Effects of oat processing on the glycaemic and insulin responses in horses

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different oat processing techniques on the plasma glucose and insulin response in horses. In a cross-over design, six horses (ages 4-15 years, mean body weight+/-SD: 450+/-37 kg) were fed in random order: untreated oats, finely ground, steam-flaked and popped oats. The total oat intake varied between 1.05-1.5 kg/day, and the amount of diet was adjusted to a starch content of 630 g starch per day and horse (1.2-1.5 g starch/kg BW/day). During the stabilization period of 10 days, horses additionally received 6 kg grass hay. Following this adaptation period, plasma glucose and insulin responses to the respective dietary treatments were tested. Horses were fed their test diet (exclusively oats), and blood samples were collected at defined times to determine glycaemic and insulin response. Oat feeding resulted in a significant increase in mean plasma glucose and insulin concentration. However, glucose and insulin peaks as well as their respective areas under the curves were not clearly influenced by oat processing. The glycaemic index varied between 94.7+/-11.2% (steam-flaked oats) and 102.6+/-14.5% (finely ground oats, n.s.), the insulin index ranged between 93.8+/-18.9% (popped oats) and 150.0+/-77.6% (finely ground oats, n.s.). The insulin reaction to oat feeding showed a high variability between the horses. The results of this study indicate that the glucose and insulin responses are not clearly altered by the different types of oat processing. However, the glucose and insulin responses tended to be lower in thermally treated oats when compared with untreated or finely ground oats.

Calcium homeostasis and intact plasma parathyroid hormone during exercise and training in young Standardbred horses

Physical exercise is known to affect calcium homeostasis in horses, but there is little information on the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism during exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of exercise and training on calcium homeostasis and intact plasma parathyroid hormone, 7 untrained Standardbred horses were studied in a 6 week training programme. These horses were accustomed to running on the treadmill 3 weeks before onset of training and were exercised on a high-speed treadmill with an initial incremental standardised exercise test (SET 1: 6 incremental steps of 5 min duration each; first step 5 m/s, increase 1 m/s). SET 1 was followed by a lactate-guided training programme (6 weeks in total) with 2 types of exercise in alternating order with a day of rest after each work day: high-speed exercise (HSE) of 15 min duration, starting at VLa4, continuous increase in speed every 60 s by 0.3 m/s (14 incremental steps); and low-speed exercise (LSE) at a constant velocity at VLa2.5, duration approximately 60-90 min. The whole training programme consisted of 8 HSE and 8 LSE sessions. HSE and LSE were calculated to require the same energy expenditure. A final SET (SET 2) finished the training programme. Blood samples for lactate, plasma total calcium [Ca], blood ionised calcium [Ca2+], blood pH, plasma inorganic phosphorus [P(i)] and plasma intact parathyroid hormone [PTH] were collected before, during and after SETs 1 and 2, before and after the first and eighth HSE and LSE. During SETs 1 and 2, HSEs 1 and 8 there was a decrease in ionised Ca2+ and pH and a rise in lactate, intact PTH and P(i). LSEs 1 and 8 resulted in an increase in pH, whereas lactate, ionised Ca2+, total Ca, P(i) and intact PTH were not affected. No changes in calcium metabolism were detected during training. Results of this study suggest that intact PTH is a mediator in counter-regulation of exercise-induced hypocalcaemia.

Biochemical markers of bone activity in young standardbred horses during different types of exercise and training

Seven untrained Standardbred horses were used in a training programme of 6 weeks to evaluate the effects of exercise and training on bone metabolism. The horses were exercised on a treadmill according to a standardized exercise test (SET 1: six incremental steps, 5 min duration each; start 5 m/s, increase 1 m/s). SET 1 was followed by a training programme of 6 weeks. In alternating order: high-speed exercise (HSE): 15 min duration, start at VLa4, continuous increase in speed every 60 s by 0.3 m/s (14 incremental steps); low-speed exercise (LSE): constant velocity at VLa2.5, duration: approximately 60-90 min (total training programme: eight HSE and eight LSE sessions). SET 2 finished the training programme and a deconditioning period of 12 weeks followed. Blood samples for lactate, total plasma protein (TPP), osteocalcin, and ICTP (cross-linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen) were collected. ICTP increased during SET 1 and SET 2, whereas osteocalcin decreased to below resting concentration 24 h after SET 1. A rise in ICTP was observed during LSE 1 and LSE 8, which was followed by a drop 24 h after exercise. No changes in osteocalcin were noted during LSE 1, but 24 h after LSE 1 osteocalcin dropped to below pre-exercise levels. LSE 8 resulted in an increase in osteocalcin, followed by a drop 24 h after LSE 8. Osteocalcin and ICTP were not affected by HSE. Baseline osteocalcin levels dropped during the course of training. The acute response of biochemical bone markers indicates a direct influence of a single bout of exercise on bone metabolism.

Oral L-carnitine combined with training promotes changes in skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral L-carnitine supplementation enhances the responses of skeletal muscle to training in seven 2-year-old Standardbreds. Four horses were supplemented with 10 g/day L-carnitine for 10 weeks and 3 horses served as controls. All horses were exercised regularly every second day on a treadmill for 5 weeks (training period) and housed in individual boxes for 5 additional weeks (detraining period). The training period consisted of 8 high- and 8 low-speed exercises carried out in alternating sequence. Gluteus medius muscle biopsies were taken at Weeks 0 (pretraining), 5 (post-training) and 10 (detraining). Muscular adaptations to training were observed mainly in the L-carnitine-supplemented horses and included an increase in the percentage of type IIA fibres (delta35%, P<0.05), atrophy of type I fibres (delta24%, P<0.01), a rise in the capillary-to-fibre ratio (delta40%, P<0.01) and an increase in the quantitative reaction of periodic acid Schiff stain (delta11%, P<0.05), used as an indicator of intrafibre glycogen content. After detraining, most of these adaptations reverted towards the pretraining situation. Therefore, exogenous carnitine has an additive effect on muscular responses to training and this should be favourable to improve athletic performance. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to show whether muscle carnitine content is a limiting factor for fatty acid oxidation.

[Animal-derived feedstuffs as possible vectors for bovine encephalopathy (BSE) in Germany. Part 2: Assessment of vector risk for compounded feed]

Specific conditions and practices of cattle feeding in Germany have to be taken into account for assessing the risk of feed born transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, especially regarding the situation before the year 2000 when specific directives were introduced for feed production. The present retrospective epidemiological study includes data on feed production and the estimated amount of animal derived feedstuffs for the production of compounded feed for cattle. Risk assessment was performed based on the 'reproduction rate' (R0), that is defined as the estimated number of infections resulting from the processing of brain and spinal cord of BSE affected cattle that is recycled to bovines via feed. Under the conditions as given in Germany until the year 2000 the reproduction rate of BSE via the inclusion of animal derived feedstuffs in compounded feed production for cattle was estimated to be 1.1. Thus, it can be expected that BSE could be reproduced in the system, but with comparatively low efficiency. The expected incidence of BSE should be considerably lower compared to the situation during the 90th in the UK, due to the markedly lower recycling rate of animal protein in cattle feeding. Animal fat could have been a significant factor for BSE transmission due to contamination by proteinaceous brain and spinal cord material during the production process. The relative significance of fat containing feedstuffs for BSE transmission could have been higher in Germany compared to the situation in the UK where meat and bone meal was produced under different conditions and frequently used in higher proportions as an ingredient for compounded feed for ruminants.

Long-term observation of subclinical chronic copper poisoning in two sheep breeds

Fourteen castrated male sheep of two breeds, the Mutton Merino (MMB) and Blackhead Suffolk cross breed (BSC), were exposed to an oral copper (Cu) intake of 3.7 mg/day per kg body weight for 84 days (high Cu group, HCu), and 11 castrated male sheep received a daily oral Cu intake of 0.16 mg/day per kg body weight (controls). Liver Cu concentration was measured in liver biopsies until 2.7 years after Cu overdose. Haematologic parameters, plasma Cu, enzymes and metabolites were analysed and post-mortem examinations were carried out. No haemolytic crises occurred. The highest liver Cu concentrations (133-677 mg/kg wet weight) were measured in HCu sheep around day 110 with significantly higher values in BSC than in MMB. The very slow decreases of liver Cu concentration of HCu sheep after day 215 showed individual half-life periods of 175 +/- 91 days. A progressive Cu retention in the liver of HCu sheep during Cu supplementation indicates strong Cu binding and storage in the liver. High values of glutamate dehydrogenase (20-940 U/l) measured frequently until day 700 and a diminished plasma clearance of bromosulphthalein as well as pathohistological findings of focal liver necrosis confirm the markedly chronic character of Cu poisoning.

[Animal-derived feeds as possible vectors for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Germany. 1. Comparative risk assessment for a single animal food of animal origin]

The occurrence of BSE cases in Germany after the ban of meat and bone meal for ruminant feed in 1994 requires a detailed investigation of animal derived feedstuffs regarding their specific risks as vectors for the disease. Accepting the theory that BSE is a prion transmitted disease, the theoretical infectious potential was calculated for animal derived feedstuffs. This calculation was based on the assumption, that risk material (brain, spinal cord) of one clinically diseased cattle was rendered in the process as established in Germany (133 degrees C, 3 bar, 20 min) or, alternatively, that one diseased animal was slaughtered resulting in normal processing of the by-products for human food production. From this risk assessment it became obvious that meat and bone meal was one, but probably not the most important source for the spreading of BSE. Taking into account the high sensitivity of calves it can be speculated that certain products, e.g. from bone processing (bone meal) and fat melting (mixed animal fats), commonly used for the formulation of milk replacers, might have been more important as pathways. As it can't be excluded retrospectively that infected meat and bone meal was imported from the UK, this non-calculable influence may have been related to the significance of the other products. The calculation model underlines that efficient removal of specified risk material (brain, spinal cord) and adequate processing (133 degrees C, 3 bar, 20 min) or alternatively other equivalent treatments of fats are prerequisites for minimising the risk of feed borne transmission of BSE by animal derived feedstuffs. The epidemiological consequences are part of a subsequent paper.

Electrolyte and glycerol supplementation improve water intake by horses performing a simulated 60 km endurance ride

To replace electrolytes lost in sweat during endurance competitions, riders frequently supplement horses with hypertonic oral electrolyte pastes. To determine whether this practice and concurrent administration of the so-called hyperhydrating substance glycerol are of benefit, weight loss, voluntary water intake, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein and electrolyte concentrations were measured in 6 Arabian horses supplemented with a total of 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (W); 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (E); or 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt (3 g/kg bwt) of glycerol (GE) before and during a treadmill exercise test simulating a 60 km endurance ride. Weight loss was greater (P < 0.01) with W (3.2%) than with E and GE (1.0% and 0.9%, respectively) and was associated (r = -0.85, P < 0.0001) with less (P < 0.01) water intake with W (12.2 l) than with E or GE (23.5 l and 25.8 l, respectively). Plasma osmolality increased to a greater extent (P < 0.01) with GE than with E and was unchanged with W. In contrast, plasma protein concentration decreased (P < 0.01) in the later stages of the simulated ride with E and GE, reflecting plasma volume expansion, but remained unchanged with W. Plasma Na+ and Cl- concentrations increased (P < 0.01) with E and GE and were greater (P < 0.01) than values for W during the second half of the 60 km simulated ride. Despite administration are large amounts of potassium with E and GE, plasma K+ concentration was decreased (P < 0.01) at the end of the rest breaks during the simulated ride and after 60 min of recovery with all supplements. Adverse effects of administration of hypertonic oral electrolyte pastes were not observed and decreases in plasma protein concentration within 30 min after drinking with all supplements suggested that intestinal absorption was well maintained during the simulated endurance ride. In conclusion, electrolyte supplementation in the form of hypertonic oral pastes improved water intake during endurance exercise but concurrent glycerol administration provided no additional benefits in comparison to supplementation with electrolytes alone.

Effects of electrolyte and glycerol supplementation on recovery from endurance exercise

Incomplete recovery from endurance exercise after an overnight rest period is reflected by persisting weight loss and an elevated plasma aldosterone concentration, even in successful competitors. To determine whether supplementation with high doses of electrolytes, with or without glycerol, enhances recovery, the following were measured in 6 Arabian horses before and after completion of a 60 km treadmill exercise test simulating an endurance ride and after 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of recovery: bodyweight; plasma osmolality; plasma concentrations of protein, electrolytes, aldosterone and cortisol; and urine and faecal electrolyte concentrations. Before and during the exercise test, horses were supplemented with a total of 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (W); 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (E); or 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt (3 g/kg bwt) of glycerol (GE). Although weight loss after completion of the simulated ride was greater (P < 0.01) for W (3.2%) than for E and GE (1.0 and 0.9%, respectively), horses supplemented with E or GE experienced further weight loss by 24 h after the simulated ride (2.2 and 2.1% for E and GE, respectively) while bodyweight with W remained unchanged (3.0%) from the finish value. After 48 h of recovery, bodyweight was not different from the starting values with E and GE but remained decreased (P < 0.01) with W throughout the recovery period (2.2% persisting weight loss after 72 h of recovery). Plasma osmolality and plasma Na+ and Cl- concentrations increased (P < 0.01) and plasma protein concentration decreased (P < 0.01) after the exercise test with E and GE but were unchanged with W. Plasma osmolality and protein and electrolyte concentrations returned to pre-exercise values within 12 h of recovery with the exception of a persistent increase in plasma Na+ concentration with GE. The greatest plasma aldosterone concentration was measured after 12 h of recovery with W (1357 pmol/l) and was greater (P < 0.02) than that with E and GE (24 and 304 pmol/l, respectively). Urine production during the simulated ride increased (P < 0.01) with GE and resulted in loss of approximately 20% and essentially 100% of supplemented Na+ and K+, respectively. In contrast, electrolyte losses in faeces were unaffected by electrolyte or glycerol supplementation. In conclusion, supplementation with high doses of electrolytes as hypertonic oral pastes attenuated weight loss during a simulated endurance ride (by enhancing voluntary water intake); however, it did not prevent development of significant weight loss during the initial 24 h of recovery. Glycerol administration resulted in no benefits, and actually increased urine electrolyte losses, in comparison to supplementation with electrolytes alone.

Subjective assessment of adnexal masses with the use of ultrasonography: an analysis of interobserver variability and experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective assessment of ultrasonographic images for discriminating between malignant and benign adnexal masses.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was prospective. Initially, one ultrasonographer preoperatively assessed 300 consecutive patients with adnexal masses. Subsequently, the recorded transparent photographic prints were independently assessed by five investigators, with different qualifications and level of experience, who were also given a brief clinical history of the patients (i.e. the age, menstrual status, family history of ovarian cancer, previous pelvic surgery and the presenting symptoms). The diagnostic performance of the observers was compared with the histopathology classification of malignant or benign tumors. The end-points were accuracy, interobserver agreement and the possible effect of experience.

RESULTS

The first ultrasonographer and the most experienced investigator both obtained an accuracy of 92%. There was very good agreement between these two investigators in the classification of the adnexal masses (Cohen's kappa 0.85). The less experienced observers obtained a significantly lower accuracy, which varied between 82% and 87%. Their interobserver agreement was moderate to good (Cohen's kappa 0.52 to 0.76).

CONCLUSION

Experienced ultrasonographers using some clinical information and their subjective assessment of ultrasonographic images can differentiate malignant from benign masses in most cases. The accuracy and the level of interobserver agreement are both correlated with experience. About 10% of masses were extremely difficult to classify (only < 50% of assessors were correct).

[Milk substitutes with high ash and macro mineral contents--of importance in loose feces of young calves?]

In 3 feeding experiments with 23 calves (age: 5-18 days at trials' start) the effects of high ash and mineral contents in the diet on feces composition (dry matter, pH, concentrations of lactic and volatile fatty acids, mineral contents) and digestibility rates of organic matter, nutrients and minerals as well as on some parenteral parameters (electrolytes in serum, renal excretion) were tested. In all feeding experiments a change-over-design was used, during 10 days each of all calves was fed the control and experimental diet, respectively. In the first trial (8 calves) high ash and mineral contents in the milk replacer were caused by use of a special whey product (25% in the diet), in the second experiment (n = 7) comparable ash and macromineral concentrations were achieved by adding minerals to the basic diet, in the third trial (n = 8) the whey product was used in a lower proportion (15% of the diet). Ash concentrations in diet (g/kg dry matter): 68 versus 138 (trial 1), 75 versus 135 (trial 2), 75 versus 93 (trial 3). The differences in the ash contents were based mainly on differences in the sodium and potassium concentrations.

[Review of nutritional conditions of horses and cattle as a tool in veterinary services animal welfare procedures]

The control of husbandry by veterinarians with the prospect of animal welfare demands a valuation of the nutritional status of farm animals. The situation of main importance is a suspected undernutrition. A prolonged failure in nutrient and energy supply results in mobilisation of body fat as well as body protein. Especially the protein depletion includes a loss of capacity of several essential functions, e.g. of the immune system or the respiratory tract. Undernutrition is often classified as stress, but the typical parameters for stress related reactions offer no sufficient information to evaluate a case of undernutrition. A useful tool to justify the nutritional status of an animal is the amount of body fat by sonographic measurements. Processes related to reproduction are rather sensible to a reduction of body fat; although they are less expensive by energy point of view compared to exercise or milk production. Measuring body fat offers the opportunity to describe the degree of undernutrition and to appreciate, if a malnourished animal is damaged accordingly the definitions of animal welfare. However, the equipment and the experience to use sonographic methods is often not available for veterinarians, who are responsible in official control of husbandry. But the visual and manual procedures to proof defined areas, mainly related to back fat thickness, well known as the body condition scoring, alternatively can be used. The body condition score systems, as defined for cows, sheep and horses, are proofed by different experiments with regard to accuracy and reproducibility. They completely cover the demand in precision to evaluate body fat and in consequence the nutritional status of an animal.

New ICD-technologies: first clinical experience with dual-chamber sensing for differentiation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias

Inappropriate ICD therapy for supraventricular arrhythmias remains an unsolved problem and may lead to serious clinical situations. Current algorithms for differentiation of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias are based on ventricular sensing solely and, therefore, lack sensitivity and specificity. This preliminary analysis from a multicenter trial comprises data from the first 26 patients who received a Res-Q Micron active-can ICD (Sulzer Intermedics) with a ventricular defibrillation lead and an additional bipolar lead for atrial sensing. Digitized atrial and ventricular waveform storage as well as interval charts from 102 induced and 30 spontaneous arrhythmia episodes were prospectively collected and analyzed with regard to appropriateness of ICD therapy. From all 132 arrhythmia episodes, high-quality stored dual-chamber intracardiac electrograms (IEGM) could be retrieved for further analysis: in 40 (30%) episodes, atrial fibrillation (AF with rapid ventricular response 22, AF with VT 9, AF with VF 9) was identified as the underlying intrinsic rhythm, and inappropriate ICD therapy was delivered in 4/22 (18%) episodes of AF with rapid ventricular response. In the remaining 92 (70%) episodes, sinus rhythm was the underlying atrial rhythm (SR with VT 13, SR with VF 79), and no inappropriate therapy was observed. Three of 22 (15%) high-energy shocks delivered for ventricular arrhythmias (VT 9, VF 9, rapid AF 4) terminated AF at the same time. In total, there were 3 complications (2 atrial lead dislodgments, 1 revision for bleeding). Both atrial lead dislodgments occurred in the 2 patients with passive-fixation leads compared to none in the 24 patients with active-fixation leads (p = 0.003). In conclusion, dual-chamber sensing and waveform storage of the new Res-Q Micron offer very helpful diagnostic tools for the detection of inappropriate ICD-therapy. Placement of an additional atrial lead is safe and does not interfere with proper ICD function. However, for avoidance of atrial lead dislodgment, active fixation leads are recommended. With the tested active-can lead configuration, the efficacy of successful atrial cardioversion by high-energy shocks delivered for ventricular arrhythmias seems to be low.

[Photometric determination of copper content in the liver during experimental chronic copper poisoning in sheep]

15 castrated rams were exposed to an oral copper-dosage of 3.64 mg/d/kg body weight for 84 days. The control group consisted of 11 rams with a copper intake of 0.14 mg/d/kg bodyweight. Liver biopsies were taken percutaneously (100 samples), under laparoscopic control (53 samples) or post mortem (14 samples) before, during and up to 200 days after the controlled copper intake. Analysis of copper concentration in the liver tissue was done by a modified photometrical Bathocuproin-method after cold extraction with hydrochloric and trichloracetic acid. By using a parallel specimen blank with added EDTA, disturbing factors of the sample matrix were eliminated. The method was evaluated by the atom-absorption-spectroscopy after wet incineration as well as by standard addition of copper titrisol. The correlation with the reference method was very good (r > 0.99); the recovery rate after standard addition was 95 +/- 5.4%. The maximum copper concentrations in the liver were reached after the completion of the copper dosage. Blackheaded sheep showed significantly higher values (480 +/- 173 mg/kg wet tissue weight) than Merino sheep (338 +/- 103). The values of the control animals were 36 +/- 18 mg/kg. In the copper dosed rams the course of copper storage in the liver tissue could be described by an multiple regression with an accuracy of r2 > 0.75. The half-life of the copper concentration in the liver after exceeding maximum levels was 175 +/- 91 days. The pathogenetic role of the copper retention in the dosed animals was proven by regularly increased values of the hepatocellular enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase in the plasma.

Response of germfree rat colonic mucous cells to peroral endotoxin application

During microbial colonization, mucin-releasing goblet cells of germ-free (GF) rats proliferate and upregulate their mucin synthesis, thus improving the intestinal mucus barrier. The present study determined the significance of bacterial membrane constituents for this development. A single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (35 micrograms/100 g body weight) and lipid A (3.5 micrograms/100 g body weight, respectively), was perorally administered to GF AS/Ztm rats. One, 3 and 5 days later, sections of the proximal and distal colon served for characterization of mucin-secreting goblet cells, released mucins were isolated in parallel. Maximal goblet cell diameters were evidenced at day 3. LPS generated a maximal goblet cell hyperplasia one day after challenge, lipid A stimulated the goblet cell proliferation continuously up to day 5. Three days after challenge with one of the stimuli, either, intracellular mucins had shifted significantly to neutral constituents. In addition, mucins, adherent to the colon mucosa and submerged to the luminal content, respectively, then were augmented. At day 5, adherent mucins were similar to the controls, while luminal, soluble constituents had further increased. Histometrical and biochemical methods evidenced a transient, inflammatory response of mucin-secreting cells, followed by an upregulated release of immature mucins.

Effects of perorally applied endotoxin on colonic mucins of germfree rats

BACKGROUND

The intestinal epithelium, with the potential to restrict luminal noxae from the host, secretes a mucous layer with various protective functions. Microbial colonization of germfree (GF) rats stimulates this mucin-secreting tissue. The present study determined the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on this process.

METHODS

One, 3, and 5 days after peroral application of 35 micrograms LPS/100 g body weight (from Escherichia coli O55:B5), LPS concentrations were monitored in ingesta, intestinal tissue, and liver. Mucin high molecular weight glycoproteins (HMG), released in response to LPS, were isolated and separated into mucins, i) attached to the colonic epithelium (EM) and ii) mixed to the luminal content (LM), respectively. Subsequently, the binding capacity of both mucin fractions for various lectins and for type-1 pili expressing E. coli was determined.

RESULTS

Ingesta and tissue had maximal LPS concentrations on days 3 (jejunum) and 5 (colon). Maximal EM secretion was found on day 3, release of LM further increased to day 5. Both mucin fractions had altered glycosylation patterns: augmentation of beta-galactose, alpha-N-acetyl galactosamine, and mannose coincided with a decrease in alpha-fucose. Compared with the controls, attachment of E. coli to EM increased slightly on day 1 only; the binding capacity of LM increased continuously up to day 5.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that mucins, released in response to LPS, in addition to the epithelial protection, support the gut microbial clearance system.