Increased Body Weight Research Articles

Multi nutrient functional biscuits “Tumiz” improve nutritional status and growth of children; A clinical trial in malnourished rats.

Background: The main cause of malnutrition in Indonesia is insufficient nutrient intake, necessitating efforts to supplement nutrients through supplementary feeding. Conversely, Indonesia possesses a variety of local food ingredients that remain underutilized, thus requiring processing to enrich the nutrient content of snacks for combating malnutrition.malnourished Wistar rats. Methods: Employing a randomized control group pretest-posttest design, male Wistar rats divided into four groups, each comprising 6 samples. These groups included K1: normal rats fed standard food, K-2: malnourished rats given biscuits from the Ministry of Health program, K-3: malnourished rats fed normal food, and K-4: malnourished rats given Tumiz biscuits. The intervention spanned eight weeks, during which body weight, body length, albumin, IGF-1, and MDA levels were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Significant increases in body weight were observed between pretest-posttest in all groups. The greatest increase in body weight over two months was found in group K4. The albumin levels increased in the rats, there was no statistically significant difference in albumin levels before and after the intervention acrossall groups: K1 (p=0.336), K2 (p=0.297), K3 (p=0.191), and K4 (p=0.466). All intervention groups experienced a significant increase in body length (p<0.05), including groups K1 (p<0.001), K2 (p=0.003), K3 (p<0.001), and K4 (p<0.001). The increase in body length of group K4 did not differ from group K1. IGF-1 levels of Wistar rats significantly increased in group K4 (p=0.006) and group K2 (p=0.026), while groups K1 and K3 experienced a decrease in IGF-1 levels. There was no difference in MDA levels before and after the intervention across all groups. Conclusion: Tumiz biscuits can increase body weight, body length, and IGF-1 levels but have not been able to increase albumin levels in malnourished Wistar rats. Tumiz biscuits did not reduce MDA levels in malnourished Wistar rats.

Short-term caloric restriction or resveratrol supplementation alters large-scale brain network connectivity in male and female rats

IntroductionDietary interventions such as caloric restriction (CR) exert positive effects on brain health. Unfortunately, poor compliance hinders the success of this approach. A proposed alternative is resveratrol (Rsv), a CR-mimetic known to promote brain health. Direct comparison between the effects of Rsv and CR on brain health is lacking, with limited knowledge on their sex-specific effects. Therefore, we aimed to compare and unravel the sex-specific impact of these dietary interventions on spontaneous brain activity.MethodsHere, we used resting-state fMRI to investigate functional connectivity (FC) changes in five prominent resting-state brain networks (RSNs) in healthy 4 month old male and female F344 rats supplemented to either 40% CR or daily Rsv supplementation (10 mg/kg, oral) for the duration of 1 month.ResultsOur results demonstrated a decreased body weight (BW) in CR rats, as well as an increase in body weight in male Rsv supplemented rats, compared to female Rsv supplemented rats, whereas this difference between sexes was not observed in the control or CR groups. Furthermore, we found that both CR or Rsv supplementation induce a female-specific decrease of FC between the subcortical network and hippocampal network, and between the subcortical network and lateral cortical network. Moreover, Rsv supplementation lowered FC within the hippocampal network and between the hippocampal and the default mode like network, the lateral cortical network and the sensory network—an effect not observed for the CR rats.DiscussionOur findings reveal that both CR and Rsv induce a similar female-specific decrease of FC in RSNs associated with memory and emotion, all the while CR and Rsv induce dissimilar changes in body weight and other within- and between-RSN FC measures. Altogether, this study provides insight into the effects and comparability of short-term CR and Rsv supplementation on brain connectivity within- and between-RSNs in both male and female F344 rats, providing a FC reference for future research of dietary effects.

Effects of coenzyme q10 supplementation on metabolic and reproductive outcomes in obese rats

Obesity, a global epidemic, is linked to adverse reproductive outcomes, including infertility and ovulation dysfunction. The cafeteria diet (CAF) serves as an animal model mirroring Western diet habit. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), known for enhancing reproductive outcomes in various pathologies, is not fully understood for its effects on obesity treatment. Here, obesity was modeled using CAF-fed rats to assess CoQ10's impact on metabolic and ovarian disruptions caused by obesity. Wistar rats were divided into control (standard diet) and obese (CAF diet) groups. After 75 days, half of each group received oral CoQ10 (5 mg/kg) for 13 days, while the rest received a vehicle. Animals were euthanized during the estrus phase, and blood and ovaries were collected for analysis. CAF caused increased body weight gain (p < 0.01) associated with hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.05). Moreover, it caused a reduction in the number of AMH + follicles (p < 0.001), increasing follicular atresia (p < 0.05) and serum estradiol levels (p < 0.05). Obesity also altered the estrous cycle and reduced the ovulation rate (p < 0.05). CoQ10 administration showed beneficial effects on all ovarian disruptions but had no effect on the metabolic alterations induced by obesity. In summary, CoQ10 could be an additional treatment for obesity-related infertility in patients with normal metabolic profiles. While CoQ10 does not affect metabolic parameters influenced by obesity, crucial for reproductive issues and offspring health, it is recommended as part of a treatment plan that includes a balanced diet and increased physical activity for obese individuals with metabolic alterations seeking pregnancy.

Holiday Weight Change in a US College Student Sample: AProspective Observational Cohort Study.

The November through January holiday period is often thought to produce weight gain, coined "holiday weight gain." While this trend has been documented among early to midlife adults, it is less certain whether college students experience similar levels of weight gain during this period, as they undergo lifestyle changes (e.g., returning to their families of origin) that may differ from adults at later stages of development. Thus, the primary aim of the current study was to determine body weight and body composition changes during the holiday season in college students. The secondary aim was to examine the association of psychosocial variables with primary outcomes. Participants included 47 undergraduate students. Body weight, body composition, and psychosocial variables were measured prior to Thanksgiving break and after returning from December to January break. Differences in body weight and body composition variables were determined using paired-sample t-tests. Associations of psychosocial variables with changes in primary outcomes were determined by Spearman's correlation coefficients and linear regressions. On average, college students experienced a 1.08% increase in body weight between study visit 1 in November and study visit 2 in January (0.74±1.81kg; p=0.02). Lean mass increased (1.49±3.21kg; p=0.01), while body fat % did not change (p=0.12). Psychosocial variables were not significantly associated with or predictive of changes in body weight or body fat % (p's>0.05). College students gained a small, yet significant, amount of weight over the holiday period. Weight gain occurred alongside increases in lean mass but not body fat. Results provide important context to previous findings observing weight gain in college students and adults over the holiday season. Specifically, findings indicate a healthy increase in lean mass-a potential promotive factor in optimal health and wellbeing.

Sex-specific effects on the heart from combined exposure to simulated galactic cosmic radiation and hindlimb unloading.

Future long duration space missions will expose astronauts to higher doses of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) than those experienced on the international space station. Recent studies have demonstrated astronauts may be at risk for cardiovascular complications due to increased radiation exposure and fluid shift from microgravity. However, there is a lack of direct evidence on how the cardiovascular system is affected by GCR and microgravity since no astronauts have been exposed to exploratory mission relevant GCR doses. Therefore, we utilized a ground-based mouse model to determine the cardiovascular risks for space radiation exposure while the mice were simultaneously hindlimb suspended to mimic microgravity. 6-month-old male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to an absorbed dose of 0 Gy, 0.5 Gy, or 1.5 Gy simulated GCR (GCRsim) that comprised beams of 5 ions at NASA's Space Radiation Laboratory. Subcohorts of mice were hindlimb unloaded (HLU), starting 5 days before GCRsim until the completion of radiation exposure. GCRsim + HLU was performed over 8 hours (0.5 Gy) or 24 hours (1.5 Gy). After completion of GCRsim and HLU, mice were shipped to UAMS for long-term observation. Cardiac function was measured using high resolution ultrasound at 6 and 9 months after exposure. Tissues were collected after the final ultrasound and prepared for further analysis. Female mice exposed to 1.5 Gy + HLU demonstrated a significant increase in body weight compared to ground controls months after GCR exposure; however, there was no change in male body weights. Cardiac ultrasound revealed 0.5 Gy GCRsim decreased left ventricular (LV) mass, LV posterior wall thickness in diastole, and systole in males 6 months after exposure. In females, 1.5 Gy + HLU significantly increased LV posterior wall thickness in diastole and systole at 6 months. These changes in ultrasound measurements were no longer seen at 9 months. Moreover, at 9 months there was no change in total collagen content or density of the capillary network in the heart. Lastly, the combination of GCRsim and HLU influenced immune cell markers in the heart of female mice. These data suggest that combined simulated GCR and microgravity result in minor, yet statistically significant sex-dependent changes to body weight and cardiac structure.

Early adolescent second-generation antipsychotic exposure produces long-term, post-treatment increases in body weight and metabolism-associated gene expression.

The use of second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medications in pediatric patients raises concerns about potential long-term adverse outcomes. The current study evaluated the long-term effects of treatment with risperidone or olanzapine on body weight, caloric intake, serum insulin, blood glucose, and metabolism-associated gene expression in C57Bl/6J female mice. Compared to mice treated with vehicle, female mice treated with risperidone or olanzapine gained weight at higher rates during treatment and maintained higher body weights for months following treatment cessation. High-fat diet feeding did not produce a robust difference in weight gain in previously treated vs. control groups. Finally, female mice previously treated with olanzapine also exhibited increased expression of genes associated with inflammation and lipogenesis. These findings suggest that pediatric use of SGA medications that induce excess weight gain during treatment may exert persistent effects on body weight and gene expression and such outcomes may form an important aspect of assessing risk-to-benefit ratios in prescribing decisions.

Fat-Free Mass: Friend or Foe to Metabolic Health?

Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are body composition estimates commonly reported in research studies and clinical settings. Recently, fat-free mass indexed to height (fat-free mass index; FFMI) has been shown to be positively associated with impaired insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance. Consequently, hypertrophic resistance training which can increase FFM was also questioned. This paper sets out to evaluate these propositions. In this narrative review, we discuss possible reasons that link FFMI to adverse metabolic health outcomes including the limitations of the body composition model that utilizes FFM. The safety of resistance training is also briefly discussed. Approximately 50% of FFM is comprised of skeletal muscle (SM), with the other 50% being viscera, skin, and bone; FFM and SM cannot be conflated. FFM and fat mass (FM) can both rise with increasing body weight and adiposity, indicating a positive correlation between the two compartments. Risk assessment models not adequately adjusting for this correlation may cause erroneous conclusions, however which way FM and FFM are indexed. Adipose tissue accumulation with weight gain, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or bioelectrical impedance, can inflate FFM estimates owing to increased connective tissue. Increased adiposity can also result in fat deposition within skeletal muscle disrupting metabolic health. Importantly, non-skeletal muscle components of the FFM, i.e., the liver and pancreas, both critical in metabolic health, can also be negatively affected by the same lifestyle factors that impact SM. The most frequently used body composition techniques used to estimate FM and FFM cannot detect muscle, liver or pancreas fat infiltration. Prospective evidence demonstrates that resistance training is a safe and effective exercise modality across all ages, especially in older adults experiencing age- or disease-related declines in muscle health. The association between FFM and insulin resistance is largely an artefact driven by inadequate assessment of skeletal muscle. If FM and FFM are used, at the minimum, they need to be evaluated in context with one another. Body composition methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, which measures skeletal muscle rather than fat-free mass, and adipose tissue as well as muscle ectopic fat, are preferred methods. Resistance training is important in achieving and maintaining good health across the lifespan. While strength and power are critical components of resistance training, the reduction of skeletal mass through ageing or disease may require hypertrophic training to mitigate and slow down the progression of this often-inevitable process.

Impact of calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) supplementation on growth performance and intestinal function in geese.

The objective of this study was to preliminarily explore the effects of Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, apparent digestibility, and cecal microbiota of geese. A total of 144 Sanhua geese, aged 35 days, were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group receiving a basal diet supplemented with 30 ppm Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and a group receiving a basal diet supplemented with 60 ppm B. subtilis. Each group had six replicates, with eight geese per replicate. The study consisted of a one-week pre-feeding period followed by a four-week experimental period. The results indicated that, compared to the control group, the group supplemented with 60 ppm B. subtilis showed a significant increase in final body weight and the average daily gain (P < 0.05). Both the 30 ppm and 60 ppm B. subtilis groups exhibited significant improvements in the feed/gain (F/G) ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation with either 30 ppm or 60 ppm B. subtilis significantly increased the height of the ileum villi (P < 0.05), with a trend towards an increased villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio (P > 0.05). In terms of digestive enzyme activity, both 30 ppm and 60 ppm B. subtilis supplementation significantly enhanced the activities of ileum cellulase and chymotrypsin (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the apparent digestibility of crude ash, crude protein, and Ca was significantly improved in the 60 ppm B. subtilis group (P < 0.05). Microbial analysis revealed that B. subtilis increased the abundance of potential probiotics bacterial families, such as Turicibacter, and butyrate-producing, including Prevotellaceae Ga6Al. In conclusion, supplementation with 60 ppm B. subtilis can significantly enhance the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and apparent digestibility of geese. Increasing the supplementation level may further optimize these benefits.

Comparative study on gene expression profiles in the liver of male neonatal mice prenatally exposed to PFOA and its alternative HFPO-DA.

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), which belongs to the class of perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acid (PFECA), is a new alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, whether HFPO-DA is a safer alternative to PFOA in neonates remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated neonatal hepatic toxicity on postnatal days 9-10 by orally exposing pregnant CD-1 mice to 0.3 or 3.0mg/kg/day (low or high doses) of HFPO-DA or PFOA from gestation days 15 to 17. The results showed that exposure of pregnant mice to HFPO-DA and PFOA induced similar phenotypic effects, including significant decreases in neonatal body weight (BW) and significant increases in liver weight relative to BW in the high-dose. Notably, HFPO-DA exposure significantly decreased in neonatal BW in the low-dose group, whereas PFOA did not. Comprehensive gene expression analysis revealed significant alterations in 408 and 1402 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver of neonates from the low- and high-dose HFPO-DA groups, respectively, while PFOA significantly altered 0 and 292 DEGs in the corresponding groups. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs induced by HFPO-DA and PFOA were enriched in pathway related to "PPAR signaling", "fatty acid metabolism", and "biological oxidations". In addition, transactivation assays revealed that mouse (m)PPARα and mPPARγ activity of HFPO-DA exceeds that of PFOA and molecular docking simulations analysis predicted that the binding conformation differ between PFOA and HFPO-DA. Overall, our findings demonstrate that HFPO-DA consistently affected neonatal phenotypes, liver gene expression and the molecular initiating events involving PPARα/γ, at lower concentrations than PFOA.

Dynamic Nutrition Strategies for Anorexia Nervosa: Marker-Based Integration of Calories and Proteins

Background/Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by profound nutritional deficits and significant alterations in body composition, cellular integrity, and hydration. Nutritional rehabilitation is critical not only for weight restoration but also for improving body composition and metabolic functions. However, optimal strategies for integrating caloric and protein intake to achieve balanced recovery remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the interactions between caloric/protein intake and time on quantitative (weight and BMI) and qualitative (body composition and cellular health) outcomes, and to identify markers that predict recovery trajectories and guide personalized nutritional interventions. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 79 patients with AN admitted to Villa Miralago for six months of nutritional rehabilitation. Anthropometric and body composition parameters—including body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), phase angle (PA), and hydration markers (TBW and ECW)—were assessed at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effects of caloric and protein intake over time. Results: Significant increases in BW (+6.54 kg, p &lt; 0.0001) and BMI (+2.47 kg/m2, p &lt; 0.0001) were observed, alongside improvements in FM, FFM, and BCM. PA increased significantly (+0.47°, p &lt; 0.0001), indicating enhanced cellular health. TBW increased (+1.58 L, p &lt; 0.0001), while ECW% decreased, reflecting improved fluid distribution. Caloric intake predominantly influenced early fat mass recovery, while protein intake was crucial for preserving lean tissues and promoting cellular regeneration. Interaction effects between caloric/protein intake and time revealed dynamic changes in body composition, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of a dynamic, marker-based approach to nutritional rehabilitation in AN. Integrating caloric and protein intake with advanced body composition and hydration markers enables personalized interventions and balanced recovery, shifting AN treatment toward a focus on qualitative improvements overweight restoration alone.

Characteristics of High Protein Product-Derived from Catfish Mixed with Fermented Sweet Potato Flours and Its Impact on Malnourished Rats

In 2022, Indonesia has prevalence of stunting over 20%. One of the variables that can contribute to stunting is protein deficiency. This issue can be mitigated by providing a sufficient consumption of animal protein. Implementing food formulation as a means of diversifying local food sources is a strategy to address the issue of stunting while improving food security. This study aimed to assure the standard quality, nutritional content, level of consumer acceptance, and the impact of a composite flour made from a combination of catfish and fermented sweet potato, which had been enriched with micronutrients. The research process encompassed several stages: formulation, evaluation of product characteristics and compliance to regulatory standards of food contaminants, nutritional content, hedonic tests by panelists, and animal model as pre-clinical testing. The findings indicated that flour consisted of catfish and fermented sweet potato enriched with micronutrients served as a high-protein mixture (25.35%, while ordinary flour 13%) encompassing a complete range of nutrients. This formulation fulfills the requirements for product standards and ensures food safety. The product meets panelists acceptance (taste rating &gt;3.5 means like) and is a suitable ingredient for various processing methods. In animal model, this product can significantly increase the body weight of malnourished rats (p&lt;0.05). Catfish and sweet potato are potential local foods serving high-protein flour. This flour enriched with micronutrients can further improve the nutritional content, high acceptability, demonstrate optimal characteristics, food contaminants-free, and proven to increase body weight on rats.

Food packages and nutrition education improved pregnancy weight gain in Jagakarsa sub-District, Jakarta, Indonesia: a pilot study

The prevalence of low birth weight and stunting among infants in Indonesia remains high. Maternal nutritional status before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy critically affect the health status of infants. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a balanced energy-protein (BEP) dietary supplement for pregnant women to reduce the risk of low birth weight of infant among the undernourished populations. A balanced energy-protein intervention are diverse and can be offered as food-based supplementation forms, commercially produced forms, food tokens, or vouchers. Although the Indonesian government implemented a supplementary food (biscuits) program for pregnant women, 35.4% of pregnant women did not consume all the provided biscuits. Therefore, there is a need to explore other alternatives, such as diversified food packages to improve gestational weight gain. This study aimed to determine the effect of nutrition education combined with food packages on the weight gain of pregnant women in Jakarta. This study was a non-randomized controlled trial consisting two groups: an intervention group and a control group. Seventy women were consecutively assigned to the intervention and control groups for a 2-month intervention period. The intervention group received nutritional education and food packages. The control group received the standard intervention given at the Primary Health Center (PHC), which was supplementary food in the form of biscuits. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple linear regression. Results showed that women who received food packages and nutritional education gained 1.15 kg more weight than those in the control group who did not receive these benefits. Study results also showed that pregnant women in the intervention group had higher intakes of energy (366 kcal), carbohydrates (66.4 g), vitamin B1 (0.14 mg), vitamin B6 (0.42 mg) and calcium 250 mg) compared to the control group. Over the two-month period, the average increase in body weight of women in the intervention group (3.6 kg) was significantly higher compared to women in the control group (2.7 kg). These findings underscore that intervention with food packages combined with nutritional education significantly increased the weight gain of pregnant women compared to the control group. Since the prevalence of stunting is steady, the Indonesian government needs to advise the local government to implement an alternative solution using food packages or locally sourced food supplementation to support adequate gestational weight gain. The findings from this study showed that free vouchers for food packages should be made available to pregnant women as a practical and impactful measure. Key words: pregnant women, food packages, nutritional education, gestational weight gain

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРЕПАРАТА ЭСТРОГЕНОВОГО РЯДА НА СОМАТОМЕТРИЧЕСКИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ПОТОМСТВА ЖЕНСКОГО ПОЛА

The aim of research is to study the effect of the estrogen drug fulvestrant at a dose of 200 μg/kg on the somatometric parameters of female offspring. Objectives: to study the effect of the estrogen preparation fulvestrant at a dose of 200 μg/kg on somatometric parameters of female offspring and to carry out statis-tical processing of the data obtained in relation to somatometric parameters in the studied animals. The experiments were carried out on the offspring of laboratory mice, whose mothers on the 11th day of preg-nancy underwent a single intramuscular injection of various doses of an estrogen preparation, fulvestrant. The study analyzed two groups: the first (n=15) – intact without exposure, in the second experimental group fulvestrant 0.8 ml 0.0005% at a dose of 200 mcg/kg (F–200 mcg/kg) was administered once, intra-muscularly. The resulting offspring were subjected to somatometric studies of body weight, body length, nose-ear length, ear-ear length, tail length, foot length of the hind right foot, and anogenital distance. A comparative analysis of the somatometric parameters of the offspring of female white outbred laboratory mice with a single exposure to the drug fulvestrant with an intact group showed that body weight increases, the head length distance (nose-ear) decreases, the head width distance (ear-ear) increases, the length of the right foot increases, hind paw and the anogenital distance decreases. Thus, exposure to an estrogen drug in the prenatal period causes changes in the somatometric parameters of the offspring in laboratory mice, the changes in these measurements were dependent on the administered experimental doses. The development of a biological model of prenatal estrogen administration can help in timely diagnosis and de-velopment of a set of preventive measures during the period of organ laying. The obtained results testify to the urgency of the problem of limiting the dose-dependent action of estrogenic drugs in the period of prenatal development of organs.

Bakery Waste Inclusion in the Diet of Growing Black Goat Kids: Evaluation of Performance and Health Aspects

The influence of bakery waste (BAWA) in the diet of black goat kids on nutrient intake, health, growth potential, and carcass features was assessed. Three treatment diets, consisting of 0 BAWA (CON), 50 g/kg BAWA (BAWA50), and 100 BAWA (BAWA100) of dietary dry matter (DM), were administered to 27 male kids (initial body weight = 17.43 ± kg; age = 105 ± 3.5 days) at random (9/treatment). Bakery waste was included in diets BAWA50 and BAWA100, replacing some of the barley grain. The study lasted for 70 days (7 days used for adaptation and 63 days used for data collection). Kids in the BAWA100 group consumed considerably more (p &lt; 0.01) DM, crude protein (CP), and metabolizable energy than those in the BAWA50 and CON groups. However, intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ether extract (EE) were similar (p ≥ 0.08) among the treatment diets. The kids’ initial and final body weights, total growth, and average daily weight were not substantially impacted (p ≥ 0.13) by the addition of BAWA. All diets had similar feed efficiency when it came to converting feed into body weight increases (p ≥ 0.11). Nevertheless, the BAWA diet yielded a considerably lower cost gain (p = 0.04) than the CON diet. The three treatment groups had no differences (p ≥ 0.15) in DM, ADF, NDF, and EE digestibility. However, compared to the CON group, the digestibility of CP tended to improve (p = 0.07) in the BAWA100 and BAWA50 groups. The three experimental groups’ nitrogen (N) intakes did not differ significantly from one another (p &gt; 0.33). Additionally, the three diets’ N retention percentage and grams/d were equivalent (p &gt; 0.33). Several carcass metrics, such as dressing percentage, hot and cold carcass weights, fasting live weight, and non-carcass components, were not significantly affected (p &gt; 0.23) by the addition of BAWA. Additionally, no differences in carcass cut weights were found. The inclusion of BAWA100 and BAWA50 increased loin cut weight (p = 0.043) and total lean muscle weight (p = 0.001) compared to the CON group. Other components, such as intermuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, total fat, total bone, meat-to-bone ratio, and meat-to-fat ratio, were similar among the three diet groups. Concerning carcass linear dimension measurements, only rib fat depth was greater (p = 0.008) in kids fed the BAWA100 diet compared to the BAWA50 and CON diets. No significant variation was observed among the treatments concerning various physicochemical properties of the longissimus dorsi muscle in the black goat kids. All measured serum metabolites and hematological parameters were not affected by the incorporation of BAWA into the diet. In summary, the inclusion of 50 and 100 g/kg BAWA in the diet had comparable effects on the black goat kids’ feed intake, digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and overall health. Importantly, feed costs can be reduced by using up to 100 g/kg of BAWA on a DM basis.

Pinus sylvestris bark extract reduces the impact of Heligmosomoides bakeri infection on C57BL/6 but not on BALB/c mice (Mus musculus).

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) may improve gastrointestinal health by exerting immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and/or antiparasitic effects. Bark extracts from coniferous tree species have previously been shown to reduce the burden of a range of parasite species in the gastrointestinal tract, with condensed tannins as the potential active compounds. In the present study, the impact of an acetone extract of pine bark (Pinus sylvestris) on the resistance, performance and tolerance of genetically diverse mice (Mus musculus) was assessed. Mice able to clear an infection quickly (fast responders, BALB/c) or slowly (slow responders, C57BL/6) were infected orally with 200 infective third-stage larvae (L3) of the parasitic nematode Heligmosomoides bakeri or remained uninfected (dosed with water only). Each infection group of mice was gavaged for 3 consecutive days from day 19 post-infection with either bark extract or dimethyl sulphoxide (5%) as vehicle control. Oral administration of pine bark extract did not have an impact on any of the measured parasitological parameter. It did, however, have a positive impact on the performance of infected, slow-responder mice, through an increase in body weight (BW) and carcase weight and reduced feed intake by BW ratio. Importantly, bark extract administration had a negative impact on the fast responders, by reducing their ability to mediate the impact of parasitism through reducing their performance and tolerance. The results indicate that the impact of PSMs on parasitized hosts is affected by host's genetic susceptibility, with susceptible hosts benefiting more from bark extract administration compared to resistant ones.

Subacute Toxicity Study of Stem Extract of Telfairia occidentalis in Rats

Telfairia occidentalis Hook (Cucurbitaceae) is used in Ibibio ethnomedicine for the treatment of diverse diseases such as malaria, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. Evaluation of subacute administration of ethanol stem extract of Telfaira occidentalis for effect on hematological indices, liver and kidney functions as well as lipid profile of rats was carried out. The stem extract (200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to Wistar rats daily for 30 days and the rats were sacrificed under light diethyl ether anesthesia at the completion of the administration. Subacute administration of T. occidentalis stem extract resulted in insignificant increase in body weights of rats especially at high doses without any significant (p&gt;0.05) effect on the weights of heart, brain, liver, kidney, spleen and testes when compared to control, but the weights of ovary was decreased significantly (p&lt;0.01) at higher doses (400 and 600 mg/kg) relative to control. The stem extract treatment did not affect the WBC, RBC and platelets counts, hemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophil and basophil percentages as well as bleeding and clotting times significantly (p&gt;0.05) relative to control. However, significant (p&lt;0.05) increase of neutrophils percentage at low dose (200 mg/kg) and decreased PCV percentage at higher doses (400 and 600 mg/kg) when compared to control were recorded. The stem extract administration did not cause any significant (p&gt;0.05) effect on total protein, albumin, ALP, total and conjugated bilirubin levels of rats except significantly (p&lt;0.05-0.01) elevated ALT and AST levels at low dose (200 mg/kg) of the extract when compared to control. The stem extract did not cause any significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on creatinine, potassium, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate levels of the treated rats except significantly (p&lt;0.001) elevated urea level at low dose of the extract (200 mg/kg), but caused dose-dependent and insignificant (p&gt;0.05) decreases in total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL levels when compared to control. The stem extract exerted mild to moderate effect on the histologies of brain, heart, spleen, livers, kidneys, testes and a severe effect on ovaries of rats. Chronic study is advocated to investigate the effect of prolonged administration of the stem extract organs and systems of rats.

Association Between Cannula Size of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Prognosis in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ― A Secondary Analysis of the SAVE-J II Study ―

Selecting an appropriate cannula size is crucial for achieving an adequate extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) flow rate. However, the association between ECMO cannula size and the prognosis of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has not been fully elucidated. We examined the associations between ECMO cannula size and neurological outcomes and survival at discharge in patients with OHCA who received ECMO. This is a secondary analysis of the Study of Advanced life support for Ventricular fibrillation with Extracorporeal circulation in Japan (SAVE-J II study). The primary and secondary outcomes were favorable neurological outcomes and survival at discharge, respectively. In all, 918 patients were included in the analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between cannula sizes and neurological outcomes. Multivariable analysis showed that increasing body weight (BW)-adjusted sizes of arterial cannulas (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per 0.01-Fr/kg increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.07; P=0.011) and venous cannulas (OR 1.04 per 0.01-Fr/kg increase; 95% CI 1.01-1.06; P=0.005) were significantly associated with the survival rate at discharge. Increasing BW-adjusted sizes of arterial cannulas were significantly associated with cannulation site bleeding. There were no significant associations between favorable neurological outcomes and cannula size, whereas larger-sized arterial and venous cannulas were significantly associated with higher survival rates at discharge in patients with OHCA who received ECMO.

Synergistic Effects of Cyanus depressus and Schizochytrium sp. Extracts on Growth Indices and The Expression Levels of Antioxidant and Immunity-Related Genes in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study aimed to assess the combined effects of Cyanus depressus and Schizochytrium sp. extracts on growth indices and the expression of genes linked to antioxidant activity and immunity in carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish, averaging 3.71 ± 0.16 g in weight, were assigned to three dietary groups over a 60-day period: a control group (0 g/kg extract) and two test groups receiving extract mixtures at 0.5 g/kg (CS05) and 1 g/kg (CS1). The supplemented groups, particularly those at 0.5 and 1 g/kg, showed significant increases in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. The highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) gene expression levels were seen in fish on the 0.5 g/kg CS-supplemented diet, and CS-fed groups displayed the greatest expression of the immune-related gene interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) relative to the control. Collectively, these findings indicate that Cyanus depressus and Schizochytrium sp. extracts, especially at a dosage of 0.5 g/kg, have promising potential as dietary supplements for enhancing the physiological health and growth of carp.

Ameliorative effects of Asiasarum root and rhizome extract on high fat diet‑induced obesity in mice through regulation of the SIRT1/PGC1α/AMPK pathways in muscle and liver tissues.

Asiasarum root and rhizome (Asarum) is commonly used as a diaphoretic. Due to its warm and pungent characteristics in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, it is considered as having the potential to prevent disease. The present study investigated the effects of Asarum extract on the symptoms of obesity in mice, and the regulation of energy metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle tissues. In addition, to identify the potential molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in the mechanism of action of Asarum extract in obesity, network pharmacological and molecular docking analysis was performed. In vitro studies demonstrated that Asarum extract significantly increased the expression of regulators of energy metabolism [sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ coactivator 1‑α (PGC1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4)] and myogenic regulatory factors (MyoD, myogenin and myosin heavy chain) in C2C12 myotubes. Furthermore, the in vivo studies demonstrated that Asarum extract could reduce increases in body weight, and the levels of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol in the sera of obese mice. Asarum extract also improved pathological changes in the liver and pancreatic tissues of obese mice, and significantly increased the ratio of brown fat mass to body weight. In addition, Asarum extract reversed the expression of energy metabolism regulators and myogenic regulatory factors in the gastrocnemius tissues of obese mice. Asarum extract also activated the expression of SIRT1, PGC1α and AMPK in the liver tissues of obese mice. These findings indicated that Asarum extract may exert anti‑obesity effects, such as body weight loss, decreases in lipid metabolite levels, and inhibition of pancreatic and liver damage. Using network pharmacological analysis, the mechanisms underlying the effects of Asarum extract on the regulation of energy metabolism were explored, particularly in skeletal muscle and liver tissues.

Chemopreventive role of β-caryophyllene in DMBA-induced skin cancer: Modulation of apoptotic pathways and PI3K/Akt signaling in Swiss albino mice.

The skin, with its robust structural integrity and advanced immune defense system, serves as a critical protective barrier against environmental toxins and carcinogenic compounds. Despite this, it remains vulnerable to the harmful effects of certain hazardous agents. This study aimed to investigate the chemopreventive potential of β-caryophyllene (BCP) in mitigating 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis, focusing on the modulation of apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Swiss albino mice were utilized to assess the preventive effects of BCP in DMBA-induced skin cancer. Skin carcinogenesis was initiated by topical DMBA application, followed by promotion using croton oil. To evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of BCP, a 50 mg/kg oral dose was administered 3 times a week for 16 weeks. The BCP treatment in DMBA-induced skin cancer mice significantly reduced tumor incidence, tumor burden and the total number of papillomas compared to untreated DMBA-exposed mice. Notably, BCP administration (p < 0.05) resulted in a marked increase in body weight and improvement in antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, BCP treatment led to significant reductions in lipid peroxidation and enhanced detoxification enzyme function. Histological examination of DMBA-induced skin tissues revealed the presence of keratin pearls, well-differentiated tumor cells and neutrophil infiltration. In contrast, BCP-treated mice showed only mild hyperplasia, dysplasia and moderate keratosis, suggesting a lower degree of tissue damage. Furthermore, BCP demonstrated a protective effect on liver histology, counteracting the toxic effects of DMBA exposure. Gene expression analysis revealed that BCP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated the pro-apoptotic genes Bax, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-9, while downregulating the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, BCP treatment led to a marked reduction in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, which are key regulators of cell proliferation and survival. This study provides compelling evidence that the antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects of β-caryophyllene contribute to its chemopreventive properties in DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice. The modulation of key apoptotic signaling pathways and the suppression of the PI3K/Akt pathway by BCP underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing skin cancer. These findings pave the way for further exploration of BCP as a promising candidate for skin cancer prevention and therapy.