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Introduction

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The sub-health condition refers to a state in which the patient experiences a reduction in his or her vitality and adaptability, although no defined disease is diagnosed (1). It is also a state featuring a deterioration in physiological function between health and illness (2,3). The sub-health condition has emerged as a life-threatening condition in China, which is prevalent among senior and middle-level managers, clerks and other workers of high educational attainment (4). The causes are varied, including poor diet, lack of exercise and chronic stress, which are all important in the development of the sub-health condition. The condition can last for several months or even years, and patients suffering from this condition often cannot work efficiently, or cannot continue their work or studies, thereby affecting their relationship with family members and society (5). Certain experts have summarized the characteristics of the condition as a deficit of activity, reaction and adaptability. In addition, the sub-health condition is characterized by an increase in the levels of blood glucose, lipid and viscosity, and a decrease in immune function (5). Few animal models have been established to investigate the development of the sub-health condition. The aim of the present study was to establish a novel rat sub-health model, according to its causes, and to evaluate the success of the model against the characteristics of the sub-health condition.

Intestinal disorders, including constipation and diarrhea, are the most common symptoms seen in individuals in sub-health. Previous reports have demonstrated that abnormal intestinal barrier function occurs in irritable bowel syndrome, prolonged and high-intensity exercise, and with high levels of dietary fat (6,7), and the mechanism contributes to their intestinal symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. In addition, individuals in sub-health exhibit a notable downregulation in the expression of YWHAZ, which has protective effects on intestinal barrier function (8). Therefore, the present study performed experiments to characterize changes in intestinal function in the novel sub-health rat model.

There remains controversy as to whether the sub-health condition requires medical intervention, and it has been suggested that removal of the causes, including the intake of high-fat foods and physical stress, can cause sub-health symptoms to disappear. In the present study, the sub-health model rats we re-introduced their normal environment following establishment of the model, following which the physiological index and expression levels of YWHAZ were analyzed. The present study aimed to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms of intestinal disorders.

Materials and methods

Sub-health rat model

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xiangya Hospital (Changsha, China). A total of 18 healthy adult male Wistar rats (weighing 180–200 g) were purchased from the animal facility of Central South University. The rats were housed individually, provided with access to food and water ad libitum and maintained under a 12 h light/dark cycle at a temperature of 25±2°C. The rats were randomly divided into a sub-health group (n=12) and a control group (n=6).

In the sub-health group, the rats were subjected to high-fat and sugar diet (comprising 15% lard and 10% sucrose) in their feed every day. At the same time, the rats were placed in a restrictive space 24 h a day, which limited motion permitting the rat to turn around. In addition, the rats were subjected to water avoidance stress (WAS) every day. The procedure of WAS involved placing the rat on a platform (8×6 cm) in the middle of a plastic container (56×50 cm) filled with warm water (25°C) to 1 cm below the height of the platform. The rats avoided the aversive stimulus (water) by remaining on the platform for 1 h. The experimental procedures were performed between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. to minimize the effect of their circadian rhythm (9). This series of experiments was performed for 5 weeks in total. At the same time, the control group of rats was fed a normal diet. After 5 weeks, six of the rats in the sub-health group and the six control group rats were randomly selected and sacrificed by decapitation, following which trunk blood and 10 g feces samples, and organs were collected. The colon was dissected and maintained on ice prior to weighing within 2–3 h of collection. Whole blood was allowed to clot and centrifuged at 3,220 × g for 20 min at 4°C to collect the serum, which was stored at −70°C. The remaining six sub-health group rats, were removed from the sub-health condition and returned to their normal living patterns, including a normal diet, suffi-ciently large cage and lowered levels of stress. After 5 weeks, these rats were also sacrificed and blood and feces samples and organs were collected.

Glucose and lipid profile analysis

The serum was obtained and stored in 0.5 ml aliquots at −70°C until use. The levels of glucose (GLU; cat. no. YZB/GER 3263-2014), triglycerides (TGs; cat. no. YZB/GER 3373-2014), total cholesterol (T-Ch; cat. no. YZB/GER 3316-2014), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c; cat. no. YZB/GER 3394-2014) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c; cat. no. YZB/GER 3364-2014) were measured using the corresponding commercial kits (Autec Diagnostica Co, Botzing, Germany) on an automatic biochemistry analyzer (HITACHI 7170, Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan).

Serum concentration analysis of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4

The serum concentrations of INF-γ and IL-4 were measured using a two-step sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, with INF-γ and IL-4 assay kits, which were purchased from Cusabio (Wuhan, China), in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Open field assessment

The rats were removed from their housing cages and placed at the center of a wooden box measuring 100×100×40 cm, the floor of which was divided by black lines into 25 equal squares. The horizontal locomotion, vertical locomotion, time spent in the central area of the apparatus and the number of defecations were recorded for 5 min, to evaluate habituation, emotionality and motor activity. The horizontal locomotor activity was characterized by the total number of squares crossed during a 5 min assessment session (square crossing), and the vertical locomotion was determined by the number of rearings (standing on hind legs) (10).

Determination of concentration of serum D-lactic acid and activity of diamine oxidase (DAO)

The concentrations of serum D-lactic acid concentration was measured using a two-step sandwich ELISA method, with a D-lactic acid kit (Cusabio), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Serum DAO activity was measured using a spectrophotometric method, using D-lactic acid and DAO activity assay kits (Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, Nanjing, China) in the HITACHI 7170 system.

Histological examination

Samples of the colon were fixed in 10% buffered paraformaldehyde (Shanghai Qiangshun Chemical Reagents Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China), embedded in paraffin (Shanghai Qiangshun Chemical Reagents Co., Ltd.), sectioned at 4 µm thickness, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (Shanghai Qiangshun Chemical Reagents Co., Ltd.) A Bioquant image analysis system (Bioquant Image Analysis Corporation, Nashville, TN, USA) attached to a Nikon E800 microscope (Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) was used to visualize the stained sections at three fields per section.

RNA extraction and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis

Total RNA was isolated from 100 mg samples of colon tissue using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and reverse-transcribed using a RevertAid First Strand cDNA Synthesis kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pittsburg, PA, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. The qPCR reaction was performed in a 20 µl reaction volume, containing 1.6 µl of primer, using an Applied Biosystems Max3000 sequence detection system and SYBR Green reagents (Takara Bio Inc., Otsu, Japan). The thermocycling conditions were 95°C for 10 min, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 35 sec and annealing/elongation at 60°C for 20 sec. The oligonucleotide primers (obtained from Shanghai Shenggong Biology Engineering Technology Service, Ltd., Shanghai, China) used were as follows: Rat YWHAZ, forward 5′-GCCTGCTCTCTTGCAAAAAC-3′ and reverse 5′-GGTATCCGATGTCCACAATG-3′; and Rat GAPDH, forward 5′-ATCACCATCTTCCAGGAGCG-3′ and reverse 5′-TTCTGAGTGGCAGTGAGGGC-3′. Detection of the qPCR products was monitored by the increase in fluorescence caused by the binding of SYBR Green to the double-stranded DNA. To verify the homogenous nature of the qPCR product, melting-point determinations were evaluated at the end of each reaction. The change in cycle threshold was calculated to compare the mRNA expression levels of each target gene, relative to expression of the reference 'housekeeping' gene, GAPDH. ∆Ct indicates the difference between the number of cycles required to detect linear amplification of the PCR products for each protein and that of GAPDH. The relative expression levels were analyzed using the 2−∆Ct method.

Immunohistochemistry

The protein expression levels were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Sections were cut from the paraffin blocks (4 µm) and mounted onto silane-coated glass slides (Beijing Zhongshan Jinqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China). The sections were dewaxed in xylene (Beijing Zhongshan Jinqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) and rehydrated via a graded series of alcohols. Antigen retrieval was performed using 10 mmol/l citrate buffer (pH 6.0; Beijing Zhongshan Jinqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) and heat, with sections subjected to microwave irradiation at 700 W and 45°C to produce staining. Endogenous peroxidases were inhibited through incubation for 30 min at 25°C with 3% H2O2 in methanol. The tissue sections were incubated for 2 h at room temperature with 3% normal goat serum prior to incubation with the primary rabbit monoclonal anti-rat YWHAZ antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, USA; cat. no. sc-1019) diluted 1:100 in PBS for 16–24 h at 4°C. The bound antibodies were detected using biotin-substance P-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody (1:500; Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology, Beijing, China; ZLI-9022). The sections were processed using a standard biotin-avidin-horseradish peroxidase methodology. Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (Beijing Zhongshan Jinqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) was used as the chromogen, and immunoreactivity appeared as brown staining. The nuclei were counterstained with hematoxylin. Sections were examined using light microscopy.

Statistical analysis

Data were expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA) and GraphPad Prism 6 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). Comparisons between groups were analyzed with appropriate analyses of variance or t-tests. P<0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference.

Results

Changes in growth, GLU and lipid profile

The present study initially observed that body weight of the rats in the sub-health group were similar to those of the rats in the control group (data not shown), indicating that chronic stress may affect the increase of weight regardless of a high-fat and sugar diet. As shown in Fig. 1, the GLU and lipid levels in the sub-health rats increased marginally, compared with the control rats, but without statistical significance. However, the levels of TGs and LDL-c were significantly upregulated in the sub-health rats, compared with the control group. In addition, in the recovered group, the level of GLU and the lipid profile did not return to normal.

Figure 1 Effects of sub-health factors on the glucose and lipid profile. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05, vs. control. GLU, glucose; TG, triglycerides; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipo-protein cholesterol.

Changes in IFN-γ and IL-4 concentrations

The serum concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly decreased in the sub-health rats, compared with the control group. Following recovery from the sub-health condition for 35 days, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 remained unchanged in the recovered sub-health group (Fig. 2).

Figure 2 Production of immune-associated cytokines. (A) Serum level of IFN-γ (pg/ml) in the sub-health group and recovered group were lower than that in the control group, and the levels of IL-4 (pg/ml) in the sub-health group and recovered group were higher than that in the control group. (B) IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios in the sub-health group and recovered group were lower than that in the control group. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05, vs. control. IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin.

Behavioral investigation

The effects of the sub-health conditions on the number of crossing responses and rearing responses (motor activity), the duration spent in the central area (habituation) and fecal boli (emotionality) in the open field task are presented in Table I. An increased number of boli is associated with the anxiety of the animal (11–13). Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of crossings and rearings, and an increase in the time spent in the central area, indicating deficits in motor activity and habituation. The increase of fecal boli indicated that the sub-health factors also affected the emotionality of the animals. Following a return to normal living conditions, the behaviors of the rats improved marginally.

Table I Effects on the duration spent in the central area, number of rearings, crossings and fecal boli in the open field assessment in rats exposed to sub-health conditions for 5 weeks and subsequent recovery.

Table I

Effects on the duration spent in the central area, number of rearings, crossings and fecal boli in the open field assessment in rats exposed to sub-health conditions for 5 weeks and subsequent recovery.

Variable	Control	Sub-health	Sub-health recovery
Duration in central area (sec)	4.33±2.50	14.83±9.45a	9.17±8.33
Number of rearings	20.83±10.09	4.33±3.72a	12.00±7.07
Number of crossing	66.50±39.79	18.67±17.39a	39.83±28.48
Number of fecal boli	1.33±1.75	4.00±2.19a	2.17±0.40

{ label (or @symbol) needed for fn[@id='tfn1-mmr-13-04-3459'] } Data are expressed as the mean ±standard deviation.

a P<0.05, vs. control group (Student t-test).

Changes in serum levels of D-lactic acid and the activity of DAO

The results of the present study revealed that the levels of serum D-lactate and the activity of DAO in the sub-health group were significantly higher, compared with those of the control group (P<0.001), however no significant change was observed in the levels of D-lactate and activity of DAO in the recovered group, compared with the sub-health group (Fig. 3).

Figure 3 Serum levels of D-lactate and DAO. (A) Sub-health factors increased the level of D-lactate. (B) Levels of DAO were higher in the sub-health group, compared with the control group. Returning to normal conditions did not reduce the level of D-lactate or the activity of DAO. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05, vs. control. DAO, diamine oxidase.

Histological analyses

The histological architecture and cell proliferation in the colon tissues from the rats were evaluated following paraffin sectioning and hematoxylin and eosin staining. No significant differences were observed in the histology of the colon sections between the three groups (Fig. 4).

Figure 4 Changes in permeability are not due to altered colon architecture. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of colon tissue sections from rats demonstrated no difference in histological architecture and or cell proliferation between the control, sub-health and recovered groups. Magnification, ×400.

Change in the expression levels of YWHAZ

To investigate the molecular changes of barrier function damage in sub-health rats, the present study investigated the expression levels of YWHAZ. RT-qPCR revealed a significant decrease in the mRNA expression levels of YWHAZ in the rats treated with sub-health factors, indicating the inhibitory effect of sub-health factors on YWHAZ (Fig. 5). This suggested that sub-health factors contribute to the damage caused by the downregulation of YWHAZ. In addition, the immunohistochemical data revealed a significant decrease in the mRNA expression levels of YWHAZ in the rats treated with sub-health factors. Following 5 weeks recovery, the expression of YWHAZ remained at a low level (Fig. 6). These results indicated that the sub-health factors had an inhibitory effect on the expression of YWHAZ, and the return to normal living conditions does not affect the level of YWHAZ.

Figure 5 mRNA levels of YWHAZ were measured in the large intestine of rats using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. GAPDH was used as an internal reference. RNA was harvested from the rats subjected to sub-health factors at day 35, and rats 35 days following return to their normal living patterns. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05, vs. control.

Figure 6 Immunohistochemical staining of YWHAZ. Decreased expression levels of YWHAZ were observed in the sub-health group and sub-health recovered group, compared with the control group. Magnification, ×400.

Discussion

In the present study, a novel sub-health rat model was established, which exhibited all the typical characteristics of sub-health, including high levels of glucose and lipids, weak immune function and deficits in activity, reaction and habituation. The present study also indicated that there was abnormal intestinal barrier function in the sub-health rat model. In addition, returning to normal living and feeding conditions did not improve mucosal barrier function.

Sub-health is defined by the World Health Organization as a state between health and disease, when all necessary physical and chemical indices have tested negative by medical equipment, however, the individual experiences discomfort and even pain (2). In the present study, due to being provided with a high-fat and sugar diet, the model rats had high levels of blood glucose and lipids, compared with the control group, however, the level did not confirm the presence of diabetes or hypercholesterolemia (14,15). This is consistent with the characteristics of sub-health.

In sub-health conditions, the body has a weak immune system, and pathogens may invade easily with serious consequences. It has been established that exposure to various pathogens can stimulate at least two patterns of cytokine production by CD4-positive T cells (16). Responses, which result in the secretion of IFN-γ, lymphotoxin and IL-2 are classified as T-helper-1 (Th1 response, whereas CD4+ T-cell production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10 and IL-13 is termed a Th2 response (17). Differentiation of CD4+ T cells into either Th1 or Th2 cells is determined according to the cytokine milieu in which the initial antigen priming occurs. IFN-γ is secreted at higher levels in splenic lymphocytes, which indicates that a Th1 response is evoked through immunization. Accordingly, the antigen-sensitized lymphocytes were present and activated under the effect of IFN-γ (17). In addition, secretions of IL-4 at higher levels are involved in combination with the induction of IgA and the differentiation of B cells. Thus, the cytokines secreted are relative to cell-mediated immune responses and humoral immune responses (18,19). The results of the present study revealed lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the model rats, compared with the control rats, indicating that weak immune function is also one of the characteristics of sub-health.

Lack of energy, depression, slow reactions and lack of interest or listlessness are common symptoms of sub-health. Open field assessment has been used widely to assess habituation, emotionality and locomotor performance (20,21). Upon exposure to a standard open field central zone, rats move rapidly towards the walls of the field, a behavior known as thigmotaxis. This behavior represents the propensity to avoid the center of an arena and stay or move in close proximity to the boundaries or walls of a novel environment (22). Activity in the central part of the open field is considered to correlate with a degree of habituation, whereas activity in the peripheral zone and along the walls of the field is considered to reflect general activity (23). In the present study, the model rats exhibited a deficit in activity and habituation. In addition, the increase in the number of fecal boli indicated increased anxiety in the model rats. These characteristics of the model rats demonstrated that it was a suitable mode for investigating sub-health.

Mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract are continuously exposed to environmental stimuli. The intestinal epithelium constitutes the largest and most important barrier against external environmental agents and has two critical functions: To prevent the entry of harmful intraluminal microorganisms, antigens and toxins, and to enable the selective translocation of dietary nutrients and electrolytes into the circulation (24). Similar to irritable bowel syndrome, prolonged and high-intensity exercise, dietary fat and intestinal disorders in sub-health may also result from abnormal intestinal barrier function. DAO, an intracellular enzyme catalyzing the oxidation of diamines, including histamine, putrescine and cadaverine, exist in high concentrations in the intestinal mucosa, and the majority of DAO activity in the blood comes from the intestine (25). The serum activity of DAO is proportional to the level of intestinal DAO; and is a reliable marker of intestinal mucosal integrity (26). D-lactic acid is a metabolic product of bacteria, present in the intestinal lumen. The intact intestinal mucosa provides a barrier function to prevent DAO and D-lactic acid infiltrating the portal blood, which are indices of increase in permeability of the intestinal wall (27). In the present study the serum levels of DAO and D-lactic acid in the sub-health rats were enhanced, which indicated that sub-health factors increased the epithelial permeability, compromising the intestinal function. Improved mucosal barrier function may be a target of therapy in sub-health intestinal abnormality.

In our previous study (8), which aimed to identify the molecule marker of the progress of proteomics in the colonic mucosa of sub-healthy individuals, two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to separate the total colonic mucosa proteins of sub-healthy individuals and those of healthy volunteers, and further confirmation of differentially expressed proteins was performed using western blot analysis. It was found that the expression of YWHAZ was downregulated in the colonic mucosa, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of abnormal intestinal function. YWHAZ is important role in a wide range of biologic processes through a variety of regulatory mechanisms, by binding to phosphorylated serine/threonine motifs in diverse partners, the most important of which is its inhibitory effect on apoptosis (28,29). Apoptosis can lead to defects in intestinal barrier function, and the maintenance of intestinal function is reliant on the rapid renewal of the intestinal mucosa and cell proliferation (30,31). Therefore, the downregulation in the expression of YWHAZ in the colonic mucosa of sub-health rats may be involved in compromised mucosa barrier function through the upregulation of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation.

There remains no consensus on whether sub-health necessitates drug-based intervention. It has been suggested that isolating and removing the causes of sub-health, as well as environmental or psychological factors, would cause sub-health symptoms to disappear (4). In the present study, following rescue from pressure and limited space for 5 weeks, the adaptability and vitality of the sub-health rats exhibited certain improvements. However, the levels of serum glucose and lipids, as well as the immune function, did not recover. In addition the intestinal mucosal permeability and the protein expression of YWHAZ remained abnormal. Therefore, other interventions may be necessary, possibly including fish oil supplementation, exercise, music therapy and probiotics, which may be useful (32–34).

References