Defective calcium increase and inositol phosphate production in anti-CD3-stimulated lymphocytes of alcoholics without progressive liver disease

Genes and Signaling Pathways Involved in the Regulation of Selenium-Enriched Yeast on Liver Metabolism and Health of Broiler (Gallus gallus)

Selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) plays an important role in the liver health and metabolism of the broiler. However, the mechanism by which it regulates liver metabolism and the health of broilers is largely unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted to elucidate the key genes and signaling pathways involved in regulating SeY in liver metabolism and bird's health. Thus, the mRNA expression microarray, GSE25151, was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSE25151 consists of liver samples from SeY-treated and the control broilers. Six hundred four differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in livers between SeY-treated and control. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that those DEGs are mainly involved in metabolism-related biological processes, such as biological regulation, molecular processes, responses to stimuli, cell communication and proliferation, and growth. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed the DEGs mainly enriched in metabolism-related signaling pathways, including PI3K, Akt, Wnt, calcium, IGF1 receptor, and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, many genes, such as NMUR1, NMU, and GPRC6A, might contribute to the regulation of SeY to broiler liver metabolism and health. In conclusion, the current study enhances our understanding of the regulation of SeY in liver metabolism and health of the birds and will assist studies of the molecular mechanisms of SeY regulation in chicken liver.

Fecal calprotectin concentrations in alcoholic patients: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Excessive alcohol consumption often results in intestinal damage, mediated by inflammatory processes, mainly characterized by an increased influx of leukocytes. Fecal calprotectin is a granulocyte cytosolic protein, representing as a promising marker of subclinical intestinal inflammation. In this study, we assessed fecal calprotectin concentrations (FCCs) in current drinking alcoholics, both at the baseline, and then during a subsequent 84-day period. Moreover, FCCs in the alcoholics were compared with the FCCs in healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty-eight, active-drinking alcoholics were enrolled in this study and compared with 40 healthy volunteers as the control group. In alcoholics, FCCs were determined at the beginning of the study (baseline; T0) and then every 2 weeks (T1-T6) during the following 84-day period. Potential differences in FCCs were analyzed between alcoholics and healthy controls, and during the 84-day period within the group of alcoholics. In addition, an analysis of FCCs was conducted in three subgroups of alcoholics, considering their drinking status during the 84-day period (abstinent, relapsed, and active).

RESULTS

At baseline, no significant differences in median FCCs were found between alcoholics and controls. No significant changes of median FCCs were found, comparing baseline FCCs and FCCs during the 84-day period (T1-T6) in the whole group of alcoholics, nor in the three subgroups of alcoholics.

CONCLUSION

FCCs in active-drinking alcoholics are not significantly different, compared with the healthy controls. Moreover, FCCs do not significantly differ according to the alcohol drinking status. These results may suggest the absence of a subclinal intestinal inflammation involving neutrophils in the alcoholics.

Biomarkers to assess the genetic damage induced by alcohol abuse in human lymphocytes

Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for cancer of the upper alimentary tract, the upper respiratory tract, and liver. Chromosome damage is used as early effect biomarker in the surveillance of human exposure to genotoxic carcinogens. In the present study, two genetic markers, namely chromosome aberrations (CAs) and micronuclei (MN), were used to evaluate genetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes from 20 alcoholics, 20 abstinent alcoholics, and 20 controls. Composition of the three groups was fairly similar as regards sex, age and smoking habits. A highly significant increase was observed in the frequencies of CA and MN in lymphocytes of alcoholics as compared both with controls and abstinent alcoholics. However, no correlation was found between the length of alcohol abuse and the frequencies of either biomarkers in alcoholics. CA and MN frequencies in abstinent alcoholics were similar than those in controls. Our data indicate that CA and MN can be two useful biomarkers to assess genetic damage associated with alcohol abuse. They could be included in programs for cancer prevention in alcoholics. Abstinence appears to normalize the frequency of both MN and CA. This could offer therapists another tool to help alcoholics change their lifestyle.

Nutritional status and body fluid distribution in chronic alcoholics compared with controls

BACKGROUND

At present few data are available on the total body water (TBW) content and in particular on the distribution of water in the intra- and extracellular compartments (ICW and ECW) of alcoholics. The aim of this study was to evaluate TBW, ICW, and ECW in chronic alcoholic patients.

METHODS

Thirty-six alcoholics meeting DSM-III-R criteria for diagnosis (20 men, 16 women; body mass index [BMI] 22.3+/-2.57 kg/m2) were enrolled. Fifty-four healthy social drinkers (31 men, 23 women; BMI 23.7+/-1.68 kg/m2) matched for age and height were used as controls. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured for all cases. All patients were assessed using specific anthropometric measurements. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was used as an indicator of body fat distribution. TBW was measured by isotopic dilution by giving 100 microCi of tritiated water. ICW and ECW were assessed by multifrequence bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry.

RESULTS

Body weight was lower in the alcoholics than in the controls (61.9+/-5.5 kg vs. 65.8+/-5.2 kg;p < 0.01), essentially due to a reduction in fat mass. Significantly higher WHR values were found in both male (p < 0.001) and female (p < 0.001) alcoholics than in healthy subjects. A higher ECW/TBW ratio was found in the alcoholics compared with the controls, both as a whole (0.53+/-0.04 vs. 0.41+/-0.03; p < 0.0001) and separated by gender (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased ECW could derive from an increase in cellular permeability related to endothelial damage linked to the vasoconstriction present in the alcoholics and/or to a direct toxic effect of ethanol on cellular membranes. In addition, because the high ECW volumes correlated positively with WHR in the alcoholics, a potential association of these two factors in determining an increased risk of liver disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease may exist. Finally, the lower TBW characteristic of women may be one of the reasons for the observed greater rate of toxic effects of ethanol that occur in women.

Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated calcium signal in lymphocytes of alcoholics before, during and after detoxification

Acute and chronic exposure to ethanol influences intracellular calcium homeostasis via NMDA receptors, direct regulation of calcium channels or the phosphoinositide pathway. To explore the influence of alcohol withdrawal on calcium metabolism, we have investigated the resting and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated [Ca2+]i in lymphocytes of 10 alcoholics before, during and after withdrawal. Our findings suggest that both compartments of the PHA-stimulated signal are affected in alcoholics, with flattening of the initial peak and sustained calcium influx, as long as severe vegetative signs are present. MANOVA results showed significant interaction effects for both measurement points, for the initial peak, 40 s after stimulation (P = 0.05), and especially for the sustained influx at the end of the observation period (P = 0.001). The detailed mechanisms of this disturbed calcium homeostasis need further investigation.