Short-chain fatty acids directly exert anti-inflammatory responses in podocytes and tubular epithelial cells exposed to high glucose.

Gut-microbiome derived short-chain fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory effects and delay progression of kidney disease in diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to examine the impact and of short-chain fatty acid treatment on cellular pathways involved in the development of experimental diabetic nephropathy. To determine the effect of short-chain fatty acids in diabetic nephropathy, we compared wildtype, GPR43-/- and GPR109A-/- mice diabetic mice treated with acetate or butyrate and assessed variables of kidney damage.

Targeting inflammatory monocytes by immune-modifying nanoparticles prevents acute kidney allograft rejection.

Inflammatory monocytes are a major component of the cellular infiltrate in acutely rejecting human kidney allografts. Since immune-modifying nanoparticles (IMPs) bind to circulating inflammatory monocytes via the specific scavenger receptor MARCO, causing diversion to the spleen and subsequent apoptosis, we investigated the therapeutic potential of negatively charged, 500-nm diameter polystyrene IMPs to prevent kidney allograft rejection. Kidney transplants were performed from BALB/c (H2) to C57BL/6 (H2) mice in two groups: controls (allo) and allo mice infused with IMPs.

Gut Microbial Metabolites Induce Donor-Specific Tolerance of Kidney Allografts through Induction of T Regulatory Cells by Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

Background: Short-chain fatty acids derived from gut microbial fermentation of dietary fiber have been shown to suppress autoimmunity through mechanisms that include enhanced regulation by T regulatory cells (Tregs).

Methods: Using a murine kidney transplantation model, we examined the effects on alloimmunity of a high-fiber diet or supplementation with the short-chain fatty acid acetate. Kidney transplants were performed from BALB/c(H2) to B6(H2) mice as allografts in wild-type and recipient mice lacking the G protein-coupled receptor GPR43 (the metabolite-sensing receptor of acetate).

Dietary Fiber Protects against Diabetic Nephropathy through Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Mediated Activation of G Protein-Coupled Receptors GPR43 and GPR109A.

Background: Studies have reported "dysbiotic" changes to gut microbiota, such as depletion of gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through gut fermentation of fiber, in CKD and diabetes. Dietary fiber is associated with decreased inflammation and mortality in CKD, and SCFAs have been proposed to mediate this effect.

Methods: To explore dietary fiber's effect on development of experimental diabetic nephropathy, we used streptozotocin to induce diabetes in wild-type C57BL/6 and knockout mice lacking the genes encoding G protein-coupled receptors GPR43 or GPR109A.

High-resolution multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry in glaucoma.

Purpose: The recent development of an objective and noninvasive perimetric technique using pupillary responses to sparse multifocal visual stimuli shows promise for the assessment of visual function in glaucoma. This study assesses the sensitivity and specificity of four variants of dichoptic multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry (mfPOP) with a high-resolution, 40-region/field stimulus.

Methods: Nineteen normal subjects and 17 with open-angle glaucoma were tested with four 4-minute stimulus protocols, presented in eight segments of 30 seconds each.

Discrimination of complex form by simple oscillator networks.

Natural images are rich in higher order spatial correlations. Brain scanning, psychophysics and electrophysiology indicate that humans are sensitive to these image properties. A useful tool for exploring this sense is the set of isotrigon textures.