Effect of Boron on Microstructure, Immune Function, Expression of Tight Junction Protein, Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis of Duodenum in Rats

Brassica rapa L. crude polysaccharide meditated synbiotic fermented whey beverage ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia induced intestinal damage

Hypobaric hypoxia causes oxidative stress and inflammatory responses and disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolome. In this study, we developed a synbiotic fermented whey beverage, combining kefir and Brassica rapa L. crude polysaccharides, to explore its protective effects against high-altitude induced injury in mice. The beverage, formulated with 0.8% (w/v) polysaccharides and kefir inoculation, demonstrated robust fermentation parameters and antioxidative capacity. When applied to a hypobaric hypoxia mouse model, the synbiotic fermented whey significantly reduced oxidation and protected the intestinal barrier by lowering inflammation, protecting the intestinal structure, increasing goblet cell counts, and reducing apoptosis. It also modulated the gut microbiota, enriching beneficial taxa as Intestinimonas and Butyricicoccaceae, while reducing harmful ones like Marvinbryantia and Proteus, and enhancing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Notably, the beverage increased berberine and nicotinic acid levels, activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway and influencing nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolites linked to the suppression of Marvinbryantia, thereby alleviating intestinal inflammation and barrier damage. These effects contributed to the alleviation of hypoxia-induced intestinal damage in mice. This study highlights the potential of synbiotics and whey fermentation in novel nutritional interventions in high altitude environments.

PI3K/Akt signaling pathway mediates the effect of low-dose boron on barrier function, proliferation and apoptosis in rat intestinal epithelial cells

Boron is an essential trace element with roles in growth, development, and physiological functions; however, its mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, the regulatory roles of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on boron-induced changes in barrier function, proliferation, and apoptosis in rat intestinal epithelial cells were evaluated. Occludin levels, the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase, cell proliferation rate, and mRNA and protein expression levels of PCNA were higher, while the proportions of cells in the G0/G1 and S phases, apoptosis rate, and caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in cells treated with 0.8 mmol/L boron than in control IEC-6 cells (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). However, 40 mmol/L boron decreased ZO-1 and Occludin levels, the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase, cell proliferation rate, and mRNA and protein levels of PCNA and increased the apoptosis rate and caspase-3 mRNA expression (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). After specifically blocking PI3K and Akt signals (using LY294002 and MK-2206 2HCL), 0.8 mmol/L boron had no effects on Occludin, PCNA level, apoptosis rates, and caspase-3 levels (P < 0.05); however, the proliferation rate and PCNA levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The addition of 40 mmol/L boron did not affect ZO-1 and Occludin levels and did not affect the apoptosis rate or PCNA and caspase-3 levels. These results suggested that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway mediates the effects of low-dose boron on IEC-6 cells.

The ionome and proteome landscape of aging in laying hens and relation to egg white quality

The ionome is essential for maintaining body function and health status by participating in diverse key biological processes. Nevertheless, the distribution and utilization of ionome among different organs and how aging impacts the ionome leading to a decline in egg white quality remain unknown. Thus, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze 35 elements and their isotopic contents in eight organs of laying hens at 35, 72, and 100 weeks. Moreover, the magnum proteome, amino acids in egg white, and egg white quality were analyzed in laying hens at three different ages using 4D proteomics techniques, an amino acid analyzer, and an egg quality analyzer. Across the organs, we identified varying distribution patterns among macroelements (Mg24, Ca43/44, K39, and P31), transition metals (Zn64/66, Cu63/65, Fe56/57, and Mn55), and toxic elements (Pb208, Ba137, and Sr86). We observed an organ-specific aging pattern characterized by the accumulation of toxic elements (Pb208, Ba137, and Sr86) and calcification in the small intestine. Additionally, a decrease in the utilization of essential trace elements selenium (Se78/82) and manganese (Mn55) was noted in the oviduct. By analyzing ionome in tandem with egg quality, egg white amino acids, and proteome, we unveiled that the reduction of selenium and manganese concentrations in the magnum during the aging process affected amino acid metabolism, particularly tryptophan metabolism, thereby inhibiting the amino acid synthesis in the magnum. Furthermore, it accelerated the senescence of magnum cells through necroptosis activation, leading to a decline in the albumen secretion function of the magnum and subsequently reducing egg white quality. Overall, this study provides insights into the evolution of 35 elements and their isotopes across 8 organs of laying hens with age. It also reveals the elemental composition, interactions, and utilization patterns of these organs, as well as their correlation with egg white quality. The present study highlights the significance of ionome and offers a comprehensive perspective on the selection of ionome for regulating the aging of laying hens.

Proteomic Analysis of Rat Duodenum Reveals the Modulatory Effect of Boron Supplementation on Immune Activity

The proper supplementation of boron, an essential trace element, can enhance animal immune function. We utilized the method of TMT peptide labeling in conjunction with LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomics for the purpose of examining the effects of boric acid on a rat model and analyzing proteins from the duodenum. In total, 5594 proteins were obtained from the 0, 10, and 320 mg/L boron treatment groups. Two hundred eighty-four proteins that exhibit differential expression were detected. Among the comparison, groups of 0 vs. 10 mg/L, 0 vs. 320 mg/L, and 10 vs. 320 mg/L of boron, 110, 32, and 179 proteins, respectively, demonstrated differential expression. The results revealed that these differential expression proteins (DEPs) mainly clustered into two profiles. GO annotations suggested that most of the DEPs played a role in the immune system process, in which 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase-like, myxovirus resistance 1, myxovirus resistance 2, dynein cytoplasmic 1 intermediate chain 1, and coiled-coil domain containing 88B showed differential expression. The DEPs had demonstrated an augmentation in the signaling pathways, which primarily include phagosome, antigen processing, and presentation, as well as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Our study found that immune responses in the duodenum were enhanced by lower doses of boron and that this effect is likely mediated by changes in protein expression patterns in related signaling pathways. It offers an in-depth understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms that lead to immune modulation in rats subjected to dietary boron treatment.

The effect of different boron compounds on nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and liver lipid metabolism

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal health is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Improving nutrient absorption and energy metabolism are the critical targets for intestinal health. This study aimed to determine the effects of different boron (B) derivatives on nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and lipid metabolism in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-one rats were allocated to three groups (n = 7) as follows: (i) Control, (ii) Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (SPP), and (iii) boric acid (BA). The rats were fed a chow diet (AIN-93M) and supplemented with 8 mg/kg elemental B from SPP (45.2 mg/kg BW) and BA (42.7 mg/kg BW) via oral gavage every other day for 12 weeks. The nutrient digestibility of rats in each group was measured using the indigestible indicator (chromium oxide, Cr2 O3, 0.20%). At the end of the experiment, animals were decapitated by cervical dislocation and jejunum, and liver samples were taken from each animal. The nutrient transporters and lipid-regulated transcription factors were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The nutrient digestibility (except for ash) was increased by SPP and BA supplementation (p < 0.05). SPP and BA-supplemented rats had higher jejunal glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), GLUT2, GLUT5, sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP1), and FATP4 mRNA expression levels compared to nonsupplemented rats (p < 0.0001). BA-supplemented rats had remarkably higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) levels than nonsupplemented rats (p < 0.0001). In contrast, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), liver X receptor alpha (LxR-α), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) levels decreased by SPP supplementation compared to other groups (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

SPP and BA administration enhanced nutrient digestibility, intestinal nutrient transporters, and liver lipid metabolism in rats.

Boron enhances adaptive responses and biological performance via hormetic mechanisms

Boron is shown in the present review to induce hormetic dose responses in a broad range of biological models, organ systems and endpoints. Of particular importance is that numerous hormetic findings have been reported with whole animal studies, with extensive dose response evaluations with the optimal dosing being similar across multiple organ systems. These findings appear to be underappreciated and suggest that boron may have clinically significant systemic effects beyond that of its putative and more subtle essentiality functions. The re-exploration of boron's bioactivity as seen through hormetic mechanisms may also underscore the value of this approach to the assessment of micronutrient effects in human health and disease.

Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Administration on Intestinal Morphometry and Antibody Serum Levels in Salmonella-Infantis-Challenged Chickens

There are no studies reporting the effects of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) on intestinal architecture and immunoglobulin serum levels in chickens. Here, we measured these parameters and hypothesized whether probiotic administration could modulate the observed outcomes. Two-hundred 1-day-old COBB 500 male chicks were allocated into four groups: (I) the control, (II) the group treated with L. fermentum, (III) the group exposed to S. Infantis, and (IV) the group inoculated with both bacteria. At 11 days post infection, blood was gathered from animals which were then euthanized, and samples from the small intestine were collected. Intestinal conditions, as well as IgA and IgM serum levels, were assessed. S. Infantis reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth (VH:CD) ratios in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal sections compared to control conditions, although no differences were found regarding the number of goblet cells, muc-2 expression, and immunoglobulin concentration. L. fermentum improved intestinal measurements compared to the control; this effect was also evidenced in birds infected with S. Infantis. IgM serum levels augmented in response to the probiotic in infected animals. Certainly, the application of L. fermentum elicited positive outcomes in S. Infantis-challenged chickens and thus must be considered for developing novel treatments designed to reduce unwanted infections.

Transcriptome Profiling of Duodenum Reveals the Importance of Boron Supplementation in Modulating Immune Activities in Rats

As an essential trace element, appropriate boron supplementation can promote immune function of animals. To illustrate the effects of boron in a rat model, RNA-Seq was conducted for the RNA from duodenum after treatment with different concentration of boron in which boron was given in the form of boric acid. More than 47 million reads were obtained in 0, 10, and 320 mg/L boron (0, 57.21, and 1830.66 mg/L boric acid) treatment groups that produced 58 965 402, 48 607 328, and 46 760 660 clean reads, respectively. More than 95% of the clean reads were successfully matched to the rat reference genome and assembled to generate 32 662 transcripts. A total of 624 and 391 differentially expressed candidate genes (DEGs) were found between 0 vs.10 and 0 vs. 320 mg/L boron comparison groups. We also identified transcription start site, transcription terminal site, and skipped exons as the main alternative splicing events. GO annotations revealed most of DEGs were involved in the regulation of immune activity. The DEGs were enriched in influenza A, herpes simplex infection, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, and antigen processing and presentation signaling pathways. The expression levels of genes enriched in these signaling pathways indicate that lower doses of boron could achieve better effects on promoting immune response in the duodenum. These effects on the immune system appear to be mediated via altering the expression patterns of genes involved in the related signaling pathways in a dose-dependent pattern. These data provide more insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in rats in response to dietary boron treatment.

Diversity of effects induced by boron-containing compounds on immune response cells and on antibodies in basal state

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that boron induces changes in the immune response, including in inflammatory processes. Recently, the effect of boric acid has been documented on the differentiation of lymphocyte clusters in mice and rats. However, the differences among boron-containing compounds (BCC) have been poorly explored.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the effects after oral administration of boric acid (BOR), methylboronic (MET), 3-thyenylboronic (3TB), 4-hydroxymethyl-phenylboronic (4MP) and 4-methanesulfonyl-phenylboronic (4SP) acids on the populations of lymphocytes from spleen and Peyer's patch (PP) as well as on antibodies. Groups of six male BALB/c were orally treated with 4.6 mg/kg of body weight with BOR, MET, 3TB, 4MP, and 4SP/daily for 10 days or vehicle (VEH) as a control group. After euthanasia, the spleen and small intestine were dissected. We conducted flow cytometry assays to assess B, CD3⁺ T, CD4⁺ T, and CD8⁺ T cells. Levels of IgG and IgM in serum, and IgA in intestinal fluid samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

In particular, we observed the effects of the administration of boronic acids on the number of lymphocytes; these changes were more notable in spleen than in PP. We found different profiles for each boron-containing compound, that is BOR induced an increase in the percentage of CD8⁺ T and CD19⁺/IgA⁺ cells in spleen, but a decrease in CD8⁺ T and B220⁺/CD19⁺ cells in PP. Meanwhile MET induced a decrease of CD4⁺ T in spleen, but induced an increase of CD4⁺ T cells and a decrease in the number of CD8⁺ T cells in PP. Boronic acids with an aromatic ring moiety induced changes in serum immunoglobulins levels, while 3TB acid induced a notable increase in S-IgA.

CONCLUSIONS

Effects in lymphocyte populations and antibodies are different for each tested compound. These results highlight the establishment of the necessary structure-activity relationship for BCC as immunomodulatory drugs. This is relevant in the biomedical field due to their attractiveness for selecting compounds to develop therapeutic tools.

Administration of Dietary Microalgae Ameliorates Intestinal Parameters, Improves Body Weight, and Reduces Thawing Loss of Fillets in Broiler Chickens: A Pilot Study

This pilot investigation aimed at studying the feasibility of using a low dose (0.2%) of dietary microalgae as a means of improving intestinal morphometry, body weight, and selected meat quality parameters in broilers. A total of 72 one-day-old ROSS 308 male chicks were randomly separated into four groups; three experimental pens in which the birds were fed with biomass from Tysochrysis lutea, Tetraselmis chuii, and Porphyridium cruentum over 30 days and a control group. T. chuii and P. cruentum had a positive effect with regard to body weight. In treated animals, duodenal and ileal sections showed characteristic tall and thin villi, with serrated surfaces and goblet cell differentiation. In both sections, values of the villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio were increased by microalgae ingestion. The thawing weight loss of fillets was reduced in T. chuii-fed animals. The positive effects exerted by T. chuii and P. cruentum on intestinal architecture were associated with the improved body weight. Arguably, these outcomes exhibit the potential of using these species to enhance growth performance in broiler chickens by promoting gut homeostasis and thus nutrient absorption.