BackgroundButyrate is an energy source for colonocytes that is formed by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber in the colon and that exerts broad anti-inflammatory activities. Although the administration of butyrate improves homeostasis in patients and ameliorates IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)-related lesions and symptoms, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of butyrate still remain unclear. To explore the impact of butyrate on Treg (Regulatory T cell)/Th17 (T helper 17 cell) differentiation and colitis in rats.MethodsThe effect of butyrate on the expression of markers related to both Tregs and Th17 cells were determined in human monocytes as well as a rat model of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Rats were treated with butyrate in vivo, whereas the rat splenocytes and human monocytes were treated in vitro.ResultsWe found that butyrate administration increased peripheral blood Treg cell levels as well as plasma levels of anti-Th17 cytokines (IL-10 and IL-12). Butyrate administration further suppressed IL-17 levels in both plasma and colonic mucosa, and ameliorated colonic colitis lesions in rats. This promotion of Treg activity and inhibition of IL-17 release was also observed in human venous monocytes and rat splenocytes in vitro.ConclusionsOur results suggest that butyrate plays a key role in regulating the Treg/Th17 balance and ultimately protects the colon mucosa against the development of IBD.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the vascular flow density (VD) of macular superficial (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris and the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in healthy children using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The potential associations of age, sex, intraocular pressure, body mass index, spherical equivalent, and axial length with OCTA parameters were also investigated. A total of 75 eyes from 75 healthy children were included for analysis, with the mean age 11.51 ± 1.91 years (range, 8–16 years). At the level of the SCP, mean VD and mean FAZ area were, respectively, 54.29 ± 2.25% and 0.290 ± 0.109 mm2. At the level of the DCP and choriocapillaris, mean VD were 60.19 ± 1.76% and 66.58 ± 1.33%, respectively. After adjustment on the signal strength index, there was no significant correlation between age and all OCTA parameters. Intra-observer repeatability was 0.91, 0.82, and 0.88 in the SCP, DCP and choriocapillaris, respectively. In healthy eyes of children, only sex has a significant influence on the FAZ area. OCTA may provide a noninvasive and reliable approach for evaluating macular perfusion in children, although sex-related variations should be considered.

No abstract

No abstract