Diet Control Group Research Articles

Effect of green tea on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Long Evans male rats

Background: The kidneys are a pair of essential excretory organs. It can be damaged by poisonous effects of chemicals, toxins, prolonged and uncontrolled use of drugs. Green tea is a popular choice of beverage being increasingly used in recent times which may have nephroprotective effect. Objectives: To observe the nephroprotective effect of green tea against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Long Evans male rats. Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka from 1st July 2019 to 30th June 2020. A total number of thirty (30) apparently healthy Long Evans male rats, 90-120 days old, weighing between 150-200 g were taken for the study. After acclimatization for 14 days, they were divided into two groups, control group (Group A) and experimental group (Group B- green tea pretreated and gentamicin treated group). Control group was subdivided into group A1 (baseline control group) and group A2 (gentamicin treated control group). Each of this group was consisted of ten rats. All the rats received basal diet and baseline control group also received normal saline (1 ml/kg/day) for 28 days. Experimental group received ethanolic extract of green tea orally (300 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Gentamicin treated control group and experimental group also received injection gentamicin intraperitoneally (80 mg/kg/day) for last 3 days (26th to 28th days) of the study period. All the rats were sacrificed on 29th day. After sacrifice blood (from heart) and kidney samples were collected. Serum levels of creatinine, urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal contents of malondialdehyde (MDA)and histopathology of kidney were done by using standard laboratory method to compare nephrotoxicity among experimental and control group. Statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) for windows version 22. Data were presented as mean±SD. One way ANOVA test, post hoc-Bonferroni test, paired‘t’ test and Fisher’s Exact test were done to compare the data as applicable. p value ≤ 0.05 was considered as level of significance. Results: The mean serum creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and mean malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in kidney were significantly lower in green tea pretreated and gentamicin treated group than those of gentamicin treated control group but the levels were significantly higher in comparison to those of baseline control group. Moreover, abnormal histological findings of kidney was observed in 30% of rats in green tea pretreated and gentamicin treated experimental group but the abnormality was 100% and 0% in gentamicin treated and baseline control group of rats respectively. Conclusion: The present study reveals that green tea has nephroprotective effect against gentamicin induced kidney damage in Long Evans male rats. Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2022; 10(2): 127-134

Gamma-ray Irradiation of Rodent Diets Alters the Urinary Metabolome in Rats with Chemically Induced Mammary Cancer.

In this study, a comparative, untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to compare urinary metabolite profiles of rats fed irradiated and non-irradiated diets. γ-Irradiated and non-irradiated NIH 7001 diet was given orally to animals beginning 5 days after exposure to the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and continued for 120 days. There was a 36% reduction in mammary tumor incidence in rats consuming the γ-irradiated diet, compared to rats receiving the non-irradiated form of the same diet. Urine samples from rats fed with γ-irradiated and non-irradiated diets were analyzed using nanoLC-MS/MS on a Q-TOF mass spectrometer, collecting positive and negative ion data. Data processing involved feature detection and alignment with MS-DIAL, normalization, mean-centering and Pareto scaling, and univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using MetaboAnalyst, and pathway analysis with Mummichog. Unsupervised Principal Component Analysis and supervised Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis of both negative and positive ions revealed separation of the two groups. The top 25 metabolites from variable importance in projection scores >1 showed their contributions in discriminating urines the γ-irradiated diet fed group from non-irradiated control diet group. Consumption of the γ-irradiated diet led to alteration of several gut microbial metabolites such as phenylacetylglycine, indoxyl sulfate, kynurenic acid, hippurate and betaine in the urine. This study provides insights into metabolic changes in rat urine in response to a γ-irradiated diet which may be associated with mammary cancer prevention.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae hydrolysate on growth performance, immunity function, and intestinal health in broilers

The current study was performed to explore the effects of dietary supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae hydrolysate (SCH) on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal health in broiler chicken. A total of 300 Ross 308 male broilers (1-day-old) were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments including a basal diet (control group), and a basal diet supplemented with SCH feed additive (500 mg/kg in starter and grower phase, and 250 mg/kg in finisher phase). Each treatment had 6 replicates with 25 birds each. The results showed that the addition of SCH promoted growth during d 15 to 28 (P < 0.05). Although the addition of SCH had no significant effect on the intestinal relative indexes, it significantly increased the jejunum villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VCR) of jejunum, and decreased the crypt depth (CD) of ileum (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SCH addition significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of immunomodulatory genes (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and upregulated the tight junction genes (ZO-1 and Claudin-1) (P < 0.05). High throughput sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA revealed that dietary SCH supplementation altered cecum microbiota. Alpha diversity analysis showed that a higher bacterial richness in cecum of broilers fed with SCH. The composition of cecum microbiota regulated by SCH addition was characterized by an increased abundance of Firmicutes and a reduced abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, dietary SCH resulted in a decrease of Bacteroides and an increase of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) -producing bacteria including Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium. Taken together, dietary SCH supplementation can stimulate the growth of broilers by regulating the intestinal immunity and barrier function, and improving the intestinal morphology, which may be related to the enhancement of bacterial diversity and the changes of intestinal microbial composition.

The beneficial effects of traditional Chinese medicine on antioxidative status and inflammatory cytokines expression in the liver of piglets.

Oxidative stress and inflammation seriously affected the growth and development of piglets. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions has been used to prevent various diseases of piglets, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Here, we identified the effects of Xiao-Jian-Zhong-Tang (XJZT) and Jingsananli-sepsis (JJS) on the oxidative stress and inflammatory in the liver of piglets. The piglets were fed with the basal diet (Control group), basal diet affixed with 10 g/kg XJZT (TCM I group), and basal diet affixed with 3 g/kg JJS (TCM II group), respectively. The serum was gathered on days 30 and 60 and the liver samples were also collected on day 60. Results showed that the TCM I and TCM II markedly increased the activities of the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and reduced the levels of malonaldehyde (MDA), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in serum. In addition, compared to the control group, Nrf2, SOD-1, NQO-1, and HO-1 mRNA expression levels and the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased while NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA expression levels and the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB and IκB-α were decreased in TCM I and TCM II groups. Collectively, these findings suggested that TCM I and TCM II could enhance anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capabilities in the liver of piglets via the Nrf2/NF-κB pathway, providing a basis for the functional exploration of TCM prescriptions.

Improved Performance of the Reference Casein Control Group in AOAC Official MethodSM 960.48 (Protein Efficiency Ratio, Rat Bioassay) for Determining the Biological Quality of Protein in Infant Formula.

AOAC Official MethodSM960.48 is the official method for ensuring the biological quality of protein in infant formulas after adjusting for differences in N, fat, ash, moisture, crude fiber, fat content, and carbohydrate type. To improve the performance of the control diet group. The control diet in Study 1 was matched to the infant formula test diet. Both control diets in Study 2 used the AOAC mineral mixture; one had added cystine. In Study 1, deficient growth in control rats led to poor PER results. In Study 2, growth was adequate but cystine addition reduced meaningful differences between casein and infant formula protein. Sulfate salts in the method's mineral mixture may substitute in part for the deficient organic sulfur content in casein. The findings confirm the need to follow the AOAC Method 960.48 and FDA recommendations, and to make other changes only if, after evaluation, nonprotein differences could affect growth.

Grape seed procyanidins improve intestinal health by modulating gut microbiota and enhancing intestinal antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets

Grape seed procyanidins (GSPs) are polyphenolic compounds extracted from grape seeds and are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune modulating properties. As weaning stress in piglets can cause dysbacteriosis and oxidative damage to the intestine, resulting in diarrhea, the present study was conducted to determine whether administering GSPs can enhance intestinal antioxidant capacity and modulate gut microbiota to improve the overall gut health in weaned piglets. A total of 96 crossbred piglets were allocated randomly to four treatment groups; each treatment group comprised six replicate pens with four piglets per pen. Each group was fed one of the four dietary treatments for 28 days: the basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg of GSPs. One piglet from each pen was euthanized to collect the jejunal mucosae for evaluating the intestinal antioxidant capacity and to collect the digesta of the cecum, colon, and rectum for assessing the succession of the gut microflora and determining the variations in the production of short chain fatty acid (SCFA). Dietary supplementation with GSPs enhanced the jejunal antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets, as evidenced by enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.001), increased mRNA abundance of superoxide dismutase (Sod1) and catalase (Cat) (P = 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (P < 0.001). The 100 mg/kg GSPs supplemented group showed enhanced Ace and Chao1 indices of the cecal, colonic, and rectal microflora when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05), reflecting a rich bacterial community. Supplementing piglet diets with different concentrations of GSPs reduced the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Anaerovibrio in various intestinal segments. A 100 mg/kg GSPs supplementation raised the abundances of probiotic Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group and Prevotella_1 in colon and rectum. Dietary GSPs supplementation increased the concentrations of the following SCFAs: acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in the gut of weaned piglets. In particular, piglets supplemented with 100 mg/kg GSPs presented remarkable increases in the concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the cecum and colon when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In summary, GSPs might exert salutary effects on the intestine of weaned piglets by enhancing the intestinal antioxidant capacity, modulating gut microbiota composition, and increasing the concentration of microbial metabolites (SCFAs) in the gut.

Effects of two host-associated probiotics Bacillus mojavensis B191 and Bacillus subtilis MRS11 on growth performance, intestinal morphology, expression of immune-related genes and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Streptococcusiniae

The intensification and diversification of production systems have increased the incidence of diseases, which are usually treated with antibiotics. However, its use should be restricted due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Probiotics represent therefore an alternative environmentally friendly strategy for improving growth and disease resistance in aquaculture. Considering that host-derived probiotics may offer greater advantages than those from other environments in terms of safety and efficacy, two potential host-associated probiotic strains (Bacillus mojavensis B191 and Bacillus subtilis MRS11) were used in the present study, which were previously isolated from intestinal mucus of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary administration of two Bacillus strains on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia. A total of 375 fish were randomly divided into five groups in triplicate. Nile tilapia were fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet supplemented with Bacillus mojavensis B191 (BM) or Bacillus subtilis MRS11 (BS) spores at different concentrations of 1 × 106 (BM6 and BS6, respectively) and 1 × 108 (BM8 and BS8, respectively) CFU/g of feed for 60 days. Moreover, the survival rate of tilapia upon challenge with Streptococcus iniae was determined following the feeding trial. After the feeding trial, the growth performances were significantly improved in all probiotic-fed groups, with the BS8 group being the highest. Light and electron microscopy observations revealed elevated goblet cells, intestinal villus length (except BM8), microvilli length, microvilli density, and perimeter ratio increase in the intestine of all probiotic-fed groups compared with the control group. Regarding the expression analysis, HSP70 gene was only up-regulated in the BM8 group and a general trend of up-regulation of some immune-related cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, TNF-α and IL-1β) was observed in all probiotic-fed groups. Likewise, the best protection against Streptococcus iniae was observed in the BS8 group, followed by BS6, BM6 and BM8 groups. Altogether, dietary probiotic supplementation with BS8 and BM6 may improve growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia.

Comparative proteomic analysis of hearts from mice with high-fat diet-induced metabolic cardiomyopathy

In patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, the accumulation of lipotoxic by-products in cardiomyocytes leads to apoptosis and contractile dysfunction, eventually resulting in metabolic cardiomyopathy (MC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Inb this study, a comparative proteome analysis was conducted to evaluate the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the hearts of normal mice on standard diet (control group) and of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MC mice (HFD group). We identified 90 DEPs unique to the control group and 18 DEPs unique to the HFD group. In 90 DEPs unique to the control group, only 74 DEPs were annotated in the gene ontology (GO) database. These annotated DEPs are involved in 114 biological processes, 68 molecular functions, and 174 cellular components. In 18 DEPs unique to the HFD group, only 14 DEPs were annotated in the GO database. These annotated DEPs are involved in 24 biological processes, 22 molecular functions, and six cellular components. Protein levels of two fatty acid metabolism-related enzymes, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B) and acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), in the hearts of the mice in control group and HFD group were analyzed by immunostaining and Western blot. The results showed that the protein levels of CPT1B and ACAA2 were elevated in hearts of the mice in HFD group, which were consistent with the proteomic analysis. Our results reveal the differentially expressed proteome related to the progression of MC, providing a series of potential therapeutic targets for MC.

Effect of Ketogenic Diets on Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Trials

In this systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical controlled trials (CCTs) we aimed to investigate the efficacy of KDs as an adjuvant therapy on cardiometabolic outcomes in patient with cancer compared to conventional non-ketogenic diets. Only CCTs involving cancer patients that were assigned to either a KD or a standard diet control group were selected. Two reviewers independently extracted the data, and a meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to estimate weighted mean differences (WMDs) and confidence intervals (CIs) in body composition, metabolite, lipid profile, liver and kidney function parameters and quality of life. This meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in body weight (WMD= −2.99 kg; 95% CI: −4.67, −1.31; and P < 0.001), BMI (WMD= −1.08 kg/m2; 95% CI: −1.81, −0.34; P ≤ 0.002) and fat mass (WMD= −1.48 kg; 95% CI: −2.56, −0.40; and P = 0.007) by a KD. KDs significantly decreased glucose (WMD= −5.22 mg/dl; 95% CI: −9.0, −1.44; and P = 0.007), IGF-1 (WMD= −17.52 ng/ml; 95% CI: −20.24, −14.8; and P ˂0.001) and triglyceride (WMD= −24.46 mg/dl; 95% CI: −43.96, −4.95; and P = 0.014) levels. Furthermore, KDs induced ketosis by increasing β-hydroxybutyrate (WMD= 0.56 mmol/l; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.75; and P < 0.001). There were non-significant pooled effects of KDs on improving insulin, C-reactive protein and cholesterol levels and kidney and liver function. Emotional functioning was even increased significantly in the KD compared to the SD groups. In summary we found that KDs result in a greater reduction in glucose, IGF-1, triglycerides, body weight, BMI, and fat mass in cancer patients compared to traditional non-ketogenic diets and improved emotional functioning. The quality of evidence in the meta-analysis was moderate according to the Nutrigrade assessment.

Monosodium glutamate consumption reduces the renal excretion of trimethylamine N-oxide and the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut

We previously demonstrated that monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption increases trimethylamine (TMA) level in the renal tissue as well as dimethylamine and methylamine levels in urine of rats, suggesting the effects of MSG on humans. To better define the findings, we investigated whether MSG consumption alters serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) level, and as a consequence, induces kidney injury in the rat model. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomized to be fed with a standard diet (control group) or a standard diet with 0.5, 1.5 or 3.0 g% MSG corresponding to 7, 21, or 42 g/day in 60 kg man, respectively in drinking water (MSG-treated groups), or a standard diet with 3.0 g% MSG in drinking water which was withdrawn after 4 weeks (MSG-withdrawal group). Blood and urine samples were collected to analyze the TMAO levels using 1H NMR and markers of kidney injury. Fecal samples were also collected for gut microbiota analysis. We found serum TMAO levels increased and urinary TMAO excretion decreased during MSG consumption, in parallel with the increase of the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) excretion which subsided with the withdrawal of MSG. The fecal 16 S rRNA analysis during MSG consumption showed gut microbiota changes with a consistent suppression of Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin producing bacteria, but not of TMA-producing bacteria. In conclusions, our findings suggested that prolonged high dose MSG consumption may cause TMAO accumulation in the blood via reduction of renal excretion associated with acute kidney injury. The mechanisms by which MSG reduced TMAO excretion require further investigation.

Effect of Dietary Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on the Fecal Microbiota and Its Correlation with Apparent Nutrient Digestibility in Weaned Piglets.

Simple SummaryTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on ancient Chinese medical principles. In China, these medicines have played a marked role in treating various diseases and maintaining human health for thousands of years. TCM is also increasingly considered a potential alternative to the use of antibiotics in pig production and has attracted a great deal of research interest because it is simple, convenient, cheap, and effective. However, there are few studies on the effects of dietary TCM supplementation on the gut microbiota and the apparent nutrient digestibility of weaned piglets. In our study, dietary Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi improved growth performance and increased the apparent ether extract (EE) digestibility by modulating gut microbial composition and structure, favoring the health of weaned piglets.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been demonstrated to exert a therapeutic effect on various diseases and has been used as a substitute for antibiotics in pig production. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and apparent nutrient digestibility when weaned piglet diets are supplemented with TCM. One hundred and sixty-two 25-day-old weaning piglets were housed in an environmentally controlled nursery facility and fed a basal diet (control group, n = 54) or a TCM complex (Fructus mume 1%, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi 3%) (TCM group, n = 54), or a fermented diet with a complex of these two TCMs (F-TCM group, n = 54). Compared with the control group, in the TCM and F-TCM groups, the average daily gain (ADG) increased (p < 0.05), the F:G ratio and diarrhea rate decreased (p < 0.05), and the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and ether extract (EE) of weaned piglets increased (p < 0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla, representing approximately 95% of all sequences. The abundance of four genera and 10 OTUs (belonging to Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Lachnoclostridium, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31 group, Prevotella_1) were negatively correlated with apparent EE digestibility (p < 0.05). The results suggest that weaned piglets fed with antibiotic-free diets supplemented with Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi gained more weight and were healthier. When added to the diet, the complex of these two TCMs may have a direct impact on apparent EE digestibility by modifying the gut microbial composition, which favors the health of weaned piglets.

Dietary L-carnitine supplementation affects flesh quality through modifying the nutritional value and myofibers morphological characteristics in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

The increase of dietary fat content is becoming prevalent in aquaculture practices, however, the increased dietary fat content is associated with undesirable impacts such as growth inhibition, increased feed conversion ratio, and deteriorated flesh quality. L-carnitine has been used as a feed additive to alleviate severe fat accumulation-induced metabolic disorders, however, its effects on flesh quality remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the effects of L-carnitine on flesh quality were examined by feeding triplicate groups of largemouth bass juveniles (10.75 ± 0.1 g) with three experimental diets including a control diet (CD), a high-fat low-protein diet (HFLPD), and HFLPD supplemented with 0.5 g kg− 1 of L-carnitine for 8 weeks. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation does not significantly influence final body weight, body length, specific growth rate and carcass ratio. Whole body lipid and muscle triglycerides (TG) contents significantly increased in fish fed the HFLPD compared to the CD group, and L-carnitine supplementation decreased their values. In addition, expression of lipid catabolism related genes such as CPT and ACOX3 were significantly upregulated by L-carnitine application. The fish fed L-carnitine containing diet exhibited markedly higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contents, and lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) content than the HFLPD-fed fish. Moreover, the texture qualities such as hardness, gumminess and chewiness remarkably decreased in the HFLPD + Car group compared to the HFLPD group. Most specifically, the percentage of medium-diameter fibers (60–120 µm diameter) was significantly decreased in the HFLPD group compared to the CD group, while this was notably reversed by L-carnitine addition. In summary, the present study demonstrated that dietary L-carnitine supplementation enhances nutritional value, alleviates HFLPD-induced metabolic disorders and flesh quality changes in largemouth bass.

Green Extraction Process of Food Grade C-phycocyanin: Biological Effects and Metabolic Study in Mice

This study aimed to evaluate different parameters in the green process of organic Spirulina biomass (SB) C-phycocyanin (C-PC) extraction to understand the impact on weight and oral glucose tolerance of C-PC extract in Swiss mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). The proximate composition and antioxidant activity were analyzed in Spirulina by-products: SB, C-PC, and Remaining biomass (RB). The protein content on a dry basis was 52.05% in SB and 61.16% in RB and 118.97 μg/g in C-PC. The antioxidant activity was equal for SB and C-PC but higher than RB. However, RB can be considered a promising ingredient, promoting the sustainable use of the whole SB. Swiss mice were distributed in five groups: control diet (CD), HFD, HFD plus Spirulina biomass (HFDS), HFD plus C-PC (HFDC), and HFD plus remaining biomass (HFDR). HFDS increased the delta weight of the animals and showed glucose intolerance compared to the CD and HFDC groups. The results demonstrated that the supplementation of 500 mg/kg of body weight of SB in the HFDS group did not show antiobesogenic potential with an HFD, but it is essential to conduct further studies to bring other interesting responses regarding C-PC biological in vivo effects.

Evaluation of a Phytogenic Compound with Minerals as a Possible Alternative to Ractopamine for Finishing Pigs.

Simple SummaryThe pork consumer market has restrictions on many products used in production, including ractopamine. Therefore, it is important to search for alternatives so that the animal continues to achieve maximum weight gain with a leaner carcass. We performed an evaluation comparing animals whose diet was supplemented with ractopamine, a diet with a phytogenic compound, and a diet without additives. Animals whose diet was supplemented with ractopamine performed better, and animals whose diet was supplemented with the herbal extract performed intermediately when compared with animals whose did not receive additives in their diet. The animals that were fed the phytogenic compound had improved the sensory attributes of the pork.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic compound for pigs in the growing and finishing phases as a possible substitute for ractopamine. A total of 140 pigs with an average initial weight of 48.8 kg ± 5.9 kg were used, distributed in a randomized block design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (control diet (CONT), diet with inclusion of 2.5 kg per ton of a phytogenic compound (PC), and diet with 10 ppm of ractopamine (RAC), and two sexes: gilts and barrows), distributed in eight pens per treatment. The performance parameters were measured, and, at the end of the experimental period, the animals were slaughtered for carcass characteristics and pork quality analysis. The animals consuming RAC showed a better feed conversion, 4% improvement in relation to the group with the PC (p < 0.05). For daily weight gain, the animals supplemented with the PC showed 4.46% lower gain compared to RAC, and 3% greater gain compared to the CONT (p < 0.05). The animals that consumed the PC showed 5.6% lower shear force of the pork (p < 0.05) in relation to the CONT group and 29% lower in relation to the RAC group. The TBARS value presented a significant difference (p < 0.05), the CONTT group was 29% higher than the RAC, and the PC was 15.5% higher than the RAC. For chroma, the pork of the RAC group was 14% lower than the CONTT group and 10.3% less than the PC. There was no significant difference for the carcass parameters. It was concluded that the pigs in the ractopamine group presented the best performance; however, the phytogenic compound can be used against ractopamine’s restriction because it improves daily weight gain and promotes a softer and less pale meat when compared with ractopamine.

Empagliflozin in mice fed on a fast-food diet: Preliminary biochemical data

Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease affecting a large proportion of the general population (25%). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, on NAFLD and the preliminary data of week 8 are hereby presented. Material and methods: Twenty-four C57Bl/6 mice of both genders were randomly assigned in three groups: 8 mice fed on chow diet (control group), 8 mice fed fast-food diet (FFD) and empagliflozin, and 8 mice fed FFD without empagliflozin for 8 weeks. Weight measurement, and blood sampling for the measurement of glucose, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and triglycerides were performed at baseline and week 8. Results: Between-group comparisons did not show significant differences between FFD groups with and without empagliflozin. The only between-group difference regarding empagliflozin group was in cholesterol at week 8, which was higher compared to control group (p=0.009). Within-group comparisons showed increases in total cholesterol in both FFD groups, ALT in FFD/empagliflozin group and glucose in FFD group. Despite the expected increase in body weight, no biochemical change was observed in the control group. Conclusions: Empagliflozin did not show preventive benefits on body weight or metabolic biochemical parameters after 8 weeks of treating FFD mice, thus, possibly highlighting that 8 weeks may be short period for FFD to exert its adverse effects in full, as well as for empagliflozin to exert any potentially beneficial effect.

Preoperative Short-Term Restriction of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acid Intake for Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Translational Trial.

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease and increased mortality. Until now, no compelling preventive or therapeutic strategies have been identified. Dietary interventions have been proven highly effective in organ protection from ischemia reperfusion injury in mice and restricting dietary intake of sulfur‐containing amino acids (SAA) seems to be instrumental in this regard.The UNICORN trial aimed to evaluate the protective impact of restricting SAA intake before cardiac surgery on incidence of AKI.Methods and ResultsIn this single‐center, randomized, controlled, double‐blind trial, 115 patients were assigned to a SAA‐reduced formula diet (LowS group) or a regular formula diet (control group) in a 1:1 ratio for 7 days before scheduled cardiac surgery. The primary end point was incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery, secondary end points included increase of serum creatinine at 24, 48, and 72 hours as well as safety parameters. Quantitative variables were analyzed with nonparametric methods, while categorical variables were evaluated by means of Chi‐square or Fisher test. SAA intake in the group with SAA reduced formula diet was successfully reduced by 77% (group with SAA reduced formula diet, 7.37[6.40–7.80] mg/kg per day versus control group, 32.33 [28.92–33.60] mg/kg per day, P<0.001) leading to significantly lower serum levels of methionine. No beneficial effects of SAA restriction on the rate of AKI after surgery could be observed (group with SAA reduced formula diet, 23% versus control group, 16%; P=0.38). Likewise, no differences were recorded with respect to secondary end points (AKI during hospitalization, creatinine at 24, 48, 72 hours after surgery) as well as in subgroup analysis focusing on age, sex, body mass index and diabetes.ConclusionsSAA restriction was feasible in the clinical setting but was not associated with protective properties in AKI upon cardiac surgery.RegistrationURL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT03715868.

Effects of aerobic exercise and dietary intervention on testicular oxidative stress in obese mice

Through aerobic exercise and diet intervention on obese mice, the effects of exercise and diet intervention on testicular oxidative stress and p38MAPK-NF-κB pathway were investigated in obese mice. Seventeen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group (ND), and 37 mice were divided into a high-fat diet group (HFD), the high-fat diet accounted for 40% of fat. After 12 weeks of feeding, 3 obesity-resistant mice were excluded from the HFD group, and the remaining 34 were successfully modeled. The mice in ND group were then divided into normal diet control group (NC, n=8) and normal diet and exercise group (NE, n=9). The mice in HFD group were divided into obese high-fat diet control group (OC, n=8), obese high-fat diet and exercise group (OE, n=9), obese normal diet group (ONC, n=8), and obese normal diet and exercise group (ONE, n=9). Each group continued to feed for 8 weeks, and the NE, OE and ONE groups performed treadmill exercise for 8 weeks at a speed of 20 m/min, 60 min/d, 6 d/week. Blood and testicular tissue samples were collected 36～40 h after the last exercise. Serum testosterone and testicular oxidative stress (MDA, T-SOD, T-AOC) levels were detected by ELISA, and testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Compared with the NC group, the body fat parameters, testicular MDA and testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA and protein levels in the OC group were increased significantly (P＜0.01), while the levels of testicular SOD, testis coefficient and blood testosterone were decreased significantly (P＜0.01); the body fat parameters of the mice in the NE group were decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the serum level of testosterone was increased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the OC group, the body fat parameters, testicular MDA and testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA and protein levels were decreased significantly in the OE group (P＜0.05 or 0.01), and the testicular SOD and blood testosterone levels were increased significantly (P＜0.01); Body fat parameters, testicular MDA and testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA and protein levels were decreased significantly in ONC group (P＜0.01), while testicular SOD level and testis coefficient were increased significantly (P＜0.05); Body fat parameters, testicular MDA and testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA and protein levels of mice in ONE group were decreased significantly (P＜0.01), while testicular SOD, testis coefficient and blood testosterone levels were increased significantly (P＜0.01). Obesity induces oxidative stress in the testis of mice, up-regulates the level of p38MAPK-NF-κB, and reduces the level of blood testosterone; exercise, diet and exercise*diet interventions can reduce testicular oxidative stress and down-regulate testicular p38MAPK-NF-κB levels by reducing body fat.

Influence of supplementation of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus curvatus on selected parameters of liver iron metabolism in rats on high-fat iron-deficient diet

• Lactobacillus curvatus and L. plantarum increase serum ferroportin. • L. curvatus enhances the expression of the Tfrc gene in the liver. • Increased expression of Tfrc and SLC11A2 genes stimulates hepatic iron accumulation. • Fecal Lactobacillus content shows negative correlation with HJV gene expression. Iron deficiency constitutes the most frequent diet deficit. A high-fat diet also leads to disturbances in iron metabolism. There is evidence that probiotics favorably influence iron turnover. To compare the influence of supplementation with probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus curvatus with and without iron supply on liver iron metabolism in rats on high-fat iron-deficient diet. In the first stage (8 weeks), rats were fed a control diet (group C, n = 8), high-fat diet (group HF, n = 8), or high-fat iron-deficient diet (group HFDEF, n = 48). In the second stage (8 weeks), the rats in the C and HF groups were kept on the same diets, while the rats in the HFDEF group were divided into 6 groups (n = 8 each) and fed as follows: group HFDEF- high-fat iron-deficient diet, group HFDEFFe- high-fat iron-deficient diet with iron supplementation, groups HFDEFLp and HFDEFLc- high-fat iron-deficient diet with L. plantarum or L. curvatus supplementation, respectively, and groups HFDEFFeLp and HFDEFFeLc- high-fat iron-deficient diet supplemented with iron and L. plantarum or L. curvatus , respectively. The rats were subsequently sacrificed, and their serum and liver samples were collected for analysis. Serum ferroportin level was higher in the HFDEFFe, HFDEFLp, HFDEFLc, and HFDEFFeLp groups than in the C and HFDEF groups. The hepatic expression of type 1 transferrin receptor gene ( Tfrc ) was higher in the HFDEFFeLc group than in the C group. No differences in serum iron, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, transferrin, and ferritin levels and in hepatic type 2 transferrin receptor gene expression were observed between the groups. In rats on high-fat iron-deficient diet, the supplementation of L. curvatus and L. plantarum increased serum ferroportin concentration, and L. curvatus enhanced liver expression of the Tfrc gene.

Romboutsia Lituseburensis Jcm1404 Supplementation Modulates Gut Microbiota Composition And Influences Endothelial Function In Rats

Many studies have indicated the relative abundance of Romboutsia was hgher in obese individuals, while some evidence showed it was reduced with exercise intervention. A correlation between Romboutsia and endothelial function was found in our previous study. However, the mechanism by which exercise-mediated changes in gut microbiota on endothelial function remains unclear. PURPOSE: To demonstrate whether strain Romboutsia lituseburensis JCM1404 (RL-JCM1404) supplementation modulates gut microbiota composition and endothelial function in healthy or obesity rats. METHODS: There were four groups, named SD (standard diet) control group, SD RL-JCM1404 group, HF (High-fat diet) control group, HF RL-JCM1404 group. All rats treated with antibiotic for 2 ml per day for 5 consecutive days prior to transplantation. The treatment groups were orally administered 109cfu/ml every two days for 6 times. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to determine changes of cecal microbiome. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was induced by acetylcholine (0.01-10 mmol/L) in mesenteric arteries. RESULTS: RL-JCM1404 could modulate the gut microbiota, a decreased Romboutsia, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, an increased Colidextribacter, Papilliibacter, Intestinimonas at genus level compared with the SD control group. While a decreased Romboutsia, Lactobacillus, Turicibacter, Staphylococcus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, GCA-900066575, an increased Bilophila compared with the HF control group. Tax4Fun predicted metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, cardiovascular diseases were enriched at the second level in the SD RL-JCM1404 group compared with the SD control group. While carbohydrate metabolism, replication and repair, endocrine and metabolic diseases, nervous system were enriched in the HF control group compared with the HF RL-JCM1404 group. The second-order mesenteric arteries was impaired in the SD RL-JCM1404 group (67.5 ± 4.79 VS. 51.4 ± 4.37, p < 0.05) compared with SD control group in the maximum response to acetylcholine, but there were no statistical differences between HF control and HF RL-JCM1404 groups. CONCLUSIONS: RL-JCM1404 supplementation could affect endothelial function via modulating gut microbiota composition and metabolism in standard diet rats.

The Effects of Sodium Propionate Supplementation in the Diet with High Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Immune Resistance to Bacterial Infection in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.).

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the products of the microbial fermentation of dietary fiber in the intestine. Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the most abundant SCFA metabolites and play an important role in maintaining host health. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of sodium propionate (NaP) supplementation in the diet with a high proportion of soybean meal (SBM) on the growth, inflammatory status, and anti-infectious ability in juvenile turbot. Four experimental diets were designed: (1) fish meal- (FM-) based diet (control group), (2) SBM protein replacing 45% FM protein in the diet (high SBM group), (3) 0.5% NaP supplementation in the high SBM diet (high SBM+0.5% NaP group), and (4) 1.0% NaP supplementation in the high SBM diet (high SBM+1.0% NaP group). The results confirmed that the fish fed the high SBM diet for 8 weeks showed the decreased growth performance, the typical enteritis symptoms, and the increased mortality responding to Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) infection. However, 0.5% NaP supplementation in the high SBM diet promoted the growth performance of turbot and restored the activities of digestive enzymes in the intestine. Moreover, dietary NaP ameliorated the intestinal morphology, enhanced the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, improved the antioxidant capacity, and suppressed the inflammatory status in turbot. Finally, the expression of antibacterial components and the resistance to bacterial infection were increased in NaP-fed turbot, especially in high SBM+1.0% NaP group. In conclusion, the supplementation of NaP in high SBM diet promotes the growth and health in turbot and provides a theoretical basis for the development of NaP as a functional additive in fish feed.