AIM： To explore the relationship between changes of intestinal environment and pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. METHODS： Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly dMded into model group （n ...AIM： To explore the relationship between changes of intestinal environment and pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. METHODS： Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly dMded into model group （n = 24）, treatment group （n = 12）, and control group （n = 6）. The rats of model and treatment groups were given high-fat diet, and those of the control group were given normal diet. Furthermore, the rats of treatment group were given lactulose after 8 wk of high-fat diet. Twelve rats of the model group were killed at 8 wk of high-fat diet. At the 16 wk the rats of treatment group, control group, and the rest of the model group were killed. The serum levels of aminotransferase were measured and the histology of livers was observed by H＆E staining. RESULTS： The livers of rats presented the pathological features of steatohepatitis with higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the model group after 16 wk. Compared to the model group, the serum levels of ALT and AST in treatment group decreased significantly and were close to the normal group, and the hepatic inflammation scores also decreased markedly than those in the model group after 16 wk （5.83±2.02 vs 3.63±0.64, P〈0.05）, but were still higher than those in the model group after 8 wk （3.63±0.64 vs 1.98±0.90, P〈0.05）. However, the degree of hepatic steatosis had no changes in treatment group compared to the model group after 16 wk. CONCLUSION： Lactulose could ameliorate the hepatic inflammation of rats with steatohepatitis induced by fat- rich diet, but could not completely prevent the development of steatohepatitis. It is suggested that intestinal environmental changes such as intestinal bacteria overgrowth, are one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of NASH.展开更多
The gut,a key component of the human digestive system,not only undertakes the heavy task of absorbing nutrients but also serves as an important hub for sensing the environment and transmitting information.As an import...The gut,a key component of the human digestive system,not only undertakes the heavy task of absorbing nutrients but also serves as an important hub for sensing the environment and transmitting information.As an important structure of the intestine,intestinal epithelium cells(IECs)play an indispensable role in maintaining the stability of the intestinal environment and regulating the physiological functions.Traditionally,research on the physiological functions of IECs has been focused on nutrient absorption.Recent studies have suggested that IECs may actively communicate with other organs.The novel communication medium derived from IECs has the potential to unlock unprecedented avenues for the regulation of physiological homeostasis.展开更多
At birth the piglet＇s immune system is immature and it is dependent upon passive maternal protection until weaning.The piglet＇s mucosal immune system develops over the first few weeks but has not reached maturity at...At birth the piglet＇s immune system is immature and it is dependent upon passive maternal protection until weaning.The piglet＇s mucosal immune system develops over the first few weeks but has not reached maturity at weaning ages which are common on commercial farms. At weaning piglets are presented with a vast and diverse range of microbial and dietary/environmental antigens. Their ability to distinguish between antigens and mount a protective response to potential pathogens and to develop tolerance to dietary antigens is critical to their survival and failure to do so is reflected in the high incidence of morbidity and mortality in the post-weaning period. A growing recognition that the widespread use of antibiotics to control infection during this critical period should be controlled has led to detailed studies of those factors which drive the development of the mucosal immune system, the role of gut microbiota in driving this process, the origin of the bacteria that colonise the young piglet＇s intestine and the impact of rearing environment. This review briefly describes how the mucosal immune system is equipped to respond ＂appropriately＂ to antigenic challenge and the programmed sequence by which it develops. The results of studies on the critical interplay between the host immune system and gut microbiota are discussed along with the effects of rearing environment. By comparing these with results from human studies on the development of allergies in children, an approach to promote an earlier maturation of the piglet immune system to resist the challenges of weaning are outlined.展开更多
The use of daily torpor and/or of multi-day torpor bouts during a hibernation season are energy-saving survival strategies that have been well-studied for many years,particularly for small mammals living in seasonally...The use of daily torpor and/or of multi-day torpor bouts during a hibernation season are energy-saving survival strategies that have been well-studied for many years,particularly for small mammals living in seasonally-cold environments.Both phenomena are characterized by a regulated suppression of metabolic rate,展开更多
文摘AIM： To explore the relationship between changes of intestinal environment and pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. METHODS： Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly dMded into model group （n = 24）, treatment group （n = 12）, and control group （n = 6）. The rats of model and treatment groups were given high-fat diet, and those of the control group were given normal diet. Furthermore, the rats of treatment group were given lactulose after 8 wk of high-fat diet. Twelve rats of the model group were killed at 8 wk of high-fat diet. At the 16 wk the rats of treatment group, control group, and the rest of the model group were killed. The serum levels of aminotransferase were measured and the histology of livers was observed by H＆E staining. RESULTS： The livers of rats presented the pathological features of steatohepatitis with higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the model group after 16 wk. Compared to the model group, the serum levels of ALT and AST in treatment group decreased significantly and were close to the normal group, and the hepatic inflammation scores also decreased markedly than those in the model group after 16 wk （5.83±2.02 vs 3.63±0.64, P〈0.05）, but were still higher than those in the model group after 8 wk （3.63±0.64 vs 1.98±0.90, P〈0.05）. However, the degree of hepatic steatosis had no changes in treatment group compared to the model group after 16 wk. CONCLUSION： Lactulose could ameliorate the hepatic inflammation of rats with steatohepatitis induced by fat- rich diet, but could not completely prevent the development of steatohepatitis. It is suggested that intestinal environmental changes such as intestinal bacteria overgrowth, are one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of NASH.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82330017 and 82270610)the Beijing Nova Program(No.20240484505).
文摘The gut,a key component of the human digestive system,not only undertakes the heavy task of absorbing nutrients but also serves as an important hub for sensing the environment and transmitting information.As an important structure of the intestine,intestinal epithelium cells(IECs)play an indispensable role in maintaining the stability of the intestinal environment and regulating the physiological functions.Traditionally,research on the physiological functions of IECs has been focused on nutrient absorption.Recent studies have suggested that IECs may actively communicate with other organs.The novel communication medium derived from IECs has the potential to unlock unprecedented avenues for the regulation of physiological homeostasis.
文摘At birth the piglet＇s immune system is immature and it is dependent upon passive maternal protection until weaning.The piglet＇s mucosal immune system develops over the first few weeks but has not reached maturity at weaning ages which are common on commercial farms. At weaning piglets are presented with a vast and diverse range of microbial and dietary/environmental antigens. Their ability to distinguish between antigens and mount a protective response to potential pathogens and to develop tolerance to dietary antigens is critical to their survival and failure to do so is reflected in the high incidence of morbidity and mortality in the post-weaning period. A growing recognition that the widespread use of antibiotics to control infection during this critical period should be controlled has led to detailed studies of those factors which drive the development of the mucosal immune system, the role of gut microbiota in driving this process, the origin of the bacteria that colonise the young piglet＇s intestine and the impact of rearing environment. This review briefly describes how the mucosal immune system is equipped to respond ＂appropriately＂ to antigenic challenge and the programmed sequence by which it develops. The results of studies on the critical interplay between the host immune system and gut microbiota are discussed along with the effects of rearing environment. By comparing these with results from human studies on the development of allergies in children, an approach to promote an earlier maturation of the piglet immune system to resist the challenges of weaning are outlined.
基金supported by a Discovery grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (Grant No. 6793)a grant from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (Grant No. G-14-0005874) to KBS. KBS holds the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Physiology
文摘The use of daily torpor and/or of multi-day torpor bouts during a hibernation season are energy-saving survival strategies that have been well-studied for many years,particularly for small mammals living in seasonally-cold environments.Both phenomena are characterized by a regulated suppression of metabolic rate,
