Levels Of Sulfur Amino Acids Research Articles

383 Performance of piglets in response to graded dietary supplementation of sulfur amino acids using either hydroxy-methionine or DL-Methionine during the post-weaning period

Abstract Providing piglets with their precise nutritional need is critical during the stressful post-weaning period. Methionine (Met), a sulfur-containing amino acid, has a crucial role in piglet growth and health. Stressful conditions may increase Met demand due to its involvement in maintaining redox balance via downstream metabolites such as glutathione. There are different sources of supplementary Met for pigs such as DL-methionine (DL-Met) and hydroxy-methionine. The latter comes mostly as an acidic liquid form (OH-Met) and to a lesser degree as a powder calcium-salt (OH-Met-Ca). This study investigates the effect of graded levels of dietary total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) by supplementing different sources of Met on the performance and capacity of post-weaning piglets to respond to stress. Two experiments were performed. In experiment 1, post-weaning piglets [n = 90; 28 d of age; body weight (BW) = 9.13 ± 0.65 kg] were fed with either DL-Met or OH-Met-Ca to provide 80%, 100%, and 125% TSAA recommendations of NRC and performance parameters were measured for 41 d. Treatments were replicated nine times, and blocking was done according to initial BW. For experiment 2, 720 post-weaning piglets (n = 720; 28 d of age; BW = 6.84 ± 1.07 kg) from three consecutive breeding batches were fed with either DL-Met, OH-Met, or OH-Met-Ca at or above (100% or 125%) TSAA requirements of FEDNA. Performance parameters and oxidative status through various plasma indicators were measured. Treatments were replicated 12 times. Data from both experiments were analyzed separately using a mixed effect model with Met source and level as fixed effects (and their interaction in experiment 2) and blocks and batch as random effects for experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In experiment 1, piglets fed 80% of TSAA requirement showed the least average daily weight gain, while those fed OH-Met-Ca at 100% or DL-Met at 125% requirement had the greatest BW gain among the treatments (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio was best for piglets fed with OH-Met-Ca at 100% requirement, while animals fed with 80% requirement were the least efficient (P = 0.04). Contrasts showed no differences between Met sources (P ≥ 0.51) and level of TSAA (P ≥ 0.56) for any of the parameters. Meanwhile in experiment 2, there were no interactions between Met source and TSAA level (P > 0.10). The Met source did not affect any parameter (P ≥ 0.14). However, there was a significant decrease in daily feed intake when piglets were fed above requirements (P = 0.02), and a significant increase in the concentration of plasma glutathione peroxidase when piglets were fed at TSAA requirements (P < 0.05). These results suggest that post-weaning piglet performance and oxidative status can be sustained regardless of the Met source tested. Feeding healthy and unchallenged piglets with excess dietary Met may not bring extra benefits.

Metabolomic analysis in Amycolatopsis keratiniphila disrupted the competing ECO0501 pathway for enhancing the accumulation of vancomycin.

Vancomycin is a clinically important glycopeptide antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the mutant strain of Amycolatopsis keratiniphila HCCB10007 Δeco-cds4-27, the production of ECO-0501 was disrupted, but enhanced vancomycin yield by 55% was observed compared with the original strain of A. keratiniphila HCCB10007. To gain insights into the mechanism of the enhanced production of vancomycin in the mutant strain, comparative metabolomics analyses were performed between the mutant strain and the original strain, A. keratiniphila HCCB10007 via GC-TOF-MS and UPLC-HRMS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA revealed a significant distinction of the intracellular metabolites between the two strains during the fermentation process. 64 intracellular metabolites, which involved in amino acids, fatty acids and central carbon metabolism, were identified as differential metabolites. The high-yield mutant strain maintained high levels of glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate and they declined with the increases of vancomycin production. Particularly, a strong association of fatty acids accumulation as well as 3,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and non-proteinogenic amino acid 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (Dpg) with enhancement of vancomycin production was observed in the high-yield mutant strain, indicating that the consumption of fatty acid pools might be beneficial for giving rise to 3,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and Dpg which further lead to improve vancomycin production. In addition, the lower levels of glyoxylic acid and lactic acid and the higher levels of sulfur amino acids might be beneficial for improving vancomycin production. These findings proposed more advanced elucidation of metabolomic characteristics in the high-yield strain for vancomycin production and could provide potential strategies to enhance the vancomycin production.

The effect of phencyclidine-mediated blockade of NMDA receptors in the early postnatal period on glutathione and sulfur amino acid levels in the rat brain as a potential causative factor of schizophrenia-like behavior in adulthood

BackgroundPhencyclidine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is frequently used to model behavioral and neurochemical changes correlated with schizophrenia in laboratory animals. The present study aimed to examine the effects of repeated administration of phencyclidine during early postnatal development on the contents of glutathione and sulfur-containing amino acids, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the brain of 12-day-old rats, and schizophrenia-like symptoms in adulthood.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley pups were administered phencyclidine (10 mg/kg) or saline subcutaneously on the postnatal days p2, p6, p9 and p12. In 12-day-old pups, 4 h after the last dose of phencyclidine, the levels of glutathione, cysteine, methionine, and homocysteine, and the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. In 70-72-day-old rats, schizophrenia-like symptoms were assessed using behavioral tests.ResultsBiochemical data showed that perinatal phencyclidine treatment significantly reduced glutathione and cysteine levels in all brain structures studied, methionine was diminished in the striatum, and homocysteine in both the frontal cortex and striatum. GR activity was increased in the frontal cortex while SODactivity was decreased in the hippocampus. Behaviorally, perinatal phencyclidine induced long-term deficits in social and cognitive function and a decrease in locomotor activity assessed as the time of walking. Finally, perinatal treatment with phencyclidine resulted in a significant reduction in body weight gain over time.ConclusionOur research provides further evidence for the usefulness of the phencyclidine-induced neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia for studying the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Relative biological efficacy of methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid compared to dl-methionine in the broiler chickens.

In the broiler's diets based on corn-soya bean meal, methionine (Met) and cystine (Cys), known as sulphur amino acids (SAAs), are the first limiting indispensable amino acids because of their limited presence, which are supplemented with different synthetic sources. Evaluation of the biological effectiveness of these sources can be important in their correct replacement, especially in the starter and growth diets. The current study was done to assess the relative biological efficacy (RBE) of liquid Met hydroxy analogue-free acid (MHA-FA) in comparison with dl-Met (dl-Met) based on broiler performance traits at different levels of digestible SAA in the 1-11 (starter) and 11-25 (grower) days of age periods. Two experiments were developed with treatments consisting of a basal diet without Met addition that met the nutrient and energy requirements of broilers with the exception of SAAs (Met+Cys) and five increasing Met doses for both sources (dl-Met and/or MHA-FA), resulting in digestible SAA concentrations from 0.62% to 1.02% of diet in the starter period (Trial 1) and 0.59% to 0.94% of diet in the grower period (Trial 2). The multi-linear regression model and slope ratio method were employed to calculate the RBE of MHA-FA compared with dl-Met for measured variables. In both experiments, the results obtained during the starter and grower periods with the different Met supplementations show significant growth responses to digestible SAAs levels. By increasing dietary dl-Met and/or MHA-FA levels, the growth performance traits and immune responses were improved (quadratic; p<0.05). The RBE of MHA-FA compared to dl-Met on an equimolar basis was estimated 66%-89% (59%-79% on a weight-to-weight basis). It is concluded that the RBE of MHA-FA in comparison with dl-Met depends on broiler chicken age and what attribute is being evaluated.

Effect of Dietary Protein Intake from Different Sources on Maternal and Umbilical Cord Plasma Amino Acid Levels.

To assess the associations of dietary protein intake from different sources during pregnancy with maternal and umbilical cord plasma amino acid levels. The study includes 216 pregnant women and 39 newborns from the Tongji Birth Cohort in Wuhan, China. The study examines the levels of 21 amino acids in maternal and cord plasma samples using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. A significant positive relationship is observed between dietary protein intake from refined grains and maternal plasma cysteine levels. Dietary protein intake from dairy products is positively associated with maternal plasma levels of sulfur amino acid (mainly cystine), but negatively associated with maternal plasma levels of glutamic acid. In addition, the study observes that pre-pregnancy body mass index and parity may be potential determinants of maternal plasma amino acid levels, whereas a history of passive smoking during pregnancy is an important factor influencing cord plasma amino acid levels. These findings suggest that dietary protein intakes from specific sources during pregnancy may affect maternal plasma levels of amino acids.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine improves the performance of chronic cyclic heat-stressed finisher broilers but has no effect on tissue glutathione levels

ABSTRACT 1. It was hypothesised that dietary N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in feed, as a source of cysteine, could improve the performance of heat-stressed finisher broilers by fostering glutathione (GSH) synthesis. GSH is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant for which the sulphur amino acid cysteine is rate limiting for its synthesis. 2. In the first experiment, four levels of NAC: 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg were added to a diet with a suboptimal level of sulphur amino acids in the finisher phase. In the second experiment, NAC was compared to other sulphur amino acid sources at equal molar amounts of digestible sulphur amino acids. Birds were allocated to four groups: control, 2000 mg/kg NAC, 1479 mg/kg L-cystine, and 2168 mg/kg Ca-salt of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid. A chronic cyclic heat stress model (temperature was increased to 34°C for 7 h daily) was initiated at 28 d of age. 3. In the first experiment, growth performance and feed efficiency in the finisher phase were significantly improved by graded NAC. ADG was 88.9, 92.2, 93.7 and 97.7 g/d, and the feed-to-gain ratio was 2.18, 1.91, 1.85 and 1.81 for the 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg NAC treatments, respectively. However, liver and heart GSH levels were not affected by NAC. On d 29, liver gene transcript of cystathionine-beta-synthase like was reduced by NAC, which suggested reduced trans-sulphuration activity. The second experiment showed that L-cystine and Ca-salt of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid were more effective in improving performance than NAC. 4. In conclusion, N-acetyl-L-cysteine improved dose-dependently growth and feed efficiency in heat-stressed finishing broilers. However, this was not associated with changes in tissue GSH levels, but more likely worked by sparing methionine and/or NAC’s and cysteine’s direct antioxidant properties.

Dietary methionine sources and levels modulate the intestinal health status of broiler chickens

Given the key role of methionine in biological processes, adequate methionine should be provided to meet the nutritional requirements. DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (DL-HMTBA) has been considered as an important source of methionine. However, the effects of different sources and levels of methionine on the intestinal health status have not been clarified yet. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different dietary sources and levels of methionine on the intestinal epithelial barrier, inflammatory cytokines expression, ileal morphology, microbiota composition, and cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) profiles. For this purpose, 720 male Arbor Acre broiler chicks at 1 d old were randomly assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with 2 methionine sources (DL-methionine and DL-HMTBA) and 3 total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) levels (80%, 100%, and 120% of Arbor Acre recommendation). The results showed that DL-HMTBA supplementation promoted intestinal physical barrier at both gene expression level of claudin-1 and serum diamine oxidase level (P < 0.05), and the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 mRNA expression was down-regulated by dietary DL-HMTBA supplementation compared with the DL-methionine group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, an upregulated gene expression of claudin-1 and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) were observed in the low-TSAA treatment on d 14 (P < 0.05), whereas this treatment increased the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 (P < 0.05). Villus height to crypt depth ratio was high (P < 0.05) in the middle-level TSAA group. Furthermore, DL-HMTBA supplementation optimized the microbiota of the ileum especially the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, where the digestion and absorption were completed, and elevated the concentrations of SCFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) in the cecal content on d 21 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary DL-HMTBA supplementation improved the intestinal barrier function, immune homeostasis and optimized the microbiota to promote intestinal health status in broiler chickens.

Artificial Diets with Altered Levels of Sulfur Amino Acids Induce Anticancer Activity in Mice with Metastatic Colon Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Sulfur-containing amino acids methionine (Met), cysteine (Cys) and taurine (Tau) are common dietary constituents with important cellular roles. Met restriction is already known to exert in vivo anticancer activity. However, since Met is a precursor of Cys and Cys produces Tau, the role of Cys and Tau in the anticancer activity of Met-restricted diets is poorly understood. In this work, we screened the in vivo anticancer activity of several Met-deficient artificial diets supplemented with Cys, Tau or both. Diet B1 (6% casein, 2.5% leucine, 0.2% Cys and 1% lipids) and diet B2B (6% casein, 5% glutamine, 2.5% leucine, 0.2% Tau and 1% lipids) showed the highest activity and were selected for further studies. Both diets induced marked anticancer activity in two animal models of metastatic colon cancer, which were established by injecting CT26.WT murine colon cancer cells in the tail vein or peritoneum of immunocompetent BALB/cAnNRj mice. Diets B1 and B2B also increased survival of mice with disseminated ovarian cancer (intraperitoneal ID8 Tp53-/- cells in C57BL/6JRj mice) and renal cell carcinoma (intraperitoneal Renca cells in BALB/cAnNRj mice). The high activity of diet B1 in mice with metastatic colon cancer may be useful in colon cancer therapy.

Effects of dietary sulfur amino acid levels on growth performance and intestinal immunity in broilers vaccinated and subsequently infected with coccidiosis

Coccidia vaccination is a common practice in the poultry industry. However, research is lacking regarding the optimal nutritional support for coccidia vaccinated broilers. In this study, broilers were vaccinated with coccidia oocyst at hatch and were fed with a common starter diet from 1 to 10 d. On d 11, the broilers were randomly assigned to groups in a 4×2 factorial arrangement. Briefly, the broilers were fed one of four diets containing 0.6, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0% of standardized ileal digestible methionine plus cysteine (SID M+C), respectively, from 11 to 21 d. On d 14, the broilers from each diet group were orally gavaged with either PBS (Mock challenge) or Eimeria oocysts. Compared to PBS-gavaged broilers and regardless of dietary SID M+C levels, the Eimeria-gavaged broilers had 1) decreased gain-to-feed ratio (15-21 d, P=0.002; 11-21 d, P=0.011); 2) increased fecal oocysts (P < 0.001); 3) increased plasma anti-Eimeria IgY (P=0.033); and 4) increased intestinal luminal interleukin-10 (IL-10; duodenum, P=0.039; jejunum, P=0.018) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ; duodenum, P < 0.001; jejunum, P=0.017). Regardless of Eimeria gavage, broilers fed 0.6% SID M+C had decreased (P<0.001) body weight gain (15-21 and 11-21 d) and gain-to-feed ratio (11-14, 15-21, and 11-21 d) when compared to those fed ≥ 0.8% SID M+C. Eimeria challenge increased (P < 0.001) duodenum lesions when the broilers were fed with 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0% SID M+C, and increased (P=0.014) mid-intestine lesions when the broilers were fed with 0.6 and 1.0% SID M+C. An interaction between the two experimental factors was detected on plasma anti-Eimeria IgY titers (P=0.022), as coccidiosis challenge increased plasma anti-Eimeria IgY titers only when the broilers were fed with 0.9% SID M+C. In summary, the dietary SID M+C requirement for grower (11-21 d) broilers vaccinated with coccidiosis was ranged from 0.8 to 1.0% for optimal growth performance and intestinal immunity, regardless of coccidiosis challenge.

Effect of methionine and trace minerals (zinc, copper and manganese) supplementation on growth performance of broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge.

Coccidiosis is a major intestinal challenge that causes economic loss to the broiler industry. Two battery cage studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of trace minerals, source and dose of methionine on growth performance and gut health of broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge. Experiment #1 consisted of 9 treatments of 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design + 1 arrangement with main factors of methionine (Met) sources (DL-Met vs. 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMTBa)), total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) levels (high vs. low; ±5% of recommended level), and sources of trace minerals (TM) Zn:Cu:Mn in the form Inorganic trace minerals (ITM) in sulfates (80:20:100ppm) vs. mineral methionine hydroxy-analogue bis-chelate (MMHAC, 40:10:50ppm), each with 8 pens of 10 birds. Experiment #2 consisted of 2 treatments--ITM [ZnSO4:tribasic copper chloride (TBCC):MnSO4 110:125:120ppm] and MMHAC (Zn:Cu:Mn, 40:30:40ppm), each with 36 pens of 10 birds. All birds except for treatment 9 in experiment #1 were orally gavaged with 1x, 4x and 16x recommended dose of coccidiosis vaccine on d0, d7 and d14, respectively. Data were subjected to one-way and/or three-way ANOVA, and means were separated by Fisher's protected LSD test with significance at p ≤ 0.05. In experiment #1, factorial analysis revealed the main effects of TSAA level and TM, but not Met source. High TSAA level improved body weight and cumulative feed intake at 14, 20, and 27d. MMHAC improved body weight at 14, and 27d; feed intake at 14, 20, and 27d; and cumulative FCR at 27d vs. sulfates. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that birds fed MMHAC and high levels of TSAA regardless of Met source had similar body weight as unchallenged birds on d27. In experiment #2, MMHAC improved body weight and cumulative FCR, and reduced jejunal IL-17A gene expression on d28. In summary, in broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge, supplementation of the reduced levels of bis-chelated trace minerals MMHAC improved growth performance compared to high levels of ITM (sulfates or TBCC), which might partially result from better immune response, high levels of TSAA improved growth performance, Met source had no effect. Supplementation of both bis-chelated trace minerals MMHAC and high levels of TSAA could overcome the growth performance challenge issue due to coccidiosis.

Increased Sulphur Amino Acids Consumption as OH-Methionine or DL-Methionine Improves Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Growing-Finishing Pigs Fed under Hot Conditions.

Simple SummaryOur results suggest that increased methionine consumption by growing- finishing pigs leads to improvement of performance and carcass quality. Moreover, supplementation with OH-methionine improved the loin depth. Taken together, our findings indicate that it might be necessary to update the recommendations for methionine for growing-finishing pigs raised under tropical conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of DL-Methionine (DL-Met) or OH-Methionine (OH-Met) when supplemented beyond the usually accepted requirements in sulfur amino acids (SAA) on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. Two hundred mixed sex pigs were distributed in a randomized block (body weight and sex), under a 2 × 2 factorial design with two methionine sources, DL-methionine, or OH-Methionine and two methionine doses (100% SAA or 120% of the SAA level present in the control). Diets were formulated to meet amino acids recommendations of the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine (2017), except for SAA, which varied with the methionine doses. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion were evaluated. Moreover, the carcasses were measured electronically for fat thickness (FT), longissimus dorsi muscle depth (LD), and lean meat (%). During the growing phase II (92 till 122 days of age), daily feed intake (p < 0.001) and daily weight gain (p < 0.05) increased with the high SAA levels. High SAA levels also provided greater daily weight gain during the entire period of the trial (0.90 versus 0.86 kg; p < 0.05) No significant interaction was observed between the methionine source and the SAA level for any carcass traits. However, animals that received OH-Met had greater (p < 0.05) loin depth (58.37 versus 55.21 mm) and those that received higher doses of methionine presented heavier (p < 0.05) carcass weight (78.16 versus 74.70 kg), and more (p < 0.05) lean meat weight (43.69 versus 41.90 kg). Taken together, these results demonstrated that supplementation of high sulfur amino acids levels under hot conditions provided heavier carcasses and more lean meat.

Adequate levels of dietary sulphur amino acids impart improved liver and gut health in juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi).

The sulphur amino acids methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) and their derivative taurine (Tau) are metabolically active molecules with interlinked roles in nutritional requirements. Deficiencies in these nutrients are linked to poor growth and health; however, the impacts of these deficiencies on organ structure and function are largely unknown. This study examined the effects of dietary Met, Cys and Tau fed at different levels on yellowtail kingfish (YTK) liver histology and surface colour, plasma biochemistry and posterior intestine histology. Samples were collected from two dose-response feeding trials that quantified (1) the Tau requirement and sparing effect of Met by feeding YTK diets containing one of seven levels of Tau at one of two levels of Met and (2) the Met requirement and sparing effect of Cys by feeding YTK diets containing one of five levels of Met at one of two levels of Cys. YTK fed inadequate levels of dietary Met, Cys and Tau exhibited thicker bile ducts, less red livers, more intestinal acidic goblet cell mucus and supranuclear vacuoles and less posterior intestinal absorptive surface area. Further, thicker bile ducts correlated with less red livers (a*, R), whereas increased hepatic fat correlated with a liver yellowing (b*). Our results indicate a shift towards histological properties and functions indicative of improved intrahepatic biliary condition, posterior intestinal nutrient absorption and homoeostasis of YTK fed adequate amounts of Met, Cys and Tau. These findings may assist in formulating aquafeed for optimised gastrointestinal and liver functions and maintaining good health in YTK.

Effects of Total Sulfur Amino Acids on Growth Performance, Immunity, and Meat Yield in Broilers Fed Diets With and Without Antibiotics.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of digestible sulfur amino acids (SAA) on performance, carcass yield, immunity, and amino acid transporters in broilers fed diets with or without an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). In experiment 1, a total of 250 1-day-old Cobb500 male chicks were assigned to battery cages with two levels of AGP (0 and 0.05% bacitracin) and five levels of SAA (0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and 1.1%) for 21 d. In experiment 2, a total of 900 1-day-old Cobb500 male chicks were assigned to floor pens with two levels of AGP and three levels of SAA for the starter (0.7, 0.8, and 0.9%) or finisher phase (0.52, 0.62, and 0.72%) for 42 d. In experiment 1, from 0 to 7 d, the body weight gain (BWG) was the lowest for birds fed 0.7% SAA. The AGP significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and birds fed 0.9 and 1.1% SAA had significantly lower FCR than 0.7% SAA. From 8 to 14 d, for the AGP-fed birds, the lowest BWG was observed in the 0.7% SAA group. In birds not fed AGP, birds fed 0.8% SAA had higher BWG than 0.7 and 1.1% SAA. Birds fed 0.7% SAA diet had lower feed intake (FI) than 0.8% SAA and higher FCR than 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0% SAA. In experiment 2, from 0 to 21 d, the lowest BWG and the highest FCR were observed in birds fed 0.7% SAA, whereas birds fed 0.9% SAA had the highest BWG and lowest FCR. From 22 to 42 d, FCR was lower for birds fed AGP, and for birds fed 0.72%. Interactions between the factors were found for FI and BWG. The whole thigh and wing weights were the highest for 0.62% SAA, and the pectoralis major weight was higher for birds fed 0.62% SAA than those fed 0.52% SAA. There was an interaction between SAA and AGP for Lat1 (large neutral amino acid transporter) expression, and AGP-fed birds had higher expression of ileal interleukin 1β (Il−1β gene). The interleukin 10 (Il-10) expression was upregulated in the ileum. There was an interaction between factors for sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter B [0] AT1 (SLC6A19) expression. The results suggested that both AGP and SAA supplementation would affect the growth performance of the broilers.

PSIV-B-26 Effect of different intakes of sulfur amino acids on the productive response and egg quality of commercial laying hens

Abstract Modern laying hens have improved their productive response and persistence of egg production. However, in terms of productivity, egg quality and profitability, there are still several issues that need to be reevaluated and improved, among them the level and consumption of digestible sulfur amino acids (AASD). The objective is to determine the effect of different AASD consumptions on the productive response and egg quality of commercial laying hens. METHODS: 160 laying hens of the LOHMANN Brown genetic line, 90 weeks old, of uniform weight and size, were used. The laying hens were distributed in the study area, following the protocol of a Random Block Design (DBA). 4 AASD intakes (g / hen / day) were established as treatments: T-1 (730.11 mg), T-2 (677.20 mg), T-3 (607.09 mg) and T-4 (676.88 mg). Each of the treatments had 5 repetitions, giving a total of 20 experimental units. The variables of egg production, egg weight and mass, feed consumption, feed conversion index, energy efficiency, Haugh unit of the egg, shell color and percentage, egg yolk color and index, margin and economic reward were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that the different AASD consumptions did not significantly affect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) the productive response and egg quality of the hens and affected the margin and economic retribution. AASD intakes in the range of 607 to 730 mg / hen / day did not affect the productive response and egg quality. The metabolizable energy level of the diet influences the economic response to different intakes of digestible sulfur amino acids. The consumption of 676.88 mg / hen / day of AASD with a level of 2725 Kcal of metabolizable energy / Kg of feed achieved the highest gross margin and best economic return in 90-week-old LOHMANN Brown laying hens.

Elevated Levels of Homocysteinesulfinic Acid in the Plasma of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Potential Source of Excitotoxicity?

Objectives: Excitotoxicity is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). One possible source of excitotoxicity is the presence of sulphur amino acids (SAAs). In the brain of subjects with ALS, there are increased levels of taurine. In the metabolism of methionine to taurine, excitatory sulphur amino acids (SAAs) are formed. These could potentially contribute to excitotoxicity in ALS. The present study has examined whether plasma levels of SAAs in 38 ALS patients differ from those of 30 healthy controls. Methods: Plasma levels of SAAs were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: There were no significant changes in plasma cysteic acid, cysteine sulfinic acid, and homocysteic acid in ALS patients compared to healthy subjects. Significant elevations in plasma homocysteinesulfinic acid (HCSA) levels (p < 0.0001) were observed in the ALS patients (75.91 ± 15.38 nM) compared to healthy controls (54.06 ± 8.503 nM); 50% of the ALS patients had HCSA levels that were 1.5–2-folds higher than those of controls. Plasma levels of HCSA differed significantly (p = 0.0440) between patients with bulbar onset and spinal onset (68.57 ± 14.20 vs. 79.30 ± 14.95 nM, respectively). Conclusion: HCSA is elevated in the blood of subjects with ALS. Since HCSA can be transported from the blood to the CNS by active transport, has neurotransmitter properties, and can activate synaptic receptors including NMDAR and metabotropic glutamate receptor, it is possible that increases in HCSA could influence glutamatergic neurotransmission and potentially contribute to excitotoxicity in some ALS patients.

Endogenous cortisol excess confers a unique lipid signature and metabolic network.

Chronic cortisol excess induces several alterations on protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism resembling those found in the metabolic syndrome. However, patients exposed to prolonged high levels of cortisol in Cushing syndrome (CS) present exceeding cardiometabolic alterations not reflected by conventional biomarkers. Using 3 ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) platforms, we aimed to characterise the serum metabolome of 25 patients with active endogenous CS and 25 control subjects matched by propensity score (sex, BMI, diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D), high blood pressure (HBP) and dyslipidaemia) to search for potential disease-specific biomarkers and pathways associated to the clinical comorbidities. A total of 93 metabolites were significantly altered in patients with CS. Increased levels of sulfur amino acids (AA), triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, ceramides and cholesteryl esters were observed. Contrarily, concentrations of essential and non-essential AA, polyunsaturated fatty acids, conjugated bile acids and second messenger glycerolipids were decreased. Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (24h-UFC) independently determined the concentration of 21 lipids and 4 AA. A metabolic signature composed by 10 AA and 10 lipid metabolites presented an AUC-ROC of 95% for the classification of CS patients. Through differential network analysis, 152 aberrant associations between metabolites involved in the Lands cycle and Kennedy pathway were identified. Our data indicates that chronic hypercortisolemia confers a unique lipidomic signature and several alterations in numerous AA even when compared to patients with similar metabolic comorbidities providing novel insights of the increased cardiometabolic burden of CS. KEY MESSAGES: • Cortisol excess induces metabolic alterations beyond conventional biomarkers. • The hypercortisolism extent determines the concentration of 21 lipids and 5 aa. • Cortisol excess confers a unique metabolic signature of 20 metabolites. • Kennedy and Lands cycle are profoundly disturbed by cortisol excess.

Methionine plus Cystine Levels for Light Laying Hens on Production Phase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of sulfur amino acids in the diets of laying hens of 34-50 weeks of age. 336 Dekalb White birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments, 14 replicates of four birds each. The diets consisted in a control treatment, formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of sulfur amino acids according to the NRC (1994) and five diets varying in methionine plus cystine level (0.536, 0.603, 0.670, 0.737, 0.804%). Performance, egg quality and histological data were evaluated. There was a significant quadratic effect for production and egg mass and mass and dozen conversion per eggs, with methionine plus cystine estimations of 0.691%, 0.689%, 0.737% and 0.730%, respectively. Methionine plus cystine levels significantly affected the histology of tissues. The level of 0.737% of digestible methionine plus cystine, with 90% of methionine plus cystine: lysine ratio, and 756.53 mg/bird/day of consumption, is recommended to light laying hens in the production phase.

Effect of dietary sulphur amino acid levels and guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on performance, carcase yield and energetic molecular metabolites in broiler chickens fed wheat-soy diets

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary total sulphur amino acids (TSAA) levels and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on performance, carcase yield and energetic molecular metabolites in heart and breast muscle of broiler chickens fed wheat-soy diet. A total of 450, male one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were assigned in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of nine treatments, five replicates and 10 birds each. Dietary treatments included three graded levels of supplementary TSAA (+0.4 g/kg per level) resulting in a deficient, adequate and plus level of recommended by strain, with three levels of GAA (0, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg) and were fed for 35 days. Dietary TSAA levels only enhanced performance during the starter period (p < .05). At adequate TSAA level, weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the grower phase were positively affected by supplementing GAA at 1.2 g/kg (p < .05). The FCR during the overall experimental period was significantly lower when feeding GAA at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg compared to non-supplemented (p < .05). Heart and breast muscle ATP/AMP ratio and breast muscle ADP and PCr concentration and PCr/CrN ratio in the birds fed 1.2 g/kg GAA diet were significantly higher than non-supplemented (p < .05). It is concluded, effects of dietary GAA supplementation were influenced by dietary TSAA level, this indicates to need for proper dietary sulphur amino acid formulation by GAA supplementation. Dietary GAA supplementation could improve broiler chicken’s growth performance via regulating some aspects of energy metabolism. HIGHLIGHTS Guanidinoacetic acid plays a critical role in energy homeostasis. The effect of dietary Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation may influenced by the dietary sulphur amino acids.

The effect of total sulfur amino acid levels on growth performance and bone metabolism in pullets under heat stress

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) levels on performance and bone metabolism in pullets under heat stress (HS). Hy-Line W36 day-old pullets (n = 216) were randomly distributed in 3 dietary treatments (70, 85, and 100% of TSAA), with 6 replicates of 12 birds. The treatments were defined as percentages of the TSAA level recommendation (100, 85, and 70%), and 85 and 100% of TSAA were obtained by adding L-Methionine to the basal deficient diet (70% of TSAA). The birds were raised under HS (35°C/7 h/D) from 1 to 18 wk. At 6, 12, and 18 wk, growth performance was measured. At 12 and 18 wk, bone weight, ash, collagenous (ColP), and noncollagenous proteins (NColP), tissue volume (TV), bone mineral content (BMC), and mineral density from total, cortical, and trabecular bones were evaluated. The means were subjected to ANOVA and, when significant (P ≤ 0.05), were compared by Dunnett's test. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate trends of TSAA dose response. Overall, birds fed 70% of TSAA showed poor growth and feed efficiency compared with other groups. Additionally, in at least 1 phase, birds fed 70% of TSAA showed lower bone ash, NColP, total BMC, and TV and higher ColP than the other treatments, whereas the cortical and trabecular TV and BMC were lower than 100% of TSAA (P < 0.04). Quadratic effects of TSAA levels on body weight gain (BWG) were found, and the level for maximum BWG was 95% of the TSAA recommendation (P < 0.03, R2 > 0.83). In conclusion, the use of a TSAA-deficient diet resulted in poor performance and delayed bone development. Additionally, the use of 100% of TSAA led to better initial structural bone development than 85% of TSAA. Therefore, the TSAA level recommended by the primary breeder guideline was enough to support growth and bone quality under HS, suggesting that HS does not alter TSAA requirement in pullets.

Metabolism of the Cyanogenic Glucosides in Developing Flax: Metabolic Analysis, and Expression Pattern of Genes

Cyanogenic glucosides (CG), the monoglycosides linamarin and lotaustralin, as well as the diglucosides linustatin and neolinustatin, have been identified in flax. The roles of CG and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), specifically the product of their breakdown, differ and are understood only to a certain extent. HCN is toxic to aerobic organisms as a respiratory inhibitor and to enzymes containing heavy metals. On the other hand, CG and HCN are important factors in the plant defense system against herbivores, insects and pathogens. In this study, fluctuations in CG levels during flax growth and development (using UPLC) and the expression of genes encoding key enzymes for their metabolism (valine N-monooxygenase, linamarase, cyanoalanine nitrilase and cyanoalanine synthase) using RT-PCR were analyzed. Linola cultivar and transgenic plants characterized by increased levels of sulfur amino acids were analyzed. This enabled the demonstration of a significant relationship between the cyanide detoxification process and general metabolism. Cyanogenic glucosides are used as nitrogen-containing precursors for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins and amines. Therefore, they not only perform protective functions against herbivores but are general plant growth regulators, especially since changes in their level have been shown to be strongly correlated with significant stages of plant development.