LC Diet Research Articles

Effect of dietary supplementation of two fiber sources differing on fermentability and hydration capacity on performance, nutrient digestibility and cecal fermentation in broilers from 1 to 42 d of age

A total of 378 Cobb-500 male broilers were used to evaluate the effects of 2 fiber sources, differing in hydration capacity and fermentability, on gastrointestinal tract development, apparent ileal digestibility and performance from 1 to 42d of age. There were 9 replicates per each of the 3 dietary treatments, all in mash form: a wheat-soybean control (CON) diet, CON diet diluted with 1.5% of wood lignocellulose (LC diet) as a non-fermentable insoluble fiber with high hydration capacity; and CON diluted with 1.5% of a mixture of fibers (ISFC diet) containing both lignified insoluble fiber and a prebiotic soluble fiber fraction from fructooligosaccharides. Additionally, the fermentability of both fiber sources (LC and ISFC) was determined by in vitro using cecal inoculum from broilers fed the experimental diets. Both LC and ISFC treatments impaired by 4% feed conversion ratio only during the first 7d (P = 0.003) compared with CON group. In the grower period (21-42d), the ISFC group showed the best growth (P = 0.039), and at 42d tended to show the highest body weight (P = 0.095). This agrees well with the highest ileal dry matter (P = 0.033) and organic matter (P = 0.043) digestibility observed in ISFC group and the similar trend observed for ileal protein digestibility (P = 0.099) at 42d. Also, at 42 d, absolute and relative (% body weight) digestive tract weights (P ≤ 0.041) and empty gizzard weights (P ≤ 0.034) were greater for LC and ISFC groups compared to CON. The cecal molar proportion of valeratewas greatest in ISFC group (P = 0.039). In vitro gas production was higher for ISFC than for LC substrate when using either a diet-adapted or non-adapted cecal inoculum (P < 0.05). These results show the interest in combining IF with prebiotic highly fermentable fiber, such as fructooligosaccharides, in broilers to improve nutrient digestibility and finishing performance.

Alternate feeding between high- and low- carbohydrate based diets improves the growth digestive capacity, liver glycometabolism for common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Use of high-concentrate carbohydrate in fish diets will bring negative influence on the growth and glycometabolism. The current research, with common carp, was designed to investigate the efficiency of alternate feeding between high- and low- carbohydrate based diets in weakening these negative effects. Two control groups were, respectively, fed to the low carbohydrate diets (LC group, 100 g/kg cassava starch) and the high carbohydrate diets (HC group, 400 g/kg cassava starch) for 56 d, meanwhile other groups were subjected to every 1 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d alternation between the HC and LC diets, respectively (referred as R1, R7, R14 and R28). All experimental diets were fed to triplicate groups of 30 common carp (initial weight 1.17 ± 0.03 g). All four alternate groups achieved optimal growth and feed efficiency compared to the HC group. The R14 group possessed significantly higher weight growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, intestinal index and condition factor, and significantly lower feed conversion ratio compared to the HC group. Fish in that group had higher protein content in whole body, higher expressions of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 in hepatopancreas and elevated intestinal activities of trypsin, amylase and alkaline phosphatase. Relative expressions of rapamycin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase B, Forkhead frame protein 1 A/1B, hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose transporter 2, glucose transporter 4, and sodium glucose cotransporter were also enhanced in the R14 group compared to HC group. Additionally, there was no difference in growth parameters between the LC group and four alternate groups. Alternate feeding between different carbohydrate level diets could enhance the growth, improve the digestive capacity and strengthen the glycometabolism to heighten the utilization ability of fish to high-carbohydrate diets, but this alternate cycle should be within reasonable limits. Briefly, it was concluded that the alternate cycle of 14 d was best.

Exploring the metabolomic landscape: Perilla frutescens as a promising enhancer of production, flavor, and nutrition in Tan lamb meat

Addressing health-related concerns linked to the metabolite profile of lamb meat has become paramount, in line with the growing demand for enhanced flavor and taste. We examined the impact of Perilla frutescens seeds on Tan lamb growth, carcass traits, and metabolite profiles. Three diets were employed: a low-concentrate group (LC), a high-concentrate group (HC), and a PFS group (the LC diet supplemented with 3% Perilla frutescens seeds) on a dry matter basis. Forty-five male Tan-lambs (approximately six months) with similar body weights (25.1 kg ± 1.12 SD) were randomly assigned to one of these three groups for 84-day feeding, including an initial 14-day adjustment phase. The supplementation of PFS resulted in increased average daily gain (P < 0.01) and improved carcass quality and meat color (P < 0.05). Additionally, it led to an enhancement in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) and a reduction in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (P < 0.05). Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 369 volatile compounds were identified with enhanced levels of acetaldehyde and 1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene associated with PFS (P < 0.05). Among the 807 compounds identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, there were 66 significantly differential compounds (P < 0.05), including 43 hydrophilic metabolites and 23 lipids. PFS supplementation led to significant alterations in 66 metabolites, with three metabolites including 2,5-diisopropyl-3-methylphenol, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid, and lysophosphatidylcholine (15:0) emerging as potential PFS-related biomarkers. The study indicates that PFS supplementation can enhance Tan-lamb growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality, potentially providing lamb meat with improved flavor and nutritional characteristics.

Dietary Supplementation with Lysozyme-Cinnamaldehyde Conjugates Enhances Feed Conversion Efficiency by Improving Intestinal Health and Modulating the Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets Infected with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of lysozyme-cinnamaldehyde conjugates (LC) as a potential alternative to antibiotics in treating piglets infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The results demonstrated that piglets fed with the LC diet exhibited lower rectal temperature and fecal scores at 9 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-ETEC challenge. Furthermore, LC supplementation led to significant improvements in the mechanical and immune barriers of the jejunum and ileum, as indicated by an increased villi-height-to-crypt-depth ratio (VCR) and the expression of tight junction proteins, mucin, and β-defensins. Furthermore, the LC diet lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the plasma. Further analyses showed that the LC diet downregulated genes (specifically TLR4 and MyD88) linked to the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the small intestine. Additionally, 16SrDNA sequencing data revealed that LC supplementation increased the α diversity of intestinal microorganisms and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. In summary, the LC-supplemented diet effectively mitigated the adverse effects of E. coli K88, including intestinal barrier damage and inflammation. Furthermore, it improved the structure of the intestinal flora, ultimately contributing to better growth performance in piglets.

Effects of diets differing in the concentrate-to-roughage ratio on meat quality and fatty acids composition in abomasal digesta and meat from thin-tail and fat-tail Brazilian ovine breeds

Fat-tail ovine breeds are known proposed to have distinctive lipid metabolism compared with thin-tail breeds. This hypothesis was investigated evaluating the effects of two types of diets (high vs low concentrate diet - HC vs LC) fed to two sheep breeds (fat-tail or thin-tail sheep) on fatty acid (FA) composition of abomasal digesta and meat quality. Forty lambs (20 fat-tail lambs and 20 thin-tail lambs) distributed in a randomized complete block design and fed two diets with different roughage: concentrate proportion. Breed slightly modified the FA profile of abomasal digesta and meat, but the 18:3 n-3 rumen biohydrogenation was increased in fat-tail lambs, resulting in a reduction of 18:3 n-3 meat proportion of fat-tail lambs fed HC diet and increased it in meat from thin tail lambs fed LC diet. The HC diet increased dry matter intake, and consequently FA intake, changing extensively the FA abomasal content and profile and increased the fat and protein content in meat. However, breed did not affect the meat fat content and BCFA, as proposed, but the fat-tail lambs decreased n-3 PUFA content and increased n-6 PUFA and t10–18:1 content (mg/100 g fresh meat), reducing the nutritional value of meat.

Comparative study of carbohydrate levels on growth, oxidative stress and glucolipid metabolism of hybrid fish between Megalobrama amblycephala (♀) × Culter alburnus (♂) and Culter alburnus

The present study used hybrid fish (Megalobrama amblycephala ♀ × Culter alburnus ♂, abbreviated as BT) and topmouth culter (Culter alburnus, abbreviated as TC) as research subjects to assess and compare the effects of carbohydrate on the growth, oxidative stress and glucolipid metabolism of the two fish. The TC (initial weight, 13.10 ± 0.10 g) and BT (initial weight, 12.85 ± 0.13 g) were fed isonitrogenous (43% crude protein) and isolipidic (6.5% crude lipid) diets with carbohydrate levels of 10% (LC diet) and 30% (HC diet) for 11 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the HC diet resulted in a significant decrease in specific growth rate (SGR) of both fish. However, the SGR in BT was significantly higher than in TC, regardless of diet. Furthermore, HC diet significantly increased serum alanine transaminase (GPT) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased hepatic catalase (CAT) activity and resulted in increased hepatocyte volume, nucleus deficiency and nucleus deviation from the center of cytoplasm in both fish. However, BT had significantly higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and lower serum GPT and aspartate transaminase (GOT) content compared to TC. The HC diet induced significant increases in hepatosomatic index (HSI), liver lipid droplet area, liver glycogen, serum glucose (GLU) and triglyceride (TG) content in both fish. However, HSI and lipid droplet area were significantly higher in BT than in TC, while serum GLU and TG content were significantly lower in BT than in TC. Both fish can adapt to the HC diet by up-regulating the expression of glycolysis-related gene (glucokinase (gk)) and lipogenesis-related genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase a (acca), fatty acid synthase (fas)). However, the expression levels of glucose transporter 2 (glut2), glycolysis-related gene (phosphofructokinase liver b (pfklb)) and lipogenesis-related genes (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (srebp1), ATP citrate lyase a (aclya)) were increased only in BT fed HC diet. In summary, the BT liver has stronger glucose transport, glycolysis, and lipid tolerance compared to TC, thus exhibiting better glucose homeostasis and growth performance. It indicates that hybridization may help to produce new strain of fish with high carbohydrate utilization capacity.

Influence of the concentrate inclusion level in a grass silage–based diet on hepatic transcriptomic profiles in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in early lactation

Excessive negative energy balance in early lactation is linked to an increased disease risk but may be mitigated by appropriate nutrition. The liver plays central roles in both metabolism and immunity. Hepatic transcriptomic profiles were compared between 3 dietary groups in each of 40 multiparous and 18 primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows offered isonitrogenous grass silage-based diets with different proportions of concentrates: (1) low concentrate (LC, 30% concentrate + 70% grass silage); (2) medium concentrate (MC, 50% concentrate + 50% grass silage), or (3) high concentrate (HC, 70% concentrate + 30% grass silage). Liver biopsies were taken from all cows at around 14 d in milk for RNA sequencing, and blood metabolites were measured. The sequencing data were analyzed separately for primiparous and multiparous cows using CLC Genomics Workbench V21 (Qiagen Digital Insights), focusing on comparisons between HC and LC groups. More differentially expressed genes (DEG) were seen between the primiparous cows receiving HC versus LC diets than for multiparous cows (597 vs. 497), with only 73 in common, indicating differential dietary responses. Multiparous cows receiving the HC diet had significantly higher circulating glucose and insulin-like growth factor-1 and lower urea than those receiving the LC diet. In response to HC, only the multiparous cows produced more milk. In these animals, bioinformatic analysis indicated expression changes in genes regulating fatty acid metabolism and biosynthesis (e.g., ACACA, ELOVL6, FADS2), increased cholesterol biosynthesis (e.g., CYP7A1, FDPS, HMGCR), downregulation in hepatic AA synthesis (e.g., GPT, GCLC, PSPH, SHMT2), and decreased expression of acute phase proteins (e.g., HP, LBP, SAA2). The primiparous cows on the HC diet also downregulated genes controlling AA metabolism and synthesis (e.g., CTH, GCLC, GOT1, ODC1, SHMT2) but showed higher expression of genes indicative of inflammation (e.g., CCDC80, IL1B, S100A8) and fibrosis (e.g., LOX, LUM, PLOD2). This potentially adverse response to a HC diet in physically immature animals warrants further investigation.

A high-concentrate diet induces mitochondrial dysfunction by activating the MAPK signaling pathway in the mammary gland of dairy cows

Subacute rumen acidosis can lead to mastitis in dairy cows. Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely related to the inflammatory response. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a high-concentrate diet on mammary gland inflammation and mitochondrial damage in dairy cows. Twelve Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed a 40% concentrate (low concentrate, LC) diet or a 60% concentrate (high concentrate, HC) diet. Cows were fed individually, and the experiment lasted for 3 wk. After the experiment, mammary gland tissue, blood, and rumen fluid were collected. Compared with the LC diet, the HC diet significantly decreased rumen pH; the pH was <5.6 for more than 3 h. The HC diet also increased the concentration of LPS in the blood (7.17 ± 1.25 µg/mL vs. 12.12 ± 1.26 µg/mL), which indicated that feeding the HC diet successfully induced subacute rumen acidosis. The HC diet also increased the concentration of Ca2+ (34.80 ± 4.23 µg/g vs. 46.87 ± 7.24 µg/g) in the mammary gland and upregulated the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6 (1,128.31 ± 147.53 pg/g vs. 1,538.42 ± 241.38 pg/g), IL-1β (69.67 ± 5.86 pg/g vs. 90.13 ± 4.78 pg/g), and tumor necrosis factor-α (91.99 ± 10.43 pg/g vs. 131.75 ± 17.89 pg/g) in mammary venous blood. The HC diet also increased the activity of myeloperoxidase (0.41 ± 0.05 U/g vs. 0.71 ± 0.11 U/g) and decreased the content of ATP (0.47 ± 0.10 µg/mL vs. 0.32 ± 0.11 µg/mL) in the mammary gland. In addition, phosphorylation of JNK (1.00 ± 0.21 vs. 2.84 ± 0.75), ERK (1.00 ± 0.20 vs. 1.53 ± 0.31), and p38 (1.00 ± 0.13 vs. 1.47 ± 0.41) and protein expression of IL-6 (1.00 ± 0.22 vs. 2.21 ± 0.27) and IL-8 (1.00 ± 0.17 vs. 1.96 ± 0.26) were enhanced in cows of the HC group, indicating that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was activated. Compared with the LC diet, the HC diet reduced the protein expression of mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins PGC-1α (1.00 ± 0.17 vs. 0.55 ± 0.12), NRF1 (1.00 ± 0.17 vs. 0.60 ± 0.10), TFAM (1.00 ± 0.10 vs. 0.73 ± 0.09), and SIRTI (1.00 ± 0.44 vs. 0.40 ± 0.10). The HC diet promoted mitochondrial fission and inhibited mitochondrial fusion by reducing protein expression of MFN1 (1.00 ± 0.31 vs. 0.49 ± 0.09), MFN2 (1.00 ± 0.19 vs. 0.69 ± 0.13), and OPA1 (1.00 ± 0.08 vs. 0.72 ± 0.07), and by increasing that of DRP1 (1.00 ± 0.09 vs. 1.39 ± 0.10), MFF (1.00 ± 0.15 vs. 1.89 ± 0.12), and TTC1/FIS1 (1.00 ± 0.08 vs. 1.76 ± 0.14), leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. The HC diet increased mitochondrial permeability by upregulating the protein expression of VDAC1 (1.00 ± 0.42 vs. 1.90 ± 0.44), ANT (1.00 ± 0.22 vs. 1.27 ± 0.17), and CYPD (1.00 ± 0.41 vs. 1.82 ± 0.43). Taken together, these results indicated that feeding the HC diet induced mitochondrial damage via the MAPK signaling pathway in the mammary gland of dairy cows.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 is required for weight loss induced by the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in male mice fed high carbohydrate diets

ObjectiveGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists (GLP-1RA) and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) confer similar metabolic benefits. GLP-1RA induce FGF21, leading us to investigate mechanisms engaged by the GLP-1RA liraglutide to increase FGF21 levels and the metabolic relevance of liraglutide-induced FGF21. MethodsCirculating FGF21 levels were measured in fasted male C57BL/6J, neuronal GLP-1R knockout, β-cell GLP-1R knockout, and liver peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha knockout mice treated acutely with liraglutide. To test the metabolic relevance of liver FGF21 in response to liraglutide, chow-fed control and liver Fgf21 knockout (LivFgf21−/−) mice were treated with vehicle or liraglutide in metabolic chambers. Body weight and composition, food intake, and energy expenditure were measured. Since FGF21 reduces carbohydrate intake, we measured body weight in mice fed matched diets with low- (LC) or high-carbohydrate (HC) content and in mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet. This was done in control and LivFgf21−/− mice and in mice lacking neuronal β-klotho (Klb) expression to disrupt brain FGF21 signaling. ResultsLiraglutide increases FGF21 levels independently of decreased food intake via neuronal GLP-1R activation. Lack of liver Fgf21 expression confers resistance to liraglutide-induced weight loss due to attenuated reduction of food intake in chow-fed mice. Liraglutide-induced weight loss was impaired in LivFgf21−/− mice when fed HC and HFHS diets but not when fed a LC diet. Loss of neuronal Klb also attenuated liraglutide-induced weight loss in mice fed HC or HFHS diets. ConclusionsOur findings support a novel role for a GLP-1R-FGF21 axis in regulating body weight in a dietary carbohydrate-dependent manner.

Environmental impacts and animal performance of finishing bulls fed different silage-based total mixed rations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different grass silage (GS) based diets on environmental impacts and animal performance of finishing bulls. Experiment 1 (Exp 1) was conducted using 53 Aberdeen angus (AA) and 52 Simmental (SI) beef bulls and experiment 2 (Exp 2) included 69 Holstein (HO) and 36 Nordic Red (NR) dairy bulls. The three experimental diets included three different proportions of concentrates and two different types of forages. Moderate concentrate diet (MC) included GS, barley grain and mineral-vitamin mixture in proportions of 600:385:15 on dry matter (DM) basis while the respective proportions on low concentrate diet (LC) were 850:135:15. No concentrate diet (NC) included GS, whole crop barley silage and mineral-vitamin mixture (685:300:15). The bulls were fed total mixed rations ad libitum. Environmental impacts of the dietary treatments were estimated using a gate-to-gate life cycle assessment approach with the following key impact categories; global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication, and acidification potential. In Exp 1 the carcass gain, carcass weight and carcass conformation of the SI bulls were 10, 8 and 23% higher, respectively, compared to the AA bulls (P < 0.001) but there was no difference in feed conversion (kg DM/kg carcass gain) between AA and SI. In Exp 2 the NR bulls had 12% better conformed carcasses compared to the HO bulls (P < 0.001) but the carcass gain of the HO bulls tended to be 4% higher (P = 0.06) compared to NR. There was no difference in feed conversion or carcass weight between HO and NR. In both experiments, LC and NC diets impaired growth performance, feed conversion and carcass conformation compared to MC. In Exp 1 the GWP was 19.1 kg CO2 eq/kg of produced beef during the experiment with MC, 20.7 kg with LC and 25.9 kg with NC. Eutrophic emissions were 17.1, 21.3 and 21.8 g PO4 eq/kg of produced beef and acidifying emissions 38.6, 49.9 and 53.7 AE eq/kg of produced beef, respectively for MC, LC, and NC treatments. In Exp 2 the GWP was 20.7, 21.7 and 26.3 CO2 eq/kg of produced beef, eutrophic emissions 16.4, 18.9 and 20,8 PO4 eq/kg of produced beef and acidifying emissions 39.4, 50.6 and 59.2 AE eq/kg of produced beef for MC, LC, and NC treatments, respectively. It can be concluded that impaired feed conversion in LC and NC diets led to the higher environmental impacts compared to MC.

Disodium Fumarate Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Mitochondrial Damage, and Oxidative Stress Induced by the High-Concentrate Diet in the Mammary Gland Tissue of Hu Sheep

The long-term feeding of the high-concentrate diet (HC) reduced rumen pH and induced subacute rumen acidosis (SARA), leading to mammary gland tissue damage among ruminants. Disodium fumarate enhanced rumen bufferation and alleviated a decrease in rumen pH induced by the HC diet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether disodium fumarate could alleviate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial damage, and oxidative stress induced by the high-concentrate diet in the mammary gland tissue of Hu sheep. In this study, 18 Hu sheep in mid-lactation were randomly divided into three groups: one fed with a low-concentrate diet (LC) diet, one fed with a HC diet, and one fed with a HC diet with disodium fumarate (AHC). Each sheep was given an additional 10 g of disodium fumarate/day. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. After the experiment, rumen fluid, blood, and mammary gland tissue were collected. The results show that, compared with the LC diet, the HC diet could reduce rumen pH, and the pH below 5.6 was more than 3 h, and the LPS content of blood and rumen fluid in HC the diet was significantly higher than in the LC diet. This indicates that the HC diet induced SARA in Hu sheep. However, the supplementation of disodium fumarate in the HC diet increased the rumen pH and decreased the content of LPS in blood and rumen fluid. Compared with the LC diet, the HC diet increased Ca2+ content in mammary gland tissue. However, the AHC diet decreased Ca2+ content. The HC diet induced ER stress in mammary gland tissue by increasing the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, PERK, ATF6, and IRE1α. The HC diet also activated the IP3R-VDAC1-MCU channel and lead to mitochondrial damage by inhibiting mitochondrial fusion and promoting mitochondrial division, while disodium fumarate could alleviate these changes. In addition, disodium fumarate alleviated oxidative stress induced by the HC diet by activating Nrf2 signaling and reducing ROS production in mammary gland tissue. In conclusion, the supplementation of disodium fumarate at a daily dose of 10 g/sheep enhanced rumen bufferation by maintaining the ruminal pH above 6 and reduced LPS concentration in ruminal fluid and blood. This reaction avoided the negative effect observed by non-supplemented sheep that were fed with a high-concentrate diet involving endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage in the mammary gland tissue of Hu sheep.

Curcumin Remedies Testicular Function and Spermatogenesis in Male Mice with Low-Carbohydrate-Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction.

Increasing reports on the significance of dietary patterns in reproduction have arisen from both animal and human studies, suggesting an interactive association between nutrition and male fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on low-carbohydrate-diet-induced metabolic dysfunction, testicular antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, inflammation and spermatogenesis in male mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (AIN-93M group, n = 12) and a low-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks (LC group, fed with low-carbohydrate diet, n = 48), and mice randomly chosen from the LC group were later fed their original diet (LC group, n = 12). This diet was changed to AIN-93M feed (LC/AIN-93M group, n = 12), a ketogenic diet (LC/KD group, n = 12), or a ketogenic diet treated with curcumin supplementation for the final 6 weeks (LC/KDCu group, n = 12). A poor sperm morphology and mean testicular biopsy score (MTBS) were observed in the LC and LC/KD groups, but they were eliminated by the normal diet or ketogenic diet with curcumin. The LC group exhibited a lower testicular testosterone level and a lower 17β-HSD activity and protein expression. This also enhanced apoptosis protein expressions in testis tissue, including Bax/BCl2, cleaved caspase 3, PARP and NF-κB. Meanwhile, we found a statistically significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase levels in the LC group. Our study indicated that a replacement of a normal diet or ketogenic diet supplemented with curcumin attenuated poor semen quality and reduced testosterone levels by the LC diet by reducing oxidative stress.

Effect of circuit training with low-carbohydrate diet on body composition, cardiometabolic indices, and exercise capacity in adults with mild to moderate obesity in Saudi Arabia: A randomized control trial.

Background:Circuit training that combines aerobic and resisted training is reported to reduce body fat, weight, and improve exercise capacity than performing either type of exercise independently. There is no study evaluating the combined effect of circuit training exercise (CTE) and dietary intervention (low-carbohydrate [LC] diet) among young males with obesity.Methods:A randomized control trial was conducted to explore the effects of a combined program of CTE and a LC diet for adults with mild or moderate obesity. Seventy adults with obesity were allocated randomly into 2 groups. The experimental group (group 1) received circuit training with LC diet intervention, whereas the control (group 2) received only circuit training. The study variables such as exercise capacity, body composition, and cardiometabolic indices were measured at the baseline and the end of 60 days of intervention.Results:The participants of group 1 showed significant improvements in body composition (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip circumference, and body fat percentage), exercise capacity (maximal oxygen consumption), and cardiometabolic indices (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol) with a P < .05 for all the variables, when compared with group 2.Conclusions:The combined structured CTE with controlled LC diet intervention in obese adults caused significant reduction in body composition and cardiometabolic indices variables and an increase in exercise capacity.

Low Carbohydrate Diets for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Hypothesis.

Elevated blood glucose levels, insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia the key aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), contribute to the development of a certain form of cardiomyopathy. This cardiomyopathy, also known as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCM), typically occurs in the absence of overt coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension or valvular disease. DMCM encompasses a variety of pathophysiological processes impacting the myocardium, hence increasing the risk for heart failure (HF) and significantly worsening outcomes in this population. Low fat (LF), calorie-restricted diets have been suggested as the preferred eating pattern for patients with HF. However, LF diets are naturally higher in carbohydrates (CHO). We argue that in an insulin resistant state, such as in DMCM, LF diets may worsen glycaemic control and promote further insulin resistance (IR), contributing to a physiological and functional decline in DMCM. We postulate that CHO restriction targeting hyperinsulinemia may be able to improve tissue and systemic IR. In recent years low carbohydrate diets (LC) including ketogenic diets (KD), have emerged as a safe and effective tool for the management of various clinical conditions such as T2DM and other metabolic disorders. CHO restriction achieves sustained glycaemic control, lower insulin levels and successfully reverses IR. In addition to this, its pleiotropic effects may present a metabolic stress defense and facilitate improvement to cardiac function in patients with HF. We therefore hypothesize that patients who adopt a LC diet may require less medications and experience improvements in HF-related symptom burden.

Rumen microbial diversity, enteric methane emission and nutrient utilization of crossbred Karan-Fries cattle (Bos taurus) and Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) consuming varied roughage concentrate ratio

Dietary mix and host species have both been shown to have a significant impact on rumen microbial diversity, enteric methane emission and animal performance. The goal of this study was to see how the roughage concentrate ratio 70:30 (Low concentrate; LC) vs 40:60 (High concentrate; HC) and the host species crossbred cattle vs buffalo affected rumen microbial diversity, enteric methane emissions and nutrient utilization. Dry matter intake (kg/d) and dry matter percent digestibility were considerably (p < 0.05) higher in the HC ration and buffalo compared to LC ration and crossbred cattle, respectively. Both dietary mix and host species had a substantial (p < 0.05) impact on intake of various nutrients, including organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Increased concentrate proportion in the ration improved nitrogen balance, resulting in increased average daily gain and considerably reduced methane (g/d) output (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 16S rRNA genes were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and subsequently annotated using the Centrifuge workflow to uncover ruminal bacterial diversity. Firmicutes was considerably (p < 0.01) greater in the LC diet, whereas, Bacteroidetes was higher in the HC ration. Genus Prevotella dominated all rumen samples, and buffalo fed LC ration had significantly (p < 0.01) higher Oscillospira abundance. At the species level, simple sugar-utilizing bacteria such as Prevotella spp. and Selenomonas ruminantium predominated in the crossbred cattle, but fibrolytic bacteria such as Oscillospira guilliermondii were statistically (p < 0.01) more abundant in the buffalo. Overall, dietary mix and host species have both been shown to have a significant impact on rumen microbial diversity, enteric methane emission and animal performance, however, host species remained a major driving force to change ruminal community composition as compared to roughage concentrate ratio under similar environmental conditions.

The Impact of a High-Carbohydrate/Low Fat vs. Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Performance and Body Composition in Physically Active Adults: A Cross-Over Controlled Trial.

Background: Recently, high-carbohydrate or low-carbohydrate (HC/LC) diets have gained substantial popularity, speculated to improve physical performance in athletes; however, the effects of short-term changes of the aforementioned nutritional interventions remain largely unclear. Methods: The present study investigated the impact of a three-week period of HC/low-fat (HC) diet followed by a three-week wash-out-phase and subsequent LC diet on the parameters of physical capacity assessed via cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition via bioimpedance analysis and blood profiles, which were assessed after each of the respective diet periods. Twenty-four physically active adults (14 females, age 25.8 ± 3.7 years, body mass index 22.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2), of which six participants served as a control group, were enrolled in the study. Results: After three weeks of each diet, VO2peak was comparable following both interventions (46.8 ± 6.7 (HC) vs. 47.2 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min (LC; p = 0.58)) while a significantly higher peak performance (251 ± 43 W (HC) vs. 240 ± 45 W (LC); (p = 0.0001), longer time to exhaustion (14.5 ± 2.4 min (HC) vs. 14.1 ± 2.4 min (LC); p = 0.002) and greater Watt/kg performance (4.1 ± 0.5 W/kg (HC) vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 W/kg (LC); p = 0.003) was demonstrated after the HC diet. In both trial arms, a significant reduction in body mass (65.2 ± 11.2 to 63.8 ± 11.8 kg (HC) vs. 64.8 ± 11.6 to 63.5 ± 11.3 kg (LC); both p < 0.0001) and fat mass (22.7% to 21.2%; (HC) vs. 22.3% to 20.6% (LC); both p < 0.0001) but not in lean body mass or skeletal muscle mass was shown when compared to baseline. Resting metabolic rate was not different within both groups (p > 0.05). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased after the HC diet (97.9 ± 33.6 mg/dL at baseline to 78.2 ± 23.5 mg/dL; p = 0.02) while triglycerides significantly increased (76 ± 38 mg/dL at baseline to 104 ± 44 mg/dL; p = 0.005). Conclusion: A short-term HC and LC diet showed improvements in various performance parameters in favor of the HC diet. Some parameters of body composition significantly changed during both diets. The HC diet led to a significant reduction in total and LDL-cholesterol while triglycerides significantly increased.

Physiological responses, water consumption, and feeding behaviour of lamb breeds fed diets containing different proportions of concentrate

The use of adapted breeds, such as Santa Ines, is of paramount importance for regions with high temperatures because they develop efficient mechanisms for heat dissipation. Furthermore, some breeds have physiological adaptations, such as more efficient mechanisms for the digestion of fibrous foods (e.g. Rabo Largo), which can reduce the harmful effects of semiarid environments. We studied the ingestive behaviour, water consumption, and physiological parameters during feeding of two native sheep breeds fed diets containing high (700 g/kg DM; HC diet) or low (300 g/kg DM; LC diet) percentages of concentrates, based on dry matter (DM). A total of 40 uncastrated male lambs (20 Rabo Largo [breed 1] and 20 Santa Ines [breed 2], with an average body weight of 16.68 ± 2.78 kg, and 19.29 kg ± 3.28 kg, respectively), were distributed in a randomised block design in a two-by-two factorial scheme (breeds × diets) with 10 repetitions. Santa Ines lambs consumed and ruminated DM (P = 0.029 for both) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF; P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively) more efficiently than RaboLargo lambs, while the latter showed an increase in respiratory rate (+19 breaths/min) and rectal temperature (+1.3 °C) compared to the Santa Ines lambs (P = 0.001). The HC diet negatively affected (P < 0.05) the feeding behaviour of the animals, reflecting the higher (P < 0.05) water consumption. The results showed that diets rich in concentrate negatively affected the thermoregulation of lambs. Santa Ines have greater feed and thermoregulatory efficiency than Rabo Largo lambs under conditions of heat stress in the feedlot.

Effects of concentrate level and chromium-methionine supplementation on the performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and meat quality of Tan lambs.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrate level and chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid composition of Tan lambs.MethodsSixty male Tan lambs (21±1.23 kg body weight) fed a finishing diet (concentrate-to-forage ratio: 35:65 [LC group] or 55:45 [HC group]) with daily Cr-Met supplementation (0, 0.75, or 1.50 g) were used in a completely randomized design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments.ResultsLambs from the HC group had higher average daily gain, dry matter (DM) digestibility, dressing percentages, leg proportions, intramuscular fat (IMF) contents, and saturated fatty acid levels, but lower feed conversion ratios, globulin (GLB) and total protein (TP) concentrations, shear force, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels (all p<0.05). Cr-Met supplementation increased the DM digestibility, GLB and TP concentrations, rack and loin percentages, and cooking loss, but decreased the IMF contents and leg proportions (all p<0.05). Cr-Met supplementation at 0.75 g/d increased the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in both the HC and LC groups (p<0.01). Significant interactions between the concentrate level and Cr-Met dosage were observed for MUFA (p<0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p<0.01) levels. Meat from the lambs fed an unsupplemented LC diet presented the highest PUFA and MUFA levels (p<0.01). However, the MUFA and PUFA levels decreased significantly with increasing Cr-Met supplementation levels in the LC group (p<0.01), whereas the opposite trend was seen in the HC group.ConclusionThe HC diet improved the growth performance of Tan lambs, increased their profitability by increasing leg and rack joint proportions, and improved meat quality by promoting an IMF content that was more visibly acceptable to consumers. Cr-Met supplementation at 0.75 g/d in a HC diet was the best choice and may be economically beneficial.

The effect of deoxynivalenol-contaminated corn and an immune-modulating feed additive on growth performance and immune response of nursery pigs fed corn- and soybean meal-based diets.

One hundred eighty newly weaned pigs (21 days of age; 6.9 ± 0.2 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of deoxynivalenol- (DON) contaminated corn and an immune-modulating feed additive on growth performance and immune response of nursery pigs fed corn- and soybean meal-based diets. Pens were randomly assigned to one of five diets: a high-complexity (HC; containing animal protein sources) or one of four low-complexity diets (LC; containing soybean meal as the main protein source) arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with low (lDON; average 1.4 ppm) or high (hDON; average 3.5 ppm) DON and with or without a feed additive (2 g/kg in complete feed; n = 6 pens per treatment) provided in a three-phase feeding program. On day 7, small intestinal histomorphology was assessed in two pigs per pen. On days 8 and 25, two pigs per pen were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Blood was collected on days 8, 25, and 38 for determination of OVA-specific IgG. There were no corn type by feed additive interactions or feed additive effects for growth performance. The ADG, ADFI, and G:F in phase I were not different for pigs fed hDON vs. lDON, but were less than those fed the HC diet (contrasts; P < 0.05). Over the entire nursery period, ADG and ADFI were less for pigs fed hDON vs. those fed lDON (407 vs. 484 g and 651 vs. 769 g, respectively; P < 0.05), ADG was less for pigs fed hDON vs. HC (496 g; P < 0.05), and pigs fed lDON had ADG and ADFI not different from those fed the HC diet. Pigs fed hDON had lower final BW than those fed lDON (24.6 vs. 27.6 kg; P < 0.01) and tended to have lower final BW than pigs fed the HC diet (27.3 kg; contrast; P = 0.052); final BW was not different between pigs fed lDON and HC diets. Jejunal villus heights were shorter for pigs fed hDON and lDON compared to pigs fed HC (438 and 466 vs. 538 µm; contrasts; P < 0.05 and P = 0.090, respectively) and the villus:crypt ratio tended to be less for pigs fed hDON vs. those fed HC (1.87 vs. 2.22; contrast; P = 0.091). On day 38, plasma OVA-specific IgG 1 tended to be less for pigs fed hDON compared to HC (contrast; P = 0.075) and OVA-specific total IgG were less for pigs fed LC diets without the feed additive vs. HC (P < 0.05). Therefore, high DON (~3.5 ppm) in LC nursery diets interfered with compensatory growth and the humoral immune response. The feed additive did not rescue growth performance, regardless of DON contamination level in LC nursery diets.

Lysine supplemented to poultry by‐product meal replacement diet modulates body growth, metabolism and related gene expressions of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii ♀ × Acipenser baerii ♂)

Hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii♀×Acipenser baerii♂) were fed with four isonitrogenous (approximately 43.0%) and isolipidic (approximately 13.6%) diets: FM-based diet (lysine control diet, LC diet), poultry by-product meal totally substitute diet (lysine low diet, LL diet), LL diet supplemented lysine to match the LC diet group level (lysine medium diet, LM diet) and LL diet supplemented lysine over the LC diet group level (lysine high diet, LH diet) for 8 weeks to determinate the effect of dietary lysine supplementation on growth performance, metabolism and immunity response. The results indicated that compared with control diet, LL diet led to depressed growth performance and feed utilization. Lysine supplementation had a significant effect on improving the growth performance and feed utilization. Moreover, LL diet also decreased the plasma-free amino acid concentration, nutrient content and mRNA expression level of IGF system and increased plasma immunity indexes and gene expression level of HSP70 than the control diet. LM diet had marked efficiency to eliminate the differential effects caused by lysine insufficiency. However, high-level lysine addition had undesirable effect on regulating the growth performance, feed utilization, plasma-free amino acid concentration, nutrient content, immunity indexes and gene expression level. Present study demonstrated that poultry by-product meal with lysine addition could totally substitute FM without adverse effects on growth performance, plasma AA concentration, nutrient content and immune response in hybrid sturgeon. Our results provide a solid evidence for using lysine to improve the body growth performance and metabolism in hybrid sturgeon.