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Nutritional conditions during the intrauterine stage are an important developmental programming factor that can affect the growth and metabolic status during foetal development and permanently alter the phenotypes of newborn offspring and adults. This study was performed to examine the effects of intrauterine catch-up growth ( IUCG) on food intake, post-natal body growth and the metabolic status of offspring and growing rats. Control pregnant rats were fed ad libitum during the entire gestation period. For the IUCG regimen, pregnant rats were fed 50% of the food of the controls from pregnancy days 4 through 11 (8 days), followed by ad libitum feeding from pregnancy days 12 through parturition. The birth weight of offspring was not affected by the IUCG regimen. At weaning, offspring from each treatment group were assigned to two groups and given either a normal diet or high-fat diet ( HFD) for 12 weeks until 103 days of age. In the normal diet group, the IUCG offspring showed a 9.0% increase ( P < 0.05) in total food intake, were 11.2% heavier (p < 0.05) at 103 days of age and had an 11.0% greater (p < 0.05) daily weight gain compared with control offspring. The IUCG regimen did not affect body glucose and lipid metabolism. After exposure to the HFD, the IUCG regimen has not exacerbated metabolic disorders. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the IUCG nutritional regimen during pregnancy can increase the food intake and post-natal body growth of offspring without inducing metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance. The IUCG nutritional regimen might be used to improve the food intake and post-natal body growth of domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Rats fed high dosage of fructose that form a well-known experimental model of the metabolic syndrome also display progressive renal disturbances. The present study evaluates the influence ofl-carnitine (CA) administration on oxidant–antioxidant balance, protein damage and lipid levels in kidney of rats administered high dose of fructose. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each. Groups I and IV animals received starch-based control diet, while groups II and III rats were fed a high-fructose diet (60 g/100 g). Groups III and IV animals additionally received CA (300 mg/kg/day) for 60 days. The extent of lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and lipid levels were measured after 60 days. The accumulation of nitrated and oxidatively modified proteins in kidney was also measured by immunohistochemical study with specific antibodies. Results: Fructose-fed rats exhibited increased levels of peroxidation end products, diminished antioxidant status, increased staining for the presence of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, 2,4-dinitrophenol and 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts and lipid accumulation in kidney. CA administration attenuated these pathological renal alterations. Conclusions: The benefits of CA in this model suggest the therapeutic use of CA to counter the kidney changes associated with metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Rats fed high dietary fructose are documented to form an acquired model of insulin resistance. The present study measured the effects of administration ofl-carnitine (CA) on lens protein glycation, oxidative stress and redox homeostasis in rats fed a high-fructose diet. 2. Animals were divided into four groups: (i) an untreated control group (fed starch diet); (ii) an untreated fructose-group (fed a high-fructose diet); (iii) a CA-treated (300 mg/kg per day), fructose-fed group; and (iv) a CA-treated, starch-fed group. After 60 days treatment, lenses were dissected and multiple oxidative stress markers, glycation of proteins and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) were determined. 3. A significant decline in enzyme and non-enzyme anti-oxidants and an increase in lipid peroxidation products, protein oxidation, protein glycation, GSSG/GSH ratio and aldehyde formation were observed in lens samples obtained from fructose-fed rats. Administration of CA to fructose-fed rats significantly attenuated oxidative damage and protein glycation and returned levels of anti-oxidants to near those seen in the control group. 4. The results of the present study indicate that dietary fructose disturbs lens integrity and exogenous CA may safeguard the lens by preventing glycation and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on healthy airways are poorly defined., Objectives: To delineate the effects of ICS on gene expression in healthy airways, without confounding caused by changes in disease-related genes and disease-related alterations in ICS responsiveness., Methods: Randomized open-label bronchoscopy study of high-dose ICS therapy in 30 healthy adult volunteers randomized 2:1 to (i) fluticasone propionate 500 mcg bd daily or (ii) no treatment, for 4 weeks. Laboratory staff were blinded to allocation. Biopsies and brushings were analysed by immunohistochemistry, bulk RNA sequencing, DNA methylation array and metagenomics., Results: ICS induced small between-group differences in blood and lamina propria eosinophil numbers, but not in other immunopathological features, blood neutrophils, FeNO, FEV 1 , microbiome or DNA methylation. ICS treatment upregulated 72 genes in brushings and 53 genes in biopsies, and downregulated 82 genes in brushings and 416 genes in biopsies. The most downregulated genes in both tissues were canonical markers of type-2 inflammation (FCER1A, CPA3, IL33, CLEC10A, SERPINB10 and CCR5), T cell-mediated adaptive immunity (TARP, TRBC1, TRBC2, PTPN22, TRAC, CD2, CD8A, HLA-DQB2, CD96, PTPN7), B-cell immunity (CD20, immunoglobulin heavy and light chains) and innate immunity, including CD48, Hobit, RANTES, Langerin and GFI1. An IL-17-dependent gene signature was not upregulated by ICS., Conclusions: In healthy airways, 4-week ICS exposure reduces gene expression related to both innate and adaptive immunity, and reduces markers of type-2 inflammation. This implies that homeostasis in health involves tonic type-2 signalling in the airway mucosa, which is exquisitely sensitive to ICS., (© 2024 The Authors. Allergy published by European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Aim: On the basis of previously published accounts, coupled with our own experience, we have assessed the surgical approaches to patients with isomeric atrial appendages., Methods: We reviewed pertinent published studies on surgical treatment of individuals with isomeric atrial appendages, with the pertinent surgical details provided by most of the manuscripts., Results: Half of patients with right isomerism, and two-thirds of those with left isomerism have bilateral superior caval veins. Azygos extension of the inferior caval vein is reported in three-quarters of those with left isomerism. The coronary sinus is universally absent in right isomerism, along with totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and is absent in two-fifths of those with left isomerism. Univentricular atrioventricular connections are expected in up to three-quarters of those with right isomerism. Atrioventricular septal defect is reported in up to four-fifths, more frequently in right isomerism, with such patients typically having discordant ventriculoatrial connections or double outlet right ventricle. Reported mortalities extend to 85% for those with right, and 50% for those with left isomerism. In right isomerism, mortality is up to 54% for systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunting, up to 75% for univentricular repair, and up to 95% for repair of totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection itself. No more than one-quarter had undergone Fontan completion, with reported mortalities of 21%., Conclusion: Early surgical results are satisfactory in patients with left isomerism, but disappointing for those with right. Recent advances in cardiac and liver transplantation may offer improved survival., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)