Project description:Dietary consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may protect against cardiometabolic disease through modulation of systemic and adipose inflammation. However, it is often difficult to detect the subtle effects of n-3 PUFA on inflammatory biomarkers in traditional intervention studies. We aimed to identify novel n-3 PUFA modulated gene expression using unbiased adipose transcriptomics during evoked endotoxemia in a clinical trial of n-3 PUFA supplementation. We analyzed adipose gene expression using RNA sequencing in the fenofibrate and omega-3 fatty acid modulation of endotoxemia (FFAME) trial of healthy individuals at three timepoints: before and after n-3 PUFA supplementation (n=8; 3600mg/day EPA/DHA) for 6weeks compared with placebo (n=6), as well as during a subsequent evoked inflammatory challenge (lipopolysaccharide 0.6ng/kg i.v.). As expected, supplementation with n-3 PUFA vs. placebo alone had only modest effects on adipose tissue gene expression. In contrast, the transcriptomic response to evoked endotoxemia was significantly modified by n-3 PUFA supplementation, with several genes demonstrating significant n-3 PUFA gene-nutrient interactions. These data highlight potential mechanisms whereby n-3 PUFA consumption may enhance the immune response to an inflammatory challenge.
Project description:Analysis of hormone effects on irradiated LBNF1 rat testes, which contain only somatic cells except for a few type A spermatgogonia. Rats were treated for 2 weeks with either sham treatment (group X), hormonal ablation (GnRH antagonist and the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide, group XAF), testosterone supplementation (GnRH antagonist and testosterone, group XAT), and FSH supplementation ((GnRH antagonist, androgen receptor antagonist, and FSH, group XAFF). Results provide insight into identifying genes in the somatic testis cells regulated by testosterone, LH, or FSH.
Project description:Inflammation is a key component of pathological angiogenesis. Here we induce cornea neovascularisation using sutures placed into the cornea, and sutures are removed to induce a regression phase. We used whole transcriptome microarray to monitor gene expression profies of several genes
Project description:Fishoil or n-3 PUFA supplementation has shown some beneficial effects in patients with NASH. It is known that n-3 PUFA can influence hepatic gene expression. However, the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on hepatic gene expression has not been examined in patients with NASH. Aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on liver n-3 PUFA levels, hepatic gene expression and liver histology in patients with NASH. In a single-arm pilot intervention study, the effect of a one year n-3 PUFA supplementation on hepatic gene expression (Illumina Microarray), liver histology, and liver and erythrocyte PUFA was examined in 11 adult patients with NASH. For the intervention trial, NASH patients received n-3 PUFA supplementation from fish oil (2 g fish oil per day, containing 740-840 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 400-440 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) quantified as ethyl ester) for one year. The supplement was produced by Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (Dartmouth, NS, Canada) (product code 4020PB1000CT, Lots # 21211, 24168, and 31639). The selected supplement was within the range used in previous studies, where doses of n-3 PUFA and the EPA/DHA balance varied widely. Effects of n-3 PUFA on liver steatosis were observed in other studies by ultrasound within 6 to 12 months. To increase safety and acceptance of the second liver biopsy, an intervention period of 12 months was selected. During the intervention, patients were asked to maintain their habitual diet and physical activity. Fishoil supplementation lead to increased n-3 PUFA in erythrocyte total lipids and hepatic lipids. However, there was no significant change in liver histology or hepatic gene expression between baseline and post-intervention.
Project description:Few studies have assessed the patterns of parasite populations of rodents over a longitudinal gradient in Chile. In this work, the gastrointestinal helminthic fauna of invasive rodents in Chile was examined to assess the association between their presence/absence and abundance with latitude, host sex, and host body condition, and to assess the coexistence and correlation of the abundance between parasite species. Rodents were obtained from 20 localities between 33 and 43°S. Helminths were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract and identified morphologically. Overall, 13 helminth taxa were obtained. The most frequently identified parasite species was Heterakis spumosa, and the most abundant was Syphacia muris, while Physaloptera sp. was the most widely distributed. No locality presented with a coexistence that was different from that expected by chance, while the abundance of five helminthic species correlated with the abundance of another in at least one locality, most likely due to co-infection rather than interaction. Host sex was associated with parasite presence or abundance, and female sex-biased parasitism was notably observed in all cases. Body condition and latitude presented either a positive or negative association with the presence or abundance of parasites depending on the species. It is notable that the likely native Physaloptera sp. is widely distributed among invasive rodents. Further, gravid females were found, suggesting spillback of this species to the native fauna. The low frequency and abundance of highly zoonotic hymenolepid species suggest that rodents are of low concern regarding gastrointestinal zoonotic helminths.
Project description:Gene expresion profiles from the scAT following 6 week LC n-3 PUFA and 6 week placebo supplementation were compared Women with PCOS were supplemented with 4g n-3 PUFA (containing 1.8g EPA and DHA) daily for 6 weeks and changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression was compared with 6 week placebo supplementation.
Project description:The Norway rat has important impacts on our life. They are amongst the most used research subjects, resulting in ground-breaking advances. At the same time, wild rats live in close association with us, leading to various adverse interactions. In face of this relevance, it is surprising how little is known about their natural behaviour. While recent laboratory studies revealed their complex social skills, little is known about their social behaviour in the wild. An integration of these different scientific approaches is crucial to understand their social life, which will enable us to design more valid research paradigms, develop more effective management strategies, and to provide better welfare standards. Hence, I first summarise the literature on their natural social behaviour. Second, I provide an overview of recent developments concerning their social cognition. Third, I illustrate why an integration of these areas would be beneficial to optimise our interactions with them.