Bacterial colonization and healing of gastric ulcers: the effects of epidermal growth factor

Expression of Gallus Epidermal Growth Factor (gEGF) with Food-Grade Lactococcus lactis Expression System and Its Biological Effects on Broiler Chickens

As a multifunctional polypeptide, epidermal growth factor (EGF) increases growth performance or enhances resistance to diseases in commercial broilers under adverse conditions. In this study, a recombinant Lactococcus lactis was established to produce the secretory form of bioactive gEGF. The results of in vitro testing showed that gEGF promoted the proliferation of chicken embryo fibroblast cells. A total of 63 5-day-old broiler chickens were evenly divided into three groups and treated with either M17 medium (the control group), supernatant of LL-pNZ8149 fermentation product (the P-LL group), or supernatant of LL-pNZ8149-gEGF fermentation product (the gEGF group). In two weeks, many measurements of growth, immunity and the intestines were significantly higher in the gEGF group than those in the control and the P-LL groups. Our study showed that the bioactive gEGF could be expressed with Lactococcus lactis expression system with the potential to enhance growth performance, immune function, and intestinal development in broiler chickens.

The relation between serum levels of epidermal growth factor and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates

Purpose

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications of prematurity. Many risk factors can contribute to the development of NEC. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in intestinal barrier function, increases intestinal enzyme activity, and improves nutrient transport. The aim of this study was to assess the role of epidermal growth factor in the development of NEC in preterm neonates.

Methods

In this study, 130 preterm neonates were included and divided into 3 groups, as follows: group 1, 40 preterm neonates with NEC; group 2, 50 preterm neonates with sepsis; and group 3, 40 healthy preterm neonates as controls. The NEC group was then subdivided into medical and surgical NEC subgroups. The serum EGF level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum EGF levels (pg/dL) were significantly lower in the NEC group (median [interquartile range, IQR], 9.6 [2–14]) than in the sepsis (10.1 [8–14]) and control groups (11.2 [8–14], P<0.001), with no significant difference between the sepsis and control groups, and were positively correlated with gestational age (r=0.7, P<0.001). A binary logistic regression test revealed that low EGF levels and gestational ages could significantly predict the development of NEC. The receiver-operating characteristic curve for EGF showed an optimal cutoff value of 8 pg/mL, with 73.3% sensitivity, 98% specificity, and an area under the curve of 0.92.

Conclusion

The patients with NEC in this study had significantly lower serum EGF levels (P<0.001), which indicated that EGF could be a reliable marker of NEC in preterm neonates.

Epidermal Growth Factor and Intestinal Barrier Function

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a 53-amino acid peptide that plays an important role in regulating cell growth, survival, migration, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, EGF has been established to be an effective intestinal regulator helping to protect intestinal barrier integrity, which was essential for the absorption of nutrients and health in humans and animals. Several researches have demonstrated that EGF via binding to the EGF receptor and subsequent activation of Ras/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, PLC-γ/PKC, and STATS signal pathways regulates intestinal barrier function. In this review, the relationship between epidermal growth factor and intestinal development and intestinal barrier is described, to provide a better understanding of the effects of EGF on intestine development and health.

Growth performance of early-weaned pigs is enhanced by feeding epidermal growth factor-expressing Lactococcus lactis fermentation product

We have previously generated epidermal growth factor expressing Lactococcus lactis (EGF-LL) using bioengineering approach, and shown that feeding newly-weaned piglets EGF-LL improves digestive function. To address concerns over the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), the objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of feeding the EGF-LL fermentation product, after removal of the genetically modified EGF-LL, on growth performance and intestine development of newly-weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty newly-weaned piglets were fed ad libitum according to a 2-phase feeding program. Four pens were assigned to each of three treatments: (1) complete EGF-LL fermentation product (Ferm), (2) supernatant of EGF-LL fermentation product, after removal of EGF-LL (Supern), or (3) blank M17GE media (Control). EGF-LL or its fermented supernatant was administrated to piglets in the first 3 weeks post-weaning; their growth performance was monitored throughout treatment, and for the following week. Daily body weight gain (254.8g vs. 200.5g) and Gain:Feed (0.541kg/kg vs. 0.454kg/kg) of pigs on the Supern group were significantly improved compared to that of Control, although no difference was observed between the Ferm and Control pigs. Intestinal sucrase activity was increased in Supern- compared to Control group (166.3±62.1 vs. 81.4±56.5nmol glucose released/mg protein; P<0.05). The lack of growth response with Ferm pigs may be attributed to an overload of bacteria (daily dose included 4.56×10(10)CFU/kg BW/day EGF-LL). These results suggest that GMO-free EGF-LL fermentation product is effective in increasing growth performance of early-weaned piglets.

Dietary nickel chloride restrains the development of small intestine in broilers

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary NiCl2 on the development of the small intestine in broilers by the methods of light microscopy, histochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 240 one-day-old avian broilers were divided into four groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet or the same basal diet supplemented with 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg of nickel chloride (NiCl2) for 42 days. Results showed that the small intestinal villus height, crypt depth and villus/crypt ratio were significantly decreased, and also the small intestinal goblet cells numbers and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) contents were significantly decreased in the 300-, 600- and 900-mg/kg groups when compared with those of the control group. In conclusion, dietary NiCl2 in excess of 300 mg/kg reduced the villus height, crypt depth, the goblet cells population and the IGF-1 and EGF contents in the small intestine, indicating that the normal development and function of the small intestine were finally impaired in broilers. This study firstly provided the new experimental information for future studies on the effects of NiCl2 on the intestinal function in humans and other animals.

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on acetic acid-induced colitis in a porcine model

Background

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and involves multiple etiological factors. Acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis is a reproducible and simple model, sharing many characteristics with human colitis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used as an antioxidant in vivo and in vitro. NAC can affect several signaling pathways involving in apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell growth and arrest, redox-regulated gene expression, and inflammatory response. Therefore, NAC may not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but also beneficially alter inflammatory events in colitis. This study was conducted to investigate whether NAC could alleviate the AA-induced colitis in a porcine model.

Methods

Weaned piglets were used to investigate the effects of NAC on AA-induced colitis. Severity of colitis was evaluated by colon histomorphology measurements, histopathology scores, tissue myeloperoxidase activity, as well as concentrations of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory mediators in the plasma and colon. The protective role of NAC was assessed by measurements of antioxidant status, growth modulator, cell apoptosis, and tight junction proteins. Abundances of caspase-3 and claudin-1 proteins in colonic mucosae were determined by the Western blot method. Epidermal growth factor receptor, amphiregulin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA levels in colonic mucosae were quantified using the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

Results

Compared with the control group, AA treatment increased (P < 0.05) the histopathology scores, intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) numbers and density in the colon, myeloperoxidase activity, the concentrations of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory mediators in the plasma and colon, while reducing (P < 0.05) goblet cell numbers and the protein/DNA ratio in the colonic mucosa. These adverse effects of AA were partially ameliorated (P < 0.05) by dietary supplementation with NAC. In addition, NAC prevented the AA-induced increase in caspase-3 protein, while stimulating claudin-1 protein expression in the colonic mucosa. Moreover, NAC enhanced mRNA levels for epidermal growth factor and amphiregulin in the colonic mucosa.

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation with NAC can alleviate AA-induced colitis in a porcine model through regulating anti-oxidative responses, cell apoptosis, and EGF gene expression.

Effect of biotherapeutics on antitoxin IgG in experimentally induced Clostridium difficile infection

PURPOSE

Recurrent diarrhoea after successful treatment of primary Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) occurs due to bowel flora alterations and failure to mount an effective antibody response. Apart from antibiotics, risk factors include immunosuppressive and acid-suppressive drug administration. Biotherapeutics such as probiotic and epidermal growth factor (EGF) may offer potential effective therapy for CDAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of biotherapeutics in mounting an antibody response against C. difficile toxins was studied in BALB/c mice challenged with C. difficile after pre-treatment with ampicillin, lansoprazole or cyclosporin. Sera from sacrificed animals were estimated for antitoxin IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Antitoxin IgG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in C. difficile challenged groups compared to unchallenged controls, but insignificant (P>0.05) in animals in which C. difficile was given after pre-treatment with cyclosporin compared to those without any pre-treatment, or pre-treatment with antibiotic or lansoprazole. In inter-subgroup comparisons also significant anomaly in production of antitoxin IgG was found. The antitoxin IgG levels were raised in animals administered C. difficile after pre-treatment with ampicillin, but lower in animals administered cyclosporin. High levels of antitoxin IgG were also found in the serum samples of animals receiving lansoprazole and C. difficile.

CONCLUSIONS

Probiotics showed their beneficial effect by boosting the immune response as seen by production of antitoxin IgG. Oral administration of EGF did not affect the immune response to C. difficile toxins as significant increase was not observed in the serum antitoxin IgG levels in any of the groups investigated.

Yogurt containing Lactobacillus gasseri OLL 2716 (LG21 yogurt) accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats

We have reported that LG21 yogurt containing Lactobacillus gasseri OLL 2716 (LG21 yogurt) inhibits the formation of HCl-induced acute gastric lesions through the generation of prostaglandin E₂. This study aimed to determine the role of viable Lactobacillus in the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer. LG21 yogurt or γ-ray radiated LG21 yogurt was administered orally twice a day for 10 d at a dose of 5 ml/kg. LG21 yogurt significantly accelerated the healing of the ulcer, but γ-ray radiated LG21 yogurt did not. However, both yogurts significantly inhibited HCl-induced gastric erosive lesions and enhanced the generation of gastric mucosal prostaglandin E₂. From the above results, it was found that viable bacteria are needed to accelerate the healing of chronic gastric ulcer, but not to inhibit gastric lesions.

Effect of biotherapeutics on cyclosporin-induced Clostridium difficile infection in mice

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Immunosuppressive therapy may precipitate Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD). We evaluated the role of cyclosporin in the development of CDAD in the experimental mouse model and studied the effect of probiotic and epidermal growth factor (EGF) as biotherapeutics measures.

METHODS

BALB/c mice (n = 24) were divided into four groups. Group I animals not given any inoculum served as controls. Animals in the remaining three groups (Group II, III and IV) were given cyclosporin daily from days 1-7 followed by C. difficile inoculum on day 8. Additionally, the animals received Lactobacillus acidophilus (Group III) and EGF (Group IV) for one-week post C. difficile challenge. The animals were evaluated for colonization and toxin production by C. difficile, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

Clostridium difficile was colonized and elaborated its toxins in animals receiving cyclosporin and C. difficile. MPO activity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and histopathological epithelial damage, cryptitis and acute inflammatory changes were seen in the cecum and colon. C. difficile count, toxins A and B titers and MPO activity were significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in animals receiving probiotic and EGF. Histopathologically, mucodepletion and inflammatory infiltrate were decreased in the biotherapeutic receiving animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Cyclosporin led to the development of mild to moderate CDAD in animals. Administration of biotherapeutics reduced the severity of CDAD. Future clinical trials are needed for further investigation of these potential biotherapeutic measures.

Epidermal growth factor-expressing Lactococcus lactis enhances intestinal development of early-weaned pigs

Stress and incomplete gastrointestinal development in early-weaned piglets represent significant challenges in commercial swine farming. Orally ingested recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to remain biologically active in the gastrointestinal tract as well as stimulate intestinal development, reducing the incidence of pathogen infection and diarrhea. We have previously shown that the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis can be genetically altered to express biologically active EGF when fed to early-weaned mice. In this study, we assigned 8 pigs to each of 4 groups that were given EGF-expressing L. lactis (EGF-LL), empty vector-expressing L. lactis (EV-LL), recombinant human EGF, or unsupplemented bacterial media, all of which were delivered as 50-mL i.g. doses twice per day. All pigs were killed after 14 d to examine intestinal morphology. Pigs in the EGF-LL group had greater jejunal and duodenal villus heights (P < 0.0001) and intestinal length (P = 0.049) than pigs in the control group. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) revealed that the proliferation of intestinal cells was significantly greater in the EGF-LL group than in the control group. PCNA expression and intestinal length also were greater in the EV-LL group, which received L. lactis that did not express EGF, than in the control group (P = 0.049), further supporting the use of naturally occurring intestinal microbes as desirable vectors for recombinant protein delivery. Our data demonstrates the feasibility of delivering a growth factor using common probiotic bacteria to farm animals for commercial practice.

Prostaglandins, NSAIDs, and gastric mucosal protection: why doesn't the stomach digest itself?

Except in rare cases, the stomach can withstand exposure to highly concentrated hydrochloric acid, refluxed bile salts, alcohol, and foodstuffs with a wide range of temperatures and osmolarity. This is attributed to a number of physiological responses by the mucosal lining to potentially harmful luminal agents, and to an ability to rapidly repair damage when it does occur. Since the discovery in 1971 that prostaglandin synthesis could be blocked by aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there has been great interest in the contribution of prostaglandins to gastric mucosal defense. Prostaglandins modulate virtually every aspect of mucosal defense, and the importance of this contribution is evident by the increased susceptibility of the stomach to injury following ingestion of an NSAID. With chronic ingestion of these drugs, the development of ulcers in the stomach is a significant clinical concern. Research over the past two decades has helped to identify some of the key events triggered by NSAIDs that contribute to ulcer formation and/or impair ulcer healing. Recent research has also highlighted the fact that the protective functions of prostaglandins in the stomach can be carried out by other mediators, in particular the gaseous mediators nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide. Better understanding of the mechanisms through which the stomach is able to resist injury in the presence of luminal irritants is helping to drive the development of safer anti-inflammatory drugs, and therapies to accelerate and improve the quality of ulcer healing.

Modulation of gastrin and epidermal growth factor by pyrrolizidine alkaloids obtained from Senecio brasiliensis in acute and chronic induced gastric ulcers

We investigated the antiulcerogenic activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) integerrimine, retrorsine, senecionine, usaramine and seneciplhylline, an alkaloidal extract obtained from Senecio brasiliensis. The PA extract demonstrated significantly activity in both, acute and chronic gastric ulcers on rats. The effects of PA extract were dose dependent. The mechanisms implicated on this activity were evaluated by determination of gastrin plasma levels in rats subjected to the acute treatment with PA extract and by expression of mRNA of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) after chronic treatment with this extract. The results showed that the PA extract increased both the levels of gastrin and the expression of EGF on these animals. Moreover, the histological examinations showed a reduction of exfoliation of superficial cells, hemorrhages and blood cell infiltration. We concluded that the PAs showed an important and qualitative antiulcerogenic activity mediated by increase in gastrin secretion and mRNA expression of EGF.

Treatment of gastric ulcers and diarrhea with the Amazonian herbal medicine sangre de grado

Sangre de grado is an Amazonian herbal medicine used to facilitate the healing of gastric ulcers and to treat gastritis, diarrhea, skin lesions, and insect stings. This study was designed to evaluate the gastrointestinal applications. Gastric ulcers were induced in rats by brief serosal exposure of the fundus to acetic acid (80%). Sangre de grado was administered in drinking water at 1:1,000 and 1:10,000 dilutions from the postoperative period to day 7. Guinea pig ileum secretory responses to capsaicin, electrical field stimulation, and the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) agonist [Sar(9),Met(O(2))(11)]substance P were examined in Ussing chambers. Sangre de grado facilitated the healing of experimental gastric ulcer, reducing myeloperoxidase activity, ulcer size, and bacterial content of the ulcer. The expression of proinflammatory genes tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 was upregulated by ulcer induction but reduced by sangre de grado treatment, particularly iNOS and IL-6. In Ussing chambers, sangre de grado impaired the secretory response to capsaicin but not to electrical field stimulation or the NK-1 agonist. We conclude that sangre de grado is a potent, cost-effective treatment for gastrointestinal ulcers and distress via antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and sensory afferent-dependent actions.