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Several studies have shown that probiotics and synbiotics ameliorate dyslipidemia. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating their effects remain to be determined. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effects of a probiotic, a prebiotic, and a synbiotic in dyslipidemic Sprague–Dawley rats, and explore the mechanisms involved using a proteomic approach. The rats were allocated to five groups: a control group that was fed normal chow, and four high-fat diet-fed groups, three of which were administered a probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus), a prebiotic (inulin), or a combination of the two (a synbiotic) for 30 days. We showed that the administration of inulin, and especially L. acidophilus, improved the lipid profile and reduced the serum concentrations of inflammatory markers in high-fat diet-fed rats. Proteomic analysis showed changes in lipid elongation, glycerolipid metabolism, activation of antioxidants, and a reduction in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the livers of rats administered L. acidophilus, which likely mediate its beneficial effects on inflammation and dyslipidemia by reduced the levels of 18.56% CRP, 35.71% TNF-α 25.6% LDL-C and 28.57% LDL-C/HDL-C ratio when compared to HF group. L. acidophilus and inulin may represent effective natural means of maintaining inflammation and dyslipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, extensive field studies of diversity and prevalence of helminth infection in synanthropic rodents and non-rodent small mammals from public parks and citified areas in the Bangkok Metropolitan were conducted. Rattus rattus complex was the dominant small mammal in public parks. Of the 197 animals, 147 individuals were infected with one or more species of helminths, yielding an infection prevalence of 74.6%. Twenty-five species of helminths were recovered during necropsy. Pterygodermatites tani was the most prevalent (36.2%); other encountered species included Raillietina celebensis, Hydatigera taeniaformis (metacestode in liver tissue), Gongylonema neoplasticum and Hymenolepis diminuta. Different helminth assemblages infected three different host taxa, i.e. synanthropic Rattus spp., Tupaia belangeri (Northern treeshrew) and Suncus murinus (Asian house shrew). Nine species of possible zoonotic helminths were identified. The focus on synanthropic rats influenced the findings of helminth diversity by either host intrinsic or extrinsic factors. A significant positive correlation was found between host body mass and helminth species richness. Greater helminth species richness was found in rats from public parks compared with animals from citified areas (e.g. inside buildings or offices). Also, helminth species richness was negatively correlated with the proportion of post-flooding/rain-fed land. These results provide essential information for assessing the incidence of potential zoonotic health threats in Bangkok and updating research in parasite ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]