Body Weight Increment Research Articles

Comparative Study of Bisphenol-A and its Analogue Bisphenol-S on Growth and Condition Factor of Juvenile Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bisphenol-A is a synthetic estrogen highly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins in plastic industry world-wide. Bisphenol-A presents as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant in all ecosystems. Bisphenol-A is an endocrine disruptor which affects the growth, development and physiology of living organisms. Therefore, bisphenol-S has been introduced as a safe alternative to bisphenol-A and it has become the widely used bisphenol-A substitute. Bisphenol-S has also been identified as an endocrine disruptor and emerging environmental contaminant. Therefore the safety of bisphenol-S substitution has become questionable. Thus, this study was carried out to comparatively assess the impacts of bisphenol-A and bisphenol-S exposure on growth and condition factor of zebrafish (Danio rerio). After 7-days acclimatization period, twenty juvenile zebrafish of 67 dpf (days post fertilization) of age were treated 35 days with 10 μg/L and 100 μg/L of bisphenol-A, bisphenol-S and with treatment control in triplicate tanks. Mean body length, weight, specific growth rate and condition factor of fish were evaluated. Mean body weight increment of zebrafish under 100 μg/L of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A were significantly different from the treatment control (p<0.05, One way ANOVA, Tukeys pairwise Comparison). The mean body length increment and specific growth rate were not significant under both concentrations of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A with treatment control (p>0.05). However, the condition factor of fish under both concentrations of bisphenols were significantly less than control (p<0.05). The condition factor of fish under comparable concentrations of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A were not statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that exposure to environmental concentrations of both types of bisphenols could affect the wellbeing of juvenile zebrafish. Based on the findings, bisphenol-S cannot be recommended as a safe substitution to bisphenol-A. Yet, more comprehensive studies are recommended to evaluate relative effect of bisphenol-S on freshwater ecosystem health. 
 Keywords: Body length, Body weight, Condition factor, Bisphenol-A, Bisphenol-S, Zebrafish, (Danio rerio) 

Leg strength and incidence of heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The risk of developing heart failure (HF) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains high. It is unclear whether skeletal muscle strength, in addition to existing risk factors, is a predictor for developing HF after ACS. We aimed to clarify the relationship between quadriceps isometric strength (QIS), a skeletal muscle strength indicator, and the risk of developing HF in patients with ACS. We included 1,053 patients with ACS without a prior HF or complications of HF during hospitalization. The median (IQR) age was 67 (57-74) years. The patients were classified into two groups-high and low QIS-using the sex-specific median QIS. The endpoint was HF admissions. During a mean follow-up period of 4.4±3.7 years, 75 (7.1%) HF admissions were observed. After multivariate adjustment, a high QIS was associated with a lower risk of HF (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.87). HR (95% CI) per 5% body weight increment increase of QIS for HF incidents was 0.87 (0.80-0.95). Even when competing risks of death were taken into account, the results did not change. The inclusion of QIS was associated with increases in net reclassification improvement (0.26; 95% CI, 0.002-0.52) and an integrated discrimination index (0.01; 95% CI, 0.004-0.02) for HF. The present study showed that a higher level of QIS was strongly associated with a lower risk of developing HF after ACS. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle strength could be one of the factors contributing to the risk of developing HF after ACS.

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in the edible tissues of fish collected from urban lakes of Bangladesh: a potential exposure to public health.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental problem, due to its universal dispersion. In the present study, we determined the MP pollution in water, sediment, and fish samples of three different urban lakes of Bangladesh to assess the bioaccumulation of MPs from the lake environment to fish's edible (flesh) and inedible tissue (gut), ecological risk and consequent human exposure to MPs by fish consumption. A total of forty-three fishes were collected from Jahangirnagar Co-Operative Housing Society (JCHS), Dhanmondi Lake (DL), and Saturia Thana Lake (MST). The average MP concentration in sediment and water of the lakes is 7588 ± 4353 MPs/kg dry weights; 142 ± 22 MPs/L, respectively. MPs were identified in the edible (2.8-20.2 MPs/g) and inedible (2.27-20.93 MPs/g) tissue of all fish species. The highest number of MPs was observed in the flesh of Labeo bata of the JCHS Lake and in the gut of Catla catla of DL. The most dominant shape of MPs was fiber and fragment, 0.1-0.4 mm was the dominant size range, and blue, purple, and transparent were the dominant colors. The presence of six polymer types was revealed by FT-IR analysis, which were polystyrene, polypropylene, nitrile, ethylene vinyl acetate, high-density polyethylene, and nylon. The concentration of MPs in fish is found to increase with the increment in body weight. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis reveals that among all the fish species, Labeo bata and Oreochromis mossambicus accumulate the highest number of MPs from the lake environment. The pollution load index of MPs indicates that the sampling sites were within hazard levels III-IV. Estimated annual intake reveals that humans will be exposed to the highest number of MPs if they consume the flesh of Labeo bata of DL and JCHS Lake.

Zinc supplementation in preterm infants and growth indicators in a developing country

Background  Zinc is one of the micronutrients that is found deficient in preterm infants. To date, no parenteral zinc supplements are available in Indonesia and there is no recommendation established for routine zinc supplementation in preterm infants.
 Objective To evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation on growth indicators and morbidity in preterm infants.
 Methods This double-blind, randomized controlled trial included preterm infants aged 28-32 weeks who were assigned to one of two groups: the first group received a 10 mg zinc supplementation, while the second (control) group received a placebo. At discharge or at a maximum of 40 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA, calculated from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period), the following were evaluated : growth indicators (weight, length, and head circumference), serum zinc level, zinc supplementation side effects, and morbidity rate (intraventricular hemorrhage/IVH, necrotizing enterocolitis/NEC, btonchopulmonary dysplasia/BPD). Data were analyzed with independent T-test using SPSS version 22 software.
 Results Seventy-eight subjects were assigned to the zinc supplementation group and 76 subjects were assigned to the placebo group. Serum zinc level and mean body weight increment were significantly higher in the zinc group compared to the placebo group (P=0.00 and P=0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups in mean body length or head circumference increment, nor in morbidity rate.
 Conclusion  Preterm infants who received zinc supplementation have higher serum zinc level and mean body weight increment compared to the placebo group. No side effects are observed to have been caused by zinc supplementation.
  
  
  

Utilisation of Sun Dried Azolla Caroliniana in Substituting Groundnut Oil Cake in the Conventional Carp Feed

Sun- dried and powdered Azolla caroliniana substituting 20, 40, 60 and 63.6% of the protein supplement (groundnut oil cake) of the conventional diet (at 10, 29.2, 60 and 63.6% incorporation in diet, respectively) of Indian major carp was fed to Labeo rohita fingerlings for a period of 90 days. Substitution of groundnut oil cake up to 40% in the protein supplement resulted in 115.48±4.20% and 24.85±4.22% increment in the fish body weight and length, as against compared to 100.40±4.53% and 23.38±1.05% in the control, respectively. There was no significant (P < 0.05) variation in the muscle protein and moisture contents. Feeding on a diet with increased substitution of groundnut oil cake by Azolla (60% or more in protein supplement) resulted in lower body weight and length increment as well as lower muscle protein content, with no significant difference in moisture content as compared to the control diet.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Methanolic Extracts of Local Punica granatum in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Introduction: Obesity has been linked to coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and cancer. Pomegranate (Punica granatum; PG) has been used extensively in folk medicine for several therapeutic purposes. The goal of this study is to investigate the anti-obesity effect of PG peel and pulp methanolic extracts in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The animals were separated into 7 groups namely Normal control group (normal diet); HFD-induced only as negative control group, and positive control group (HFD-induced + orlistat); treatment group included HFD-induced + peel 125 mg/kg, HFD-induced +peel 250 mg/kg, HFD-induced + pulp 125 mg/kg and HFD-induced + pulp 250 mg/kg. Results: It was observed that methanolic extract of peel and pulp PG 250 mg/kg showed low increment of body weight with a reduction in weight of liver, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat. Compared to the negative control group, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were shown to be lowered for PG peel and pulp groups also showed higher values in high-density lipoprotein. Conclusion: PG reduced obesity-related markers in blood, liver, and adipose tissue and inhibited obesity caused by a high-fat diet probably because of its antioxidant properties.

CARNOSINE-LOADED ORAL NIOSOMES AMELIORATE HIGH-FRUCTOSE-INDUCED METABOLIC SYNDROME IN RATS VIA MODULATION OF SIRT1, A METABOLIC MASTER SWITCH

Metabolic syndrome is a crucial health challenge, and the available therapeutic agents are still not effective. Carnosine, a cytoplasmic dipeptide, is a potent anti-glycation, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and chelating agent. However, whether carnosine would be assumed as a potential hypoglycemic agent or not, no decisive report with detailed mechanisms is found yet. As such, we suggest the carnosine-loaded in niosomes as a prospective solution to bypass its unwanted fast degradation by carnosinase which is considered as a major obstacle with the clinical application of carnosine as an oral drug therapy. Toward this, the purpose of our study is to assess the profits of oral administration of carnosine, and carnosine-loaded niosome in HFD-induced metabolic syndrome rats and to inspect some of the involved mechanisms. Initially, carnosine-loaded niosomes were prepared and characterized. Then, metabolic syndrome was provoked by 60% fructose diet in male Sprague Dawley rats where carnosine and carnosine-loaded niosomes were orally administered at doses 50 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, biochemical and molecular studies were performed to clarify the possible mechanisms of action. Data showed that the consumption of 60% fructose diet displayed a tremendous increment in body weight, body mass index as well as a significant elevation in levels of serum glucose, insulin, TAG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c and FFA. Also, it showed a significant reduction in levels of serum HDL-c. Furthermore, HFD provoked up-regulation of SREBP-1c and FAS mRNA levels in adipose tissue. Also, it induced down-regulation of SIRT1, GLUT-4 mRNA levels in adipose tissue. We found that oral administration of either carnosine or carnosine-loaded niosome effectively reversed HFD-mediated alterations via SIRT1 activation. Overall, oral delivery of carnosine-loaded niosome had a better efficacy than oral carnosine, attenuating HFD-mediated alterations. Carnosine nano-formulation is a new excellent candidates for metabolic syndrome management and needs further exploration of its mechanisms.

Functional papaya beverage increases healthy gut microbiota in Streptozotocininduced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats

Diabetes mellitus is a silent killer illness, characterized by hyperglycaemia effect and can cause many health complications. A new functional papaya beverage was produced via selected pure symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) which offers an alternative food therapy in regulating blood glucose and its efficacy was evaluated using Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague Dawley rats for one month treatment. Under moderate diabetes condition, SCOBY papaya beverage was shown able to reduce high blood glucose in diabetic rats to normal level, comparably effective with commercial drug, Metformin. Not only that, it also helped restore body weight of diabetic rats to a healthier state with a gradual increment of body weight observed weekly. In contrast, untreated diabetic rats experienced a sharp rise in blood glucose with stunted body weight. Nutrigenomic studies were conducted to identify the mechanisms that support the effectiveness of SCOBY papaya beverage as an anti-diabetic therapy. Evidence from quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis disclosed significant higher expression on gene markers related to insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1), glucose transporter (Slc2a8) and glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (Gstm1), but lower expression of gene markers indicative of diabetes complications and inflammation e.g., tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (Nfkb1) and nitric oxide 2 (NOS2) in diabetic rats treated with SCOBY papaya beverage and Metformin (p<0.05). SCOBY papaya treated diabetic rats showed an increment of short chain fatty acids content and gut microbiota enriched with some beneficial microbes particularly for Alloprevotella, Ruminococcus 1, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and Prevotellaceae NK3B31 compared to untreated diabetic rats. These data support the effectiveness of SCOBY papaya as a functional beverage in improving intestinal health by changing the environment of the microbiome of diabetic rats, in turn offering costeffective food therapies in blood glucose regulation.

Age- and Gender-Specific Levels and Differences in Children’s Gross Motor Coordination During Prepuberty

Introduction: We are currently observing a decline and deterioration in gross motor coordination in prepubertal children. This also results in deterioration of the overall movement performance. The purpose of this study was to determine sex- and age-specific levels and differences in gross motor coordination among prepubertal children. The somatic parameters included body weight (BW), height (BH), and body mass index (BMI). Methods: The sample included elementary school children aged 7–10 years, who were divided according to their age at annual intervals. A total of 381 pupils (103 seven-year-olds, 104 eight-year-olds, 78 nine-year-olds, and 96 ten-year-olds) from elementary schools in the Presov region participated in the educational experiment. To test the children’s motor coordination, the Körper-Coordination-Test für Kinder, which provides a complex assessment of coordination abilities, was administered: walking backward, hopping for height, jumping sideways (JS; lower-body frequency ability), and moving sideways (MS; complex body coordination). To process the collected data, they were transformed to MQ scores. The statistical characteristics and methods included percentage distributions, arithmetic means and standard deviations, and analysis of variance to compare the four age categories. Results: mean body height and weight increments accounted for 9.54 cm and 7.75 kg between 7 and 10 years of age. Gender differences in the mean motor quotient were significant between boys and girls aged 9–10 years. Motor quotients in both boys and girls decreased with age, and the highest mean motor quotients were found in 7-year-old boys and girls. Of all KTK subtests, motor coordination levels in walking backward and hopping for height decreased, while motor coordination levels in moving sideways and jumping sideways increased as children got older. Conclusions: The findings point to the current level of gross motor skills in preadolescent children with age and sex differences.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of roselle leaves

Roselle leaves are widely used in traditional medicine but have not previously been studied for their safety through standard in vivo toxicity studies. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of roselle leaves extract through acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. An acute toxicity study was carried out using a single high dose of roselle leaves extract at 3000 mg/kg and toxic signs were observed within 14 days. While sub-acute toxicological study was carried out using 28-days repeated doses of 0 mg/kg (control), 1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg of roselle leaves extract. Bodyweight changes were recorded throughout the experimental period. On day 29, blood was withdrawn and analysed for haematology and clinical biochemistry values. During the 14-day acute toxicity study, there were no significant changes in body weight increment, adverse clinical signs and mortality. In the sub-acute toxicity study, there were also no toxicology significant changes in haematology and clinical biochemistry except a slight decrease in triglyceride (TG) and glucose level (p < 0.05) which is attributed to roselle leaves aqueous extract administration. However, the results were within the normal reference range of SD rats. Therefore, the acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in SD rats showed that roselle leaves aqueous extract is non-toxic and could be classified as a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL).

Effect of Modisco-Cookies Combined with Auriculopuncture therapy on Increment of Body Weight

Being underweight is a common problem in developing countries, including Indonesia, that may cause infections, including viral ones. The solution to this problem is to provide Modisco cookies and auriculopuncture therapy with seed-pressing methods. Auriculopuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy using the seed-pressing method at the auricular point stimulating to relieve other body pathologies. While Modisco cookies have energy-dense, high- calories, digestible cookies that aim to help accelerate weight gain. This study aims to determine the effect of Modisco cookies compared to a combination of Modisco cookies with auriculopuncture on the increase of body weight among male adolescents. This study observed 22 male teenagers with low body weight for three weeks. The subjects are categorized into two treatment groups: (1) the Modisco cookies group and (2) the combination of Modisco cookies and the auriculopuncture treatment group every day for three weeks (26 days). This study compared the mean of the pretest and posttest of the weight changes using a T-test. Furthermore, the average weight changes between the two groups were compared using Manova repeated measured test. The Modisco cookies have nutrient-dense and easy to digest, while Auriculopuncture may stimulate to a certain point in the ear. The hypothalamus has a role in the production of the ghrelin hormone. The therapy may increase hormone appetite and reduce the use of fat reserves. It may increase the body weight of underweight adolescents significantly (p=0.00). A combination of Modisco cookies and auriculopuncture therapy gave a significant increase in adolescent body weight compared to modisco cookies.

Seasonal fluctuation in the length-weight relationship of groupers in the Goto Islands, Japan

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) of 13 commercially important grouper species inhabiting the Goto Islands in southwestern Japan were established. The samples were collected between June 2007 and December 2013. We determined the monthly LWRs for the seven abundant species to determine whether these LWRs changed seasonally. Generalized additive models demonstrated significant differences in body weight compared to total length for all seven species during the year. Smoothing splines indicated that four species of groupers (Epinephelus awoara, E. fasciatus, E. areolatus, and Plectropomus leopardus) gained weight relative to the total length in a few months of spring to summer (April–September), corresponding to the spawning period of each species. Therefore, this increase was presumably due to the energy stored in the body for upcoming spawning events, followed by gonadal development for spawning. E. akaara decreased its weight relative to its length in September, indicating that it may exhaust energy during the spawning season and then reduce its weight. The remaining two species (E. bruneus and Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) gained weight from December to March and in October, respectively, which did not coincide with their spawning period. The increment of body weight in October for H. septemfasciatus may indicate that they stored energy in preparation for the upcoming winter because lower temperatures in winter decrease the food consumption rate. E. bruneus might be able to acquire sufficient energy during December–March despite a lower food consumption rate, possibly because of the abundance of prey inhabiting the Goto Islands.

The Impact of Paulownia Leaves Extract on Performance, Blood Biochemical, Antioxidant, Immunological Indices, and Related Gene Expression of Broilers.

The current research sought to assess the effects of paulownia leaves extract (PLE) on performance, blood hematological, antioxidant activity, and immunological response of broiler chicken. In total, two hundred 1-day-old male Cobb500 chicks were allocated randomly into four equal treatments with 5 replicates. The first treatment served as a control (CNT) and was fed the basal diet only, while the other treated treatments were fed on the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 g/kg diet of PLE, respectively. The performance results showed significant increments (P < 0.05) in live body weight (LBW), weight gain (WG), and European production efficiency factors (EPEIs) (linearly; p < 0.001) in cooperated with increasing PLE levels in broiler diets. At the same time, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and livability percentages were numerically enhanced under the effects of PLE supplementation. Moreover, a notable increase (P < 0.05 or 0.01) in oxidative remarks activity (GSH, glutathione; SOD, super oxide-dismutase and CAT, catalase) and elevated levels of immunoglobulin (IgM, immunoglobulin M and IgG, immunoglobulin G) were noted (P < 0.05) for treatments fed with PLE in a dose-dependent manner. Also, a dramatic linear increase was observed in mRNA expression of IGF-1, GHR, IL-1β, and IL-10 genes of broiler chickens. This study concluded that enriched broiler feeds with 0.5 g/kg PLE might be a beneficial strategy to promote broiler health and production.

1355-P: Carbohydrate Overfeeding Unmasks Severe Dysmetabolic Traits in Low-Birth-Weight Men

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) individuals are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D) , especially when exposed to an affluent dietary pattern. Impaired subcutaneous adipose tissue expandability and ectopic fat storage may represent key features explaining the link between LBW and risk of T2D. We hypothesized that a 4-week simple carbohydrate overfeeding challenge (+25% energy) (COF) would adversely influence dysmetabolic traits including hepatic fat content in LBW compared to normal birth weight (NBW) men. Methods: Twenty-two non-obese LBW and 21 age- and BMI-matched NBW men with a mean age of 37.6 years were included. Body composition, hepatic fat (MR spectroscopy) , glucose and insulin metabolism, hepatic glucose production (HGP; deuterium glucose) , energy metabolism (indirect calorimetry) and selected plasma biomarkers (multiplex ELISA) were measured before and after 4 weeks COF. Results: Fasting plasma glucose and C-peptide levels, as well as energy expenditure (EE) and fat oxidation (FOX) rates increased significantly more in response to COF among the LBW compared to NBW subjects (all P&amp;lt;0.05) . However, despite significantly increased baseline hepatic fat content, COF resulted in similar body weight and hepatic fat content increments in LBW compared to NBW subjects. HGP and hepatic insulin resistance were unaffected by COF in both groups. Fasting plasma adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in LBW versus NBW subjects before and after COF, whereas plasma leptin and FGF21 levels were increased (both P&amp;lt;0.005) after COF in LBW men only. Conclusion: LBW compared to NBW subjects respond to COF with differential increments in plasma glucose, C-peptide, leptin and FGF21 levels, as well as increased EE and FOX rates. The results underscore the importance of LBW individuals avoiding simple carbohydrate overfeeding. Further studies are needed to understand the role of increased hepatic fat and insulin resistance as key mechanisms linking LBW with increased risk of T2D. Disclosure C.Brøns: Stock/Shareholder; Novo Nordisk. A.B.Thuesen: None. L.Justesen: None. L.Elingaard-larsen: None. J.Størling: None. E.R.Danielsen: None. T.Hansen: None. A.A.Vaag: Stock/Shareholder; AstraZeneca. Funding Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF15OC0016692) , Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Fond, Augustinus Foundation, Simon Spies Fonden, TrygFonden.

Postnatal Serum Total Thyroxine Level Associated with Short- and Long-Term Anthropometric Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants.

Thyroxine (T4) importantly regulates the growth of newborns. Compared to fetuses with equivalent gestational ages, very preterm infants (VPIs) often experience relatively low thyroxinemia, with a normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration < 10 μIU/mL. However, there is continued debate regarding postnatal thyroxine supplementation for VPIs with normal TSH and transitionally low thyroxinemia. Little research has explored the role of the postnatal total T4 (TT4) serum concentration on the growth of VPIs. In this study, we aim to clarify whether the postnatal thyroxine concentration is associated with the short- and long-term growth outcomes of VPIs. A total of 334 surviving VPIs in our previously reported cohort, born in the period August 2007–July 2016, were enrolled. The exposure variable was the postnatal TT4 concentration at 1 month old. The primary outcomes were body weight increments over 28 days after the screening and anthropometric outcomes at the corrected age of 24 months old. Infants with any hormonal replacement, severe brain injury, congenital anomaly, or cerebral palsy were excluded. In total, 290 (86.8%) VPIs were included for analysis. In the 28 days after thyroid function screening, the TT4 concentration was found to have a significant association with positive increments in body weight (mean increment: 25.7 g per 1 μg/dL; p < 0.001) and a positive body weight z-score (mean increment: 0.039 per 1 μg/dL; p = 0.037), determined by generalized estimating equation analysis. At the corrected age of 24 months old, a higher postnatal TT4 concentration was associated with a lower body mass index (mean coefficient: −0.136; 95% CI: −0.231 to −0.041, p = 0.005) and lower body mass index z-score (mean coefficient: −0.097; 95% CI: −0.170 to −0.024, p = 0.009). Infants with a TT4 concentration > 6.4 ug/dL had significantly lower odds of overweight status (odds ratio: 0.365; 95% CI: 0.177 to 0.754, p = 0.006). We conclude that the postnatal TT4 concentration is associated with a positive increment in body weight in the short term. At the same time, the postnatal TT4 concentration is associated with lower odds of overweight status after long-term follow-up.

RETRACTED: Beneficial alterations in growth performance, blood biochemicals, immune responses, and antioxidant capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed a blend of Thymus vulgaris, Origanum majorana, and Satureja hortensis extracts

A blend of medicinal herbs extracts (BHE) obtained from Thymus vulgaris , Origanum majorana , and Satureja hortensis fed to common carp (20.57 ± 0.66 g; mean ± S.D.) at five incremental levels of 0 (control), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% of diet for 60 days. At the end of the study, final body weight, body weight increment, specific growth rate, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio were significantly better in the groups fed 1 and 2% BHE relative to the control ( P ≤ 0.05), and the best values were recorded for fish fed the diet containing 1% BHE. According to the results, serum total protein and albumin values showed significant enhancements by 1–3% BHE compared with the control ( P ≤ 0.05). However, globulin concentrations were not affected by BHE inclusion ( P ≥ 0.05). Interestingly, all experimental groups fed with BHE-supplemented diets presented profound declines in terms of serum cortisol, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations as compared to the control ( P ≤ 0.05). Further, incorporating BHE at levels higher than 1% reduced alanine aminotransferase activity ( P ≤ 0.05). The superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly intensified in serum by diets supplemented with 1–3% BHE than the control ( P ≤ 0.05). In comparison, malondialdehyde contents were dose-dependently diminished upon BHE additive ( P ≤ 0.05). Significantly higher levels of serum lysozyme (LYZ) activity and mucosal total immunoglobulins (Ig) were found in the 2% BHE group relative to the control, 0.5, or 3% BHE treatments ( P ≤ 0.05). The highest levels of serum total Ig and alternative complement activity (ACH 50 ) activity as well as skin mucus LYZ activity were observed in 1% BHE treatment. However, no remarkable differences were detected among treatments for mucus ACH 50 activity ( P ≥ 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity showed significant improvements in BHE-supplemented groups as compared to the control ( P ≤ 0.05), with the 2% BHE had notably higher ALP activity than 3% BHE ( P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, 1 and 2% BHE resulted in significantly enhanced skin mucus protease activities than the control and 0.5% BHE ( P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, 1% BHE supplementation was the most optimum dosage favorably improved feed efficiency, growth performance, immunological responses, and antioxidant status of common carp. • T. vulgaris , O. majorana , and S. hortensis blended extracts (BHE) enhanced growth and feed utilization in common carp. • Dietary BHE positively altered serum biochemistry and fish health condition. • Serum and skin mucus immune and antioxidant responses were beneficially improved by BHE supplementation. • 1% BHE was the most optimum level.

Relationship between Seasonal Changes in Food Intake and Energy Metabolism, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in Young Japanese Women.

We investigated seasonal changes in food intake, energy metabolism, and physical activity (PA) and explored their associations with body composition. In total, 28 women aged 20–23 years in the Kansai area of Japan participated in this year-long study spanning the winter, spring, and summer seasons. A dietary investigation was performed using the weight recording method, and the amount of histidine in the diet, which may be related to the regulation of energy intake, was calculated. Resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition, and PA were measured using indirect calorimetry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and uniaxial accelerometry, respectively. The results showed that energy intake was highest in winter, decreased significantly with increasing temperature, and decreased by 25% in summer. As the intake of histidine in the diet did not increase in summer, it did not seem to be involved in the suppression of energy intake. RMR was highest in winter and decreased significantly in summer by 20%. The amount of PA was low in winter, increased significantly in the spring, and decreased again in summer. Body weight increased in winter, with an accumulation of fat in the trunk and arms, and decreased in summer, with a reduction in the amount of fat. Greater energy intake and less PA in winter induced an increment in body weight despite the increase in RMR. There were no significant changes in lean body mass between the seasons; however, the muscle weight of the lower limbs increased significantly in spring and in summer compared with that in winter (p < 0.001). Thus, seasonal changes in food intake, energy metabolism, and PA occur, with resultant changes in the body composition under comfortable air-conditioned environments.

The Chemistry Effects of Garlic on Hormones in Male Rabbits

Abstract: Garlic contains more than 200 chemicals. It contains sulfur compounds (allicin, alliin and agoene), unstable oils, proteins (allinase, peroxidase and miracynase), carbohydrates (sucrose and glucose), and minerals (selenium). It too contains amino acids (cysteine, glutamine, isoleucine and methionine), which offer assistance to ensure cells from the hurts of free radicals, bioflavonoids (quercetin and cyanidin, allistatin I and allistatin II and vitamins C, E and A), which offer assistance to secure us from oxidation operators and free radicals. Comes about demonstrated that treatment with garlic caused critical (P&lt;0.05) increment in body weight (BW) and relative weight of, brine, testicles, testosterone, T3 and T4. Whereas, diminish the levels of FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone in plasma compared to control creatures.

Antitrypanosomal activity of hydromethanol extract of leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and seeds of Lepidium sativum: in-vivo mice model

BackgroundTrypanosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases of both humans and animals which decreases their productivity and causes death in the worst scenario. Unavailability of vaccines, the low therapeutic index of trypanocidal drugs, and the development of resistance lead to the need for research focused on developing alternative treatment options especially from medicinal plants. The present study was aimed to investigate antitrypanosomal activities of leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and seeds of Lepidium sativum in in-vivo mice model.MethodsThe plant extracts were prepared by maceration using 80% methanol and reconstituted with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to have the desired concentration. The test doses were adjusted to 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg based on the toxicity profile. The plants extracts were administered to the respective groups of mice after the 12th day of field isolate T. congolense inoculation for seven consecutive days. The level of parasitemia, bodyweight, packed cell volume (PCV), and differential white blood cell counts were measured.ResultsThe in -vivo test results revealed that both plant extracts had dose-dependent antitrypanosomal activity. Both crude extracts showed a significant reduction in parasite load (P < 0.05), increased or prevent the fall of PCV value (P < 0.05), decreased lymphocytosis and increased neutrophil counts (p < 0.05) and improved bodyweight but significant bodyweight increment (P < 0.05) was observed only in C. citratus treated mice compared to the negative and positive controls.ConclusionThe present study concluded that the crude extracts of leaves of C. citratus and seeds of L. sativum had antitrypanosomal effects. Both plants extracts reduced parasitemia level, prevented anemia and improved bodyweight of treated mice. Comparative results from all tested parameters showed that the best activities were observed with C. citratus treated groups of mice.

Effect of sleep duration on dietary intake, desire to eat, measures of food intake and metabolic hormones: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Sleep, as well as diet and physical activity, plays a significant role in growth, maturation, health, and regulation of energy homeostasis. Recently, there is increasing evidence indicating a possible causal association between sleep duration and energy balance. We aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration and food consumption, energy intake, anthropometric characteristics, and appetite-regulating hormones by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Electronic literature searches were conducted on Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar until July 2020. The search was conducted with the following words: "Sleep Duration", "Circadian Rhythm", "Sleep Disorders" in combination with "Obesity", "Overweight", "Abdominal Obesity", "Physical Activity", "Energy Intake", "Body Mass Index", "Lipid Metabolism", "Caloric Restriction", Leptin, "Weight Gain", and "Appetite Regulation" using human studies.methods RESULTS: After screening 708 abstracts, 50 RCTs (7 on children or adolescents and 43 on adults) were identified and met the inclusion criteria. In general, the findings suggested that sleep restriction may leads to a significant increment in energy intake, fat intake, body weight, appetite, hunger, eating occasions, and portion size, while protein and carbohydrate consumption, total energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient remained unaffected as a result of sleep restriction. Serum leptin, ghrelin, and cortisol concentrations were not influenced by sleep duration as well. Insufficient sleep can be considered as a contributing factor for energy imbalance, weight gain, and metabolic disorders and it is suggested that to tackle disordered eating it may be necessary to pay more attention to sleep duration.