Modulation of Antioxidant Enzymes, Heat Shock Protein, and Intestinal Microbiota of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Under Acute Cold Stress

The experiment was conducted in a sealed, temperature-controlled room. The initial water temperature of the treatment group was 12°C, lowered by 1°C a day to 8°C using a chiller, and maintained at that temperature for 3 days. The water temperature was then increased by 1°C per day to 12°C using a heater. The control group were the fish that kept at 12°C at the beginning of the experiment; T1 represents the group that sampled on the first day when the water temperature reached 8 from 12°C; T2 represents the group that sampled when the fish had been kept at 8°C for 3 days; T3 represents the group sampled when the water temperature was increased to 12 from 8°C. The antioxidant abilities of the liver, muscle, and intestine of large yellow croaker at different temperatures and times were determined, and the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in the liver as well as the changes in intestinal microbiota were investigated. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and MDA content increased significantly when the water temperature decreased from 12 to 8°C, significantly higher than those in the control group. The gene expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 in the liver of large yellow croaker significantly increased under low temperature stress and were significantly higher than those in the control group. The diversity and abundance of intestinal microbiota of large yellow croaker were altered when the water temperature was maintained at 8°C, although the change was not obvious. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the dominate phyla in both the 12 and 8°C groups, and the temperature variation did not change the functional pathways of the microbiota. In conclusion, the acute temperature variation affected the antioxidant ability and heat shock protein expression of large yellow croaker but did not affect the diversity or abundance of the intestinal microbiota. These results will provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanisms of large yellow croaker overwintering and adaptation to low temperatures.

Interaction of age and temperature on heat shock protein expression, sperm count, and sperm viability of the adult black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Information regarding black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) adult biology is vital as this is the life stage that produces eggs and thus drives population size. The goal of this study was to determine key biological characteristics of adult black soldier flies as they age in relation to: (1) the thermal preferences (Tsel) of males and females; (2) the impact of temperature on heat shock protein expression in males and females; as well as (3) the sperm count; and (4) the sperm viability in males. Aging significantly impacted male and female temperature preferences. Young males (<24-h-old) preferred warmer temperatures (median=24.3 °C, range=19.3-28.2 °C) compared to females of the same age (median=20.2 °C, range=15.4-26.2 °C). However, in older adults (i.e. 72-h-old males and 48-h-old females), temperature preferences converged between 21 and 24 °C. Temperatures tested did not impact hsp expression in males or females. However, aging males, but not females, had increased expression of the heat shock proteins (hsp) hsp70 and hsp90. Furthermore, age impacted sperm count but not sperm viability in males. In particular, 48-h-old males had the greatest sperm count (322.5/sample) and sperm viability (60-78%) compared to all other aged males. Thermal data in conjunction with sperm data potentially explain why early thermal segregation behaviour between males and females occurs. Once adult males and females reached 72-h-old and 48-h-old, respectively, they exhibited a common thermal preference, which coincided with the greatest number of viable sperm in males. Forcing adults into environments (i.e. cages) outside these selected preferences could result in premature or delayed mating or low fertilisation rates. Future research exploring cage design and conditions are needed to optimise black soldier fly colony maintenance and fertile egg production, and can leverage information such as the results described here.

Betaine Supplementation May Improve Heat Tolerance: Potential Mechanisms in Humans

Betaine has been demonstrated to increase tolerance to hypertonic and thermal stressors. At the cellular level, intracellular betaine functions similar to molecular chaperones, thereby reducing the need for inducible heat shock protein expression. In addition to stabilizing protein conformations, betaine has been demonstrated to reduce oxidative damage. For the enterocyte, during periods of reduced perfusion as well as greater oxidative, thermal, and hypertonic stress (i.e., prolonged exercise in hot-humid conditions), betaine results in greater villi length and evidence for greater membrane integrity. Collectively, this reduces exercise-induced gut permeability, protecting against bacterial translocation and endotoxemia. At the systemic level, chronic betaine intake has been shown to reduce core temperature, all-cause mortality, markers of inflammation, and change blood chemistry in several animal models when exposed to heat stress. Despite convincing research in cell culture and animal models, only one published study exists exploring betaine’s thermoregulatory function in humans. If the same premise holds true for humans, chronic betaine consumption may increase heat tolerance and provide another avenue of supplementation for those who find that heat stress is a major factor in their work, or training for exercise and sport. Yet, this remains speculative until data demonstrate such effects in humans.

Ovariectomy alters lengthening contraction induced heat shock protein expression

Estrogen appears to play a role in minimizing skeletal muscle damage as well as regulating the expression of the protective heat shock proteins (HSPs). To clarify the relationship between estrogen, muscle HSP content, and muscle damage, tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from ovary-intact (OVI; n = 12) and ovariectomized (OVX; 3 weeks, n = 12) female Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to either 20 or 40 lengthening contractions (LCs). Twenty-four hours after stimulation, TA muscles were removed, processed, and assessed for HSP25 and HSP72 content as well as muscle (damage) morphology. No differences in muscle contractile properties were observed in TA muscles between OVI and OVX animals for peak torque during the LCs. In unstressed TA muscles, the basal expression of HSP72 expression was decreased in OVX animals (P < 0.05) while HSP25 content remained unchanged. Following 20 LCs, HSP25 content was elevated (P < 0.05) in TA muscles from OVX animals but unchanged in muscles from OVI animals. Following 40 LCs, HSP25 content was elevated (P < 0.01) in TA muscles from both OVI and OVX animals while HSP72 content was elevated only in TA muscles from OVI animals (P < 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest the loss of ovarian hormones, such as estrogen, may impair the skeletal muscle cellular stress response thereby rendering muscles more susceptible to certain types of contraction induced damage. Novelty Ovariectomy alters muscle HSP72 content. Muscle contractile measures are maintained following ovariectomy.