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Background: A Western diet (WD) is associated with increased inflammation in the large intestine, which is often ascribed to the high dietary fat content. Intestinal inflammation in rodents can be induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). However, most studies investigating effects of WD and DSS have not used appropriate low-fat diets (LFDs) as control.Objectives: To compare the effects of a WD with those of an LFD on colon health in a DSS-induced low-grade colonic inflammation mouse model.Methods: Six-week-old male C57BL/6JRj mice were fed an LFD (fat = 10.3% energy, n = 24) or a WD (fat = 41.2% energy, n = 24) for 15 wk [Experiment 1 (Exp.1)]. Half the mice on each diet (n = 12) then received 1% DSS in water for 6 d with the remainder (n = 12 in each diet) administered water. Disease activity, proinflammatory genes, inflammatory biomarkers, and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA) were assessed (Exp.1). Follow-up experiments (Exp.2 and Exp.3) were performed to investigate whether fat source (milk or lard; Exp.2) affected outcomes and whether a shift from LFD to WD 1 d prior to 1% DSS exposure caused an immediate effect on DSS-induced inflammation (Exp.3).Results: In Exp.1, 1% DSS treatment significantly increased disease score in the LFD group compared with the WD group (2.7 compared with 0.8; P < 0.001). Higher concentrations of fecal lipocalin (11-fold; P < 0.001), proinflammatory gene expression (≤82-fold), and Proteobacteria were observed in LFD-fed mice compared with the WD group. The 2 fat sources in WDs (Exp.2) revealed the same low inflammation in WD+DSS mice compared with LFD+DSS mice. Finally, the switch from LFD to WD just before DSS exposure resulted in reduced colonic inflammation (Exp.3).Conclusions: Herein, WDs (with milk or lard) protected mice against DSS-induced colonic inflammation compared with LFD-fed mice. Whether fat intake induces protective mechanisms against DSS-mediated inflammation or inhibits establishment of the DSS-induced colitis model is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major inducer of systemic inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress in response to microbial infections and may cause sepsis. In the present study, we demonstrate that retinoic acid inhibits LPS-induced activation in transgenic reporter mice and human monoblasts through inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). By using noninvasive molecular imaging of NF-κB luciferase reporter mice, we showed that administration of retinoic acid repressed LPS-induced whole-body luminescence, demonstrating in vivo the dynamics of retinoic acid''s ability to repress physiologic response to LPS. Retinoic acid also inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activity in the human myeloblastic cell line U937. Retinoic-acid-receptor-selective agonists mimicked — while specific antagonists inhibited — the effects of retinoic acid, suggesting the involvement of nuclear retinoic acid receptors. Retinoic acid also repressed LPS-induced transcription of NF-κB target genes such as IL-6, MCP-1 and COX-2. The effect of retinoic acid was dependent on new protein synthesis, was obstructed by a deacetylase inhibitor and was partly eliminated by a signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1)/methyltransferase inhibitor, indicating that retinoic acid induces a new protein, possibly STAT1, that is involved in inhibiting NF-κB. This provides more evidence for retinoic acid''s anti-inflammatory potential, which may have clinical implications in terms of fighting microbial infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polyphenols in food plants are a versatile group of phytochemicals with many potentially beneficial activities in terms of disease prevention. In vitro cell culture experiments have shown that polyphenols possess antioxidant properties, and it is thought that these activities account for disease-preventing effects of diets high in polyphenols. However, polyphenols may be regarded as xenobiotics by animal cells and are to some extent treated as such, ie, they interact with phase I and phase II enzyme systems. We recently showed that dietary plant polyphenols, namely, the flavonoids, modulate expression of an important enzyme in both cellular antioxidant defenses and detoxification of xenobiotics, ie, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. This enzyme is rate limiting in the synthesis of the most important endogenous antioxidant in cells, glutathione. We showed in vitro that flavonoids increase expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and, by using a unique transgenic reporter mouse strain, we showed increased expression in vivo, with a concomitant increase in the intracellular glutathione concentrations in muscles. Because glutathione is important in redox regulation of transcription factors and enzymes for signal transduction, our results suggest that polyphenolmediated regulation of glutathione alters cellular processes. Evidently, glutathione is important in many diseases, and regulation of intracellular glutathione concentrations may be one mechanism by which diet influences disease development. The aim of this review is to discuss some of the mechanisms involved in the glutathionemediated, endogenous, cellular antioxidant defense system, how its possible modulation by dietary polyphenols such as flavonoids may influence disease development, and how it can be studied with in vivo imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of disease. One possible mechanism for this is that dietary antioxidants positively regulate protective genes. Toward our goal to identify bioactive compounds with such functions in plants, we developed transgenic mice that express luciferase controlled by the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy subunit (GCS(h)) promoter. Mice that consumed a nonpurified diet ad libitum were supplemented with juices or extracts of antioxidant-rich berries for 42 h or 3-4 wk. The treatments generally increased luciferase activity in brain and skeletal muscle and decreased it in liver compared with controls fed water. The same overall pattern was also found in mice fed ellagic acid (EA), a phenolic acid found in many berries. This change in GCS(h) promoter activity after berry treatment occurred in only approximately 50% of the mice, indicating that they were either responders or nonresponders. Our results demonstrate for the first time that berry extracts rich in polyphenols and EA can induce GCS(h) in vivo. The induction of protective enzymes may be important for the chemopreventive effects of fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tests the ability of antioxidant-rich berries to modulate oxidative stress-related gene expression. Use of a novel transgenic luciferase reporter model; Use of the promoter for the gene encoding the heavy subunit of the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glutathione synthesis; Importance of the induction of protective enzymes for the chemopreventive effects of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables protect against cancer by so far not well-characterized mechanisms. One likely explanation for this effect is that dietary plants contain substances able to control basic cellular processes such as the endogenous defense against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is pivotal in many pathological processes and reduced oxidative stress is implicated in prevention of disease. Our results demonstrate that extract from onion and various flavonoids induce the cellular antioxidant system. Onion extract and quercetin were able to increase the intracellular concentration of glutathione by approximately 50%. Using a reporter construct where reporter expression is driven by the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) heavy subunit (GCSh) promoter we show that onion extract, quercetin, kaempferol, and apigenin increased reporter gene activity, while a fourth flavonoid, myricetin and sugar conjugates of quercetin were unable to increase reporter expression. Quercetin was also able to induce a distal part of the GCSh promoter containing only two antioxidant-response/electrophile-response elements (ARE/EpRE). Our data strongly suggest that flavonoids are important in the regulation of the intracellular glutathione levels. This effect may be exerted in part through GCS gene regulation, and may also contribute to the disease-preventing effect of fruits and vegetables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The enzyme NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) is a major producer of superoxide which together with other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are implicated in maintaining a healthy epithelial barrier in the gut. While previous studies have indicated NOX1's involvement in microbial modulation in the small intestine, less is known about the effects of NOX1-dependent ROS/RNS formation in the colon. We investigated the role of NOX1 in the colon of NOX1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice, under mild and subclinical low-grade colon inflammation induced by 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Ex vivo imaging of ROS/RNS in the colon revealed that absence of NOX1 strongly decreased ROS/RNS production, particularly during DSS treatment. Furthermore, while absence of NOX1 did not affect disease activity, some markers of inflammation (mRNA: Tnfa , Il6 , Ptgs2 ; protein: lipocalin 2) in the colonic mucosa tended to be higher in NOX1 KO than in WT mice following DSS treatment. Lack of NOX1 also extensively modulated the bacterial community in the colon (16S rRNA gene sequencing), where NOX1 KO mice were characterized mainly by lower α-diversity (richness and evenness), higher abundance of Firmicutes, Akkermansia , and Oscillibacter , and lower abundance of Bacteroidetes and Alistipes. Together, our data suggest that NOX1 is pivotal for colonic ROS/RNS production in mice both during steady-state (i.e., no DSS treatment) and during 1% DSS-induced low-grade inflammation and for modulation of the colonic microbiota, with potential beneficial consequences for intestinal health. [Display omitted] • NOX1 is pivotal for ROS production in the mouse colon. • NOX1 significantly affects the bacterial composition in the colon. • NOX1 marginally protects against low-grade colonic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation contributes to prostate cancer and the transcription factor Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is constitutively active in most such cancers. We examine the effects of coffee on NF-κB and on the regulation of selected genes in human-derived prostate cancer cells (PC3) and in PC3 xenografts in athymic nude mice. PC3 cells stably transduced with an NF-κB-luciferase reporter were used both in vitro and for xenografts. NF-κB activity was measured by reporter assays, DNA binding and in vivo imaging. Gene expression was measured in PC3 cells, xenografts and tumor microenvironment by low-density arrays. Western blotting of activated caspases was used to quantify apoptosis. Coffee inhibited TNFα-induced NF-κB activity and DNA-binding in PC3 cells. Furthermore, coffee increased apoptosis and modulated expression of a number of inflammation- and cancer-related genes in TNFα-treated PC3 cells. In vivo imaging revealed a 31% lower NF-κB-luciferase activation in the xenografts of the mice receiving 5% coffee compared to control mice. Interestingly, we observed major changes in gene expression in the PC3 cells in xenografts as compared to PC3 cells in vitro. In PC3 xenografts, genes related to inflammation, apoptosis and cytoprotection were down-regulated in mice receiving coffee, and coffee also affected the gene expression in the xenograft microenvironment. Our data demonstrate that coffee inhibits NF-κB activity in PC3 cells in vitro and in xenografts. Furthermore, coffee modulates transcription of genes related to prostate cancer and inflammation. Our results are the first to suggest mechanistic links between coffee consumption and prostate cancer in an experimental mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: AS03 is an Adjuvant System (AS) containing α-tocopherol and squalene in an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. AS03 has been considered for the development of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines. Key features of AS03''s mode of action were investigated in vivo in mice and ex vivo in human cells. AS03''s adjuvant activity was superior to that of aluminium hydroxide and required the spatio-temporal co-localisation of AS03 with the antigen. This requirement coincided with AS03 triggering a transient production of cytokines at the injection site and in the draining lymph nodes (dLNs). The nature of the cytokines produced was consistent with the enhanced recruitment of granulocytes and of antigen-loaded monocytes in the dLNs. The presence of α-tocopherol in AS03 was required for AS03 to achieve the highest antibody response. The presence of α-tocopherol also modulated the expression of some cytokines, including CCL2, CCL3, IL-6, CSF3 and CXCL1; increased the antigen loading in monocytes; and increased the recruitment of granulocytes in the dLNs. Hence, AS03''s promotion of monocytes as the principal antigen-presenting cells, and its effects on granulocytes and cytokines, may all contribute to enhancing the antigen-specific adaptive immune response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: PXR activators are used to treat pruritus in chronic inflammatory liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The aims of this study were to determine whether PXR activators could have an additional benefit of inhibiting inflammation in the liver, and determine whether cyclosporin A – which more effectively prevents PBC recurrence in transplanted patients than FK506 – is a PXR activator. In SJL/J mice (which have constitutively high levels of hepatic portal tract inflammatory cell recruitment), feeding a PXR activator inhibited inflammation, TNFα and Il-1α mRNA expression in SJL/J-PXR+/+, but not SJL/J-PXR−/−. Monocytic cells – a major source of inflammatory mediators such as TNFα – expressed the PXR and PXR activators inhibited endotoxin-induced NF-κB activation and TNFα expression. PXR activation also inhibited endotoxin-stimulated TNFα secretion from liver monocytes/macrophages isolated from PXR+/+ mice, but not from cells isolated from PXR−/− mice. To confirm that PXR activation inhibits NF-κB in vivo, 3x-κB-luc fibrotic mice (which express a luciferase gene regulated by NF-κB) were imaged after treatment with the hepatotoxin CCl4. PXR activator inhibited the induction of hepatic NF-κB activity without affecting CCl4 toxicity/hepatic damage. Using a PXR reporter gene assay, cyclosporin A – but not FK506 – was shown to be a direct PXR activator, and also to induce expression of the classic PXR-regulated CYP3A4 gene in human hepatocytes and in a cell line null for the FXR, a nuclear receptor with similar properties to the PXR. Conclusion: PXR activation is anti-inflammatory in the liver and the effects of cyclosporin A in PBC disease recurrence may be mediated in part via the PXR. Since PXR activation promotes hepatocyte growth and is also anti-fibrogenic, the PXR may be an excellent drug target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory liver disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dietary components, like β-glucans, can modulate the intestinal immune response. We previously showed that fecal water enriched with oat β-glucan stimulated the cytokine-induced immune response of enterocytes. It is, however, unclear whether β-glucans activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways in the intestine in vivo and if so, whether enterocytes, intestinal leukocytes, or both respond to β-glucans. We evaluated the effects of an oral gavage of 3 mg dietary oat (1→3), (1→4)-β-d-glucans that was administered twice daily during 3.5 days on intestinal NF-κB transactivation and subsequent cytokine production of intestinal leukocytes and enterocytes in 16 NF-κB reporter mice. We hypothesized that oat β-glucan activates the central immune transcription factor NF-κB and increased cytokine secretion, as we previously reported immune stimulating effects by oat β-glucan. We found that mice that were administered oat β-glucans (n = 8) showed an increased intestinal NF-κB transactivation in leukocytes (P = .021) and enterocytes (P = .012), particularly in the proximal part of the small intestine (ileum), as compared to placebo mice (n = 8). Surprisingly, NF-κB was not activated in the colon. Furthermore, the level of interleukin 12 was increased in intestinal lysates from all compartments, whereas the concentration of interferon γ was decreased in the proximal small intestine (P = .046). Finally, tumor necrosis factor α showed a trend toward a reduced production in the colon (P = .057). Because we have earlier shown that human enterocyte cell lines do not express the β-glucan receptor dectin-1 in vitro, we now conclude that after consumption, dietary oat β-glucans most likely firstly activate the intestinal leukocytes, which in turn increases cellular activation of enterocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) is an important part of the inflammatory response, but prolonged elevated levels of ROS/RNS as under chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of disease. Monitoring ROS/RNS in living animals is challenging due to the rapid turnover of ROS/RNS and the limited sensitivity and specificity of ROS/RNS probes. We have explored the use of the chemiluminescent probe L-012 for noninvasive imaging of ROS/RNS production during inflammation in living mice. Various inflammatory conditions were induced, and L-012-dependent luminescence was recorded with an ultrasensitive CCD camera. Strong luminescent signals were observed from different regions of the body corresponding to inflammation. The signal was reduced by administration of the SOD mimetic tempol, the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, and the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis L-NAME, signifying the requirement for the presence of ROS/RNS. Additionally, the L-012 signal was abolished in mice with a mutation in the Ncf1 gene, encoding a protein in the NADPH oxidase complex 2, which generates ROS/RNS during inflammation. In conclusion, L-012 is well distributed in the mouse body and mediates a strong ROS/RNS-dependent luminescent signal in vivo and is useful for monitoring the development and regulation of inflammation in living organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]