Mechanisms for cytoprotection by vitamin U from ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats

Gastroprotective Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Broccoli Stems on Acute Injury in Rats: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Gastric Function and Inflammatory Responses

Background and Objectives: Acute gastric injury is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of broccoli stem extract (BSE) against acute gastritis in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant properties of BSE were evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays and total polyphenol content analysis. Acute gastric injury was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% EtOH, and male SD rats (6-weeks old, n = 6/group) were administered BSE by oral gavage at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg. Results: The BSE 250 mg/kg group exhibited significant relief of clinical signs compared to the negative control group. In addition, the BSE 250 mg/kg group showed significant improvements in gastric tissue, including macroscopic reductions in ulcer size and improved overall gastric morphology as assessed through gross examination, as well as microscopic improvements such as reduced inflammation and the restoration of mucosal integrity observed in histopathological analysis. BSE modulated NF-κB signaling, decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased PGE2 levels. Pyloric ligation experiments demonstrated reduced pepsin and gastric acid secretion. Improvements in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility were also observed in the BSE-treated group. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of BSE as an effective therapeutic agent for acute gastritis in rats, offering significant improvements in gastric damage, inflammation, and motility.

Gut Health and Influencing Factors in Pigs

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a complex, dynamic, and critical part of the body, which plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of ingested nutrients and excreting waste products of digestion. In addition, GIT also plays a vital role in preventing the entry of harmful substances and potential pathogens into the bloodstream. The gastrointestinal tract hosts a significant number of microbes, which throughout their metabolites, directly interact with the hosts. In modern intensive animal farming, many factors can disrupt GIT functions. As dietary nutrients and biologically active substances play important roles in maintaining homeostasis and eubiosis in the GIT, this review aims to summarize the current status of our knowledge on the most important areas.

Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. Alleviates Indomethacin-Induced Acute Gastric Injury by Enhancing Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity

Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (white cabbage) is a valuable vegetable with diverse nutraceutical benefit. Present study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of B. oleracea extract (BOE) standardized by vitamin U on indomethacin (IND)-induced acute gastric injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pre-administration of three different doses of BOE (12.5–50 mg/kg) for 14 days significantly decreased visible ulcerative lesions in the gastric tissue. In addition, BOE alleviated IND-mediated increase in histological score with inhibiting invaded percentage of lesion and restoring mucosa thickness in peri-ulcerative region. BOE increased the gastric tissue bound to Alcian blue and inhibited the decrease in hexose, sialic acid, and collagen levels by IND, suggesting that BOE protects the gastric tissue through preserving mucus and mucosal integrity. Moreover, BOE pre-administration blocked the reduction of prostaglandin E2 and down-regulated histamine and mRNA expression related to secret gastric acid. Furthermore, BOE mitigated inflammatory responses in the gastric tissue by decreasing activity of myeloperoxidase and expression of nuclear factor-κB-dependent inflammatory genes. BOE also suppressed malondialdehyde with preventing the reduction of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the gastric tissue. Therefore, results from present study suggest that BOE will have a potential for preventing gastric injury.

Brassica oleracea Prevents HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Damages in Mice

Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (cabbage) is a popular vegetable with a wide range of pharmacological activities that help to promote human health. The present study investigated the beneficial effects of B. oleracea var. capitata L. extract (BOE) on HCl/ethanol (H/E)-induced gastric damages in mice. Pre-administration of BOE (25–100 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days significantly decreased macroscopically visible lesion on the gastric mucosa induced by H/E. In addition, results from hematoxylin and eosin-stained gastric tissue showed that BOE inhibited invaded percentage of lesion and prevented the reduction in mucosal thickness in peri-ulcerative region. BOE significantly alleviated the H/E-mediated decreases in Alcian blue binding, total hexose, sialic acid, and collagen in the gastric tissue, suggesting BOE attenuates the gastric damage via preserving the integrity of gastric mucus. Moreover, BOE significantly decreased histamine level in the plasma and reduced mRNA levels associated with secreting gastric acid. Furthermore, BOE inhibited myeloperoxidase activity and suppressed nuclear factor-κB mRNA and its dependent inflammatory genes expression induced by H/E. BOE also strengthened antioxidant enzyme activity, with a mitigating H/E-mediated increase in malondialdehyde level of the gastric tissue. Thus, these results suggest that BOE has the potential to protect the gastric tissue via inhibiting gastric acid secretion, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Gastric Cytoprotection as Basis of Gastrointestinal Mucosa Protection and Repair in Erosive Ulcerative Lesions of Various Aetiologies

Aim.Assessment of efficacy and the mechanism of action of gastrointestinal mucosa (GM) protection in current treatment settings with methylmethionine-sulfonium chloride (vitamin U) to illustrate its applicability in erosive ulcerative lesions of various aetiologies.

Key points.Aside to damage prevention in exposure to aggressive agents, gastroprotection implies healing promotion under the preserved level of hydrochloric acid secretion. Prostaglandins (PG) and SH-antioxidants are key mediators of gastroprotection in acute and chronic damage. SH-containing endogenous substances (L-cysteine, D,L-methionine, GSH) and exogenous molecules (methylmethionine-sulfonium chloride (MMSC), N-acetylcysteine) prevent damage due to the ability to absorb/neutralise free radicals released in xenobiotic-triggered cell damage, inhibit TNF-α expression, reduce the aspirin-induced leukocyte-endothelium adhesion and stimulate mucin release. In experiment, MMSC prevented the ethanol-induced GM damage, stimulated mucin release and its redistribution on the GM surface; in clinical trials, MMSC effectively facilitated remission in duodenal ulcer.

Conclusion.Preparations exerting a protective effect on gastroduodenal mucosa, such as methylmethionine-sulfonium chloride (vitamin U), may improve basic treatment settings and facilitate remission in erosive ulcerative lesions of upper gastrointestinal tract.

Histomorphometric analysis of the small intestine of broiler chick embryos injected in ovo with methionine

The present study evaluated the histomorphometric effect on the small intestine of the chicken embryo after in ovo methionine injection. On Day 4 of incubation, 50 fertile eggs were allocated into one of the following five groups: control (no treatment) and four treatment groups that received either 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg methionine via their yolk sac. All eggs were incubated until Day 19, at which point the embryos were terminated and 1-cm samples of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken for histology. Sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin, Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff methods separately. Morphometric analysis was performed to assess goblet cell number, enterocyte height, muscle-layer thickness as well as villus height, width, area and shape. The ratio of embryo bodyweight to egg weight in methionine treatment groups was more than in controls and this difference was greatest in the 40-mg methionine group. The results showed that villous height, width and area increased in treatment groups, as did enterocyte height, goblet cell number and muscle-layer thickness. The ratio and sequence of the villi was also changed in some treatments. Our results indicated that injecting methionine into the yolk sac can improve intestinal histomorphometrical parameters and that 40-mg methionine injection showed the greatest changes.

Determination of S-methyl-L-methionine (SMM) from Brassicaceae Family Vegetables and Characterization of the Intestinal Transport of SMM by Caco-2 Cells

The objectives of the current study were to determine S-methyl-L-methionine (SMM) from various Brassicaceae family vegetables by using validated analytical method and to characterize the intestinal transport mechanism of SMM by the Caco-2 cells. The SMM is well known to provide therapeutic activity in peptic ulcers. The amount of SMM from various Brassicaceae family vegetables ranged from 89.08 ± 1.68 μg/g to 535.98 ± 4.85 μg/g of dry weight by using validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method. For elucidating intestinal transport mechanism, the cells were incubated with or without transport inhibitors, energy source, or a metabolic inhibitor. Phloridzin and verapamil as inhibitors of sodium glucose transport protein (SGLT1) and P-glycoprotein, respectively, were not responsible for cellular uptake of SMM. Glucose and sodium azide were not affected by the cellular accumulation of SMM. The efflux ratio of SMM was 0.26, implying that it is not effluxed through Caco-2 cells. The apparent coefficient permeability (P_app ) of SMM was 4.69 × 10^-5 cm/s, indicating that it will show good oral absorption in in vivo.

Chemotherapy-driven dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiome

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is commonly used as myeloablative conditioning treatment to prepare patients for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Chemotherapy leads to several side effects, with gastrointestinal (GI) mucositis being one of the most frequent. Current models of GI mucositis pathophysiology are generally silent on the role of the intestinal microbiome.

AIM

To identify functional mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiome may play a key role in the pathophysiology of GI mucositis, we applied high-throughput DNA-sequencing analysis to identify microbes and microbial functions that are modulated following chemotherapy.

METHODS

We amplified and sequenced 16S rRNA genes from faecal samples before and after chemotherapy in 28 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received the same myeloablative conditioning regimen and no other concomitant therapy such as antibiotics.

RESULTS

We found that faecal samples collected after chemotherapy exhibited significant decreases in abundances of Firmicutes (P = 0.0002) and Actinobacteria (P = 0.002) and significant increases in abundances of Proteobacteria (P = 0.0002) compared to samples collected before chemotherapy. Following chemotherapy, patients had reduced capacity for nucleotide metabolism (P = 0.0001), energy metabolism (P = 0.001), metabolism of cofactors and vitamins (P = 0.006), and increased capacity for glycan metabolism (P = 0.0002), signal transduction (P = 0.0002) and xenobiotics biodegradation (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies a severe compositional and functional imbalance in the gut microbial community associated with chemotherapy-induced GI mucositis. The functional pathways implicated in our analysis suggest potential directions for the development of intestinal microbiome-targeted interventions in cancer patients.

Metabolic Consequences of Chronic Alcohol Abuse in Non-Smokers: A Pilot Study

An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with an increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and injury and, upon hospitalization, higher mortality rates. Studies in model systems show effects of alcohol on mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism and antioxidant systems. The present study applied high-resolution metabolomics to test for these changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of subjects with an AUD. Smokers were excluded to avoid confounding effects and compliance was verified by cotinine measurements. Statistically significant metabolic features, differentially expressed by control and AUD subjects, were identified by statistical and bioinformatic methods. The results show that fatty acid and acylcarnitine concentrations were increased in AUD subjects, consistent with perturbed mitochondrial and lipid metabolism. Decreased concentrations of methyl-donor compounds suggest altered one-carbon metabolism and oxidative stress. An accumulation of peptides suggests proteolytic activity, which could reflect altered epithelial barrier function. Two metabolites of possible microbial origin suggest subclinical bacterial infection. Furthermore, increased diacetylspermine suggests additional metabolic perturbations, which could contribute to dysregulated alveolar macrophage function and vulnerability to infection. Together, the results show an extended metabolic consequence of AUD in the bronchoalveolar space.

Digestive recovery of sulfur-methyl-L-methionine and its bioaccessibility in Kimchi cabbages using a simulated in vitro digestion model system

BACKGROUND

Sulfur-methyl-L-methionine (SMM) has been known to provide various biological functions such as radical scavenging effect, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, and prevention of gastric mucosal damage. Kimchi cabbages are known to be a major food source providing SMM but its bioaccessibility has not been studied. The objective of current study was to determine both the digestive stability of SMM and the amount released from Kimchi cabbages under a simulated in vitro digestion model system.

RESULTS

The in vitro digestion model system simulating a human gastrointestinal tract was carried out for measuring digestive recovery and bioaccessibility of SMM. SMM was quantified by using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Recovery of an SMM standard after digestion was 0.68 and 0.65% for fasted and fed conditions, respectively, indicating that the digestive stability of the SMM standard was not affected by dietary energy or co-ingested food matrix. The SMM standard was also significantly stable in acidic pH (P < 0.05). The bioaccessibility of SMM from Kimchi cabbages was measured under a fasted condition, resulted in 8.83, 14.71 and 10.88%, for salivary, gastric and small intestinal phases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results from our study suggest that SMM from Kimchi cabbages, a component of food sources, is more bioavailable than SMM by itself.

Intragastrically administered lysophosphatidic acids protect against gastric ulcer in rats under water-immersion restraint stress

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Lysophosphatidic acid exerts important physiological effects on many types of animal cells through its specific binding to several G protein-coupled receptors. In particular, its potent wound-healing effect has attracted much attention. To determine whether lysophosphatidic acids in a foodstuff and Chinese medicine are effective in protecting against gastric ulcer, we subjected rats to water-immersion restraint stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three direct administrations of a solution of lysophosphatidic acid with a C18 fatty acyl group to the rat stomach in a concentration range of 0.001-0.1 mM resulted in a significant reduction in the number of gastric ulcers induced during water-immersion restraint stress, and the potencies were as follows: linoleoyl species=α-linolenoyl species>oleoyl species. Intragastric administrations of a solution of highly purified lysophosphatidic acid from soybean lecithin significantly protected against the stress-induced gastric ulcers at lower concentrations than partially purified lysophosphatidic acid from soybean lecithin did. In addition, administration of a decocted solution of antyu-san, and lysophosphatidic acid-rich Chinese medicine, to the stomach was more effective in protecting against stress-induced ulcer than decoctations of antyu-san lacking the corydalis tuber component that is rich in lysophosphatidic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

These results clearly show that lysophosphatidic acid is the effective component of soybean lecithin and antyu-san in protection against stress-induced gastric ulcer in the rat model, and suggest that daily intake of lysophosphatidic acid-rich foods or Chinese medicines may be beneficial for prevention of stress-induced gastric ulcer in human subjects.

Effects of combination treatment with famotidine and methylmethionine sulfonium chloride on the mucus barrier of rat gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In Japan, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is treated clinically with a combination of a mucosal protectant and acid suppressants, but there is scant information regarding the effects of these drugs on normal gastric mucus cells. In the present study, the effects of co-administration of methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (MMSC) and famotidine on rat gastric mucus cells were investigated using both biochemical and histological methods.

METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups: controls were given carboxymethylcellulose orally once daily for 7 days and the second, third and fourth groups were treated similarly with famotidine (famotidine group), MMSC (MMSC group) or famotidine plus MMSC (combination group). After killing the rats on the 8th day, the stomachs were removed and the biosynthesis and amount of mucin in different areas of the gastric mucosa were compared among groups. Using anti-mucin monoclonal antibodies, the mucin content and immunoreactivity were also compared.

RESULTS

Both the biosynthesis and accumulation of mucin were significantly decreased in the famotidine group, but increased in the MMSC and combination groups. The amount and immunoreactivity of surface mucus cell-derived mucin were both reduced in the famotidine group, and increased in the MMSC and combination groups. There was no difference among the groups in the content and immunoreactivity of gland mucus cell-derived mucin.

CONCLUSION

Famotidine-induced suppression of gastric surface mucus cell function is prevented by combined treatment with MMSC, raising the possibility of a more effective cure of PUD.

Effects of rabbit gastrointestinal mucins and dextran on hydrochloride diffusion in vitro

We compared a viscous fingering formation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in rabbit corpus, antral and duodenal mucins and with dextran under neutral and acidic conditions with respect to relative viscosity, molecular mass, and carbohydrate composition. The effect of desialyzation of duodenal mucin on the viscous fingering formation of HCl was also examined. HCl (0.1 N) was injected into 1% solutions of mucins and dextran and a subsequent viscous fingering formation was assessed based on an influx volume rate of HCl. A low influx volume rate indicates a high ability of the solutions to produce viscous fingers. The influx volume rate of HCl was lowest in duodenal mucin followed bl corpus mucin, antral mucin, and dextran at pH 7. The influx volume rate of HCl was inversely correlated with the relative viscosity of the solution. Maximum molecular masses were large in the order of corpus, antral, and duodenal mucins, and they were larger than dextran T2000. Rabbit gastrointestinal mucins were very polydisperse system. Duodenal mucin contains more sialic acid than gastric mucins; the influx volume rate of HCl increased in desialylated duodenal mucin. It is suggested that the higher ability of gastric mucins to prevent HCl diffusion than dextran were due to the differences in the molecular mass. The ability of duodenal mucin to prevent HCl diffusion was probably attributed to its high sialic acid content, which may reflect a physiological role of duodenal mucin in the duodenum that has to deal with HCl influx from the stomach.

Augmentative effects of L-cysteine and methylmethionine sulfonium chloride on mucin secretion in rabbit gastric mucous cells

BACKGROUND

Our previous study showed that L-cysteine (Cys) and methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (MMSC) inhibited ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage and increased the amount of surface mucin in rats. This study examined whether Cys and MMSC augmented mucin secretion and changed distribution of mucin vesicles ultrastructurally in mucous cells by using primary cultured mucous cells from rabbit glandular stomach. Changes in intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and in levels of cytosolic free Ca2+ were investigated by treatment with Cys and MMSC.

METHODS

Mucin content was measured by an enzyme-linked lectin assay. Transmission electron micrography was used to examine ultrastructural distribution of mucin granules. The amount of cAMP or levels of free Ca2+ were measured by enzyme immunoassay or by fura-2. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) or ATP was used as the positive control.

RESULTS

L-Cysteine and MMSC increased mucin secretion and decreased cellular mucin content. The same was noted for dmPGE2. Accelerated mucin granule movements toward the plasma membrane were shown by these agents. Intracellular cAMP increased with exposure to dmPGE2 for 20 min, while neither Cys nor MMSC increased cAMP. No increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ levels occurred after treatment with Cys or MMSC, but an increase was induced 10 s after the addition of ATP.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings indicate that the increase in mucin secretion by Cys and MMSC was not mediated through the cAMP or Ca2+ signal transduction pathway, but might occur through non-receptor-mediated mechanisms.