Effects of Selenium on MAC-T Cells in Bovine Mastitis: Transcriptome Analysis of Exosomal mRNA Interactions

Enhancing bovine immune, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses with vitamins, rumen-protected amino acids, and trace minerals to prevent periparturient mastitis

Mastitis, the inflammatory condition of mammary glands, has been closely associated with immune suppression and imbalances between antioxidants and free radicals in cattle. During the periparturient period, dairy cows experience negative energy balance (NEB) due to metabolic stress, leading to elevated oxidative stress and compromised immunity. The resulting abnormal regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), along with increased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) are the key factors associated with suppressed immunity thereby increases susceptibility of dairy cattle to infections, including mastitis. Metabolic diseases such as ketosis and hypocalcemia indirectly contribute to mastitis vulnerability, exacerbated by compromised immune function and exposure to physical injuries. Oxidative stress, arising from disrupted balance between ROS generation and antioxidant availability during pregnancy and calving, further contributes to mastitis susceptibility. Metabolic stress, marked by excessive lipid mobilization, exacerbates immune depression and oxidative stress. These factors collectively compromise animal health, productive efficiency, and udder health during periparturient phases. Numerous studies have investigated nutrition-based strategies to counter these challenges. Specifically, amino acids, trace minerals, and vitamins have emerged as crucial contributors to udder health. This review comprehensively examines their roles in promoting udder health during the periparturient phase. Trace minerals like copper, selenium, and calcium, as well as vitamins; have demonstrated significant impacts on immune regulation and antioxidant defense. Vitamin B12 and vitamin E have shown promise in improving metabolic function and reducing oxidative stress followed by enhanced immunity. Additionally, amino acids play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular oxidative balance through their involvement in vital biosynthesis pathways. In conclusion, addressing periparturient mastitis requires a holistic understanding of the interplay between metabolic stress, immune regulation, and oxidative balance. The supplementation of essential amino acids, trace minerals, and vitamins emerges as a promising avenue to enhance udder health and overall productivity during this critical phase. This comprehensive review underscores the potential of nutritional interventions in mitigating periparturient bovine mastitis and lays the foundation for future research in this domain.

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Transcriptome Integration Associates DNA Methylation Changes with Bovine Subclinical Mastitis Caused by Staphylococcus chromogenes

Staphylococcus chromogenes (SC) is a common coagulase-negative staphylococcus described as an emerging mastitis pathogen and commonly found in dairy farms. This study investigated the potential involvement of DNA methylation in subclinical mastitis caused by SC. The whole-genome DNA methylation patterns and transcriptome profiles of milk somatic cells from four cows with naturally occurring SC subclinical mastitis (SCM) and four healthy cows were characterized by next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and integration analyses. Comparisons revealed abundant DNA methylation changes related to SCM, including differentially methylated cytosine sites (DMCs, n = 2,163,976), regions (DMRs, n = 58,965), and methylation haplotype blocks (dMHBs, n = 53,098). Integration of methylome and transcriptome data indicated a negative global association between DNA methylation at regulatory regions (promoters, first exons, and first introns) and gene expression. A total of 1486 genes with significant changes in the methylation levels of their regulatory regions and corresponding gene expression showed significant enrichment in biological processes and pathways related to immune functions. Sixteen dMHBs were identified as candidate discriminant signatures, and validation of two signatures in more samples further revealed the association of dMHBs with mammary gland health and production. This study demonstrated abundant DNA methylation changes with possible involvement in regulating host responses and potential as biomarkers for SCM.

Emerging roles of noncoding micro RNAs and circular RNAs in bovine mastitis: Regulation, breeding, diagnosis, and therapy

Bovine mastitis is one of the most troublesome and costly problems in the modern dairy industry, which is not only difficult to monitor, but can also cause economic losses while having significant implications on public health. However, efficacious preventative methods and therapy are still lacking. Moreover, new drugs and therapeutic targets are in increasing demand due to antibiotic restrictions. In recent years, noncoding RNAs have gained popularity as a topic in pathological and genetic studies. Meanwhile, there is growing evidence that they play a role in regulating various biological processes and developing novel treatment platforms. In light of this, this review focuses on two types of noncoding RNAs, micro RNAs and circular RNAs, and summarizes their characterizations, relationships, potential applications as selection markers, diagnostic or treatment targets and potential applications in RNA-based therapy, in order to shed new light on further research.

Role of Selenium and Vitamins E and B9 in the Alleviation of Bovine Mastitis during the Periparturient Period

Mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) commonly occurs in dairy cattle during the periparturient period (transition period), in which dairy cattle experience physiological and hormonal changes and severe negative energy balance, followed by oxidative stress. To maintain successful lactation and combat negative energy balance (NEB), excessive fat mobilization occurs, leading to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive fat mobilization also increases the concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) during the periparturient period. In addition, the excessive utilization of oxygen by cellular respiration in the mammary causes abnormal production of oxidative stress (OS). OS impairs the immunity and anti-inflammatory efficiency of periparturient dairy cattle, increasing their susceptibility to mastitis. To alleviate oxidative stress and subsequent mastitis, antioxidants are supplemented to dairy cattle from an external source. Extensive studies have been conducted on the supplementation of selenium (Se) and vitamins E and B9 to mitigate mastitis during the transition period in dairy cattle. Altogether, in the current review, we discuss the research development on bovine mastitis and its major causes, with special emphasis on oxidative stress during the transition period. Moreover, we discuss the antioxidant, immunoregulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties of Se and vitamins E and B9 and their role in the control of bovine mastitis in periparturient dairy cattle.

The emerging role of selenium metabolic pathways in cancer: New therapeutic targets for cancer

Selenium (Se) is incorporated into the body via the selenocysteine (Sec) biosynthesis pathway, which is critical in the synthesis of selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases. Selenoproteins, which play a key role in several biological processes, including ferroptosis, drug resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and epigenetic processes, are guided by Se uptake. In this review, we critically analyze the molecular mechanisms of Se metabolism and its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer. Sec insertion sequence binding protein 2 (SECISBP2), which is a positive regulator for the expression of selenoproteins, would be a novel prognostic predictor and an alternate target for cancer. We highlight strategies that attempt to develop a novel Se metabolism-based approach to uncover a new metabolic drug target for cancer therapy. Moreover, we expect extensive clinical use of SECISBP2 as a specific biomarker in cancer therapy in the near future. Of note, scientists face additional challenges in conducting successful research, including investigations on anticancer peptides to target SECISBP2 intracellular protein.

The Association between Selected Dietary Minerals and Mastitis in Dairy Cows-A Review

The aim of this paper is to describe the association between selected dietary minerals and mastitis in dairy cows. Minerals are a group of nutrients with a proven effect on production and reproductive performance. They also strongly affect immune system function. In particular their deficiencies may result in immunosuppression, which is a predisposing factor for udder inflammation occurrence. The role of selected dietary minerals (including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper and zinc) has been reviewed. Generally, minerals form structural parts of the body; as cofactors of various enzymes they are involved in nerve signaling, muscle contraction and proper keratosis. Their deficiencies lead to reduced activity of immune cells or malfunction of teat innate defense mechanisms, which in turn promote the development of mastitis. Special attention was also paid to minerals applied as nanoparticles, which in the future may turn out to be an effective tool against animal diseases, including mastitis. To conclude, minerals are an important group of nutrients, which should be taken into account on dairy farms when aiming to achieve high udder health status.