In the present study, a new form of selenium nanoparticle (biogenic nanoselenium (BNS) particles) was synthesized using bacteria. The protection of BNS particles against oxidative stress-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and the inherent mechanisms of this process were investigated, and selenomethionine (SeMet) and chemically synthesized nanoselenium (Nano-Se) particles were used for comparison. Characterization of BNS particles revealed that they were monodispersed and homogeneous spheres, with an average size of 139.43 ± 7.44 nm. In the mouse model of intestinal oxidative stress, BNS particles were found to protect the mouse intestinal barrier function and preserve intestinal redox homeostasis more efficiently than SeMet and Nano-Se. In vitro experiments with porcine jejunum epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells verified the stronger epithelial barrier-protecting effect of BNS particles against oxidative stress, with reduced cell apoptosis and an improved cell redox state. BNS activated the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived-2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and increased the expression of its downstream genes, including thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD)-1, NADPH dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and thioredoxin (Trx), in dose- and time-dependent manners. In contrast, SeMet and Nano-Se merely enhanced the activity of the selenoenzymes TXNRD-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1, indicating the role of selenium donors. Moreover, the knock down of Nrf2 significantly blocked the antioxidative effect of BNS, confirming that BNS protects the intestinal barrier from oxidative stress-induced damage by activating Nrf2 and its downstream genes. Our results suggest that BNS is a promising selenium species with potential application in treating oxidative stress-related intestinal diseases.Keywords: antioxidant; apoptosis; biogenic nanoselenium particles; intestinal barrier; Nrf2; oxidative stress;

•A novel form of biogenic elemental selenium particles is synthesized via Bacillus paralicheniformis SR14.•Biogenic elemental selenium particles are capped by exopolysaccharides, which enhance their antioxidant property and cell protecting effect.•Biogenic synthesis doesn’t need reducing agents or stabilizer and can produce products with better biological functions than chemical methods.Instead of using existing methods to chemically synthesize elemental selenium particles (CheSePs), which first require separating and purifying polysaccharides or proteins and adding extra reducing agent, this study applied a novel method to directly assemble exopolysaccharide-capped biogenic elemental selenium particles (EPS-BioSePs) by Bacillus paralicheniformis SR14 during the metabolic process. Characterization by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), size measurement and chemical composition analysis verified that EPS-BioSePs exhibited a monodispersed and homogeneous spherical structure 293.73 ± 4.03 nm in size. Compared to a widely used form of CheSePs stabilized and coated by bovine serum albumin, EPS-BioSePs exhibited better antioxidant properties on scavenging DPPH, superoxide and ABTS free radicals, but not hydroxyl radical. In vitro experiments with porcine jejunum epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells also indicated a significant cytoprotection of EPS-BioSePs against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, as exhibited by cell viability reduction and suppression of ROS generation. These results suggested that this new form of selenium possessed great antioxidant property and cytoprotection and exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria could gradually become an appropriate choice to synthesize biogenic elemental selenium particles with potential applications as antioxidants.

Antimicrobial peptides are molecules of innate immunity. Cathelicidin-BF is the first cathelicidin peptide found in reptiles. However, the immunoregulatory and epithelial barrier protective properties of C-BF have not been reported. Inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can lead to colon cancer, the third most common malignant tumor. The objective is to develop the new found cathelicidin-BF as a therapeutic to patients of ulcerative colitis. The morphology of the colon epithelium was observed by H&E staining; apoptosis index and infiltration of inflammatory cells in colonic epithelium were measured by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry; the expression level of endogenous mCRAMP was analyzed by immunofluorescence; and phosphorylation of the transcription factors c-jun and NF-κB in colon were analyzed by Western blot. Our results showed that the morphology of the colon epithelium in the C-BF+DSS group was improved compared with the DSS group. Apoptosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in colonic epithelium were also significantly attenuated in the C-BF+DSS group compared with the DSS group, and the expression level of endogenous mCRAMP in the DSS group was significantly higher than other groups. DSS-induced phosphorylation level of c-jun and NF-κB while C-BF effectively inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB (p65). The barrier protective effect of C-BF was still excellent. In conclusion, C-BF effectively attenuated inflammation and improved disrupted barrier function. Notably, this is the first report to demonstrate that C-BF attenuates DSS-induced UC both through the regulation of intestinal immune and retention of barrier function, and the exact pathway was through NF-κB.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease among children and adolescents in the developed world. Betaine, as a methyl donor, recently has been demonstrated to exert its hepatoprotective effects through rectifying the genomic DNA hypomethylation state. However, whether betaine supplementation affects N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation in NAFLD is still unknown. We conducted the current study to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation during adolescence on high-fat diet-induced pathological changes in liver of mice, and we further identified the effects of betaine supplementation on expression of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) and hepatic m6A mRNA methylation. Our results showed that betaine supplementation across adolescence significantly alleviated high-fat-induced impairment of liver function and morphology as well as ectopic fat accumulation. Surprisingly, no significant effects on serum TG and NEFA level, as well as fat mass, were observed in mice supplemented with betaine. We also found that high-fat diet upregulated ACC1 and FAS gene expression and downregulated HSL and ATGL gene expression. However, these alterations were rectified by betaine supplementation. Moreover, an m6A hypomethylation state and increased FTO expression were detected in mice fed with high-fat diet, while betaine supplementation prevented these changes. Our results suggested that betaine supplementation during adolescence could protect mice from high-fat-induced NAFLD by decreasing de novo lipogenesis and increasing lipolysis. Furthermore, a novel FTO-dependent function of m6A may involve in the hepatoprotective effects of betaine.

•Enterobacter cloacae Z0206 produced abundant Se-enriched exopolysaccharides (Se-ECZ-EPS).•To determine the biological activities of Se-ECZ-EPS in broilers.•Se-ECZ-EPS enhance growth performance, antioxidant status and immune functions.•The most effective addition level of Se-ECZ-EPS in broilers is 840 mg/kg.To investigate effects of Se-enriched exopolysaccharides (Se-ECZ-EPS) produced by Enterobacter cloacae Z0206 on growth performance, antioxidant status and immune function, 240 broilers were randomly assigned into five groups: the control group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg Se (Na2SeO3), and the other four groups were fed with diets supplemented with Se-ECZ-EPS at 280, 560, 840 and 1120 mg/kg, respectively. Administration of Se-ECZ-EPS (840 and 1120 mg/kg) significantly increased average daily gain, decreased feed/gain ratio and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Serum cytokine concentrations showed positive responses in birds treated with 560 and 1120 mg/kg Se-ECZ-EPS. Serum antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus in birds treated with 840 mg/kg Se-ECZ-EPS were significantly increased. These results suggested that Se-ECZ-EPS could enhance antioxidant status and immune function, and could be developed to a potentiator of the immune response in broilers, with the 840 mg/kg addition level being the most effective.

•Cathelicidin-BF reduced weaning stress.•Cathelicidin-BF suppressed weaning-induced intestinal inflammation.•Cathelicidin-BF inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway.•Cathelicidin-BF enhanced the phagocytosis of macrophages via STAT-1 activation.The severity of intestinal inflammation in mammals can be profoundly impacted by weaning stress. Cathelicidins protect intestinal homeostasis by not only directly killing bacteria but also immune regulators. Here, we investigated the effects of cathelicidin-BF (C-BF) derived from the snake venoms of Bungarus fasciatus on weaning stress and intestinal inflammation and examined the mechanisms by which C-BF modulates intestinal immune responses in weanling piglets. We found that C-BF treatment significantly increased performance and reduced the diarrheal index in weanling piglets. Serum IL-6, IL-22 and TNF-α production was decreased by C-BF treatment. We demonstrated that C-BF inhibited the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 but increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the intestine. We also demonstrated that C-BF suppressed inflammation by down-regulating the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the intestine and in LPS-induced macrophages in vitro. However, C-BF significantly induced the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT-1) to enhance the phagocytosis of macrophages when inflammation was suppressed. In summary, our study demonstrated that C-BF suppressed intestinal inflammation by down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway and enhancing the phagocytosis of immune cells by activating STAT-1 during weaning.

•LFP-20 suppressed the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo.•LFP-20 affects LPS-induced cytokine production independently of its LPS-binding activity.•Inhibitory effects of LFP-20 on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with NF-κB and MAPK signaling.•LFP-20 may directly influence MyD88 levels to block its interactions with NF-κB and MAPKs signaling molecules.LFP-20 is one of the 20 amino acid anti-microbial peptides identified in the N terminus of porcine lactoferrin. Apart from its extensively studied direct anti-bacterial activity, its potential as an activator of immune-related cellular functions is unknown. Therefore, this study investigated its anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated pig alveolar macrophages in vitro and systemic inflammation in an in vivo mouse model. We found that the inhibitory effects of LFP-20 on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were independent of its LPS-binding activity. However, they were associated with NF-κB and MAPK-dependent signaling. Furthermore, LFP-20 might directly influence MyD88 levels to block its interaction with NF-κB and MAPK-dependent signaling molecules that might alter LPS-mediated inflammatory responses in activated macrophages. Taken together, our data indicated that LFP-20 prevents the LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting MyD88/NF-κB and MyD88/MAPK signaling pathways, and sheds light on the potential use of LFP-20 in the therapy of LPS-mediated sepsis.

Resistance is increasing to several critical antimicrobials used to treat Salmonella typhimurium infection, urging people to search for new antimicrobial agents. In this work, we reported the possibility of a potent antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin-BF found in the venom of the snake Bungarus fasciatus in treating Salmonella typhimurium infection. We tested its activity in biological fluids and in vivo using a mouse model of Salmonella typhimurium infection, and examined the effect of cathelicidin-BF on Salmonella invasion to epithelial cells. In addition, the biodistribution of cathelicidin-BF was evaluated by using in vivo optical imaging. The results revealed that cathelicidin-BF was unstable in gastrointestinal tract, but retained substantially active in murine serum. Cathelicidin-BF attenuated the clinical symptoms of Salmonella infected-mice, significantly reduced the number of internalized Salmonella and attenuated Salmonella-induced decreases in TER in epithelial cells. Our results provide a first indication for the potential of cathelicidin-BF as a novel therapeutic option for salmonellosis.

The current study was conducted to determine whether betaine could improve fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial function and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation in adipose tissue in high-fat-induced mice and how AMP-activated protein kinase α1 subunit (AMPKα1) was involved. AMPKα1 knockout mice and wild-type mice were fed either a low-fat diet, high-fat diet or high-fat diet supplemented with betaine in the drinking water for 8 weeks. Our results showed that mitochondrial genes (PGC1α) and β-oxidation-related genes (CPT1a) at protein level were increased in wild-type mice supplemented with betaine when compared with those in mice with high-fat diet. Betaine also decreased FTO expression and improved m6A methylation in adipose tissue of wild-type mice with high-fat diet. However, betaine failed to exert the abovementioned effects in AMPKα1 knockout mice. In adipocytes isolated from mice with high-fat diet, betaine treatment increased lipolysis and lipid oxidation. Moreover, betaine decreased FTO expression and increased m6A methylation. However, while AMPKα1 was knockdown, no remarkable changes in adipocytes were observed under betaine treatment. Our results indicated that betaine supplementation rectified mRNA hypomethylation and high FTO expression induced by high-fat diet, which may contribute to its beneficial effects on impaired adipose tissue function. Our results suggested that the AMPKα1 subunit is required for the beneficial effects of betaine on dysfunctional adipose tissue and m6A methylation. These results may provide the foundation for a mechanism that links m6A methylation status in RNA, AMPKα1 phosphorylation and dysfunctional adipose tissue induced by high-fat diet.

PR-39 is a gene-encoded, proline-arginine-rich porcine antimicrobial peptide with multiple biological functions. In the current study, the tissue-specific mRNA expression of PR-39 was investigated in Chinese Jinhua pigs, and the effect of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4ac (K88ac) fimbriae challenge on the mRNA expression of PR-39 in various tissues was compared between Jinhua and Landrace pigs. The three most stable expressed housekeeping genes were validated before evaluating PR-39 expression. PR-39 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the bone marrow compared with the spleen, thymus, MLN, liver and ileum. The ETEC F4ac challenge could up-regulate PR-39 mRNA expression in both Jinhua and Landrace pigs, but the changes were different between the two breeds. Jinhua pigs responded more strongly to ETEC F4ac challenge than did Landrace pigs, because the interaction between the breed and challenge significantly impact PR-39 mRNA in the thymus, liver and ileum. The PR-39 mRNA expression levels of challenged Jinhua pigs were significantly higher in the spleen, thymus, liver, ileum and MLN compared with challenged Landrace pigs. These differences in the mRNA expression of PR-39 could be a result of genetic differences in the resistance to ETEC F4ac infection between the two breeds, but this speculation requires further investigation.