Storage causes protein oxidation of soybean meal and affects antioxidant status, digestive performance and meat quality of broilers

Effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of palygorskite-based composite on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The effect of Illicium verum extracts (IVE) or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (ELE) on nutrient availability, duodenal and jejunal antioxidant ability of Duroc ×Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) and Chinese native Licha-black (LCB) piglets was investigated. Ninety-six piglets (48 DLY and 48 LCB respectively) without significant difference in body weight (11.22±0.32kg) were used in a 2×4 factorial design. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments, and each had four replicates with three DLY and three LCB piglets. Treatments were basal diet (CON) and basal diet with 500mg/kg IVE, 250mg/kg ELE and 50mg/kg chlortetracycline (CHL) respectively. Animals were placed individually for 7-days adaptation following 42-days test. Results showed the significant interaction (p<0.05) between dietary treatments and pig species in activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and α-tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Nrf2/TNF-α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum of DLY and LCB piglets. The IVE and ELE increased (p<0.05) activity of GSH-Px and T-SOD, and the Nrf2/TNF-α at mRNA and protein level, however, the decreased (p<0.05) MDA content, and TNF-α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum were observed. The CHL decreased (p<0.05) activity of GSH-Px and T-SOD, TNF-α and Nrf2 at mRNA and protein level in duodenum, but increased (p<0.05) MDA content and Nrf2/TNF-α in jejunum. DLY piglets had higher (p<0.05) nutrient digestibility (organic matter, crude protein and gross energy), availability (biological value and net protein utilization), MDA content, and TNF-α at mRNA and protein level in jejunum, and had lower (p<0.05) activity of GSH-Px and T-SOD, and Nrf2 and Nrf2/TNF-α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum than LCB. In conclusion, the 500mg/kg IVE and 250mg/kg ELE improved the nutrient availability, and the improvement of antioxidant capacity is realized by activating the Nrf2/TNF-α of duodenum and jejunum. The CHL had adverse effects on antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets. The results showed that the nutrient digestion and absorption capacity of DLY were stronger than that of LCB piglets, but the antioxidant capacity was lower than that of LCB piglets. Therefore, the IVE and ELE are recommended as a new potential alternative to antibiotics in piglets' diets.

Recently, we found significantly reduced total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the cartilage of patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the SOD activity in serum, joint fluid, cartilage, and synovial membrane samples collected from 52 patients with end-stage knee OA who underwent total knee arthroplasty. The relationship between the total SOD activity in each tissue was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The joint fluid total SOD activity was used as the objective variable, and its association with the serum, cartilage, and synovial total SOD activities was evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Univariate analysis revealed that joint fluid total SOD activity was positively correlated with synovial total SOD activity. Multiple linear regression analysis using joint fluid total SOD activity as the objective variable showed a positive association with synovial total SOD activity (β = 0.493, adjusted R2 = 0.172, P < 0.01). In patients with end-stage knee OA, the state of the synovial total SOD activity is better reflected by the total SOD activity in the joint fluid than that in the cartilage. Joint fluid total SOD activity may serve as a biomarker for the treatment and prevention of synovitis.

Effects of oregano essential oil or quercetin supplementation on body weight loss, carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant status in finishing pigs under transport stress

Placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) refers to a group of abnormalities in placental adhesion and invasion, which may lead to serious complications such as intractable postpartum hemorrhage. The use of low-level extra-abdominal aortic temporary block during cesarean section may reduce intraoperative bleeding in patients with PAS, but it may also cause ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, we intend to investigate the efficacy of low extra-abdominal aortic block in cesarean section for placental implantation disease and its effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and analyze the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by them. Pregnant women with invasive placenta accreta spectrum disorders who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2017 to July 2021, were selected, and they were divided into 2 groups. Group A consisted of those who underwent low extra-abdominal aortic block during cesarean section (n=15) and group B consisted of those who did not undergo extra-abdominal aortic block (n=15). The intraoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, hysterectomy and complication rate, postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization expenses were compared between the 2 groups to analyze the efficacy of abdominal aortic block. The biochemical indexes related to ischemia-reperfusion, MDA content and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, were measured at the corresponding time points in both groups. The time points of each test were: in group A, before the block of the low extra-abdominal aorta after delivery (A0), 0 h (A1, when the myometrium was started to be sutured), 0.5 h (A2), 2 h (A3), and 4 h (A4) after the open block; in group B, after delivery of the fetus (B0), 0 h (B1), 0.5 h (B2), 2 h (B3), and 4 h (B4) after the myometrium was started to be sutured. Total duration of abdominal aortic block in group A was also recorded. Both groups were observed for sings of edema, ischemia, necrosis and infection in the limbs after surgery. The severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by abdominal aortic block were determined by detecting the relevant biochemical indexes at different moments of reperfusion. The intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion in group A were less than those in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Surgical complications: in group A, the uterus was preserved in all cases, there was 1 bladder injury and 2 pelvic infections; while in group B, there was 1 hysterectomy, 3 bladder injuries, and 3 pelvic infections. Changes in T-SOD and MDA values: compared with A0 before block, the MDA level was significantly elevated in blood at time points A1, A2, and A3, while SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the 2 observed indexes basically returned to A1 level (ischemic period) at 4 h after open block (A4). There was no significant difference in the changes of T-SOD and MDA in group B (P>0.05). Comparison of T-SOD and MDA levels between group A and B: the difference of the 2 indexes was not statistically significant between A0 and B0 (P>0.05), MDA level was not statistically significant between A1 and B1, T-SOD activity at A1 was lower than B1, the difference was statistically significant, at the rest of the same time point, MDA level in group A were higher than that in group B, T-SOD activity in group A were lower than that in group B, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). No postoperative limb edema, ischemia, necrosis, or infection occurred in both groups. Low-level extra-abdominal aortic block effectively reduces bleeding and transfusion during cesarean section for placenta accreta spectrum disorders, resulting in a transient MDA elevation and a decrease of SOD activity, which means causing transient ischemia-reperfusion injury without complications such as limb edema, ischemia, necrosis, and infection.

Objective To observe the protective effect of atorvastatin against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and to discuss the possible mechanism. Methods Thirty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were evenly randomized into three groups: sham-operated(S) group,ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) group,and atorvastatin pretreatment(AT+I/R) group.The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model was established by ligating the left anterior descending of coronary artery.The infarcted area was evaluated by Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining.The contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MDA),and myeloperoxidase(MPO) and total superoxide dismutase(TSOD) activity in the non-infarcted myocardial tissues were measured by radioimmunoassay;the levels of nitric oxide(NO) and the activities of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and inducible NOS(iNOS) were detected by colorimetric method. Results The ratio of the infarcted area to the ischemia area(ischemia but non-infarcted area+infarcted area) and the ratio of the infarcted area to the left ventricular area in group AT+I/R were both significantly lower than those in group I/R([29.4±8.4)% vs [57.7±6.5]%,P0.001;[15.9±5.6]% vs [29.0±8.9]%,P0.05).The levels of TNF-α,MDA,MPO and NO,the activities of NOS and iNOS were significantly higher and the TSOD activity was significantly lower in the non-infarcted myocardial tissues of group AT+I/R and group I/R compared with those in group S(P0.05).The levels of TNF-α,MDA,MPO and NO,and the activities of NOS and iNOS were significantly decreased(P0.05) and the TSOD activity was significantly increased(P0.05) in group AT+I/R as compared to those in group I/R. Conclusion Atorvastatin can protect myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury,which might be related to suppression of the inflammatory reaction,activation of the anti-oxidiant reaction and improvement of oxygen free radical scavenging;the role of iNOS deserves special attention.

Dietary enzymatically-treated Artemisia annua L. supplementation could alleviate oxidative injury and improve reproductive performance of sows reared under high ambient temperature.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured in the brain and liver of 24-26- and 3-month-old rats. No significant age-related differences in Cu/Zn-SOD activity were found in any of the tissues studied. A small but significant increase in total SOD activity was observed in the whole brain (10-20%), cerebral cortex (11%), and hypothalamus (18%) of old rats, whereas a much more important increase in Mn-SOD activity was found in the whole brain (48%), cerebral cortex (70%), striatum (60%), and hypothalamus (30%). The increase of Mn-SOD activity in the brain of old rats suggests the enzyme may play an important role in the process of aging. Mn-SOD is found only in the mitochondrion, which could be an important site of oxygen free radical production, and a significant increase in the enzyme activity was also found in the lung of hypoxic rats. A significant decrease in total SOD and Mn-SOD activity was observed in the liver of old rats. Preliminary experiments in 23-24-month-old mice similarly showed an increase and a decrease in total SOD and Mn-SOD activity, respectively, in the whole brain and liver. These results suggest that the regulatory mechanisms of Mn-SOD in the brain and liver vary differentially with age.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity and muscle fiber type transformation. Twenty-four male Kunming mice were randomly allotted to either control (basal diet) or DHM diets (supplemented with 300 mg/kg DHM). Our data showed that DHM administration decreased the triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) contents, and increased the catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in serum. In the liver, DHM decreased the TG and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the T-SOD and GSH-Px activities. For the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, DHM increased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level and T-SOD activities. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that DHM increased the protein and mRNA levels of MyHC I and MyHC IIa and decreased the protein and mRNA levels of MyHC IIb in TA muscle, which may be achieved by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal. The mRNA levels of several regulatory factors related to mitochondrial function were up-regulated by DHM. In conclusion, dietary 300 mg/kg DHM supplementation improved lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity and promoted the transformation of muscle fiber type from glycolysis to oxidation in mice.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth, immunity and resistant to dry stress of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fed low fish meal diets. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid diets (32% fish meal) supplemented with six taurine concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 g/kg; designated as T0, T0.03, T0.06, T0.09, T0.12 and T0.15 groups, respectively) were prepared. A diet including 42% fish meal (FM group) was also included as a reference. The results showed that specific growth rate (SGR) in FM group was significantly higher than that in lower fish meal treatments. SGR significantly increased and slowly decreased with the increase in taurine supplementation level. Lipase activity value in intestine of M. albus fed FM diet was maximum, and with the increase in taurine supplementation level, lipase activity significantly increased and slowly decreased. The FM group had relative higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) content, catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and lyzozyme (LZM) activities in serum than the other groups. With the increase in dietary taurine supplementation level, the CAT, T-SOD, T-AOC and LZM activities in serum significantly increased and then decreased. In the dry stress experience, the adrenaline (AD), cortisol (COR), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, T-AOC content, CAT and T-SOD activities in serum of M. albus in the four groups first increased and reached the peak at 2 hr, and then decreased under air-exposure stress. Compared to the FM group, T0.15 group had relative higher T-AOC content, CAT and T-SOD activities, and lower AD, COR GLU, TC and MDA concentrations.

Simple SummaryIntrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is usually defined as fetal growth below the tenth percentile for gestational age and results in impaired development and growth of the fetus during gestation. In addition to the high rates of perinatal mortality, IUGR has recently been shown to increase the risk of oxidative damage. Therefore, it is important to improve the body’s antioxidant capacity and reduce the oxidative damage caused by IUGR. The nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2/ antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway plays an important role in the defense against oxidative damage by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is traditionally used to treat malaria. In addition, DHA has protective effects through increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and genes and the protein expression of Nrf2. Our results showed that dietary dihydroartemisinin supplementation improved antioxidant status in piglets with IUGR. Therefore, DHA can alleviate oxidative damage induced by IUGR in animals.The object of present study was to evaluate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) supplementation on the hepatic antioxidant capacity in IUGR-affected weaned piglets. Eight piglets with normal birth weight (NBW) and sixteen IUGR-affected piglets were selected. Piglets were weaned at 21 days. NBW and IUGR groups were fed a basal diet and the ID group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg DHA for 28 days. The result indicated that compared with NBW piglets, IUGR-affected piglets increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased (p < 0.05) the serum activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In addition, IUGR-affected piglets showed increased (p < 0.05) hepatic concentrations of protein carbonyl (PC), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and an increased GSSG:GSH value. IUGR-affected piglets exhibited lower (p < 0.05) activities of GSH-Px, T-SOD, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and the concentration of glutathione (GSH). DHA supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the serum concentration of MDA and increased the serum activities of T-AOC, T-SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT. The ID group showed decreased (p < 0.05) concentrations of MDA, PC, 8-OHdG, and GSSG, and a decreased GSSG:GSH value in the liver. The hepatic activity of T-SOD and the concentration of GSH were increased (p < 0.05) in the liver of ID group. IUGR-affected piglets downregulated (p < 0.05) mRNA expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and CAT. DHA supplementation increased (p < 0.05) mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GPx1, and CAT in the ID group. In addition, the protein expression of Nrf2 was downregulated (p < 0.05) in the liver of IUGR-affected piglets and DHA supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the protein content of Nrf2 and HO-1. In conclusion, DHA may be beneficial in alleviating oxidative damage induced by IUGR through the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in the liver.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary sanguinarine supplementation on performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, immune responses, meat quality, and intestinal morphology in broilers. A total of 84 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing sanguinarine at 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/kg for a 35-day experimental period. On day 28, an immune challenge was applied by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli serotype O127:B8) to three birds per group, while the remaining birds received sterile saline. Broilers fed sanguinarine-supplemented diets showed significantly higher final body weight and body weight gain, as well as improved feed conversion ratio. Sanguinarine supplementation significantly increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Moreover, sanguinarine effectively attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress by preventing reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities and excessive MDA production. Higher serum concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG were observed in broilers receiving sanguinarine supplementation. In addition, dietary sanguinarine reduced serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). In LPS-challenged birds, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations were markedly decreased by sanguinarine supplementation. Furthermore, lower serum levels of creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were detected. Broilers fed sanguinarine-supplemented diets exhibited increased villus height and reduced crypt depth in the small intestine. Results suggest that dietary sanguinarine is an effective feed additive for improving growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal health in broilers.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant mechanism of diallyl sulfide (DAS) in antagonizing the reduction in peripheral blood white blood cells (WBC) induced by benzene in rats. Methods: A total of 60 specific pathogen-free adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, with a body weight of 180-220 g, were selected, and after 5 days of adaptive feeding, they were randomly divided into blank control group, DAS control group, benzene model group, benzene+low-dose DAS group, benzene+middle-dose DAS group, and benzene+high-dose DAS group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the benzene+low-dose DAS group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group, the benzene+high-dose DAS group, and the DAS control group were given DAS by gavage at a dose of 40, 80, 160, and 160 mg/kg·bw, respectively, and those in the blank control group and the benzene model group were given an equal volume of corn oil; 2 hours later, the rats in the benzene model group, the benzene+low-dose DAS group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group, and the benzene+high-dose DAS group were given a mixture of benzene (1.3 g/kg·bw) and corn oil (with a volume fraction of 50%), and those in the blank control group and the DAS control group were given an equal volume of corn oil. The above treatment was given once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. At 1 day before treatment, anticoagulated blood was collected from the jugular vein for peripheral blood cell counting. After anesthesia with intraperitoneally injected pentobarbital (50 mg/kg·bw), blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta, serum was isolated, and the thymus, the spleen, and the femur were freed at a low temperature to measure oxidative and antioxidant indices. The femur at one side was freed for WBC counting in bone marrow. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the benzene model group had significant reductions in the volume, weight, and organ coefficient of the spleen and the thymus (P<0.05) ; compared with the benzene model group, the benzene+low-dose DAS group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group, and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had significant increases in the volume of the spleen and the thymus and the weight and organ coefficient of the spleen (P<0.05), and the benzene+middle-dose DAS group and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had significant increases in the weight and organ coefficient of the thymus (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the benzene model group had a significant reduction in WBC count in peripheral blood and bone marrow (P<0.05), and compared with the benzene model group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had a significant increase in WBC count in peripheral blood and bone marrow (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the benzene model group had a significant increase in the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.05) and significant reductions in total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (P<0.05) ; compared with the benzene model group, the benzene+high-dose DAS group had a significant reduction in the serum level of MDA and significant increases in T-SOD activity, GSH level, GSH/GSSG ratio, and T-AOC (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the benzene model group had a significant increase in the level of MDA (P<0.05) and significant reductions in GSH level, GSH/GSSG ratio, and T-AOC (P<0.05) in the spleen; compared with the benzene model group, the benzene+low-dose DAS group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group, and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had a significant reduction in MDA level (P<0.05) and significant increases in GSH level and T-AOC (P<0.05), and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had significant increases in T-SOD activity and GSH/GSSG ratio (P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the benzene model group had a significant increase in the level of MDA in bone marrow cells (BMCs) and peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) (P<0.05) and a significant reduction in T-AOC in PBMCs (P<0.05) ; compared with the benzene model group, the benzene+low-dose DAS group, the benzene+middle-dose DAS group, and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had a significant reduction in the level of MDA in BMCs and PBMCs (P<0.05), and the benzene+high-dose DAS group had significant increases in GSH level and GSH/GSSG ratio (P<0.05) . Conclusion: DAS can antagonize the benzene-induced reduction in peripheral blood WBC, possibly by exerting an anti-oxidative stress effect.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-hypertrophic effects of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide, a water-soluble puerarin metabolite. The anti-oxidant effects of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide were assessed by measurement of intracellular superoxide levels, total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total anti-oxidant capacity, and glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) stimulated with the xanthine oxidase (XO)/xanthine (X) system or angiotensin II. The activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and expression of NADPH oxidase subunits p22phox and p47phox were determined. The anti-hypertrophic effects of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide in angiotensin II-challenged NRCMs were characterized by changes in cell morphology and expression of hypertrophic genes. In the pharmacokinetic study, the plasma concentration of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide was determined by rapid resolution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RR-LC-MS/MS). Puerarin-7-O-glucuronide prevented XO/X-induced increase in intracellular superoxide production and decreases in total SOD activity, GSH/GSSG ratio, and total anti-oxidant capacity. Puerarin-7-O-glucuronide also reversed angiotensin II-induced increases in intracellular superoxide production and NADPH oxidase activity and decreases in total SOD activity. These anti-oxidant effects of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide were accompanied by downregulation of p22phox and p47phox. Furthermore, puerarin-7-O-glucuronide prevented angiotensin II-induced increases in cell surface area and perimeter, as well as changes in Nppa, Myh7, and Myh6. In the pharmacokinetic study, puerarin-7-O-glucuronide was cleared with a half-life of 0.94h after intravenous administration. Puerarin could be detected in rat plasma, albeit in low concentration, as early as 5min after intravenous administration of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide. These anti-oxidant and anti-hypertrophic properties of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide were similar to those of its parent compound puerarin. These results support the development of puerarin-7-O-glucuronide as a novel pharmaceutical agent for therapeutic application.

Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Alveolar Macrophages of Protein Malnourished Rats and Guinea Pigs