Jejunal Group Research Articles

Effects of feeding methods on growth and slaughter performance, blood biochemical indices, and intestinal morphology in Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy used in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health, and reduce mortality. However, few studies have investigated the feed restrictions of Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, the effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemical indices of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) had ad libitum intake, while those in feed restriction groups (groups B, C, and D) were restricted to 80% of the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of group A the day before. The rabbits in group B were fed once per day at 8:00 am. Rabbits in groups C and D were fed twice per day at 8:00 am (50%) and 4:00 pm (50%) and 8:00 am (30%) and 4:00 pm (70%), respectively. The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. Compared to that in group A, the diarrhea rate of group C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the ADFI, feed conversion ratio, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein, and intestinal crypt depth of all feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio in group D was significantly better than that in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The efficiency index (EI) of groups C and D was higher than that of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels in groups C and D were significantly lower than those in group A. The villus length to crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum in group D was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the following parameters can be improved by feed restriction: feed conversion ratio, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT, lipid indices and intestinal health of Minxinan black rabbits, and the EI of the farm. Feeding twice per day, 30% at 8:00 am and 70% at 4:00 pm, had the best comprehensive effects.

Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides Gal-13 on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Intestinal Morphology, Antioxidative Activities, and Immunity of Broilers.

To evaluate the application effect of antimicrobial peptides Gal-13 (AMP Gal-13) instead of antibiotic feed additives, 90 7-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was fed a basic diet as the control, and Groups B and C were supplemented with AMP Gal-13 (100mg/kg and 200mg/kg, respectively). After a 35-day feeding experiment, the weight and average daily gain (ADG) of the broilers in Group B were significantly higher than those of the broilers in Group A. The Enterococcus sp. and Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and cecum in Group A were significantly higher than those in Groups B and C, while the Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacterium sp. counts were significantly lower. The amylase activity of the jejunum in Group B was significantly higher than that in Group A. The villus length (VL): crypt depth (CD) ratios of the jejunum and ileum in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the liver and serum in Groups B and C were significantly higher than those in Group A, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) activity was significantly lower. The titers of Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-specific antibodies were elevated significantly in Group B at the age of 42days. Additionally, the weights of the spleen and thymus were significantly increased. The expression levels of Il-2, Il-6, Tgf-β4, Tnf-α, and Mif in the spleen in Groups B and C were significantly downregulated to different degrees; Il-4 expression in Group B was significantly upregulated, while Ifn-γ expression in Group C was significantly upregulated. The results suggested that adding AMP Gal-13 to the diet could improve intestinal digestion, the antioxidant capacity, and immune function, ultimately promoting the growth of broilers.

Characterization and assessment of naturally mutant non-pathogenic O27 strain Escherichia coli and their potential use as poultry probiotics

Objective:The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the molecular characteristics of naturally mutant non-pathogenic O27 strain of Escherichia coli and its efficacy as probiotic in broilers and determine the best age at which it can be administered.Materials and methods:A total of 24 virulence genes using 24 sets of primers were detected using the polymerase chain reaction technique. For probiotics experiments, 60 chicks (day 1 old) were divided into three groups, 20 per group, and reared for 4 weeks. The first group was considered as a negative control. The second group was treated orally with O27 strain at first day of life for three successive days and repeated at day 21. The third group was administered orally with O27 strain at day 10 old, and repeated at day 21 old.Results:The data revealed that type 1 fimbrial adhesion, salmochelin siderophore receptor, and sigma factor-binding protein were detected in O27 strain, but temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin, hemolysin secretion gene, pyelonephritis-associated Pili gene, polysaccharide capsule synthesis gene, Shiga-toxin1 gene, Shiga-toxin2 gene, Brain microvascular endothelial cell invasion, E. coli attaching and effacing gene, heat-stable enterotoxin, heat-labile enterotoxin, east 1 toxin, colicin V, verotoxin type 2, necrotizing cytotoxic factor type 1, colonization factor antigen I, colonization factor antigen III, coli surface 2, coli surface 4, serine protease pic autransporter, vacuolating autotransporter toxin, and serine protease EspP precursor were not detected in O27 strain. Group 2 performance parameters were significantly better (p < 0.01) than groups 3 and 1. Hematological and biochemical parameters did not be influenced (p > 0.05) by the administration of O27 strain. Antibody titers of infectious bursal disease virus and Newcastle disease virus in groups 2 and 3 were improved as compared to group 1. Group 2 had significantly higher titers than group 3. Histopathologically, all groups showed normal histopathological pictures. However, jejunum in groups 2 and 3 showed more tall, intact, and densely packed microvilli and more crypt depth than the control group.Conclusion:The O27 strain of E. coli is non-pathogenic bacteria. Its effects on growth performances and enhancement of immunity in broilers match with the same impact of probiotics, and these candidates will fit to be a good probiotic in the future. The results revealed that the effects of O27 strain at the day 1 old of life for three successive days and repeated at day 21 old are better for improving the performance and immunity of the birds. More research works about the characterized non-pathogenic E. coli strain O27 are required for field and commercial use.

Changes in Intestinal Morphology of Rats Fed with Different Levels of Bee Pollen

Context: Bee pollen has been related to therapeutic properties including antibiotic, antineoplasic, antidiarrhoeic and antioxidant activities. However, little is known about the effect of pollen feeding on the intestinal structures and functions. Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the small intestine morphology in rats fed with three different pollen levels. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly separated into 4 groups of 10 rats each. Control group (C) was fed with a basic diet, group L received a diet supplemented with 0.2% (w/w), group M with 0.5% (w/w) and group H with 0.75% (w/w) bee pollen for 90 days. The relative volume of intestinal mucosa structures, length of villi and Lieberkuhn crypts formation were evaluated. Results: Quantitative morphometry and histology methods revealed significant increase in the relative volume of epithelium (P<0.0001) and decrease in the connective tissue volume (P<0.0001) of jejunum in groups M and H as compared to the control. The intestinal villi length significantly (P<0.0001) increased in all experimental groups. On the other hand, the Lieberkuhn crypts depth significantly (P<0.0001) increased only in groups L and M but decreased (P<0.0001) in the highest pollen-exposed group H. Conclusion: The most significant results were recorded in the medium pollen exposed group. We conclude that the bee pollen concentration of 0.5% is the most effective in the increase of relative volume of the intestinal epithelium and villi length. The results demonstrated that bee pollen affects the small intestine development in a concentration-dependent manner and could be beneficial for intestinal function.

Therapeutic effects of smecta or smectite powder on rats with paraquat toxication.

BACKGROUND:The plasma concentration of paraquat is closely related to the prognosis of patients with paraquat toxication, and the most common cause of death from paraquat poisoning is multiple organ failure (MOF). This study aimed to evaluate therapeutic effect of smecta on the plasma concentrations of paraquat and multi-organ injury induced by paraquat intoxication in rats.METHODS:A total of 76 healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into group A (control group, n=6), group B (poisoned group, n=30) and group C (smecta-treated group, n=30). Rats in groups B and C were treated intragastrically with PQ at 50 mg/kg, and rats in group A was treated intragastrically with saline (1 mL). Rats in group C were given intragastrically smecta at 400 mg/kg 10 minutes after administration of PQ, while rats in other two groups were treated intragastrically with 1 mL saline at the same time. Live rats in groups B and C were sacrificed at 2, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours after administration of PQ for the determination of paraquat plasma concentrations and for HE staining of the lung, stomach and jejunum. The rats were executed at the end of trial by the same way in group A.RESULTS:The plasma concentration of paraquat (ng/mL) ranged from 440.314±49.776 to 4320.6150±413.947. Distinctive pathological changes were seen in the lung, stomach and jejunum in group B. Lung injuries deteriorated gradually, edema, leukocyte infiltration, pneumorrhagia, incrassated septa and lung consolidation were observed. Abruption of mucosa, hyperemic gastric mucosa and leukocyte infiltration were obvious in the stomach. The hemorrhage of jejunum mucosa, the abruption of villus, the gland damage with the addition of inflammatory cell infiltration were found. Compared to group B, the plasma concentration of paraquat reduced (P<0.01) and the pathological changes mentioned above were obviously alleviated in group C (P<0.05, P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Smecta reduced the plasma concentration of paraquat and alleviated pathologic injury of rats with PQ poisoning.

Therapeutic effects of smecta on multiorgans injury induced by paraquat in rats

Objective To evaluate therapeutic effect and the possible mechanism of smecta on paraqual plasma concentrations and multiorgans injury induced by paraquat intoxication in rats. Methods A total of 76 healthy adult SD rats were randomly ( random number) divided into group A (control group n =6),group B ( poisoned group n =30 ),group C (smecta-treated group n=30).Rats in groups B and C were treated intragastrically with PQ at 50 mg/kg,the rats in the group C were given with smecta at 50 mg/kg,while the rats in the other two groups were only intragastrically adminstered with saline.Live rats in groups B and C were sacrificed at 2,6,24,48,72 h after administration of PQ for the determination of paraquat plasma concentrations and for HE staining of lung,stomach and jejunum.The rats were executed at the end of trial by the same way in group A.All measurement data were expressed as means + standard deviation ((x) ±s).The data of pathological score were compared with Independent-samples T test and the data of PQ concentration compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by LSD-t multiple comparison test.P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results The paraquat plasma concentration ( ng/ml ) was 440.314 ± 49.776 to 4320.6150 ± 413.947.There were different pathological changes of lung,stomach and jejunum in group B. Lung injuries gradually deteriorated,congestion,edema,leukocyte infiltration,incrassated septa and lung consolidation were observed.The pathological changes were obvious such as abruption of mucosa,hyperemic gastric mucosa and leukocyte infiltration in stomach.Haemorrhage of jejunum mucosa,abruption of villus,gland damage and inflammatory cell infiltration were found. Compared with group B,all the pathological changes mentioned above were obviously alleviated in group C ( P ＜ 0.05 ),and the concentrations reduced ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Smecta reduced paraquat plasma concentrations and alleviated pathologic injury of rats with PQ poisoning. Key words: Smecta; Paraquat; Plasma concentration; Pathological change; Therapeutic effect

Neuroprotective action ofGinkgo bilobaon the enteric nervous system of diabetic rats

To investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on the enteric neurons in the small intestine of diabetic rats. Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group (C), diabetic group (D) and diabetic-treated (DT) daily with EGb 761 extract (50 mg/kg body weight) for 120 d. The enteric neurons were identified by the myosin-V immunohistochemical technique. The neuronal density and the cell body area were also analyzed. There was a significant decrease in the neuronal population (myenteric plexus P = 0.0351; submucous plexus P = 0.0217) in both plexuses of the jejunum in group D when compared to group C. With regard to the ileum, there was a significant decrease (P = 0.0117) only in the myenteric plexus. The DT group showed preservation of the neuronal population in the jejunum submucous plexus and in the myenteric plexus in the ileum. The cell body area in group D increased significantly (P = 0.0001) in the myenteric plexus of both segments studied as well as in the ileum submucosal plexus, when compared to C. The treatment reduced (P = 0.0001) the cell body area of the submucosal neurons of both segments and the jejunum myenteric neurons. The purified Ginkgo biloba extract has a neuroprotective effect on the jejunum submucous plexus and the myenteric plexus of the ileum of diabetic rats.

409 POSTER A probiotic strain of enterecoccus faecium CRL183 reduces DMH-induced large intestinal tumors in male Wistar rats

Radiation-induced acute intestinal injury after abdominal irradiation is a common and serious problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B3 on the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phoshate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase glutathione-S-transferase (GST) after abdominal radiotherapy. Rats were administered L delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B3, isolated from yoghurt, in a probiotic solution (2 mL) containing 1010 CFU/mL by orogastric route using a feeding canula. Rats in group 1 (control) were not irradiated but received the probiotic solution. The remaining rats were subjected to a single dose of 11 Gy of γ radiation to the abdominopelvic area and further divided into 2 groups. Group 2 received the probiotic and group 3 received a placebo for 7 days after irradiation. On day 8, rats were euthanized. Effects of the probiotic on the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were examined in segments of jejunum, ileum, and colon. Radiotherapy significantly increased the activity of the jejunum GST in group 3 (P = .038), but the GST activity in group 2 was similar to that in group 1. The G-6-PD activity showed a significant increase in jejunum of group 3 (P = .048) compared with the control group. The G-6-PD activity in the ileum was increased in both groups 2 and 3 compared with the control (P = .005). There was no difference in glutathione reductase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity in any of the intestinal segments between the groups. Although the pathogenesis of radiation enteritis is not clear, recent experimental studies suggest that the mechanism involves mucosal damage due to toxic oxygen radicals. These results support the idea that probiotics possess protective effects in radiation-induced intestinal injury possibly by preventing or limiting oxidative stress.

Protective effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B3 on intestinal enzyme activities after abdominal irradiation in rats

Radiation-induced acute intestinal injury after abdominal irradiation is a common and serious problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B3 on the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phoshate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase glutathione- S -transferase (GST) after abdominal radiotherapy. Rats were administered L delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B3, isolated from yoghurt, in a probiotic solution (2 mL) containing 10 10 CFU/mL by orogastric route using a feeding canula. Rats in group 1 (control) were not irradiated but received the probiotic solution. The remaining rats were subjected to a single dose of 11 Gy of γ radiation to the abdominopelvic area and further divided into 2 groups. Group 2 received the probiotic and group 3 received a placebo for 7 days after irradiation. On day 8, rats were euthanized. Effects of the probiotic on the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were examined in segments of jejunum, ileum, and colon. Radiotherapy significantly increased the activity of the jejunum GST in group 3 ( P = .038), but the GST activity in group 2 was similar to that in group 1. The G-6-PD activity showed a significant increase in jejunum of group 3 ( P = .048) compared with the control group. The G-6-PD activity in the ileum was increased in both groups 2 and 3 compared with the control ( P = .005). There was no difference in glutathione reductase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity in any of the intestinal segments between the groups. Although the pathogenesis of radiation enteritis is not clear, recent experimental studies suggest that the mechanism involves mucosal damage due to toxic oxygen radicals. These results support the idea that probiotics possess protective effects in radiation-induced intestinal injury possibly by preventing or limiting oxidative stress.

Clinical study of continual jejunal interposition after subtotal gastrectomy

To explore the clinical effect of continual jejunal interposition in digestive tract reconstruction after subtotal gastrectomy. Thirty-four patients with distal gastric cancer were divided randomly into two groups. In group A, the digestive continuity was reconstructed by continual jejunal interposition in 16 patients after subtotal gastrectomy. In group B, the digestive tract of other 18 cases were reconstructed by Billroth II procedure. The postoperative comp1ications, nutritional status, food intake and gastroscopic results were compared. There were no complications such as anastomotic leakage or obstruction in the two groups. The Visick scoring of group A was better than that of group B, and the difference was significant one year after operation (mu= 1.98, P< 0.05). All patients retrieved 85% of preoperative food intake per meal in group A, while only l4 patients got such results in group B. The weight loss was significantly higher in group B than that in group A(t = - 2.181, P= 0.037) after operation. The serum albumin level after operation in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (t=2.125, P=0.041), the level one year after operation in group A was also significantly higher than that before operation (t= - 2.175, P= 0.011). Gastroscopy one year after operation revealed fluent stoma,no bile reflux,and no congestion and edema in stomal mucosa and interposed jejunum in group A, while bile retention in 11 cases (61.1%), stomal inflammation in 13 cases (72.2%), and stomal ulcer in 2 cases (11.1%) in group B. Continual jejunal interposition after subtotal gastrectomy can recover physiological continuity of digestive tract and improve the quality of 1ife without reflux gastritis.

The Effect of Complementary Access to Milk Replacer to Piglets on the Activity of Brush Border Enzymes in the Piglet Small Intestine

The activity of brush border enzymes (sucrase, lactase and maltase) in the piglet small intestine was evaluated as well as piglet performance during the weaning period in the present study. There were two treatment groups: Piglets of six litters were fed dry feed plus milk replacer (Group M) and of six litters fed dry pelleted feed (Group C). One piglet from each litter was sacrificed on day 3 before weaning, and day 3, 10 and 17 postweaning, respectively. Providing milk replacer caused an increased piglet live weight at weaning (p<0.001) and until termination of the experiment (p<0.001). A slightly higher (p<0.16) level of protein was measured in the jejunum of group M piglets as compared with group C piglets. Before weaning the activity of lactase was high in the jejunum of group C piglets. The activity of lactase in the jejunum was lowered in the jejunum of group C piglets and in distal jejunum of group M piglets during the postweaning period as compared with pre-weaning period (p<0.05). Lowered activity of lactase in the distal jejunum of piglets was found at day 10 and 17 postweaning, respectively. No treatment differences were found in the activity of lactase in the piglet jejunum. No treatment differences were seen in the activity of maltase and sucrase in the piglet jejunum also. However, weaning caused a higher activity of sucrase in the distal jejunum of group M piglets as compared with pre-weaning period. In conclusion, providing milk replacer to piglets caused an improved growth performance. Feeding milk replacer did not influence the activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the jejunum of piglets. Weaning resulted in a markedly lowered activity of lactase, while no dramatic changes in the activity of maltase took place during the period around weaning. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 11 : 1617-1622)

Role of nuclear factor kappaB in intestine injury induced by hepatic ischemia reperfusion.

The role of nuclear factor kappaB in intestine injury induced by hepatic ischemia reperfusion was investigated. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: sham operation group (group A), hepatic ischemia reperfusion group (group B) and hepatic ischemia reperfusion plus pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group (group C). The rats in group A were only subjected to laparotomy, those in group B underwent partial hepatic ischemia reperfusion (ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h) and those in group C underwent the same procedure as that of group B but received PDTC 200 mg/kg i.v. before and after ischemia. After reperfusion, tissues of jejunum and venous blood were obtained for measurement of TNF-alpha, MDA and MPO. The levels of TNF-alpha in jejunum and venous blood, the levels of MPO in jejunum in group B were significantly higher than those in group A and group C (P<0.05). There was no significant different in the levels of MDA between group B and group C. The severity of histological intestinal injury in group B and group C was similar. Hepatic ischemia reperfusion caused intestine injury, NF-kappaB may play an important role in this course and the targeting of upstream components of the inflammatory response, such as NF-kappaB, may have important therapeutic applications.

Prenatal intestinal histology and histochemistry in the goat

The mucosa of the small and large intestine of goat fetuses exhibited villi which had disappeared after the 32.5-cm curved crown rump (CVR) stage. At places, the stratified epithelial lining persisted among the normal columnar epithelium with goblet cells. The concentration of goblet cells increased with age, while the thickness of the epithelium decreased. The crypts of Lieberkühn were tortuous at the base. Brunner's glands appeared at the 14.2-cm CVR stage. Peyer's patches appeared at the 24.5-cm CVR stage in the ileum. The muscularis mucosae differentiated in the large intestine in group II (16.2- to 24.5-cm CVR length) and progressed caudocranially. The striated border of the intestinal epithelium presented with alkaline phosphatase activity; this border and the goblet cells also stained for mucin. Glycogen was demonstrable in the epithelium with greater concentrations in the duodenum and jejunum in group I (11.5- to 14.6-cm CVR length), and in the ileum and large intestine in group III (30.8- to 39.5-cm CVR length).