A Rapid Method to Measure Serum Retinol Concentrations in Japanese Black Cattle Using Multidimensional Fluorescence

Vitamin A levels in fattening Japanese Black cattle affect meat quality; therefore, it is important to monitor serum retinol concentrations. To simplify and accelerate the evaluation of serum retinol concentrations in cattle, we developed a new predictive method using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectrophotometry. For analytical comparison, the concentration of serum retinol was also measured using the conventional HPLC method. We examined excitation (Ex) and emission (Em) wavelengths of cattle serum, which were 250–450 and 250–600 nm, respectively. Parallel factor analysis separated four components from EEM data, one of which was related to retinol. Next, a partial least square regression model was created using the obtained EEMs as explanatory variables and accrual measurement values as objective variables. The determination coefficient value (R2), root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP), and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of the model were determined. A comparison with reference values found that R2, RMSEP, and RPD of the calibration model were 0.95, 6.4 IU/dl, and 4.2, respectively. This implies that EEM can estimate the serum retinol concentration with high accuracy. Additionally, the fluorescent peaks that contributed to the calibration, which were extracted from the regression coefficient and variable importance in projection plots, were Ex/Em = 320/390 and 330/520 nm. Thus, we assume that this method observes not only free retinol, but also retinol-binding protein. In conclusion, multidimensional fluorescence analysis can accurately and quickly determine serum retinol concentrations in fattening cattle.

Seeding and Growth of β-Amyloid Aggregates upon Interaction with Neuronal Cell Membranes

In recent years, the prevalence of amyloid neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has significantly increased in developed countries due to increased life expectancy. This amyloid disease is characterized by the presence of accumulations and deposits of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in neuronal tissue, leading to the formation of oligomers, fibers, and plaques. First, oligomeric intermediates that arise during the aggregation process are currently thought to be primarily responsible for cytotoxicity in cells. This work aims to provide further insights into the mechanisms of cytotoxicity by studying the interaction of Aβ aggregates with Neuro-2a (N2a) neuronal cells and the effects caused by this interaction. For this purpose, we have exploited the advantages of advanced, multidimensional fluorescence microscopy techniques to determine whether different types of Aβ are involved in higher rates of cellular toxicity, and we measured the cellular stress caused by such aggregates by using a fluorogenic intracellular biothiol sensor. Stress provoked by the peptide is evident by N2a cells generating high levels of biothiols as a defense mechanism. In our study, we demonstrate that Aβ aggregates act as seeds for aggregate growth upon interacting with the cellular membrane, which results in cell permeability and damage and induces lysis. In parallel, these damaged cells undergo a significant increase in intracellular biothiol levels.