Expression profiling of HSP 70 and interleukins 2, 6 and 12 genes of Barki sheep during summer and winter seasons in two different locations

Antioxidant and anti-cancer potentials of Ag green-synthesized and encapsulated olive leaves particles on HCT-116 cells

Water extracts (OLE), whey protein encapsulated extracts (OLE/WPNs), and silver nanoparticles (OLE/Ag-NPs) were prepared from olive leaves of Manzenllie and Picual varieties. These preparations were characterized, and their antioxidant and biological activities on Vero and HCT-116 colorectal cells were assessed. The mechanism of action of the preparations was studied through tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cytochrome C oxidase (Cox1) gene expression. OLE/Ag-NPs showed smaller particle sizes (14.23-15.53 nm) than OLE/WPNs (229.83-310.67 nm) and demonstrated lower aggregation due to their high Ƹ-potential of -24.86 to -27.90 mV. None of the preparations affected the viability of Vero cells (IC50 = 192.19-421.01 μg/mL), but they showed cytotoxic effects on HCT-116 cells (IC50 = 50.76-196.54 μg/mL), particularly OLE/WPNs. Moreover, the preparations from the Picual variety (OLE, OLE/WPNs, and OLE/Ag-NPs) showed regulatory effects against colon cancer on treated HCT-116 cells by upregulating Cox1 expression and downregulating TNF-α expression. Consequently, OLE/WPNs and OLE/Ag-NPs could be promising for industrial applications with potential health benefits.

Effect of Organic Selenium Supplementation on the Antioxidant Status, Immune Response, and the Relative Expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ Genes in Ewes During the Hot Season

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different doses of selenium (Se) from Sel-Plex© (selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast) supplement on the antioxidant status, the antibody titers against the foot-and-mouth disease virus, and the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) genes in ewes during the hot season. Six ewes were kept at 25 °C and received basal diet (the negative control group), and 24 ewes were kept at 38 °C for 5 h per day and received no supplement (the positive control), 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 mg Se/kg. Ewes in the positive control had higher (P<0.001) liver enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and cortisol levels, and lower antibody titer than the negative control. The liver enzymes' lowest (P<0.001) activities were observed in ewes receiving 0.30 and 0.45 mg Se/kg. Ewes receiving 0.30 and 0.45 mg Se/kg had lower MDA levels than other treatments. Ewes receiving 0.30 and 0.45 mg Se/kg had higher (P<0.001) total antioxidant capacity levels than those receiving 0.15 mg Se/kg and the positive control. Se-supplemented groups had lower (P<0.001) relative expression of IL-2 and higher (P<0.04) expression of IFN-γ than the positive control. The antibody titer was the same in the positive control and the group receiving 0.15 mg Se/kg. Ewes fed a diet with 0.30 and 0.45 mg Se/kg had higher (P<0.011) antibody titer than the positive control. The Se supplementation can reverse the decrease of antioxidant capacity and immune function caused by heat stress, and 0.3 mg Se/kg from Sel-Plex©is the best dose.

Skin transcriptomic analysis reveals candidate genes and pathways associated with thermotolerance in hair sheep

The skin plays an important role in thermoregulation. Identification of genes on the skin that contribute to increased heat tolerance can be used to select animals with the best performance in warm environments. Our objective was to identify candidate genes associated with the heat stress response in the skin of Santa Ines sheep. A group of 80 sheep assessed for thermotolerance was kept in a climatic chamber for 8 days at a stress level temperature of 36 °C (10 am to 04 pm) and a maintenance temperature of 28 °C (04 pm to 10 am). Two divergent groups, with seven animals each, were formed after ranking them by thermotolerance using rectal temperature. From skin biopsy samples, total RNA was extracted, quantified, and used for RNA-seq analysis. 15,989 genes were expressed in sheep skin samples, of which 4 genes were differentially expressed (DE; FDR < 0.05) and 11 DE (FDR 0.05-0.177) between the two divergent groups. These genes are involved in cellular protection against stress (HSPA1A and HSPA6), ribosome assembly (28S, 18S, and 5S ribosomal RNA), and immune response (IGHG4, GNLY, CXCL1, CAPN14, and SAA-4). The candidate genes and main pathways related to heat tolerance in Santa Ines sheep require further investigation to understand their response to heat stress in different climatic conditions and under solar radiation. It is essential to verify whether these genes and pathways are present in different breeds and to understand the relationship between heat stress and other genes identified in this study.

Comparative analysis of silver-nanoparticles and whey-encapsulated particles from olive leaf water extracts: Characteristics and biological activity

Nanotechnology applications have been employed to improve the stability of bioactive components and drug delivery. Natural-based extracts, especially olive leaf extracts, have been associated with the green economy not only as recycled agri-waste but also in the prevention and treatment of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The aim of this work was to provide a comparison between the characteristics, biological activity, and gene expression of water extract of olive leaves (OLE), green synthesized OLE silver nanoparticles (OL/Ag-NPs), and OLE whey protein capsules (OL/WPNs) of the two olive varieties, Tofahy and Shemlali. The particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared. The bioactive compounds of the preparations were evaluated for their antioxidant activity and anticancer effect on HCT-116 colorectal cells as well as for their regulatory effects on cytochrome C oxidase (Cox1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) genes. (OL/Ag-NPs) were found to be smaller than (OL/WPNs) with sizes of (37.46±1.85 and 44.86±1.62 nm) and (227.20±2.43 and 553.02±3.60 nm) for Tofahy and Shemlali, respectively. SEM showed that Shemlali (OL/Ag-NPs) had the least aggregation due to their highest Ƹ-potential (-31.76 ± 0.87 mV). The preparations were relatively nontoxic to Vero cells (IC50 = 151.94-789.25 μg/mL), while they were cytotoxic to HCT-116 colorectal cells (IC50 = 77.54-320.64 μg/mL). Shemlali and Tofahy OLE and Tofahy OL/Ag-NPs had a higher selectivity index (2.97-7.08 μg/mL) than doxorubicin (2.36 μg/mL), indicating promising anticancer activity. Moreover, Shemlali preparations regulated the expression of Cox1 (up-regulation) and TNF-α (down-regulation) on HCT-116 cells, revealing their efficiency in suppressing the expression of genes that promote cancer cell proliferation. (OL/Ag-NPs) from Tofahy and Shemlali were found to be more stable, effective, and safe than (OL/WPNs). Consequently, OL/Ag-NPs, especially Tofahy, are the best and safest nanoscale particles that can be safely used in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Investigating the impact of linseed supplementation, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, on the expression of immune genes in Beetal Goats

The present study investigated the effect of linseed supplementation on serum profiling and differential expression levels of IL-2 and TLR 2 genes involved in the immune system of lactating goats. The study was conducted on 15 lactating Beetal goats for 3 months, which were divided into three groups. Treatment group T1 was kept as a control group with no linseed supplementation, whereas treatment group T2 received ground linseed at the rate 10% of concentrate per day per animal, and treatment group T3 received 20% ground linseed. The concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL concentration were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.05) in both 10% and 20% linseed supplemented group than the control group. Whereas, HDL concentration in T2 and T3 group were found to be significantly higher than the control group. The differential expression of targeted genes comparatively revealed highest relative expression in the group that received 20% linseed supplementation. Although the study did not show a significant effect of linseed supplementation on the expression of TLR-2 and IL-2 genes in goats, it highlights the potential benefits of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on immune system modulation in animals.

Analysis of Potential Genes and Economic Parameters Associated with Growth and Heat Tolerance in Sheep (Ovis aries)

This study explored the potential genes and economic factors that might be associated with growth and heat tolerance in two sheep breeds. Data on growth performance from the third month to six months of age were obtained based on records. In comparison to Aboudeleik lambs, Barki lambs developed considerably greater starting body weight, final body weight, final body weight gain, daily weight gain, and percentage increase in BW/month. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found between lambs of the two breeds using PCR-DNA sequencing of CAST, LEP, MYLK4, MEF2B, STAT5A, TRPV1, HSP90AB1, HSPB6, HSF1, ST1P1, and ATP1A1 genes. Lambs from each breed were divided into groups based on detected SNPs in genes related to growth. The least squares means of the differentiated groups revealed a significant correlation of detected SNPs with growth and heat tolerance attributes (p ≤ 0.05). Barki lambs elicited greater total variable costs, total costs, total return, and net return values. The Barki sheep provided the best economic efficiency value when comparing the percentage difference between net profit and economic efficiency. Together with economic considerations, SNPs found may be used as proxies for marker-assisted selection of the best breed of sheep for traits related to growth and heat tolerance.