Endotoxin, a kind of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is the glycolipid composition of cell walls of all Gram negative bacteria. The main biological reaction triggered by LPS is inflammation reaction. The surface epithelium of intestinal mucosa contains a large number of goblet cells which function as secreting mucus to soak chime and form a protection for digestive tract. The purpose of this experiment was to study the variations of the mucus secretion of intestinal gland goblet cells and whether dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, could exert an inhibitory effect at different time points after LPS application. Sprague-Dawley rats received an intravenous injection of LPS (15 mg/kg, over 5 seconds) through the femoral vein. India ink was used to label the leaky microvessels where the extravasated colloidal particles of dye were trapped between the endothelium and basement membrane. 5 and 30 minutes after LPS injection, strips of intestinal tissues were dehydrated and embedded with glycol methacrylate. Tissue sections 2 micrometers in thickness were histochemically stained with Alcian blue-PAS reagent. The number of goblet cells in intestinal glands of duodenum and ileum were counted. Mucus area and epithelial area of sampled glands were recorded with SimplePCI and statistically analyzed. 5 or 30 minutes after LPS, the percent (%) of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly increased to 7-8 times as the saline control in duodenum. In the ileum, the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly increased to 5-18 times as the saline control. 30 min after LPS, the percent (%) of goblet cell mucus in epithelial area of intestinal glands decreased to half the value of control. DMTU prior to LPS, the mucus-discharging ability of goblet cells was inhibited. In duodenum, DMTU pretreatment 30 min earlier than LPS, the percent (%) of goblet cell mucus in epithelial area of intestinal glands increased to 1.4 times and the percent (%) of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly was reduced by 90%. In ileum, DMTU pretreatment 5 min earlier than LPS, the percent (%)of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands decreased to one half as the control. From the experiment results, we could come to a conclusion that intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS induced an compound exocytotic release of mucus granules resulting in cavitation of goblet cell supranuclear cytoplasm and the released mucus temporarily accumulated in the lumen of glands. It is suggested that hydroxyl radicals were involved in LPS-induced mucus release from goblet cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the toxic chemical component of the cell wall in all gram-negative bacteria which can activate NF-£eB, also stimulate immune cells to release cytokines. These pro-inflammatory mediators induce systemic acute inflammation, multiple organs dysfunction syndrome¡]MODS¡^and sepsis. LPS could increase the permeability of capillary, and cause the acute formation of numerous endothelial gaps among venular endothelial cells that result in extensive plasma leakage in the inflammatory tissues. Plasma leakage from microvasculature is a hallmark of inflammation. Mammalian intestines have many goblet cells that synthesize mucus and discharge it into the intestinal lumen. The mucus film that covers the surface epithelium facing the lumen of digestive system, is an immune defense that can prevent gastrointestinal epithelium from chemical and physical damage and act as a lubricant. Goblet cells can discharge mucins in response to a wide variety of stimuli, including irritant gases, nerve activation, reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators. This study was aimed to investigate : (1) The degree of plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion in the small intestine of rats after an intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS (15 mg/kg), (2) The effect of £\2-adrenergic receptors antagonist, urethan, on endotoxin-induced plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion. For the study of plasma extravasation in small intestine during endotoxemia, India ink was used as the tracer to mark the inflamed leaky microvessels. The sections of the small intestine 3£gm in thickness were stained with Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff reagent to detect glycoproteins of goblet cells. Our results showed that LPS not only caused an increase in plasma leakage but also triggered degranulation of many goblet cells in the small intestine. LPS augment the expression of plasma leakage and mucus secretion for three times. A large amount of extracellular mucus was accumulated between intestinal villi after LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with urethan, the £\2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited plasma leakage by 40-50% and goblet cell secretion by 25-30% induced by endotoxin. It is concluded that the plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion induced by endotoxin shock was outstanding and associated with activation of £\2-adrenergic receptors.

¡iAbstract¡j Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the toxic chemical component of the cell wall in all gram-negative bacteria which can stimulate immune cells, including macrophages and white blood cell, to release cytokines such as interleukin-1£], interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-£\. These pro-inflammatory mediators induce systemic acute inflammation and multiple organs dysfuction syndrome in sepsis. Plasma leakage from microvasculature is a hallmark of inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that other inflammatory agents, such as capsaicin, substance P and histamine could cause the acute formation of numerous endothelial gaps in the venules that result in extensive plasma leakage in the inflammatory tissues of the whole respiratory tract and a part of digestive tract in a few minutes. Mammalian intestines have many goblet cells that synthesize mucus and discharge it into the intestinal lumen. The mucus film that covers the surface epithelium facing the lumen of digestive system, is an immune defense that can prevent gastrointestinal epithelium from chemical and physical damage and act as a lubricant. Changes in goblet cell function and number are involved in microbial infection, inflammatory syndromes and immune factors. This study was aimed to investigate: (1) The degree of Plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion in the small intestine of rats after an intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS (15 mg/kg), and (2) The involvement of vagus nerve and cholinergic receptors in plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion. For the study of plasma extravasation in small intestine during endotoxema, India ink was used as the tracer to mark the inflamed leaky microvessels. Rats were perfusion-fixed through the aorta, and endothelial gaps between endothelial cells of blood vessels were made visible with silver staining. The methacrylate sections of the ileum 3 £gm in thickness were stained with Alcian blue and periodic acid-schiff reagent to detect glycoproteins of goblet cells. Our results showed that LPS not only caused an increase in plasma leakage but also triggered degranulation of many goblet cells in villi and crypts. Numerous gaps were found in postcapillary venules and collecting venules, and plasma extravasation was observed in the serosa and tunica muscularis rat small intestine after LPS. Extensive plasma extravasation occurred in earier phases (5-30 min). However, numerous goblet cells started to discharge mucus granules 30 min after LPS treatment. A large amount of extracellular mucus was accumulated between intestinal villi 1 hour after LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with atropine, the muscarinic receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited goblet cell secretion. The inhibitory effect of pretreatment with atropine or bilateral cervical vagotomy on LPS-induced plasma leakage was not consistent. It is concluded that the plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion induced by endotoxin shock was time-dependent and was associated with activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

No description available.

<p>Akrilamid je supstanca koja se prirodno stvara pečenjem i prženjem hrane bogate skrobom.&nbsp; Cilj rada je bio da se ispita subhronični i akutni uticaj akrilamida na debelo&nbsp;crevo prepubertalnih pacova. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da akrilamid ne naru&scaron;ava morfologiju zida creva, ali dovodi do promena u volumenskoj gustini njegovih tunika i lamina. Najizraženije promene&nbsp; su bile na&nbsp; vezivnom tkivu&nbsp; debelog creva.&nbsp; Analizom peharastih ćelija&nbsp; i sadržaja mucina pokazano je da akrilamid utiče i na ugljenohidratnu i na proteinsku komponentu mucina. Subhronični tretman je&nbsp; doveo do smanjenja broja&nbsp;limfocita i&nbsp; eozinofila, a&nbsp; kod akutnog tretmana&nbsp; je primećeno nakupljanje limfocita i eozinofila u kolonu akrilamidom tretiranih jedinki. Broj mastocita je u sva tri eksperimenta bio smanjen kod tretiranih životinja. Duže izlaganje akrilamidu ima imunosupresivno dejstvo kod pacova.</p> / <p>Acrylamide is natural product of cooking (baking, roasting) starchy food.&nbsp; Aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of subchronic and acute acrylamide treatment on juvenile&nbsp; rat colon.&nbsp; Changes&nbsp; in colon wall morphology was detected by stereological methods since histological evaluation reveal normal colon architecture&nbsp; after acrylamide intoxication.&nbsp; The changes was&nbsp; most prominent on&nbsp; connective tissue of rat colon.&nbsp; Acrylamide affected both protein&nbsp; component of mucins and glycans linked to peptide backbone.&nbsp; In subchronic&nbsp; treatment acrylamide caused reduction of lymphocytes&nbsp; and eosinophils &nbsp;number, while acute experiment lead to lymphocytes&nbsp; and&nbsp; eosinophils&nbsp; accumulation in colon tissue. Acrylamide intoxication decreased mast cell number in all experiments. Longer acrylamide exposure had immunosuppressive effect in rats.</p>

O estresse causa modificações no epitélio intestinal, tais como o aumento de células caliciformes e da taxa de apoptose. O uso de alimentos nutracêuticos tem sido uma alternativa para amenizar essas modificações sobre o tecido epitelial. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se a inclusão de colostro bovino, o qual é constituído de fatores antioxidantes, imunes e de crescimento, seria capaz de amenizar as consequências do estresse crônico sob o intestino. Para isso, juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados a 50 kg/m3 foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia até a saciedade com ração peletizada e semi-purificada sem (0%CBL) e com a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado em concentrações crescentes (10, 20 e 30%CBL), (n=4). Após 28 dias, foram coletados segmentos do intestino médio, S1 e S2, e reto. Os tecidos foram marcados com corantes histológicos para a quantificação de células caliciformes contendo mucinas neutras, ácidas (incluindo sialo e sulfomucinas) e ácidas-neutras. Também foram mensurados o volume (Vv) e a densidade da superfície (Sv) da mucosa, por análise estereológica, e a espessura da camada muscular. A razão do número de cada tipo e subtipo de célula caliciforme sobre o Vv e Sv foi calculada para estimar a densidade de células caliciformes, Dv e Ds, respectivamente. A taxa apoptótica foi analisada qualitativamente através da intensidade (alta, média e baixa) da imunomarcação da caspase-3 nas células epiteliais. As dietas não influenciaram os parâmetros zootécnicos analisados (P>0,05). No reto, os grupos que receberam 20 e 30%CBL apresentaram menor número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas e menor Ds em relação a 0 e 10% (P=0,0148 e 0,0198, respectivamente). No RT, Dv total e Dv de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas foi maior em 0 e 30%CBL em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0155 e 0,225, respectivamente). No S1, 10 e 30%CBL apresentaram maior Dv em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0540). A espessura da camada muscular, o Vv e a Sv não diferiram entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). No S2 e RT, a taxa de apoptose teve relação inversa à concentração de colostro bovino liofilizado adicionado na ração. Nos três segmentos, houve maior proporção de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas do que neutras, sendo a maioria representada por sulfomucinas. Assim, a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado nas rações de juvenis de pacu adensados diminuiu a apoptose nos segmentos intestinais S2 e RT e também diminuiu o número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas no RT, indicando que o colostro bovino liofilizado pode ser utilizado como alimento nutracêutico para pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados, a fim de diminuir a taxa apoptótica e proteger o intestino contra enzimas bacterianas, uma das principais funções das sulfomucinas. / The stress causes changes in the intestinal epithelium, such as the increase in the number of goblet cells and on the rate of apoptosis. The use of nutraceutical foods has been an alternative to soften these modifications on the epithelial tissue. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate if the inclusion of bovine colostrum, which is composed of antioxidant, immune and growth factors, would be able to attenuate the consequences of chronic stress on the intestine. For this, pacu juveniles (Piaractus mesopotamicus), stocked at density of 50 kg/m3, were fed twice daily until satiety with pelleted and semi-purified diet without (0% LBC) and with the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in increasing concentrations (10, 20 and 30% LBC), (n = 4). After 28 days, segments of the middle gut, S1 and S2, and rectum (RT) were collected. The tissues were stained with histological dyes for the quantification of goblet cells containing neutral, acidic (including sialo and sulphomucins) and acid-neutral mucins. The volume (Vv) and surface density (Sv) of the mucosa were also measured by stereological analysis and the thickness of the muscular layer. The ratio between the number of each goblet cell type and subtype and the Vv or Sv was calculated to estimate the density of goblet cells, Dv and Ds, respectively. The apoptotic rate was analyzed qualitatively according to the intensity (high, medium and low) of caspase-3 immunostaining in epithelial cells. The diets did not influence the zootechnical parameters analyzed (P> 0.05). In the rectum, the groups that received 20 and 30% LBC presented lower number of goblet cells containing sulphomucins and lower Ds in relation to 0 and 10% (P = 0.0148 and 0.0198, respectively). In RT, total Dv and Dv of goblet cells containing acid mucins were higher in 0 and 30% LBC in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0155 and 0.225, respectively). In S1, 10 and 30% LBC presented higher Dv in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0540). Muscle layer thickness, Vv and Sv did not differ between treatments (P> 0.05). In S2 and RT, the rate of apoptosis was inversely related to the concentration of lyophilized bovine colostrum added in the diet. In the three segments, there was higher proportion of goblet cells containing acidic than neutral mucins, most of them being sulphomucins. Thus, the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in diets of pacu juveniles reduced apoptosis in the intestinal segments S2 and RT and also decreased the number of goblet-containing sulphomucins in the RT, indicating that lyophilized bovine colostrum can be used as a nutraceutical feed for pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) under high stocking density to decrease the apoptotic rate and protect the intestine against bacterial enzymes, one of the main functions of sulphomucins.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises diseases that are characterized by chronic or relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an extraintestinal manifestation in IBD. Immunoreactivity against an autoantigen that is expressed both in the gastrointestinal tract and the biliary tract could be the link between these diseases. A possible source of such an antigen is goblet cells. Immunostainings of normal human tissues using IBD patient sera showed goblet cell immunoreactivity against goblet cells in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The most frequent immunostaining was found against goblet cells in the appendix against which 84% (42/50) of IBD patients compared to 8% (4/50) of healthy blood donors showed immunoreactivity. To identify the corresponding antigen we used three different approaches, investigation of immunoreactivity to different candidate proteins compared to IBD sera, immunoscreening of an appendiceal cDNA library, and immunoprecipitation of protein lysates from mucin producing cells followed by SDS-PAGE and 2D gel electrophoresis. These approaches led to the identification of several candidate autoantigens of which complement C3 is the most promising. A novel staining pattern with strong immunoreactivity to granules and the apical membrane of biliary epithelial cells was identified with 35% (12/34) of PSC sera compared to none of healthy controls (n=28). Screening of a cDNA library from normal human choledochus identified PDZ domain containing 1 (Pdzk1) and Glutathion S transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) as potential candidates. Pdzk1 is an interesting candidate which is expressed in the intestinal tract and bile ducts. GSTT1 antibodies were not specific for PSC and are thought to develop as an alloimmune response in patients with the GSTT1-null genotype. In conclusion, we have identified specific immunoreactivity to goblet cells and biliary epithelial cells using sera from patients with IBD and PSC respectively. We have also identified several potential autoantigens.

Intravenous application of a high dose of endotoxin, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), results in endotoxemia and sepsis in experimental animals. LPS induces production of cytokines and free radicals, plasma leakage and systemic inflammation. But the relationship between LPS-induced plasma leakage and endothelial gap formation is still unknown. Under normal physiological and pathological conditions, the mucus of intestine plays an important role in host defense mechanism as a barrier to prevent invasion of bacteria and endotoxin. The integrity of the intestinal epithelium is an important determinant of clinical outcome in septic patients. It is reported that, after LPS application, ileal mucosa is injured consequently. Necrosis of epithelial cells is also prominent feature in the villus epithelium. However, the response of mucin-secreting goblet cells is often ignored. The present study was designed to prove (1) whether LPS application increased plasma leakage by endothelial gap formation in rat intestinal tract, (2) whether LPS application increased goblet cell secretion by compound exocytotic activity in mucosal villi of small intestine; and (3) whether hydroxyl radicals were involved in LPS-induced compound exocytosis in goblet cells and plasma leakage. First, the microcirculation of large intestine in rats was shown by using silver nitrate staining method, and India ink was used to label the leaky microvessels to express the magnitude of plasma leakage. Endothelial gaps formed between endothelial cells in the venules after LPS-induced inflammation were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. In saline control, the number of endothelial gaps per 1000 £gm2 endothelium of postcapillary and collecting venules was 0.2 ¡Ó 0.1 ~ 0.4 ¡Ó 0.1 / 1000 £gm2 (n = 5). At 5 minutes after LPS application, the endothelial gap density drastically increased to 12.1 ¡Ó 1.6 ~ 27.5 ¡Ó 2.2 / 1000 £gm2 (n = 5 or 6), about 43-69 times (P < 0.01) as much as control. At the same time, the magnitude of plasma leakage, expressed by area density of India ink-labeled blood vessels, in the cecum and colon of LPS-treated rats increased to 7.8-8.2 times (P < 0.01) as much as control. Unusually high degree of plasma leakage and high number of endothelial gaps persisted for at least 30 minutes after treatment. Then, a significant reduction to the baseline level occurred at 60 minutes after LPS application (P > 0.05). The results evidently indicated that LPS-induced intestinal plasma leakage and the endothelial gap formation of venules were closely related. In the following experiment, in order to obtain an actual number of goblet cells in the mucosal epithelium, an innovative and effective experimental method was developed and adopted to prepare small intestine specimens in this study. Tissue pieces with two rows of mucosal villi were taken under a dissecting microscope. Then, scanning electron microscope was used to observe goblet cells and histochemistry staining was applied to further identify mucosubstance. The degree of goblet cell secretion in the villus epithelium of the duodenum and ileum was expressed by the number of cavitated goblet cells undergoing compound exocytosis. Digital morphometric software SimplePCI was employed to measure the epithelial surface area of sampled villi and to count the number of goblet cells. In addition, hydroxyl radical scavenger ¡V dimethylthiourea (DMTU) was also applied to explore the role of hydroxyl radicals involving in LPS-induced goblet cells secretion and plasma leakage. From scanning electron microscopy study, the numbers of cavitated goblet cells per mm2 of ileal villus epithelium in rats at 5 and 30 minutes after LPS injection were 693 ¡Ó 196 (n = 6) and 547 ¡Ó 213 (n = 6), respectively, which were 5.1 and 8.4 times (P < 0.05) compared with the number of saline control. The percentage of villus cavitated goblet cell numbers, in both duodenum and ileum 5 minutes after LPS and in the ileum 30 minutes after LPS, increased significantly (P < 0.05). When DMTU was given prior to LPS, the number of cavitated goblet cells and the amount of plasma leakage was inhibited and remained at the level as control (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the mechanism of the LPS-induced increase in compound exocytotic activity of goblet cells and increase in plasma leakage during acute phases of inflammatory response in rat small intestine was associated with hydroxyl radicals.

O estresse causa modificações no epitélio intestinal, tais como o aumento de células caliciformes e da taxa de apoptose. O uso de alimentos nutracêuticos tem sido uma alternativa para amenizar essas modificações sobre o tecido epitelial. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se a inclusão de colostro bovino, o qual é constituído de fatores antioxidantes, imunes e de crescimento, seria capaz de amenizar as consequências do estresse crônico sob o intestino. Para isso, juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados a 50 kg/m3 foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia até a saciedade com ração peletizada e semi-purificada sem (0%CBL) e com a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado em concentrações crescentes (10, 20 e 30%CBL), (n=4). Após 28 dias, foram coletados segmentos do intestino médio, S1 e S2, e reto. Os tecidos foram marcados com corantes histológicos para a quantificação de células caliciformes contendo mucinas neutras, ácidas (incluindo sialo e sulfomucinas) e ácidas-neutras. Também foram mensurados o volume (Vv) e a densidade da superfície (Sv) da mucosa, por análise estereológica, e a espessura da camada muscular. A razão do número de cada tipo e subtipo de célula caliciforme sobre o Vv e Sv foi calculada para estimar a densidade de células caliciformes, Dv e Ds, respectivamente. A taxa apoptótica foi analisada qualitativamente através da intensidade (alta, média e baixa) da imunomarcação da caspase-3 nas células epiteliais. As dietas não influenciaram os parâmetros zootécnicos analisados (P>0,05). No reto, os grupos que receberam 20 e 30%CBL apresentaram menor número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas e menor Ds em relação a 0 e 10% (P=0,0148 e 0,0198, respectivamente). No RT, Dv total e Dv de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas foi maior em 0 e 30%CBL em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0155 e 0,225, respectivamente). No S1, 10 e 30%CBL apresentaram maior Dv em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0540). A espessura da camada muscular, o Vv e a Sv não diferiram entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). No S2 e RT, a taxa de apoptose teve relação inversa à concentração de colostro bovino liofilizado adicionado na ração. Nos três segmentos, houve maior proporção de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas do que neutras, sendo a maioria representada por sulfomucinas. Assim, a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado nas rações de juvenis de pacu adensados diminuiu a apoptose nos segmentos intestinais S2 e RT e também diminuiu o número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas no RT, indicando que o colostro bovino liofilizado pode ser utilizado como alimento nutracêutico para pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados, a fim de diminuir a taxa apoptótica e proteger o intestino contra enzimas bacterianas, uma das principais funções das sulfomucinas. / The stress causes changes in the intestinal epithelium, such as the increase in the number of goblet cells and on the rate of apoptosis. The use of nutraceutical foods has been an alternative to soften these modifications on the epithelial tissue. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate if the inclusion of bovine colostrum, which is composed of antioxidant, immune and growth factors, would be able to attenuate the consequences of chronic stress on the intestine. For this, pacu juveniles (Piaractus mesopotamicus), stocked at density of 50 kg/m3, were fed twice daily until satiety with pelleted and semi-purified diet without (0% LBC) and with the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in increasing concentrations (10, 20 and 30% LBC), (n = 4). After 28 days, segments of the middle gut, S1 and S2, and rectum (RT) were collected. The tissues were stained with histological dyes for the quantification of goblet cells containing neutral, acidic (including sialo and sulphomucins) and acid-neutral mucins. The volume (Vv) and surface density (Sv) of the mucosa were also measured by stereological analysis and the thickness of the muscular layer. The ratio between the number of each goblet cell type and subtype and the Vv or Sv was calculated to estimate the density of goblet cells, Dv and Ds, respectively. The apoptotic rate was analyzed qualitatively according to the intensity (high, medium and low) of caspase-3 immunostaining in epithelial cells. The diets did not influence the zootechnical parameters analyzed (P> 0.05). In the rectum, the groups that received 20 and 30% LBC presented lower number of goblet cells containing sulphomucins and lower Ds in relation to 0 and 10% (P = 0.0148 and 0.0198, respectively). In RT, total Dv and Dv of goblet cells containing acid mucins were higher in 0 and 30% LBC in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0155 and 0.225, respectively). In S1, 10 and 30% LBC presented higher Dv in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0540). Muscle layer thickness, Vv and Sv did not differ between treatments (P> 0.05). In S2 and RT, the rate of apoptosis was inversely related to the concentration of lyophilized bovine colostrum added in the diet. In the three segments, there was higher proportion of goblet cells containing acidic than neutral mucins, most of them being sulphomucins. Thus, the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in diets of pacu juveniles reduced apoptosis in the intestinal segments S2 and RT and also decreased the number of goblet-containing sulphomucins in the RT, indicating that lyophilized bovine colostrum can be used as a nutraceutical feed for pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) under high stocking density to decrease the apoptotic rate and protect the intestine against bacterial enzymes, one of the main functions of sulphomucins.

In this study, we demonstrated that the CSKSSDYQC-peptide ligand which was identified from a random phage-peptide library through an in vivo phage display technique with rats could prominently improve the transport efficiency of macromolecules, such as large filamentous phage particles (M13 bacteriophage), across the intestinal mucosal barrier. Synthetic CSKSSDYQC-peptide ligands significantly inhibited the binding of phage P1 encoding CSKSSDYQC-peptide ligands to the intestinal mucosal tissue and immunohistochemical analysis showed that the CSKSSDYQC-peptide ligands could be transported across the intestinal mucosal barrier via goblet cells as their specific gateway. Thus, we inferred that CSKSSDYQC-peptide ligand might have a specific receptor on the goblet cells and transported from intestinal lumen to systemic circulation by transcytosis mechanism. These results suggest that CSKSSDYQC-ligand could be a promising tool for development of an efficient oral delivery system for macromolecular therapeutics in the carrier-drug conjugate strategy.