Plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) concentrations increase following intestinal ischemia in pigs

Acute phase reactants, challenge in the near future of animal production and veterinary medicine

The future of acute phase proteins (APPs) in science is discussed in this paper. Many functions and associated pathological processes of APPs are unknown. Extrahepatic formation in local tissues needs attention. Local serum amyloid A (SAA) formation may be involved in deposition of AA-amyloid induced by conformational change of SAA resulting in amyloid formation, having tremendous food safety implications. Amyloidogenesis is enhanced in mouse fed beta pleated sheet-rich proteins. The local amyloid in joints of chicken and mammary corpora amylacea is discussed. Differences in glycosylation of glycoproteins among the APPs, as has been shown for alpha1-acid glycoprotein, have to be considered. More knowledge on the reactivity patterns may lead to implication of APPs in the diagnostics and staging of a disease. Calculation of an index from values of several acute phase variables increases the power of APPs in monitoring unhealthy individuals in animal populations. Vaccinations, just as infections in eliciting acute phase response seem to limit the profitability of vaccines because acute phase reactions are contra-productive in view of muscle anabolism. Interest is focused on amino acid patterns and vitamins in view of dietary nutrition effect on sick and convalescing animals. When inexpensive methodology such as liquid phase methods (nephelometry, turbidimetry) or protein array technology for rapid APP measurement is available, APPs have a future in routine diagnostics. Specific groups of patients may be screened or populations monitored by using APP.

Pathophysiology of mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion: a review

During ischemia, the cell structures are progressively damaged, but restoration of the blood flow, paradoxically, intensifies the lesions caused by the ischemia. The mechanisms of ischemia injury and reperfusion (I/R) have not been completely defined and many studies have been realized in an attempt to find an ideal therapy for mesenteric I/R. The occlusion and reperfusion of the splanchnic arteries provokes local and systemic alterations principally derived from the release of cytotoxic substances and the interaction between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Substances involved in the process are discussed in the present review, like oxygen-derived free radicals, nitric oxide, transcription factors, complement system, serotonin and pancreatic proteases. The mechanisms of apoptosis, alterations in other organs, therapeutic and evaluation methods are also discussed.

Development of a porcine small intestinal cDNA micro-array: characterization and functional analysis of the response to enterotoxigenic E. coli

The intestine is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, in which nutrients, exogenous compounds and micro-flora interact, and its condition is influenced by the complex interaction between these factors and host genetic elements. Furthermore, interactions of immune cells with the other components of the intestinal mucosa are essential in the defense against pathogens. The outcomes of these complex interactions determine resistance to infectious diseases. The development of genomic tools and techniques allows for analysis of multiple and complex host responses. We have constructed a porcine small intestinal micro-array, based on cDNA from jejunal mucosal scrapings. Material from two developmental distinct stages (4- and 12-week-old pigs) was used in order to assure a reasonably broad representation of mucosal transcripts. The micro-array consists of 3468 cDNAs spotted in quadruplicate. Comparison of the 4-week-old versus 12-week-old pigs revealed a differential expression in at least 300 spots. Furthermore, we report the early gene expression response of pig small intestine jejunal mucosa to infection with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) using the small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) technique. A response pattern was found in which a marker for innate defense dominated, demonstrating the strength of this applied technology. Further analysis of these response patterns will contribute to a better understanding of enteric health and disease in pigs. The great similarity between pig and human suggest results from these continuing studies should be applicable for both agricultural and human biomedical purposes.