scholarly journals Prebiotics, immune function, infection and inflammation: a review of the evidence

2008 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy R. Lomax ◽  
Philip C. Calder
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Intestinal Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Irritable Bowel

β2-1 Fructans are carbohydrate molecules with prebiotic properties. Through resistance to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract, they reach the colon intact, where they selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial members of the gut microbiota. Through this modification of the intestinal microbiota, and by additional mechanisms, β2-1 fructans may have beneficial effects upon immune function, ability to combat infection, and inflammatory processes and conditions. In this paper, we have collated, summarised and evaluated studies investigating these areas. Twenty-one studies in laboratory animals suggest that some aspects of innate and adaptive immunity of the gut and the systemic immune systems are modified by β2-1 fructans. In man, two studies in children and nine studies in adults indicate that the adaptive immune system may be modified by β2-1 fructans. Thirteen studies in animal models of intestinal infections conclude a beneficial effect of β2-1 fructans. Ten trials involving infants and children have mostly reported benefits on infectious outcomes; in fifteen adult trials, little effect was generally seen, although in specific situations, certain β2-1 fructans may be beneficial. Ten studies in animal models show benefit of β2-1 fructans with regard to intestinal inflammation. Human studies report some benefits regarding inflammatory bowel disease (four positive studies) and atopic dermatitis (one positive study), but findings in irritable bowel syndrome are inconsistent. Therefore, overall the results indicate that β2-1 fructans are able to modulate some aspects of immune function, to improve the host's ability to respond successfully to certain intestinal infections, and to modify some inflammatory conditions.

scholarly journals Vascular Aging in Rodent Models: Contrasting Mechanisms Driving the Female and Male Vascular Senescence

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula R. Barros ◽  
Tiago J. Costa ◽  
Eliana H. Akamine ◽  
Rita C. Tostes
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Aging Studies ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Vascular Senescence

Increasing scientific interest has been directed to sex as a biological and decisive factor on several diseases. Several different mechanisms orchestrate vascular function, as well as vascular dysfunction in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in males and females. Certain vascular sex differences are present throughout life, while others are more evident before the menopause, suggesting two important and correlated drivers: genetic and hormonal factors. With the increasing life expectancy and aging population, studies on aging-related diseases and aging-related physiological changes have steeply grown and, with them, the use of aging animal models. Mouse and rat models of aging, the most studied laboratory animals in aging research, exhibit sex differences in many systems and physiological functions, as well as sex differences in the aging process and aging-associated cardiovascular changes. In the present review, we introduce the most common aging and senescence-accelerated animal models and emphasize that sex is a biological variable that should be considered in aging studies. Sex differences in the cardiovascular system, with a focus on sex differences in aging-associated vascular alterations (endothelial dysfunction, remodeling and oxidative and inflammatory processes) in these animal models are reviewed and discussed.

scholarly journals Omega Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: An Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ledyane Taynara Marton ◽  
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart ◽  
Antonelly Cassio Alves de Carvalho ◽  
Sandra Maria Barbalho
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ω3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic, inflammatory processes that affect the gastrointestinal tract and are mainly represented by ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Omega 3 (ω3) fatty acids (eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) show an indispensable role in the inflammatory processes and, for these reasons, we aimed to review the effects of these acids on UC and CD. Databases such as PUMED and EMBASE were searched, and the final selection included fifteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that ω3 fatty acids reduce intestinal inflammation, induce and maintain clinical remission in UC patients, and are related with the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, decrease disease activity and increase the quality of life of CD patients. Furthermore, the consumption of these fatty acids may be related to a reduced risk of developing IBD. Many studies have shown the beneficial effects of ω3 as adjunctive in the treatment or prevention of UC or CD. Nevertheless, most were performed with a small number of patients and there are many variations in the mode of consumption, the type of food or the type of formulation used. All these factors substantially interfere with the results and do not allow reliable comparisons.

scholarly journals Improving the Efficacy of Mesenchymal/Stromal-Based Therapy for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1507
Author(s):  
Mercedes Lopez-Santalla ◽  
Marina Inmaculada Garin
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Commensal Microbiota ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) consisting of persistent and relapsing inflammatory processes of the intestinal mucosa are caused by genetic, environmental, and commensal microbiota factors. Despite recent advances in clinical treatments aiming to decrease inflammation, nearly 30% of patients treated with biologicals experienced drawbacks including loss of response, while others can develop severe side effects. Hence, novel effective treatments are highly needed. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSCs) therapy is an innovative therapeutic alternative currently under investigation for IBD. MSCs have the inherent capacity of modulating inflammatory immune responses as well as regenerating damaged tissues and are therefore a prime candidate to use as cell therapy in patients with IBD. At present, MSC-based therapy has been shown preclinically to modulate intestinal inflammation, whilst the safety of MSC-based therapy has been demonstrated in clinical trials. However, the successful results in preclinical studies have not been replicated in clinical trials. In this review, we will summarize the protocols used in preclinical and clinical trials and the novel approaches currently under investigation which aim to increase the beneficial effects of MSC-based therapy for IBD.

scholarly journals Celiac disease, rare symptoms, autoimmune patology

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Umberto Volta ◽  
Claudia Parisi ◽  
Maria Piscaglia ◽  
Angela Fabbri ◽  
Erica Fiorini
Keyword(s):  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Intestinal Infections ◽  
Irritable Bowel

We report a case of a 42-years-old woman with constipation, anemia and recurrent itch. After several investigations, celiac disease was diagnosed and a treatment with a gluten-free diet was applied with beneficial effects. Recognizing celiac disease can be difficult because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. In fact, sometimes it is confused with irritable bowel syndrome or iron-deficiency anemia or intestinal infections: as a result, celiac disease is commonly underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This case report is described to address the physician to a correct diagnosis of celiac disease.

scholarly journals The Gut-Brain Axis in IBD: An Investigator’s Perspective

1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 257-260
Author(s):  
Stephen M Collins ◽  
Harvey P Weingarten ◽  
Kevin McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Mucosal Injury ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Myeloperoxidase Activity ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Neuromuscular Dysfunction ◽  
Irritable Bowel

Three clinical observations in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prompt an examination of the role of gut-brain interactions in the pathophysiology of IBD. The first is the recognition that anorexia is among several factors that lead to malnutrition in IBD patients. The second is the suspicion that stressful life events may precipitate exacerbations of IBD. The third is that IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) seem to be related. Recent work in animal models has provided insights into these clinical observations. Animal models of colitis exhibit a marked reduction in feeding during the acute phase of inflammation. Interestingly, thirst mechanisms are preserved and meal pattern analysis reveals that meal frequency is unchanged while meal size is reduced. These observations suggest that the anorexia does not reflect a general debility or malaise phenomenon. The anorexia is mediated in part by prostaglandins and interleukin-10. In another set of experiments, the authors evaluated the effect of stress on colitis induced by trinitrobenzene (TNB) in rats. Mild restraint stress had no effect on the histology or activity of myeloperoxidase in rats that had not previously had colitis. In contrast, stress caused an acute exacerbation of colitis, reflected histologically and by myeloperoxidase activity, in rats with TNB colitis six weeks previously. These results provide new evidence in support of a causal relationship between stress and reactivation of intestinal inflammation. The apparent relationship between IBD and IBS has prompted speculation of a causal relationship between inflammation and gut ‘irritability’. Studies in animal models of colitis and jejunitis have shown that mucosal injury and inflammation are associated with neuromuscular dysfunction and abnormal motility. Neuromuscular dysfunction often persists after the mucosa has healed. More recent studies indicate that cells in the muscularis externa, which includes smooth muscle, are capable of cytokine and other inflammatory mediator production. Thus, one may speculate that the local production of mediators outlasts the mucosal injury and maintains a state of persistent dysfunction in the tissue. This may contribute to postinflammatory irritability in the gut. In summary, recent studies provide a tangible basis for further investigation of the inter-relationships between behaviour and inflammation in the clinical expression of IBD.

scholarly journals An Intestine-on-a-Chip Model of Plug-and-Play Modularity to Study Inflammatory Processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 585-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Gijzen ◽  
Diego Marescotti ◽  
Elisa Raineri ◽  
Arnaud Nicolas ◽  
Henriette L. Lanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Human Situation ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Factor Α ◽  
Key Aspects

Development of efficient drugs and therapies for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in the intestine is often hampered by the lack of reliable, robust, and high-throughput in vitro and in vivo models. Current models generally fail to recapitulate key aspects of the intestine, resulting in low translatability to the human situation. Here, an immunocompetent 3D perfused intestine-on-a-chip platform was developed and characterized for studying intestinal inflammation. Forty independent polarized 3D perfused epithelial tubular structures were grown from cells of mixed epithelial origin, including enterocytes (Caco-2) and goblet cells (HT29-MTX-E12). Immune cells THP-1 and MUTZ-3, which can be activated, were added to the system and assessed for cytokine release. Intestinal inflammation was mimicked through exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β. The effects were quantified by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and proinflammatory cytokine secretion on the apical and basal sides. Cytokines induced an inflammatory state in the culture, as demonstrated by the impaired barrier function and increased IL-8 secretion. Exposure to the known anti-inflammatory drug TPCA-1 prevented the inflammatory state. The model provides biological modularity for key aspects of intestinal inflammation, making use of well-established cell lines. This allows robust assays that can be tailored in complexity to serve all preclinical stages in the drug discovery and development process.

Targeting AMPK in Diabetes and Diabetic Complications: Energy Homeostasis, Autophagy and Mitochondrial Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (27) ◽  
pp. 5207-5229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.V. Madhavi ◽  
Nikhil Gaikwad ◽  
Veera Ganesh Yerra ◽  
Anil Kumar Kalvala ◽  
Srinivas Nanduri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Complications ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Living System ◽  
Animal Models Of Disease ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Energy Sensing ◽  
Healthy Functioning ◽  
Models Of Disease

Adenosine 5′-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key enzymatic protein involved in linking the energy sensing to the metabolic manipulation. It is a serine/threonine kinase activated by several upstream kinases. AMPK is a heterotrimeric protein complex regulated by AMP, ADP, and ATP allosterically. AMPK is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues of the living system such as heart, kidney, liver, brain and skeletal muscles. Thus malfunctioning of AMPK is expected to harbor several human pathologies especially diseases associated with metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction. AMPK activators including synthetic derivatives and several natural products that have been found to show therapeutic relief in several animal models of disease. AMP, 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICA riboside) and A769662 are important activators of AMPK which have potential therapeutic importance in diabetes and diabetic complications. AMPK modulation has shown beneficial effects against diabetes, cardiovascular complications and diabetic neuropathy. The major impact of AMPK modulation ensures healthy functioning of mitochondria and energy homeostasis in addition to maintaining a strict check on inflammatory processes, autophagy and apoptosis. Structural studies on AMP and AICAR suggest that the free amino group is imperative for AMPK stimulation. A769662, a non-nucleoside thienopyridone compound which resulted from the lead optimization studies on A-592107 and several other related compound is reported to exhibit a promising effect on diabetes and its complications through activation of AMPK. Subsequent to the discovery of A769662, several thienopyridones, hydroxybiphenyls pyrrolopyridones have been reported as AMPK modulators. The review will explore the structure-function relationships of these analogues and the prospect of targeting AMPK in diabetes and diabetic complications.

Are Viruses and Parasites Linked to Celiac Disease? A Question that Still has no Definite Answer

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aref Shariati ◽  
Hamid R. Aslani ◽  
Mohammad R.H. Shayesteh ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Ahmad Nasser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
The People ◽  
Intestinal Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Related Proteins

Celiac Disease (CD) is a complex autoimmune enteropathy of the small intestine that commonly occurs in genetically predisposed individuals due to intake of gluten and related proteins. Gluten consumption, duration of breast-feeding, various infections, especially frequent intestinal infections, vaccinations and use of antibiotics can be linked to CD. It is predicted that it affects 1% of the global population and its incidence rate is increasing. Most of the people with the HLA-DQ2 or HLADQ8 are at a higher risk of developing this disease. The link between infections and autoimmune diseases has been very much considered in recent years. In several studies, we explained that pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms might have multiple roles in initiation, exacerbation, and development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In various studies, the relationship between infections caused by viruses, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Rotavirus, Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Influenza virus, and parasites including Giardia spp. and Toxoplasma gondii with CD has been raised. However, increasing evidence proposes that some of these microorganisms, especially helminths, can also have protective and even therapeutic roles in the CD process. Therefore, in order to determine the role of microorganisms in the process of this disease, we attempted to summarize the evidence suggesting the role of viral and parasitic agents in pathogenesis of CD.

scholarly journals Preclinical characterization of dostarlimab, a therapeutic anti-PD-1 antibody with potent activity to enhance immune function in in vitro cellular assays and in vivo animal models

mAbs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1954136
Author(s):  
Sujatha Kumar ◽  
Srimoyee Ghosh ◽  
Geeta Sharma ◽  
Zebin Wang ◽  
Marilyn R. Kehry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Cellular Assays ◽  
In Vivo Animal Models

scholarly journals Oxyresveratrol Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats by Suppressing Inflammation

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2630
Author(s):  
Jiah Yeom ◽  
Seongho Ma ◽  
Jeong-Keun Kim ◽  
Young-Hee Lim
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Dextran Sulfate ◽  
Dextran Sulfate Sodium ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Mucus Layer ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Intestinal Mucus ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Apoptotic Effects ◽  
Intestinal Mucus Layer

Colitis causes destruction of the intestinal mucus layer and increases intestinal inflammation. The use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents derived from natural sources has been recently highlighted as a new approach for the treatment of colitis. Oxyresveratrol (OXY) is an antioxidant known to have various beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity, and antiviral activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of OXY in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis. OXY ameliorated DSS-induced colitis and repaired damaged intestinal mucosa. OXY downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and chemokine gene MCP-1, while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. OXY treatment also suppressed inflammation via inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the colon, as well as the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO). OXY exhibited anti-apoptotic effects, shifting the Bax/Bcl-2 balance. In conclusion, OXY might improve DSS-induced colitis by restoring the intestinal mucus layer and reducing inflammation within the intestine.

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