High Vaccenic Acid Content in Beef Fat Attenuates High Fat and High Carbohydrate Western Diet Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Pigs

Low-fat dairy consumption improves intestinal immune function more than high-fat dairy in a diet-induced swine model of insulin resistance

PURPOSE

To understand the effects of consuming high-fat and low-fat dairy products on postprandial cardiometabolic risk factors and intestinal immune function, we used an established low birthweight (LBW) swine model of diet-induced insulin resistance.

METHODS

LBW piglets were randomized to consume one of the 3 experimental high fat diets and were fed for a total of 7 weeks: (1) Control high fat (LBW-CHF), (2) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings of high-fat dairy (LBW-HFDairy) and (3) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings of low-fat dairy (LBW-LFDairy). As comparison groups, normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were fed a CHF (NBW-CHF) or standard pig grower diet (NBW-Chow). At 11 weeks of age, all piglets underwent an established modified oral glucose and fat tolerance test. At 12 weeks of age, piglets were euthanized and ex vivo cytokine production by cells isolated from mesenteric lymph node (MLN) stimulated with mitogens was assessed.

RESULTS

Dairy consumption did not modulate postprandial plasma lipid, inflammatory markers and glucose concentrations. A lower production of IL-2 and TNF-α after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation was observed in LBW-CHF vs NBW-Chow (P < 0.05), suggesting impaired MLN T cell function. While feeding high-fat dairy had minimal effects, feeding low-fat dairy significantly improved the production of IL-2 and TNF-α after PWM stimulation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of fat content, dairy had a neutral effect on postprandial cardiometabolic risk factors. Low-fat dairy products improved intestinal T cell function to a greater extent than high-fat dairy in this swine model of obesity and insulin resistance.

The gut microbiota-artery axis: A bridge between dietary lipids and atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is one of the major leading global causes of death. Growing evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites play a pivotal role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis (AS), now known as GM-artery axis. There are interactions between dietary lipids and GM, which ultimately affect GM and its metabolites. Given these two aspects, the GM-artery axis may play a mediating role between dietary lipids and AS. Diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs), industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs), and cholesterol can increase the levels of atherogenic microbes and metabolites, whereas monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), ruminant TFAs, and phytosterols (PS) can increase the levels of antiatherogenic microbes and metabolites. Actually, dietary phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been demonstrated to affect AS via the GM-artery axis. Therefore, that GM-artery axis acts as a communication bridge between dietary lipids and AS. Herein, we will describe the molecular mechanism of GM-artery axis in AS and discuss the complex interactions between dietary lipids and GM. In particular, we will highlight the evidence and potential mechanisms of dietary lipids affecting AS via GM-artery axis.

Features of the clinical manifestation of subcompensated intestinal dysbiosis in cats in assessing the effectiveness of its correction

Formation and reproduction of gut microbiome begins at birth, while change in its composition depends mainly on various genetic, nutritional and environmental factors. The article considers the features of clinical manifestation of subcompensated intestinal dysbiosis in cats in assessing the effectiveness of its treatment. The studies were carried out on the basis of Department of Veterinary Medicine, RUDN University, and the clinical work was conducted at private veterinary clinics: Avettura, Epiona, In the World with Animals. Cats were selected for the experiment as they arrived at the initial appointment at veterinary clinics. The diagnosis of suspected intestinal dysbacteriosis was made considering anamnesis, clinical examination, and microbiological tests. The severity of intestinal dysbacteriosis was assessed on the results of clinical and laboratory studies. During the research, clinical and diagnostic approaches for subcompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis in cats were improved. Furthermore, effective ways of its treatment were developed. For subcompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis, administration of Lactobifadol probiotic, Vetelakt prebiotic and Azoksivet immunomodulator showed the greatest therapeutic effect, which led to an overall clinical improvement in 5.50 days. Therapeutic efficacy of B3 regimen was also clearly evidenced by the positive changes in intestinal microbiota and hematological blood parameters during the pharmacorrection. Improvement of clinical diagnostic approaches, prognosis of intestinal dysbiosis of varying severity and treatment effectiveness in cats require will allow to study intestinal dysbiotic disorders in other animal species.

Effect of High-Fat and Low-Fat Dairy Products on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Immune Function in a Low Birthweight Swine Model of Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance

Although dairy intake has been shown to have a neutral or some beneficial effect on major cardiometabolic risk factors, the impact of dairy, and especially dairy fat, on immune function remains to be investigated. To understand the effect of consuming dairy fat on cardiometabolic risk factors and immune function, we used an established low birthweight (LBW) swine model of diet-induced insulin resistance to compare high-fat and low-fat dairy products to a control high-fat diet (CHF). LBW piglets were randomized to consume one of the 3 experimental HF diets: (1) CHF, (2) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of high-fat dairy (HFDairy) and (3) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of low-fat dairy (LFDairy). As comparison groups, normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were fed a CHF (NBW-CHF) or standard pig grower diet (NBW-Chow). A total of 35 pigs completed the study and were fed for a total of 7 weeks, including 1 week of CHF transition diet. At 12 weeks of age, piglets were euthanized. Fasting blood and tissue samples were collected. Ex vivo cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with pokeweed (PWM), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol myristate acetate-ionomycin (PMA-I) were assessed. As expected, LBW-CHF piglets showed early signs of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P model = 0.08). Feeding high-fat dairy products improved fasting plasma glucose concentrations more than low-fat dairy compared to LBW-CHF (P < 0.05). Irrespective of fat content, dairy consumption had neutral effect on fasting lipid profile. We have also observed lower production of IL-2 after PWM and PHA stimulation as well as lower production of TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation in LBW-CHF than in NBW-Chow (all, P < 0.05), suggesting impaired T cell and antigen presenting cell function. While feeding high-fat dairy had minimal effect on immune function, feeding low-fat dairy significantly improved the production of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation, IL-2 and IFN-γ after PHA stimulation as well as TNF-α after PMA-I stimulation compared to LBW-CHF (all, P < 0.05). These data provide novel insights into the role of dairy consumption in counteracting some obesity-related cardiometabolic and immune perturbations.

The Interplay of Obesity, Dyslipidemia and Immune Dysfunction: A Brief Overview on Pathophysiology, Animal Models, and Nutritional Modulation

Obesity has emerged as a leading global health concern. It is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, which impairs insulin signaling, lipid metabolism and immune function. Recent findings from animal and clinical studies have begun to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of immune dysfunction seen in the context of obesity. Here, we provide a brief review on the current understanding of the interplay between obesity, dyslipidemia and immunity. We also emphasize the advantages and shortcomings of numerous applicable research models including rodents and large animal swine that aim at unraveling the molecular basis of disease and clinical manifestations. Although there is no perfect model to answer all questions at once, they are often used to complement each other. Finally, we highlight some emerging nutritional strategies to improve immune function in the context of obesity with a particular focus on choline and foods that contains high amounts of choline.