperitoneal injection of rhRSPO1 was feasible and well tolerated. At 7 days, intestinal epithelial proliferation was increased by rhRSPO1. At 14 days, SBS + rhRSPO1 fish lost significantly less weight than SBS + PBS fish. Measurements of intestinal surface area were not increased by rhRSPO1 administration but immunofluorescent staining for β-catenin and gene expression for cyclin D1 was increased.ConclusionsIntraperitoneal injection of rhRSPO1 decreased weight loss in SBS zebrafish with increased β-catenin + cells and cyclin D1 expression at 14 days, indicating improved weight maintenance might result from increased activation of the canonical Wnt pathway.     

Renoprotection by α-mangostin is related to the attenuation in renal oxidative/nitrosative stress induced by cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic agent that produces nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress. α-Mangostin (α-M) is a xanthone extracted from mangosteen with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the renoprotective effect of α-M on the CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. α-M was administered (12.5 mg/kg/day, i.g.) for 10 days (7 days before and 3 days after CDDP injection). On day 7, rats were treated with a single injection of CDDP (7.5 mg/Kg, i.p.); 3 days after the rats were killed. α-M attenuated renal dysfunction, structural damage, oxidative/nitrosative stress, decrease in catalase expression and increase in mRNA levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha and transforming growth factor beta. In conclusion the renoprotective effect of α-M on CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with the attenuation in oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory and fibrotic markers and preservation of catalase activity.     

Anti-hypertensive effects of Rosuvastatin are associated with decreased inflammation and oxidative stress markers in hypertensive rats

Among their pleiotropic effects, statins exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in normotensive (WKY) and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) the effect of rosuvastatin (ROSU) treatment on (1) plasma inflammation markers and endogenous NO synthase inhibitor (ADMA) levels, (2) reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by circulating leukocytes and (3) vascular oxidative stress and tissue inflammation markers. Plasma cytokines were higher in SHR than in WKY, except for IL-4, which was lower in SHR than in WKY. SHR monocytes exhibited higher production of ROS than did WKY monocytes. In the experimental conditions, ROSU did not modify plasma cholesterol levels in SHR but attenuated the increase in systolic blood pressure. In SHR only, ROSU lessened pro-inflammatory cytokines and ADMA levels, increased IL-4 and reduced ROS production in circulating monocytes. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of ROSU in SHR, independently of any lowering of cholesterol levels.     

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody titer predicts time to rheumatoid arthritis onset in patients with undifferentiated arthritis: results from a 2-year prospective study

Introduction

The diagnostic, predictive and prognostic role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is widely accepted. Moreover, detection of these antibodies in subjects presenting with undifferentiated arthritis (UA) is associated with a significant risk to develop the disease. On the other hand, clinical and prognostic significance of evaluating anti-CCP levels in subjects with inflammatory arthritis at disease onset has not been fully clarified. The goal of this prospective study is to analyze the value and prognostic significance of anti-CCP titer quantification in UA subjects.

Methods

Serial anti-CCP assays were measured in 192 consecutive patients presenting with UA lasting less than 12 weeks. Clinical and serological data and arthritis outcome were evaluated every 6 months until two years of follow-up.

Results

Anti-CCP positivity, at both low and high titer, and arthritis of hand joints significantly predicted RA at two years, risk increasing in subjects with high anti-CCP titers at baseline. Moreover, time to RA diagnosis was shorter in patients with high anti-CCP2 titers at enrollment with respect to those with low antibody concentration.

Conclusions

Presence of anti-CCP antibodies, at both low and high concentration, is significantly associated with RA development in subjects with recent onset UA. However, time interval from the onset of the first symptoms to the fulfilment of the classification criteria appears to be directly related to the initial anti-CCP level.     

Reproductive strategy of the invasive Oxalis pes-caprae: distribution patterns of floral morphs, ploidy levels and sexual reproduction

Oxalis pes-caprae, a tristylous flowering plant native to South Africa, is described in the western Mediterranean basin as an asexual—only 5x short-styled morph (5x S-morph) invasive weed losing all mating partners after introduction. The objective of this study was to reassess the patterns of floral morph and cytotype distribution and the sexual reproduction ability in this invaded range. For that, floral morph and cytotype composition were evaluated in 39 populations of O. pes-caprae in a methodical sampling. The reproductive success of natural populations was assessed as fruit and seed production and seed germination for all floral morphs and cytotypes detected. Self- and morph-incompatibility were also studied with controlled hand pollinations. A remarkable diversity in floral morph and cytotype composition was observed. Furthermore, we observed successful sexual reproduction in several localities across the surveyed area. The S-morph is still dominant in this invaded area, and although it was mostly 5x, an additional cytotype (4x) was also recorded. Records of both a mid-styled morph (M-morph) and an area with trimorphic populations of this species are reported here for the first time in the invasive range of the Mediterranean basin. The long-styled morph appears to occur randomly across the surveyed area, while the M-morph is concentrated mainly in Estremadura province (Portugal), where a breakdown in the incompatibility system was observed. These distribution patterns may result from events of sexual reproduction after incompatibility breakdown and/or from multiple introduction events from the native area. The ability to reproduce sexually, undetected so far, may have important impacts in the population dynamics and major consequences for the adaptation and selection potential of O. pes-caprae in this invaded area.     

Studies on the Pathophysiology and Genetic Basis of Migraine

Migraine is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system causing painful attacks of headache. A genetic vulnerability and exposure to environmental triggers can influence the migraine phenotype. Migraine interferes in many facets of people’s daily life including employment commitments and their ability to look after their families resulting in a reduced quality of life. Identification of the biological processes that underlie this relatively common affliction has been difficult because migraine does not have any clearly identifiable pathology or structural lesion detectable by current medical technology. Theories to explain the symptoms of migraine have focused on the physiological mechanisms involved in the various phases of headache and include the vascular and neurogenic theories. In relation to migraine pathophysiology the trigeminovascular system and cortical spreading depression have also been implicated with supporting evidence from imaging studies and animal models. The objective of current research is to better understand the pathways and mechanisms involved in causing pain and headache to be able to target interventions. The genetic component of migraine has been teased apart using linkage studies and both candidate gene and genome-wide association studies, in family and case-control cohorts. Genomic regions that increase individual risk to migraine have been identified in neurological, vascular and hormonal pathways. This review discusses knowledge of the pathophysiology and genetic basis of migraine with the latest scientific evidence from genetic studies.