Body Lipid Content Research Articles

Db/db마우스에서 Aspergillus awamori로 발효한 황기 추출물의 항당뇨 및 지질개선 효능

Background: This study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge fermented by Aspergillus awarmori in db/db mice.<BR>Methods and Results: Astragalus membranaceus roots were fermented with A. awarmori for 4 days and extracted with hot water. The male mice were divided into five groups: db/m (non-diabetic db/+mice), db/db (C57BLKs/J db/db mice), MT (db/db + 1% metformin), AM (db/db + 1% A. membranaceus extract), and FAM (db/db + 1% fermented A. membranaceus extract). After 10 weeks of treatment, we measured the body weight, food intake, and blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), plasma insulin, adiponectin, and transaminase levels. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed and serum lipid profile was determined. As expected, the AM and FAM groups had significantly reduced body weight, fasting glucose, lipid content, and HbA1c, transaminase, and serum insulin levels, and increased serum adiponectin levels.<BR>Conclusions: Therefore, based on these research results, A. membranaceus extract and fermented A. membranaceus extract can be used to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels and lipid content.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Children and Adolescents With Depression.

Aim: To examine CVD risk factors among children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).Methods: A cross-sectional study of 77 children and adolescents (mean age 14.1 years, 74% female) referred to a pediatric depression program. MDD was assessed using a semi-structured diagnostic interview. Cardiovascular assessments included family cardiovascular disease (CVD) history, cigarette smoking, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid and glucose concentrations. CVD risk factors among healthy weight and overweight/obese participants were compared.Results: Forty-six percent of participants had a family history of early CVD. On examination, 25% of participants had a BMI in overweight/obese range, and 25% of children had pre-hypertension (14%) or hypertension (11%). Total cholesterol levels were elevated among 28% of participants. Overweight/obese participants had increased non-HDL cholesterol concentrations compared with healthy-weight participants (36 vs. 10%, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between healthy and overweight/obese groups for other CVD risk factors, including HDL cholesterol concentration, plasma glucose concentration, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and family history of early CVD. More than half (52%) of participants had at least two CVD risk factors.Conclusion: CVD risk factors are prevalent among children and adolescents with MDD. Routine CVD risk factor screening may be warranted among MDD youth, regardless of BMI, and may provide a valuable opportunity for prevention of future CVD.

Nutritive value of guar and copra meal after fermentation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the diet of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Solid-state fermentation increases nutritional bioavailability of plant ingredients by reducing the antinutritional factors and complexity of the nutrients. The present experiment was conducted to replace fish meal (FM) with a mixture (3:1) of yeast fermented guar and copra meal (FGCM) in the diet of Nile tilapia. Five iso-nitrogenous (30% CP) and iso-lipidic (6% CL) diets were formulated replacing FM at 0% (FGCM0), 25% (FGCM 1), 50% (FGCM 2), 75% (FGCM 3), and 100% (FGCM 4) with FGCM mixture. Growth, nutrient utilisation, digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, haematological parameters, and antioxidant capacity were analysed in five treatments after a feeding trial of 75days. Bioprocessing increased the protein and amino acid content and reduced the antinutritional factors in the guar and copra meal. The weight gain was significantly increased in 25% replaced diet. The feed conversion ratio of tilapia fed with FGCM 1 was similar to that of control and significantly lower (P < 0.05) among the treatments. The group fed with FGCM 1 exhibited significantly higher body protein and lipid content. The activity of digestive enzymes and digestibility of nutrients reduced significantly (P < 0.05) with the replacement of fishmeal beyond 25% with the FGCM mixture. Similarly, the antioxidant enzymes and blood parameters were also negatively affected when more than 25% FM was replaced with FGCM mixture. The cubic regression analysis found that 17.45% FM can be replaced with FGCM mixture for optimum weight gain in tilapia.

Water Balance and Desiccation Tolerance of the Invasive South American Tomato Pinworm.

Temperature and dehydration stress are two major co-occurring environmental stressors threatening the physiology, biochemistry, and ecology of insects. As such, understanding adaptive responses to desiccation stress is critical for predicting climate change impacts, particularly its influence on insect invasions. Here, we assessed water balance and desiccation resistance of the invasive Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), and infer how eco-physiology shapes its niche. We measured basal body water and lipid content, water loss rates (WLRs), and desiccation resistance in larvae (second to fourth instars) and adults. Body -water, -lipid, and WLRs significantly varied across life stages. Second instars recorded the lowest while fourth instars exhibited the highest body water and lipid content. Adult body water and lipid content were higher than second and third instars and lower than fourth instars while proportion of body water and lipid contents were highest in adults and second larval instars respectively. Water loss rates were significantly highest in fourth-instar larvae compared to other life stages, but differences among stages were less apparent at longer exposure durations (48 h). Desiccation resistance assays showed that second instars had greatest mortality while fourth-instar larvae and adults were the most desiccation tolerant. Our results show that T. absoluta fourth-instar larvae and adults are the most resilient developmental stages and potentially contribute most to the invasion success of the pest in arid environments. Incorporation of these species-specific eco-physiological traits in predictive models can help refine invasive species potential spread under changing climates.

Amylose and amylopectin levels affect the growth performance and metabolism in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Starch is a complex carbohydrate that is widely used in animal feed, and its structural characteristics may affect its utilization. This study evaluated different amylose and amylopectin levels on carbohydrate metabolism and growth of the frugivorous pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Pacu juveniles (n = 216) were distributed in 24 tanks (130-L) and fed until apparent satiation for 90 days. Six isocaloric and isoproteic diets were formulated with 390 g/kg starch, containing different amylose and amylopectin levels: 0/390, 70/320, 100/290, 200/190, 270/120 and 290/100 (g/kg in the diet). Increases in the final body weight, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were observed in the fish fed the 0/390 and 70/320 diets. The crude lipid content in the whole body and muscle lipid as well as the hepatosomatic index were significantly higher in fish fed the 0/390 diet than in those fed diets with amylose contents higher than 200 g/kg. A reduced hepatic glucokinase activity was observed in fish that received the 270/120 and 290/100 diets. This study suggests that diets with more than 300 g/kg amylopectin and less than 100 g/kg amylose result in increases in starch utilization and growth in pacu.

De Novo Sequencing and High-Contiguity Genome Assembly of Moniezia expansa Reveals Its Specific Fatty Acid Metabolism and Reproductive Stem Cell Regulatory Network.

Moniezia expansa (M. expansa) parasitizes the small intestine of sheep and causes inhibited growth and development or even death. Being globally distributed, it causes considerable economic losses to the animal husbandry industry. Here, using Illumina, PacBio and BioNano techniques, we obtain a high-quality genome assembly of M. expansa, which has a total length of 142 Mb, a scaffold N50 length of 7.27 Mb and 8,104 coding genes. M. expansa has a very high body fat content and a specific type of fatty acid metabolism. It cannot synthesize any lipids due to the loss of some key genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, and it may can metabolize most lipids via the relatively complete fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. The M. expansa genome encodes multiple lipid transporters and lipid binding proteins that enable the utilization of lipids in the host intestinal fluid. Although many of its systems are degraded (with the loss of homeobox genes), its reproductive system is well developed. PL10, AGO, Nanos and Pumilio compose a reproductive stem cell regulatory network. The results suggest that the high body lipid content of M. expansa provides an energy source supporting the high fecundity of this parasite. Our study provides insight into host interaction, adaptation, nutrient acquisition, strobilization, and reproduction in this parasite and this is also the first genome published in Anoplocephalidae.

Performance of defatted black soldier fly pre-pupae meal as fishmeal replacement in the diet of lemon fin barb hybrid fingerlings

This study was conducted to determine the optimal level of defatted black soldier fly pre-pupae (BSFP), Hermetia illucens as a fishmeal replacement in lemon fin barb hybrid diet. Triplicate groups of fish (1.52 ± 0.01 g) were fed twice a day until apparent satiation with five iso-nitrogenous (30 %) and isocaloric (17 kJ g−1) diets containing varying BSFP levels ranging from 0 to 100 % for 8 weeks. No mortality was found during this study. BSFP level used in the diets were significantly affected the growth response of the barb hybrid. The growth performance of fish such as body weight gain and specific growth rate improved up to 75 % BSFP and decreased above this level, while feed conversion ratio and daily feed intake were not affected by BSFP levels. Body protein and lipid contents of the barb hybrid were significantly affected by dietary replacement levels. The protein retention decreased and lipid retention increased when the BSFP level increased, while the carbohydrate retention was extremely low. The most abundant of essential amino acids in the whole body of lemon fin barb hybrid was valine while glutamic acid was the abundant non-essential amino acids. No pathological changes were observed among all dietary fed groups. The present study suggested that fishmeal could be replaced up to 75 % or 2.5 % fishmeal was still required in the lemon fin barb hybrid diet.

Effects of dietary starch levels on growth, feed utilization, glucose and lipid metabolism in non-transgenic and transgenic juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

This experiment investigated the effects of dietary starch on growth performance, feed utilization, glucose and lipid metabolism of non-transgenic and growth hormone (GH) transgenic juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Transgenic common carp (TG fish) and non-transgenic (NT fish) were fed diets with five starch levels (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%). After 41 days, TG fish showed higher growth and feed utilization at low-starch diets, while similar growth, lower feeding rate (FR) and slightly higher feed efficiency (FE) was observed at high-starch diets. Lower plasma glucose level and hepatic glycogen content were observed in TG fish, which could be related to the higher glycolysis (high gene expression of hexokinase (hk), p &lt; 0.01) and gluconeogenesis (high gene expression of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (fbpase), p &lt; 0.01; glucose-6-phosphatase (g6pase), p &lt; 0.01) of TG fish. Compared to NT fish, weakened fat synthesis (lower gene expression of fatty-acid synthase (fas), p &lt;0.01; acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (acc1), p &lt; 0.01; acyl-CoA desaturase 1 (scd1), p = 0.011) and enhanced fatty acid oxidation (high gene expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl), p =0.01; carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a (cpt-1a), p &lt; 0.01), led to the decrease of body lipid content in TG fish. On the other hand, with increased dietary starch, increased body lipid and hepatic glycogen contents were observed in both TG and NT fish, suggesting that high dietary starch levels promoted glycolysis, fat synthesis and inhibited gluconeogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation. Overall, TG fish showed higher growth performance at low starch diets, and higher ability of glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation and lower lipid synthesis than the NT fish.

Serum Periostin as a Potential Biomarker in Pediatric Patients with Primary Hypertension.

Experimental studies suggest that periostin is involved in tissue repair and remodeling. The study aimed to evaluate serum periostin concentration as potential biomarker in pediatric patients with primary hypertension (PH). We measured serum periostin, blood pressure, arterial damage, biochemical, and clinical data in 50 children with PH and 20 age-matched healthy controls. In univariate analysis, children with PH had significantly lower serum periostin compared to healthy peers (35.42 ± 10.43 vs. 42.16 ± 12.82 [ng/mL], p = 0.038). In the entire group of 70 children serum periostin concentration correlated negatively with peripheral, central, and ambulatory blood pressure, as well as with aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV). In multivariate analysis, periostin level significantly correlated with age (β = −0.614, [95% confidence interval (CI), −0.831–−0.398]), uric acid (β = 0.328, [95%CI, 0.124–0.533]), body mass index (BMI) Z-score (β = −0.293, [95%CI, −0.492–−0.095]), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (β = 0.235, [95%CI, 0.054–0.416]), and triglycerides (β = −0.198, [95%CI, −0.394–−0.002]). Neither the presence of hypertension nor blood pressure and aPWV influenced periostin level. To conclude, the role of serum periostin as a biomarker of elevated blood pressure and arterial damage in pediatric patients with primary hypertension is yet to be unmasked. Age, body mass index, uric acid, and lipid concentrations are key factors influencing periostin level in pediatric patients.

Nutritional evaluation of cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, meal as fish meal substitute for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, juveniles

AbstractAn 8‐week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of cricket meal, Gryllus bimaculatus, as a locally available unconventional source of protein in a practical diet for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Three hundred juvenile fish (Initial weight, 33.5 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into five dietary groups in triplicates (20 fish per tank) and each group was hand‐fed one of the experimental diets containing graded level of a cricket meal (CR) replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% of fish meal (FM) protein (designated as CR0, CR20, CR40, CR60, and CR80). Although replacing more than 40% of dietary FM protein resulted in lower growth rates and feed utilization efficiency, juvenile flounders fed the highest level of dietary CR (CR80) still performed as well as control group (CR0). Replacing more than 20% of FM with CR markedly reduced apparent nutrient digestibility in fish. Plasma total cholesterol concentration showed decreasing trend with increasing inclusion levels of CR in the diet. Whole body and fillet lipid content decreased with increasing levels of dietary CR. There was a remarkable enhancement in the levels of C18 fatty acids and reduction in the levels of n − 3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in the fillets of fish fed with the CR diets, which became more prominent with greater levels of dietary FM replacement. Antioxidant enzyme activities tended to increase with increasing dietary CR levels but gradually decreased when the replacement level exceeded 60%. Overall, the efficiency of CR as a promising substitute for FM in the flounder diets has been confirmed not only in relation to growth rates, but also in terms of immunopotency.

Replacing fishmeal with cottonseed protein concentrate in feed for pearl gentian groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂): Effects on growth and expressions of key genes involved in appetite and hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism

This study investigated the effects of replacing the fish meal (FM) in a 55 % FM fish feed with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in pearl gentian groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂). Effects on growth and the expression of key genes involved in appetite and hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism Four isoproteic and isolipidic diets were formulated containing 0 %, 6.06 %, 18.18 %, or 30.30 % CPC by replacing 0 % (FM, control), 10 % (CPC10), 30 % (CPC30), and 50 % (CPC50) of the FM in the feed, respectively. Each diet was fed to fish raised in triplicate groups for 56 days. No significant differences in specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, or survival rate were found among dietary treatments. The weight gain in CPC groups was no different than in controls (P < 0.05). Fish fed the CPC50 diet had higher body lipid contents than others (P < 0.05) and the highest activity of hepatic fatty acid synthase, which was significantly higher than in group CPC10 (P < 0.05). The livers of CPC50 fish had significantly higher mRNA expression levels of apolipoprotein B-100, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and PPARγ genes compared to other groups except CPC30 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, up to 50 % of the FM in fish feed can be replaced with CPC without adversely affecting the growth and feed utilization of pearl gentian groupers. However, 50 % replacement increased body lipid contents via modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism-related genes and enzyme activity.

Effects of three probiotic strains (Bacillus coagulans, B. licheniformis and Paenibacillus polymyxa) on growth, immune response, gut morphology and microbiota, and resistance against Vibrio harveyi of northern whitings, Sillago sihama Forsskál (1775)

The present study investigated the effects of three probiotic strains viz. Bacillus coagulans ATCC 7050 (BC), Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 11946 (BL), and Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842 (PP) on growth, immune response and antioxidant enzyme activities, intestinal microbiota, and resistance against isolated Vibrio harveyi HY99 in juvenile northern whiting fish, Sillago sihama. Three hundred and sixty juvenile S. sihama fish (initial weight 0.67 ± 0.002 g) stocked in 12 fiberglass tanks were fed with basal diet void of probiotic inclusion (control, B0), and BC, BL, and PP at 1012 CFU kg−1 feed. After the 56-day experimental period, regardless of the probiotic strain used, there were significant increase (P < 0.05) in the survival rate, final weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index; crude protein, crude lipid content in the whole body; superoxide dismutase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase levels in the liver and a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio; aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, malondialdehyde levels in the liver (P < 0.05) of the probiotic treated group than the untreated. Congruently, a significantly high (P < 0.05) intestinal villi height, villi width, crypt depth, and muscle thickness, were detected in the probiotic treated groups than the control with the PP group experiencing the highest. Probiotics’ supplementations in diets also revealed a significantly high (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Proteobacteria than the control group contrast to as observed in Firmicutes. Additionally, the PP and BL groups were found to have a significant (P < 0.05) increase in Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes abundance than the BC and B0 groups. At the genus level, all fish supplemented with probiotic diet had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower abundance of some purportedly pathogenic genera such as Enterovibrio and Shewanella as well as significantly (P < 0.05) higher abundance of purportedly beneficial genera such as Ruegeria, Phyllobacterium, Sphingomonas, and Lactobacillus. Challenge with V. harveyi in a 14-day study revealed highly significant (P < 0.05) protection of probiotic groups than the control; thus, the B0, BC, BL, and PP groups obtained 78 %, 58 %, 53 %, and 43 % cumulative mortality, respectively. Collectively, these results suggest that dietary supplementation of probiotics viz. BC, BL, and PP at 1012 CFU kg−1 feed exert positive effects; however, PP at a similar dosage is recommended due to its highest improvement in the growth, immune response, antioxidant activities, intestinal health, and disease resistance against V. harveyi.

Effects of dietary rapeseed meal levels on growth performance, biochemical indices and flesh quality of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia

An 8 week feeding study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary rapeseed meal levels on growth, serum biochemical indices and flesh quality of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (GIFT) (initial body weight 26.81 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (Diets RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4 and RM5) were formulated containing 0%, 11.6 %, 23.2 %, 34.8 % and 46.4 % of rapeseed meal, respectively. The values for weight gain, specific growth rates and feed efficiency of fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets were significantly lower than those of fish fed with other diets. Fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein content than those fed with RM1 diet. The highest serum triglyceride concentration was observed in fish fed with RM5 diet. Dietary treatments had no significant influence on whole body and muscle moisture, crude protein, and ash contents. However, crude lipid content in the whole body and muscle of fish fed with RM4 and RM5 diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed with other diets. Lysine concentrations in the muscle decreased with increasing levels of RM. Similar trends were observed in hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness and springiness of fish. Broken-line analysis revealed that the appropriate dietary RM supplementation level of GIFT is 22.08 % based on weight gain.

Metabolic dynamics across prolonged diapause development in larvae of the sawfly, Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae)

• Nutrition metabolism of C. chuxiongica displays three dynamic phases across diapause. • Metabolic dynamics are related to diapause development and seasonal changes. • Storage of glycogen and lipid reduce during diapause. • Trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents increase in winter. • Higher protein content is associated with diapause maintenance compared with initiation and termination. Nutrient metabolism is crucial for the survival of insects through the diapause. However, little is known about the metabolic mechanism of prolonged diapause. The sawfly, Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), is a notorious defoliator of pine trees in southwest China. One of the distinguishing biological characteristics of this pest is the prolonged diapause of about 1.5 years. In this study, the body lipid, carbohydrate (total body sugar, glycogen, trehalose, and glucose), protein, and glycerol contents were measured in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica . The results showed that the changes of biochemical composition in C. chuxiongica are associated with the diapause initiation, maintenance, and termination phases. During the initiation phase, trehalose, glucose, and glycerol increased significantly, but glycogen decreased sharply. In general, the lipid, carbohydrate, and glycerol levels decreased gradually across the maintenance phase. At termination phase, the contents of glycogen and lipid persistently decreased, while an increase of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents were detected. The protein level was significantly higher at maintenance phase than at initiation and termination phases. It was also found that elevation of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents occurred in winter. These implies that the metabolites with altered levels in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica are responsible for maintaining a prolonged development and overwintering.

Evaluation of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) meal as an alternative protein source for narrow‐clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) juveniles

An eighty-day feeding study was performed to investigate the effects of mealworm meal (Tenebrio molitor) on the growth, survival and moulting frequency of juvenile Narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus). Three dietary treatment groups with triplicate were fed with a fish meal-based without MW (control diet: MW0), two diets with 50% (MW50) and 100% (Mw100) of fish meal substitution with MW respectively. P. leptodactylus juveniles (11.0 ± 0.05 mm, mean ±SE and 0.011 ± 0.002 g, mean ±SE) were randomly stocked into nine flow-through tanks with a density of 30 crayfish per tank and reared for 80 days. Crayfish fed with MW50 mealworm meal showed positive effects on weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization (ANPU), moulting frequency (MF) and feed conservation ratio (FCR), but lower survival rate (SR) as compared to the other diet groups. Protein and lipid contents of the whole body of the crayfish fed with replacement diet (MW50) were found to be higher than those of the other two diet groups (p<0.05). However, the MW100 diet slightly increased the moisture and ash contents of the crayfish. Our observation indicated that the addition of a 50% mealworm meal in the diet of P. leptodactylus juveniles improved the growth performance of the crayfish without causing any adverse effects. Therefore, T. molitor meal can be considered as an alternative animal source of protein for the narrow-clawed crayfish juveniles.

Associations of Early Pregnancy and Neonatal Circulating Folate, Vitamin B-12, and Homocysteine Concentrations with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children at 10 y of Age.

ABSTRACTBackgroundHigher circulating folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations and lower circulating homocysteine concentrations during pregnancy seem to be associated with fetal development. These micronutrients may also be associated with cardiometabolic health.ObjectiveWe examined the associations of circulating folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine concentrations during pregnancy and in neonates with childhood cardiometabolic outcomes.MethodsThis study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onward. We sampled blood in early pregnancy and cord blood. We measured cardiometabolic outcomes in the children at school age. Among 4449 children aged 10 y (median: 9.7; 95% range: 9.3, 10.7), we examined associations of plasma folate, serum vitamin B-12, and plasma homocysteine concentrations in early pregnancy and at birth with BMI, body fat distribution, heart rate, blood pressure, and insulin, glucose, and lipid concentrations, using linear regression models. Using logistic models, we examined the associations of these micronutrients with risks of overweight/obesity and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsOne standard deviation score (SDS) higher maternal plasma folate concentration was associated with lower BMI (−0.04 SDS; 95% CI: −0.08, −0.01), android-to-gynoid fat ratio (−0.04 SDS; 95% CI: −0.07, −0.01), systolic blood pressure (−0.06 SDS; 95% CI: −0.10, −0.03), risk of overweight (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.96), and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.91). One SDS higher maternal serum total B-12 concentration was associated with lower glucose (−0.06 SDS; 95% CI: −0.10, −0.02) and higher HDL cholesterol concentrations (0.04 SDS; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.08). Cord blood folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine concentrations were not consistently associated with cardiometabolic outcomes.ConclusionsSubtle differences in circulating folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations in early pregnancy may be associated with child cardiometabolic health at age 10 y. The causality and mechanisms underlying these associations need further study.

Effect of body lipid content is linked to nutritional adaptation in the acclimation responses of mesic-adapted Paederus to seasonal variations in desiccation stress

Desiccation stress causes mesic-adapted arthropods to lose their body water content. However, mesic-adapted Paederus beetles can survive over prolonged periods under dry field conditions, suggesting that these beetles adopt an array of water conservation mechanisms. We investigated the water balance mechanisms of field-collected Paederus adults over a 14-month sampling period. We also assessed their nutritional adaptations by performing a stable isotope analysis to examine their diet. The water loss rate (WLR) of the beetles was significantly associated with the rice crop cycle and saturation deficit. The cuticular permeability (CP) of adult beetles was maintained at < 30 µg cm−2h−1 mmHg−1; however, CP increased significantly with the WLR. This result indicates that CP might play a minor role in reducing excessive water loss in beetles. The beetles’ body water content and percentage total body water content increased when the WLR was high. Trehalose, glucose, and glycogen did not appear to play a central role in enhancing the water reserves in the insects. The body lipid content ranged from 0.22 ± 0.06 to 0.87 ± 0.07 mg and was negatively associated with the WLR. This association indicates that the increase in internal metabolic water was mediated by lipid catabolism. Stable isotope analysis results revealed that the Paederus beetles shifted their diet to carbohydrate-rich plants when the saturation deficit increased and the associated WLR reached its peak; otherwise, they consumed a high amount of staple carbohydrate-poor herbivore prey. The accumulation of energy reserves in the form of lipids through seasonal dietary shifts may exert major effects on the survival and population success of mesic-adapted Paederus beetles.

Si Miao Formula attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota

BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with few therapeutic options available currently. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years in China and Asian countries, and regarded as an important source for identifying novel medicines for diseases. Si Miao Formula (SMF) is a classical TCM formula for the treatment of gout disease by reducing serum uric acid concentrations, while high concentration of uric acid is also an independent risk factor for NAFLD. PurposeTo investigate the protective effect of SMF on NAFLD in a mouse model induced by a high fat/high sucrose (HFHS) diet. MethodsMice received a HFHS diet over a 16-week period to induce NAFLD with or without SMF intervention. Lipid levels were measured in both the liver and serum. Histopathological staining was used to evaluate the extent of hepatic lipid accumulation. Liver transcriptomics was used to enrich differentially expressed genes and to predict regulatory pathways after gene set enrichment analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the microbial composition. Genes of liver lipid metabolism, inflammation and intestinal tight junctions were detected by qRT-PCR analysis. ResultsSMF attenuated hepatic steatosis, reduced body weight gain and lipid concentrations, improved sensitivity to insulin and also tolerance to glucose, in mice fed an HFHS diet. Hepatic transcriptomics showed that SMF downregulated the biosynthesis of fatty acids and stimulated the insulin secretion pathway. SMF significantly altered the gut microbiota composition and in particular increased the proportion of Akkermansia muciniphila. In agreement with liver transcriptomics, SMF downregulated the expression of genes implicated in the metabolism of lipids (Acly, Fas, Acc, Scd-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il-1β, Nlrp-3) in the livers. ConclusionThe results indicate that SMF attenuates HFHS diet-induced NAFLD and regulates hepatic lipid metabolism pathways. The anti-NAFLD effect of SMF was linked to modulation of the gut microbiota composition and in particular an increased relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila.

Response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to lysine: Performance, body composition, maintenance and efficiency of utilization

The purpose of the three trials reported here was to measure the efficiency of lysine utilization for growth and lysine requirement for maintenance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during three growing stages. For the initial phase, a total of eight treatments (4.04, 6.63, 9.80, 13.3, 16.6, 20.7, 25.6 g lysine kg−1 and an additional diet containing 6.79 g lysine kg−1 called counter-proof) were randomly distributed among 36 experimental units, each containing 15 fishes of 2.35 ± 0.05 g. The grower and finisher phase consisted of seven treatments (4.13, 7.99, 11.7, 15.3, 19.4, 22.9 g lysine kg−1 and an additional diet containing 7.75 g lysine kg−1) randomly distributed among 21 experimental units of eleven (433 ± 12.49 g) and nine (733 ± 11.24 g) fishes, respectively. The counter-proof treatment confirmed that lysine was the first-limiting amino acid in all three growing stages. Overall, growth performance, feed efficiency and fillet yield were improved with lysine intake. In the grower and finisher phase, Nile tilapia fed diet containing the lower level of lysine exhibited reduction in protein weight and increase in body lipid content, indicating that the reminiscent energy, once used to deposit protein in fish consuming sufficient amount of lysine, was used for lipid deposition. The efficiency of lysine utilization of 0.60, 0.60 and 0.59 during the initial, grower and finisher phase, respectively, equating to approximately 115 mg lysine/g protein, proved to be the same (P > 0.05) and independent of the growth stage. The requirement for maintenance was estimated as 22.7, 45.1, and 56.3 mg lysine/kg0.8 body weight in the initial, grower and finisher phase, respectively, suggesting that maintenance requirements change with age or size (P < 0.05). These coefficients may be used for calculating the daily lysine requirements for maintenance and growth of Nile tilapia.

A Mediterranean Diet and Low-Fat Vegan Diet to Improve Body Weight and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Randomized, Cross-over Trial

Objective: Evidence suggests that both Mediterranean and vegan diets improve body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors, but their relative efficacy has not been compared in a randomized trial. Methods: In a randomized crossover trial, 62 overweight adults were randomly assigned to a Mediterranean or vegan diet for a 16-week period. Body weight, plasma lipids, blood pressure, and body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry) were measured. Secondary measures included insulin resistance (Homeostasis Model Assessment, HOMA-IR), oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS), and predicted insulin sensitivity (PREDIM) indices. Thereafter, participants were asked to return to their baseline diets for 4 weeks, after which they began the opposite diet for 16 weeks. The same parameters were measured before and after this 2nd 16-week period. Results: Overall net weight changes were 0.0 (Mediterranean) and −6.0 kg (vegan), (treatment effect −6.0 kg [95% CI −7.5 to −4.5]; p < 0.001). HOMA-IR decreased and OGIS increased on the vegan diet with no significant change on the Mediterranean diet (treatment effect −0.7 [95% CI, −1.8 to +0.4]; p = 0.21; and +35.8 mL/min/m2 [95% CI, +13.2 to +58.3]; p = 0.003, respectively). PREDIM did not change significantly in either group. Among participants with no medication changes, total and LDL-cholesterol decreased 18.7 mg/dL (0.5 mmol/L) and 15.3 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L), respectively, on the vegan diet, compared with no significant change on the Mediterranean diet (treatment effect −15.6 [-24.6 to −6.6]; p = 0.001 and −14.8 [-23.5 to −6.2]; p = 0.001, respectively); systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased 9.3 and 7.3 mmHg on the Mediterranean diet, compared with 3.4 and 4.1 mmHg on the vegan diet (treatment effect +5.9 [95% CI +1.0 to +10.9]; p = 0.02; and +1.8 [95% CI −4.6 to +8.1]; p = 0.58, respectively). Conclusions: A low-fat vegan diet improved body weight, lipid concentrations, and insulin sensitivity, both from baseline and compared with a Mediterranean diet. Blood pressure decreased on both diets, more on the Mediterranean diet. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03698955 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03698955?term=NCT03698955&draw=2&rank=1