Persistent Systemic Microbial Translocation and Intestinal Damage During Coronavirus Disease-19

Microbial translocation (MT) and intestinal damage (ID) are poorly explored in COVID-19. Aims were to assess whether alteration of gut permeability and cell integrity characterize COVID-19 patients, whether it is more pronounced in severe infections and whether it influences the development of subsequent bloodstream infection (BSI). Furthermore, we looked at the potential predictive role of TM and ID markers on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality. Over March–July 2020, 45 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Markers of MT [LPB (Lipopolysacharide Binding Protein) and EndoCab IgM] and ID [I-FABP (Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein)] were evaluated at COVID-19 diagnosis and after 7 days. As a control group, age- and gender-matched healthy donors (HDs) enrolled during the same study period were included. Median age was 66 (56-71) years. Twenty-one (46.6%) were admitted to ICU and mortality was 22% (10/45). Compared to HD, a high degree of MT and ID was observed. ICU patients had higher levels of MT, but not of ID, than non-ICU ones. Likewise, patients with BSI had lower EndoCab IgM than non-BSI. Interestingly, patients with high degree of MT and low ID were likely to be admitted to ICU (AUC 0.822). Patients with COVID-19 exhibited high level of MT, especially subjects admitted to ICU. COVID-19 is associated with gut permeability.

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Persistent Systemic Microbial Translocation, Inflammation, and Intestinal Damage During Clostridioides difficile Infection

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz507 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alessandra Oliva ◽

Lucia Aversano ◽

Massimiliano De Angelis ◽

Maria Teresa Mascellino ◽

Maria Claudia Miele ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Microbial Translocation ◽

Intestinal Cell ◽

Intestinal Damage ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Clostridioides Difficile ◽

Clostridioides Difficile Infection

Abstract Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) might be complicated by the development of nosocomial bloodstream infection (n-BSI). Based on the hypothesis that alteration of the normal gut integrity is present during CDI, we evaluated markers of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage in patients with CDI. Methods Patients with documented CDI were enrolled in the study. For each subject, plasma samples were collected at T0 and T1 (before and after CDI therapy, respectively), and the following markers were evaluated: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB), EndoCab IgM, interleukin-6, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Samples from nonhospitalized healthy controls were also included. The study population was divided into BSI+/BSI- and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) +/FMT- groups, according to the development of n-BSI and the receipt of FMT, respectively. Results Overall, 45 subjects were included; 8 (17.7%) developed primary n-BSI. Markers of microbial translocation and intestinal damage significantly decreased between T0 and T1, however, without reaching values similar to controls (P < .0001). Compared with BSI-, a persistent high level of microbial translocation in the BSI+ group was observed. In the FMT+ group, markers of microbial translocation and inflammation at T1 tended to reach control values. Conclusions CDI is associated with high levels of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage, which are still present at clinical resolution of CDI. The role of residual mucosal perturbation and persistence of intestinal cell damage in the development of n-BSI following CDI, as well as the possible effect of FMT in the restoration of mucosal integrity, should be further investigated.

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ANTICYTOKINE ACTIVITY OF THE PROTOZOA BLASTOCYSTIS SPP

Bulletin Biomedicine and sociology ◽

10.26787/nydha-2618-8783-2020-5-4-44-48 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 44-48

Author(s):

Bugero N.V. ◽

Ilyina N.A. ◽

Aleksandrova S.M.

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽

Control Group ◽

Ulcer Disease ◽

Cytokine Balance ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Blastocystis Spp ◽

High Level ◽

Eukaryotic Organisms ◽

High Degree

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.

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Inhibition of Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 in Obese Male Mice Adversely Affects Reproductive Parameters

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility ◽

10.18502/jri.v22i1.4991 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tevfik Balci ◽

Rahim Kocabas ◽

Gokhan Cuce ◽

Mehmet Akoz

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Fatty Acid Binding Protein ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Inhibin B ◽

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽

Control Group ◽

Reproductive Parameters ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Acid Binding Protein ◽

Obese Control

Background: As obesity is increasing worldwide, obese people use various methods to get rid of excess weight. BMS309403 (A drug) is a specific inhibitor of fatty acid binding protein 4. In this study, the effects of the BMS309403 on serum biochemical markers, testis tissue spermatogenesis and apoptotic markers were investigated in male mice. Methods: Balb/c mice (total=56, each group n=14) were divided into control, obese control, obese solvent and obese drug groups. The obese control, obese solvent and obese drug groups were fed on the high sucrose diet to lead to obesity. After the development of obesity, BMS309403 was orally administered to the obese drug group for six weeks. It was performed in testicular tissues (Johnson Score and apoptosis markers) and biochemical tests (total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, inhibin-B tests and free androgen index) were used to evaluate reproductive parameters. The p<0.05 was considered to indicate a statistical significance. Results: Serum fatty acid binding protein 4 levels were higher in obese control group and obese solvent group, compared to control (p<0.05) and obese drug groups (p<0.001). Serum total testosterone, free androgen index, inhibin-B, sex hormone binding globulin levels, testicular tissue B-cell lymphoma-2 expression level and Johnson Score parameters were lower in all obese groups compared with the control group. Inhibin-B levels and Johnson Score results were lower in obese drug group compared to other two obese groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, the use of BMS309403 negatively affected male reproductive parameters. Negative changes in reproductive parameters may be a result of the increased lee index of obesity.

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The changes in biomarkers for necrotising enterocolitis in premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/37/2019-vetmed ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 440-447

Author(s):

R Yildiz ◽

M Ok ◽

M Ider ◽

A Akar ◽

A Naseri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽

Respiratory Distress ◽

Distress Syndrome ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Necrotising Enterocolitis ◽

Control Group ◽

Intestinal Damage ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Group A ◽

Novel Biomarkers

The aim of this study was to determine the changes of the biomarkers used for the diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis of human neonates in premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Novel biomarkers including the intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), the liver-type FABP (LFABP), trefoil factor-3 (TFF3), actin gamma 2 smooth muscle (ACTG2), and Claudin-3 were investigated using bovine specific ELISA kits. Thirty premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome (the RDS group), seven premature calves without RDS (the non-RDS group), and seven healthy calves (control) were included in the study. Blood samples from all the groups were taken at 0 and 48 h for the blood gas and biomarker measurement. It was determined that IFABP (P < 0.05), LFABP (P < 0.05), TFF3 (P < 0.05), ACTG2 (P < 0.05), and Claudin-3 (P < 0.05) in the control group were significantly higher than those in the RDS and non-RDS groups at 0 hour. The LFABP and Claudin-3 concentrations in the control group were statistically higher (P < 0.05) than those in the RDS and non-RDS groups at 48 h, whereas the ACTG2 and TFF3 contents were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the non-RDS group. A significant increase in the contents of IFABP (P ≤ 0.01), LFABP (P < 0.05), TFF3 (P < 0.05), ACTG2 (P < 0.05) at 48 h was detected in the RDS group only. In conclusion, the changes in the biomarkers support the suspicion of intestinal damage such as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) after enteral feeding in premature calves with RDS. Intestinal damage biomarkers such as IFABP, LFABP, TFF3, and ACTG2 may be useful in the diagnosis of intestinal damage in premature calves. These results also indicate that the plasma concentrations of the intestinal biomarkers change in new born calves with their gestational age.

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Longitudinal follow-up in acute and transient psychotic disorders and schizophrenia

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.187.3.286 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 187 (3) ◽

pp. 286-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Frank Pillmann ◽

Andreas Marneros

Keyword(s):

Psychotic Disorders ◽

First Episode ◽

Control Group ◽

Level Of Functioning ◽

General Functioning ◽

And Gender ◽

High Level ◽

Observation Period

SummaryWe prospectively studied the long-term course of individuals with acute and transient psychotic disorders and a control group with positive schizophrenia matched for age and gender. Follow-up investigations using standardised instruments were performed at three time-points covering 7 years after the index episode or 12 years after the first episode. During follow-up, those with positive schizophrenia experienced a deterioration in their general functioning whereas those with acute and transient psychotic disorders retained their high level of functioning. At the end of the observation period, 12 out of 39 (31%) of those with acute and transient psychotic disorders were functioning well without medication compared with 0 out of 38 with positive schizophrenia.

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Prevention of gastrointestinal injury by using glutamine in cardiac surgery

Patologiya krovoobrashcheniya i kardiokhirurgiya ◽

10.21688/1681-3472-2014-3-19-23 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. M. Yefremov ◽

V. A. Shmyrev ◽

M. N. Deryagin ◽

I. A. Kornilov ◽

A. N. Shilova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Fatty Acid Binding Protein ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Intestinal Damage ◽

Double Blind ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Intestinal Integrity ◽

Acid Binding Protein

A pilot double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of perioperative administration of glutamine to preserve intestinal integrity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. 24 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo controlled pilot study. 12 patients were randomized to receive glutamine (20% solution of N(2)-L-alanyl-L-glutamine) 0.4 g/kg a day, while the remaining 12 patients received an equivalent placebo dose (0.9% solution of NaCl). Infusion of glutamine/placebo was started after the induction of anesthesia and was continued for 24 hours. The primary end-point was dynamics of plasma concentration of a specific marker of intestinal damage, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). The secondary end-points were liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), alpha glutathione s-transferase (aGST), heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70). There were no between-group differences of all the studied biochemical parameters at any stage of the study. Plasma I-FABP levels (median [25-75 percentile]) were markedly elevated during CPB and remained the same postoperatively: 962 (577-2 067) and 883 (444-1 625) г/ml 5 min after un-clamping of aorta, 2203 (888-3 429) and 1 560 (506-2 657) г/ml <sup>2</sup> hours post-bypass, 897 (555-1 424) and 794 (505-951) г/ml 6 hours post-bypass in the GLN and control groups respectively. Perioperative administration of glutamine in dose of 0.4 g/kg a day does not appear to preserve intestinal integrity in low risk cardiac surgery patients.

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Increased Intestinal Permeability in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome is not Affected by Parenteral Nutrition

Physiological Research ◽

10.33549/physiolres.934134 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 817-825 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. CINKAJZLOVÁ ◽

Z. LACINOVÁ ◽

J. KLOUČKOVÁ ◽

P. KAVÁLKOVÁ ◽

H. KRATOCHVÍLOVÁ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parenteral Nutrition ◽

Short Bowel Syndrome ◽

Intestinal Permeability ◽

Fatty Acid Binding Protein ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Control Group ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Short Bowel ◽

Glucagon Like Peptide ◽

Circulating Levels

The aim of our study was to assess the presence and degree of intestinal leakage in subjects suffering from short bowel syndrome (SBS) and its modification by parenteral nutrition. To this end we assessed circulating levels of selected makers of intestinal permeability including zonulin, fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP-2), citrulline and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). We also measured lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) as a marker of circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide acting through the CD14 molecule. Eleven SBS and 10 age- and BMI-matched control subjects were included into the study. The effect of parenteral nutrition was assessed after 14 days, 6 and 12 months from its initiation, respectively. At baseline, SBS patients had increased gut permeability as measured by zonulin (47.24±2.14 vs. 39.48±1.20 ng/ml, p=0.006) and LBP (30.32±13.25 vs. 9.77±0.71 µg/ml, p<0.001) compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, SBS subjects had reduced FABP-2, unchanged citrulline and increased sCD14 and GLP-2 relative to control group. Throughout the whole study period the administered parenteral nutrition had no significant effect on any of the studied parameters. Taken together, our data show that patients with short bowel syndrome have increased intestinal permeability that is not affected by parenteral nutrition.

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High-dose intravenous immunoglobulins might modulate inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Life Science Alliance ◽

10.26508/lsa.202001009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (9) ◽

pp. e202001009

Author(s):

María Luisa Rodríguez de la Concepción ◽

Erola Ainsua-Enrich ◽

Esteban Reynaga ◽

Carlos Ávila-Nieto ◽

Jose Ramón Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Intravenous Immunoglobulins ◽

High Dose ◽

Intestinal Damage ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Inflammatory Protein ◽

Macrophage Inflammatory Protein ◽

Necrosis Factor ◽

Lps Binding

The use of high-dose of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) as immunomodulators for the treatment of COVID-19–affected individuals has shown promising results. IVIG reduced inflammation in these patients, who progressively restored respiratory function. However, little is known about how they may modulate immune responses in COVID-19 individuals. Here, we have analyzed the levels of 41 inflammatory biomarkers in plasma samples obtained at day 0 (pretreatment initiation), 3, 7, and 14 from five hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with a 5-d course of 400 mg/kg/d of IVIG. The plasmatic levels of several cytokines (Tumor Necrosis Factor, IL-10, IL-5, and IL-7), chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α), growth/tissue repairing factors (hepatic growth factor), complement activation (C5a), and intestinal damage such as Fatty acid–binding protein 2 and LPS-binding protein showed a progressive decreasing trend during the next 2 wk after treatment initiation. This trend was not observed in IVIG-untreated COVID-19 patients. Thus, the administration of high-dose IVIG to hospitalized COVID-19 patients may improve their clinical evolution by modulating their hyperinflammatory and immunosuppressive status.

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Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and thrombomodulin in bovine traumatic pericarditis

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/004.2019.050 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 505-516 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ramazan Yildiz ◽

Mahmut Ok ◽

Merve Ider ◽

Ugur Aydogdu ◽

Alper Ertürk

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Fatty Acid Binding Protein ◽

Troponin I ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Control Group ◽

Pentraxin 3 ◽

Cardiac Damage ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Acid Binding Protein

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers of cardiac damage such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), and thrombomodulin (TM) for the detection and prognosis of bovine traumatic pericarditis (TP). Spontaneous TP was diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs, complete blood count, glutaraldehyde test, ultrasonography, and pericardiocentesis findings. H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM levels in serum were compared between 25 Holstein cows diagnosed with spontaneous TP and 10 healthy control cows using bovine-specific ELISA kits. Serum H-FABP in cattle with TP was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the control group and positively correlated with cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB), PTX-3 and TM (r = 0.683, 0.342, 0.448 and 0.424, respectively; P < 0.05). The serum levels of PTX-3 (P < 0.05) and TM (P < 0.05) in cattle with TP were significantly higher than in the control group. Cardiac damage biomarkers H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM may be useful in the diagnosis of bovine TP.

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