Liver Glutathione Peroxidase Activity Research Articles

Effects of herbal dregs supplementation of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Isatidis Radix residues improved production performance and gut microbiota abundance in late-phase laying hens.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a mixture of Chinese medicinal residues (CMRs) consisting of Salvia miltiorrhiza residues (SMR) and Isatidis Radix residues (IRR) on productive performance, egg quality, serum lipid and hormone levels, liver and blood antioxidant capacity, oviduct inflammation levels, and gut microbiota in the late-laying stage. A total of 288 fifty-four-week-old BaShang long-tailed hens were divided into four groups. The feed trial period was 8 weeks. The control group was fed the basic diet as a CCMR group, supplemented with 3, 4, and 6% for the experimental groups LCMR, MCMR, and HCMR. The egg production rate of the MCMR group was 8.1% higher than that of the CCMR group (p < 0.05). Serum triglyceride (TG) levels of hens of the CMR-supplemented group were significantly decreased than those of the CCMR group (p < 0.05). The group supplemented with different levels of CMR had significantly higher serum HDL-C levels compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were remarkably increased for the LCMR and MCMR groups and significantly decreased for the HCMR group compared to CCMR (p < 0.05). Serum and liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities were significantly increased, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in the MCMR group compared to the CCMR group (p < 0.05). The expression levels of tubal inflammatory factor markers (IL-4, IL-1β, TNF-α) in the MCMR and HCMR groups were consistent with the pathological findings of the sections. As for cecal microbiota, supplementation with CMR affected the alpha diversity of the cecum microbiome at the genus level. The Shannon index was significantly higher in the MCMR group than in the CCMR and HCMR groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation with different levels of CMR mainly regulated the ratio of intestinal Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the abundance of phyla such as Proteobacteria. In addition, CMR supplementation at different levels in the diet enriched lipid-metabolizing bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Ruminococcus_gnavus_group. Furthermore, according to linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analysis, the MCMR group showed an increase in the number of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Romboutsia and fiber-degrading specialized bacteria Monoglobus. Therefore, supplementation of appropriate amounts of CMR to the diet of laying hens enhanced reproductive hormone levels, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism, alleviated the levels of oviductal inflammatory factors, and modulated the abundance structure of bacterial flora to improve the late-laying performance and egg quality. The results of the current study showed that CMR is a beneficial feed supplement for chickens when added in moderation.

Exploring the effects of the dietary fiber compound mediated by a longevity dietary pattern on antioxidation, characteristic bacterial genera, and metabolites based on fecal metabolomics

BackgroundAge-related dysbiosis of the microbiota has been linked to various negative health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of a newly discovered dietary fiber compound (DFC) on aging, intestinal microbiota, and related metabolic processes. The DFC was identified through in vitro fermentation screening experiments, and its dosage and composition were determined based on a longevity dietary pattern.MethodsAged SPF C57BL/6 J mice (65 weeks old) and young mice (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups: a subgroup without dietary fiber (NDF), a low DFC dose subgroup (LDF, 10% DFC), and a high DFC dose subgroup (HDF, 20% DFC). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in liver and serum samples of the mice were measured according to the manufacturer’s protocol. The expression levels of characteristic bacterial genera and fecal metabolite concentrations in mice were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (1H NMR). Metabolomics analysis was further conducted to identify biological functions and potential pathways related to aging.ResultsAfter an 8-weeks dietary intervention, DFC supplementation significantly attenuated age-related weight loss, organ degeneration, and oxidative stress. And promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides (p < 0.05) in the intestinal tracts of aged mice. Metabolomic analysis identified glycolipid and amino acid metabolic pathway biomarkers associated with aging that were differentially regulated by DFC consumption. Correlation analysis between the identified microbial flora and the biomarkers revealed potential mechanistic links between altered microbial composition and metabolic activity with aging markers.ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study revealed an important mechanism by which DFC consumption impacts healthspan and longevity, shedding light on optimizing dietary fiber or developing fiber-based interventions to improve human health.

Effects of dietary nano-selenium concentration on growth, proximate chemical composition and antioxidant enzymes, and physiological responses to stressors by juvenile Catla catla

This study evaluated effects of nano‑selenium (nano-Se) on growth, feed utilization and antioxidant status of Catla catla fed isonitrogenous (26.25% protein) and isolipidic (13.12% lipid) diets formulated to contain nano-Se at 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 mg/kg (analysed Se 0.32, 1.08, 1.81 and 2.61 mg/kg). There were three tanks (89 × 58 × 61 cm) for each of the four feed treatments, and each tank of 25 fish (initial weight of 6.41 ± 0.02 g) was fed to satiation twice each day for 90 days. After 90 days, growth performance and survival rate were noted and then 9 fish from each replicate were harvested and analysed for body proximate composition, serum biochemistry and antioxidant enzyme activities. The remaining 16 fish from each replicate were subjected to temperature and hypoxia stress (8 fish against each stressor). Orthogonal polynomial contrast analysis revealed dietary nano-Se supplementation significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization in linear, quadratic trends. Fish fed diet containing 1.08 mg/kg nano-Se showed highest weight gain (28.00 ± 0.84 g) and specific growth rate (1.87 ± 0.01%/day) and lowest FCR (1.07 ± 0.03). However, no significant effect was observed on the feed intake or survival rates of the fish. Furthermore, whole body moisture, crude protein (CP) and ash contents showed significant linear and quadratic trends in response to dietary nano-Se. Before and after stress challenges, significant increase in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) and decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed in fish fed 1.08 mg/kg nano-Se diets compared with the control group. Before stress, nano-Se supplementation had no effect on the levels of serum glucose (GLU), serum cortisol (CORT) or the survival rate (SR), however, significant elevations in these parameters were observed after stress challenges. Fish fed 1.08 mg/kg nano-Se diet showed significantly lower values of GLU, CORT and SR as compared to the control group after each stress challenge. In conclusion, nano-Se supplementation improved the growth performance, health status and response to stressor in Catla catla. The optimum nano-Se concentration in the diets of C. catla was estimated to be 1.54, 1.60, 1.58 and 1.64 mg/kg on the basis of weight gain percent, FCR, TBARS and GLU, respectively.

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) residue could partially replace the dietary fish meal in the juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) residue is a by-product of P. americana meal after extracting active ingredients with ethanol, and it still contains high protein, lipid, and a certain amount of active ingredients, may be a potential fish meal alternative. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated to replace 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of dietary fish meal with P. americana residue, and defined as Diet 1, Diet 2, Diet 3, Diet 4, and Diet 5, respectively. The juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with an initial body weight of 2.98 ± 0.01 g was fed with respective diets for 10 weeks, which was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fish meal replacement by P. americana residue on the growth performance, proximate composition, amino acid profile, metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of juvenile O. niloticus. There were no significant differences in the final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate among five diet groups, while the highest feed conversion ratio and the lowest protein efficiency ratio were recorded in Diet 4. There were no significant differences in the contents of crude protein, total lipid, ash, and total amino acid in the whole fish body among all groups. The Diet 1 and Diet 2 had higher activities of trypsin, α-amylase, and chitinase in the intestine and α-amylase in the liver. The highest serum urea content was detected in Diet 4, while the lowest liver urea content and the highest serum total protein content were detected in Diet 3. A higher liver catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and serum lysozyme activities were detected in Diet 2, and the lowest serum malondialdehyde content was detected in Diet 2. In conclusion, dietary fish meal replacement by the P. americana residue had no negative effects on the growth performance and body composition of juvenile O. niloticus, and significantly improved the antioxidant capacity and immunity, while feed utilization rate was reduced when dietary fish meal replacement levels exceeded 75%.

Dietary Chito-oligosaccharide attenuates LPS-challenged intestinal inflammation via regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and MAPK signaling pathway

To investigate the regulatory effects of Chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and MAPK signaling pathways. A total of 40 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups [including the control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, COS group, and COS*LPS group]. On the morning of d 14 and 21, piglets were injected with saline or LPS. At 2 h post-injection, whole blood samples were collected on d 14 and 21, and small intestine and liver samples were collected and analyzed on d 21. The results showed that COS inhibited the LPS-induced increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and hepatic TNF-α cytokines. COS significantly increased the serum total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) value on d 14, and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities in both serum and liver on d 21. Furthermore, it increased hepatic catalase (CAT) activity. COS also increased the LPS-induced decrease in serum IgG concentrations. Immunohistochemical analysis results showed that COS significantly increased the jejunal and ileal Caspase 3, and ileal CD4+ values challenged by LPS. Dietary COS decreased the LPS-induced jejunal and ileal BAX and CCL2 mRNA levels, markedly decreased ileal COX2 and SOD1 mRNA levels, while increasing ileal iNOS. Furthermore, COS significantly increased the LPS-induced jejunal and ileal p-P38 and MyD88, as well as jejunal P38, while it effectively suppressed jejunal JNK1, and jejunal and ileal JNK2, p-JNK1, and p-JNK2 protein expressions. These results demonstrated that COS could be beneficial by attenuating LPS-challenged intestinal inflammation via regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and MAPK signaling pathways.

Baseline and recurrent exposure to the standard dose of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) induces oxidative stress and liver damage in mice (BALB/c)

BackgroundIn malaria-endemic countries, repeated intake of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) is rampant and driven by drug resistance, improper usage, and easy accessibility. Stress effects and potential liver toxicity due to the frequent therapeutic use of ACTs have not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the effects of repeated treatment with standard doses of the commonly used ACTs artemether/lumefantrine (A/L) and artesunate-amodiaquine (A/A) on oxidative stress and liver function markers in male mice (BALB/c).MethodsForty Five mice were divided into three groups: control, A/L, and A/A. The drugs were administered three days in a row per week, and the regimen was repeated every two weeks for a total of six cycles. The levels of oxidative stress and liver function markers were measured in both plasma and liver tissue after initial (baseline) and repeated exposures for the second, third, and sixth cycles.ResultsExposure to A/L or A/A caused a significant (p < 0.001) increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels after the first and repeated exposure periods. However, Hepatic MDA levels increased significantly (p < 0.01) only after the sixth exposure to A/A. Following either single or repeated exposure to A/L or A/A, plasma and liver glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities, plasma aspartate and alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activity, and bilirubin levels increased, whereas total plasma protein levels decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Varying degrees of hepatocyte degeneration and blood vessel congestion were observed in liver tissues after a single or repeated treatment period.ConclusionIrrespective of single or repeated exposure to therapeutic doses of A/L or A/A, plasma oxidative stress and liver damage were observed. However, long-term repeated A/A exposure can led to hepatic stress. Compensatory processes involving GPx and CAT activities may help reduce the observed stress.

Dietary fulvic acid increased growth, stress tolerance and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) juvenile

An 8-week husbandry trial was carried out toexamine the impacts of graded levels of dietary fulvic acid (FA) on growth, stress, and disease resistance of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer, 38.2 g) juveniles. Five levels of FA were included in a basal diet (470 g kg-1 crude protein, 150 g kg-1 crude lipid) to prepare experimental diets, including: 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 15 g kg-1 diet. Two hundred and twenty-five fish (38.2 ± 0.1 g) were stocked randomly into 15 1000-L circular polyethylene tanks (15 fish tank-1) filled with 800 L disinfected seawater and fed with the experimental feeds three times daily. Each dietary treatment had three replicates. Tanks were supplied with seawater (32.2 °C, 45.0 ppt) in a flow-throw system. At the end of the husbandry trial, fish were challenged with Vibrio harveyi and air exposure stress for one min. Fish fed FA-supplemented diets showed a positive quadratic growth response, and those fed with a 5 g FA kg-1 diet had higher final weight and weight gain percentage than the control. Feed intake in fish fed FA-supplemented diets were higher than in control, showing significant linear and quadratic trends (P < 0.05). The highest and lowest skin mucus lysozyme (LYZ) and serum alternative complement pathway (ACH50) activities were in fish fed 10 and 15 g FA kg-1 diets, respectively, exhibiting a quadratic response to dietary FA. Serum total protein level (TP) in fish fed FA-supplemented diets was higher than in the control group. Medium or high levels (10–15 g kg-1) of FA significantly enhanced the survival rate against Vibrio harveyi, which was associated with increased activities of serum lysozyme and ACH50 as well as liver glutathione peroxidase activity in these groups. Air exposure induced oxidative stress in all treatments and gradually reduced antioxidant enzyme activities associated with increased malondialdehyde content in the liver. Furthermore, air exposure suppressed some immune responses, including serum total immunoglobulin and TP levels. Still, LYZ activity was restored after 24 h, with the highest level found in fish fed 5 g FA kg-1 diet. Based on the broken-line regression analysis, the adequate level of FA in the diet for Asian seabass is 4.4 g kg-1.

Oral bovine serum albumin administration alleviates inflammatory signals and improves antioxidant capacity and immune response under thioacetamide stress in blunt snout bream fed a high-calorie diet

This investigation looks at the impact of oral bovine serum albumin (BSA) on antioxidants, immune responses, and inflammation signals in blunt snout bream fed a high-calorie diet. 480 fish (average weight: 45.84 ± 0.07 g) were randomly fed a control diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD), and a high-energy diet (HED) in six replicates for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were orally administered with 10% BSA for 10 h, then blood and liver samples from five fish were randomly obtained after 10 h to determine plasma inflammatory markers and inorganic components. Also, the leftover fish were injected with thioacetamide, blood and liver samples were simultaneously obtained at 12, 48, and 96 h, respectively, to determine antioxidant, immune, and inflammatory signals, with survival rates recorded at the same time interval. After 10 h, plasma inflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factors (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL6), nitric oxide (NO), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), and cortisol were significantly improved in fish fed HCD and HED as compared to the control. After thioacetamide stress, plasma lysozyme (LYM), complement 3, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as immunoglobulin M, levels all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing time with maximum value attained at 96 h, but shows no difference among dietary treatment. Similar results were observed in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but tended to reduce at 96 h. nf-kb, tnf-α, and mcp-1 tend to decrease with the minimum value attained at 48 h and gradually decrease with increasing time at 96 h. After 96 h of the thioacetamide (TAA) challenge, the survival rate of blunt snout bream fed with an HFD and HCD was significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 48, and 96 h before the administration of BSA. However, no differences were observed among dietary treatments after the BSA administration. Overall, this study indicated that oral dietary administration of BSA might greatly enhance the antioxidant capability and innate immunity and mitigates inflammation signals after TAA stress in blunt snout bream fed high energy diet.

Reassessment of dietary protein and lipid requirements for large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea, reared in net pens

AbstractAt present, large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea, a carnivorous fish ranked fifth in aquaculture production among marine finfishes in the world, still relies on raw fish diet because formulated feed alone is not able to sustain rapid growth of the fish. The present study evaluated growth, feed utilization efficiency, body composition and antioxidant capacity of large yellow croaker fed diets containing four protein (430, 460, 490 and 520 g/kg) and three lipid (60, 90 and 120 g/kg) levels. Fish weighing 11.4 ± 2.8 g were fed with the test diets in net pens for 8 weeks. Final body weight and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) were dependent on dietary protein and lipid levels and their interaction. Weight gain, body protein content, serum catalase (CAT) activity and liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were dependent on dietary protein and lipid levels. Phosphorus retention efficiency was dependent on dietary protein level and interaction between protein and lipid levels. Hepatosomatic index, body lipid and energy contents, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH‐Px in serum, and CAT activity and malondialdehyde content in liver were dependent on dietary lipid level. The final body weight and weight gain of fish fed at 490 g/kg protein level did not significantly differ from those fed at 520 g/kg protein level. The final body weight, weight gain and NRE of fish fed at 90 g/kg lipid level were higher than those fed at 60 g/kg lipid level, but did not significantly differ from those fed at 120 g/kg lipid level. The maximum weight gain occurred in fish fed the diets either containing 520 g/kg protein or 90 g/kg lipid. The body lipid content, as well as SOD and GSH‐Px activities in serum, were higher in fish fed the diets with 90 and 120 g/kg lipid compared to fish fed the diets with 60 g/kg lipid. The present study reveals that the optimal dietary protein and lipid levels for large yellow croaker reared in net pens were 490–520 g/kg and 90 g/kg, respectively.

Dietary high β-conglycinin reduces the growth through enhancing hepatic lipid peroxidation and impairing intestinal barrier function of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

β-conglycinin is one of the major soy antigen proteins in soybean meal (SBM) and exhibits growth inhibition and intestinal health damage in grouper, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) was used to investigate whether the poor growth performance induced by dietary β-conglycinin levels is associated with intestinal structural integrity disruption, the intestinal apoptosis and intestinal microbiota. The basal diet (FM diet) was formulated to contained 48% protein and 12% fat without SBM supplementation. Fish meal protein in the FM diet was replaced by SBM to prepare a high SBM diet (SBM diet). β-conglycinin at 3% and 7% were added into FM diets to prepare two diets (B-3 and B-7). Triplicate groups of fish (20 fish/tank) were fed one of the experimental diets twice daily in a feeding period of 8 weeks. Compared with FM diet, fish fed diets SBM and B-7 had decreased the growth rate, hepatosomatic index, whole-body lipid and ash contents, and increased whole-body moisture content. However, the maximum growth was observed for diet B-3 and was not different from that of FM diet. The liver total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity, the muscle layer thickness of middle and distal intestine, and the mucosal fold length of distal intestine were lower, while liver malondialdehyde content, intestinal diamine oxidase activity, d-lactic acid and endotoxin contents, and the number of intestinal apoptosis were higher in SBM and B-7 groups than that in FM and/or B-3 groups. SBM and B-7 diets down-regulated the intestinal expression of tight junction genes (occludin, claudin-3 and ZO-1), apoptosis genes (bcl-2 and bcl-xL) and anti-inflammatory factor genes (IκBα, TGF-β1 and IL-10), but up-regulated the intestinal expression of apoptosis genes (caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9) and pro-inflammatory factor genes (NF-κB1, RelA, TAK1, IKK, MyD88, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8) vs FM and/or B-3 diets. The richness and diversity indexes of OTUs, Chao1, ACE, Shannon and Simpson were not affected by dietary treatments. The relative abundances of intestinal bacteria (phylum Proteobacteria and genus Vibrio) were generally higher, and relative abundance of phylum Tenericutes was lower in SBM and/or B-7 groups than that in B-3 group. The above results indicate that high dietary β-conglycinin level, rather than intermediate level could decrease liver antioxidant capacity, reshape the intestinal microbiota, and impair the intestinal normal morphology through disrupting the intestinal tight junction structure, increasing intestinal mucosal permeability, and promoting intestinal apoptosis, which in turn triggers intestinal inflammatory responses and the occurrence of enteritis, and ultimately leads to poor growth performance in fish.

Can sulforaphane alter growth performance, innate immunity and antioxidant capability of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Huanghe var)?

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a plant extract with demonstrated immunity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its research on aquatic animals is still lacking. Herein, this study aimed to investigate the effects of SFN on growth performance, innate immunity and antioxidant capability of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Huanghe var). Fish (76.17 ± 0.23 g) were fed diets supplemented with five levels (0, 5 mg kg−1, 10 mg kg−1,15 mg kg−1 and 20 mg kg−1) of SFN for 8 weeks. The results indicated that fish fed 10 mg kg−1 SFN showed higher weight gain rate (P < 0.05) than the control group and the group of 15 mg kg−1 SFN. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fish fed 10 mg kg−1 SFN than the group of 15 mg kg−1 SFN. Plasma complement component 4 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) contents, acid phosphatase activity, and liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities, glutathione content, and interleukin-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and toll-like receptor 2 mRNA expressions all increased (P < 0.05) in response to dietary SFN levels from 0 to 10 mg kg−1, then decreased with further increasing SFN levels. Plasma TNF-α content increased (P < 0.05) in response to dietary SFN levels from 0 to 15 mg kg−1, then decreased with further increasing SFN levels. Plasma lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities both increased (P < 0.05) in response to dietary SFN levels from 0 to 5 mg kg−1, then decreased with further increasing SFN levels. Liver malonaldehyde content was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fish fed 10 mg kg−1 SFN than other groups except for the 5 mg kg−1 SFN. Overall, these findings suggested that dietary SFN could promote growth, enhance immunity and antioxidant capacity, and the best benefit was obtained in fish fed 10 mg kg−1. These results encouraged further research of SFN as feed additive in aquaculture and provided basic data for the future application of SFN in aquatic animals.

The effects of dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa on performance and ascites incidence in broilers subjected to cold exposure.

Camelina sativa oilseed has a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) especially α-linolenic acid. n-3 FA can improve the deformability of erythrocytes and mediate relaxations in coronary artery such as nitric oxide (NO) that is the principal vasodilator responsible for diminution the pulmonary arterial hypertension response. To investigate the effects of camelina sources on ascites incidence in broilers kept on altitude, 672 male chicks were fed with 7 dietary treatments, including control, 2% or 4% camelina oil (CO), 5% or 10% camelina meal (CM) and 5% or 10% camelina seeds (CS) diets. Supplementation of 2% CO had no negative impact on performance, whereas feed intake and body weight gains decreased (p<0.05) by adding 4% CO, CM and CS. Birds fed camelina diets had lower serum triglyceride at day 42, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at both 28 and 42 days. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase decreased (p<0.001) among 5% and 10% CS groups on day 42. Serum and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde declined (p<0.05) by camelina treatments, whereas serum NO and liver glutathione peroxidase activity significantly elevated. Red blood cell, heterophils and H:L ratio were lower but lymphocyte was higher in camelina groups. Inclusion of camelina reduced (p<0.05) relative weights of heart and right ventricle, the weight of right ventricle to total ventricle ratio and ascites mortality. Use of 2% CO as a source of n-3 FA can improve ascites condition and mortality in broilers reared at high altitude without the reduction of growth performance. However, feeding 4% CO or 5% and 10% CS or CM reduced broiler performance.

Dietary Litsea cubeba essential oil supplementation improves growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets.

This paper was to determine the effects of dietary Litsea cubeba essential oil (LEO) supplementation on growth performance, immune function, antioxidant level, intestinal morphology and microbial composition in weaned piglets. One hundred and ninety-two piglets (Duroc×[Large White×Landrace]) with 6.85±0.22kg mean body weight weaned at 21d of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups with 8 replicates and were fed with a basal diet (CON) or CON diet containing 100 (LLEO), 200 (MLEO) and 400 (HLEO) mg/kg LEO. The results revealed that HLEO supplementation (P<0.05) increased the average daily gain on d 28 compared with CON. MLEO and HLEO supplementation decreased (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio. LEO-containing diets had a lower (P<0.05) diarrhea rate. Supplementation with HLEO increased (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) both in the serum and liver. Meanwhile, the supplementation of MLEO and HLEO resulted in higher (P<0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities both in serum and liver. Supplementation of HLEO increased (P<0.05) serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G and interleukin-10, whereas supplementation with MLEO and HLEO decreased (P<0.05) tumor necrosis factor-α. Villus height in the duodenum or jejunum was increased (P<0.05) in the HLEO group, and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum was also improved (P<0.05) in the MLEO group. The addition of LEO increased (P<0.05) the richness and diversity of the microbial community in the cecum, which mainly increased the relative abundance of Oscillospiraceae _UCG-005, Faecalibacterium, Blautia and Coprococcus. Piglets supplemented with HLEO increased (P<0.05) the concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), including acetic acid in the cecum and propionic acid in the colon. In conclusion, these findings indicated that LEO supplementation improved growth performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets.

Analysis of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Rabbiteye Blueberry Leaves by UPLC-MS/MS and Preparation of Nanoemulsions and Extracts for Improving Antiaging Effects in Mice.

Rabbiteye blueberry leaves, a waste produced after harvest of blueberry, are rich in polyphenols. This study aims to analyze phenolic acids and flavonoids in blueberry leaves by UPLC-MS/MS and prepare nanoemulsions for determining anti-aging activity in mice. Overall, 30% ethanol was the most suitable extraction solvent for total phenolic acids and total flavonoids. A total of four phenolic acids and four flavonoids were separated within seven minutes for further identification and quantitation by UPLC-MS/MS in selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, with 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid being present in the highest amount (6474.2 μg/g), followed by quercetin-3-O-galactoside (1943.9 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (1036.6 μg/g), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (867.2 μg/g), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (815.8 μg/g), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (309.7 μg/g), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (195.3 μg/g), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (60.8 μg/g). The blueberry nanoemulsion was prepared by using an appropriate ratio of soybean oil, Tween 80, glycerol, ethanol, and water at 1.2%, 8%, 2%, 2%, and 86.8%, respectively, and mixing with dried blueberry extract, with the mean particle size and zeta potential being 16 nm and -54 mV, respectively. A high stability was observed during storage of nanoemulsion for 90 days at 4 °C and heated at 100 °C for 2 h. An animal study revealed that this nanoemulsion could elevate dopamine content in mice brain as well as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in mice liver while reducing the contents of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in mice brains. Collectively, the high-dose nanoemulsion possessed the highest efficiency in improving mice aging with a promising potential for development into a health food.

Effect of dietary butyric acid, Bacillus licheniformis ‎ (probiotic), and their combination on hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidant enzymes, immunological parameters, and growth performance of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary butyric acid, probiotic (Bacillus licheniformis‎), and their combination on hematology and biochemical indices, liver antioxidant enzymes, immune parameters, and growth performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three hundred healthy rainbow trout fish (average initial weight = 13.33 ± 0.20 g) were fed four isonitrogenous (40.99 g kg-1 crude protein) diets. The first diet (D1) was control. The other three diets D2, D3and D4 were supplemented with 2.2. × 107 CFU g-1B.licheniformis, 2 % butyric acid and 2 % butyric acid + 2.2. × 107 CFU g-1B.licheniformis diet, respectively. The results indicated that fish receiving diets 3 and 4 have the highest hematology parameters, total protein, albumin, and globulin. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline ‎phosphatase (ALP), ‎ and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity among experimental diet groups. The liver catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)‎ activity were significantly in fish fed with diets 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). The most improvement in total immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration, lysozyme, and serum bactericidal activity were observed in fish fed with diets 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). The challenge test showed that the order of resistance to S. agalactiae infection was in fish fed with diets 3, 4, and ‎2, respectively. The fish fed with diet 4 exhibited the lowest feed conversion ratio and the highest final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (P < 0.05). In general, this study showed that dietary administration of butyric acid alone or ‎combined with B. licheniformis provides promising results as a functional feed for the ‎rearing of rainbow trout.‎

Protective effect of corn peptide on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats induced by high fat diet

To explore the dose-effect and mechanism of the protective effect of corn peptide(CP) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Seventy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, CP group, puerarin positive control group, low-, medium-, high-dose corn peptide group, the experiment started after 1 week of adaptive feeding. The control group and CP group were fed with ordinary feed and others were fed with high-fat feed, while the control group was given intragastric administration of purified water, the CP group and the low-, medium-, high-dose corn peptide group were given intragastric administration of corn peptide(800, 400, 600 and 800 mg/(kg·d), respectively), and the puerarin positive control group was given intragastric administration of 300 mg/(kg·d) of puerarin, for 10 weeks. The body weight and general condition of rats were recorded every week, after 10 weeks, the indexes of 7 groups were compared. Compared with the model group, the liver index(3.67, 3.29, 3.19 and 3.04, P&lt;0.05) of the rats in the three doses of corn peptide groups decreased. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(13.66, 11.82, 11.55 and 10.53, P&lt;0.05) decreased. The serum triglyceride(TG)(0.59, 0.42, 0.34 and 0.28, P&lt;0.05), total cholesterol(TC)(2.57, 2.10, 1.67 and 1.46, P&lt;0.05), free fatty acid(FFA)(0.66, 0.44, 0.40 and 0.36, P&lt;0.05), and leptin(10.64, 9.87, 9.43 and 9.05, P&lt;0.05) decreased. The serum interleukin-6(74.61, 61.66, 51.12 and 35.68, P&lt;0.05) and tumor necrosis factor-α(100.18, 74.13, 67.44 and 48.46, P&lt;0.05) decreased. The serum aspartate aminotransferase(41.38, 19.41, 14.98 and 8.44, P&lt;0.05) and alanine aminotransferase(25.14, 13.10, 11.57 and 7.48, P&lt;0.05) activity decreased. The liver TG(9.89, 5.55, 4.73 and 3.13, P&lt;0.05), TC(1.73, 0.97, 0.80 and 0.50, P&lt;0.05) and FFA(1.81, 1.11, 0.77 and 0.70, P&lt;0.05) decreased. The serum malondialdehyde(MDA)(21.36, 15.24, 12.75 and 10.87, P&lt;0.05) level and liver MDA(11.87, 8.27, 6.33 and 4.98, P&lt;0.05) level decreased. The serum and liver superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity increased(P&lt;0.05), and the effect is related to the intervention dose of corn peptide. The size of the liver became smaller, the liver color gradually changed from light yellow to light red. Corn peptide has a certain preventive effect on NAFLD in rats, and the preventive effect of corn peptide is related to its intervention dose.

The mitigative effect of lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) extract on acute alcoholism through activation of alcohol catabolic enzyme, reduction of oxidative stress, and protection of liver function.

Lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) is a common medicinal-food dual-use vegetable. In this study, the effects of lotus root extract on acute alcoholism were investigated. The Walle-Hoch method was used to determine the ADH activity of lotus root extracts in vitro. Lotus root methanol extract were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based metabolomics analysis. Then 109 active ingredients with achievable oral doses and drug-like properties were explored using the TCMSP platform. SwissTargetPrediction Database to predict lotus root treatment targets for acute alcoholismSTRING database (https://www.string-db.org/) was used to construct protein-protein interaction network graphs. Gene ontology (GO) functional, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of genes common to lotus root and alcoholism by Metascap database. Molecular docking simulations were performed using AutoDock 1.5.6 software. Animal experiments verified the relieving effect of lotus root extract on acute alcoholism after intervention. Results indicated the methanol extract of lotus root showed the highest activation rate of ethanol dehydrogenase in vitro (18.87%). The 433 compounds of lotus root methanol extract were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS based metabolomics analysis. Bioinformatics analysis indicate that there were 224 intersectioning targets between lotus root extract and acute alcoholism. KEGG enrichment analysised shows that lotus root extract may play a role in treating acute alcoholism by intervening with the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis found that HSP90AA1, MAPK1 and STAT3 played a key role in lotus root extract-modulated PPI networks. Molecular docking showed that (7R, 8S)-dihydrodihydrodipine cypressol had the best binding ability with MAPK1. Experiments in mice indicate that lotus root extract improved the activity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), increase glutathione (GSH) and reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, decrease glutamate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the serum of mice with acute alcoholism, and accelerate the metabolic rate of alcohol after drinking. This study reveals the mechanism of lotus root to alleviate acute alcoholism, which provides a basis for further research on functional foods using lotus root and offers new possibilities for the treatment of acute alcoholism. The results of the current study showed that the methanolic extract of lotus root had the highest activation rate of ethanol dehydrogenase. Network pharmacology results suggest that lotus root extract may play a role in the treatment of alcoholism by regulating signaling pathways, such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, as well as biological processes, such as regulation of secretion, regulation of ion transport, response to lipopolysaccharides, and response to alcohol. Animal experiments confirmed the therapeutic effect of lotus root on acute alcoholism mechanistically through activation of alcohol catabolic enzyme, reduction of oxidative stress and protection of liver function.

Effects of Dietary Epidermal Growth Factor Supplementation on Liver Antioxidant Capacity of Piglets with Intrauterine Growth Retardation.

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary epidermal growth factor (EGF) supplementation on the liver antioxidant capacity of piglets with intrauterine growth retar-dation (IUGR). The present study consists of two experiments. In experiment 1, six normal-birth-weight (NBW) and six intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) newborn piglets were slaughtered within 2 to 4h after birth to compare the effects of IUGR on the liver antioxidant capacity of new-born piglets. The results showed that compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets had a lower birth weight and liver relative weight; IUGR piglets had a higher serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, liver MDA level and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level, and had a lower liver total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity; IUGR trended to increase se-rum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and H2O2 level, and trended to decrease liver total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In experiment 2, six NBW piglets, and 12 IUGR piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly divided into the NC group (NBW piglets fed with basal diet); IC group (IUGR piglets fed with basal diet), and IE group (IUGR piglets fed with basal diet plus 2mg/kg EGF), and feeding for 14 days. Organ index, serum parameters, liver antioxidant capacity, and liver antioxidant-related genes expression were measured. The results showed that compared to the IC group, dietary EGF supplementation (IE group) significantly reduced serum MDA level and H2O2 level, and liver protein carbonyl (PC) level and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) level of piglets with IUGR; dietary EGF supplementation (IE group) significantly increased serum T-AOC level, liver T-AOC level and GSH-Px activity; dietary supplemented with EGF (IE group) enhanced liver Nrf2, NQO1, HO1, and GPX1 mRNA expression compared to IC group. Pearson's correlation analysis further showed that EGF can alleviate liver oxidative injury caused by IUGR and improve the performance of IUGR piglets. In conclusion, EGF exhibited potent protective effects on IUGR induced liver oxidative injury, by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway to mediate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes and phase II detoxification enzymes (NQO1 and HO1), thereby alleviating liver oxidative damage and promoting the growth performance of IUGR piglets.

Effects of Aflatoxin B1 on growth performance, carcass traits, organ index, blood biochemistry and oxidative status in Chinese yellow chickens.

In this study, the effects of different levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the growth performance, carcass traits, organ index, blood biochemistry, and antioxidant capacity of yellow-feathered broilers were investigated to provide a reference for the application of AFB1-containing feed ingredients. In this test, yellow-feathered broilers were chosen as the research objects and divided into five treatment groups, with seven replicates in each group and 75 broilers in each replicate. The AFB1 concentration in the diets of groups 1 to 5 were 1.5 μg/kg, 15 μg/kg, 30 μg/kg, 45 μg/kg, and 60 μg/kg, respectively. The results showed that when dietary AFB1 levels were greater than 45 μg/kg, the feed conversion ratios of broilers of 1-21, 22-42, and 43-63 days of age increased (P<0.05). When dietary AFB1 levels were 30 μg/kg, liver glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was decreased (P<0.05), and serum transaminase (AST) activity was increased (P<0.05). Overall, dietary AFB1 levels had negative effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, blood biochemistry, and liver metabolism in yellow-feathered broilers. Based on using growth performance as the effect index, AFB1 levels in the diets of yellow-feathered broilers should not exceed 45 μg/kg. Based on using antioxidant capacity, liver function, and blood biochemistry as effect indexes, AFB1 levels in the diets of yellow-feathered broilers should not exceed 30 μg/kg.

Rosemary and CoQ10 Alleviated the Detrimental Effects of Concomitant Administration of Acetaminophen and Carbamazepine by Accelerating Their Metabolism and Elimination

BACKGROUND: The interaction of carbamazepine (CBZ) and acetaminophen (APAP) could result in hepatic failure and mortality. This study was conducted to analyzed the potential of rosemary ethanol extract (REE) or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to alleviate the interactions between CBZ and APAP.METHODS: Fourty-eight adult male rats were treated differently based on the assigned groups. Oxidative stress parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the expression levels of CYP3A4, CYP2E1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1B in the liver were estimated. In addition, the histopathology of liver was examined and the plasma clearance rate of CBZ and APAP was estimated.RESULTS: Combination of CBZ and APAP significantly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and hepatic MDA, and reduced the activities of GPx, GST, and GSH level in liver. The gene expression of CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 was upregulated by CBZ and CoQ10, respectively. The expression of IL-6 has decreased in the groups treated with CBZ alone or in combination with APAP. TNF-α expression was significantly downregulated in the groups treated with CBZ, APAP, REE, CoQ10, or combination CBZ and APAP. The liver from CBZ and APAP combination group showed centrolobular degeneration and necrosis. REE and CoQ10 were able to alleviate most of these detrimental effects. The combined administration of CBZ and APAP extended the plasma clearance time of APAP and CBZ from 6 to 24 and from 9 to 24 hours, respectively.CONCLUSION: REE and CoQ10 alleviated the detrimental effects of the combination of CBZ and APAP through enhancing the cellular antioxidant milieu, induction of metabolizing enzymes, reduction of the plasma half-life of APAP and CBZ preventing their accumulation and potential interaction.KEYWORDS: acetaminophen, antioxidants, carbamazepine, CoQ10, CYP3A4, CYP2E1, glutathione, lipid peroxidation, rosemary