Search

Objective To explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on oxalate metabolism and renal protection in rats fed a high oxalate diet. Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: SC, SC + FMT, OD + PBS and OD + FMT. The SC group was set as the control group and was fed standard rat chow. The OD + PBS group and OD + FMT group were fed a diet containing 5% oxalate. Starting from day 14, the OD + PBS group, OD + FMT group and SC + FMT group received intragastric administration of PBS solution or filtered faecal microbiota solution from guinea pigs for 7 consecutive days. The 24-hour urine, feces, and venous serum of the rats were collected from the rats of all groups to determine the gut microbiota and biochemical markers. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were conducted on the rat kidneys to detect the expression of renin, ACE, and OPN. Results The fecal microbiota transplantation altered the gut microbiota of rats. The gut microbiota of the SC + FMT group deviated from that of the SC group and showed increased similarity to that of the guinea pigs. Compared to the OD + PBS group, the OD + FMT group exhibited significant reductions in the urinary oxalate, urinary urea, uric acid, urinary creatinine, serum urea nitrogen/creatinine, and serum uric acid. Furthermore, after FMT treatment, the OD + FMT group exhibited reduced upregulation of renin mRNA expression and restored downregulation of OPN mRNA expression compared to the OD + PBS group; similar results were obtained from immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Fecal microbiome trans-plantation activated the microbial network in the rat gut, particularly the oxalate-degrading bacteria represented by Muribaculaceae. The kidney injury induced by high oxalate was partially restored by the microbiota network's degradation of oxalate, indicating the protective effect of fecal microbiota transplantation on the rat kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic loss induced by beta-amyloid (Aβ) plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the mechanisms underlying this process remain unknown. In this study, we found that oridonin (Ori) rescued synaptic loss induced by Aβ1–42 in vivo and in vitro and attenuated the alterations in dendritic structure and spine density observed in the hippocampus of AD mice. In addition, Ori increased the expression of PSD-95 and synaptophysin and promoted mitochondrial activity in the synaptosomes of AD mice. Ori also activated the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus of AD mice. Furthermore, in the Morris water maze test, Ori reduced latency and searching distance and increased the number of platform crosses in AD mice. These data suggest that Ori might prevent synaptic loss and improve behavioral symptoms in Aβ1–42-induced AD mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Duguitala Township in the north part of Hangjin County as an example, this paper studied the spatial distribution pattern of natural vegetation along moisture gradient at the north edge of Ordos Plateau. The results showed that based on TWINSPAN classification, the communities were dominated by mesophytes and xerophytes, and there were some halophytes in some quadrats. The similarity indices of neighboring quadrats could reflect the mosaic pattern of different type communities, and thus, the diversity and complexity of communities along this gradient, which could be reconfirmed by DCA ordination. The CCA ordination for quadrats and geomorphological factors indicated that in this transitional region, the formation of vegetation's spatial distribution pattern was determined by moisture gradient, while the latter was controlled not by the distance from the main course of the Yellow River but by the change of micro-geomorphology. In the land exploitation of this region, relatively stable geo-morphological units should be taken into consideration, and large scale land exploitation through surface leveling should be avoided if shelterbelt measures and drainage and desalinizeation system were defective. This study would be helpful to the protection of natural vegetation and the integrated development of agriculture and animal husbandry.