Fatty acid binding protein antigen (>95%)

Background Increased intestinal barrier permeability and subsequent gut microbial translocation are significant contributors to inflammatory non-AIDS comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLWH). Evidence in animal models have shown that markers of intestinal permeability and microbial translocation vary over the course of the day and are affected by food intake and circadian rhythms. However, daily variations of these markers are not characterized yet in PLWH. Herein, we assessed the variation of these markers over 24 h in PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a well-controlled environment. Methods As in Canada, PLWH are predominantly men and the majority of them are now over 50 years old, we selected 11 men over 50 receiving ART with undetectable viremia for more than 3 years in this pilot study. Blood samples were collected every 4 h over 24 h before snacks/meals from 8:00 in the morning to 8:00 the next day. All participants consumed similar meals at set times, and had a comparable amount of sleep, physical exercise and light exposure. Plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fungal (1 -> 3)-beta-D-Glucan (BDG) translocation markers, along with markers of intestinal damage fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and regenerating islet-derived protein-3 alpha (REG3 alpha) were assessed by ELISA or the fungitell assay. Results Participants had a median age of 57 years old (range 50 to 63). Plasma levels of BDG and REG3 alpha did not vary significantly over the course of the study. In contrast, a significant increase of LPS was detected between 12:00 and 16:00 (Z-score: - 1.15 +/- 0.18 vs 0.16 +/- 0.15, p = 0.02), and between 12:00 and 24:00 (- 1.15 +/- 0.18 vs 0.89 +/- 0.26, p < 0.001). The plasma levels of I-FABP at 16:00 (- 0.92 +/- 0.09) were also significantly lower, compared to 8:00 the first day (0.48 +/- 0.26, p = 0.002), 4:00 (0.73 +/- 0.27, p < 0.001) or 8:00 on secondary day (0.88 +/- 0.27, p < 0.001). Conclusions Conversely to the fungal translocation marker BDG and the gut damage marker REG3 alpha, time of blood collection matters for the proper evaluation for LPS and I-FABP as markers for the risk of inflammatory non-AIDS co-morbidities. These insights are instrumental for orienting clinical investigations in PLWH.

Background: It is recommended that women accumulate 150-min of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) when pregnant. Engaging in regular physical activity (PA) confers many health benefits to both the mother and the fetus. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these health benefits are bestowed are not well understood. One potential factor that may be contributing to the observed benefits is myokines, which are small peptides secreted by skeletal muscles. In the non-pregnant population, myokines are believed to be involved in the molecular mechanisms resulting from PA. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the myokine profile of pregnant and non-pregnant women, after an acute bout of MPA. Methods: Pregnant (n = 13) and non-pregnant (n = 17) women were recruited from the Ottawa region to undergo a treadmill walking session at moderate-intensity (40-60% heart rate reserve). Pre- and post-exercise serum samples were taken, and a set of 15 myokines were analyzed although only 10 were detected. IL-6 was analyzed using a high-sensitivity assay, while FGF21, EPO, BDNF, Fractalkine, IL-15, SPARC, FABP-3, FSTL-1, and oncostatin were analyzed using various multiplex assays. Results: The pregnant and non-pregnant groups did not differ in terms of age, height, non/pre-pregnancy weight, BMI, and resting heart rate. Baseline levels of EPO and oncostatin were higher in the pregnant group while FGF21 was higher in the non-pregnant group. Circulating levels of three myokines, FGF21, EPO, and IL-15 significantly increased in response to the acute exercise in the pregnant group. Non-pregnant women exhibited an increase in three myokines, FABP-3, FSTL-1, and oncostatin, while one myokine, EPO, decreased post-exercise. SPARC, fractalkine and BDNF were shown to increase post-exercise regardless of pregnancy status while the response for BDNF was more pronounced in the non-pregnant group. Conclusion: This is the first study examining myokine response following an acute bout of PA in pregnancy. Moderate intensity PA, which is recommended during pregnancy, elicited an increase in four myokines post-compared to pre-exercise in the pregnant group. Further research is warranted to understand the role of myokines in pregnancy.