Kg-1 BW Research Articles

PEGylated amphiphilic polymeric manganese(II) complexes as magnetic resonance angiographic agents.

Currently, the most commonly used clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, Gd(III) chelates, have been found to be associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in renally compromised patients. Toxicity concerns related to Gd(III)-based agents prompted intensive research toward the development of safe, efficient, and long-cycle non-Gd contrast agents. Herein, three amphiphilic polymeric manganese (Mn) ligands (mPEG1k-P(L-a-HMDI)-mPEG1k, mPEG2k-P(L-a-HMDI)-mPEG2k and mPEG4k-P(L-a-HMDI)-mPEG4k) were synthesized, and then end-capped respectively with different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (mPEG 1 kD, 2 kD and 4 kD) to obtain amphiphilic polymer Mn ligands. After being chelated with Mn(II), these amphiphilic polymer Mn complexes show significantly higher T1 relaxivity than the small molecule Mn complex (MnL) at 0.5 T, 1.5 T and 3.0 T magnetic fields, respectively. Then, mPEG2k-P(MnL-a-HMDI)-mPEG2k with relatively high T1 relaxivities (23.2, 14.4 and 9.7 mM-1s-1 at 0.5 T, 1.5 T and 3.0 T, respectively), low CMC (4.7 mg L-1), reasonable size (48 nm) and excellent stability among these three polymer Mn complexes was selected for in vivo MR imaging of vascular vessels. The results suggest that mPEG2k-P(MnL-a-HMDI)-mPEG2k has an excellent and relatively long time-window vascular enhancement effect even at a low dose of 0.05 mmol Mn kg-1 BW, and could play a role in the diagnosis of vascular diseases (0.1 mmol Mn kg-1 BW). Therefore, mPEG2k-P(MnL-a-HMDI)-mPEG2k may be considered as a potential blood pool contrast agent.

Concentrations and human exposure to hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A from the indoor environment in Bangkok metropolitan area, Thailand

Aim: This study investigated hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) concentrations in indoor dust from houses, offices, and cars and estimated toddler and adult exposure to HBCDD and TBBPA through dust ingestion. Methods: The concentrations of HBCDD and TBBPA were measured in 47 indoor dust samples collected from the Bangkok metropolitan area, Thailand. All samples were analyzed for HBCDD and TBBPA using LC-MS/MS. The estimated daily intake (EDI) through dust ingestion was calculated from the median and 95th percentile concentrations of HBCDD and TBBPA. Results: HBCDD was detected in 47% of samples, and TBBPA was detected in all samples. The median concentrations of HBCDD were 6.7 ng g-1, <0.7 ng g-1, and <0.7 ng g-1 in cars, houses, and offices, respectively. The isomer composition of ∑HBCDD in dust was: α-HBCDD (40%-54%), γ-HBCDD (19%-40%), and β-HBCDD (17%-28%). In contrast, TBBPA was observed at higher concentrations, with median values of 674, 67, and 22 ng g-1 in offices, houses, and cars, respectively. Under a median exposure scenario, toddlers were exposed to 0.05 ng kg-1 bw day-1 for HBCDD and 0.25 ng kg-1 bw day-1 for TBBPA, with adults exposed to 0.01 and 0.06 ng kg-1 bw day-1 for HBCDD and TBBPA respectively. Conclusion: Concentrations of HBCDD in dust from Thai cars, homes, and offices are lower than those of TBBPA following the listing of HBCDD in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and limited use of HBCDD in Thailand in applications such as building insulation foam. Concentrations of TBBPA in office dust significantly exceeded (P < 0.05) those in house and car dust owing to the greater number of electronic appliances and poor natural ventilation in offices. EDIs for Thai toddlers exceeded those of adults under both median and high-end exposure scenarios. However, EDIs of HBCDD and TBBPA for the general Thai population were below the corresponding oral reference dose guidelines.

Lycopene Regulates Dietary Dityrosine-Induced Mitochondrial-Lipid Homeostasis by Increasing Mitochondrial Complex Activity.

Dityrosine (DT), a marker of protein oxidation, is widely found in many high-protein foods. Dietary intake of DT induces myocardial oxidative stress injury and impairs energy metabolism. Lycopene is a common dietary supplement with antioxidant and mitochondrial-lipid homeostasis modulating abilities. This study aimed to examine the effects of lycopene on DT-induced disturbances in myocardial function and energy metabolism. Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice received intragastric administration of either tyrosine (420µg kg-1 BW), DT (420µg kg-1 BW), or lycopene at high (10mg kg-1 BW) and low (5mg kg-1 BW) doses for 35 days. Lycopene administration effectively reduced oxidative stress, cardiac fatty acid accumulation, and cardiac hypertrophy and improved mitochondrial performance in DT-induced mice. In vitro experiments in H9c2 cells showed that DT directly inhibited the activity of the respiratory chain complex, whereas oxidative phosphorylation and β-oxidation gene expression is upregulated. Lycopene enhanced the activity of the complexes and inhibited ROS production caused by compensatory regulation. Lycopene improves DT-mediated myocardial energy homeostasis disorder by promoting the activity of respiratory chain complexes I and IV and alleviates the accumulation of cardiac fatty acids and myocardial hypertrophy.

Flavonoid-Like Components of Peanut Stem and Leaf Extract Promote Sleep by Decreasing Neuronal Excitability.

Peanut stem and leaf (PSL), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used as a dietary supplement to improve sleep quality; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, the study aims to determine whether active compounds in PSL extract exert their effects by mediating neuronal excitability. Aqueous PSL extract (500mg kg-1 BW) increases the duration of total sleep (TS), slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) in BALB/c mice after 7 and 14 continuous days of intragastric administration. Two PSL extract components with flavonoid-like structures: 4',7-di-O-methylnaringenin (DMN, 61µg kg-1 BW) and 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin (MIL, 12µg kg-1 BW), show similar effects on sleep in BALB/c mice. Moreover, incubation with DMN (50µM) and MIL (50µM) acutely reduces voltage-gated sodium and potassium currents and suppresses the firing of evoked action potential in mouse cortical neurons, indicating the inhibition on neuronal excitability. Meanwhile, RNA-seq analysis predicts the potential regulation of voltage-gated channels, which is according with the molecular docking simulation that both MIL and DMN can bind to voltage gated sodium channels 1.2 (Nav 1.2). DMN and MIL are the active ingredients of PSL that improve sleep quality, suggesting that PSL promotes sleep by regulating the excitability of neurons.

Effect of Reversal of Whey-Protein to Casein Ratio of Cow Milk, on Insulin, Incretin, and Amino Acid Responses in Humans.

ScopeMilk‐proteins, besides lactose, stimulate insulin and incretin secretion. Although whey‐proteins (WP) are more efficient than casein (Cas) in hormone secretion, the effects of reversal of the (WP/Cas) ratio in whole‐milk are poorly known.Methods and ResultsHealthy volunteers received two different cow‐milk drinks, at identical lactose (0.36 g × kg−1 BW) and total‐protein (0.18 g × kg1 BW) loads, but at reversed WP/Cas ratio. One is cow‐whole milk with a ≈20/80 [WP/Cas] ratio, the other an experimental cow‐milk with a ≈70/30 [WP/Cas] ratio ([↑WP↓Cas]‐milk). Both milk‐types induced the same mild hyperglycemic response. Following [↑WP↓Cas]‐milk, the [20′–90′] insulin incremental area (iAUC) (+ ≈44%, p < 0.035), and the [20′–120′] C‐peptide iAUC (+ ≈47%, p < 0.015) are greater than those with cow‐milk. Similarly, following [↑WP↓Cas]‐milk, the GLP‐1 [20′–90′] iAUC (+96%, p < 0.025), and the GIP [30′–60′] iAUC (+140%, p < 0.006), were greater than those with cow‐milk. Plasma total and branched‐chain amino acids are also greater following the [↑WP↓Cas] than cow‐milk.ConclusionsReversal of the (WP/Cas) ratio in cow‐milk enhanced the insulin response, an effect possibly mediated by incretins and/or amino acids(s). These data may be useful in designing specific milk formulas with different effects on insulin and incretin response(s).

In vivo protective effect of cinnamon aqueous extract in carbon tetrachloride-treated male albino rats

The liver as an organ is important for the metabolism of drugs and toxins. However, it is not immune from environmental insults. Exposure of liver cells to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) results in the generation of tricholoromethyl radicals, which induce liver toxicity. This study aims at investigating the ameliorative effect of the cinnamon aqueous extract (CAE) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats through the intraperitoneal administration of 0.5 mL kg-1 body weight of CCl4. The analyses of the results obtained showed significant reduction in the levels of serum biochemical markers for 400 and 600 mg kg-1 bw of CAE protected rats as compared with CCl4 group. In addition, CAE administration reversed liver tissue damaged via increased antioxidants markers. Histopathological examination of CAE treatment on rats showed improved changes to the liver damage caused by CCl4 with no evidence of steatosis and inflammation. This result hence suggests that CAE has marked hepatoprotective and healing activities against CCl4-induced liver damage and could serve as a suitable candidate in drug discovery for the treatment of liver toxicity.

Nitrite content in meat products from the Serbian market and estimated intake

The aim of this study was to determine levels of nitrites in some meat products sold on the Serbian market over a period of 3 years (2018-2020) and to compare results with maximum residue levels as well to discuss dietary exposure of the Serbian adult population to nitrites.A total of 1291 meat product samples, produced by the Serbian meat industry or imported (509 dry fermented sausages, 37 semi-dry fermented sausages, 451 finely minced cooked sausages and 294 coarsely minced cooked sausages), were obtained from the Serbian retail market during 2018-2020.Higher mean levels of nitrite content, expressed as NaNO2, were found in cooked sausages (40.35 mg kg-1, finely minced and 33.75 mg kg-1, coarsely minced) compared to fermented sausages (1.86 mg kg-1 dry fermented and 1.83 mg kg-1, semi-dry fermented).The average dietary exposure to nitrites, expressed as nitrite ion, for the Serbian adult population varies from 0.001 to 0.015 mg kg-1body weight (BW) day-1 and was far below the European acceptable daily intake (0.07 mg kg-1 BW day-1). In conclusion, the concentrations of nitrite in all meat products were below established maximum permitted levels (national and European), indicating that the use of nitrite as a food additive in Serbia is generally in line with existing regulations.

Occurrence, variations, and risk assessment of neonicotinoid insecticides in Harbin section of the Songhua River, northeast China

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have been intensively used and exploited, resulting in their presence and accumulation in multiple environmental media. We herein investigated the current levels of eight major NNIs in the Harbin section of the Songhua River in northeast China, providing the first systematic report on NNIs in this region. At least four NNIs in water and three in sediment were detected, with total concentrations ranging from 30.8 to 135 ng L-1 and from 0.61 to 14.7 ng g-1 dw, respectively. Larger spatial variations in surface water NNIs concentrations were observed in tributary than mainstream (p < 0.05) due to the intensive human activities (e.g., horticulture, urban landscaping, and household pet flea control) and the discharge of wastewater from many treatment plants. There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the concentrations of residual imidacloprid (IMI), clothianidin (CLO), and Σ4NNIs in the sediment and total organic carbon (TOC). Due to its high solubility and low octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow), the sediment-water exchange behavior shows that NNIs in sediments can re-enter into the water body. Human exposure risk was assessed using the relative potency factor (RPF), which showed that infants have the highest exposure risk (estimated daily intake (ΣIMIeq EDI): 31.9 ng kg-1 bw·d-1). The concentration thresholds of NNIs for aquatic organisms in the Harbin section of the Songhua River were determined using the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach, resulting in a value of 355 ng L-1 for acute hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC5) and 165 ng L-1 for chronic HC5. Aquatic organisms at low trophic levels were more vulnerable to potential harm from NNIs.

Exposure of male mice to perfluorooctanoic acid induces anxiety-like behaviors by increasing corticotropin-releasing factor in the basolateral amygdala complex

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a hazardous environmental pollutant, has been found to enhance hepatic synthesis of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). FGF21 can enter the brain and increase the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In this study, adult male mice were orally administered PFOA to evaluate how it regulates emotion. Exposure of mice to PFOA (1 mg kg-1 bw) for 10 consecutive days (PFOA-mice) caused anxiety-like behaviors and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)-dependent increase in hepatic FGF21 synthesis. The levels of CRF expression in not only PVN but also basolateral amygdala complex (BLA) neurons of PFOA-mice were increased via FGF receptor 1 (FGF-R1) activation. However, the microinjection of FGF-R1 or CRF 1 receptor (CRF-R1) antagonist in the BLA rather than the PVN of PFOA-mice could relieve their anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, external capsule-BLA synaptic transmission in PFOA-mice was enhanced by increasing CRF-R1-mediated presynaptic glutamate release, which was corrected by the blockade of PPARα, FGF-R1 and CRF-R1 or the inhibition of PKA. Furthermore, the threshold of frequency-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) induction was decreased in the BLA of PFOA-mice, which depended on the activation of PPARα, FGF-R1, CRF-R1, PKA and NMDA receptor (NMDAR), whereas long-term depression (LTD) induction was unchanged. Thus, the results indicate that the exposure of male mice to PFOA (1 mg kg-1 bw) enhances CRF expression in BLA neurons by increasing hepatic FGF21 synthesis, which then enhances CRF-R1-mediated presynaptic glutamate release to facilitate NMDAR-dependent BLA-LTP induction, leading to the production of anxiety-like behaviors.

Effect of synthetic androgen treatment on the gonad of juvenile longtooth grouper (Epinephelus bruneus)

Commercially significant groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites. Since their sex change from female (ovary) to male (testis) occurred in a larger size and older age, capturing or maintaining males in the aquaculture farm is very difficult. In the present study, juvenile longthooth groupers (2+ years old) were implanted with two doses of 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) cholesterol pellet (2 mg or 5 mg MT kg-1 BW) for the induction of artificial sex reversal. Individuals were sampled at 30 and 80 days after treatment. All the control group fish had immature ovaries contained with primary oocytes and germ cells. Fish treated with MT for 30 days had sex-transitional gonad consisted of few primary oocytes and testicular tissues. By using immunohistochemistry, we identified the proliferating and apoptotic cells in the gonad of this sexual stage. After 80 days for MT treatment, gonads of all individuals were filled with germ cells at all stages of spermatogenesis, and the newly formed efferent duct contained active spermatozoa. Since sperm motility was confirmed, MT treatment successfully induced functional sex reversal in pre-pubertal longtooth grouper. This method may dramatically reduce the cost and time required for the production of longtooth grouper.

Achillea arabica Kotschy. Liyolifilize Etanolik Ekstresinin Streptozotosin ile Diyabet Oluşturulan Ratların Adacık  Hücreleri Üzerindeki Koruyucu Etkileri

In this study, an evaluation of the protective effect of lyophilized ethanolic Achillea arabica Kotschy. extract was investigated on the islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The rats were divided randomly into 5 groups: Group I: control; Group II: rats treated with STZ (50 mg kg-1 body weight (bw)); Group III: rats treated with A. arabica (Aa) extract (400 mg kg-1 bw); Group IV: rats with DM treated with Aa extract; and Group V: rats with DM treated with glibenclamide (2 mg kg-1 bw) which is a standard drug used in the treatment of DM. STZ treatment caused histopathological changes in the islet and significantly lowered the islet diameter/area, -cell index values, and blood insulin and C-peptide levels. Administration of the extract of Aa improved the islet histology, diameter/area, and -cell index values, and caused significant increases in insulin and C-peptide levels similar to the rats treated with glibenclamide when compared to the diabetic rats. Our findings suggested that the Aa extract possessed protective potential on the pancreatic islets due to its repairing or regeneration impact on -cells.

Procyanidin B1 and p‐Coumaric Acid from Highland Barley Grain Showed Synergistic Effect on Modulating Glucose Metabolism via IRS‐1/PI3K/Akt Pathway

Phenolic extract in highland barley grain has showed hypoglycemic effect, while little information is available about the active compounds and whether there exist additive or synergistic effect on modulating glucose metabolism. Procyanidin B1 (PB) and p-coumaric acid (CA) are the active compounds in highland barley grain and show synergistic effect on improving glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis by upregulating glucose transporter (GLUT4) and downregulating glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) protein expression, respectively. The mechanism may be attributed to target insulin receptor (IRβ) and regulate insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. Furthermore, PB + CA exhibits synergistic effect on restoring glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and improving hepatic glycogen synthesis in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) mice. The postprandial blood glucose (PBG), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR values and serum insulin contents in PB + CA-treated IGT mice with dosage of 300mg kg-1 BW are reversed to normal levels. Additionally, PC + CA shows additive effect on inhibiting gluconeogenesis in vitro and in vivo. PB + CA in highland barley grain synergistically modulate glucose metabolism. These results may provide evidence of whole highland barley grain diet achieve superior effect on restoring IGT than isolated components.

L-Carnosine Protects Against Deoxynivalenol-Induced Oxidative Stress in Intestinal Stem Cells by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

The intestinal epithelium is nourished by various nutrients and subjected to persistent and widespread feed-derived mycotoxin stress. l-Carnosine (LC) possesses robust antioxidant activity; however, its role in protecting intestinal mucosa against deoxynivalenol (DON) is still unclear. In this study, 300mg kg-1 BW LC and 3mg kg-1 BW DON are orally administered to mice either alone or in combination for 10 days to investigate the role of LC in protecting the intestine against DON. This study found that LC alleviates the growth retardation of mice and repairs the damaged jejunal structure and barrier functions under DON exposure. LC rescues the intestinal stem cells (ISCs), increases the growth advantage in enteroids derived from jejunal crypts of mice in each group ex vivo, improves the proliferation and apoptosis of intestinal cells, and promotes ISC differentiation into absorptive cells, goblet cells, and Paneth cells. Furthermore, LC activates Nrf2 signaling by binding to Keap1 to reverse the striking DON-induced increase in ROS levels. The study findings unveil that LC potentiates the antioxidant capacity of ISCs by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, which contributes to the intestinal epithelial regeneration response to DON insult.

Effects of ethanol extract of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus seeds on reproductive parameters and oxidative stress markers in male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) exposed to Paraquat

Paraquat is a contact herbicide, particularly effective for weeds control. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of ethanol extract of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (EEAL) seeds on reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress caused by paraquat in male Guinea pigs. 60 male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (n = 8) which orally received varied concentration of solutions for 115 days. Group 1 (G1) received distilled water; group 2 (G2) was given 4 mg kg-1 of body weight of paraquat (PQ), group 3 (G3) received 4 mg kg-1 bw of PQ and 100 mg kg-1 bw of Vitamin C (Vit C) while groups 4, 5 and 6 were co-treated with PQ (4 mg kg-1) plus EEAL at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 bw respectively. Serum testosterone, total cholesterol, the reaction time, sexual organ weights, sperm count, motility and anomalies (minors and majors), spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total peroxidases activities were assessed. Result showed that the co-administration of paraquat and EEAL significantly (p

Antiarrhythmic Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Juice on Isolated Rat Hearts Following Ischemia and Reperfusion

Cardioprotective effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) have been discovered in recent years. This study was aimed to assess the potential antiarrhythmic activity of pomegranate juice in isolated rat hearts subjected to hypoxia and reperfusion. The antiarrhythmic effects of the juice were studied in two phases: first, the isolated hearts of anesthetized rats were subjected to 30 min global ischemia and 90 min reperfusion. In four groups (n = 9 each), hearts received the pomegranate juice via Krebs solution at 0 (control), 1, 2 or 4% concentration. For the second phase, two groups of rats (n = 10) were gavaged with placebo (control) or pomegranate juice (4 mL kg-1 BW d-1) for three weeks. The isolated hearts from these animals underwent 30 min ischemia and 90 min reperfusion. The occurrence of single and salvo arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation were significantly lower in the juice-treated test groups in both phases of the study. Thus, results suggest strong protective effects of pomegranate juice against ischemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts.

In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo aphrodisiac activity in male Cavia porcellus of Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) W. Wight and Pericopsis angolensis (Baker) Meeuwen

This study was carried out to evaluate the aphrodisiac and antioxidant activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of two plants used as aphrodisiac in traditional medicine in Kampemba municipality, in Lubumbashi DR Congo. Aqueous and methanolic root bark extracts of both Albizia adianthifolia and Pericopsis angolensis were administered orally to male Cavia porcellus before evaluating their physical behavior in the presence of females and their testosterone, cholesterol and triglyceride contents. The antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method. At 200 and 250 mg kg-1 body weight (bw), the extracts exhibited a decrease in rise time and intromission time and an increase in ejaculation time, ascending frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency and testosterone compared to the control group that received sildenafil (10 mg kg-1 bw) used as a reference. A positive relationship between testosterone level and antioxidant activity has also been observed. The aphrodisiac and antioxidant activity observed in the two species justify their uses in traditional medicine as aphrodisiacs. Further work is needed in order to proceed to the isolation and the identification of the active compounds.

Are the effects of dietary lipid content in grazing beef cattle independent of the amount of concentrate supplement?

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of levels of concentrate supplement and dietary lipids on the nutritional characteristics, metabolic parameters, and performance of Nellore bulls grazing tropical pasture. Twenty-seven Nellore bulls were allotted to 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial design with two levels of supplementation and two levels of dietary lipids. The concentrate supplement was fed at 4 g kg-1 BW (low supplementation) and 8 g kg-1 BW (high supplementation), whereas the dietary lipid content was 28 g of ether extract (EE) g-1 on a dry matter basis (DM) (low-lipid diet) and 42 g EE kg-1 DM (high-lipid diet). There was no interaction between the level of concentrate supplement and dietary lipid content on all studied variables. High levels of supplementation led to shorter grazing time and reduced forage dry matter intake (DMF). On the other hand, the DM intake increased with increasing levels of concentrate supplement, with no significant effects on DM digestibility. The dietary lipid content did not affect forage and DM intakes. However, the digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were lowest in high-lipid diets. Bulls receiving high levels of supplementation had higher average daily gains than low-supplemented animals. Neither the amount of concentrate supplement nor the dietary lipid content affected the hot carcass yield and carcass weight. Carcass fat deposition was greater in bulls fed high-lipid diets than in animals receiving low-lipid diets. The effects of the level of concentrate supplement and dietary lipid content on the nutritional characteristics and performance of grazing beef cattle are independent. Concentrate supplementation at 8 g kg-1 BW increases cattle performance but decreases forage utilization. Diets containing 42 g EE kg-1 DM reduces the digestibility of dry matter and fiber fractions, but increases backfat thickness.

Health risk assessment of exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in swordfish from the Mediterranean Sea.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in fish samples have been investigated in many previous studies. However, the available data regarding this issue in low- and middle-income countries are very scarce, and no study has been performed in Algeria yet. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught in three regions of the Algerian coasts, and the health risk associated with these contaminants was assessed. The PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were analyzed in 37 fish samples from Algiers, Bejaia, and Oran using the DR-CALUX bioassay method. The overall mean (and standard deviation) of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs concentrations in swordfish from Algiers, Bejaia, and Oran were 0.19 (0.13), 0.27 (0.24), and 0.08 (0.05) pg TEQ g-1 wet weight (ww), respectively, which were lower than the national and European regulatory limits. Daily and weekly intake values of PCDD/F and DL-PCB were higher for the samples from Bejaia (0.45 and 3.15 pg TEQ kg-1 body weight (bw) per day and week, respectively) and for the samples from Algiers (0.31 and 2.17 pg TEQ kg-1 bw per day and week, respectively), which were higher than the tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg TEQ kg-1 bw per week recently established by the European Food Safety Authority. Overall, our findings indicate that swordfish consumption poses a risk to the Algerian consumer.

Effects of feed restriction and supplementary garlic oil on blood metabolites in ewes.

The effects of garlic oil (GO) on serum fatty acids, lipid profiles and energy-related blood metabolites in feed-restricted fat-tailed ewes were investigated. For this purpose, twenty-eight dry, non-pregnant Makuei ewes (about three years of age; 45.00 ± 2.20 kg of body weight) were assigned randomly to four experimental groups including group 1 receiving basal diet as total mixed ration (TMR) without GO supplementation (control group), group 2 receiving 100% basal diet supplemented with GO (10.00 mg kg-1 BW), group 3 receiving 70.00% basal diet without GO supplementation and group 4 receiving 70.00% basal diet supplemented with GO (10.00 mg kg-1 BW). The main experimental period started eight weeks after performing adaptation and dietary allocations. Feed restriction reduced serum glucose levels along with higher serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, β-hydroxybutyrate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and very low-density of lipoprotein. Following feed restriction, the serum palmitic and oleic acids concentrations were increased. Garlic oil supplementation had a desirable effect on feed-restricted animals through lowering serum BHB and palmitic and oleic acids concentration and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the serum. These findings demonstrated that GO had the potential to reduce body-fat mobilization, thereby lowering the risk factors for disorders associated with negative energy balance in underfed ewes in the periparturient period.

Antihypertensive effect of rapeseed peptides and their potential in improving the effectiveness of captopril.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and antihypertensive activity of rapeseed peptides and to investigate their potential synergy with captopril. The peptides were nontoxic with the maximum tolerated dose exceeding 25 g kg-1 BW d-1 for mice and they had angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 1.27 mg mL-1 . Rapeseed peptides did not have a synergistic effect with captopril on inhibiting ACE activity in simulated digestion tests in vitro. But in vivo they could synergistically augment the amplitude range of lowering blood pressure with captopril by approximately 9% and prolong the antihypertensive effect duration time by over 20% in antihypertension tests of spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, the inhibiting effect of rapeseed peptides on ACE activity was noticeable in some rat organs in vivo. Nevertheless, when compared to captopril group, the potential synergy of rapeseed peptides with captopril did not cause a further decrease in ACE activity in the organs but their synergy further improved levels of NO (12.7%) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (74.1%) in rat serum. Further studies of some peptides identified from rapeseed peptides showed that some of the rapeseed peptides (Cys-Leu, Val-Ala-Pro) could markedly increase contents of NO and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Rapeseed peptides have antihypertensive activity and they showed potential synergy with captopril in antihypertensive performance in vivo. The synergy was not from ACE inhibition but from other pathways, like improvement in endogenous vasodilator contents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.