Exploring the Role of G Protein Expression in Sodium Butyrate-Enhanced Pancreas Development of Dairy Calves: A Proteomic Perspective

The present study evaluated the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic development in dairy calves. Fourteen male Holstein calves were alimented with either milk or milk supplemented with SB for 70 days. Pancreases were collected for analysis including staining, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and proteomics. Results indicated increased development in the SB group with increases in organ size, protein levels, and cell growth. There were also exocrine enhancements manifested as higher enzyme activities and gene expressions along with larger zymogen granules. Endocrine benefits included elevated gene expression, more insulin secretion, and larger islets, indicating a rise in β-cell proliferation. Proteomics and pathway analyses pinpointed the G protein subunit alpha-15 as a pivotal factor in pancreatic and insulin secretion pathways. Overall, SB supplementation enhances pancreatic development by promoting its exocrine and endocrine functions through G protein regulation in dairy calves.

Genomic divergence during artificial selection by feed conversion ratio in Pekin ducks

Pekin ducks are world-famous for its fast growth and have become the majority of breeds rearing in duck industry. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is an important trait in Pekin ducks breeding and production, and the underlying biological processes are complex. To gain an insight to the possible biological mechanism underlying the FCR in Pekin ducks, an artificial selection population (S) and a natural population (Z7) were used in this study. The FCR of S line decreased from 2.184 ± 0.057 in the first generation to 1.886 ± 0.063 in the eighth generation, which displays significantly low FCR (p = 0.0032) than that of the Z7 line (2.23 ± 0.046). Then, 9 samples from eighth generation of S line and 10 samples from Z7 were used for whole-genome resequencing. Analyses of F_ST, θπ and XP-EHH revealed 450, 479 and 356 candidate genes, which involved in 1,955, 1,933 and 1,964 candidate divergent regions (CDRs), respectively. And the integration of three approaches resulted in 30 overlapping genes. Functional analysis of 30 candidate genes revealed that variants of KCNQ1 and ADCY7, which were involved in the pancreatic secretion signal pathway, could be important molecular markers for high feed conversion efficiency in S line breeding.

Effect of Adropin on Pancreas Exocrine Function in a Rat Model: A Preliminary Study

The aim was to investigate the potential effect of adropin (ADR) on pancreatic−biliary juice (PBJ) secretion (volume, protein content, trypsin activity) in a rat model. The animals were divided into control and five experimental groups: adropin, CCK-8 (CCK-8 stimulation), capsaicin (capsaicin deactivation of afferents), vagotomy (vagotomy procedure), and vagal stimulation (vagal nerve stimulation). The experiment consisted of four phases, during which vehicle (0.9% NaCl) and three ADR boluses (5, 10, and 20 µg/kg BW) were administered i.v. every 30 min. PBJ samples were collected from each rat at 15 min intervals after boluses. Exogenous ADR failed to affect the pancreatic responses after vagotomy and the capsaicin pretreatment and reduced the PBJ volume, protein outputs, and trypsin activity in the adropin, CCK-8, and vagal stimulation groups in a dose-dependent manner. In all these groups, volume of PBJ was reduced only by the highest dose of ADR (p < 0.001 for adropin group and p < 0.01 for CCK-8 and vagal stimulation groups), and the protein outputs were reduced by the administration of ADR 10 µg/kg BW (adropin and CCK-8 groups, p < 0.01 in both cases) and 20 µg/kg BW (p < 0.001 for adropin and CCK-8 groups, p < 0.01 for vagal stimulation group). The 10 µg/kg BW dose of ADR reduced the trypsin output in the CCK-8 group (p < 0.01), and the highest ADR dose reduced the trypsin output in the CCK-8 (p < 0.001) and vagal stimulation (p < 0.01) groups. In conclusion, adropin in the analyzed doses exhibits the negative feedback pathway. This mechanism seems to participate in the regulation of pancreatic juice secretion via an indirect vagal mechanism.

Critical thresholds: key to unlocking the door to the prevention and specific treatments for acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP), an acute inflammatory disorder of the exocrine pancreas, is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in emergency departments with no specific treatments. Laboratory-based research has formed the cornerstone of endeavours to decipher the pathophysiology of AP, because of the limitations of such study in human beings. While this has provided us with substantial understanding, we cannot answer several pressing questions. These are: (a) Why is it that only a minority of individuals with gallstones, or who drink alcohol excessively, or are exposed to other causative factors develop AP? (b) Why do only some develop more severe manifestations of AP with necrosis and/or organ failure? (c) Why have we been unable to find an effective therapeutic for AP? This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of our current understanding of the pathophysiology of AP providing insights into the unanswered clinical questions. We describe multiple protective factors operating in most people, and multiple stressors that in a minority induce AP, independently or together, via amplification loops. We present testable hypotheses aimed at halting progression of severity for the development of effective treatments for this common unpredictable disease.

[Effect of different nutritional support on pancreatic secretion in acute pancreatitis]

AIM

To develop and justify optimal nutritional support in early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

140 AP patients were enrolled. They were divided into groups depending on nutritional support: group I (n=70) - early enteral tube feeding (ETF) with balanced mixtures, group II (n=30) - early ETF with oligopeptide mixture, group III (n=40) - total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The subgroups were also isolated depending on medication: A - Octreotide, B - Quamatel, C - Octreotide + Quamatel. Pancreatic secretion was evaluated by using of course of disease, instrumental methods, APUD-system hormone levels (secretin, cholecystokinin, somatostatin, vasointestinal peptide).

RESULTS

ETF was followed by pancreas enlargement despite ongoing therapy, while TPN led to gradual reduction of pancreatic size up to normal values. α-amylase level progressively decreased in all groups, however in patients who underwent ETF (I and II) mean values of the enzyme were significantly higher compared with TPN (group III). Secretin, cholecystokinin and vasointestinal peptide were increasing in most cases, while the level of somatostatin was below normal in all groups.

CONCLUSION

Enteral tube feeding (balanced and oligopeptide mixtures) contributes to pancreatic secretion compared with TPN, but this negative impact is eliminated by antisecretory therapy. Dual medication (Octreotide + Quamatel) is more preferable than monotherapy (Octreotide or Quamatel).

Clinical management of post-pyloric enteral feeding in children

Post-pyloric feeding (PF) allows the administration of enteral nutrition beyond the pylorus, either into the duodenum or, ideally, into the jejunum. The main indications of PF are: upper gastrointestinal tract obstructions, pancreatic rest (e.g., acute pancreatitis), gastric dysmotility (e.g., critically ill patients and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction) or severe gastroesophageal reflux with risk of aspiration (e.g., neurological disability). Physiological and clinical evidence derives from adults, but can also be pertinent to children. This review will discuss the practical management and potential clinical applications of PF in pediatric patients. Some key studies pertaining to the physiological changes during PF will also be considered because they support the strategy of PF management.